CONTROVERSIAL FILM MAKER MICHAEL MOORE STIRS ...

(10/29/2004)

Bush-Cheney protesters made themselves heard during a Fairmont political rally Wednesday night led by controversial filmmaker Michael Moore.

Moore, apparently use to such disturbances, took the disruptions gracefully, saying "We welcome you, all of you. If you were at a Bush event, you'd be arrested."

"Lets be nice to them, they only have six more days," he said.

Moore offered the protesters enlistment papers. After a group stood up and yelled a prayer at Moore, he responded with "Who would Jesus bomb?"

Other protesters drowned talks given by parents who have soldiers in Iraq.

About 5000 people crammed into Fairmont State's Feaster Center to attend Moore's "Slacker Uprising Tour," his 49th stop in a 60-city tour.

The lightning rod movie maker who produced "Fahrenheit 911," stirred the young crowd with old-time political fervor, including his rendition of "Country Roads."

Moore focused on what he said was Bush administration lies promoting the invasion of Iraq.

He lauded praise on West Virginia, its people, and its Democratic roots. "This is a great state, a great union state. This is, as Bush says, the heart and soul of America. These are the people who have fought for working people."

"You in West Virginia give a gift to the rest of the country with so many of your sons and daughters in the military and that gift should be respected."

But most of the evening was typical Moore, throwing one barb after another at Bush and Cheney.

The Moore appearance was one in a series of controversial figures who have been invited to the Fairmont campus, representing different political views.