Moore04MainPage

Gloria Steinem Michael Moore
Roseanne Barr Tom Morello
Most American political aficionados believe that Toledo Ohio
was the center of the election 2004 universe. More television
commercials filled the airways here than anywhere else on the face of the earth.
Just days before the election, every venue that could be found was booked for
the Vice President, The President, the Contender for the Throne and his Second.
Just a few days ago Cara Zavaleta, Playboy Magazin and the Toledo area's
Playmate of the Month appeared at a couple of autograph sessions. Into this
milieu jumps filmmaker and provocateur, Michael Moore along with his
entourage of recognizable personalities. How can a newsroom go wrong?
      The Moore News Conference was held impromptu, in the backstage hallways of
the Seagate Center. Bounded by hot TV cameras to lukewarm BGSU students
on their way to making their first documentary, the media stars talk to the
microphones, cameras and pencil-pad reporters. Noticeably, none of the luminaries
wears makeup. Toledo's hometown daughter and sister, journalist, Gloria Steinem
puts forth her views to the gathered media-types. Mostly, she urges the reporters
to help spread the word about human rights violations. Her silver bracelet,
she says, calls attention to the women worldwide who are being tortured and
murdered everyday, women who could fare much better if America would change
its ways. An admirer presents Moore with a bag full of authentic, instant Chinese
noodles while the gaggle of media representatives take polite turns asking
grossly insipid questions-- the reporters, all backing down at the
sound of his insightful and unexpectedly upfront answers.
     Onstage, before a sold-out house, Moore, along with frumpy comedian Roseanne Barr
(Arnold), guitarist, Tom Morello (formerly of the band Rage Against the Machine),
and human rights activist Gloria Steinem inform and entertain the enthusiastic
audience. Morello sounds like a cross between Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan,
Roseanne does a riff suggesting that she is indeed a supporter of the incumbent.
Michael Moore talks about his upcoming projects and his views on
modern politics, world governments and corporations.
   With the event over and the vendors, the attendees and the detractors gone,
part of the Moore entourage crosses the river for a foray at the Docks
presented by Clamor Magazine and the Verso Group.
                        Also see Gallery: Joan Baez
(Click Picture to Enlarge)