StatesmanJournal: Michael Moore grills opposition in Salem

StatesmanJournal.com: "Filmmaker Michael Moore didn’t pull any punches during his appearance Monday night at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.

And the crowd of 6,000 jammed into the Pavilion loved him for it.

Clad in a Willamette University cap, a black T-shirt and baggy jeans, the director of “Fahrenheit 9/11” picked up where the film left off during his 75-minute Slacker Uprising Tour program, the 32nd stop on a 60-city tour.

Moore took aim at his favorite targets, including Republicans, commentator Bill O’Reilly and President Bush, while urging those who failed to vote in 2000 to make sure to vote in the upcoming election.

“I understand why people sink to a level of cynicism and despair,” he said. “But just this once, take 10 minutes and vote.”

The program was sponsored by the Associated Students of Willamette University and was the largest election-related event held in Salem in several years.

Before the event, the decidedly pro-John Kerry crowd excitedly passed through a gauntlet of about 50 protesters waving American and Iraqi flags, denouncing Moore’s appearance. One person was cited and released after setting a United Nations flag on fire, said Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police.

“I’ve never seen anything like this in this area,” Jim McDonald of Monmouth said after passing the demonstrators. “For the Democratic movement, an event like this provides a wellspring of popular support. It’s like there are psychic sparks going off here.”