Michael Moore booed as he slams Iraq war at Oscars
1 hour, 51 minutes ago
HOLLYWOOD (AFP) - Famed US documentary maker Michael Moore (news) used his win of an Oscar to launch a violent attack on US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) and war in Iraq (news - web sites) amid loud boos from the audience.
"We live in fictitious times," he said when picking up the award for best documentary for his anti-gun film "Bowling for Columbine."
"We live in a time with fictitious election results that elect fictitious presidents. We live in a time when we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons.
"We are against this war Mr Bush. Shame on you. Shame on you!," he said to loud boos from an of 3,500 including most of Hollywood's top stars.
When he went backstage at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre to face reporters, Moore was unapologetic for his outburst.
"I'm an American, and you don't leave your citizenship when you enter the doors of the Kodak Theater. What's great about this country is that you can speak your mind," he said.
He said that, far from being appalled, many people in the audience stood up to applaud him.
"I say tonight I put America in a good light," he said praising the decision to push ahead with the Oscars (news - web sites) despite the war raging in the Middle East.
"I showed how vital it is to have free speech in our country and all Americans have the right to stand up for what they believe in," he said.
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