Posted on 09/23/2004 6:51:13 PM PDT by Disambiguator
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 20) – Here in D.C.’s summer doldrums, midway between the conventions, with Congress out for the August recess, and political pundits having little to do except fulminate about the impending “sunset” of the so-called “Assault Weapons” ban Sept. 13, it’s good to enjoy a belly laugh.
My laugh began over a month ago, when Linda Ronstadt, singing at the Aladdin Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, dedicated a song to “crockumentary” filmmaker Michael Moore, extolling his presumed virtues and his Bush-whacking film Fahrenheit 9/11.
The audience divided between cheers and boos. And many walked out.
Bill Timmins, President of the Aladdin, didn’t hesitate. He had his security people immediately escort her out of the hotel, without even allowing her to gather up stuff from her room.
The press was outraged, and the story played all over the country, triggering a July 20 letter from Moore – which I first saw this week. In it he condemned Ronstadt’s treatment and totally distorted the U.S. Constitution.
“What country do you live in?” Moore snarled. “Last time I checked, Las Vegas is still in the United States. And in the United States, we have something called ‘The First Amendment.’ This constitutional right gives everyone here the right to say whatever they want to say.”
No it doesn’t, Moore. It is a prohibition against the U.S. government telling us what we can or can’t say. It doesn’t give anyone the right to tell lies, or as he so flagrantly does in his films, like “Bowling for Columbine,” to bend the truth beyond all recognition.
For instance, in that film Moore shows former NRA President Charlton Heston at the long-scheduled, all-but-cancelled 1999 NRA annual meeting in Denver, days after the Columbine High School horror.
Then Moore splices in a clip of Chuck doing his “From my cold, dead fingers” routine holding a replica flintlock over his head at the annual meeting in Charlotte, a full year later – using a camera to lie.
Moore’s “interpretation” of the First Amendment is a self-exoneration of his lying ways.
“For you to throw Linda Ronstadt off the premises because she dared to say a few words in support of me and my film, is simply stupid and Un-American,” he huffed, “…. neither [those in the audience who were angered] nor you have the right to remove her from your building when all she did was exercise her AMERICAN right to speak her mind.”
Aladdin President Timmins’ response set Moore straight, explained that “Freedom is a two-way street,” and triggered my belly laugh.
Timmins wrote: “I am aware of the First Amendment and (that) you have the right to talk about your hatred of America but …. (i)f you come onto my property and upset my guests, you will receive the same, if not worse, treatment than Ms. Ronstadt received. I am sure your mere presence would upset my guests.
“You claim your film, ‘...is all about asking the questions that should have been asked before those brave soldiers were sent into harm's way.’ I think your film does nothing but aid the enemy and hurt our troops. You have betrayed our troops, our leader and America. I have no respect for you or your vision of what America should be.
“I paid Ms. Ronstadt to entertain my guests, not divide them. The half that did not leave probably thought the verse you mentioned, ‘Why don't you come to your senses’ was addressed to you. Maybe she should have dedicated her song, ‘You’re No Good’ to you. I would have asked her back, had she done that.
“Regarding your request for me to apologize to her, have you and her on my stage singing anything about this Country and then playing your piece of **** film is ludicrous!
“One of my workers is currently throwing away every complaint letter from brainless followers of yours, claiming they will never visit my Casino. I could not be more pleased to know my casino and hotel will always be void of the kind of people who support you. Meanwhile, my hotel has been quickly booked solid for the rest of the year with true Americans who love this Country and support our efforts overseas.
“They will see a framed copy of your letter and my response in the lobby to ensure they begin their experience with a laugh.”
I’ll be sure to visit the Aladdin during January’s SHOT Show, for I want to see the letter and would love to shake Mr. Timmins’ hand.
We're going to Vegas in November, I hadn't planned on visiting the Aladin, but I will now.
I hate to burst your belly laugh bubble the the Timmins letter you like so much is a myth.
You need to keep telling yourself , "Snopes.com is my friend."
Nice to see that we still have some real Americans left in Las Vegas.
I checked links from Snopes and it brought me back some crank site called FreeRepublic.com. :^)
The Ronstadt/Moore stunt/letter will most likely bring the Alladin a 30%+ increase in business.
I am no great fan Vegas - but will go out of my way to patronize the Aladdin just to show my support.
Great article. I love it when individuals put that moron Moore in his place, and prove he is nothing but an anti-American piece of trash.
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