Michael Moore lashed out today at a BuzzFeed article disputing his account of how he saved a Palestinian filmmaker from deportation before the Academy Awards. Moore had claimed that Oscar-nominated documentarian Emad Burnat was racially profiled and detained at LAX while traveling to attend the ceremony. He then asserted that he made calls to Academy lawyers, rescuing Burnat from imminent deportation.
Emad Burnat, Palestinian director of Oscar nominated "5 Broken Cameras" was held tonight by immigration at LAX as he landed to attend Oscars
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
Emad, his wife & 8-yr old son were placed in a holding area and told they didn't have the proper invitation on them to attend the Oscars.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
Although he produced the Oscar invite nominees receive, that wasn't good enough & he was threatened with being sent back to Palestine.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
Apparently the Immigration & Customs officers couldn't understand how a Palestinian could be an Oscar nominee. Emad texted me for help.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
I called Academy officials who called lawyers. I told Emad to give the officers my phone # and to say my name a couple of times.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
After 1.5 hrs, they decided to release him & his family & told him he could stay in LA for the week & go to the Oscars. Welcome to America.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
"It's nothing I'm not already used to," he told me later. "When u live under occupation, with no rights, this is a daily occurrence."
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
Emad Burnat, Palestinian farmer turned filmmaker, director of "5 Broken Cameras", the 1st Palestinian doc ever nominated for the Oscar.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
This all just happened tonight, a few hours ago. He was certain they were going to deport him. But not if I had anything to do about it.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
My blog today on Palestinian Oscar nominee Emad Burnat detained last nite at LAX because he didn't look Oscar-ish enuff http://t.co/WH81TCjt
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013
However, BuzzFeed’s Tessa Stuart shot a hole in that story today, citing sources at LAX who said that Burnat was detained only briefly because he could not produce a ticket when asked. According to one of Stuart’s sources, Burnat was released immediately upon finding his ticket, and the whole thing may have been a publicity stunt to gin up talk about Burnat’s movie, Five Broken Cameras.
Moore responded by calling out Stuart on Twitter and demanding that she correct the story within one hour.
@MMFlint I've made multiple attempts to contact you through your agent, website and Twitter. I would love to include your response.
— Tessa Stuart (@tessastuart) February 26, 2013
Feel bad for you, being snookered by Homeland Security. Re-read your story and look for the clue of how u got used. #journalismisdead
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 26, 2013
https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedAndrew/status/306200682359320576
Michael @mmflint Moore, who wouldn't respond to inquiries, now freaking out about @tessaestuart's source at LAX http://t.co/zRxEL2FkNu
— Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) February 26, 2013
So, Moore declined the opportunity to comment, then threatened the writer for not telling the story his way?
Never let the truth get in the way of smearing Israel @mmflint awaiting your Big Reveal.. Cough..
— The professor-of-shade (@stirlo) February 26, 2013
We’re anxious to see how this story unfolds. Either way, it’s a left-on-left battle — so whoever loses, America wins.
Pass the popcorn!
Update:
Care for some more sweet, delicious tears with your popcorn?
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