Who Are You?

From OpinionJournal's Political Diary:

First, Michael Moore infuriated science fiction great Ray Bradbury by appropriating part of the name of his classic novel "Fahrenheit 451" for his own film without seeking permission. Now Pete Townshend, the lead guitarist for The Who, says that he has been "bullied and slurred" by Mr. Moore and he wants people to know about it.

Mr. Moore approached the rock star with a request that he be able to use his song "Won't Get Fooled Again" in his Bush-bashing fest. But Mr. Townshend says he thought Mr. Moore's previous films had problems with "accuracy" and included "bullying" interviews with people such as elderly actor Charlton Heston. He turned him down.

Mr. Moore didn't take well to the rebuff and accused Mr. Townshend of saying no because he was a supporter of the war in Iraq. Mr. Townshend did support the war last year, but has since said he isn't sure what the right course of action would have been. But he is certain of his opinion of Mr. Moore. "I greatly resent being bullied and slurred by him just because he didn't get what we wanted from me," he told the Irish media. "It seems to me that this aspect of his nature is not unlike that of the powerful and willful man at the center of his documentary."

To Mr. Moore that must be the ultimate insult -- to be compared with the person he cast as the villain in his film: George W. Bush.

--John Fund