On Tuesday, October 26, controversial filmmaker Michael Moore made his much-anticipated appearance at Carnegie Mellon. Students and Pittsburgh residents crowded into Weigand Gymnasium at 4:30 to hear Moore speak.

Moore did not actually arrive until after 5 pm, but the crowd's enthusiasm did not dwindle during the delay. The audience cheered loudly when Moore stepped onto the stage in his signature baseball hat, jeans, and t-shirt emblazoned with a "Hello Carnegie Mellon."

Moore did not hesitate to begin expressing his liberal and anti-Republican views.

"The difference between our [liberal] rallies and [Republican rallies] is that we let everyone in. There is no loyalty oath," he said, referring to a practice at some of President George W. Bush's campaign rallies.

Moore claimed Republicans are no longer the majority of the country, yet they control everything.

"The majority of Americans do not want assault weapons on the streets, the majority of Americans feel women should be paid as much as men, and the majority of Americans think the government should keep their hands off a woman's reproductive organs." The crowd roared in support.

"When we win, we have to make a pledge that we will treat the Republicans better than they treated [liberals]. That's the definition of a liberal."

He showed satirical videos of the Republican campaign's effort to disparage John Kerry. "Kerry used to have long hair, now he has short hair. Two words: flip, flop." The audience laughed as a pair of American flag flip-flops moved across the screen.

He said that when pharmaceutical companies caught wind of his upcoming documentary on the industry, they sent their employees warning memos that describe Moore as a heavyset man with a beard and rumpled clothing.

"That describes half of Michigan," said Moore.

The lecture took on a more serious tone as Moore directly addressed Republicans:

"If you support this war, why don't you enlist in the army?"

Matt Angle, an politically conservative MCS first-year, answered Michael Moore's question, explaining, "I am a student; I am here to study. They volunteered; they want to be there."

After the lecture, Angle stated, "I think [Moore] brings up substantial issues; however, he's so inflammatory that he doesn't really answer any questions. When he is faced with a tangible question, he doesn't really answer it. He just says 'I don't know the solution.'"

When asked what he feels about Moore's challenge to enlist in the military, Angle said, "I think I better serve the cause as a biology student then as a soldier."

Others, like first-year CIT student Colin Taylor, loved everything about Moore's speech.

"I think he's wonderful speaker and made great points." Of Angle's opposition to Moore, Taylor said, "More power to him. It wouldn't be a real political rally if there weren't people there to bring up the opposite side."

First-year HSS student Graham Pugh was also very excited to be at the lecture.

"When I first saw his videos, it was a breath of fresh air, with all the conservatism going on lately. If I could ask him a question I would ask him how he maintains his personal convictions so strongly despite all that is going on," said Pugh.

Also at the event was Anti-Flag, a political punk rock band originally from Pittsburgh, who performed a punk rendition of This Land is My Land. Family members of overseas soldiers also shared their personal experiences; speaker Dante Zappala's brother died in Iraq exactly six months before Moore's lecture. Struggling back tears, he said, "My brother died trying to make an honest man out of George Bush."

The mother of an ROTC student who is commissioned to go to Iraq in February pleaded with the audience to "keep her baby home."

In closing his speech, Moore urged the audience not only to vote, but also to volunteer for a campaigns.

First-year CIT student Margaret Scolk said, "I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I definitely don't think he's too outspoken. I agree with everything he says 110 percent."

The Activities Board estimated that 1,200 to 1,400 people attended the rally.