Search
Close this search box.

Flashback 2000: Actor Chevy Chase Says Socialism Works, Cuba is a prime example!

From April 24, 2000:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 24, 2000 CONTACT: Marc Morano http://web.archive.org/web/20010415050947/http://www.americaninvestigator.net/main.htm

Earth Day: Chevy Chase Says Socialism Works, Cuba is a prime example!
Chase Says he is an “Intellectual”
Tom Arnold calls ABC’s Sam Donaldson a “factory worker” who lacks “Passion”
Actress Donna Mill Urges Americans to “use less”
All Exclusive Interviews – Caught on Tape
Video/Audio Copies Available

WASHINGTON, DC — In an exclusive interview at the Earth Day 2000 on the Mall on April 22, actor Chevy Chase, a featured speaker at the rally, sang the praises of socialism. Reporter Marc Morano of the nationally syndicated television newsmagazine, “American Investigator”, conducted a one-on-one interview with the very contentious Chase. At one point, Chase grabbed at the microphone and attempted to interview Morano. The following is a partial excerpt from the television interview. (A full transcript of a very annoyed Chevy Chase is available at

http://web.archive.org/web/20010415050947/http://www.americaninvestigator.net/main.htm)

Morano: “Is capitalism and development a good way to help the developing world’s poor?”
Chase: “No, not necessarily. No, not necessarily.”
Morano: “Why not?”
Chase: “Because sometimes socialism works.”
Morano: “Socialism works to help people out of poverty?”
Chase: “Yeah.”

Chase added, “I think it’s conclusive that there have been areas where socialism has helped to keep people at least stabilized at a certain level.” Chase acknowledged that there is less freedom under socialism and cautioned, “when you just say capitalism versus socialism, it’s too simple.” Chase then offered an example of which country he thought was doing things right. “I think free markets are important, but you know you can do both and I think Cuba might prove that,” he said. Chase does not believe capitalism should be the norm throughout the world. “I would say, if you say is capitalism the way, I would say the is answer is no, not necessarily.”

A highly agitated Chase took offense at the question of whether or not Hollywood was guilty of any hypocrisy by preaching to Americans about conservation.

Morano asked, “Skeptics would say that Hollywood has all this wealth and money – ” Chase interrupted, “I am not from Hollywood! I’m from Upstate New York first of all and second of all, I don’t know who you are!”

Later, Chase responded, ” I would also like to address your skepticism about Hollywood people. A lot of them are airheads. There are also well educated, college-educated people with degrees, not only BA’s, but MA’s. Intellectuals who read and care about these things. You’re talking to one and I don’t particularly like being, you know, set upon by a skeptic who thinks he’s talking to some guy from Hollywood who just plays tennis all day and spills water

all over the place. That isn’t the way we live and that isn’t the way people who care about the environment live. So take it easy on them!”

Later in the day, a still incensed Chase confronted Morano again and said, “and intentions count as much as anything else. Some people may not know every increment of every decision and every controversy, but the intention to make the earth better is something that simple. It’s good.”

Actor Tom Arnold chastised ABC’s Sam Donaldson for disapproving of DiCaprio’s interview with President Clinton. “It’s people like Sam Donaldson, who I heard was upset, these guys, they’re like, you know, factory workers. They come, they do their jobs, you know, there’s no passion there. Leo cares about this. He has an opinion on it. He’s not, you know, just an observer, he’s not, you know – so I think it’s great that he did it and that he cares enough to be involved.”

Actress Donna Mills of the Knots Landing TV show fame, expounded that Americans need to cut down on their high living. Mills said, “We do have to cut down on consumerism. We’re the worst offenders in the world, this country is. We have to realize it’s not things that make us happy, it’s people and our environment.” She added, “I can’t speak for other celebrities, but I try to cut down and use less if I possibly can.”

Despite a two-story high inflatable SUV with the license plate DRTY GZLR (Dirty Guzzler) and an attached banner stating, “STOP GLOBAL WARMING – CLEAN THE AIR”, many of the program’s participants did not heed these calls to “use less.” Earth Day Chair Leonardo DiCaprio arrived in a stretch limousine with his entourage, while Vice President Al Gore, who once again called for an end to the internal combustion engine, boarded his oversized dark green Chevy Suburban, upon exiting with a fleet of SUVs.

Actor Dennis Weaver criticized the media for giving too much airtime to skeptics of Global Warming. Weaver commented, “It seems like a few that deny global warming get more attention than they should be getting in my opinion and that’s a problem I think.” Donna Mills agrees and believes that no scientists doubt the realities of global warming, “I don’t think there is any more skepticism from scientists about global warming. There may be from sectors of the community, but not from scientists. Scientists are in agreement that global warming is a serious problem.” Mills suggested that “we need to eventually cut out all use of fossil fuel.”

Tom Arnold added that he believes global warming is a very serious issue, but suspects that not all members of the media think the issue is serious. “I am sure there are people in the media that believe differently, but it just so happens that they don’t want to be mocked, cause it’s stupid and it’s preposterous and the facts are all there and eventually you have to look at them,” said Arnold.

Mike Love of the Beach Boys gave his philosophy on what’s wrong with the earth, “Too many natural laws are being violated, that’s why the ozone depleted and that’s why the earth is warming up.” Country Singer Clint Black urged, “America needs to contact their government leaders and let them know that they’re ready for change. That they’re tired of seeing brown air and tired of us doing things that harm us, harm our selves and our planet.”

In addition to “Ralph Nader 2000 – People Over Profits” signs and volunteers, a man named Garry Davis, from the one World Government House was on hand to announce he is running for World President. Davis criticized today’s geo-political systems, saying, “The nation state system was a carryover from another age. We’re all citizens of the world.” He also called for “dramatically and radically” changing economic structures in order to achieve one world government.

Brian Czech, an ecologist was promoting his idea of the “Steady State” economy. He said his goal was to “replace the national goal of economic growth” because “All economic growth is ultimately dependent on the liquidation of natural capital, wood, water, soil, and fisheries.” He called upon the “liquidation class” to stop their excess spending. A bumper sticker for sale on the mall read “Republicans Screw the Country, Democrats Just Screw.”

American Investigator, a nationally syndicated television newsmagazine, covered Earth Day 2000 for it’s upcoming Amazon Rainforest Special: Clear Cutting The Myths — a special which will debunk the myths put for by the environmentalists regarding the Amazon. For more information click here.

# # #

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 24, 2000 
CONTACT: Marc Morano 202/543-4787
[email protected]
www.americaninvestigator.net

 

Actor Chevy Chase Berates Reporter Over Question at Earth Day 
The Question: Is there hypocrisy in Hollywood?
Chase Says He is an “Intellectual”

Exclusive Interview – Caught on Tape!
Video/Audio Copies Available
WASHINGTON, DC — In an exclusive interview at the Earth Day 2000 rally on the Mall April 22, actor Chevy Chase berated reporter Marc Morano of the nationally syndicated television newsmagazine, “American Investigator,” for asking about the involvement of Hollywood celebrities in the Earth Day cause. Morano conducted a one-on-one interview with a very contentious Chase. At one point, Chase grabbed at the microphone and attempted to interview Morano. The following is a partial excerpt from the television interview. (Click here for a more complete transcript of a very annoyed Chevy Chase.)

A highly agitated Chase took offense at the question of whether or not Hollywood was guilty of any hypocrisy by preaching to Americans about conservation. Morano asked, “Skeptics would say that Hollywood has all this wealth and money – ” Chase interrupted, “I am not from Hollywood! I’m from Upstate New York first of all and second of all, I don’t know who you are!”

Later, Chase responded, ” I would also like to address your skepticism about Hollywood people. A lot of them are airheads. There are also well educated, college-educated people with degrees, not only BA’s, but MA’s. Intellectuals who read and care about these things. You’re talking to one and I don’t particularly like being, you know, set upon by a skeptic who thinks he’s talking to some guy from Hollywood who just plays tennis all day and spills water all over the place. That isn’t the way we live and that isn’t the way people who care about the environment live. So take it easy on them!”

Later in the day, a still incensed Chase confronted Morano again and said, “and intentions count as much as anything else. Some people may not know every increment of every decision and every controversy, but the intention to make the earth better is something that simple. It’s good.”

Partial transcript of exchange between Chevy Chase and Marc Morano: (for a more complete transcript click here.

MORANO: “There is a perception that Hollywood has a double standard. And that’s what I was asking you about.”
CHASE: “Yeah, But I don’t – When you say there’s a perception, that’s your perception for your little network, right?
MORANO: “Yeah.”
CHASE: “So, when you say there’s a perception, you must say my perception. Can you say my perception is? Can you say it?”
MORANO: “No.”
CHASE: “Can you say it?”
MORANO: “But that’s saying any contrary reporter has to take that position? No.” CHASE: “Is that your perception?”
MORANO: “My position is to get a good interview and get some challenging questions.”
CHASE: “I am asking you a question. Is that your perception?”
MORANO: “I am not going to answer that cause I am a reporter.”
CHASE: “Okay then, I am not going to answer your questions.”
Jayni Chase (wife): “He’s got to remain objective.”
CHASE: “It’s too easy, buddy, it’s too easy.”
MORANO: “Well, that’s what a reporter does is challenge.”
CHASE: “No, that’s not what a good reporter does, a good reporter gets the information down and doesn’t say there’re a perception, they say -”
MORANO: ” Then do you want a name then of someone -”
CHASE: “Yeah.”
MORANO: ” Professor Phillip Stott of the University of London -”
CHASE: “James Reston.”
MORANO: “Okay, what about him?”
CHASE: “He’s a good reporter, remember him?”
MORANO: “Oh, you’re talking about reporters? I’m saying I’ll give you a name, skeptics like Phillip Stott of the University of London who just did a book on tropical rainforests -”

For a more complete text of this exchange, click here.

 

# # #
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 24, 2000 
CONTACT: Marc Morano 202/543-4787
[email protected]
www.americaninvestigator.net

 

Transcript of Chevy Chase Interview at Earth Day 2000
All Exclusive Interviews – Caught on Tape
Video/Audio Copies Available

WASHINGTON, DC — In an exclusive interview at the Earth Day 2000 rally on the Mall yesterday, actor Chevy Chase berated reporter Marc Morano of the nationally syndicated television newsmagazine “American Investigator,” for asking about the involvement of Hollywood celebrities in the Earth Day cause. Morano conducted a one on one interview with a very contentious Chase for American Investigator’s upcoming special debunking myths about the Amazon Rainforest. The following is a partial excerpt from the television interview.

Text of Selected portions excerpted below (uncorrected): 

Chevy Chase & Reporter Marc Morano:

Marc Morano: “Skeptics would say that Hollywood has all this wealth and money –
CHASE: “I am not from Hollywood! I’m from Upstate New York first of all and second of all, I don’t know who you are!” (Chase appears very agitated)
MORANO: “And I am Marc Morano with a show called American Investigator.” “But Skeptics would say Hollywood celebrities, I mean, you worked in Hollywood, yeah?”
CHASE: “Skeptics would say…” (mocking Morano) 
MORANO: “Skeptics would say…that Hollywood celebrities have a double standard in the sense that they have achieved their wealth and status and they are telling the rest of the world that you can’t do this or that with economic restrictions.”
CHASE: “That’s an inarticulate sentence, I don’t know what you’re talking about, you can’t do what and what? And when you say they’ve achieved their wealth, how have they achieved? That’s a silly question. I don’t know what you mean. What kind of skeptic are you talking about here? A guy who is articulate or what?”
MORANO: “A guy who is articulate? I am talking about for instance -”
CHASE: “Give me an example.”
MORANO: “Okay, I’ll give you an example. Brazil, there’s a developing world country with people who are trying to get hydroelectric dams, electricity, running water and environmental groups and celebrities like Sting and other celebrities, the Rainforest Foundation, are opposing development on the basis that it will damage the rainforest and keep these people essentially locked in poverty. That’s what we’re talking about here.
CHASE: Are you asking me that specific question?”
MORANO: “Yeah, I am asking you the question on that level, that level.”
CHASE: “Actually, ah Jayni, (motioning toward his wife Jayni Chase, also heads Friends of the Earth) do you want to answer this?”
Jayni Chase: “Yes.”
CHASE: “We’ll address that question right now. The question was in Brazil, there were Hydroelectric plants that are being made and dams and people like Sting and other Hollywood celebrities are preventing those things by trying to keep rainforests from being damaged.”
Jayni: “Well, think about what happens when you build a dam… (explanation about dam’s effect on environment. She recommends solar, wind power and thermal power as amazing options over traditional options.)

Discussion about Amazon and tropical soils Not Excerpted: 

MORANO: “Let me ask a simple question. Is capitalism and development a good way to help the developing world’s poor?”
CHASE: “No, not necessarily. No, not necessarily.”
MORANO: “Why not?”
CHASE: “Because sometimes socialism works.”
MORANO: “Socialism works to help people out of poverty?”
CHASE: “Yeah.”
MORANO: “So countries in the developing world, you would say capitalism is not the answer to help them bring in wealth and prosperity?”
Jayni: “It varies.”
CHASE: “I would say that’s a very broad question. But I would say if you just said is capitalism the way? I would say the is answer is no, not necessarily.”

Discussion continues. Minutes Later: 

CHASE: “Now, I would also like to address your skepticism about Hollywood people. A lot of them are air heads. They’re also well educated, college educated people with degrees, not only BA’s, but MA’s. Intellectuals who read and care about these things. You’re talking to one and I don’t particularly like being, you know, set upon by a skeptic who thinks he’s talking to some guy from Hollywood who just plays tennis all day and spills water all over the place. That isn’t the way we live and that isn’t the way people who care about the environment live. So take it easy on them.”
MORANO: “Ok, well -”
CHASE: “I’m not here – I could be in Jamaica right now, getting a better tan than I have.”

Discussion follows about previous Earth Days Not excerpted.
Later:

MORANO: “There is a perception that Hollywood has a double standard. And that’s what I was asking you about.”
CHASE: “Yeah, But I don’t – When you say there’s a perception, that’s your perception for your little network, right?
MORANO: “Yeah.”
CHASE: “So when you say there’s a perception, you must say my perception. Can you say my perception is? Can you say it?”
MORANO: “No.”
CHASE: “Can you say it?”
MORANO: “But that’s saying any contrary reporter has to take that position? No.” CHASE: “Is that your perception?”
MORANO: “My position is to get a good interview and get some challenging questions.”
CHASE: “I am asking you a question. Is that your perception?”
MORANO: “I am not going to answer that cause I am a reporter.”
CHASE: “Okay then, I am not going to answer your questions.”
Jayni: “He’s got to remain objective.”
CHASE: “It’s too easy – Buddy – it’s too easy.”
MORANO: ” Well, that’s what a reporter does is challenge.”
CHASE: “No, that’s not what a good reporter does, a good reporter gets the information down and doesn’t say there’re a perception, they say -”
MORANO: ” Then do you want a name then of someone -”
CHASE: “Yeah.”
MORANO: ” Professor Phillip Stott of the University of London -”
CHASE: “James Reston.”
MORANO: “Okay, what about him?”
CHASE: “He’s a good reporter, remember him?”
MORANO: “Oh, you’re taking about reporters? I’m saying I’ll give you a name, skeptics like Phillip Stott of the University of London who just did a book on Tropical Rainforests.”

Chase Appears to want to walk away, so Morano changes the question and asks: 

MORANO: “How does socialism help people out of poverty?
CHASE: “I don’t want to get into that. I mean we got to get up to the thing. (pause) I think it’s conclusive that there have been areas where socialism has helped to keep people at least stabilized at a certain level. There’s no middle class, there’s no opportunity. There are no first Amendment rights, there’s certainly isn’t the same as this constitution. But when you just say capitalism versus socialism, it’s too simple, I think.”
MORANO: “Okay free markets…?
CHASE: “I think free markets are important, but you know you can do both and I think Cuba might prove that.”

Later

CHASE: In any cause you gotta be a skeptic. I mean, you’re right, you got to be skeptical and cynical about anything and try to learn as much as you can about it. Which I think is why you have been trying to do.”
MORANO: “I appreciate you taking the time, I really do. Thank you.
The two shake hands. 

Several Hours Later, Chase approaches Morano. 

CHASE: “Incidentally, that flake Leonardo…”
MORANO: “The flake?”
CHASE: “You know he did a great job on that movie The Beach in terms of, quite seriously, really making the crew be very aware of the coral reefs and all that. He made it, you know it cost millions to change things around because he cared about it.”
MORANO: “Well, you know, there was a controversy surrounding the environmental destruction.”
CHASE: “You’re right. You know, you’re well educated, you know a lot of stuff. It’s interesting to talk to you.” (Seemingly mocking tone)

Discussion, not excerpted. Then: 

CHASE: “At the risk of appearing arrogant, what I was saying before is there really are some intellectual educated airheads, you know and we’re not all… and intentions count as much as anything else. Some people may not know every increment of every decision and every controversy, but the intention to make the earth better is something that simple. It’s good.”

MORANO: “Well I hoped you enjoyed it. I just wanted to give you a contrary reporter. A lot of -”
CHASE: “No it’s interesting, what you’re doing, yeah.”

Morano gives Chase his card and tells him he is conducting many of these interview for his upcoming Amazon Rainforest Special, which will debunk the myths and misinformation surrounding the Amazon. And tells him to check out the web site: americaninvestigator.net 

American Investigator is a nationally syndicated television newsmagazine.
 

Share: