In his first interview in a year, Academy award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore spoke out yesterday on Supertalk1570 WWCK AM radio in Flint, Michigan. Appearing live on the Dave Barber Show, Moore blasted GM for their announcement of plant closings in the United States, including a factory in Moore's hometown of Flint, Michigan.

"It's weirdly ironic that it's 19 years today, when I first thought of doing a film about General Motors," stated Moore. "Still after all these years GM continues this unfortunate behavior," he added.

Moore believes the timing of the announcement, just before the holidays, was intended to "paralyze" the employees, so they could not "climb out of their depression" to fight back. Moore went on to blame the current GM leadership for their claimed $4 billion revenue loss. Moore questioned, "Has any GM executive in the last 30 years even bothered to take a Honda or Toyota for a drive around the block?" (referencing the fact that maybe those in charge should realize the qualities consumers are looking for in their foreign counterparts).

"This arrogance and stupidity," has led the company to near economic ruin, Moore commented. He went on to say, "General Motors leadership has turned the American dream into the American nightmare!"

Moore, who has refused all media interviews in recent months, made an impromptu appearance on the show. Barber, a veteran news talker received a call from Moore just minutes before the live appearance. Moore, troubled by what has happened in Flint and other industrial areas, wanted to break his silence.

Moore didn't stop with GM plant closings. He used this 60-minute radio appearance to also sharply criticize the Bush administration on a wide range of issues, particularly the war in Iraq. Moore made no apology for his controversial statements on Oscar night when he professed that the Bush administration had plunged the US into a "fictitious war." Moore continued his attack by calling President Bush "embarrassing and frightening."

Dave Barber was surprised by this last-minute appearance from Moore. "When Michael walks in your studio, people tend to take notice," Barber said.

Moore is currently filming "Sicko," which focuses on the American healthcare system.