On Academy Awards night, war protesters crowded the streets around Hollywood's Kodak Theater for several blocks in every direction. Inside, Bowling for Columbine director Michael Moore — who won best documentary feature — lent his controversial voice to them all with his "Shame on you, Mr. Bush!" acceptance speech. Just afterward, the scruffy rabble rouser braved the backstage press room to explain himself.

First off, Moore recounted what viewers may've missed when Oscar's orchestra drowned out his anti-Dubya rant. "I don't know if you heard it or not," he told reporters. "I just said that anybody who's got both the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against them is not long for the White House!"

Emboldened by winning an Oscar for griping about the U.S. government, Moore clearly had no regrets about waxing political. "I'm an American, and you don't leave your citizenship at the door when you enter the Kodak Theater. And I don't stop being who I am when I come into this ceremony. I'm extremely grateful for the response."

Er, does he mean all those Tinseltowners booing at him on stage? "That's not what I saw," Moore insisted. "I saw the entire place stand up and applaud a film that talks about how we are manipulated by the fear that's put forth from the White House, that's put forth by corporate America to create a culture of violence — violence at home and violence abroad. We kill each other at an enormous rate, more so than virtually any other country on this planet. What was the lesson that we taught the children of Columbine this week? This was the lesson: That violence is an acceptable means of resolving a conflict."

Other Oscar winners shied away from sharing their political views on Sunday evening. "I have a pin that says 'Peace'," said Chicago director Martin Richards. "It's in my heart. But I wouldn't wear it for one reason. I don't want any soldier to see me wearing a pin that is against him. I think we all believe in peace, and everyone has their own opinion about how they feel the peace should be won."

Meanwhile, at least all the winners agreed Oscar was right to go on, despite newsman Peter Jennings having to pepper the kudocast with brief updates on the U.S. invasion of Iraq. "I'm an entertainer," said honorary Oscar winner Peter O'Toole. "That's my job. Men, women, children, soldiers are being killed right now. My job is to cheer them if I can. That's all I'm doing. I'm quite accustomed to it. I remember picking up a swimming trophy when I was 12, just before the attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima [during the second World War]. If we civilians can't go on properly, what on earth are they fighting for? That's the whole point, surely."

Though Adrien Brody acknowledged "the timing's not great" for all this showbiz backslapping, he still was unabashedly thrilled about his win for The Pianist. But hey, where did this fresh fella get off planting that liplock on Halle Berry?! "If you ever have an excuse to do something like that, that's it!" he laughed. And did Ms. Berry actually kiss Brody back? "Oh yeah," he said, charmingly cocksure. "Kissing Halle Berry was part of her gift bag for presenting."

"I'm giddy," grinned The Hours victor Nicole Kidman. "Sure, there is frivolity with far more serious things in the world happening. But as I said, art is an important part of our lives, and I've devoted my life to being an actor. It's not so much a celebration, but a tribute."

After performing Chicago's "I Move On" number and collecting a golden guy for best supporting actress — all while eight months pregnant! — Catherine Zeta-Jones wasn't remotely sorry for being joyful. Asked where she'll store the trophy, Mrs. Michael Douglas joked: "It's going to be in the middle of my husband's two — but a little further forward than his."