Michael Moore

[AJE]

Just throwing a little coal on the Fire in today’s Controversies Debate World. Since Seeing Fahrenheit 9/11 I have been very tuned in to this individual's documentaries. Michael brings up a lot of points to every project that we should consider. Anything, which is a topic of discussion, will be evaluated and it looks like his efforts to this latest film “Sicko“ have been noticed. I’m looking forward to seeing this premiere. 8)

"Sicko" Is Completed and We're Off to Cannes!


May 17, 2007


Friends,


It's a wrap! My new film, "Sicko," is all done and will have its world premiere this Saturday night at the Cannes Film Festival. As with "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11," we are honored to have been chosen by this prestigious festival to screen our work there.


My intention was to keep "Sicko" under wraps and show it to virtually no one before its premiere in Cannes. That is what I have done and, as you may have noticed if you are a recipient of my infrequent Internet letters, I have been very silent about what I've been up to. In part, that's because I was working very hard to complete the film. But my silence was also because I knew that the health care industry -- an industry which makes up more than 15 percent of our GDP -- was not going to like much of what they were going to see in this movie and I thought it best not to upset them any sooner than need be.


Well, going quietly to Cannes, I guess, was not to be. For some strange reason, on May 2nd the Bush administration initiated an action against me over how I obtained some of the content they believe is in my film. As none of them have actually seen the film (or so I hope!), they decided, unlike with "Fahrenheit 9/11," not to wait until the film was out of the gate and too far down the road to begin their attack.


Bush's Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson, launched an investigation of a trip I took to Cuba to film scenes for the movie. These scenes involve a group of 9/11 rescue workers who are suffering from illnesses obtained from working down at Ground Zero. They have received little or no help with their health care from the government. I do not want to give away what actually happens in the movie because I don't want to spoil it for you (although I'm sure you'll hear much about it after it unspools Saturday). Plus, our lawyers have advised me to say little at this point, as the film goes somewhere far scarier than "Cuba." Rest assured of one thing: no laws were broken. All I've done is violate the modern-day rule of journalism that says, "ask no questions of those in power or your luncheon privileges will be revoked."


This preemptive action taken by the Bush administration on the eve of the "Sicko" premiere in Cannes led our attorneys to fear for the safety of our film, noting that Secretary Paulson may try to claim that the content of the movie was obtained through a violation of the trade embargo that our country has against Cuba and the travel laws that prohibit average citizens of our free country from traveling to Cuba. (The law does not prohibit anyone from exercising their first amendment right of a free press and documentaries are protected works of journalism.)


I was floored when our lawyers told me this. "Are you saying they might actually confiscate our movie?" "Yes," was the answer. "These days, anything is possible. Even if there is just a 20 percent chance the government would seize our movie before Cannes, does anyone want to take that risk?"


Certainly not. So there we were last week, spiriting a duplicate master negative out of the country just so no one from the government would take it from us. (Seriously, I can't believe I just typed those words! Did I mention that I'm an American, and this is America and NO ONE should ever have to say they had to do such a thing?)


I mean, folks, I have just about had it. Investigating ME because I'm trying to help some 9/11 rescue workers our government has abandoned? Once again, up is down and black is white. There are only two people in need of an investigation and a trial, and the desire for this across America is so widespread you don't even need to see the one's smirk or hear the other's sneer to know who I am talking about.


But no, I'm the one who now has to hire lawyers and sneak my documentary out of the country just so people can see a friggin' movie. I mean, it's just a movie! What on earth could I have placed on celluloid that would require such a nonsensical action against me?


Ok. Scratch that.


Well, I'm on my way to Cannes right now, a copy of the movie in my bag. Don't feel too bad for me, I'll be in the south of France for a week! But then it's back to the U.S. for a number of premieres and benefits and then, finally, a chance for all of you to see this film that I have made. Circle June 29th on your calendar because that's when it opens in theaters everywhere across the country and Canada (for the rest of the world, it opens in the fall).


I can't wait for you to see it.


Yours,


Michael Moore


P.S. I will write more about what happens from Cannes. Stay tuned on my website

www.MichaelMoore.com .

[Kris10]

Like him or hate him, no filmmaker should be threatened like this.

I like him, and also want to see this film.

[MrKhay]

I have no opinion on the guy.
On the other hand, the people administering our government...the "Government of THE PEOPLE", seem to forget who the government is about. Written right there, across the very top of our Constitution, "WE THE PEOPLE", not "Me the One Guy"....or, "The Two Guys."

[AJE]

Saturday May 12, 2007, 8:44 pm
http://www.alternet.org/environment/51794

Open Letter from Michael Moore to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson

Secretary Henry Paulson

Department of the Treasury

Secretary Paulson,

I am contacting you in light of the document sent to me dated May 2, 2007, which was received May 7, 2007 indicating that an investigation has been opened up with regards to a trip I took to Cuba with a group of Americans that included some 9/11 heroes in March 2007 related to the filming of my next documentary, on the American Healthcare system. SiCKO, which will be seen in theaters this summer, will expose the health care industry's greed and control over America's political processes.

I believe that the decision to conduct this investigation represents the latest example of the Bush Administration abusing the federal government for raw, crass, political purposes. Over the last seven years of the Bush Presidency, we have seen the abuse of government to promote a political agenda designed to benefit the conservative base of the Republican Party, special interests and major financial contributors. From holding secret meetings for the energy industry to re-writing science findings to cooking the books on intelligence to the firing of U.S. Attorneys, this Administration has shown time and time again that it will abuse its power and authority.

There are a number of specific facts that have led me to conclude that politics could very well be driving this Bush Administration investigation of me and my film.

First, the Bush Administration has been aware of this matter for months (since October 2006) and never took any action until less than two weeks before SiCKO is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and a little more than a month before it is scheduled to open in the United States.

Second, the health care and insurance industry, which is exposed in the movie and has expressed concerns about the impact of the movie on their industries, is a major corporate underwriter of President George W. Bush and the Republican Party, having contributed over $13 million to the Bush presidential campaign in 2004 and more than $180 million to Republican candidates over the last two campaign cycles.

It is well documented that the industry is very concerned about the impact of SiCKO. They have threatened their employees if they talk to me. They have set up special internal crises lines should I show up at their headquarters. Employees have been warned about the consequences of participating in SiCKO. Despite this, some employees, at great risk to themselves, have gone on camera to tell the American people the truth about the health care industry. I can understand why that industry's main recipient of its contributions -- President Bush -- would want to harass, intimidate and potentially prevent this film from having its widest possible audience.

And, third, this investigation is being opened in the wake of misleading attacks on the purpose of the Cuba trip from a possible leading Republican candidate for president, Fred Thompson, a major conservative newspaper, The New York Post, and various right wing blogs.

For five and a half years, the Bush administration has ignored and neglected the heroes of the 9/11 community. These heroic first responders have been left to fend for themselves, without coverage and without care. I understand why the Bush administration is coming after me -- I have tried to help the very people they refuse to help, but until George W. Bush outlaws helping your fellow man, I have broken no laws and I have nothing to hide.

I demand that the Bush Administration immediately end this investigation and spend its time and resources trying to support some of the real heroes of 9/11.

Sincerely,

Michael Moore

[kmfarm]

Don't care for him. He's as far left as you can get. He makes films to suit his agenda, which is his right, but then he presents them as documentaries, which they are not. Documentaries are a report of facts. His movies are not documentaries. They are movies made to advance his agenda, and if that means bending the facts or using creative editing, that's what he'll do. He's supplying entertainment. No different than a stand-up comic.

Don't kid yourself, he's making a good living bashing republicans. It's the popular thing to do in Hollywierd.

Mark

[AJE]

Dear friends, Michael Moore's new film "Sicko" is about to expose what our Psychiatry, Medical, FDA, Government systems are "really" all about and I've been anxiously awaiting this new film. It is a "must see" film about the cover-ups involved in too many areas to even mention....for "profit"and at the cost of "our" health. Please read these articles and comments. "VERY IMPORTANT" Please forward. Thanks, Ron

http://www.care2.com/news/member/247744205/378947

http://www.care2.com/news/member/712200152/378584

http://www.care2.com/news/member/100283603/378888

[AJE]

Michael Moore on Oprah Tuesday


Michael Moore will appear on Oprah tomorrow, Tuesday, June 5, and will present, for the first time on television, scenes from his new film, "Sicko." Oprah will interview Michael about the movie and the attention it's receiving before its release (opening day everywhere is June 29). The theme of Oprah's show is the one film you must see this summer -- "Sicko" -- and the one book you must read (Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"). Oprah loved Michael's film and wants to make health care for all one of her main missions this year.


So set your recorders for Oprah tomorrow, Tuesday!

[kmfarm]

Originally Posted by AJE

Michael Moore on Oprah Tuesday
So set your recorders for Oprah tomorrow, Tuesday!

Amber, you know I love ya, but no way!

Mark

[MrKhay]

Thanks Amber, but no Oprah, no Micheal Moore. I'd be too tempted to start drinking again.

[AJE]

I missed Oprah too ya all, in fact I actually would rather watch the other talk shows over her. :wink: Bring back Jerry Springer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrKhay]

I just saw a trailer for "Sicko". I see Micheal Moore portraying himself as a half-wit moron.

[kmfarm]

A role he knows well.

Mark

[AJE]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEFoq_5RbC4

[JimiW]

Michael Moore I dont like him, never have and never will! kmfarm is right! Jimi