Great letter, in plain English.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

That says it all.

For the TRUTH about Iraq, Bush 43 and his treasonous neocon cabal, visit the following patriotic websites:

CommonDreams.org
FreedomCentralUSA.com
PhonyFighterPilot.com
VoteVets.org

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The letter does not address the fundamental question: did Michael Moore break the law by traveling to Cuba without a permit? The ends do not justify the means. A possible breach of law must not be overlooked (and go unpunished) simply because it brings about some good, namely helping the real heroes of September 11, 2001.

The letter is simply a red herring. Moore must do better.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

... surely the investigation is the wrong way around. Those persons entrusted with roles of government are there to serve the people. It is their actions that require accountability, and the investigations that would allow for that. It is their actions, not those of individual citizens, that should be under investigation, including for any failure to provide adequate health care for all NYC rescue workers and their families.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Sure! They're going to persecute Michael Moore for going over to Cuba. Do you think they're going to do the same to the 9/11 heros who went over there with him? That wouldn't be very politically correct, would it?

What a bunch of hypocrites!

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
"The Rant" by Tom Degan

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Michael Moore is nothing more than your standard capitalistic businessman. He will continue to stage little scenes to get on the news so he can sell more movie tickets.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

If Michael Moore did indeed go to Cuba without whatever permits are required these days, his trip fits the primary criteria for civil disobedience: he demonstrates respect for the laws in general, he's not trying to conceal what he did, and he did it for a higher purpose. At least three higher purposes, come to think of it: getting treatment for some 9/11 workers and other USians who couldn't get what they needed in the U.S., calling attention to the dismal state of health-care access in the U.S., and calling attention to the stupidity of U.S. policy toward Cuba. Here's hoping SiCKO leads to health-care reform that curbs the power of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries and puts the focus where it belongs: on helping us stay healthy and making it possible for us to afford adequate treatment when we're sick.

Meanwhile I'm humming yet another "topical" Phil Ochs song that just won't go out of date:
William Worthy isn't worthy to enter our door
Went down to Cuba, he's not American anymore
But somehow it is strange to hear the State Department say
You are living in the Free World, in the Free World you must stay.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Is there any doubt that double standards are based on the same class standards that springs from both class ideologies, conservative and liberal ideologies. I noticed, whenever I write about the corruption, betrayal of Enlightenment Liberalism, revolutionary Liberalism, the same old democratic liberals, who embrace this betrayed class ideology, by pointing out how much more corrupt the republicans are, who they routinely appease, capitulate, the essence of all ideological corruption, class corruption that promotes hypocritical double standards. These same know nothing class liberals, do not read what is being said, and have no sense of history and ideologcial failures, and their distortions.

Regarding Cuba and Michael Moore, the first wholesale hypocrisy, just on an empirical level, is to point out that recently the right wing CIA financed, nazi Cuban terrorist, Posada who blew up a plane murdering 73 civilians, was released on bail and not even charged for his state terrorist actions supported by both Democrats and Republican class whores/class thugs, but on immigration violations. At the same time the U.S. is holding 5 Cubans in U.S. Prison, for 5 years, as spies, who were keeping track of these Nazi Cubans in Florida, CIA terroirists, who did not commit the violent murder that these class thugs and their class masters above financed, in typical Corporate fascist foreign policies, around the world.

Notice everyone, the biggest human rights violaters in Cuba, is not tje Cubans themselves, but the occupying Nazi U.S. military fascist base, a prize from its earlier colonial period, which the U.S. refuses to give up, while carrying out torture in Guantanamo, in the Nazi concentration camps it runs. Hundreds of innocent people were rounded up around the world, through bounty money offered by the U.S. as suspected Arab terrorists, and brought to this torture chamber. Both the Democrats and Republican war criminals who appeased this class fascism, aggression against the Iraq War, then dictatorship, that ripped up the Constitution, and the Habeus Corpus, are corrupted class whores, class thugs, class agents of Corporate Fascism.

The fact that we have a third branch participating in this fascism, the judicial branch, with their judicial nazis, upholding the violations of these class elites, in their Constituional duties, not to mention the violations, violence against innocent detainees, is proof that the Revolutionary originators of the Constitution, failed to take into account, that it is not enough to balance the 3 branches, to promote democracy and justice, if all three branches are corrupted by the same source, namely the class corruption, by class elites, as agents for class society, through class ideology, both its liberal class form, and its neocon-zionist class thugs.

Michael Moore and the left, the true center, moral center of a universal ideology, that can only be made permament, instiutionalized through a universal mechanism, which reproduces a universal middle class, social wealth principle and democracy, must focus on this strategy to dismantle the class rot and class ideology of all class societies, who claim falsely the social principle of good, economic security, democracy, while being the Nazis, class nationalists, class imperialists, that both Class parties embrace. Down with class standards, double standards, hypocritical standards, and up with a universal standard. Reclaim the original revolutionary Liberals and their Enlightenment, and their heirs in the Post-Enlightenment, the democratic and socialist principles of Marx and universal, nationalism, not class nationalism.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I cannot thank you enough, Michael, for what you do and who you are. Wish I had the brains, talent and courage to do as you do. Many thanks and best of luck to you.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I don't remember where I read it, but someone has described Michael as a national treasure. Absolutely true.

How small does it make this administration look if they're trying to score points on a possible technicality in light of the enormity of the health care issue? Do they really believe the attention of the American people will diverted from that issue by a phony investigation?

Thank you for your wonderful work, Michael.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

...another "blockbuster documentary" debuts in the US theaters June 29. SICKO....SICKO....SICKO Hope the lines are not toooooooo long.
Screening at the Cannes Film Festival May 19....can't wait for the reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello to the lovers of crony capitalism who post here [ you know who you are ].....NOW..... you want the letter of the law enforced because maybe the film "will expose the health care industry's greed and control over America's political processes."

The Treasury [OFAC] action is a CIVIL investigation for POSSIBLE violation of the US trade embargo restricting travel to Cuba. Potential penalty????? Uncle Sam collected $$75,000 in 2003 from the NY Yankees to settle a dispute that it conducted business in Cuba in violation of the embargo.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

He's busy doing the dirty work. I know he's well paid and he should be. Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies make fortunes/profits that increase in direct proportion to the decling quality of everything they claim to provide. Health care is not 'managed' , the COST is. When the CEO of a health ins. co. has a projected retirement bonus of 1 BILLION + it's time for Michael Moore to make a movie. He can go to Cuba if he feels like it. Thanks, ANNA

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

If only we had a few congress people with the courage to tell the truth as Michael Moore has done.

What a shame to see this country sink to this level... to harrassing those who speak out against the crimes being committed upon the citizens of the United States.

Every day I wake up wondering whatever happened to We The People.

Until we take steps to see that people like the ones currently running our government are thrown out on their backsides & prosecuted, this country will continue to decline. If the pharmaceutical & health care industry was not robbing us blind people like Michael Moore would not have to look to other countries for help for those desperately ill.

Shame on you Congress for allowing an incompetent, schoolyard bully to destroy our country from the inside out and for harrassing those who are trying to correct the evil done to us in the name of patriotism.

DISGUSTING!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I have always admired Cuba, and resented that Canadians can vacation there- and here in the FREE USA- we are not allowed to.

What is the government so afraid we will learn there?

Let's see-free college-no homeless-everyone can read-free medical and dental. Did you know when our doctors check out the Cuban 'boat people' they are amazed to find they all have perfect teeth? How many Americans can say that?

The Cubans had good reason to throw out the United States.
I wish more countries would. We need to take care of our own problems here at home and stop trying to take over the world. Lead by example.

I demand that MY government stop hassling Michael Moore!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It is going to be read by a Bush lackey who has no concept of reality (he does work for Bush) and doesn't care at all about this country or it's people.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

interesting that this is coming up right now, especially since the US INS recently declined to prosecute accused terrorist Carriles, who is from Cuba, for immigration violations AND refuses to pursue any sort of justice concerning his alleged terrorist activities against Venezuela, Cuba and Panama. The concept that the Bushbots "pursue" justice is a farce. Strangely enough it seems to me like this "investigation" will do nothing except help Moore sell more tickets thru increased notoriety, i had not even heard of the movie until all of this came up. Moore's response is shrewd in that it a) keeps the story and therefore his movie's name in the news b) gives him the opportunity to play the victim and c) highlights the hypocrisy of Bush in regards to 9-11 and the treatment of the "heroes" and the use of the tragedy and their legacy for his own (Bush) personal political gain. Did he break a law? Maybe. For all of Moore's potential faults at least he is pursuing stories that have an immediate impact on ordinary Americans' lives.
Making money off an idea = 100% American, promoting yourself to make more money = 100% American, being concerned about your fellow countrymen = 100% American, using your 1st Ammendment rights to promote your agenda/ideology = 100% American. So what is the problem with Moore writing this letter? Is he being TOO American for you haters out there? Is it that he is being more American than you? Just askin'.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Thank you for the powerful and splendidness of the controversial, SICKO>>> keep up the great work, and EVERYONE GO/GO/GO/ see this film!!!! Michael Emery Delaney

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The film gets a showing at Cannes in a week, right? I wonder if he planned it this way. He's a great propagandist, up there with Goebbels-- I can see why he has such an, um, "devoted" following (maybe even fanatical?). Please folks, just because you're following a different shepherd doesn't mean you're not just as much of "sheep" as those who idiotically tow the government's line no matter what it is.

The toady big-business health-care system has needed work for a long time, no joke-- this is like a "daring expose" on the sky being blue. If you learned to read in the past 10 or so years you're likely to be aware and vote for people who promote change. Oh well, if Moore's idiot-proof packaging it raises the awareness level of you extreme lefties, maybe some of will come of it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Looks like Bush has filled his entire staff with political hack granduates from Regent University. Every actoion has a political undertone to it. Repgwicans just cant govern, they must RULE. Hopefully the remaining Repugwicans will be removed from office in November 2008.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Simply mention Michael Moore's name and all of the right-wing nutjobs come out of the woodwork wanting to crucify him for making a living making movies. Thanks for the constant source of entertainment that you provide when you whine and moan about Michael Moore this and Michael Moore that! I for one give you two thumbs up!

Oh, and regarding this investigation: Every US citizen has THE RIGHT to conduct acts of Civil Disobedience. It's much more partiotic to do so than marching like sheep behind the folks who've bought their way into power in this country. As a matter of fact, wasn't this country fromed through acts of Civil Disobedience?

There is part of the population that believe that change only comes through violence, and part of the population that believes that change only comes through leading by example of peaceful processes. I personally always choose the path most ethical.

Jeff

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am belatedly reading Moore's 2001/2 paperback " Stupid White Men" right now.
I can't agree that he is a profiteer seeking a base popularist appeal.
This book was written before 9/11. The first 50K copies came off the printers on September 10th! They weren't shipped out needless to say.
He went to his Publishers HarperCollins & they recommended he consider rewriting up to 50% of it, removing the harsh comments about Bush and tone down the dissent.
Moore flatly refused, and expected a pulping. After much trial & tribulation he got the same publishers to release it without a single critical remark about the 'Bush Junta' being removed.
I think he's OK. Some folk call him soft. I'm sure his closest allies think he's more of a man than most of us readers will ever be.

These books are written with the extra-US marketplace in mind; where people like myself may have difficulty in recalling just how BUSH got into power in the first place.
1]'Stupid White Men.'
2001/2; ISBN 0-141-01190-4

2]’Dude, where's my country?‘
2003; ISBN 0-141-01300-1

Gram for Juntawatch.com

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Once again you inflate controversy to sell your product, you sicko.

Good.

Market the hell out of it and bless you. How else will the opposition be heard?

Here's to a blockbuster summer.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I hope you brought up the fact in your movie that pharma companies, outside of the research departments that truly are there for philanthropic reasons in general, are only there to feed their stock holders. I believe we need to help health care companies get away from being public and becoming more like privately owned companies...I believe like Novo Nordisk that cares about profits but only in so much as it helps research and patient care. As a public company stockholder, and a former industry executive for almost 7 years, I can attest that it's all about the money...hence I left.

We deserve good research which sales provide but the companies will just try to get the most for their products and get docs to overuse them. It's basic fact. At meetings, we were told, you, Michael, were with camera trying to infiltrate. At one of these meetings where we had over 6,000 people, the company had the word out that the evil Michael Moore was in town, to look out. And it was clear, we would be punished if we spoke to you.

We need to get the medicare drug plan to only cover generics, which are generally good drugs and stop bankrupting our govt. into the hands of the pharma execs!

Thank you for your courage!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

And let us all recall that the U.S. is bound to respect the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; particularly:

Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the
borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to
return to his country.

Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers.

Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and
well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and
medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the
event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack
of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full
development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only
to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of
securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and
of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general
welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the
purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State,
group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act
aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Let's see, we have a base there, and it illegally holds prisoners from many nations, even our own, submitting them to torture and without right to counsel or even making charges. Hey Mike, how about making your next trip to Cuba to this hell on earth, and film that inhumanity. Oh, sorry, but our democracy, our government would never permit that trip, either!

We have corruption up and down the spine of America. It's not pretty, but thankfully Michael Moore does his best to enlighten us and gives encouragement to change how our country is run.

When you leave a theatre thinking, you've seen a good film. Moore's film make you think so I can understand why so many object to them. Thinking is hard work for some, and I dare say, most voters in America are damm lazy, easily led, all because thinking for oneself is just too hard. Just ask Bush his thought process. After seeing a dumpfounded look and a half-assed smile on his face, you just know that he hasn't got a clue. Thugs don't think. They simply overpower.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I find it both ironic and heartening that the most powerful government in the word and its corporate supporters with their endless financial resources are so frightened of one middle-aged, slightly overweight, average Joe type with a camera crew that they would go to such lengths to stop him. It should serve as a reminder as to where the real power lies.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I will proudly wear my "impeach Bush" button.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I believe in state-controlled universal health-care.. our privatized system is a wreck and unless you've been living under a rock that should have been apparent YEARS ago. Some things are too important to be left to business as usual and the health of our people is one of them.

But Cuba is no utopian state, don't delude yourself-- here we at least accept our Michael Moores and Ann Coulters even if they get soundly lambasted by politicos on the other side of the aisle and information becomes muddled by all the noise on both sides.

Free speech is absolutely vital to identify and solve our problems (such as health-care, human rights, etc.) Cuba does not support such discussions and it is absolutely backwards of them as a nation to act this way. Boo, I say. Where is your sense of outrage towards a nation that has already slid down the slippery slope to outright oppression?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The Bush Administration's moves on Moore are purely political. Pure and simple.

I don't agree with Moore every time by no means, but I do agree that Bush must go. Obviously he will go, as he cannot run again, but I fear the next one will be a Bush clone.

Please see my blog that deals with how this is tearing the country down. It is from a libertarian viewpoint, but I think you'll nod in agreement more than a few times.

http://www.alicelillieandher.blogspot.com

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The irony in all this is they'll probably send him to Guatanamo for a few years, then the next film will come out! Brilliant marketing drama!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I'm sure Christian conservos would agree that immoral laws need not be followed. Can someone tell me how making it illegal to visit another country of one's choosing is moral or in any way represents the ideal of America as a beacon of human liberty and freedom?

It's clear that over 40 years of isolating Cuba has failed to produce the desired results. Isn't it obvious that if we relaxed our ridiculous prohibitions against Cuba and American tourists and businesses flooded Cuba, the people would quickly see free societies are superior to closed ones and demand change?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Michael hats off with the 911 "victims".... use the same club
that brought Bush to power... to lacerate Bush.
And do have them attack you-- as the publicity is already
worth the millions you may well make on the film.
Lets hope that disgraced Attorney General Gonzalez leads the prosecution... which can then be reported on by Fox News, and the corporate Media we know as..Select Capitalists United
by Money

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

First of all, if Moore did not have some kind of "permission" to travel to Cuba, why should he have needed it to begin with? The USA Supreme Court has previously interpreted travel restrictions as violating freedom of speech, guaranteed by the first ammendment. Therefore, Moore never broke the law to begin with. Next, the so-called Cuban travel restrictions are nothing more than political pandering to righ-wing Cubans here in Miami anyhow. In 2000 and 2004, they "delivered" the election to GW Bush. That they need to be "paid off" for this is sickening. Especially when you consider these travel restrictions have done absolutely nothing to detract from Castro's powerbase, they only have harmed the Cuban people. Finally, Moore is a genius. Of course, this will only add to the popularity of his movie. We all know American healthcare is a ridiculous fiasco and millions of Americans go without even basic check-ups. But, this inconvienient truth is not suppose to be said much in public, let alone shouted in a media expose. God bless you Mr. Moore.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

People who hate michael moore are just jealous of him...they secretly love him...and want to kiss him...all conservatives are in the closet...well known fact.

Don't hate michael moore just because you want to have sex with him...it's okay, all your friends know your gay.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Well why are we surprised. This President can figure out more ways to waste money, lie, be corrupt, and make everyone else do his dirty work for him. Can you say cover up, smoke and mirrors. This administration needs to be shipped off to the front lines to finish their WAR.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

You know, impeachment is "off the table." But for Iran, nothing is off it. And for you, your FBI file is spread out all over it. You began turning the tables with Fahrenheit 911 and keep fighting the good fight with Sicko, which I can't wait to see whatever way it gets released. Despite any graft paid under the table to those sitting around the tables of our government, I don't think the meanies and nasties can turn back the tables, but be careful nevertheless. If all they can get you on is a trip to Cuba, it means they're desperate, though I must say Cheney had more nerve to show his face in Baghdad than you had to show yours in Havana. The world is upside down, tables are flying all over the place, but the laws that matter can't be flouted forever. Watch out for falling objects, and thanks ever so much for your help in restoring gravity.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

"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."

I'm sure that the NeoCONS in the White House have been trying to get something on Moore forever. But if their intend is to stifle interest on this new film, THEY ARE DOING A TERRIBLE JOB OF IT JUST AS THEY HAVE DONE WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.

I want to laugh at some of the comments made above about how Moore is going to make so much money on this and what a capitalist he is. See, only NeoCons can be capitalists anymore, even if the way they do it is by stealing, lying and while thousands die or become maimed for nothing.

MICHAEL MOORE IS A GENIUS AND A TRUE PATRIOT.

SiCKO is going to be a HUGE hit. Personally I'm going to pay
for a theater ticket for any of my friends that want to go see it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Some of you folks claim that Michael Moore did this for publicity and no other reason, sorta' like Bush's "Mission Accomplished" performance, or the Katrina fly-over?. Y'all think Michael Moore needs publicity. Hmmm.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This regime is big on private sector action supplanting large government programs. This was the excuse behind the fake and failed faith-based initiative, for one. Now that Moore has taken upon himself to relieve an overburdened government of some of its duties, why complain? It's simply a case of a good old American pitching in. Emperor George I ought to be thrilled.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

There is a underlying dynamic afoot. Has anyone noticed the lack of coverage for anything Democratic? The Democrats are getting no detail coverage from TV media. None. If it were not for the internet, Michael Moore would not have a medium to unload is argument.

I think America needs to reevaluate the power of the media in the same light it would evaluate one of the branches of government. Fox, MSNBC, CNN, Washington Journal and most network television deliver their news in conservative slants. Most of the time, you can see this slant not by what they say but what they leave out. Michael Were being taking off his assignment to answer to being too supportive toward liberal ideology is one example of silent support for the right.

With the loss of the congress and the senate, the executive branch has pieced together a power dynamic to counter the loss of resent power. I hope the Moore understands this stong power element because if the two organizations synchronize their powers, they can block media exposer, sick the justice department on him, and put him in Guantanamo Bay without telling anyone he has been placed there.

Recently, the movements to investigate Bush, impeach Bush and Chaney, and even bring about legal charges that could make them pay for the outing of a CIA officer could have Bush running scared. So, what happens when you back a cat in a conner? Yes, you guessed it, they come out fighting.

Power has adjusted it's face to meet the new shrift in town. Moore is a needed solder and we must not let him go down without supporting what he's trying to bring to our awareness.

Joseph

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

FOOLED AGAIN Just another tactic to takepeoples minds away from the thousands of innocent Iraqi who are being murdered for the genocide for oil program. Pick at the little things so the big picture actually gets ignored as the major media tries to hide its own anxiousness for another mission accomplished announcement. Small tid bits of leftist half thoughts and dreams are but fleeting flakes of snow in an ever warming enviroment, of a truley changing global human element. Its the human element that counts that in some parts of the globe it appears to be not melting but literally blown apart, withlittle or no health care for its victims that in reality are in the here and now. Maybe Michael can add more light on their lack of health care in addition to the first 9/11 victims. What ever side of the fence he may be on if it helps bring them down sooner rather than later so be it. Let teh heads role.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

My political views are nearly the same as Moore's. However, I have no use for him and will never buy his commercial products. His mainstream popularity is reason enough to be suspicious of him. But I will NEVER EVER forgive him for this:

Columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown of The Independent (UK), wrote, "I took my son to see Michael Moore live at the Roundhouse, in North London, before Christmas. The U.S. radical and author of the best-selling book 'Stupid White Men' was (mostly) clever, funny, angry, sharp, iconoclastic and skeptical about the lies and humbug processed by the U.S. government and big business. ... What we did not expect was to feel so enraged at one point that we almost walked out. It was when Moore went into a rant about how the passengers on the planes on 11 September were scaredy-cats because they were mostly white. If the passengers had included black men, he claimed, those killers, with their puny bodies and unimpressive small knives, would have been crushed by the dudes, who as we all know take no disrespect from anybody. ..."

Mr. Moore, have a talk about this with the loved ones of the United Flight 93 passengers; after that, go to hell.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

During the 2004 campaign, Michael Moore escalated the rhetoric against by President Bush by accusing him of being a deserter by quitting ANG F102s and going AWOL.

Republicans went ballistic over the charge and accused Moore of treasonous slander. Actually he was correct.

Article 85 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice defines a deserter as any member of the armed forces who goes AWOL with “the intent to avoid hazardous duty.” It makes no difference when the hazardous duty was scheduled, war or peacetime.

For example, in 1961, First Lt. Ernest Biehunko, a 1956 graduate of Texas A&M, flew his USAF F102 into a Nevada mountain while following radar controller instructions in cloudy weather at night. Military aviation can’t get much riskier than that. The inherent hazard of operating single-seat jet interceptors is one reason why Bush grounded himself and went absent without leave. Technically, that made him a deserter (“alleged”).


For the TRUTH about Iraq, Bush 43 and his treasonous neocon cabal, visit the following websites managed and edited by American war veterans:

King-George.biz (Only website with hardcopy proof of White House corruption)
OpTruth.org (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America critical of Iraq War)
VAIW.org (Veterans Against Iraq War)
VoteVets.org (Promotes candidates for Congress who are both Iraq/Afghanistan vets and critical of the Iraq War)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

There was once in the 50's a person named Dr. Reich, a psychiatrist. After a couple of "visitations" from some strange people pretending of being from the government (they didn't say which one), he refused to participate in a recruitment effort to became member in a top secret organization that will use mental health facilities for interrogations and control of politically "at risk" people. It became so secret that after he disclosed it to the news papers, he himself was put to the "treatment", after tons of derogatory lies were spread, he was arrested and put in a mental institution.
Since then, the top secret agency became a sacred cow, and even the slightest hint or finger pointing at them, generates "damage control" if you know what I mean....
The cold war is over, but computers are still filled with information of "at risk" ones... Where was the genuine American government all this time ? Gone to Moscow and Cuba, and now to China.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Moore should send a big thank-you note to the Bush administration for this perfectly-timed attack. Coming so close to the release of the movie, it will certainly boost the number of people who go to see it, while perfectly illustrating its main premise.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yep - this HAS played into Michael Moore's hands. Once again, the "adults" who have "restored dignity and honor to the Whitehouse" have screwed up royally. Then again, only autocrats can truly do things "royally." From Iraq to Katrina to Walter Reed to Alberto Gonzales' myriad "accomplishments" to a record four Inspector Generals under inspection for malfeasance simultaneously, Presidente Cheney and his cronies are their own worst enemies.

Mr. Moore couldn't buy the type of publicity he's getting from this "investigation." That's why narrow-minded, intellectually dishonest NeoCons (I guess that's several redundancies) like, say, Conservatus, are apoplectic over this.

As far as Mr. Moore being a propagandist, well, I'm glad someone with progressive views can get the public's attention on sustantive matters like the Iraq War and the shameful state of healthcare in the US. After all, he's one person, compared to the entire Ministry of Information (aka "Fox News") and, for that matter, almost all of the rest of the MSM who continue to shill for the NeoCon cause pretty much 24/7, even four years after "Mission Accomplished."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Could I loathe this disgusting bunch of drones and their SATANIC "leaders" more? I think not. How many of you swine cheered at the booing of Michael Moore for having the COURAGE to denounce the illegal mass murder of Iraqis by our "heroic boys"? then cheered as the same group of swine cheered a CONVICTED rapist?
May you all, along with this maggot infested Evil Empire rot in hell for the many times you've allowed yourselves to be duped into invading and murdering other nations for your elected whores and their corporate handlers.
A nation of sheep, led by a cartel of whores, controlled by Israel and big business. Welcome, to the REAL Evil Empire

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Let's get a grip on this law thing here. It used to be illegal, for instance to harbor run away slaves. Was it wrong to defy such a law? The law criminalizing travel to a country that has never harmed us is base, political pandering to a group of hard core anti-Castro Cubans and other cold war wackos who can't let this thing die. Is Castro a saint, no. But put him up againist our leaders in terms of the misery they wreck on the world, and he doesn't look like the worst of them either. You may argue that the law is the law, but that means that you had better not be j-walking or smokin that wacky-tabacky or walking arfie off leash or thousand of other harmless things that happen to be illegal because some fat ass in our government has a problem with it. You may not like Moore's polemical style but that's what it is. He's not claiming to be projecting THE TRUTH and nothing but. He's a court jester in a court filled with humorless courtiers. Lighten up and go out and break some law! It's good for the country, good for the soul. LuLu Gee

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Nobody gives a shit if you die in the streets, so long as you don't interrupt their day to day pathetic fucking lives.

If the U.S. represents the greatest achievements of humanity thus far then fuck humanity - wipe this shit we call humanity clean from the Earth.

How long until a biologist or disease researcher has the guts to release something upon the world that wipes 70-100% of us off the face of this once beautiful planet we call Earth?

Are there any true environmentalists out there in the world willing to do what is necessary to rid the world of the greatest threat to the survival of life?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

MM is bringing to light health care problems in this country. That is his goal and this letter is part of this goal.

Here's an example of how ridiculous our health industry become. Our government has repeatedly tried to prevent people from buying cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, even though no contamination of those drugs has been found.

The reason is the drug industry. Canada has price caps on drugs sold there and so leaving that market will cause drug prices to drop here in the US. So the government creates laws and promotes stories about potential problems with Canadian drugs...helping the drug companies maintain their profites at the expense of the sick and elderly.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Impeach and Imprison the entire BushCo criminal administration and elect a leadership team with integrity and guts. GORE AND MOORE IN 2008! Saving the planet and caring for the people will be the real project for the new American century. Again I say GORE AND MOORE IN 2008! Hallelujah and AMEN.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I found this description of a repressive state by the U.S. State Department eerily suggestive of the United States.

"COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Cuba is a totalitarian police state, which relies on repressive methods to maintain control. These methods, including intense physical and electronic surveillance of Cubans, are also extended to foreign travelers. Americans visiting Cuba should be aware that any encounter with a Cuban could be subject to surreptitious scrutiny by the Castro regime's secret police, the General Directorate for State Security (DGSE). Also, any interactions with average Cubans, regardless how well intentioned the American is, can subject that Cuban to harassment and/or detention, and other forms of repressive actions, by state security elements. The regime is strongly anti-American yet desperate for U.S. dollars to prop itself up. The United States does not have full diplomatic relations with Cuba, but provides consular and other services through the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. The U.S. Interests Section operates under the legal protection of the Swiss government but is not co-located with the Swiss Embassy. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Cuba for additional information. "

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Cuban exports include medicos. It may may surprise some but Cuba has between 200-300 doctors and medical staff working in East Timor. It is their aim to have have trained the first indigenous Doctors in 5 years. Sounds to me like a worthwhile export.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Can someone please tell me as a dumb left-wing Canadian, why it is not legal for Americans to go to Cuba? I mean, the military has a BASE on Cuban soil! Why is that? What would Mr. Bush do if Castro established a base for the Cuban military on Florida's soil? Go in guns-a-blazin', right? Can't have those godless commies on American land! So what makes it okay for Guantanamo to be on Cuban soil in perpetuity? Something smells a little hypocrital here...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Well done Michael.
I have not seen so much reaction to an item in these forums (fora?) for a long time.
Even if you are not always completely right you certainly perform a valuable service in stirring people out of their torpor.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Good for you!!! There are more of us behind you than behind Bush's corrupt Mafia. Our medical system stinks and because Cuba's is much better this corrupt administration is trying to muffle you??? Go figure. Don't let this deter you. Thank you for speaking for us who are shut out, sick, and too poor for medical insurance (unlike this Mafia and his merry men). I have M.S. and no insurance and several illnesses to boot!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The film has the potential to appeal to a broader audience because it is not red state versus blue state, but the little guy versus powerful corporations... can't wait to see this one!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

As a follower of one of the most misunderstood legends of the world, Jesus the Carpenter/preacher, I recall the story of the Good Samaratan who went out of his way and crossed political and cultural boundaries. To take care of a victim whose own "freinds" and community family members wouldn't.

Michael Moore broke a civil law that discriminated against people seeking help. Cuba is a country that has offered medical help to these people as well as victims of Hurricane Katrina, a natural act that the President refused to accept foreign assistance for out of Pride. The tragedy that happened in New Orleans and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast could have used a few more Michael Moores, even if they had Spanish accents.

The Good Samaritan Laws are laws that exist(ed) in the United States and Canada. The Canadians still respect their Good Samaritan Laws. I'm not so sure about ours.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

...you may be going back to Cuba...it would not be a stretch for this government to save you a tent at Gitmo.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]