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May 11, 2007 at 11:20:11
Bush Administration Goes After SiCKO by Michael Moore Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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crossposted from Dailykos Hello Kossacks, Michael Moore, here. I know you all are aware of the controversy surrounding my recent trip to Cuba with a group of 9/11 heroes for my upcoming movie SiCKO and the subsequent letter I received from the Treasury Department letting me know I'm now being investigated. Well, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. I just put it in the mail this morning... May 11, 2007 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 --Unfortunately, I won't be able to stick around to answer questions this time (SiCKO premieres at Cannes next Saturday and my schedule is crazy) but I want to be sure you know where I stand. I hope you will stand with me. Thank you for your support and I promise to return again soon for a more involved chat. MM
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| 23 comments |
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News organization?
MM, are you a member of news organization, they ask? You ARE a news organization! Have fun at Cannes. by Blue Pilgrim (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 997 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:19:57 PM  (0+)
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Michael We Support You 100%
Yes, and the NIH CDC, NIMH etc. all run the autism research racket and the money passes around totally corrupt academic researchers. Everyone who studies the history of autism and schizophrenia knows that the increase in autism, a lot of which used to be called childhood schizophrenia, is caused in the main by the upswing of older men fathering babies. It is no mystery just another racket by our healthcare industry. http://autism-prevention.blogspot.com/ Yes they do have a lot to hide and they had better leave you along before you spill more of their secrets. by Leslie Feldman (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 13 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:24:18 PM (0+)
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hey michael
i'm assuming you made your film to expose how wrong it is for corporate interests to determine healthcare policy. congress is never going to make quick work of this mess. we need to hold a national convention so state delegates can propose things politicians never will. http://www.foavc.org i'm also a documentary filmmaker, trying to secure funds to make one of an inter-collegiate mock-convention. to bring together 100 kids and a parliamentarian, and have them carry out the convention clause of article v of the constitution. i've got the kids lined up, and the venue, i just need the funds to fly them in and put them up for a weekend. can you help us with that? if we show how harmless this procedure is at the collegiate level, it'll give rise to the idea that we ought to do it at the federal level. here is the contact info: http://www.articlev.org i know you know that once parameters are set down, all kinds of interesting things can emerge in the process of making a documentary. imagine a bunch of college kids coming together to address the issues facing the nation. coupled with the human interest stories, bits of humor, etc., it's a project that can't fail. young americans carrying out an exercise in civics? carrying out the fundamental principle the country was founded on? it's a winner. if anyone else reading this who is upset with corporate governance wants to put their moey where their mouth is, please contact us. as a selling point, such a documentary done well does have a chance to get distribution. if so, that means a profit. http://www.articlev.org by john de herrera (39 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 165 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:31:26 PM (0+)
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Michael Moore
Go to it, Michael - give 'em hell, just like you did in Fahrenheit 911! Too bad there aren't more brave men, such as you are. We have too many toadies kissing the toad's butt. by lucydavis (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 88 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:32:57 PM (0+)
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planned it that way?
Hey Mike, who's the US Attorney in the district you are in? Wouldn't happen to be one of the newly placed political appointees by any chance? If so, Rove might have planned it that way. Voter fraud is just one aspect (they're willing to talk about) of the purge. by Kiko (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 29 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:38:43 PM (0+)
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SiCKO dedication
Maybe you could dedicate your film to these two ladies that congressional investigations seem to be ignoring: Shannon K. Ross Thelma Quince Colbert Died going after Novation... * * * * * Criminal Chief of the Dallas U.S. Attorney's office Shannon K. Ross found dead September 11, 2004 in her home the day before Senate hearings on healthcare anti-trust just after her associate Thelma Colbert was also found dead. - these two women were working on the same case - and three more in the same unit either resign or get fired all at once and that's not all... Head of the Civil Enforcement Unit of the Fort Worth U.S. Attorney's office Thelma Quince Colbert also turned up dead in her swimming pool on July 20, 2004 after investigating Medicare fraud and money laundering cases involving Novation and others for one and a half years, resulting in subpoenas leading to prosecution Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was a partner in Vinson & Elkins, LLP which represents defendant Novation http://tomflocco.com/fs/DeathsFoulPlayQuestions.htm by Kiko (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 29 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 1:01:12 PM (0+)
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Thank you Michael Moore for SiCHO
To Michael Moore, BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!! Thank you Michael Moore for SiCHO, love to see it ASAP. You are a very powerful genius and with your films you are single handedly helping America and the world enormously. More power to you. Thank you again, by Fritson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 11 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 2:50:27 PM (0+)
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Cuba...
It's a dirty rotten shame that you had to take the 9/11 heroes out of this country to get proper treatment. I think also that it is time to forgive Cuba. In1959 when Castro nationalized the ill gotten assets of crooked American politicians and corporate tax evaders was a long time ago. They certainly deserve most favored nation trading status more than China, with all it's human rights abuses. by Matthew Peters (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 171 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 4:09:15 PM (0+)
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Son Killed by Zyprexa/Want to Come to Sicko Premiere
Dear Michael, Am a great fan and have loved the notion of Pharma execs quaking in their boots. WANT so much to come to Sicko premiere and be introduced. Hopefully, thousands of people like me haven't asked you. I am a s trong activist against Evil Pharma and failed FDA and, s ince I live near DC, have testified many a time. Do let me know. Your friend, Ellen Liversidge, ruined parent by EllieL (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 4:49:54 PM (0+)
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WE...
We avoid movie theaters generally, prefering to by the DVD or VHS once they are available. However, under these circumstances we are going to take everyone we know to the movies to see SiCKO! Have fun at Cannes by Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo (144 articles, 1 quicklinks, 95 diaries, 1317 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 5:02:13 PM (0+)
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Another Shot To The Increasingly Restive Oligarchy!
Can't wait for SiCKO to send a shot across the bow of the criminals running this shameless sham of a health care system. The Cuba b.s. is just another great example of how this renegade fascist junta that has seized control of the government is willing to go in their abusive use of the system to suppress a good American who dares to call bullshit as he sees it. Keep up the pressure, they are reeling and on the run and despite their NSA-Heimat Security Gestapo are defenseless against a decentralized swarm attack by the bloggers. It is essential that this McCarthyist tactic is exposed as the act of treason that it is. Time to go to bat for Michael Moore, express outrage and if possible let citizen journalists begin their own investigations of the ambulance chasers who profit off of the sickness of others. Just my two cents EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 5:22:25 PM (0+)
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Michael Moore
I'm looking forward to seeing this movie. by Marg (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 6:17:34 PM (0+)
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Michael Moore
Of course I stand with Michael Moore, he's not only from Flint Michigan, but he's one of the first hero's to tell us the truth about king george from the beginning. by beccy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 87 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 6:53:25 PM (0+)
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Do we get it first Michael?
Are you going to release this film via Canada as you did the last one? That way you will be not seen as breaking any laws here. It gives the cinemas in the U.S. time to figure out all the millions they will miss out on. Along with all the FREE pre-promotion they will take home buckets of money. by IwasJulius (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 31 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 8:38:33 PM (0+)
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Go Michael!
Thank you again for all you do for the betterment of people everywhere who don't have a voice. You are one brave being! Always know that more and more people support you for telling the truth, which unfortunately is rare in the media of today. You give us all hope. Thank you again! by carl (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 133 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 9:54:35 PM (0+)
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Bush Gestapo go after anybody who tells the truth about them
Hi Michael, You are my greatest hero. The Health Care industry is governed by insurance companies, not medical science. The insurance companies own all the skyscrapers and most of the White House and have to buy bank vaults to store all their money. Ever make a claim? The insurance industry has the nations smartest lawyers...........They won't ever be on the Supreme Court as lap dogs for Bush. by Larry (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:19:46 PM (0+)
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Michael, you are the MAN!!!
by Lisa Long (4 articles, 4 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 48 comments) on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:34:34 PM (0+)
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Unauthorized Cuban Trip
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0510071moore1.html A few of my friends have been to Cuba, on vacation. They're not Americans. Americans aren't allowed to go to Cuba...on vacation, to work in a recording studio (Ry Cooder), or to get medical help. Americans are not free. What am I saying ? WE are NOT free. Yes, I'm an American and I'm NOT free to visit Cuba alongside my non-American friends and they CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS ! We are not free until we leave America behind. May SICKO be another wooden stake in the heart of this sick country and may WE someday be free again, free to visit Cuba without having the Feds breathing down our necks. by Tony Forest (7 articles, 18 quicklinks, 166 diaries, 1429 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 2:56:11 AM (0+)
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Right on Mike!
Right on Mike, I will be looking for it. Hope it is the beginning to a real investigation to 911. Be careful....www.sugarcitycane.com by Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 930 comments) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 5:25:25 AM (0+)
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They are trying to silence Moore
This is all about the First Amendment. After all, censorship is becoming America's favorite past-time. The US gov't (and their corporate friends), already detain protesters, ban books like "America Deceived" from Amazon and Wikipedia, shut down Imus and fire 21-year tenured, BYU physics professor Steven Jones because he proved explosives, thermite in particular, took down the WTC buildings. Free Speech forever (especially for documentaries). by Lorring II (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 87 comments) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 7:43:02 AM (0+)
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Free publicity for SiCKO!!!
Our whole nation is held hostage by pay for play politics. Obscenely BIG money infects our political system. The Democrats are forced to play in that mud too. The only vote against the latest giveaway to the hugely profitable health care industry was cast by Bernie Sanders, independent from Vermont. And though the Democrats did attempt to pass legislation allowing reimportation of cheaper drugs from Canada, too many legislators have to rely on funds from the big Pharma and more to the point, they have to suck up to avoid political foes from getting that money directly and indirectly. American politics has been sickened by the undue influence of obscene amounts of money stifling discussion of good ideas, muzzling good people, and, squelching of good legislation. Everyone knows this and yet politicians of every stripe choose to mouth platitudes because of a perceived lack of political support in the form of contributions that would allow them to champion the truly radical overhaul needed to challenge the mountains of money that pays for the votes of a controlling majority of corrupted federal legislators. We must work to marginalize the influence of money in politics, if we are to have a better fighting chance. I will actively work for single payer basic universal health care for every human being in our country first and for basic humanitarian prevention of epidemics worldwide. I would like to get every politician to take a similar pledge. by Tim Riley (7 articles, 5 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 148 comments [12 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:47:58 AM (0+)
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1984
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. TWO AND TWO MAKE FIVE. GOD IS POWER. WAR IS PEACE. IGNORANCE IS STRENGHT. Michael, though you're probably too busy to read this blogs, I do admire you taking the time to combat the state of psychosis and thought-control we're currently under in these United States of Amnesia. "The Land of the Free and the brave". "United We Stand". A "Democracy" etc... this is what George Orwell called Newspeak or doublethink. Yes more power to you and hurry up and make more films exposing the root of it all (Whatever it may be, we know is Washington D.C), and educating us all. by Frank gr (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 50 comments) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 12:59:09 PM (0+)
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9/11 research
The FBI Altered Telltale Photo Of The 9/11 Pentagon Aircraft http://home.att.net/~south.tower/FakedA3Photo1.htm by winnybar (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 6:51:58 PM (0+)
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