Feds investigate Michael Moore

[SA210]

May 10th, 2007 4:19 am
Michael Moore In Trouble For Cuba Trip

Treasury Investigation; Moore Took Sept. 11 Workers To Banned Island For Treatment

(AP (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/10/entertainment/main2784703.shtml)) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore is under investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department for taking ailing Sept. 11 rescue workers to Cuba for a segment in his upcoming health-care documentary "Sicko," The Associated Press has learned.

The investigation provides another contentious lead-in for a provocative film by Moore, a fierce critic of President Bush. In the past, Moore's adversaries have fanned publicity that helped the filmmaker create a new brand of opinionated blockbuster documentary.

"Sicko" promises to take the health-care industry to task the way Moore confronted America's passion for guns in "Bowling for Columbine" and skewered Bush over his handling of Sept. 11 in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control notified Moore in a letter dated May 2 that it was conducting a civil investigation for possible violations of the U.S. trade embargo restricting travel to Cuba. A copy of the letter was obtained Tuesday by the AP.

"This office has no record that a specific license was issued authorizing you to engage in travel-related transactions involving Cuba," Dale Thompson, OFAC chief of general investigations and field operations, wrote in the letter to Moore.

In February, Moore took about 10 ailing workers from the Ground Zero rescue effort in Manhattan for treatment in Cuba, said a person working with the filmmaker on the release of "Sicko." The person requested anonymity because Moore's attorneys had not yet determined how to respond.

Moore, who scolded Bush over the Iraq war during the 2003 Oscar telecast, received the letter Monday, the person said. "Sicko" premieres May 19 at the Cannes Film Festival and debuts in U.S. theaters June 29.

Moore declined to comment, said spokeswoman Lisa Cohen.

After receiving the letter, Moore arranged to place a copy of the film in a "safe house" outside the country to protect it from government interference, said the person working on the release of the film.

Treasury officials declined to answer questions about the letter. "We don't comment on enforcement actions," said department spokeswoman Molly Millerwise.

The letter noted that Moore applied Oct. 12, 2006, for permission to go to Cuba "but no determination had been made by OFAC." Moore sought permission to travel there under a provision for full-time journalists, the letter said.

According to the letter, Moore was given 20 business days to provide OFAC with such information as the date of travel and point of departure; the reason for the Cuba trip and his itinerary there; and the names and addresses of those who accompanied him, along with their reasons for going.

Potential penalties for violating the embargo were not indicated. In 2003, the New York Yankees paid the government $75,000 to settle a dispute that it conducted business in Cuba in violation of the embargo. No specifics were released about that case.

"Sicko" is Moore's follow-up to 2004's "Fahrenheit 9/11," a $100 million hit criticizing the Bush administration over Sept. 11. Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" won the 2002 Oscar for best documentary.

A dissection of the U.S. health-care system, "Sicko" was inspired by a segment on Moore's TV show "The Awful Truth," in which he staged a mock funeral outside a health-maintenance organization that had declined a pancreas transplant for a diabetic man. The HMO later relented.

At last September's Toronto International Film Festival, Moore previewed footage shot for "Sicko," presenting stories of personal health-care nightmares. One scene showed a woman who was denied payment for an ambulance ride after a head-on collision because it was not pre-approved.

Moore's opponents have accused him of distorting the facts, and his Cuba trip provoked criticism from conservatives including former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson, who assailed the filmmaker in a blog at National Review Online.

"I have no expectation that Moore is going to tell the truth about Cuba or health care," wrote Thompson, the subject of speculation about a possible presidential run. "I defend his right to do what he does, but Moore's talent for clever falsehoods has been too well documented."

The timing of the investigation is reminiscent of the firestorm that preceded the Cannes debut of "Fahrenheit 9/11," which won the festival's top prize in 2004. The Walt Disney Co. refused to let subsidiary Miramax release the film because of its political content, prompting Miramax bosses Harvey and Bob Weinstein to release "Fahrenheit 9/11" on their own.

The Weinsteins later left Miramax to form the Weinstein Co., which is releasing "Sicko." They declined to comment on the Treasury investigation, said company spokeswoman Sarah Levinson Rothman.

[SA210]

May 10th, 2007 9:34 am
Statement in Response to Bush Administration's Investigation of 'SiCKO'

'SiCKO,' Michael Moore's new movie, will rip the band-aid off America's health care industry. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in just one week and opening across the U.S. on June 29th, 'SiCKO' will expose the corporations that place profit before care and the politicians who care only about money. Our health care system is broken and, all too often, deadly. The efforts of the Bush Administration to conduct a politically motivated investigation of Michael Moore and 'SiCKO' will not stop us from making sure the American people see this film.

On September 11, 2001 this country was attacked. Thousands of Americans responded with heroism and courage, toiling for days, weeks and months in the ruins at Ground Zero. These 9/11 first responders risked their lives searching for survivors, recovering bodies, and clearing away toxic rubble. Now, many of these heroes face serious health issues -- and far too many of them are not receiving the care they need and deserve. President Bush and the Bush Administration should be spending their time trying to help these heroes get health care instead of abusing the legal process to advance a political agenda.

-- Meghan O'Hara, Producer, SiCKO

[Spurminator]

I hate to say it, but I'm intrigued...

[leemajors]

he probably visited cuba just to flaunt the law and get some free pub.

[Oh, Gee!!]

Now I want a Cohiba

[baseline bum]

WTF? I thought it's no problem anymore, just that no one is allowed to provide direct travel from the US to Cuba. Fuck that, I've always wanted to go to Habana, and lots of my friends who've been say it's an amazing place.

[Nbadan]

Michael Moore is right on in SICKO, just like he was on the right track in F911. The american health care system is broken, and sadly, it's all about politics with direct links believe it or not, to the Gonzo U.S. prosecutors firings.

[SA210]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BJyyyRYbSk&mode=user&search=

[Wild Cobra]

Michael Moore is right on in SICKO, just like he was on the right track in F911. The american health care system is broken, and sadly, it's all about politics with direct links believe it or not, to the Gonzo U.S. prosecutors firings.
If he is as accurate as he was in Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine, then he will take traces of truth and spin them to the nth degree.

There was agreat film that explained much about Fahrenheit 9/11 called Fahrenhype 9/11. It would be wise for people to watch the opposing view of things if they choose watch Moore-on's work before they trust his work. I see anyone who believes his work just to be a Moore-on!

YouTube links:

FahrenHYPE 9/11 - Scene from Documentary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI7mEIa-9m0)

FahrenHYPE 9/11 - Movie Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x6pifkM6cw)

Jeffrey Ross On Jimmy Kimmel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_HpgdqqPA4) He talks a little about his movie patriot act. Couldn't find a clip.

[Mr. Peabody]

I just think it's ironic that the guy that runs moorewatch.com, which has slammed Michael Moore and the film Sicko, almost had to shut the site down due to his wife's escalating medical expenses. The only this that saved him from financial ruin was a $12,000 check from Michael Moore.

[boutons_]

Purely Repug partisan political witch-hunting and harassment.

[PixelPusher]

If he is as accurate as he was in Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine, then he will take traces of truth and spin them to the nth degree.

There was agreat film that explained much about Fahrenheit 9/11 called Fahrenhype 9/11. It would be wise for people to watch the opposing view of things if they choose watch Moore-on's work before they trust his work. I see anyone who believes his work just to be a Moore-on!

YouTube links:

FahrenHYPE 9/11 - Scene from Documentary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI7mEIa-9m0)

FahrenHYPE 9/11 - Movie Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x6pifkM6cw)

Jeffrey Ross On Jimmy Kimmel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_HpgdqqPA4) He talks a little about his movie patriot act. Couldn't find a clip.
I checked out your links. I'm assuming you've seen FahrenHYPE 911, so before I slap down my hard earned money and devote 2 hours of my free time to watching this, can you assure me there's more in the way of substance to this documentary than Ann Coulter, Dick Morris and the rest of the PNAC/FOX News gang going on and on about how great and wonderful and perfect America is (and how awful Michael Moore is) to a sappy, patriotic soundtrack?

[Wild Cobra]

I checked out your links. I'm assuming you've seen FahrenHYPE 911, so before I slap down my hard earned money and devote 2 hours of my free time to watching this, can you assure me there's more in the way of substance to this documentary than Ann Coulter, Dick Morris and the rest of the PNAC/FOX News gang going on and on about how great and wonderful and perfect America is (and how awful Michael Moore is) to a sappy, patriotic soundtrack?
It is worthwhile. It has substance.

Moore has a soldier, SGT Peter Damon, who he twists the words of in his film. It is the same soldier in the clip I linked that said he loves America. The soldiers explains what happened, and how Moore twisted his words. He also has a role in a 2007 documentary titled Manufacturing Dissent. He is the one missing limbs who moore talked to at Walter Reid.

There is also an Oregon State trooper that explains what Moore did, how he twisted his words.

Ron Silver narrates the film. Who would have thought?

Zell Miller is a democrat that has some rather distasteful things to say about Moore.

So does former New York City mayor Ed Koch who is a Democrat.

Do you forget that Dick Morris is the former campaign advisor to president Clinton?

Most the many segments are short. Ann Coulter just has a few short segments allotted to her, and it's funny watching her in low-keyed ballistic mode.

There is a segment from the principle of the school that president Bush visited when the towers were hit. At least, I think she was the principle. She might have been a teacher. She puts the facts strait in her own words, about what happened at the school.

My DVD is loaned out right now, and I will likely recall things wrong if I continue. It is a good DVD to watch, and not as slow and boring as Fahrenheit 9/11.

links:

Wikipedia link to Fahrenhype 9/11 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenhype_9/11)

IMBD link to Fahrenhype 9/11 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427228/)

Wikipedia link to Manufacturing Dissent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_Dissent)

IMDB link to Manufacturing Dissent (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0961117/)

Interview with 'Manufacturing Dissent' Filmmakers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp9s7IfwJ50)

One more thing... Run time is 80 minutes.

[Wild Cobra]

As far as I know, this thing about Moore being in trouble over his trip can only produce some fines which Moore has plenty of money to pay if he must.

How did this talk about seizing his film start? Is there any credible sources? Is it only Moore trying to generate sympathy, or free advertisement?

I only have a limited legal knowledge, but I doubt his film could be seized.

[boutons_]

The Repugs are going to bring the "law and order" boom down on Moore for a publicity stunt.

But the Repugs drop their "law and order" badass-ness in the case of Libby's repeated federal lying and obstruction.

Depends on whose ox ...

[boutons_]

Moore is an artist, artistic license, making a fucking film with a point that dubya/dickhead/neo-cunts/Repugs lied about the Iraq war being justified, about WMD/Saddam-AQ/Saddam-WTC. Nobody died from F911

The "film", filled with lies and fictions and propaganda presented as facts, that dubya/dickhead/neo-cunts/Repugs produced about Iraq has resulted in 10s of 1000s of wasted US military casuaties and $1T+ wasted.

But, you dumbfuck dubya suckers want to go after harmless Moore, while continuing to suck off the murderous dubya. I'm sure Moore is flattered by all your attention, while dubya is diminished by you elevating Moore's importance above dubya.

[George Gervin's Afro]

This actually good publicity for Moore. I was disapointed with farenheit 9/11 because I felt that he did stretch some facts to prove some of his points. I felt that he didn't have to do that.

[George Gervin's Afro]

It is worthwhile. It has substance.

Moore has a soldier, SGT Peter Damon, who he twists the words of in his film. It is the same soldier in the clip I linked that said he loves America. The soldiers explains what happened, and how Moore twisted his words. He also has a role in a 2007 documentary titled Manufacturing Dissent. He is the one missing limbs who moore talked to at Walter Reid.

There is also an Oregon State trooper that explains what Moore did, how he twisted his words.

Ron Silver narrates the film. Who would have thought?

Zell Miller is a democrat that has some rather distasteful things to say about Moore.

So does former New York City mayor Ed Koch who is a Democrat.

Do you forget that Dick Morris is the former campaign advisor to president Clinton?

Most the many segments are short. Ann Coulter just has a few short segments allotted to her, and it's funny watching her in low-keyed ballistic mode.

There is a segment from the principle of the school that president Bush visited when the towers were hit. At least, I think she was the principle. She might have been a teacher. She puts the facts strait in her own words, about what happened at the school.

My DVD is loaned out right now, and I will likely recall things wrong if I continue. It is a good DVD to watch, and not as slow and boring as Fahrenheit 9/11.

links:

Wikipedia link to Fahrenhype 9/11 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenhype_9/11)

IMBD link to Fahrenhype 9/11 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427228/)

Wikipedia link to Manufacturing Dissent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_Dissent)

IMDB link to Manufacturing Dissent (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0961117/)

Interview with 'Manufacturing Dissent' Filmmakers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp9s7IfwJ50)

One more thing... Run time is 80 minutes.


Let's take a look at the 'democrats' who you mentioned. Zell MIller had more air time at the GOP national convention than 5 deferrment did. Koch has been an ardent Iraq-war-on-terror Bush supporter from day one. Silver is a conservative abd Dick Morris has been feeding the right wing base anything he can whether on Fox news or in his anti-Clinton books. I think Morris is a smart guy in that he has gotten the Coulter-Limbaugh-Hannity crowd scooping up his books and making him millions. He caters to a particular segment of our political society and they have rewarded him by buying everything he sells. I don't like the guy because he seems sleazy but I admire his ability to make a buck.

[Thunder Dan]

This new movie of his is a great concept:

People who helped clean up 9/11 can't get health care here. Meanwhile the people held in Guitmo Bay recieve better health care than most of us in the United States. It's really sad, and the only reason the feds are looking into this is becuase both democrats and republicans are dipshits and if people start crying for national healthcare they will have a giant mess on their hands. That, and they just hate Moore.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Anything that states the obvious concerning our healthcare system is demonized. Oh and they hate Moore as well...

[Thunder Dan]

It's not a democrat or republican movie either, it's about what we are the world's richest country could and should do. National healthcare should not even be a question, it should be done, like the we don't have to pay each time we use the fire department. We are capable of doing this, but it would take lots of money out of big companies that rake in profits from health insurance.

Moore has made movies about
-not wanting people in Detroit to lose their jobs
-wanting kids to stop shooting eachother
-wanting Bush to know there are Weapons of Mass distruction before he goes to war
-wanting to help the middle class afford to keep themselves alive

and some how right wingers find it is their duty to disagree with all of the above :huh

[PixelPusher]

It's not a democrat or republican movie either, it's about what we are the world's richest country could and should do. National healthcare should not even be a question, it should be done, like the we don't have to pay each time we use the fire department. We are capable of doing this, but it would take lots of money out of big companies that rake in profits from health insurance.

Moore has made movies about
-not wanting people in Detroit to lose their jobs
-wanting kids to stop shooting eachother
-wanting Bush to know there are Weapons of Mass distruction before he goes to war
-wanting to help the middle class afford to keep themselves alive

and some how right wingers find it is their duty to disagree with all of the above :huh
It'll all be explained in soon to be released rebuttal called "Slicko" (I just guessing, but I probably nailed the title) which rebukes Moore for daring to denegrate the glorious wonder of our American healthcare system.

[Thunder Dan]

It'll all be explained in soon to be released rebuttal called "Slicko" (I just guessing, but I probably nailed the title) which rebukes Moore for daring to denegrate the glorious wonder of our American healthcare system.


He was on Howard Stern this morning, and a e-mail was sent from a couple of Right Winged organizations to beware of him being on there, and gave them the number to call to talk to Howard and let him know they were cancelling their subscriptions to Sirius becuase of Moore being on the show. That pretty funny since about 99.99% of them don't subscribe, and that they are so ignorant that they have to go out of their way to hate Michael Moore when he is actually trying to better everyone. Silly right wingers.

[smeagol]

So Americans are still not allowed to travel to Cuba?

Talk about the Land of the Free :lol

[boutons_]

Cuba is one of those incredibly persistent incredible perversities committed by the US political class.

[MadDog73]

Zell Miller is a democrat that has some rather distasteful things to say about Moore.


Zell Miller is a Democrat like I'm a Republican.

(that is to say, he's not. You do remember "Give 'em Hell Zell" at the Republican convention, deriding John Kerry for voting for the same things that most Republicans were.)

That said, Moore does not need to twist the truth about Iraq, gun control, or health care. I'm looking forward to Sicko, and all the discussions it will cause.

We need a serious look at health care, and if it takes a man like Moore to start that conversation, so be it.

[Thunder Dan]

Zell Miller is a Democrat like I'm a Republican.

(that is to say, he's not. You do remember "Give 'em Hell Zell" at the Republican convention, deriding John Kerry for voting for the same things that most Republicans were.)

That said, Moore does not need to twist the truth about Iraq, gun control, or health care. I'm looking forward to Sicko, and all the discussions it will cause.

We need a serious look at health care, and if it takes a man like Moore to start that conversation, so be it.


Gun control needs a swift rebuff to say the least and everyone over looks that. All his films do is get overlooked by the people who should watch them. They feel it is their duty to disagree with Moore. My dad is one of these people. My dad will ask "How did that guy get a gun" or "Why do people need to carry guns?" yet, he will argue against everything in Bowling For Columbine only becuase he doesn't like Michael Moore.

[Wild Cobra]

Let's take a look at the 'democrats' who you mentioned. Zell MIller had more air time at the GOP national convention than 5 deferrment did.
Zell Miller is a Democrat like I'm a Republican.
Zell Miller didn't leave the democrat party, the democrat party left him, in their continual move to the left.

Koch has been an ardent Iraq-war-on-terror Bush supporter from day one.
Democrats used to support such efforts. So what? Since when does a war separate determine party ties?

Silver is a conservative
Yes, but does that matte?

Dick Morris has been feeding the right wing base anything he can whether on Fox news or in his anti-Clinton books.
And he has some interesting things to say about what president Clinton knew!

What is it with you guys? Are you so set in your yes that you will not listen to the reason of others because you think it will be right propaganda? The primary defining feature of liberalism is being open minded. Way are today's conservatives more open minded than today's liberals?

The defining historical difference between democrats and republicans has to do with those wanting a federal controlled democracy and a republic (states rights). We all know that true democracies fail, and that is why the concept of our government is a republic.


That said, Moore does not need to twist the truth about Iraq, gun control, or health care. I'm looking forward to Sicko, and all the discussions it will cause.

We need a serious look at health care, and if it takes a man like Moore to start that conversation, so be it.

Agreed on healthcare, however we probably disagree how. Look at the woman who recently died in the emergency room because she wasn't black.

Why does Moore twist the truth? For the money! His controversial films amount to lies but he sure is getting rich!

[ObiwanGinobili]

I'm looking forward to Sicko.

[boutons_]

"Why does Moore twist the truth?"

for dramatic effect, because he's an entertainer doing artistic work.

why do dubya dickhead lie? because they are bastards in official positions with lots to hide.

[SA210]

:lol ^^^

[spurscenter]

Go See This Movie Today, Now!

[Yonivore]

Go See This Movie Today, Now!
What are you, his brother?