The Weinstein Co. will release Michael Moore's Sicko on June 29th and has brought in Lionsgate to partner on the film's release.
The documentary is a critical look at the U.S. health care system. The movie, which marks Moore's first film since Fahrenheit 9/11, will make it's world premiere at Cannes later this month.
The Weinsteins previously teamed for the release of Fahrenheit which earned $222.4 million worldwide and won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
Of course I haven't seen the film yet, but, the actions by the US Treasury are outrageous, disciminatory and violate human rights doctrines. I am assuming Michael took people unable to afford and unable to find quality care to a place they requested for treatment. Anyone stopping that humanitarian effort by a passionate filmmaker is violating human rights. Michael Moore needs to sue George Walker Bush for endangering human health in the USA. Then he can sue the US Treasury Secretary for censorship/freedom of speech !
Michael Moore In Trouble For Cuba Trip (click here)
Treasury Investigation; Moore Took Sept. 11 Workers To Banned Island For Treatment
(AP) 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....
Treasury Investigation; Moore Took Sept. 11 Workers To Banned Island For Treatment
(AP) 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....
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
"I applaud anybody who helps 9/11 responders." -- John Feal, 9/11 first responder
Friday, May 11th, 2007
Open Letter from Michael Moore to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson
Secretary Henry Paulson
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20220
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
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=207
John Gibson wants Michael Moore to suffer! (FOX doesn't just report for you to decide.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qejXNEzQ5ho
May 9th, 2007 2:06 am
Weinsteins set 'SiCKO' release date
Moore film to rollout June 29
By Ian Mohr / Variety
The Weinstein Co. has pegged a June 29 rollout for Michael Moore's Cannes-bound docu "SiCKO" and brought in Lionsgate to partner on releasing the documaker's first pic since "Fahrenheit 9/11."
Division of labor will see Lionsgate booking theaters on "SiCKO" in the U.S. while TWC handles all marketing and publicity duties and puts up all P&A costs.
TWC is also handling international rights and is offering the doc -- a critical look at the U.S. health care system -- in Cannes after its world preem.
People close to the pic's domestic partnership said that TWC was attracted to Lionsgate because of Lionsgate's exclusive pay TV pact with Showtime for docus.
Pact reteams Bob and Harvey Weinstein with Lionsgate three years after the movie-mogul sibs picked the indie studio to help roll out "Fahrenheit 9/11."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9773
May 11th, 2007 2:16 pm
Moore's 'SiCKO' trip to Cuba raises questions
By Anthony Breznican / USA Today
Michael Moore is facing a Cuban epistle crisis.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sent the Fahrenheit 9/11 filmmaker a letter requesting more information about a trip he took to Cuba to shoot scenes for his upcoming documentary "SiCKO," about failures in the U.S. health care system.
It is illegal for American citizens to visit or do business in Cuba as part of a decades-long trade embargo against the communist island nation.
The question now is whether or how Moore will cooperate with the Treasury Department inquiry, and what action the U.S. government might take in response.
Moore's representatives say the Oscar-winning director requested permission to legally visit Cuba, previously granted to such filmmakers as Steven Spielberg, but never received an answer — a fact confirmed in the Treasury Department letter.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9782
May 11th, 2007 2:19 pm
Government to probe Moore film
'SiCKO' struck by D.C. investigation
By William Triplett / Variety
As if documaker Michael Moore didn't already have a marketing campaign lined up for the imminent Cannes bow of his latest work, "SiCKO," the Bush administration and its allies have handed him one on a silver platter. The U.S. Treasury Dept. recently opened an investigation into whether the Oscar-winning helmer violated a federal travel ban to Cuba by taking "ailing Sept. 11 rescue workers" there for medical attention for a segment in "SiCKO," according to the Associated Press.
Moore isn't commenting, the AP said, but he doesn't have to; one of his producers is: "Our health care system is broken and, all too often, deadly," Meghan O'Hara was quoted as saying. "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."
Whether the investigation truly is politically motivated is irrelevant. Attacks on "Fahrenheit 9/11" from Bushies and their defenders not only validated but enhanced Moore's efforts to position the film as a speaker of truth to power, regardless of whether it actually was. More people paid to see the film than otherwise likely would have.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9783
May 9th, 2007 2:06 am
Weinsteins set 'SiCKO' release date
Moore film to rollout June 29
By Ian Mohr / Variety
The Weinstein Co. has pegged a June 29 rollout for Michael Moore's Cannes-bound docu "SiCKO" and brought in Lionsgate to partner on releasing the documaker's first pic since "Fahrenheit 9/11."
Division of labor will see Lionsgate booking theaters on "SiCKO" in the U.S. while TWC handles all marketing and publicity duties and puts up all P&A costs.
TWC is also handling international rights and is offering the doc -- a critical look at the U.S. health care system -- in Cannes after its world preem.
People close to the pic's domestic partnership said that TWC was attracted to Lionsgate because of Lionsgate's exclusive pay TV pact with Showtime for docus.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9773
May 9th, 2007 2:29 am
ER in Iraq: `Awful lot' of casualties
By Thomas Wagner / Associated Press
BAGHDAD - The nurse was surprised the two soldiers were still alive.
The day before, the men were carried into the emergency room at Ibn Sina Hospital in Baghdad's fortress-like Green Zone. Both Americans had been badly injured when their Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in a Sunni district in western Baghdad.
One soldier would have both legs amputated. The other lost one.
The drama to save their lives — played out in emergency rooms filled with injured U.S. troops as well as Iraqi forces and civilians — was another glimpse of the war's wider evolution: better medical intervention to save soldiers, but more and more injuries pouring in.
U.S. commanders in Iraq, including the top chief Gen. David Petraeus, predict more casualties in the coming months as forces fan out to smaller outposts and expand the security crackdown in Baghdad.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9774
May 7th, 2007 6:53 pm
White House: U.S. should brace for more casualties in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After another bloody weekend for U.S. troops in Iraq, the White House said on Monday Americans should brace for more U.S. casualties in the push for greater security in Baghdad.
Eight U.S. soldiers were killed on Sunday in roadside bomb attacks and were among 12 whose deaths were announced, following an April in which more than 100 died.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said the deaths were attributable to efforts to bring security to Baghdad as part of a 3-month-old troop buildup.
"We are getting to the point now with the Baghdad security plan where there is going to be real engagement in tougher neighborhoods and you're likely to see escalating levels of casualties," Snow said.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9765
May 7th, 2007 6:50 pm
Critics question timing of 'war czar' search
Coordination of the war has never been smooth, fast enough, they say
By Deb Riechmann / Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Now that the White House is searching for a "war czar," it raises the question of who has been coordinating U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan the past four years.
A team of West Wing players led by national security adviser Stephen Hadley has tried to keep turf-conscious agencies marching in the same direction on military, political and reconstruction fronts.
A few Bush aides say privately, however, that the White House probably should have recruited someone to oversee the war effort a year ago.
Critics say the administration's job of coordinating the war has never gone smooth enough or fast enough. And now two key members of the White House team focused on the war are leaving — Meghan O'Sullivan, who handled day-to-day coordination of Iraq, and Hadley's deputy, J.D. Crouch.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9764
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) 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."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9778
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
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9780
The Letter - Page 1
http://www.michaelmoore.com/_images/OFAC_p1.jpg
The Letter - Page 2
http://www.michaelmoore.com/_images/OFAC_p2.jpg
The Law (Not included on Michael Moore's Website). It was very interesting finding this location of 'the law.' As I click on the link at the Treasury Department Website it stated I was leaving the Department of Treasury website to an unsecure site and there were no guarantees. Amazing. The government has absolutely nothing to do with it's days except find ways to make everything as difficult as possible and pick on Americans. To have the same experience go to http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cuba/cuba.shtml and at the bottom of the page when scrolling down click on 31 CFR Part 515 and enter still another government twilight zone. Also notable at the bottom of that page are the numerous amendments to this law. Yes, indeed Paulson runs an efficient Treasury Department. Of course all that was passed under a Republican majority House and Senate.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/31cfr515_06.html
May 10th, 2007 5:10 am
Recent fortifications at fort didn't include a pizza-delivery plan
By Wayne Woolley and Brian Donohue / New Jersey Star-Ledger
Surrounded by miles of chain link fence, with the old side roads that once cut through the base closed off since 2001, Fort Dix is effectively an island nestled in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey.
There are only three ways onto the grounds: a trio of heavily guarded checkpoints, with armed soldiers, concrete barriers and an X-ray machine that sees through truck walls. Nobody gets by without a military-issued ID card.
Unless they're delivering pizza.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9779
End Mountain Top Removal - To the right on this page is the place to sign up with name and email and a letter is prepared to send to Congress.
http://www.ilovemountains.org/
The Nightwatchman DVD on sale now
http://www.nightwatchmanmusic.com/
April 9th, 2007 2:35 pm
Striking a blow for freedom
Tom Morello's politically charged Nightwatchman persona a departure from his Rage and Audioslave days
By Jim DeRogatis / Chicago Sun-Times
Born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville, Tom Morello will always be best known to legions of rock fans as a supreme shredder -- the musician who developed a new vocabulary for lead guitar by evoking falling bombs, bursts of machine-gun fire and scratching turntables with '90s rap-rockers Rage Against the Machine and the post-alternative supergroup Audioslave.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9555
Freeway Blogger Punditry Contest - Entries close June 1
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.com/2007/03/public-punditry-contest.html
Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army
by Jeremy Scahill
http://www.nationbooks.org/book.mhtml?t=scahill
SAY NO TO TO BLACKWATER USA'S PLAN TO BUILD A MERCENARY TRAINING FACILITY
http://www.sdcpj.org/
continued ...
