US documentary maker Michael Moore, seen here in Rome for the release of his latest film "Sicko" targetting health care in the United States, praised Italy's system as one of the world's best but warned against complacency. (AFP)
Moore more costly for taxpayers than Pavarotti
24.08.2007
Dozens of municipal politicians have used their city’s funds to purchase tickets to a presentation by American documentary film director Michael Moore
It is doubtful that Michael Moore would approve of the way 70 Sønderborg city politicians and business people will use a chunk of taxpayers’ cash to attend his presentation next week at the Jutland city’s Alsion concert hall.
At DKK 1600 per person, the total for the big wigs’ night out comes to DKK 112,000. Sønderborg’s mayor, Jan Prokopek Jensen, said Moore’s presentation - which includes a viewing of ‘Sicko’, his latest film about the American healthcare system, can be ‘inspirational’ for the city’s businesses and government.
The mayor’s take on the situation was supported by the public administration office of Region Southern Denmark, which supervises the region’s municipal governments.
‘We’ve looked at the purchase and cannot rule out that the arrangement may be relevant to Sønderborg Municipality,’ office manager Nina Würtzen told public broadcaster DR.
Two years ago, the administrative office’s equivalent (prior to the regional reorganisation) decided that Sønderborg’s municipal employees and business people could not use public funds to attend a Pavarotti concert.
The administration indicated that any arrangement where public funds are used must serve the needs of the community and not the individual, and it determined the concert - unlike a commentary about American healthcare - would be of no benefit to the city.
http://www.cphpost.dk/get/103213.html
Moore Praises Italian Healthcare System
by Staff
Controversial film director Michael Moore took time from opening his new film "Sicko" in Rome this week to praise Italy's healthcare system.
The Oscar-winning director, whose new film exposes apparent flaws in the U.S. healthcare industry, said at a news conference Friday that Italians should be pleased with the health services available to them, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.
"Whether the government is right or left, you have a national health system which gives you the right to see a doctor. We don't have that right in the United States, and it's a disgrace," Moore said.
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/entertainment/article_21299711.shtml
Michael Moore Unveils SiCKO in Rome
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=89818
