Boycott the Academy Award Winners - A Open Letter to Michael Moore

Hi Mike,

I love you and your work. I thought the humanitarian message you gave in "SiCKO" was more profound a statement about the American Healthcare System than any message you ever could have delivered on that topic.

Look, Mike, you and I both know the Academy of Arts and Sciences is a political organization and that was never more evident than last night.

The entire "documentary" designation of the Academy Awards yesterday evening was a complete afront to anyone that would oppose the war. First, the troops in Iraq were rolled out to announce the nominees in the category of "Short Takes" of which most of those entries were anti-war themes. Tell me that was appropriate.

Then, the "Feature Documentaries" were announced by the one man that could sustain any criticism to his image, namely Tom "the man everyone loves" Hanks. Then, the winner was one that never was nominated before and followed a theme that would be 'acceptable' to the American culture no matter who wins the 2008 elections.

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The Winner of the Best Documentary Feature "Taxi to the Dark Side" was featured at The Traverse Film Festival. I saw this film.

While interesting, it ain't the quality of "SiCKO." It's time to stop placing films at the Academy of Arts and Sciences for competition.

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...continued - Open Letter to Michael Moore

It's time to stop giving the 'establishment' in DC the opportunity to take 'pot shots' at the Master.

The Academy of Arts and Sciences played it 'safe' AGAIN. They chose a film they felt was least politically offensive. Everyone is opposed to the torture regime in DC that Republican uphold as the ultimate in achievement for Neocons. It was the 'safe' road that the Academy chose as they always do. They opted for the 'Safe Road' when it came to Fahrenheit 911 as well.

The Academy rolls it's political dice and people profit. They literally have a 'which ever way the wind blows' application to their principles that exclude the American voice so much as the politically correct voice. There is no freedom of speech at the Academy of Arts and Sciences, there is simply 'surviving the day.'


While "Taxi to the Dark Side" was more than poignant and I support it's content and approach, it addresses human rights abuses at the extreme of the Bush Regime. At the other end of the extreme of the Bush Regime is the human rights abuses of the American Healthcare System and "SiCKO" did it brilliantly. The American People needed the endorsement of the Academy of Arts and Sciences last night, but, due to the favoring of Bush Cronies and it's lack of political will, 'The Academy' again fell short of it's moral obligation to support people it seeks as patrons.


Don't change your methodology one bit, Mike. We love you and count on you to bring home a message in an emotionally competent manner that reaches the conscience of every American that values their democracy.

Thanks for being the bravest of filmmakers. We need you. Perhaps, the first 'best step' to heal the void between The Academy and people that support American Values would be to make you at least a presenter. Charity begins at home and as "SiCKO" pointed out, the detainees at Gitmo received better healthcare than Americans that served at the destroyed World Trade Towers in New York City.


Best regards,
Elisa Barrett