Michael Moore's film "Sicko" about the health care industry in America premieres Saturday night at the Cannes Film Festival. An excerpt from his email today:
"Bush's Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson, launched an investigation of a trip I took to Cuba to film scenes for the movie. These scenes involve a group of 9/11 rescue workers who are suffering from illnesses obtained from working down at Ground Zero. They have received little or no help with their health care from the government. I do not want to give away what actually happens in the movie because I don't want to spoil it for you..."This preemptive action taken by the Bush administration...led our attorneys to fear for the safety of our film, noting that Secretary Paulson may try to claim that the content of the movie was obtained through a violation of the trade embargo that our country has against Cuba and the travel laws that prohibit average citizens of our free country from traveling to Cuba. (The law does not prohibit anyone from exercising their first amendment right of a free press and documentaries are protected works of journalism.)
"I was floored when our lawyers told me this. "Are you saying they might actually confiscate our movie?" "Yes," was the answer. "These days, anything is possible. Even if there is just a 20 percent chance the government would seize our movie before Cannes, does anyone want to take that risk? Certainly not."
"So there we were last week, spiriting a duplicate master negative out of the country just so no one from the government would take it from us. (Seriously, I can't believe I just typed those words! Did I mention that I'm an American, and this is America and NO ONE should ever have to say they had to do such a thing?)
"...Investigating ME because I'm trying to help some 9/11 rescue workers our government has abandoned? Once again, up is down and black is white. There are only two people in need of an investigation and a trial, and the desire for this across America is so widespread you don't even need to see the one's smirk or hear the other's sneer to know who I am talking about."
I admire MM in so many ways and am so thankful that he's out there doing what he does because he speaks for so many people who don't have the ability to say it themselves. I support him 100%.
And I admire you for posting about these issues, also. Your passion about it is evident and I learn a lot by reading your posts.
Posted by: Willow Grace | 23 May 2007 at 19:30
I have watched M.M. Films several times, can’t wait to see this one. His films are jam packed with good sense often swept away from the general public. I have been a fan for years...when he exposed certain large corporations of heinous practices. Thank goodness for him. Rosie O’Donnell is also rallying for the first responders. I was shocked I hadn't heard about their plight until just recently! Very sad, and needing to be addressed! I’m always surprised when the fundamental basic needs of people are ignored! Very scary when M.M feels the threat! Great information Tara!
Posted by: giggles | 21 May 2007 at 07:21
Did you see today's article on Michael Moore in Le Journal du Dimanche? Pretty good, except that they spelled Sicko wrong for the first half of the article...
Posted by: Polly | 20 May 2007 at 14:14
Blessings to you my lovely friend.
I have missed you.
Love Jeanne ^j^
Posted by: Jeanne | 19 May 2007 at 13:04
Can't wait to see the film.
Posted by: Rethabile | 18 May 2007 at 23:42
He sure can stir the pot! Have watched his stuff with amazement since Roger and Me.......
Am looking forward to seeing this. I read some stuff about ground zero illness a while back.
Posted by: awareness | 18 May 2007 at 23:29
I actually saw this on the news. It might have been CNN (North America) and the reporters (the reporters!!) were saying MM tends to "make up" facts. And that the gov't was looking to seize the film. Everything he says is his email is true.
Posted by: Colette | 18 May 2007 at 20:14
my guess, hope, is that the du is being exposed
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 18 May 2007 at 18:01
There isn't one neocon who doesn't make my skin crawl. They will stop at nothing and they think they can get away with anything. And guess what? It looks like they can! Did you see Wolfie get away with a nice package from the World Bank? I"m so angry that I just don't know what to do.
Posted by: kim (via Pearl) | 18 May 2007 at 17:05
What is happening to freedom? This over protective nonsense is driving me crazy. It is Big Brother no doubt.
Posted by: Di Overton | 18 May 2007 at 17:02
Moore is absolutlely right -- there are two men who definitely should be investigated for a long list of sins: abuse of power, crimes against humanity, obstruction of justice ... frankly BushCo is starting to make Watergate look like a walk in the park.
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 18 May 2007 at 16:42
Wow! No wonder we've heard no pre-press about the movie. Looking forward to seeing it.
I can't believe that in the USA I have to be careful of what I say on the phone and what I e-mail.
I made a small donation to an organization and asked "Does this mean I'm on the government's *poop* list?" The guy said "If we have your name, they already do."
Posted by: Michelle French | 18 May 2007 at 16:28
I am loving the new template. Very lovely look and feel Tara!!!
Kisses. Nina
Posted by: Nina | 18 May 2007 at 13:07
Just curious? Do you get email personally from MM? Is he a personal friend?
Tara responds:
I don't know MM - since he made Fahreinheit 911, I have been on his mass email list.
Posted by: cheeky | 18 May 2007 at 10:47