NationStates Jolt Archive

Now I'm as Pinko Liberal as the next Free Tibet chanter, but lately Michael Moore has been grinding on even my nerves. I miss the witty Michael Moore of The Awful Truth and the compassionate Michael Moore of Bowling for Columbine.

Frankly the ungrateful Michael Moore of the Academy Awards and the jerk Michael Moore of the US Presidential elections have me fuming.

But this last email -which I received as I'm still on his mailing list- had me seething with anger. Exploitation, much?

From : maillist@michaelmoore.com <maillist@michaelmoore.com>
Reply-To : maillist@michaelmoore.com
Sent : Friday, 3 February 2006 7:50:21 PM
To : wesleywidlend@hotmail.com
Subject : Send Me Your Health Care Horror Stories... An Appeal from Michael Moore

| | | Inbox


2/3/06

Friends,

How would you like to be in my next movie? I know you've probably heard I'm making a documentary about the health care industry (but the HMOs don't know this, so don't tell them -- they think I'm making a romantic comedy).

If you've followed my work over the years, you know that I keep a pretty low profile while I'm making my movies. I don't give interviews, I don't go on TV and I don't defrost my refrigerator. I do keep my website updated on a daily basis (there's been something like 4,000,000 visitors just this week alone) and the rest of the time I'm... well, I can't tell you what I'm doing, but you can pretty much guess. It gets harder and harder sneaking into corporate headquarters, but I've found that just dying my hair black and wearing a skort really helps.

Back to my invitation to be in my movie. Have you ever found yourself getting ready to file for bankruptcy because you can't pay your kid's hospital bill, and then you say to yourself, "Boy, I sure would like to be in Michael Moore's health care movie!"?

Or, after being turned down for the third time by your HMO for an operation they should be paying for, do you ever think to yourself, "Now THIS travesty should be in that 'Sicko' movie!"?

Or maybe you've just been told that your father is going to have to just, well, die because he can't afford the drugs he needs to get better -- and it's then that you say, "Damn, what did I do with Michael Moore's home number?!"

OK, here's your chance. As you can imagine, we've got the goods on these crooks. All we need now is to put a few of you in the movie and let the world see what the greatest country ever in the history of the universe does to its own people, simply because they have the misfortune of getting sick. Because getting sick, unless you are rich, is a crime -- a crime for which you must pay, sometimes with your own life.

About four hundred years from now, historians will look back at us like we were some sort of barbarians, but for now we're just the laughing stock of the Western world.

So, if you'd like me to know what you've been through with your insurance company, or what it's been like to have no insurance at all, or how the hospitals and doctors wouldn't treat you (or if they did, how they sent you into poverty trying to pay their crazy bills) ...if you have been abused in any way by this sick, greedy, grubby system and it has caused you or your loved ones great sorrow and pain, let me know.

Send me a short, factual account of what has happened to you -- and what IS happening to you right now if you have been unable to get the health care you need. Send it to michael@michaelmoore.com. I will read every single one of them (even if I can't respond to or help everyone, I will be able to bring to light a few of your stories).

Thank you in advance for sharing them with me and trusting me to try and do something about a very corrupt system that simply has to go.

Oh, and if you happen to work for an HMO or a pharmaceutical company or a profit-making hospital and you have simply seen too much abuse of your fellow human beings and can't take it any longer -- and you would like the truth to be told -- please write me at michael@michaelmoore.com. I will protect your privacy and I will tell the world what you are unable to tell. I am looking for a few heroes with a conscience. I know you are out there.

Thank you, all of you, for your help and your continued support through the years. I promise you that with "Sicko" we will do our best to give you not only a great movie, but a chance to bring down this evil empire, once and for all.

In the meantime, stay well. I hear fruits and vegetables help.

Yours,
Michael Moore
michael@michaelmoore.com
www.michaelmoore.com



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That's exploitative like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is exploitative. I'm sure the people being helped don't mind terribly if we watch.

err... I work for an HMO... Thanks for the heads up... will spread the word. ;)

Michael Moore is just a !@#$ing asshole. No other way to put it. I especially liked his docum- I mean, propaganda film "Fehrenheit 9/11". That movie had so many flaws/untrue information I don't even know where to begin.

err... I work for an HMO... Thanks for the heads up... will spread the word. ;)
It's what I do. Like when I accidently gave $20 to the Strauss Movement Contribution Fund, instead of the Anti-Strauss Movement Contribution Fund...

*sigh*

That's exploitative like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is exploitative. I'm sure the people being helped don't mind terribly if we watch.
The problem is he seems to just be out to exploit people for money, these days.

Feel like you have been taken for a ride?

Feel like you have been taken for a ride?
In da bum! Fast Forwad reference, for our Australian and Kiwi veiwers.

Or maybe you've just been told that your father is going to have to just, well, die because he can't afford the drugs he needs to get better -- and it's then that you say, "Damn, what did I do with Michael Moore's home number?!"
This happened to me once. And then I found out that I had an evil twin, and that Marla (my sexy secretary) was banging my son. Then my daughter went off to prep school and aged about 6 years in two months. The shock of that, plus being thrown off a cliff by the jealous ex-lover of my newly ex-wife, sent me into a coma for five months, in which time I was accused of murder, and my daughter and current wife had to bury their differences so they could find the real killer before I woke up. Then . . .
No, wait, nevermind, I'm confusing real life and soap operas again. Reading melodrama does that to me, so does reading shameless self-promotion.

This happened to me once. And then I found out that I had an evil twin, and that Marla (my sexy secretary) was banging my son. Then my daughter went off to prep school and aged about 6 years in two months. The shock of that, plus being thrown off a cliff by the jealous ex-lover of my newly ex-wife, sent me into a coma for five months, in which time I was accused of murder, and my daughter and current wife had to bury their differences so they could find the real killer before I woke up. Then . . .
No, wait, nevermind, I'm confusing real life and soap operas again. Reading melodrama does that to me, so does reading shameless self-promotion.
Your Fiddleship, I've never known you to use wit to deliver a low-blow...?;)

The problem is he seems to just be out to exploit people for money, these days.

That is all he was ever out for, yet, many simply jumped on the bandwagon and the more vile and dishonest he was the happier they were. I am sorry, but there are lots of people out there more than willing to exploit the power of the "useful idiot", and that is what people like him believe about liberals.

The problem is he seems to just be out to exploit people for money, these days.
after seeing Bowling... and all the creative editing in that film. I stopped believing in him when he accepted the oscar for best documentary. about a year or two later, on one of the talk shows he actually admitted to all the editing. saying it was necessary to focus on the points he made.

That is all he was ever out for, yet, many simply jumped on the bandwagon and the more vile and dishonest he was the happier they were. I am sorry, but there are lots of people out there more than willing to exploit the power of the "useful idiot", and that is what people like him believe about liberals.
He used to a good comedian. When he focused on humour, it was fine. But when he started his self-aggrandizing mill masqueraded as fact, a line had to be drawn.

This is one liberal that says "nuh-uh this ain't Fox!"

Your Fiddleship, I've never known you to use wit to deliver a low-blow...?;)
One below the belt is worth three to the face.

after seeing Bowling... and all the creative editing in that film. I stopped believing in him when he accepted the oscar for best documentary. about a year or two later, on one of the talk shows he actually admitted to all the editing. saying it was necessary to focus on the points he made.
That Oscar stunt was just in poor taste. Those people were their to honour him and others for cinematography.

Oh, yes, how dare he look for subjects suitable for the subject of his film! And with humour at that! What a slime ball. :rolleyes:

One below the belt is worth three to the face.
So many Fiddlebotoms quotes, so little sig space...

Oh, yes, how dare he look for subjects suitable for the subject of his film! And with humour at that! What a slime ball. :rolleyes:
It's a little more then that. The slippery slope of poor journalism is my main complaint.

But the lack of humour is the sour cherry on a poor analogy of whipped cream.

One below the belt is worth three to the face.
one below the belt is still a shot to the head. :D

I don't see it as exploitation. I have a couple of friends who have been screwed over by HMO's who I will forward this onto who I am sure will be happy to talk to Mr Moore. Maybe one of my friends will get enough attention to embarass his HMO into giving him the operation he needs.

I don't see it as exploitation. I have a couple of friends who have been screwed over by HMO's who I will forward this onto who I am sure will be happy to talk to Mr Moore. Maybe one of my friends will get enough attention to embarass his HMO into giving him the operation he needs.
Maybe I'm bias because Australia has universal free healthcare and out insurance companies face extreme legal pressure to not piss us about.

Or maybe I'm wandering to far right for my own good...

Maybe I'm bias because Australia has universal free healthcare and out insurance companies face extreme legal pressure to not piss us about.

Or maybe I'm wandering to far right for my own good...

The UK has the same too. If anything it is the HMO's who are exploitative, not Moore for reporting on their exploitation.

It's a little more then that. The slippery slope of poor journalism is my main complaint.

It's poor journalism to look for subjects stricken by the ills you are trying to depict?

But the lack of humour is the sour cherry on a poor analogy of whipped cream.

I found his sardonic self-deprecation quite typical of him, actually.

It's poor journalism to look for subjects stricken by the ills you are trying to depict?
No it's poor journalism to use shaky sources, present out-of-date data and deliver opinion and conjecture as fact.

Michael Moore is just a !@#$ing asshole. No other way to put it. I especially liked his docum- I mean, propaganda film "Fehrenheit 9/11". That movie had so many flaws/untrue information I don't even know where to begin.
Well how do you suppose to rectify someone calling you on it then?
Perhaps you have actual articles that AREN'T right-wing blogs to back up your claims?
Indeed ... how much of the movie is actual video footage? Are you going to argue with that?
The only thing you've got going on the line of video footage was what page posted the Gore news, and since i feel like saving you the trouble, that paper sued Moore for $1 for doing it. Just switching pages.
So ... perhaps the voter disenfranchisement?
Perhaps the part about Katherine Harris cutting out the vote altogether?
Perhaps Bush sitting out the attacks for quite a few minutes, with My Pet Goat in his hand?
Perhaps his splitting and staying out of radio contact for the rest of the day?
Perhaps the flying of the Saudis out of the U.S. during the NOTAM?
Should i go on? I'm pretty sure you don't have an argument for those parts.
Perhaps

No it's poor journalism to use shaky sources, present out-of-date data and deliver opinion and conjecture as fact.

And all that was somehow fitted into his search for people who were screwed over by HMOs?

Good to see that he is going to make an "accurate documentry".....hahhaha what D*******

I actually like Moore. He saw a niche in the market, American liberal propaganda, and decided to exploit it. His movies have brought people into theaters to spend their money, not just on tickets, but on popcorn, candy, soda and who knows what else. He is good for the economy.

Good to see that he is going to make an "accurate documentry".....hahhaha what D*******
My challenge extends to you as well. *POKE*

Well how do you suppose to rectify someone calling you on it then?
Perhaps you have actual articles that AREN'T right-wing blogs to back up your claims?
Indeed ... how much of the movie is actual video footage? Are you going to argue with that?
The only thing you've got going on the line of video footage was what page posted the Gore news, and since i feel like saving you the trouble, that paper sued Moore for $1 for doing it. Just switching pages.
So ... perhaps the voter disenfranchisement?
Perhaps the part about Katherine Harris cutting out the vote altogether?
Perhaps Bush sitting out the attacks for quite a few minutes, with My Pet Goat in his hand?
Perhaps his splitting and staying out of radio contact for the rest of the day?
Perhaps the flying of the Saudis out of the U.S. during the NOTAM?
Should i go on? I'm pretty sure you don't have an argument for those parts.

There ya go. See ya whenever the timeline changes.

I actually like Moore. He saw a niche in the market, American liberal propaganda, and decided to exploit it. His movies have brought people into theaters to spend their money, not just on tickets, but on popcorn, candy, soda and who knows what else. He is good for the economy.
hahaha!
:D

But this last email -which I received as I'm still on his mailing list- had me seething with anger. Exploitation, much?
Moore wants to expose the flaws of the US medical system. What is wrong with that?

It's a little more then that. The slippery slope of poor journalism is my main complaint.



Just curious, but since when has Mr. Moore ever advertized what he does as journalism?

He presents material to support his point of view.

Now, nowhere has he EVER claimed to be giving a balanced viewpoint, indeed I have seem him be very forthright that he has no intent to be balanced. In that respect, what he does IS honest in that you know you are getting a biased presentation.

Frankly, I find that more honest than supposed real news sources that pretends to be balanced, but pits strong people from their point of view against weak opponents - and always give their side the final word.

The difference between Michael Moore and journalism is akin to the difference between editorial and journalism. Holding it up any other standard as your method of objecting to what he does is just funny. If you don't like it, don't watch it.


but the sour-grapes and self-righteous whining about it I keep hearing given all of the even more egregious right-wing rhetoric from the likes of O'reilly, Limabugh, Coulture, Hannity, etc makes it a pretty funny whine to listen to.

Just curious, but since when has Mr. Moore ever advertized what he does as journalism?

He presents material to support his point of view.

Now, nowhere has he EVER claimed to be giving a balanced viewpoint, indeed I have seem him be very forthright that he has no intent to be balanced. In that respect, what he does IS honest in that you know you are getting a biased presentation.

doc·u·men·ta·ry Pronunciation (dky-mnt-r)
adj.
1. Consisting of, concerning, or based on documents.
2. Presenting facts objectively without editorializing or inserting fictional matter, as in a book or film.

Under IMDB Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine are listed as Documentaries.

Look at definition number 2 and then at what his movies are listed as and the techniques he employs in those films.

Now I'm as Pinko Liberal as the next Free Tibet chanter, but lately Michael Moore has been grinding on even my nerves. I miss the witty Michael Moore of The Awful Truth and the compassionate Michael Moore of Bowling for Columbine.

Frankly the ungrateful Michael Moore of the Academy Awards and the jerk Michael Moore of the US Presidential elections have me fuming.

But this last email -which I received as I'm still on his mailing list- had me seething with anger. Exploitation, much?

What is it, exactly, that you think is wrong here?

The fact that he's looking for real life accounts to put in his next project?

Are you equally pissed with Readers Digest, perchance?

Would you prefer that he made some stuff up?

It is true... the rest of the west is looking at the American 'health care' system with a combination of disbelief and horror. I've lived in Europe, and I've lived in the US... and the US 'health care' system is a travesty.

It COULD be better. One of the ways it could be MADE better, is if the current regime had the balls to do something about it, rather than just taking all the insurance/pharm kickbacks that grease the wheels of Washington.

Is the current regime LIKELY to slap the medical industry? The Pharmaceutical industry? The insurance industry?

Not of their own volition, no. What it would take, would be advocacy. It would require some pressure.

Just maybe - something like Moores' next project...


Or... did I miss something?

What is it, exactly, that you think is wrong here?

The fact that he's looking for real life accounts to put in his next project?

Are you equally pissed with Readers Digest, perchance?

Would you prefer that he made some stuff up?

It is true... the rest of the west is looking at the American 'health care' system with a combination of disbelief and horror. I've lived in Europe, and I've lived in the US... and the US 'health care' system is a travesty.

It COULD be better. One of the ways it could be MADE better, is if the current regime had the balls to do something about it, rather than just taking all the insurance/pharm kickbacks that grease the wheels of Washington.

Is the current regime LIKELY to slap the medical industry? The Pharmaceutical industry? The insurance industry?

Not of their own volition, no. What it would take, would be advocacy. It would require some pressure.

Just maybe - something like Moores' next project...


Or... did I miss something?
Grave on a NON-religion thread?!? :eek:
WooT!

Grave on a NON-religion thread?!? :eek:
WooT!

I was arguing politics the other day, too.... :D

Obviously, my meds have kicked in.... ;)

I was arguing politics the other day, too.... :D

Obviously, my meds have kicked in.... ;)
Well i took a few days off to fix something and to find some cheats/glitches in GTA:San Andreas.
So i hadn't seen those other threads ....
As for meds ... they can be an inspiration for a different nature of post, indeed? ;)

doc·u·men·ta·ry Pronunciation (dky-mnt-r)
adj.
1. Consisting of, concerning, or based on documents.
I've made my point.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand what all the fuss is about.