http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6.htm [rquoter] **EXCLUSIVE: MICHAEL MOORE CHALLENGES FRED THOMPSON TO DEBATE Tues May 15 2007 6:00:01 ET LETTER: May 15, 2007 Senator Fred Thompson American Enterprise Institute 110 Seventeenth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 Dear Senator Thompson, Given that it has been publicly reported in The Weekly Standard, a leading neo-conservative publication, that you support Fidel Castro and the Cuban regime by being a purveyor of fine Cuban exports despite the trade embargo, I was surprised to see your recent op ed in a more traditional conservative outlet, The National Review, regarding my trip to Cuba (I suspect you choose The National Review in an effort to pander to an outlet that had criticized you for your opposition to medical malpractice legislation). In your May 2, 2007 National Review article, "Paradise Island," you specifically raised concerns about whether my trip to Cuba with 9/11 heroes, who have suffered serious health problems as a result of their exposure to toxic substances at Ground Zero that have gone untreated was somehow going to support Castro ad the Cuban government: "It always leaves me shaking my head when I read about some big-time actor or director going to Cuba and gushing all over Castro." [http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OWNhNzA2YmY3NTNjZjZhNjE1NmZjMDFkOTdjN2Q4ZmE=] Putting aside the fact that you, like the Bush Administration, seem far more concerned about the trip to Cuba than the health care of these 9/11 heroes, I was struck by the fact that your concerns (including comments about CastroÕs reported financial worth) apparently do not extend to your own conduct, as reported in The Weekly Standard's April 23, 2007 story, "From the Courthouse to the White House Fred Thompson auditions for the leading role" (emphasis added): "Thompson's work space looks just like what the home office of a successful politician or CEO should look like -- though a little messier: a large desk, dark wood, leather furniture, lots of books and magazines and newspapers, a flat-screen TV, and box upon box of cigars -- Montecristos from Havana." [http://weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=13528&R=1136E33842] In light of your comments regarding Cuba and Castro, do you think the "box upon box of cigars -- Montecristos from Havana" that you have in your office have contributed to CastroÕs reported wealth? While I will leave it up to the conservatives to debate your hypocrisy and the Treasury Department to determine whether the "box upon box of cigars" violates the trade embargo, I hereby challenge you to a health care debate. Survey after survey has indicated that health care is one of the top issues to the American voters. Today, more than 46 million people lack health are coverage, including 9 million children. We pay significantly more than any other country in the world -- and get less back. Americans life expectancy is lower than other Ground Zero 9/11 workers live in a society where the Bush Administration has shown more concern about their travel than about their health. Our debate would provide you an opportunity to appeal to the right wing of the Republican Party by continuing to attack me; it would give me a chance to discuss health care and tell you exactly what happened in Cuba, given your apparent inters; and it would provide the American people an opportunity to see just how serious Hollywood can be, with a purported conservative and an avowed progressive Hollywood personality on stage. Over the course of the debate, we could specifically address the following issues: (1) Your work as a lobbyist in light of the fact that the health care and insurance industries have maintained the current health care system through their effective control of the political establishment. (2) The fact that you raised hundred of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the health care and insurance industries. (3) Discuss the fact, highlighted in yet another conservative outlet The New York Sun, that you inexplicably wanted to cut funding for AIDS research. [http://www.nysunpolitics.com/blog/2007/05/thompsons-1994-issue-positions.html] (4) Your relationship with the Frist family and by extension HCA, one of the nation's largest for-profit hospital chains. It has been reported that former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (who was renowned for his over-the-television-screen Schiavo diagnosis) is serving as one of your confidantes on your potential presidential campaign. The Frist family has historically controlled HCA, which paid a record $1.7 billion in civil and criminal fines, including a $631 million penalty for Medicaid fraud -- in other words, ripping off the taxpayers. (5) Discussing whether Arthur Branch, as the District Attorney of Manhattan, supports a woman's right to choose, gun safety reforms, gay marriage, the trans fat ban and anti-smoking laws (which would impact Cuban cigars, including your Montecristos). Like American Idol, we could even have the country vote to determine which one of us wins the debate. Though in the spirit of full disclosure, I feel obligated to forewarn you that I was the winner of the 1971-72 Detroit Free Press Debate Award for the state of Michigan. The winner of our health care debate could even light a Victory cigar with one of your Montecristos (though we may want to consider shopping them to the safe house where I have put a master copy of SiCKO in the event that the Bush Administration tries to seize the film). Sincerely, Michael Moore Developing... [/rquoter] <embed src="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=190627" quality="best" scale="exactfit" width="400" height="300" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>
yeah, i want to agree to a debate where the topic is you picking me apart. i have no idea what Thompson stands for...but he's an idiot if he agrees to this "debate."
Mr. Moore seems to be a busy man! 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?messageDate=2007-05-11
Michael Moore would get torn apart by any American citizen in any debate about anything. I never understood how everyone who hates the Bush Administration's tendency to, how shall we say, "stretch the truth" can support this slob who does the exact same thing.
Hmmm... Two entertainers debating each other about health care policy. It would at least be entertaining.
If he doesn't accept it's not because he doesn't think he can win. A trained monkey could defeat Moore in an honest debate. Even you have to realize that the guy is a hack, right?
Not according to Variety. After tonight's performance by Mr Thompson I wouldn't so sure about Moore losing.
Oops! Got my Thompsons mixed up. This is Fred Thompson not Tommy Thompson. But you know, all those republicans look alike to me. my bad...
My uncle is in a hospital right now waiting for a heart transplant. The doctor's sent their paperwork to his insurance company over a week ago and they haven't even aknowledged that they've recieved it yet. The reason he's even at this point is that the insurance company kept bringing in their own lackey doctors for 2nd opinions that would only do the minumum and put a bandaid on what was a growing serious problem. It's like they wanted to do the minumum and hope he'd die before they had to pay for any major surgery. So now he needs a heart transplant and they are still stalling. Am I interested in this movie? Yes I am, I hope a big ass spot light is shined on this problem and hopefully something will be done.
I would pay more to watch Moore debate Paulson than I did to watch Tyson and Holyfield. Paulson is the ex-ceo of Goldman Sachs and a brilliant man. It would be sad.
