Wednesday, July 11, 2007

So Sick of It


Late last night, we went to see "Sicko"

And even though I am a bit less of a Michael Moore fan than I used to be, I thought the movie was well done and certainly important. When the two most profitable sectors in your economy are "war and death", things really are, well, sick.

Here is the blurb on "Sicko" from Moore's site.

"The words "health care" and "comedy" aren't usually found in the same sentence, but in Academy Award winning filmmaker Michael Moore's new movie 'SiCKO,' they go together hand in (rubber) glove.

Opening with profiles of several ordinary Americans whose lives have been disrupted, shattered, and—in some cases—ended by health care catastrophe, the film makes clear that the crisis doesn't only affect the 47 million uninsured citizens—millions of others who dutifully pay their premiums often get strangled by bureaucratic red tape as well.

After detailing just how the system got into such a mess (the short answer: profits and Nixon), we are whisked around the world, visiting countries including Canada, Great Britain and France, where all citizens receive free medical benefits.

Finally, Moore gathers a group of 9/11 heroes – rescue workers now suffering from debilitating illnesses who have been denied medical attention in the US. He takes them to a most unexpected place, and in addition to finally receiving care, they also engage in some unexpected diplomacy. "

The"unexpected place" of course is Cuba (read this), which always seems to unglue our media in ways that are rarely less than spectacular. True to form, CNN aired a piece of misinformation shortly before Wolf, the blitzer, brought Moore on for a live interview.

Moore basically blew the blow dry off of Wolf with his comments.

And he said he would truth squad the comments made by CNN and their loose with the facts doctor, Sanjay Gupta. After seeing the CNN piece, I agree with Moore, it was libel.

And I agree with Dr. Moore's prescription.

Unfortunately, as the movie aptly shows,

Americans are afraid of everything,

including their government.

And there will be no change,

until they are so sick of it,

they decide to change it.



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4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Since movies are on a par with educational institutions when it comes to informing the public, this film may have a profound effect on shaping future policy.
Even conservatives and the apathetic have witnessed health care crisis that have shocked them into recognition of the reality of a capitalistic approach to medicine. When the sick and dying go uncared for because they can't afford treatment we suffer spiritually. It is as though it is capitalist punishment through neglect--it impoverishes families and kills countless individiuals. The country as a whole sinks into depravity from this unnecessary barbarity--indeed it amounts to unheralded, mass senseless slaying, a gross sin of omission.
I only wish Michael Moore himself could follow the model of Jared, of Subway sandwich fame, and provide a better example of self help in the interest of disease prevention.
FM

9:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Charlie,
Surely Sicko hasn't played in Deer Corn--where did you see it?
FM

9:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Loved the comment about Michael Moore "blowing the blow dry" off Wolf - what a hoot! He did. But then, Moore gets called "more of a left wing liberal than Hugo Chavez" at the end of his piece - all because he told CNN and Wolf that they were not doing their job and telling the TRUTH. When did "truth" become a political lable?

And if "truth" equals left wing liberal, does that mean right wing conservative is synonymous with "lies?"

Where do these stone faced, dead eyed, white haired people come from? They abound in our society. When did the light go out in them?

As for who best can cover the costs of health care - our government has proven that it can be as corrupt in carrying out its duties and responsibilities as can any private organization such as insurance. FEMA and "heck of a job Brownie" are just one example. I don't know the right answer, but the dialogue is long overdue.

9:43 AM  
Blogger oZ said...

thanks for the thoughtful comments. The lock that the providers and the drug companies have on our system is pervasive and extreem.

Watch as Moore is characterized as a serial liar, using flimsly facts to back the claims.

10:49 AM  

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