FOX NEWS: Michael Moore's "Sicko" is "brilliant and uplifting"

[PUGalicious]

An unexpected review by FOXNews.com's film critic:

Filmmaker Michael Moore's brilliant and uplifting new documentary, "Sicko," deals with the failings of the U.S. healthcare system, both real and perceived. But this time around, the controversial documentarian seems to be letting the subject matter do the talking, and in the process shows a new maturity.

Unlike many of his previous films ("Roger and Me," "Bowling for Columbine," "Fahrenheit 9-11"), "Sicko" works because in this one there are no confrontations. Moore smartly lets very articulate average Americans tell their personal horror stories at the hands of insurance companies. The film never talks down or baits the audience.

At a press conference on Saturday, Moore said, "This film is a call to action. It's also not a partisan film."

Indeed, in "Sicko," Moore criticizes both Democrats and Republicans for their inaction and in some cases their willingness to be bribed by pharmaceutical companies and insurance carriers.

In a key moment in the film, Moore took a group of patients by boat to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba because of its outstanding medical care. When they couldn't get into the U.S. naval base, Moore proceeded onto Havana where the patients were treated well and cheaply.

This has caused a great deal of controversy, with the federal government launching an investigation into the trip, which officials say was in violation of the trade and commerce embargo against the Communist country.

Moore, explaining the flap over the trip to Cuba in a press conference, said, "This administration flaunts the law, flaunts the constitution."

Moore now claims the U.S. government says his Cuban footage may be illegal, and Moore said he made a second master copy of "Sicko" and had it shipped it to France immediately just in case of potential government issues.

[Easy180]

That's great news since we need people like him to get some important issues out to the masses

Used to like Moore's stuff before he became a douchebag a couple years back so this one sounds promising

[jbrown84]

Fair and balanced.

[PUGalicious]

Fair and balanced.

Are you referring to FOX News or Michael Moore?

It applies to neither.

[jbrown84]

haha

[windowphobe]

What, did you assume that because Friedman writes for Fox he'd be told to give the film a thumbs down? Toeing the company line Or Else is the sort of thing you find in "liberal" media.

[PUGalicious]

Now that's "fair and balanced."

[Easy180]

Anyone else watch the Moore/Gupta bout last night on Larry King? (I know I'm getting old)

Definitely want to see the film, but Moore is such a pompous ass now it pains me to contribute to his fat pockets

Gupta pointed out that Moore cherry picks his data from different organizations....Using the lowest and highest figures possible to try and make his movie more convincing...Of course Moore is now famous for doing this type of reporting

He also got onto him for Sicko trying to convey the message that health care in France, Canada and England is FREE....The uninformed masses won't come away from the film knowing those countries pay MUCH higher taxes due to their health care systems being ran by the gov't

Thought Gupta handled himself rather well and Moore was just blowing hot air as usual...He did say he liked the film and the fact it will generate discussion

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

Anyone else watch the Moore/Gupta bout last night on Larry King? (I know I'm getting old)

Definitely want to see the film, but Moore is such a pompous ass now it pains me to contribute to his fat pockets

Gupta pointed out that Moore cherry picks his data from different organizations....Using the lowest and highest figures possible to try and make his movie more convincing...Of course Moore is now famous for doing this type of reporting

He also got onto him for Sicko trying to convey the message that health care in France, Canada and England is FREE....The uninformed masses won't come away from the film knowing those countries pay MUCH higher taxes due to their health care systems being ran by the gov't

Thought Gupta handled himself rather well and Moore was just blowing hot air as usual...He did say he liked the film and the fact it will generate discussion

I watched about 5 minutes of Moore's diatribe against CNN about the war...And turned the channel. He is to the left what mAnn Coulter is to the right. Bad representation.

[AFCM]

One thing you have to remember is Michael Moore's movies are all propaganda. Moore wants to influence the audience so he uses figures that suit his case well. Like him or not, the guy is very good at what he does. He knows how to use statistics to favor his ideals, realizing that most Americans are too ignorant, gullible, or lazy to look for an alternative source of information.

[PUGalicious]

He also got onto him for Sicko trying to convey the message that health care in France, Canada and England is FREE....The uninformed masses won't come away from the film knowing those countries pay MUCH higher taxes due to their health care systems being ran by the gov't

By the time you factor in insurance premiums, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses we pay in addition to our taxes, the disparity is not quite so "MUCH".

[Midtowner]

By the time you factor in insurance premiums, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses we pay in addition to our taxes, the disparity is not quite so "MUCH".

Among the lower income earners, Canadians fare quite well. That's primarily due to the fact that the government over there steals money from those who create wealth and jobs and awards that money to people who didn't bother to get an education or gain highly marketable skills.

That's the antithesis of social justice.

I really don't care about the disparity. We can't all be rich or even well-off. It's not society's job to make sure that we are. In Canada, they have a serious problem with educated people leaving for the U.S. An astounding number of highly educated Canadians leave the country every year. Of course, Canada will be quick to point out that they take in highly educated immigrants from the rest of the world which "effectively replace" their Canadian-born workers. I think that's an interesting counterpoint, but I'd be interested to know what Canadian employers think of these high-skill employees with degrees from third-world universities.

[Easy180]

By the time you factor in insurance premiums, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses we pay in addition to our taxes, the disparity is not quite so "MUCH".

The point Gupta was making is the film conveys the message that those countries get free health care and it's not the case at all...They pay for it with higher taxes

[Midtowner]

The point Gupta was making is the film conveys the message that those countries get free health care and it's not the case at all...They pay for it with higher taxes

Actually, the wealthy pay for it with higher taxes.

.. it's what they [purposeful use of indefinite pronoun] call a "progressive" system... I call it robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

[soonerliberal]

Are you saying the wealthy should have to pay a lower percentage of their income in taxes than the poor?

[Midtowner]

Are you saying the wealthy should have to pay a lower percentage of their income in taxes than the poor?

Let's look at what the poor often pay in America.

First off, many poor don't end up paying taxes AT ALL. They simply receive 3-4K checks for popping babies out (which they can't afford to take care of). Considering that fact, I don't see how unless I was violating federal law, I could ever pay less than the poor who are getting my money while producing offspring they can't afford to take care of.

At any rate, no, the poor shouldn't pay more than the wealthy. It would probably be more fair to have them pay the same.

Get rid of all deductions, loopholes, etc. Tax everyone at 15% (or so) across the board. Otherwise, yes, I think it's immoral to punish success.

[PUGalicious]

immoral???

Only in the religion of capitalism.

[Midtowner]

Thou shalt not steal.. thou shalt not covet..

Morality of capitalism?

[soonerliberal]

Get rid of all deductions, loopholes, etc. Tax everyone at 15% (or so) across the board. Otherwise, yes, I think it's immoral to punish success.

I could go for that.

[Midtowner]

I could go for that.

Under such a plan, the Bill Gates of this world would have to actually pay the same effective rate as the rest of us. The folks who actually need the money to support their small businesses and employees, the upper middle class and the low end of the rich -- I'm thinking the 100K to 400K range, would have more money.

I would eliminate deductions for charitable giving and finally, I'd like to see the income of churches taxed.

Vote Midtowner, (I), 2008.

[PUGalicious]

Thou shalt not steal.. thou shalt not covet..

Morality of capitalism?

Government taxation is not stealing.

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)

[Midtowner]

Government taxation is not stealing.

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)

It is when that taxation is not intended for the legitimate aims of government, e.g. wealth redistribution. Why should I have to work so that some loser who cut class and did drugs and popped out babies as a teenager can get an earned income credit?

Where is that in the Bible?

[PUGalicious]

All I'm saying is that I believe Jesus has a different perspective on that view.

[Midtowner]

All I'm saying is that I believe Jesus has a different perspective on that view.

Ah.. so Jesus would forcibly take money away from those who earned it and redistribute it to those who were lazy?

[PUGalicious]

Have you heard of of the Year of Jubilee?