Michael Moore Goes to Havana

I have an idea, let's pick on the biggest publicity hound since PT Barnum, that will surely further or master plan to isolate Cuba even more.



Friday, May 11th, 2007
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