"Sicko" Being Blacked Out By Big Insurance in my Town of Chattanooga

[Geek_Girl]

I was talking with my friends today who work for one of the big insurance company's, and they mentioned to me that several memo's and an internal web page on their companies internal internet site, had talking points to counter Micheal Moore's movie Sicko. They also mentioned that other employees, from other insurance companies in Chattanooga got similar internal memos.

Fahrenheit 911 played in several local theaters as well as "Inconvenient Truth" and we had no problem finding a local theater to see those movies. Now we have to drive to Atlanta Knoxville or Nashville if we want to see Sicko. We have three major insurance companies in Chattanooga, Unum, Cigna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and there is a strong suspicion that these insurance companies managed to Black out Sicko in the 4th largest city in Tennessee, Chattanooga.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Having the same trouble in Arkansas

it isn't even showing in Springfield MO, a big town that had 911 on its first run. So we're making copies from the internet and giving them away to people. So far it has been great, because some of the folks who got the DVD would never have gone to see it on their own. The very fact that it ISN'T being shown piqued their curiosity, and now they are for spreading the word and signing petitions, etc.

[Rue]

2. That really bites. My condolences.

At least Knoxville is close to you. Feel free to come on up there. We have quite a few nice local restaurants in town, so you could have dinner with your movie and make a day of it.

[CottonBear]

3. I can believe that. I grew up in Chattanooga and it is very conservative.

Chimpy and Rove were there recently (probably meeting with the RNC email server owner who lives on Signal Mountain.)

Poppy and Barbara Bush came to the first game when Bell South Park opened.

When I was a kid, the local religious nuts tried to have SNL (original cast) banned from TV in Chattanooga. The News-Free Press (when it was still a separate paper) banned Doonesbury from the Sunday comics section. They printed it on Saturday is a special insert. :eyes:

SIcko is showing here in Athens, GA. I'm going to see it this weekend.

[Geek_Girl]

5. I can't blame the conservative for this one

It really seems these insurance companies around here have their hands around our throats.

[CottonBear]

11. That really sucks. Sorry. You'll have to drive to Knoxville or Nashville. n/t

[Snotcicles]

22. What business is the Frist family in? nt

[thunder35]

4. THe US has a strong tendency to censor stuff it does not want us to see

[Geek_Girl]

7. This really isn't a government problem

We were able to see Fahrenheit and Inconvenient Truth. This is big business dictating to a small city what they can and can not see! I'm appalled by it.

[Maddy McCall]

6. Hey! I just came through your neck of the woods last week.

We went to Gatlinburg for vacation. Drove up 59 to 24 to 75. Wanted to stop at the Carousel Christmas shop but didn't have time. :(

Back on topic: Yeah, when F911 came out here, we had to drive all the way to Baton Rouge to see it. No theaters in the south half of Mississippi were showing it.

I predict that it'll be the same way for Sicko.

:(

[Geek_Girl]

8. I can understand not showing it if theaters didn't think they get much interest

But this is a pretty big town and like I said they showed his other movies that are even more controversial.

[conscious evolution]

9. Here is what you do

Gather up a large group of friends and family.
Go to the local theater.
Stand in line with the other patrons.
When you all get to the ticket window ask for tickets to see Sicko.
When they say sorry give them an earful.
Go to another theater and do it again.
go to still another theater and do it once more.
Go to still another theater and do it again.

Also,burn copies of Sicko off the net and pass them out to the other patrons in line.

[dflprincess]

13. I'd amend your idea with one suggestion

rather than give the poor ticket seller an earful, ask to see the manager and give him/her an earful.

I was working for a large health insurance company when it was announced that Moore's next movie would be about healthcare. We all received an email that, under no circumstances was any employee to speak to him or any of his crew. I wish I'd saved that email.

[conscious evolution]

21. Excellant suggestion.

[malaise]

10. Get a copy and put it on line.

Expose the companies.

[redacted]

12. Right. Or maybe ask the distributor & MM to modify copyright terms for blackout

cities to temporarily allow public viewing off of DVDs ahead of schedule.

[Geek_Girl]

14. That's a good Idea

thanks

:hi:

[Jacobin]

15. Its blacked out of the whole frickin state of Louisiana

[Geek_Girl]

16. Were his other movies blacked out as well?

nt

[LibertyorDeath]

17. Download it & pass it around

or have a house\block party & show it...

I'm sure Mr. Moore & the Weinstein brothers would understand.

They want all of us to Fight the powers that be.....

[Bluestar]

18. I'm sure it will be out on DVD very soon

And then you can have house parties and public showings to your heart's content. Shove it down their corporate throats!

[mudesi]

19. DOWNLOAD IT

Forget about the legalities. It is time for some civil disobedience against these corporate cretins.

[LibertyorDeath]

20. Sponsor a 'SiCKO' Screening

From Michael's website http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/what-can-i-do/sponsor/

Sponsor a 'SiCKO' Screening
DISCOUNTED GROUP TICKET RATES AVAILABLE NOW!
866-96-SiCKO (866-967-4256)!

A) ANNOUNCEMENT FLYER

The announcement flyer can be downloaded, printed and personalized with your organization's name and sponsored screening information for posting in storefront windows and stapling to telephone poles.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/_media/SiCKO_screening.pdf