Michael Moore: CNN Throws In Towel, Admits To Two Errors, States 'Sicko' Facts True to their Source

[Hissyspit]

Via E-Mail:

"See you all when I'm back on CNN tomorrow -- where the discussion will be not be about whose statistics are right, but rather about the guy without insurance who died while I was writing this letter."

CNN Throws in Towel, Admits to Two Errors, and States That All 'Sicko' Facts Are True to Their Source (or something like that)... Moore Realizes All This is Huge Distraction and Then Spends More Precious Time Thanking Paris Hilton for Seeing 'Sicko'... Meanwhile, More than 300 Americans Die Because They Had No Health Insurance During the 8-Day Gupta-Moore War...

July 17th, 2007

Friends,

The mighty CNN, in a lengthy and sad online defense of their woe-begotten 'Sicko' story of last Monday, has admitted that they did indeed fudge at least two of the facts in their coverage of my film and have apologized for it:

1. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN: "To be clear, I got a number wrong in my original report, substituting the number 25, instead of 251." -- My Conversation with Michael Moore, July 11th, 2007; and

2. CNN: "Moore is correct. Paul Keckley left Vanderbilt in late 2006." -- CNN's Response to Michael Moore, July 15th, 2007.

Furthermore, CNN confirmed that all of our statistics in "Sicko" are the correct numbers from the sources we cited. Although CNN still prefers to use older World Health Organization statistics, we will stick to using this year's Bush administration stats and more recent U.N. data. (In "Sicko," we consistently use only U.N. Human Development Statistics unless it's for studies they don't do or have recent numbers for.) CNN did apologize for these two factual errors, but no apology seems to be coming for the rest of their errors. These days, to get the mainstream media to admit they were wrong is rare; to get them to admit it twice, as they have with "Sicko," I guess should be considered a whopping victory. Will they eventually apologize for the rest, or for their reporting on the war? Will the Cubs win the World Series this year?

So the truce has been signed, the peace pipe has been smoked. And the public is left with a much more cautious and wary eye when it comes to CNN. To be fair, this is what happens when you have to grind out "news" 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a staff you have shrunk through layoffs over the years (like all the broadcast networks have done). You end up rushed and having interns do your research. You have robots replace live camera operators. And, if you're CNN, you are constantly dodging the accusation that you are "too liberal." So when you do a piece on someone like me, you have to make sure you add superfluous and standard ad hominems attacking me simply to prove that you are NOT too liberal. I get it.

Until the last month or so, I have not appeared on a single national TV show for nearly 2 and 1/2 years. After the attacks I had to endure three years ago, from a media intent on questioning my patriotism because I dared to speak out against the war when none in the media would, I decided I had had enough and would simply concentrate on making my next film. I had no desire to participate in networks that were complicit in the war because of their refusal the challenge the commander in chief.

I have to admit, though, I do feel kinda bad taking it all out on Wolf Blitzer. It's not like he's the official representative of the mainstream media. I mean, he's from Buffalo, for crying out loud! He said to me at the end of the show last week to please come back on "anytime you want." I will take him up on that offer and appear again with him tomorrow (Wednesday). I'm not expecting a dozen roses or make-up sex -- I only want a promise that there will be no more distorted distractions so we can have a decent discussion about the REAL issues like why 18,000 Americans die every year because they don't have a health insurance card. More than 300 of them died this week. As Ehrlichman said to Nixon in "Sicko": "The less care they give 'em, the more money they (the insurance companies) make."

THAT'S the only thing we should be talking about. How profit and greed are killing our fellow Americans. How profit and private insurance have to be removed from our health care system. CNN should join me in asking why our 9/11 rescue workers aren't receiving medical care. Somebody should send a crew to Canada to find out why they live longer than we do, and why no Canadian has ever gone bankrupt because of medical bills. And all of the media should start saying how much it costs to go to a doctor in these other top industrialized countries: Nothing. Zip. It's FREE. Don't patronize Americans by saying, "Well, it's not free -- they pay for it with taxes!" Yes, we know that. Just like we know that we drive down a city street for FREE -- even though we paid for that street with our taxes. The street is FREE, the book at the library is FREE, if your house catches on fire, the fire department will come and put it out for FREE, and if someone snatches your purse, the police officer will chase down the culprit and bring your purse back to you -- AND HE WON'T CHARGE YOU A DIME FROM THAT PURSE!

These are all free services, collectively socialized and paid for with our tax dollars. To argue that health care -- a life and death issue for many -- should not be considered in the same league is ludicrous and archaic. And trust me, once you add up what you pay for out-of-pocket in premiums, deductibles, co-pays, overpriced medicines, and treatments that aren't covered (not to mention all the other things we pay for like college education, day care and other services that many countries provide for at little or no cost), we, as Americans, are paying far more than the Canadians or Brits or French are paying in taxes. We just don't call these things taxes, but that's exactly what they are.

See you all when I'm back on CNN tomorrow -- where the discussion will be not be about whose statistics are right, but rather about the guy without insurance who died while I was writing this letter.

Yours,
Michael Moore
[e-mail]
www.michaelmoore.com

[Guaranteed]

1. Awesome. keep it going, Mike. nt

[cboy4]

2. Oh boy. Fire up the DVR and set it to CNN tomorrow.

:thumbsup:

[bjobotts]

42. Meanwhile- CNN continues to Attack Moores motives and character

During a CNN interview with Adrienna Huffington , some smirking female attack dog began to attack Mike as a publicity hound who only wanted attention and the interviewer agreed. The went all the way back to "Roger and Me" to attack Mikes motives as dishonest and just wanting get attention to his movies. He intentionally hyped up anger at CNN and Gupta to get in the spotlight because he's a publicity hound etc. Adrienna defends him as much as possible but the attacks and smears were deliberate and malicious. CNN=Corporate News Network. Can't attack the message then attack the messenger. What is their motive. Usually they just review a film not try to defame it. If they paid as much attention to Bush's war statistics and rhetoric we probably wouldn't still be in Iraq. It's not just news anymore, it's news shows sponsored by....

"Sicko's" truth has it's own ring to it. It makes the truth obvious. It makes the truth undeniable. It makes the solutions desirable, and necessary.

[Divine Discontent]

51. ha! cute cboy4

Michael is great and 'folksy' on TV, he really has a great way of talking like a regular joe because he really is one - just one with means (and a great talent).

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<--- top '08 items & antib*sh stickers!

[liberal N proud]

3. k&r #5

[JimboDem]

4. Should be a sphincter-tightening experience

for CNN. Thanks Michael Moore.:thumbsup:

[dbt]

5. CNN "a more cautious and wary eye?" I don't think so, Tim.

If past performance is any indicator, Certainly Not News will be back to spouting the latest White House line in 48 hours or less. Why? Because they can. I hope America survives long enough for scholars to dissect and explain The Media Borg's willing rollover for the Neocons. (Provided that, by such time, there's anyone left in America who can read.)

Get the news before it gets you...

[Ganja Ninja]

8. Why is it CNN can't ever cast their cautious and wary eye on the

Bush administration instead of treating every thing they say like it's solid fact? Why is it they feel compelled to debunk left wingers like Al Gore and Michael Moore yet sit there like a wide eyed 5 year old on a store Santa's knee when ever right wingers spew their lies?

[dbt]

11. Five old white men went to lunch sometime in 2000 and decided

that their "news" networks would be for bu$h. That's the only thing I can come up with. Olbermann's ratings go through the roof, but The Five maintain that there's no audience for Liberal programming.

This mindset is quite common among broadcast entities headed by people who have never spent five minutes on the air.

[greyghost]

25. Exactly...

they were pushing Shrub from jump street.

[Raster]

29. And these are the same five old white men that have commanded that there be NO discussion

about the unprecedented, miserable failure the bush*/cheney* mis-administration has been.

Wake Up America!

[emulatorloo]

13. back in 2004 I used to say -- "CNN -- wide-eyed wonder at all things Republican, steely-eyed

skepticism of all things Democratic."

I like the Santa image -- I think you nailed it.

[The Count]

33. Excellent point and well said. Attack the critics, bow to power - MSM credo

Kinda the opposite from what the 4th estate job is meant to be.

[HughBeaumont]

10. It's not so much that the media "rolls over", but they're RUN by the very same sort of scum.

[xchrom]

6. if they spend time talking about people who die while waiting for

their carriers to approve their treatments -- then this cnn authorized bullshit will have been worth it.

and i'm certain e-mails from DUERS helped this happen.

[checks-n-balances]

7. *I wonder if Michael Moore knows about this 'Greatest' DU thread*

This is a scary-as-hell, and undoubtedly related to the middle-of-the night railroading of GOP legislation a few years ago

A whispered warning regarding Medicare cutbacks ***important***

A family friend recently attended a meeting for medical center and hospital administrators to update them on upcoming changes in the medicare system. Nothing unusual about this, except that they weren't allowed to take ANYTHING from the meeting whatsoever. No notes, no copies of the handouts they used in the meeting, nothing but their own memories. They were promised packets later. Three months later, they still don't have them. And this is supposedly going into effect in September.

I tried to do a search for anything on these changes to the various plans today and came up more or less empty handed. What information was passed to my wife was VERY disturbing. One of the examples was as follows.

A elderly patient breaks her hip at home and happens to be both a diabetic and a cardiac patient. The medicare will ONLY cover treatment for the hip and will not cover medication for the other conditions. And they are NOT allowed to bring medication into a hospital. This leaves the other conditions untreated, or they have to pay directly out of pocket.

Also, in the case of hip replacement, they are only allowed to remain in the hospital for three days, then they must go to a rehabilitation center and are only covered for three days worth of pain medication following that surgery. Any additional pain medication is also out of pocket.

Also, if the patient signs a DNR order, the surgery is not covered and their first three days in the rehabilitation center is out of pocket.

This is across the board...ALL medicare plans.

Another thing that's already in place with Medicare Plan 'D' is that medication isn't covered and if they have secondary insurance that covers their medication, they can be dropped from Medicare entirely.

Anyone know anything else about this, or have any access to more information that can provide us with some verifiable citations? If this is true, we need to address it and get something done about it. It can't be allowed to stand.

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.A family friend recently attended a meeting for medical center and hospital administrators to update them on upcoming changes in the medicare system. Nothing unusual about this, except that they weren't allowed to take ANYTHING from the meeting whatsoever. No notes, no copies of the handouts they used in the meeting, nothing but their own memories. They were promised packets later. Three months later, they still don't have them. And this is supposedly going into effect in September.

I tried to do a search for anything on these changes to the various plans today and came up more or less empty handed. What information was passed to my wife was VERY disturbing. One of the examples was as follows.

A elderly patient breaks her hip at home and happens to be both a diabetic and a cardiac patient. The medicare will ONLY cover treatment for the hip and will not cover medication for the other conditions. And they are NOT allowed to bring medication into a hospital. This leaves the other conditions untreated, or they have to pay directly out of pocket.

Also, in the case of hip replacement, they are only allowed to remain in the hospital for three days, then they must go to a rehabilitation center and are only covered for three days worth of pain medication following that surgery. Any additional pain medication is also out of pocket.

Also, if the patient signs a DNR order, the surgery is not covered and their first three days in the rehabilitation center is out of pocket.

This is across the board...ALL medicare plans.

Another thing that's already in place with Medicare Plan 'D' is that medication isn't covered and if they have secondary insurance that covers their medication, they can be dropped from Medicare entirely.

Anyone know anything else about this, or have any access to more information that can provide us with some verifiable citations? If this is true, we need to address it and get something done about it. It can't be allowed to stand.

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1353603

I just saw this & I'm on my way out the door to teach a class - can anyone send this to him or someone else important???

[Pooka Fey]

9. K&R

[malaise]

12. Bravo MM

I didn't need this since there will never be any doubt in my mind between CNN and Michael Moore when the issue is truth.

[whistle]

14. Now Michael Moore should sue CNN and Wolf Blitzer for $150 million

[City Lights]

15. Three cheers for Moore!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

I'm glad he didn't back down, forcing CNN to admit their mistakes.

CNN still sucks. Bigtime.

[CatWoman]

16. I swear

I just love this man :loveya:

[lonestarnot]

17. Heh heh heh

[Supersedeas]

18. CNN - reporting spin as fact when favorable to their Advertisers - Big Pharma, etc.

[underpants]

19. I'm not expecting a dozen roses or make-up sex

The guy is not only right but funny while he is doing it.

Suck on it Time Warner

[John Q. Citizen]

20. Moore gets it, why don't our top tier candidates? Are they Sicko? Are their voters Sicko?

[rucky]

21. Don't let up. don't let anything go.

We don't browbeat enough on our side.

Great job, Michael!

[Mad_Dem_X]

22. I love him

Mike, you are a true American patriot, and an American treasure. Keep giving us the truth! :toast: :yourock: :patriot:

[bvar22]

23. K&R for MM.

:patriot:

Where are all those "Centrist" DUers who had their panties all wadded up after Farenheit911 saying MM was bad for the Democratic Party?

:rofl:

[Maestro]

24. Fantastic!

Effin CNN. Get prepared Moore is coming after you and he has support.

[greyghost]

26. Michael...

Wolfie may indeed be from Buffalo but he's one of, if not the biggest,
neo-con tool in the MSM. I loved your first appearance on the SR.:evilgrin:

[mzmolly]

27. Very nice!

:toast:

So the truce has been signed, the peace pipe has been smoked. And the public is left with a much more cautious and wary eye when it comes to CNN. To be fair, this is what happens when you have to grind out "news" 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a staff you have shrunk through layoffs over the years (like all the broadcast networks have done). You end up rushed and having interns do your research. You have robots replace live camera operators. And, if you're CNN, you are constantly dodging the accusation that you are "too liberal." So when you do a piece on someone like me, you have to make sure you add superfluous and standard ad hominems attacking me simply to prove that you are NOT too liberal. I get it.

I look forward to Wednesday. Does anyone else feel like the media is clamouring for liberal voices these days? Olbermann's ratings may be partially responsbile?

[me b zola]

28. k&r

:)

[nebula]

30. CNN tried to swiftboat Michael Moore, but failed

Sorry CNN. Your swiftboat tactics might have worked on Kerry in 2004, but not this time.

[Divine Discontent]

52. exactly! good point! n/t

[siri2k]

31. MOORE ROCKS!

So, does this mean we can expect CNN to GET REAL, be honest, tell it's viewers the REAL NEWS without the rightwing slant? EXPLAIN what's REALLY going on in the Bu$h whitehouse, report on the impeachment movement that's exploding around the country?
I'll be watching, but won't be holding my breath.
THANK YOU MICHAEL MOORE for telling them what the rest of us can only impotently shout nightly at our televisions!

IMPEACH
INVESTIGATE
INDICT
IMPRISON
IMPALE THE ENTIRE BU$H CABAL
siri

[redqueen]

32. How many of our candidates are standing up for FREE healthcare?

How many choose to keep PROFIT in the picture?

[defendandprotect]

35. How many of them are even frightened of supporting Michael Moore on the health care issue?

Right here, they have a ready made event to discuss National Health Care and help due a little damage to "swiftboating" --

at a time when the nation is seeing the film SICKO --

and the issue couldn't be clearer thanks to Mike -- !!!

Where are they?

[redqueen]

36. Hiding out, hoping WE don't notice.

:grr:

[cui bono]

34. Fantastic!

What will the dittoheads say to that?

[Rockholm]

37. Beautiful Letter.

[graywarrior]

38. I love being on the side of correctness.

CNN better start doing their homework.

[BornagainDUer]

39. The power of the first message...

CNN knows that far few people will see the "correction" than did the original piece. In that they succeed in fooling most of the people.

[LSK]

40. Error: You've already recommended that thread.

[DrDan]

41. I used to have a lot of respect for Sanjay Gupta

I shall view him differently from now on.

I would never have thought he would let his partisan politics get in the middle of science and medicine. I was wrong.

[peacetalksforall]

43. CNN and Gupta - creepy pimping for the WH and corporations - every day, all day and night.

Can't watch Gupta. Can't watch CNN.\

[and-justice-for-all]

44. Fuck Yeah!!! nt

[Cookie wookie]

45. I love Michael Moore! True American Hero

He should be getting a medal of honor. Thank you thank you Michael. If anyone here hasn't seen Sicko, it's not to be missed! A revolution of a movie. I haven't been the same since -- like I lost all patience whatsoever with our crappy healthcare system.

[Hissyspit]

46. .

[Ino]

47. His next movie should expose the media!

It would be so easy... just play clips with some commentary, a few interviews

[greyghost]

49. EXACTLY n/t

[Hissyspit]

48. .

[Canuckistanian]

50. K&R #100

And proud of it.

[Swamp Rat]

53. k&r

[LeahD]

54. Bravo! I've passed this on to friends who think MM isn't about "the truth."