Bush's latest witch hunt - Michael Moore

This has misuse of government power written all over it.

Michael Moore, in what I considered a pretty lame publicity stunt, flew 10 World Trade Center works to Cuba, of all places, to make a point about the health care system in the Unites States, and how it's hopelessly broken. This was part of Moore's noble goal of calling attention to our health care problem, as well as to promote his latest film about the health care, SiCKO.

The Bush administration is now investigating Moore for violating the 45-year old trade embargo with Cuba. Really? Is this what the Treasury Department is spending its time on? What a total crock.

Never mind the fact that the trade embargo has long outlived its usefulness, in my humble opinion. Castro is about as much of a threat as a house fly. The only reason the embargo hasn't been lifted is because the president who lifts it will suffer terrible political consequences (and his or her party) because of the enormous Cuban-American population in southern Florida. However, even that is changing. A recent poll, according to a recent article in Time, states that for the first time, even Cuban-Americans believe the travel embargo should be lifted.

It's completely mindless that we haven't tried to change Cuba in other ways. The embargo is a joke. And the whole Communism argument is so 20 years ago. We talk and negotiate with North Korea, China and Vietnam, don't we? All three are communist, and the last two we have a vigorous trade relationship with.

Pretty interesting to hear first responders from 9-11 siding with Moore. It's only a matter of time before Ann Coulter and Co. attack these people (if they haven't already - I don't make it a habit to consistently watch Fersatz News).

There is still a lot to be told about the story of 9-11 rescue workers being allowed into the site so quickly after the twin towers collapsed. (This is something that Rudy Giuliani has yet to respond to - more on this after I read the book Grand Illusion: The Untold Story of Rudy Giuliani and 9/11 this summer.

Anyway, it's totally outrageous and probably a violation of the law that the Treasury Department is investigating Moore. At best, it's the appearance of political impropriety, but that would never stop this administration. Bush stopped caring about political appearances and impressions on November 3, 2004 - the day after he won his second term.

Moore isn't taking this witch hunt sitting down. On Wednesday, he filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Treasury Department for copies of all relevant documents about its investigation on his trip to Cuba.

Megan O'Hara, the executive producer of SiCKO, also responded to the Treasury Department's investigation:

'SiCKO,' Michael Moore's new movie, will rip the band-aid off America's health care industry. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in just one week and opening across the U.S. on June 29th, 'SiCKO' will expose the corporations that place profit before care and the politicians who care only about money. Our health care system is broken and, all too often, deadly. The efforts of the Bush Administration to conduct a politically motivated investigation of Michael Moore and 'SiCKO' will not stop us from making sure the American people see this film.

On September 11, 2001 this country was attacked. Thousands of Americans responded with heroism and courage, toiling for days, weeks and months in the ruins at Ground Zero. These 9/11 first responders risked their lives searching for survivors, recovering bodies, and clearing away toxic rubble. Now, many of these heroes face serious health issues -- and far too many of them are not receiving the care they need and deserve. President Bush and the Bush Administration should be spending their time trying to help these heroes get health care instead of abusing the legal process to advance a political agenda.

-- Meghan O'Hara, Producer, SiCKO

A recent article in Time details how the Treasury Department has more personnel dedicated to enforcing travel restrictions with Cuba than people dedicated to finding former assets of the late Saddam Hussein. Absurd. Maybe if the Treasury Department could find some of his assets, it could defray the cost of this war in some way.

The Time article also reveals some statistics about violations of the travel restrictions to Cuba:

The government declined to comment, saying only that OFAC [the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control] issues hundreds of letters each year asking for additional information when possible violations have occurred. In a typical year, 20,000 to 30,000 Americans travel to Cuba illegally; only 1,000 are caught. The Center for Constitutional Rights has represented 425 such people over the last 10 years, and only four were fined.

How much do you want to bet that Moore with be the fifth fined?

This is total abuse of power, and it reminds me of how President Nixon used to misuse federal agencies (such as the IRS) to go after political opponents.

I couldn't resist an example of what the right is saying about Moore's trip to Cuba. Here's Glenn Beck on CNN, and I defy you to get through more than two minutes of this garbage. He's beyond contempt and totally unprofessional. I am writing a letter to CNN about this guy - he's a laughingstock.

Beck's fifth-grade name calling is more suited for the playground. What a churlish rube.

Here's Fersatz News Channel's take on Moore's trip. It's a knee slapper...

Moore's SiCKO is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this week, and is in theaters June 29. I haven't been able to find a trailer of it yet, but when I do, I'll bring it to you.