The Campaign Against “Sicko”
Posted by Michelle Moquin on November 23rd, 2010
Good morning!
Over a year ago I wrote about Wendell Potter, CIGNA’s Health Insurance Executive and whistle-blower. Last night on Keith Olbermann, Michael Moore and Potter got to chat about the campaign against Moore’s movie “Sicko”. Here’s two clips:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Readers: An e-mail from Moore just in case you don’t have time to watch the clips.
Michael Moore and Whistleblower Wendell Potter on Olbermann Tonight: “We Knew as Much About Michael Moore as He Knows About Himself”
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Friends,
Tonight at 8:00 PM ET on Keith Olbermann’s show on MSNBC I will meet for the very first time the man the health industry sent to Michigan to, in his words, “spy” and do “reconnaissance” so they could try to defame me and my movie (“We knew as much about him probably as he knows about himself”).
Tonight I’ll get to talk to former Humana and CIGNA health insurance executive Wendell Potter, the man who has bravely come forward to expose not just the hundreds of thousands they spent trying to destroy “Sicko,” but more importantly how they profit in the billions from a system that kills 45,000 Americans a year who are uninsured.
Actually, it turns out tonight won’t be the FIRST time I meet Wendell. He wrote this morning on his blog that he flew to the little village where I lived in Michigan to attend a screening I was having for the people in the area. He even walked into the reception we had beforehand and got his picture taken with me. His blog reads, in part:
“I need to apologize to Moore for the role I played in the insurance industry’s public relations attack campaign against him and “Sicko,” which was about the increasingly unfair and dysfunctional U.S. health care system…[W]hile I was still working for the insurance industry, I traveled as an industry spy…to attend the official U.S. premiere of Sicko on June 16, 2007. Moore and I actually met that day, although he doesn’t know it. (I didn’t tell him who I was or who I worked for.) The picture accompanying this blog, taken at a pre-screening reception by another movie-goer, shows me on Moore’s left and my son, Alex, on his right. Alex, who has always been a big fan of Moore’s, traveled with me on the reconnaissance mission. Moore even autographed a “Sicko” poster for Alex. It’s quite a memento.”
If you’re free tonight, tune in to Keith’s show. I know I’m looking forward to meeting the man who ran over my “baby.”
See you then,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
**********
Roger: And it will continue to be that way until men get a clue. Last time I checked it was men abusing and raping women, treating them like sex slaves, and second class citizens. Cheating may not be considered a big deal in the minds of men, but once again sans a rubber, it shouts, “I don’t give a shit about you.” I think that’s quite a bit to bitch about, don’t you? Oh, I love the way men can dish it out but they can’t take it. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
And as far as your additional comment about your needs: “Fuck your needs.” That’s the problem. From what I read here, most men are focused on their needs. If men spent half as much time thinking about themselves and thought just a little bit more about their women, women would be so overjoyed they wouldn’t have to spend so much time here reading and commenting on this shit.
Anna of Guam: It is sad to read about your polluted beaches. Hanging out at the beach is one of my most favorite things to do. In regards to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, I’d get behind her on this issue if I was living in Guam. Thanks for posting.
Zen Lill: I love that you want to be the change you want to see. But, why does ranting make you feel a certain hatred when you’re pointing out the truth? I want to hear the same wit that you report that you rant to your male friends in person, to the men here. Why deny the men here the privilege of your clever words?
Oh…FYI: I get the “healthyatized”. “Stition”? I don’t quite get that one, but I like the creativity.
Wizz: Ah…I see you figured it out. Glad I could help.
Satchel: Merci.
Evelyn: Yep, that is the big news isn’t it? I HOPE all is well in your life.
Peter: It seems that stealing from the most needy, pretty much happens every day in this world in some form or another.
Jodi: I have to agree with Lili.
Comments? Thoughts? Ideas? Blog me.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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November 23rd, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Digging Out of Debt
Gerri Detweiler
Credit.com
The average American adult carries more than $16,000 in debt (excluding home mortgages) — and that figure is likely to climb.
The best paths out of debt, starting with those most appealing to the largest numbers of debtors…
CREDIT COUNSELING
A nonprofit credit-counseling agency might be able to help you set up a three-to-five-year debt-repayment plan.
Anyone struggling with debts should give this a try. The agency will negotiate with your creditors to try to lower your interest rates and perhaps get some fees waived.
Unfortunately, not all of your creditors are likely to agree to do this, but at least some will.
Once this repayment plan is in place, you send a single debt-payment check to the agency each month, and it distributes the money to your creditors.
Credit-counseling agencies also provide useful money-management advice.
How to get started: Select a credit-counseling agency that has been in business for at least 10 years and has been approved by the US Trustee’s office.
(On the Department of Justice Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov, select “A-Z Index” at the bottom of the page, then “Credit Counseling and Debtor Education,” then “Approved Credit Counseling Agencies.”) Expect to pay an initial fee of perhaps $50 and a monthly fee of $30 to $50.
Drawbacks: If your debts are so great that there is no feasible way for you to pay them back within three to five years… or you have lost your job and cannot pay off your debts at all in the near term, a credit-counseling organization will not be able to construct a debt-repayment plan that you can afford.
Helpful for home owners: The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors free counseling agencies that provide advice on credit issues, mortgage loan defaults and foreclosures.
For agencies in your state, go to http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg (under “Resources” click “Single Family,” then “Housing Counseling”).
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT LOAN
If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement account or a pension plan where you work, it’s likely that you can borrow against the value of your account or plan so that you can pay off other debts.
These retirement-account loans generally are capped at either $50,000 or 50% of the amount in the account, whichever is less, and must be repaid within five years.
You might be allowed to borrow up to $10,000 even if this represents more than half of your account balance. (If you have a defined-benefit pension plan, the amount that you can borrow may be determined by the number of years that you have worked for your employer or some other formula.)
Interest is charged — typically 6% to 8% — but this interest is paid to your own retirement account. Ask your employer’s retirement-plan administrator whether you can borrow.
Retirement-account loans do not require a credit check, which makes them particularly attractive for people with low credit scores.
Drawbacks: Retirement-account loans that are not repaid within five years are treated as distributions, triggering income taxes and a 10% IRS penalty.
If you change or lose your job — a concern in this economy — your employer might require you to pay back the loan immediately.
Money borrowed from your retirement account misses out on tax-deferred growth until it is repaid.
PERSONAL LOAN
Personal loans are unsecured loans with interest rates that can be well below typical credit card rates.
Consolidating credit card debt into a personal loan can lower debt costs so that debts can be paid off sooner.
Many banks have stopped issuing personal loans in this credit crunch.
Try local credit unions or a “social lending” company instead. Social lenders, such as Lending Club (866-754-4094, http://www.lendingclub.com) bring together borrowers with investors who wish to make loans to earn interest.
Borrowers typically pay interest rates of 10% to 12% for three-year fixed-rate loans of up to $15,000.
Drawbacks: Only borrowers with credit scores above 660 to 680 are likely to qualify.
Loans rarely exceed $5,000 to $15,000, not enough for many people who are deep in debt. Loans typically last just 36 months, so sizable monthly payments are required.
HOME-EQUITY LOAN
Home-equity loans and home-equity lines of credit (HELOCs) let home owners borrow against the equity that they have in their property — assuming that they have any equity left after the recent real estate declines.
(A home-equity loan provides cash in a lump sum, while a HELOC provides revolving credit.)
This money can be used to pay down high-rate debt. Falling property values and increasingly cautious lenders have made these loans difficult to obtain, but most home-equity loans typically carry interest rates of just 5% to 9%, and the interest paid on these loans usually is tax deductible.
Drawbacks: If you pay off credit card debt with a home-equity loan or HELOC, you are trading unsecured debt for secured debt (your home is the collateral) — and
you could lose your home if you fall behind on debt payments. Adding to the amount that you owe on your home could make it harder to sell the home and move.
DEBT-SETTLEMENT FIRM
A debt-settlement company will attempt to convince your creditors to accept less than you owe, perhaps 50 to 60 cents on the dollar.
That’s very different from a credit-counseling company, which will attempt to help you pay back the full amount that you owe but with lower fees and interest.
Your creditors might accept these terms if they believe that you will otherwise default on your loans.
To increase its leverage, the debt-settlement company often will instruct you to stop making debt payments while it negotiates.
Choosing a debt-settlement company: Reputable companies charge mainly based on the amount that they save you — not the amount you owe — with only modest up-front fees.
That might be a set-up charge of a few hundred dollars and 15% to 25% of the amount you will save. Reputable companies also warn clients about the downsides of debt settlement (see below).
The firm should propose a plan that will have you out of debt in less than 36 months — any longer and creditors are more likely to sue than accept the terms.
It’s a good sign if the debt-settlement company has been in business at least 10 years and belongs to the Association of Settlement Companies (www.tascsite.org).
Drawbacks: You are likely to be besieged by calls from collection agencies and might be sued by your lenders when you stop making loan payments.
There are any number of disreputable debt-settlement companies that charge high fees but do little for their clients.
Also, you may owe income taxes on any debt that is forgiven. Working with a debt-settlement company will harm your credit rating — perhaps severely.
The size of the hit depends on the current status of your debts. If you already are behind on payments to multiple creditors, entering debt settlement might not make a huge difference.
If you have not missed any payments yet, debt settlement is the equivalent of defaulting on all of your loans and your credit score could drop by more than 100 points.
Bottom line: Debt settlement is a viable option only if your debt problems are so substantial that you see no other way to pay off your debts and if you take extreme care to use an honest debt-settlement company.
BANKRUPTCY
It might be possible to cancel your debts though a Chapter 7 bankruptcy… or reorganize your debts through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy despite the hurdles recently added to the bankruptcy process.
Discuss your options with a bankruptcy attorney — bankruptcy laws are too complex to sort out on your own. Select an attorney who is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (www.nacba.org).
The initial consultation typically is free. Expect legal costs of around $900 to $2,000 if you do file.
If you cannot afford this, contact your state’s bar association and ask if there’s a state legal aid society that can provide a lawyer for less or for free.
Drawbacks: Bankruptcy will devastate your credit rating and remain on your credit report for 10 years, compared with a maximum of seven years for other credit missteps.
Certain debts — including child support, alimony and student loans — might not be discharged by bankruptcy.
Recent changes to bankruptcy laws make it impossible for some debtors who have large amounts of disposable income to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at all. Many of your assets could be seized.
Personal interviewed Gerri Detweiler, credit adviser for the credit education Web site Credit.com, based in San Francisco.
She is former executive director of Bankcard Holders of America, a nonprofit consumer education and advocacy group, and coauthor of the e-book Reduce Debt, Reduce Stress (www.reduce-debt-reduce-stress.com).
November 23rd, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Hey Misch, you’ve heard that everything before the word ‘but’ in any sentence negates what was said prior right? : ) I’m not actually feeling the need to defend myself re who and how I ‘tell it’ or even when…either I do or I don’t here or person. Here I often dont feel like addressing Georges or Rogers they are a waste of my time and energy and nothing I say is likely to sway maroons like them. If I’m going to rant I like to have the rapt attention : ) and if that isn’t tight enough for some of the women in the blog, so be it, it has no bearing on how I’d vote in a jury situation or anything else. Larissa, you could not be more wrong on that call but whatevs…ZL
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Zen Lill
I would love to see your new pictures right now, BUT, I will be as patient as necessary.
I hope you don’t take that “but” to mean I really don’t want to see that lush bod.
Larry
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Screw the bitches Zen Lill. They are just jealous because you are fair minded and want to see the whole picture before you decide.
That is the true democratic way, Besides everyone knows that most women are too emotional to be seriously considered for jury duty.
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I strongly disagree with Michelle and Lilli, Jodi. Just because your man has an ass fetish doesn’t mean he is gay.
I like a poke up the ass every now and then from my wife and I love her pussy to be completely shaved. But (no negation intended of the previous comment) that doesn’t mean that because a naked pussy turns me on that I am a pedophile.
Generalizations, generalizations. That is all they are making. If I were you Jodi, I would also refrain from spying on your man.
As you have stated you have been happily married for 20 plus years, why spoil it with a discovery that you would never have known about had you not stooped to spying on your husband.
God tells a man that his home is his Castle. God hardly expects the woman who swore to “Honor and Obey” in His name to betray that by spying on her husband.
Do not be tempted to sin by these harlots. Get behind your man. Please him in all things and Heaven will be yours.
Victor
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
What’s wrong with this picture?
Michelle is living with the man of her dreams. Doug is the perfect spouse. He is supportive, attentive, and from what I hear hung and wise in its use.
Yet, Michelle never misses an opportunity to dump on men.
Zen Lill is dating so she is not with her husband or she is divorced( I’m not sure which). She is a woman wronged by her man. (I can’t imagine Zen Lill being the one breaking her marriage vows first).
Yet, she looks for every opportunity to see the man’s point of view. She will even be honest about the sins of women too. i.e
“I’d prefer to be the change I want to see. I think people in general could take more responsibility for their actions. Do men cheat more than women, hmmm, I’m beginning to wonder – I know several that are married to doting type hubbies and yet they are partaking…maybe it’s with condoms I don’t know I dont ask…”
Yes, Virginia, women cheat too. Who do you think all those men are cheating with? And I would suppose as Zen Lill pointed out that many of them are married and cheating on their men.
And I quote Zen Lill, “and if that isn’t tight enough for some of the women in the blog, so be it,”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Scott
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Victor, it is about time a God fearing man spoke up to the liberal cows that scream their hatred of men at every opportunity on this blog.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Women owe it to God and their husbands to “Honor and Obey” them.
I walk in my husbands footsteps, but discretely. We have been happily married for 41 years.
Find God sweeties, and marriageable happiness will not be far behind.
Wilma
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Michelle I have never been for censorship, but(no negation intended) if not censorship for content how about for stupidity.
Jodi, your man may not be gay, openly, but secretly, he is gay!
And Victor you probably are a nasty pedophile.
Joyce
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Scott:
You have a point. And it is stupid. Zen Lill’s comment was made but how does she know that those “dotting” men are not assholes?
And who said that Doug was perfect? I have never heard Michelle say that and she is the only one who would know.
Contrary to the male myth. Length isn’t everything. I have had many a huge penis in this vagina that didn’t know what to do with it except ram it till it hurt.
I married a man who knows how to use what he has and that is the key to happy sex. Not to mention the other things he does that shows that he loves me.
As for God telling me to “Honor and Obey,” She meant that to apply to both parties. She gave neither power over the other.
I’ve been married to the same man for 43 years, but if he wronged me with another woman, I would cut his balls off and eat them myself.
Brittany
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:36 pm
My sister has been cheating on a wonderful man for 9 of the ll years they have been married.
She comes over and boast of her conquests to the family. We are expected to keep her secret and to on demand lie for her.
Seven years ago i broke down and told Jim about her infidelities. He cried on my shoulder so tenderly that I kissed him. We have been lovers ever since.
He is so sweet. How my sister could dishonor this man is without sanity. He worships her. I am forced to live in her shadow. He has refused to leave her and he gives her everything she wishes.
Both our families are well off, but she has always wanted more. So she married Jim for his millions and spends every waking moment when she is not chasing other men spending it.
I agree with Zen Lill. Women can be cruel too.
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 pm
WOW!!!!!
I clicked this blog and read a few comments. Then I quickly checked to see if I was on the right blog.
People will copy anything. Yes, it is your blog Michelle. But who are these people? I actually prefer George. At least, we know he has a problem.
No, It’s funny today.
So, Wilma, you are happy with your God fearing man? I am happy for you. But if it is alright with you, I would prefer a man who feared God less and Me MORE!
Ruth
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I was married to a “doting man” for 13 years until I discovered that he was married to another woman across town.
What a F! mess? He has 3 children by her and 4 by me. Two were born less that a week apart.
It’s the “doting” quiet ones that women need to check on.
Jennie
November 23rd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Fuck Victor, Jodi. You need to handle your business. That means you need to check on your man.
My man loves him some ass. God(She/He) knows that I have plenty of it. He uses it as his imagination flows. How he gets that big fat dick so deep so pleasurably in my ass is truly God’s work.
Heaven knows that I scream to Jesus enough when he makes me come in it.
But, sister, he would kick my ass if I tried to even finger his ass. So if you man is getting off on you shoving big fake dicks up his ass.
Honey, News Flash! You man is GAY!!!!!!!!!!
Candy
November 23rd, 2010 at 9:32 pm
This is live girl. I could do a blog and give some advice. Let me start with Scott.
Your mother must have farted when she popped you out and you have been punch drunk ever since.
You are quoting Zen Lill out of context.
Most of women’s sins begin with taking men on their word.
Dora
November 23rd, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Hafa Adai
Even on Guam women are suspect.
Black Widow Spiders Found Aboard West Coast Ship Docked At Guam Port
WRITTEN BY JEFF MARCHESSEAULT, GUAM NEWS WATCH ANCHOR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2010
GUAM – Black Widow spiders were discovered on a ship arriving at Guam’s commercial port yesterday evening, inbound from the U.S. West Coast. The vessel had made a stop in Honolulu on its way to Guam. But a Guam Port official clarified that the cargo is from the West Coast. Here is the official statement from the Port Authority of Guam:
NEWS RELEASE
Statement on spiders found on Matson vessel
Piti, Guam, November 24, 2010: Port Authority of Guam General Manager Enrique J.S. Agustin issued the following statement regarding spiders found on the Matson MV Manukai which arrived on Guam Tuesday evening from Honolulu:
“At 3:15 a.m. Wednesday morning stevedores working on the Matson MV Manukai opened a hatch and discovered a large black spider along with numerous baby spiders which were later identified by the University of Guam entomologist to be Black Widows.
When the stevedores discovered the Black Widows they immediately shut the hatch and notified Port police of their findings. Port police immediately contacted Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency officials and they were told to halt operations.
Customs later informed Port officials that stevedores could continue off loading the Guam cargo on the upper decks but not discharge cargo from the affected hatch. That operation is ongoing and is expected to end later today. Once that operation is completed, the ship will be fumigated dockside and then the remaining cargo will be off loaded.
I held a meeting this morning with representatives from the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency and Matson Shipping to discuss the situation and how the vessel will be fumigated. In the meantime, the Port is taking all precautions necessary to ensure the safety of the employees working on the vessel.”
——————————–
Some women are like their black widow counterparts. They marry their men and eat them alive.
John
November 23rd, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Thanks everyone for your advice. You can stop now. I decided to take Victor’s advice.
I’m really not into spying anyway, Besides I am a born again woman. God is ever present in my life. He spreads His love on both my husband and me.
So I will trust that God has blessed us with this union and respect it as Victor said. I will not violate my covenant with Him or my husband.
Thank you all again.
Jodi
November 24th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Wilma put me down for one of those “liberal cows,” if it means that I think that I am a man’s equal in the sight of the law abd God.
November 24th, 2010 at 6:13 am
Jodi
How do you know that one of those men who wrote in wasn’t your husband or one of his lovers attempting to convince you NOT to spy on him?
Tasha
November 24th, 2010 at 6:50 am
Saying Grace
Jack and Marcia Kelly
If you don’t usually say grace before meals, you might want to start doing so this Thanksgiving — and whenever your family dines together.
It’s a way to remind ourselves of all we have to be thankful for. Plus, for many families, the evening meal is the only time spent together. Grace provides an opportunity to reflect on how precious this time is.
If you say grace often, you may want to change what you say occasionally so that the words don’t become rote and meaningless.
We have collected more than 300 mealtime graces from around the world. Some of our favorites…
For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson, Unitarian minister, poet and essayist (1803-1882)
May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness. May all beings be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow. May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless. May all live in equanimity, without attachment or aversion, believing in the equality of all that lives.
– Traditional Buddhist prayer
Thank heaven for this food and for this company. May it be good for us.
– Greek prayer
May we be a channel of blessings for all that we meet.
– Edgar Cayce, American spiritualist (1877-1945)
God of pilgrims, give us always a table to Stop at where we can Tell our story and Sing our song. –
Father John Giuliani (1932-), Benedictine Grange, West Redding, Connecticut
Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, author (1907-1972)
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Marcia and Jack Kelly, editors of 100 Graces (Bell Tower). They live in Olean, New York. http://www.monasteries.net
November 24th, 2010 at 6:56 am
Zen Lill
So when may we expect our reward for our patience? Will we have to wait to look under our Michelle blog for Xmas or could you be prompted for a little promo around Thanksgiving.
Carl
November 24th, 2010 at 7:28 am
I saw the show. It was great. Thanks for the mention Michelle.
November 24th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Zen lill
I agree with Carl. I can think of nothing better to do on TG than watching football and Zen Lill.