So Michael Moore is pissed. Other people disagree.

[SoxFan]

"In learning about news reports today that Emory University neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has been offered the job of Surgeon General of the United States, I would support his nomination to help this country by becoming its chief health educator."

"In fact, that is what he does now, in practicing neurosurgery as an Emory doctor at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, as well as informing the world about health at CNN. He has the character, training, intelligence and communications skills needed to help the United States improve its health and health care delivery systems in the next Administration."

Fred Sanfilippo, MD, PhD
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
Emory University



“The surgeon general’s role has been to be the country’s doctor, and having someone who is immediately recognizable to many people can be very helpful.”

Linda C. Degutis
immediate past president
American Public Health Association




“Personally, I’ve long held Dr. Gupta in high regard. Communicating credible health information has always been one of the most important roles for the surgeon general, and I’m sure Dr. Gupta would be extremely successful in that role.”

Dr. Julie Gerberding
Director
Centers for Disease Control



"(Gupta is) a great voice to get the public engaged in the discussion over health care reform."

Dr. Kenneth Thorpe
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of health and Human Services for Health Policy
Health care policy adviser to VP Al Gore


By the way, I didn't see Michael Moore helping out at Charity Hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

[Bluebear]

1. 'I didn't see Michael Moore helping out at Charity Hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina'

Did you see Drs. Thorpe, Gerberding, Deguttis and Sanfilippo helping out?

[cbayer]

4. The CDC was critical in supplying us with lifesaving information immediately

after the storm. They were one of the first agencies from whom we received any good information. Definitely more on the ball than FEMA.

:shrug:

[SoxFan]

5. I saw Dr. Gupta helping out. That says a lot.

The bitter-enders will never stop looking for reasons to bitch about Obama...

[Touchdown]

8. What's with the octagon on the "O" logo?

It looks like The Dharma Initiative logo from LOST.:shrug:

[Yukari Yakumo]

9. They're trigrams

More on them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagua_(concept)

[SoxFan]

17. That's exactly what it is

My wife is very active in Lost fandom, and a fellow DUer helped put this logo together for us during the campaign.

[Touchdown]

26. Ok help me out here.

I'm just catching up on the re-runs, and Sci-Fi channel is skipping quite a few eps. I assume to finish up by the premier on ABC.

I'm at the stage where a boat is rescuing a few (6?) survivors, and others are holding Ben hostage in the village.

I thought, or am thinking that this whole Dharma thing is evil, and a black ops type of org. for manipulating humans on their behavior. Am I wrong?:shrug:

Yeah, yeah I know. Off Topic.... but this IS LOST we're talking about.;)

[SoxFan]

53. "Off Topic" is the LOST motto

As best I can determine, the guys on the freighter are working for Charles Widmore. He's the evil plutocrat father of Penny, Desmond's sweetie.

We still don't know what happened to the original Dharma Initiative off-island. Ben offed the Dharma staff back in the 1980s, but the island seemed to be receiving supplies long after that happened.

Hopefully we will get some answers.

Of course, we still need to figure out who built the giant Monty Python foot, why there is a sailing ship in the middle of the jungle, and why Jack and Ben are playing "Weekend At Bernie's" with Locke.

[emmadoggy]

72. Ooohh, another Lostie!

:hi: from one Lostie to another.

Does your wife frequent The Fuselage or Dark UFO?? Lots of fun Lost talk and speculation.

Less than two weeks til Season 5!! Yay!! (Thought it would NEVER get here!) :)

[QC]

59. Bill Frist helped out in the aftermath of Katrina. n/t

[Bake]

60. You saw Gupta because he was doing what he DOES ... being a media type.

Duh. let me guess which network you saw him on ...

Bake

[calimary]

42. Maybe he didn't help there, but he led quite a campaign for Katrina victims' relief,

and IIRC, he left his office in Michigan and headed to New Orleans for weeks to pitch in personally, and directed most of his staff to take off from the office and join him. He was hot on the relief efforts from the get-go, starting online with appeals for donations, and lots of links to relief organizations that might make some difference.

He was there proving what doing a heckuva job really ought to have meant to the Katrina victims, while bush was AWOL, making excuses, and then posing for photo ops and otherwise jerking himself off.

[cbayer]

2. Julie Gerberding's support means a lot to me.

As the strongest voice in the country for public health, I am glad she weighed in on this potential appointment.

[hlthe2b]

14. Oh, please... I will always defend CDC, but Gerberding

has been as devastating to that agency as most of Bush* appointees (and yes, I DO know of what I speak)

[Mojorabbit]

38. You have to be joking

she is one of the worst leaders of the CDC we have had in years. The public health people hate her, morale is at an all time low, experienced good people have left in droves. Cruise some public health blogs sometime.

[frylock]

3. get a room

[Touchdown]

6. Google is your friend.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/covington.php?id=41

How much did Gupta raise? How much was he on camera? As much as Geraldo Rivera?

[Cha]

7. Who said Michael Moore is pissed?

There may be good people who support Sanjay but that doesn't mean he's perfect 'cause he sure screwed up when he said Sicko had inaccuracies in it with no proof.

[grantcart]

15. Moore hasn't said a word yet. People are assuming he's pissed

[Bjorn Against]

24. He has said something...

Just go to his official web site at http://michaelmoore.com/, what you see at the top of the page has been there since shortly after the announcement yesterday.

[davidpdx]

39. Nothing there

Please post a link to where the info is on his page. The only thing I see is the Krugman article about Gupta.

[Bjorn Against]

52. There is the Krugman article as well as a few other links below it

The Israel/Palestine issue is front and center now, but just last night Gupta was the top story on the page. It is true that Moore didn't actually write those articles, but simply placing those articles front and center to remind everyone is saying something.

[Boomerang Diddle]

10. I'll take these people's word over Michael Moore

any day!!

[John Q. Citizen]

11. Why?

[Boomerang Diddle]

30. Beacuse I think the

Executive Vice President for Health Affairs of Emory University, the past president of the American Public Health Association, the Director for the Centers for Disease Control and the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Health Policy have a better and more informed grasp of the issues confronting the country than a filmmaker.

[John Q. Citizen]

37. What leads you to that conclusion? To me, that would be like saying,

well bush is the president, so of course he knows. I think you would do well to examine your assumptions, they may be incorrect.

I understand that some people are impressed by experts, by authorities, and by titles.

I'm just not one of those people.


I think it can be argued that Moore did far more to educate the public on the health care issues facing our country than all four of the people you look up to combined.

I don't know the VP for Health Affairs of Emory university, the past president of the APHA, or the other two. Perhaps they are great. I wouldn't be able to say. Maybe you are personally familiar with these people?

But I do know that Moore reached millions with his movie. That doesn't make those other four people I've never heard of chopped liver, by the way. But they are "experts" who I've never heard of.

So anyway, I'd thought I'd learn about who these people you respect are.

Fred Sanfilippo contributes only to Repos, apparently.

SANFILIPPO, FRED
COLUMBUS, OH
43209 OSU/CEO, OSU MEDICAL CENTER $2,100 06/26/2006 G MIKE DEWINE FOR US SENATE - Republican
Sanfilippo, Fred
COLUMBUS, OH
43209 OSU/Dean $500 11/23/2005 P PRYCE FOR CONGRESS - Republican
SANFILIPPO, FRED
COLUMBUS, OH
43209 OSU $2,000 01/18/2005 P MIKE DEWINE FOR US SENATE - Republican

Is that why you respect him? Does his contributions reflect his informed grasp of the issues? Or if not, why do you respect him? What has he done that stands out for you? Is it the initials after his name that do it?



Linda C. Degutis doesn't praise anything except that Gupta has a "high profile." She doesn't praise his judgment, his record, or anything other than he is recognizable since he is on TV. She is a strong single payer advocate. Is that why you respect her opinion that Gupta's TV careerer will be an asset?


Dr. Julie Gerberding has an interesting history. Many say she is responsible for gutting the CDC under the bush admin. Her area of interest is bio weaponry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Gerberding (see CDC Tenure and CDC restructuring)Is it her close association with the bush admin that you like? Her firing of the person who fraught for the ground zero sickened first responders?

Dr. Kenneth Thorp is a multi-payer advocate here's an interesting article on a financial deal he's involved with to make some good money on sick people. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS186403+... Thorp has been involved in a lot of policy. He was apparently part of the Clinton failure and he sounds like a smart guy, but not necessarily a big proponent of not for profit health insurance. I read part of a study he did in Vermont on single payer, yet it was predicated on a payroll tax (ie job based) instead of on an income tax, which makes a lot more sense for many reasons some of them economic and some political.

So, after a lot of research, I can't say that these people are right or wrong and it really doesn't much matter if they are or not anyway.

I do know that Moore's movie was seen by millions, and he did exceptionally good research, as Gupta found out when he mistakenly charged Moore with fudging facts.

So I can't agree with you.

[Boomerang Diddle]

55. If the transmission in my car goes out

I'd rather have a mechanic work on it than a filmmaker who made a movie about cars work on it. That's all I'm saying.

And if they are good at their job I don't care about their political donations especially when their boss is the #1 Democrat in the country.

[John Q. Citizen]

56. So you would leave national transportation policy up to a car machanic?

See, I wouldn't. I also wouldn't leave it up to the auto manufacturers.

Uhm, how do you figure the 4 mentioned in the OP are working for Obama?

Most of them work for Emory. Same as Gupta. If Gupta is indeed nominated (which he hasn't been yet) and he is confirmed (likely if nominated, since folks like Bill Kristol love the guy, no opposition) then at that point he will be working for Obama.

The other 4 won't be working for Obama though. You seem a little bit confused on the whole deal.


like i said, and like you never responded to, I believe Moore has done far more than all 4 of the people mentioned in the OP to educate Americans about the problems (and the solutions) to our health care crises.

Perhaps you believe that should Gupta be appointed and confirmed that he will then be available to you should you need a tune up? He won't be. So your point is moot.

[Bluebear]

12. Why? What's your beef with Michael Moore?

[LittleClarkie]

18. Does there have to be a beef?

I can see wanting to take a physician's word about a physician, can't you?

[Bluebear]

21. Someone signs up today and starts criticizing Moore, I can imagine asking why.

Can't you?

[Boomerang Diddle]

32. If you are talking about me

Again, I ask you to please point out where I criticized Michael Moore because I don't remember doing that. TYIA.

[PassingFair]

66. There are a whole squadron of them, Bluebear.

Very suspicious with their talking points.

Not ALL of them brand-new, either.

:eyes:

[LittleClarkie]

67. Bringing up someone's post count is against the rules

Ask via an alert if you have a concern.

[Bluebear]

76. LOL

[Bjorn Against]

29. I would want to check who they have been paid by first.

The simple fact that someone is a physician does not automatically make them a credible source, there are many physicians who are bought and paid for by the pharmaceutical industry. I am not alleging the names above are paid off by anyone because I don't know anything about them, but I am not automatically going to trust any physician who makes a statement of support for a political appointment.

[Bake]

62. BINGO!!

Nail, meet hammer.

:hi:

Bake

[Raineyb]

34. Why? It's not like they have a reputation for weeding out bad actors or anything like that

And the AMA has come out AGAINST universal health care so as far as I'm concerned their motives are suspect.

Regards

[Mojorabbit]

41. My hubby is a physician

and his first reaction was WTF. Then he was ok with it as long as he has limited input on health policy and is just a spokesman.

[Boomerang Diddle]

31. Who said I have a beef with Michael Moore?

Please point out out where I said that because I don't remember saying any such thing. TYIA.

[mmonk]

13. I see from your name you are a Blue Dog Democrat?

If so, you position is explained even without explanation.

[Fearless]

43. I just love how we like to divide ourselves even when we're supposed to be united.

:sarcasm:

[mmonk]

49. No sense in pretending.

Michael Moore pointed out the flaws in our pay the middle man system. The post openly mocked him.

[grantcart]

16. Moore hasn't issued any comment yet at all.

Yes he had a confrontation with Gupta and I am sure that he thinks he should be grilled when he comes up for confirmation but you are putting emotions into Moore's mouth that he has not yet expressed.

If Gupta can sell change for the health care industry then I am sure that Moore would be pleased.

BTW I also think that Gupta should be grilled before he is confirmed.

[Cha]

20. Michael is very practical it seems..

"If Gupta can sell change for the health care industry then I am sure that Moore would be pleased."

[The Wizard]

19. I anxiously await

Republicans quoting Michael Moore in the Gupta confirmation hearing.

[JI7]

22. i haven't heard that Michael Moore is pissed

[polichick]

61. Me either.

[OwnedByFerrets]

23. Gupta has ALWAYS been very PRO BIG PHARMA

That is one big strike against him. The other one, and the one that seals the deal for ME, is that MM doesnt like him.

[leftstreet]

35. Good! The way things are going we're all gonna need major drugs!

Obligatory :sarcasm:

[Captain Lance Bass]

25. Fu%L Moore....go make movies and STFU

[Bluebear]

28. Real nice.

[LostinVA]

51. Great, we're now throwing Michael Moore under the bus on here

Criticizing him is fine -- he definitely gets on my nerves sometimes -- but your post is ridiculous. MOORE is right nd GUPTA is the liar. He LIED, and then lied about his lying. "Sicko" was right, and Gupta lied about it because he was kissing his corporate owners' asses.

I NEVER thought I'd see OPs and posts on DU denouncing and mocking Moore's documentaries. There are other websites where they do that.

[QC]

57. Every good progressive has ended up under the Hopemobile lately.

It's part of our new "centrist" age.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

63. There's a lot of that shit here now...

Slam Moore. Slam Hathaway. Slam McKinney. Slam Kuch. Slam anyone who questions anything O does.

Lberals are now openly called "kooks" and the "looney left".

The choice of Warren is defended.

Times have changes here. :(

[JohnnieGordon]

78. We need a separate site, Liberal Underground

Just like DU except it's established that no one has to worship our centrist president. Seriously I wish there was one, and I don't know why an off-shoot site couldn't be created. Does DU want to keep people who are more liberal than Obama hostage? Create a separate site for us, and I'd definitely donate to it. I don't like the kool-aid drinkers, I think they're nasty.

[emilyg]

27. I don't care what Moore thinks about this.

[Frank Booth]

33. Michael Moore's an annoying, attention-craving blowhard.

And Sanjay Gupta sucks too.

[berni_mccoy]

36. You do realize Gupta gave McCain's healthcare plan a positive review, saying Americans could afford

healthcare on McCain's plan.

He compared and contrasted McCain's plan with Obama's and basically equated them.

[lildreamer316]

40. I am astonished at this thread. Where are we, Republican Underground?

What the hell, people?
One would think Pharma had brainwashed the country and bought all the doctors.
Oh, wait...they have.
Question authority.
DUH.

[LostinVA]

54. I said the same thing upthread

:wtf:

[QC]

58. Yes. Yes we are. n/t

[JohnnieGordon]

77. It's especially ironic considering..

The Obama cheerleaders always like to insinuate that anyone who criticizes Obama is a freeper, or the equivalent of a freeper.

[ColbertWatcher]

44. Gupta is a tool. That is all. n/t

[depakid]

45. Fact are facts- there's bo "agree or disagree" about it

Gupta's lied about (and distorted) facts and policy more than once, and declined to correct the record.

Apparently, some folks think that's just fine.

[dcindian]

46. It isn't about Moore it is about Gupta

I don't see how people can't understand that.

Gupta has taken positions that many here disagree with. What the heck is so wrong with progressives disagreeing with a positional pick that warrants these attacks on them or Moore from you and your ilk?

[blendermax]

47. Is it pronounced Goop-ta?

I can't say that name without laughing.

Yeah, he sucks and so does his name.

[Teaser]

65. Racist much?

.

[blendermax]

68. Sensitive much?

a funny name is a funny name, whether it is Indian, Swahili, German or whatever

feel better now?

[Teaser]

69. I feel great. And I feel that you still haven't retracted your racist comment.

.

[blendermax]

70. Too bad

sorry you feel that way. bitter much?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

71. How do you feel about your president being named Barack Hussein Obama?

As if I couldn't guess.

[DRoseDARs]

48. By the way, I don't see you OR Gupta helping out orphans in Malawi get basic needs met...

http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1402-michael-moore
http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/245-raising-malawi

Or donating $12,000 to help cover part of the medical expenses of the deathly-ill wife a bitter enemy:
http://bruisefalling.blogspot.com/2007/06/michael-moore-guardian-angel.html
http://www.slashfilm.com/2007/05/18/michael-moore-help-his-biggest-nemesis/

[DemzRock]

50. Gupta may be a good - NO GREAT! - person in some ways... But he has also gotten caught in lies...

How can he be trusted when he has taken the corporate position over Moore?

[Milo_Bloom]

64. I'll go with Michael Moore on this one.

[emmadoggy]

73. Me too. nt

[Runcible Spoon]

74. ditto.

CNN/big pharma whores in the administration yay :eyes:

[Bluebear]

75. You said it.

[and-justice-for-all]

79. Fuck Gupta, he is a hack bastard who is unqualified...

[MasonJar]

80. Gupta should not have lied about "Sicko," which was a very powerful

statement for getting rid of private insurance companies, which take the money of clients and then turn them down them when those clients become sick. In addition several people I totally respect, such as Paul Krugman, have come our against this selection.