Michael Moore Violates Cuba Trade Embargo

As reported in the AP:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore is under investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department for taking ailing Sept. 11 rescue workers to Cuba for a segment in his upcoming health-care documentary "Sicko," The Associated Press has learned.

The investigation provides another contentious lead-in for a provocative film by Moore, a fierce critic of President Bush. In the past, Moore's adversaries have fanned publicity that helped the filmmaker create a new brand of opinionated blockbuster documentary.

"Sicko" promises to take the health-care industry to task the way Moore confronted America's passion for guns in "Bowling for Columbine" and skewered Bush over his handling of Sept. 11 in "Fahrenheit 9/11.

The Smoking Gun has the documents from the Treasury Department about their investigation of Michael Moore.

Michael Moore, on his website, believes President Bush is "abusing the legal process to advance a political agenda."

Michelle Malkin opines, "The only one guilty of 'abusing the legal process to advance a political agenda' here is Moore."

Hotair's Allahpundit adds that Moore probably did this on purpose, to drum up publicity for his new film.

Say Anything's Rob has the perfect punishment for Mike: "Personally, I think that if Moore is found guilty of violating the trade embargo with Cuba his punishment should be having to actually use a Cuban hospital when his heart inevitably begins to give out under the strain of all those Cheetos and milkshakes. And I’m sure he’d be happy to. Since, you know, communist health care is so much better than our American system."

Will Opie and Anthony Receive the Imus treatment

Warning: Extremely Vulgar Language about forced sex with the Secretary of State.



Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey opines, "Does XM Radio think this is funny? Do their subscribers? I don't think that Don Imus needed to be chased off the air for his offensive and tasteless remark, but if he went out the door for that, then Opie and Anthony should follow right behind him. However, what do you think the odds will be that Al Sharpton and the media will hold these two creeps responsible for this? About the same odds as having Rice appear on their show next week, is my guess."

Sister Toldjah adds, "Would Opie and Anthony and “Homeless Charlie” think it was hilarious if some guy overpowered and raped them? Would they be laughing if someone were talking about doing that to their mothers or sisters or wives? Could these jack asses possibly stoop any lower?"

Roger Simon would be happy to see Opie and Anthony off the air: "These guys shouldn't be kicked off the air for being vulgar. They should be kicked off the air for being absolute no talents!"

However, Q and O's Dale Franks, a long time Opie and Anthony fan, argues that since someone must have a paid subscription to listen, and it is sometimes "fascinating" to hear what "wackjobs" have to say.

Riehl World View wisely adds, "The people should and because we are capitalists and a democracy, the marketplace is our purest form of democratic expression. You can choose to not vote. But almost everyone participates as a consumer in one form, or another. Spend or don't spend your dollars on what you want. But remember, it is almost as powerful as a vote in some cases."

Did Murtha Violate House Ethics Rules?
Majority AP makes the case that John Murtha has violated House ethics rules.

Obama Must be Tired Again

From the Chicago Tribune:

Obama this week flew to Detroit to deliver his message that the U.S. auto industry is the villain for “investing in bigger and faster cars while foreign competitors invested in more fuel-efficient technology.”

The domestics certainly haven’t flooded showrooms with gas/electric hybrids like the Japanese. But in fairness, the newest Japanese assembly plant in the U.S. produces 14-m.p.g. Toyota Tundra pickups, not Prius hybrids rated at 60 m.p.g.

“While our fuel standards haven’t moved from 27.5 miles per gallon in two decades, both China and Japan have surpassed us, with Japanese cars now getting an average of 45 miles to the gallon,” Obama said.

“I’m not sure where he got that figure,” Toyota spokesman Mike Michels said. “No carmaker gets 45 m.p.g. Ours is closer to 30 m.p.g.”

The Whistler opines, "What a fool. Anyone with a grip on reality would realize that while the Japanese car makers make smaller cars they aren’t that much smaller. And anybody who’s not an idiot would realize what kind of car makes 40 miles per gallon and then realize how few there are out there."

Ferrets vs. Rudy

And in lighter news, New York ferrets have made their own attack ad against Rudy Guliani.