tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post6099452942776462128..comments2024-03-28T07:49:04.960+00:00Comments on nickhereandnow: Sickonickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10472673041193755894noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-4759594359981059962007-11-09T14:25:00.000+00:002007-11-09T14:25:00.000+00:00That kind of echoes what John said about health ca...That kind of echoes what John said about health care being fantastic if you're insured. If. And again, the Republic gets the thumbs down. When Bertie's finished collecting the brown envelopes, maybe he'll give a thought to health?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-33347761767995151192007-11-09T11:51:00.000+00:002007-11-09T11:51:00.000+00:00The US system is patently wrong, in that people wi...The US system is patently wrong, in that people without insurance are refused access to care. I think everybody's agreed on that one. But the standard of care, for those with insurance, is second to none. If you look at rates of cancer survival, for example, the US has one of the highest in the world. My aunt, who lives in Chicago had breast cancer 10 years ago, was treated and is fine now. My uncle was treated for prostate cancer, and he too is doing well. Obviously, they had good health insurance.<BR/><BR/>I dread to think how either of them would be now if they had been in Ireland, even with VHI or BUPA coverage...Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316053852167258598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-36411878617076643862007-11-08T20:47:00.000+00:002007-11-08T20:47:00.000+00:00Yes he gets a lot of criticism for misrepresentati...Yes he gets a lot of criticism for misrepresentation, inaccuracy etc but he also rebuts a lot of those criticisms as unfounded, so it's hard to know just how accurate his films are. But as you say, he picks good topics. Exposing the plight of society's victims is okay by me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-50356749628198198792007-11-08T19:40:00.000+00:002007-11-08T19:40:00.000+00:00One of the worst things he twisted was in his firs...One of the worst things he twisted was in his first movie "Roger and Me" when he spent the whole movie trying to get an interview with the head of GM and said he couldn't.<BR/>He did meet with him.<BR/>Moore is like the liberal version of Fox News.<BR/>He does pick good topics thoughMegan McGurkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09673489472490377198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-91223117980762816272007-11-08T17:38:00.000+00:002007-11-08T17:38:00.000+00:00Red - That's it, best and worst-case scenarios. Do...Red - That's it, best and worst-case scenarios. Don't they highlight inequalities better than run-of-the-mill experiences that don't reveal anything important?<BR/><BR/>www - absolutely, profit's the driver here and screw human compassion. And while I wouldn't enthuse about some of the communist regimes that have existed, the basic principles of contributing what you can and giving people what they need can hardly be bettered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-24230480742222847482007-11-08T16:06:00.000+00:002007-11-08T16:06:00.000+00:00I saw this a while ago, Nick and am a great fan of...I saw this a while ago, Nick and am a great fan of Michael's, yes I know he maximizes impact and go could a little deeper than he should perhaps but the point is that 50 million are without coverage and those who do (and correct me if I'm wrong)were the focus of the film - there were denied health care on the flimsiest of excuses, a disoriented woman thrown out on the street in her hospital gown and ID removed by a criminal hospital, etc. etc.<BR/>The whole point to me is that profit based health care is completely and utterly WRONG. Would we base fire and police services, etc on the PROFIT model?<BR/>It is a basic basic human right. Like water (now being auctioned). This is what we get for allowing rampant military/industrial/insurance corps to run government. And "communism" is bandied about by these monolithic entities to intimade the deprived and downtrodden. Children without access to healthcare with a president veto-ing it? Communism looks mighty pretty.Wisewebwomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15281689872840844191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-33113197496565689512007-11-08T15:10:00.000+00:002007-11-08T15:10:00.000+00:00I think we all know Moore well enough by now to re...I think we all know Moore well enough by now to realise that he takes the best and worst-case scenarios to use in his films. It makes for convincing and effective viewing. <BR/><BR/>I saw the film a while ago and ooohed, aaahed and recoiled in horror just like eveybody else in the audience.redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03811068181187396326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-39466446994826103092007-11-08T14:15:00.000+00:002007-11-08T14:15:00.000+00:00Medbh - you're right, everyone should be entitled ...Medbh - you're right, everyone should be entitled to proper health care. How can those lucky enough to get it be so unconcerned about those who don't?<BR/><BR/>John - Thanks a lot for that very different perspective. You seem to have had the complete opposite experience - fantastic health care all the way. Though as you say, you're insured. And clearly from the film some of those without insurance have appalling tales to tell. Interesting also that you think US health care is vastly better than Ireland - there have been plenty of scandalous stories from the Republic recently.<BR/><BR/>Manuel - Well, there are bound to be some inaccuracies, any documentary would have a few. But are there enough to look seriously biassed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-46689181805575287112007-11-08T01:12:00.000+00:002007-11-08T01:12:00.000+00:00No No i'm sure he's right (maybe left hehehe). It'...No No i'm sure he's right (maybe left hehehe). It's just some of the inaccuracies from his previous movies and what have you. Maybe I should just stop watching Fox News.......that's a joke obviously.....I watch Sky News.....that's a joke tooManuelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16333257013163173911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-90217552732490637952007-11-07T23:00:00.000+00:002007-11-07T23:00:00.000+00:00I've lived in a few places. The US has by far the ...I've lived in a few places. The US has by far the best health care I have come across, (I haven't lived in Canada). However, this is true only if you have insurance. Even still the health care without insurance is vastly better than that in Ireland where I hail from. Vastly - and I know both my parents work in health care.<BR/><BR/>I would be considered firmly middle class, and my job provides insurance. Thus my experience of the US system has been superb, from personal health issues, to the births of my children to one serious emergency room visit. My insurance will also cover a chiropractor, masseuse, homeopathy or acupuncture. However, I would not like to have done any of this without insurance. <BR/>The insurance is a huge problem as they act as gatekeepers to care, and can refuse care. And you are screwed if you don't have a job.<BR/><BR/>Moore takes the most egregious examples, (as he always does), although not wrong in these individual cases, his is not a balanced view. Showing Cuba's supposed great health care systems but not showing the cost in personal freedom that accompanies this system is a willful ommission<BR/><BR/>I'm all for Universal Health care, the system in the US excludes way too many people who cannot afford insurance. However, new parents getting help with laundry etc. Thats fucking ridiculous. That's not a health issue. Providing good health screening to new children, and education to parents great, handouts to help you clean and cook paid for by other peoples taxes...not so good.John Mchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14250048988279958221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-46388216284812582512007-11-07T21:35:00.000+00:002007-11-07T21:35:00.000+00:00I'm waiting for the dvd, Nick.Yes, the U.S. loves ...I'm waiting for the dvd, Nick.<BR/>Yes, the U.S. loves to point and say look how long the waits are, all while missing the point that a compassionate society makes health care a fundamental right for everyone.Megan McGurkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09673489472490377198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-58715788010969798742007-11-07T21:14:00.000+00:002007-11-07T21:14:00.000+00:00Gaye - Sure, some people will always complain abou...Gaye - Sure, some people will always complain about anything (ooh, I don't like the colour of them Pearly Gates) but when it comes to health, I think the complainers in the US are in a different league from the petty gripers in more enlightened countries. They really have something to be bitter about.<BR/><BR/>Manuel - Lost confidence in him? Why? Is he wrong? Is the US health system really the best in the world? Am I missing something?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-64057597518327628882007-11-07T19:04:00.000+00:002007-11-07T19:04:00.000+00:00I will endeavor to watch this film before the week...I will endeavor to watch this film before the week is out. I've lost a bit of confidence in Moore though.....Manuelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16333257013163173911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-35858730159114760232007-11-07T18:05:00.000+00:002007-11-07T18:05:00.000+00:00Well, no matter how great, good, bad or average a ...Well, no matter how great, good, bad or average a health care system is, people living in that system and receiving the services will of course have things to complain about. It is human nature. <BR/>I bet if he had interviewed 500 people, more than half would have complained, in any country... <BR/>Who is to say that he would have shown those who complained, if he is trying to prove a point he will show the ones where the services users are happy. <BR/>Similarly I doubt he interviewed any of the rich people who have triple medical insurances and not a care in this world, happily living away in the US. :) <BR/>I think he might have forgotten to go to Norway, they had one of the best health and education public service. Well, oh when I was there, this was so. Now I don't know how it is like but I imagine it wouldn't be so bad as it's still a social democratic country.GayƩ Terziogluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13429669176156091603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-83057452613525623492007-11-07T16:41:00.000+00:002007-11-07T16:41:00.000+00:00That's interesting, as he talked to a whole bunch ...That's interesting, as he talked to a whole bunch of Parisians and without exception they said French health care was excellent - new parents even had help with laundry, cooking and cleaning. Or maybe they were all hand-picked for their positive opinions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467242994126386706.post-27071148573743084512007-11-07T14:47:00.000+00:002007-11-07T14:47:00.000+00:00Although as a Frenchman, i can tell you that he ha...Although as a Frenchman, i can tell you that he has seriously exaggerated the quality of the French system. Of course it is still incredibly better that the American one but Moore doesn't realy care about the truth as long as he can prove his point. Fair enough, because his enemies are generally mine too.The Majorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291438937161926107noreply@blogger.com