Actually the UK national health service is shite compared to what it was 20 years ago. However, the system in the states if Moore's film is to believed is bordering on criminal.

Thank god / allah / budda or whoever for the SSK.

http://www.michaelmoore.com

Just saw it last night and as an American I feel that the movie was 'right on'. Sad to say that if things don't shape up I'm moving to Europe to get old.....

In that case, I'm sad to say that Sicko's depiction of the NHS as an incredibly well-financed and well-organised social miracle is as accurate as Bowling for Columbine's depiction of Canada as a gun and crime-free utopia.

Have you been to any state hospitals in Turkey, Ali? As Ch said, NHS may not be as good as 20 years ago, but for a free service, it's not bad. I'd hate to have an accident in the States without insurance, god help the sod who does.

What has that got to do with anything? I am commenting on the way the film in question represents the NHS! It's not a general comment on the National Health Servive's merits or its lack thereof. Sicko views the NHS, as Bowling for Columbine did Canada, through rose tinted glasses, and puts forward a view in complete contrast of the facts, just to support Moore's original argument. However valid that argument may be, the way in which he solicits it makes Moore look like the shill he is, stripping his film of any empirical or theoretical (and, some might add, intellectual) worth.

Allow me to illustrate my point with a simple analogy so as to clarify it for you: There might be bigger idiots around, but this does not change the fact that you are, nonetheless, an idiot.

[quote user="Gilly" post="99445"]I'd hate to have an accident in the States without insurance, god help the sod who does.[/quote]

Me! visit to ER, seen by 2 doctors and 4 stitches; cost $1,100. Quotation for removal of stitches; $400.... I did this myself in the end!

Come on Arikan. I don't think anyone is saying that Moore's films are intellectual fodder but in the same way as the Harry Potter books are not good literature they have got lots of kids reading, or in Moore's case got people looking at the health industry in the US.

You are damn right about Bowling for Columbine though, a deeply flawed film which contradicted itself throughout. I was also given as a present Moore's book "Stupid White Men". Unreadable.

I don't dispute that, and he uses shock value to great effect. Instead, I was commenting on a previous user's inability to grasp my original point, which, basically, was denouncing Moore's pathetic beatification of the NHS.

Which, is of course very easy to do when making comparisons to the U.S system.

I like Mr Moore, he's entertaining and champions SOME good causes. If you were a bit fatter Arikan and wore shabbier clothes you could easily be the equivalent in Turkey ( yes, I have read your blog)

[quote user="ch" post="99504"] yes, I have read your blog)[/quote]

A blog which I am still waiting to be updated. Get off your arse Arikan!

[quote user="Arikan" post="99457"]What has that got to do with anything? I am commenting on the way the film in question represents the NHS! It's not a general comment on the National Health Servive's merits or its lack thereof. Sicko views the NHS, as Bowling for Columbine did Canada, through rose tinted glasses, and puts forward a view in complete contrast of the facts, just to support Moore's original argument. However valid that argument may be, the way in which he solicits it makes Moore look like the shill he is, stripping his film of any empirical or theoretical (and, some might add, intellectual) worth.

Allow me to illustrate my point with a simple analogy so as to clarify it for you: There might be bigger idiots around, but this does not change the fact that you are, nonetheless, an idiot.[/quote]

Well it was actually your opinion, and obviously your opinion lacks context or rather comparitive analysis. And your 'stupid' analogy just backs up my point.

Such wit, such eloquence...

About Arikan's blog, are we referring to Cerebral Mastication? If so, then yeah, dude, get off your ass and start writing in there. A blog that is updated, like, less than once a month, isn't a blog at all. You should be inflicting yourself upon a wider audience!

Matt

I'll start updating it regularly soon.

CH - It doesn't matter how great a cause one champions if they have to resort to using fallacies to support them. As Daniel Dennett once said, "There's nothing I like less than bad arguments for a view that I hold dear."

Wasn't there a big spat between Moore and Fox /CNN where they had a load of doctors trying to poo poo all his stats. ?? I believe the channel apologised for their inaccuracies (caused by using physicians paid by insurers).

Nobody can be error free, I saw you spell a word wrong once.

Aren't these enough factual references for you?? http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/