The crime of visiting Cuba

I didn't care for Sicko, especially the propagandistic scenes filmed in Cuba, but this is just ridiculous:

After suffering for more than five years with health problems related to his volunteer work at ground zero, Maywood, N.J., resident Bill Maher believed he had nothing to lose joining documentarian Michael Moore on a sneak trip to Cuba for medical treatment, captured in the new movie "Sicko."

Maher knew he was taking a risk, but he didn't think he was breaking any laws.

He was surprised to learn last week that, for violating travel restrictions, he and two other 9/11 responders featured in the picture are under investigation by the Treasury Department, which is building a case against Moore.

"It's ridiculous," the 54-year-old Maher said. "What about paying attention to the 9/11 responders who are dying, who can't get any help? If we wind up going to jail, it's going to send another message out."

[...]

The movie has been criticized, however, because Moore notified Cuban doctors of their visit in advance. At least some footage was staged.

No matter how much money they spent, Sicko's distributors couldn't buy publicity like this.

Damian P.

Posted by damian at June 27, 2007 07:38 AM