CLEARLAKE – For its free film on Nov. 11, Second Sunday Cinema will screen Michael Moore's "Sicko," a documentary that skillfully eviscerates the American health care system where it deserves it.

There are those of us who have seen some of Moore's earlier films, including "Fahrenheit 911," and have wished that he would just shrink a bit – fewer shots of Moore lumbering through the landscape, fewer corny jokes, less frequent views of his ego.

This film is an answer to our prayers. This newly released DVD is far more focused and deft, as Moore steps back to allow those who have suffered when they sought help from their insurance companies to step forward.

We are outraged when we meet the husband and wife who became ill simultaneously, lost their home, and were forced to move into a single room at a resentful son's house. There's the man who cut off two fingers in a wood shop accident. His index finger would have cost $60,000 to reattach, so he had to settle for his middle finger at "only" $12,000.

The most moving part of Moore's film shows him escorting a group of 911 workers to Cuba for free health care. Many of the firefighters, policemen, rescue workers and volunteers at Ground Zero are now suffering from serious respiratory illnesses.

Some have died, and others are unable to work and are finding it almost impossible to pay for the health care they need. Yes, this is classic "agitprop" – but the genuine suffering and gratitude of the ill workers far outshine Moore's pranks.

Shannon Tolson, SSC coordinator, has seen the film, and says that she already knew that health care in this country could not compare with that in the rest of the developed world. "What 'Sicko' did for me," she says, "is make that fact a living, startling reality. I won't be fooled anymore."

An English reviewer of "Sicko" acknowledges that some of its details about health care in Europe and England are a bit skewed. He adds, "But if even half of the stuff about American HMOs in the movie is true, (our National Health Service) and its equivalents do indeed appear utopian by comparison. There's plenty here to be outraged about" in the US.”

"Sicko" will be screened on Nov. 11 at the Clearlake United Methodist Church at 14521 Pearl St. near Mullen. Our doors open at 5:30 p.m. for snacks, chat and seat-grabbing. The film screens at 6 p.m., and is followed by informal discussions, for those so inclined.

As always, there is no charge for this community screening. We hope to see you there!

For information call 279-2957.

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