# Michael Moore served with subpoena re Cuba trip **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 27, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415 "2007-07-27T19:50:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/1 "2007-07-27T19:50:40Z")
Michael Moore just [got served with a subpoena](http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Michael_Moore_says_hes_been_served_0727.html) regarding the trip he took to Cuba while filming _Sicko._ He got served backstage just before appearing on Jay Leno – on the show, he mentioned the subpoena. The story doesn’t say what agency requested or issued it – presumably the Treasury Department, which has already hassled some of the Ground Zero responders who went with him (see [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=417797) thread). What will happen now? Why are they pursuing this? (Not because this Admin/DoJ takes all possible violations of federal law seriously, to be sure – they’ve already made it very clear where they stand on **that.** 😉 ) They’re just going to make Moore a martyr and give him free publicity – and spotlight public attention, not only on the health care issue, but on the policy of restricting travel to Cuba. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/2 "2007-07-27T20:29:21Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] What will happen now? [/QUOTE] I suspect (IANAL) the answer is: nothing. What I’d LIKE to see happen is that MM’s starts work on his new movie Bitch! A riveting but hard hitting new docu-propaganda piece about living in a maximum security prison… ('Hey fat boy! You got a purty mouth…) -XT ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/3 "2007-07-27T20:34:06Z")
I assume you will agitate to see Moore answer HIS subpoena with the same zeal that you have exhibited with respect to Harriet Miers answering hers. Right? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/4 "2007-07-27T20:37:57Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] I assume you will agitate to see Moore answer HIS subpoena with the same zeal that you have exhibited with respect to Harriet Miers answering hers. Right? [/QUOTE] I presume Moore will answer his. Do you have any reason at all to believe otherwise? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/5 "2007-07-27T21:52:39Z")
No doubt Moore will consult with counsel before responding, but he’s obviously got nothing to hide – he filmed the whole incident and released the film globally. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/6 "2007-07-27T22:01:03Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] I assume you will agitate to see Moore answer HIS subpoena with the same zeal that you have exhibited with respect to Harriet Miers answering hers. Right? [/QUOTE] And the award for Most Retarded Nonsequitur in the Ill-Natured Cheapshot category goes to **Bricker!** ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/7 "2007-07-27T22:47:02Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] And the award for Most Retarded Nonsequitur in the Ill-Natured Cheapshot category goes to **Bricker!** [/QUOTE] You didn’t read the post before the one you quoted, did you? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/8 "2007-07-27T22:49:20Z")
[QUOTE=BMax] You didn’t read the post before the one you quoted, did you? [/QUOTE] Well, for the humor impaired, my post is what is commonly referred to as a ‘joke’. I can look that term up for you if you are unfamiliar with it… -XT ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/9 "2007-07-27T23:15:49Z")
[QUOTE=xtisme] Well, for the humor impaired, my post is what is commonly referred to as a ‘joke’. I can look that term up for you if you are unfamiliar with it… -XT [/QUOTE] Ah, thanks, I couldn’t tell. Aren’t jokes supposed to be funny? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/10 "2007-07-27T23:17:06Z")
[QUOTE=BMax] Ah, thanks, I couldn’t tell. Aren’t jokes supposed to be funny? [/QUOTE] Well, at least in theory they are. Of course, humor is subjective and all that… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/11 "2007-07-27T23:19:24Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] No doubt Moore will consult with counsel before responding, but he’s obviously got nothing to hide – he filmed the whole incident and released the film globally. [/QUOTE] Well, t’be fair, he didn’t, and couldn’t, have filmed AND released EVERYTHING. So it’s not like you can say that we know exactly what he said and did on the trip JUST from the film. Not that I’m saying he has something to hide, mind you. Just that you can’t tell whether he does or not from Sicko. ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/12 "2007-07-27T23:49:39Z")
Meh, worse case scenario he’ll get slapped with a fine. Meanwhile, the controversy will keep people talking about the movie, which of course was the point of his trip to Cuba in the first place, so I doubt MM is too upset. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/13 "2007-07-27T23:52:41Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Why are they pursuing this? [/QUOTE] Because Moore is a public figure who openly flouted the travel restrictions and trade embargo against Cuba. Thus, to show it’s tough on Cuba, the Bush Administration has to crackdown on scofflaws like him so that it can keep a large contingent of voters in South Florida happy and ensure that they’ll vote for Republican candidates in the next election. [QUOTE=BrainGlutton] They’re just going to make Moore a martyr and give him free publicity – and spotlight public attention, not only on the health care issue, but on the policy of restricting travel to Cuba. [/QUOTE] Health care is and will continue to be a major issue through 2008 but, outside of Florida, nobody really cares enough about America’s travel and trade policies toward Cuba to make a big deal about changing them. The only thing a party could achieve by advocating an easing some of the restrictions against Cuba is loss of Florida for 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/14 "2007-07-28T00:23:33Z")
[QUOTE=NDP] Health care is and will continue to be a major issue through 2008 but, outside of Florida, nobody really cares enough about America’s travel and trade policies toward Cuba to make a big deal about changing them. The only thing a party could achieve by advocating an easing some of the restrictions against Cuba is loss of Florida for 20 years. [/QUOTE] Believe it or not, a lot of Floridians, including a lot of Cuban-Floridians, earnestly want the embargo lifted. (Of course, they’re not as well organized as the Castro-is-Satan crowd.) ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/15 "2007-07-28T00:37:08Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Believe it or not, a lot of Floridians, including a lot of Cuban-Floridians, earnestly want the embargo lifted. (Of course, they’re not as well organized as the Castro-is-Satan crowd.) [/QUOTE] Even many who hate Castro would like to see the embargo lifted…many of them have family members who are still back there, and lifting the embargo would make it easier for people here to send aid such as extra cash and medicine. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/16 "2007-07-28T00:41:36Z")
[QUOTE=Malodorous] Meh, worse case scenario he’ll get slapped with a fine. Meanwhile, the controversy will keep people talking about the movie, which of course was the point of his trip to Cuba in the first place, so I doubt MM is too upset. [/QUOTE] Yep. He, himself, couldn’t wait to get this news out in the public, per the OP’s linked article. He must’ve been giddy with joy upon being served the subpoena. Ching-Ching!! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/17 "2007-07-28T00:56:59Z")
Do we have any real evidence he actually has been slapped with one besides his own word? I am disinclined to take him entirely at his word, even though I know some of the things he says have value. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/18 "2007-07-28T02:02:37Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Do we have any real evidence he actually has been slapped with one besides his own word? I am disinclined to take him entirely at his word, even though I know some of the things he says have value. [/QUOTE] I was thinking that at first, too, but it’s something that would be so easily proved wrong if it weren’t true. I’m inclined to believe him. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/19 "2007-07-28T02:30:18Z")
[QUOTE=BMax] You didn’t read the post before the one you quoted, did you? [/QUOTE] Certainly I did, but **Bricker’s** brainfart was addressed to me in the OP, not to **xtisme.** ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415/20 "2007-07-28T02:38:29Z")
> [@](#): > > What will happen now? His publicist gets a bonus check? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415.md?page=2)