Tonight , Democratic candidates will have their second debate . (CNN 7 PM ET) Two previously scheduled debates were canceled because of lack of interest and/or scheduling conflicts by the major candidates. Dennis Kucinich was understandably frustrated by this . In an interview, he said the following: " Whatever their excuses, some candidates are clearly trying to avoid any head-to-head public debate where they will have to answer tough questions -- questions about their votes in favor of the Iraq war, their votes in favor of trade policies that have wiped out millions of American jobs, their votes in favor of abridging Constitutional rights by approving the Patriot Act, and their collaboration with insurance companies and pharmaceutical corporations to deny Americans adequate health care protection. It's an insult to the voters, and the height of cynicism, for candidates to refuse to take the public stage and subject themselves to public scrutiny." The major candidates were surely troubled by the attention the Ohio congressman received following the first debate. Clinton , Obama and Edwards are also refusing to participate in the September debate hosted by Fox News, while Kucinich is ready for the challenge. Some burning questions ahead of tonight's debate will be... Will Kucinich and Gravel be able to set themselves apart from their centrist opponents? Will the CNN pundits allow for a constructive debate? How will the recent congressional war funding vote influence the debate? Whatever the case. it will surly be interesting. Frank Mill

To the dismay of the Bush administration Michael Moore's controversial heath care documentary has been a huge success at the Cannes Film Festival . In a public letter dated May 23, he writes the following : Friends, Well, as you may have read by now, our premiere of "Sicko" at the Cannes Film Festival has been an overwhelming success. The 2,000 people inside the Lumière Theater were alternately in tears and laughing during the two-hour film -- and when it was over, they gave it a standing ovation that seemed to go on for nearly 15 minutes! Many came up to me and said (and critics seem to agree) that this is my best film yet. I don't know about that, and it seems weird to compare any of these movies in the first place. But I do feel safe in saying that I am very, very happy with this film and I can't wait to show it to you when it opens on June 29th. Cannes is a crazy place. There are film lovers here from nearly every country in the world. And then there are the people in "show business." These dark forces have virtually ruined this art form (invented by the French and nurtured to brilliance by the country I call home). There are so many bad, awful films now and less and less people are going to the movies. Many who run Hollywood believe that the American people are too stupid to enjoy a film that respects their intelligence. At the press screening for "Sicko," the Wall Street Journal reported that hardened reporters and critics wept. Even those who have been harsh to me in the past, or who have not agreed with my politics, were moved. Aside from my stated desire that "Sicko" ignite a fire for free, universal health care (and a larger wish that we, as Americans, do a better job of treating each other with a true sense of solidarity and respect), I continue to hope that I can make a contribution to the art of cinema and give people a good reason to get out of the house for a few hours. At my festival press conference, the only negative word came from the Canadians. Two critics didn't like all the nice things I said about their health care system. Yes, Canadian health care has its flaws, but when I asked the two critics if they would exchange their health care cards for mine, they said "No!" Of course they wouldn't. Canadians live longer than we do and their infant mortality is not as high as ours. Their system is underfunded because their leaders have been trying to push for more American-style health care. The rest of the week has been good and I am now on my way back to the U.S. The New York Post reported Sunday that the Bush administration, in addition to going after me for filming scenes in or near Cuba, may now go after the 9/11 rescue workers I took with me to get the medical care they were denied by our own government. I couldn't make up irony like this if I wanted to, and I will do whatever is necessary to defend the human right of these true American heroes to receive the medical attention they deserve. We've also received word that the HMO and pharmaceutical industries are gearing up to fight "Sicko." We received so many great whistleblower letters while we were making the movie from employees of these companies. We'd like to hear from you again! Send us the internal memos and any other plans you run across at the company copying machine or internet server. It will help to stay ahead of whatever they are up to, and it will also give us a chance for a bit of fun at the industry's expense. I will soon have a special section of my website devoted to "Sicko." Until then, we'll move forward toward our June 29th release date. Hope to see you all there that weekend! Yours, Michael Moore michael@michaelmoore.com MichaelMoore.com

Last week, the anti-war activist Cindy Sheen (who lost her son in Iraq) resigned from being "the face of the anti-war movement" ,as well as from the Democratic Party. As much as I regret that she made those decisions, I completely understand her. I share her frustration with the Democratic Party , which has despite its bold anti-war rhetoric completely given in to Bush on the issue of war spending. The Democratic-controlled Congress has provided hundreds of billions of dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and is therefore partly responsible for the many deaths that will occur in the next several months. Mrs. Sheen has been an outspoken opponent of the war since the death of her son. She has set up "Camp Casey" (named after him) as her headquarters near Bush's Texas ranch. I strongly appreciate the important work she has done for the anti-war cause. Her resignation takes away hope for the rest of us. Nevertheless, her decision is is completely understandable. Especially, when one considers the shameless attacks from " anti-war groups" she has been under, since she spoke out about the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party. Despite the disappointment many anti-war activists now surely feel, we must continue Mrs. Sheen's critical work . It is important that we stand up now more than ever to force an end to this war, especially in her name. Frank Mill

Memorial Day now more than ever should be about speaking out. As we remember all of the soldiers who died for this country, we also have to think about whether or not the cause they were fighting for was worth their sacrifice. Leaders who start wars , usually have a hidden motive for doing so. Young people could and should be doing something more productive than killing and being killed. That is why it is our responsibility to at least ask our leaders to think twice before sending troops into harm's way. We need to change our perception about international affairs and learn to reject war as an instrument of policy. The fact is that people only tend to get bolder when they are attacked. The war in Iraq has become a low point U.S. history. The preemptive invasion of a sovereign country, the torturing and killing of war prisoners as well as the arrogance and self -righteousness with which our current leaders conduct foreign policy are all strikingly similar to what was done by Nazi Germany. There is no need for us to sink that low ! Violating the Geneva Conventions , the principles of the Nuremberg Trials and other important international rules that are mainly a creation of the U.S. has severely damaged our reputation in the world. That's why it's important to support the troops by bringing them home and ending these policies. Frank Mill

This week , congressional Democrats surrendered to Bush on the issue of Iraq war funding.They supported a bill that would not only fund the war beyond the end of Bush's term, but also fund a possible expansion of the conflict into other countries such as Iran or Syria . This shows that Democrats are no less interested in supporting the corporate imperialist agenda set out by the Bush administration and its neoconservative allies ,than Republicans. There were some top Democrats however, (apart from those in the progressive caucus, who consistently oppose funding) who opposed the bill . They include Senators Clinton and Obama along with House Speaker Pelosi . All of them have for the first time voted against a war spending bill. They did not do so because they oppose this war or war in general , but they did it for political reasons. Democrats have to pretend they oppose the war (although some really do) and they opposed the bill because it had none of the artificial time tables or unenforceable bench marks they originally proposed. In the case of Clinton and Obama , presidential aspirations were the main reason, as they try to endear themselves to the liberal base of the Democratic Party. But whatever their motivations , I do appreciate their "No" vote. Having said that though , the Iraq war shouldn't be about this political theater. The sad truth is that this war funding bill is s death warrant for thousands of people. It's a strange way to support the troops by letting them die in a pointless war. It is high time we defund this war and bring the troops and the private contractors home ,using the money that is already available. Frank Mill