Probable presidential candidate Fred Thompson recently wrote a column denouncing Michael Moore’s perception of the Cuban health care system. In the latter’s new documentary, he takes some ailing Americans to the communist country for treatment.

Moore responded by challenging Thompson to a debate, and here’s Thompson’s response.

Thompson tells the story of another documentary filmmaker whom Castro disliked and threw into a mental institution. That’s all well and good, but he concludes by remarking, “a mental institution, Michael. Might be something you oughta think about.”

The genius here is astounding. Thompson managed to insinuate Moore is mentally unbalanced, but if mental health advocates protest, Thompson can say: I just meant he should “think about” Castro’s misuse of institutionalization, not that he should seek treatment.

Thompson is an actor, and he makes the remark seem off-the-cuff, but it’s obvious he chose his words carefully.

By Robert VerBruggen

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