Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore wasn't too happy with an op-ed Fred Thompson wrote for National Review Online criticizing Moore for taking Ground Zero workers to Cuba for free medical treatment.

Wrote Thompson:

Now, I have no expectation that Moore is going to tell the truth about Cuba or health care. I defend his right to do what he does, but Moore's talent for clever falsehoods has been too well documented. Simply calling his movies documentaries rather than works of fiction, I think, may be the biggest fiction of all.

In a letter to Thompson posted on Drudge today, Moore fired back, calling Thompson a hypocrite for reportedly enjoying a Cuban cigar now and then and challenging him to a debate.

Wrote Moore:

Our debate would provide you an opportunity to appeal to the right wing of the Republican Party by continuing to attack me; it would give me a chance to discuss health care and tell you exactly what happened in Cuba, given your apparent inters; and it would provide the American people an opportunity to see just how serious Hollywood can be, with a purported conservative and an avowed progressive Hollywood personality on stage.

All of which is preamble to Thompson's video response to Moore's challenge:

Note to presidential candidates: Thompson plays hard.