This Week in Censorship
Tonight was supposed to be the night that a second movie was shown in a series of documentary movies at the Enfield, Connecticut Public Library, with a viewing of Sicko, Michael Moore’s 2007 movie critiquing the U.S. health care system. Instead, the screens at the library will be dark as the Town Council and the Mayor threatened to pull funding for the library if the film was shown.
Mayor Scott R. Kaupin, a Republican, had the Town Manager order the library’s director, Henry Dutcher, to cancel the film. “The sentiment by the majority [of the Town Council] is that it’s a poor choice and that they should definitely reconsider,” Mayor Kaupin told the local paper. “And if they don’t reconsider, then they’re going to have the repercussions of the council. I mean, in the end, when budget time comes and Mr. Dutcher is asking for funding, he’s going to have to answer for it.”
The controversy is probably far from over, as the librarian told the paper that upcoming films in the series include An Inconvenient Truth and Trouble the Waters, a documentary about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The mayor suggested that the library instead show “fun flicks” such as Finding Nemo. The American Library Association and the ACLU of Connecticut are now getting involved. Stay tuned.
[H/T: American Library Association]
[Journal-Inquirer: Enfield Library Cancels Screening of “Sicko”]
Mr Mayor is gonna be sorry when the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom gets hold of him. These people weren’t afraid of the Patriot Act, FBI, or DOJ. One of the cases that will no doubt be cited is one involving 2 of my former employers: Oklahoma State University, whose Board of Regents refused to let the student council show “Last Temptation of Christ” and the attorney I worked for, who was consulted by OSU and who told them that yes, it was unconstitutional, and yes, they would lose a lawsuit. Which they did.
@Mistress Cynica: Don’t fuck with the librarians!
And in another story of “Republicans are assholes”, the Iowa House introduced a bill to not only ban the recently court ordered gay marriage rights, but ANY sort of recognition of same sex couples. AWESOME!
Mayor Kaupin probably reads stories about China’s version of “free speech” and jizzes all over his keyboard, like most modern Republicans.
Okay, this story made my cynical heart go “Ahhhhh…”
@homofascist:
look on the bright side. at least they didnt vote to round us up.
did they?
@SanFranLefty:
Palins next target no doubt
@Capt Howdy: Not yet, but they are probably working on it. It would be nice to see everyone though!
@homofascist: Party in da Konzentrationslager!!!
@homofascist:
I always thought we could have made those dreary death camps a lot more cozy
@Capt Howdy: @Tommmcatt is with Karin Marie on This One: Sadly we actually WERE in there, and it didn’t really work out so well. Although, our current breed of super gays can make a dinner party out of just about anything!
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