Path: news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail
From: moviePig <nobody@nowhere.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: Re: Libraries won't stand up for First Amendment
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:36:38 -0400
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On 3/14/2025 12:15 PM, Adam H. Kerman wrote:
> Rhino <no_offline_contact@example.com> wrote:
>> On 2025-03-14 2:19 AM, Adam H. Kerman wrote:
> 
>>> I went by the library a little after 4 pm. Its parking lot was closed. The
>>> street in front of the library was blocked off at the intersection to the
>>> north, and to the south between the library and village hall. There were
>>> four large public works trucks used to create the blockade, plus four
>>> squad cars. I saw four police officers outside and one inside the library.
> 
>>> I had a book to return, so I walked in. The west entrance was closed amd
>>> the book return bins were closed. The east entrance was open.
> 
>>> It finally dawned on me that Israelism was being shown, the
>>> pro-Palestinian film made by two Jewish directors and sponsored by
>>> several pro-Palestinian/anti-Netanyahu groups.
> 
>>> Last fall, they were opposed by Jewish groups that were either
>>> pro-Netanyahu or didn't publicly object to Netanyahu. An 8,000 message
>>> email campaign opposing the showing of this movie got its screening
>>> cancelled at one library after it had been scheduled, and not scheduled
>>> at another library.
> 
>>> I asked both library staff and the cops but neither confirmed that
>>> Israelism was to be screened.
> 
>>> The locked book bins? I'm guessing that's fear of pipe bombs.
> 
>>> I'm going to look into this further. Who ate the cost for security for
>>> this event? Last fall, the library was slammed by the ACLU for demanding
>>> $3,000 for insurance and security costs to agree to re-schedule the
>>> film. So who ate the cost of extra security?
> 
>>> It is my position that, even though the film was eventually screened,
>>> the security burden is an unconstitutional abridgement of freedom of the
>>> press. Also, making the library appear to be closed despite being open
>>> for business abridges freedom of the press too.
> 
>>> The First Amendment has no exception for fear of violence.
> 
>>> I called it in to Chicago Sun-Times and spoke to a reporter.
> 
>> Good on you, Adam. I'm sure a part of your soul was screaming at the
>> thought of what the film was saying against Jews and Israel and in
>> favour of Hamas but you stuck to your rock-solid belief in the First
>> Amendment and acted to protect the filmmakers' (and library's) right to
>> show it.
> 
> The video is not pro-Hamas. I know of no serious Jewish groups that are
> pro-Hamas. The video was produced before the attack by Hamas.
> 
> It's about how miserable life is in the West Bank for Palestinians. I
> have no objection to its production. I'm sure it's all full of political
> spin and intended to be manipulative. It may even be good propaganda.

Interesting question:  Is 'good propaganda' an oxymoron?


> I have my own opinion on the West Bank and do not need to defend nor
> criticize the government of Israel. It doesn't bother me at all that
> there is criticism of Israel. Plenty of people believe falsehoods, but
> that's on them.
> 
> That's what's important about liberty. No one need ask my permission for
> what to say, write, or think. That puts the responsibility upon them for
> what they believe, where it belongs.

Interesting question:  Can we choose what we believe?