Path: news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail
From: Rhino <no_offline_contact@example.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: Re: Libraries won't stand up for First Amendment
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:40:43 -0400
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On 2025-03-14 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. 

Really? I saw a story yesterday about Jews flooding Trump Tower to 
protest the detention/deportation of the Palestinian with the green 
card, Mohammed Khalil, who was a prominent leader in campus protests. 
I've also seen repeated assertions that (far left) Jewish students have 
been active in the campus protests against Israel since Oct 7.

And no, I do NOT think that all Jews agree on all things! I know that 
Israel is a robust democracy and that all kinds of things and policies 
are very controversial there. Some think Netanyahu and his policies are 
awesome but some despise him and his policies with the heat of a 
thousand suns. I'm know that Jews outside Israel also have a wide 
variety of opinions on these matters.

> The video was produced before the attack by Hamas.
> 

I thought perhaps this was the documentary recently aired by the BBC 
which became very controversial when it emerged that the children 
depicted had Hamas leaders as parents but that one was apparently shot 
during the current unpleasantness in Gaza.

> 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.
>

Any such documentary is surely designed to change minds. So I take it 
you didn't actually see the film?

> 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.

Very well said!

Your very principled stands on free speech actually help me restrain 
myself (to some extent) when I hear of very disturbing things said by 
"activists" of one kind or another. There are things that *really* piss 
me off but your stands help remind me that I ultimately believe in free 
speech too, even if I am repulsed by some of the things said. As long as 
I live in a society where I can refute the nonsense, things aren't too bad.

-- 
Rhino