Enfield library cancels screening of "Sicko"under pressure from council and mayor

[Iris]

The Enfield Public Library on Wednesday canceled Friday’s screening of filmmaker Michael Moore’s controversial documentary “Sicko” under pressure from most Town Council members and the mayor, who threatened to cut the library’s funding if the film was shown.

http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2011/01/20/page_one/doc4d385d61a73c6632830994.txt

I'm a librarian so I have my opinions about this. I'm just curious what reactions from thinking people outside of the field are.


Anyone?

[ananda]

1. Nasty.

Very very nasty.

What happened to free speech?

[SheilaT]

2. Several thoughts.

First of all, as is so often the case, I feel as if there's a bunch of information missing from the article. But, based on what is there:

If they pull this film, they'll be equally pressured to pull others, especially given what at least some of those others are ("Inconvenient Truth", "Trouble the Waters").

If this series is really named "Fun Films", whoever came up with that name is either totally ignorant of what films were to be shown, or was trying to obfuscate what would be shown for completely unfathomable reasons. Given that these seem to be all serious films that address serious issues facing our country and our world, surely some there was a better name to use.

The ones who are objecting because they want the library to be a place for the kiddies to come to and have fun are themselves idiots, since this is clearly intended for adults and is apparently at a time for adults. In any case, I doubt the showing of the films will be occurring in any of the main rooms, so even if it were at 10 am on Saturday, the kiddie objection isn't very good. Also, attendance is totally voluntary.

On another note, several years ago I attended a showing of "Sicko" at a local junior college which included a discussion afterwards, which was wonderful.

[Iris]

9. yes- children are frequently used as a reason to censor

even when it's something not intended for them.

I think you are right about the title of the series. My guess is they have a regular series and just planned to include these, but they could have done a mini-series with a better title and a clear purpose. Something like the screening you went to might have been received better.

[burnsei sensei]

3. They should be sued immediately

for 1st Amendment breach.

[marmar]

4. “to promote material such as this on my tax dollars.”

..... and just what exactly what kind of "material" would he like promoted with his tax dollars?

[handmade34]

16. "Finding Nemo"

[Wednesdays]

5. "Who cares what you think?"

(Courtesy Smirky McChimp...and now his descendants.)

[Seedersandleechers]

6. Keep people ignorant about the truth.

Just another way to get people upset about health care reform.

[ashling]

7. This is an outrage

It is clearly govt preemption of speech and assembly

additionally, the library rhould have held firm

[iamtechus]

8. Sounds like a job for the ACLU.

[yellerpup]

10. Outrageous to threaten a library with defunding

over a documentary. Censorship.

[Angry Dragon]

11. Time to ban all republican hate books from the library

just to be fair

[Swede]

12. It's just plain old stupid.

They have no confidence in their views,so they try to ban those of others.

[Submariner]

13. Proof the insurance companies run the State of Connecticut

Lieberman's gift to CT. An insurance dictatorship.

[HughBeaumont]

14. Lockstep Fascist Assholes.

Yes, you can tell them that's what THEY are.

This is not a left/right issue, this is a LIFE and RIGHTS issue.

Health CARE is a human RIGHT, not a class privilege.

Selfishness is actually one of the best arguments FOR Universal Health Care.

Anyone who believes an average citizen has even a remote capability to fund thousands upon thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for life-saving surgery is a Reaganite idiot who needs booted dead in the ass.

[Iris]

18. They don't care if people have the capabablity. They think if you can't pay for it, you should die.

It's just that simple to them.

[HughBeaumont]

19. Yeah . . . UNTIL it's them.

Then they wail a new tune.

[Iris]

21. exactly. But they think they deserve it b/c they "followed all the rules" and believed all the

bullshit about self-reliance that was fed to them

[handmade34]

15. extremely disturbing...

"Kaupin said the library should steer clear of controversial material like Sicko.”

guess Mayor Kaupin doesn't frequent libraries much... has no clue what they are for


Library's Mission statement
"It is the mission of The Enfield Public Library to provide multiple resources to meet the educational, cultural, recreational, and technological needs of the community. Through excellent customer service, we offer equitable access to all and create a friendly and safe atmosphere of learning. We are proud to serve the greater Enfield community and look forward to an exciting future fulfilling the diverse needs of our Town"

http://www.enfield-ct.gov/content/91/109/5402.aspx
and
http://enfield-ct.gov/content/25775/1310/1325/default.aspx?calendar_id=3147

"Friday January 7 and Friday January 21 at 1:00 pm Fun Flicks Nonfiction Film Series What to do about the American Health Care situation? That is the question of the year. These two documentaries, Sick Around the World and Sicko focus upon possible solutions and what we can do to accomplish equitable health care for all"

[handmade34]

17. as an aside

this is the other film they are (maybe) showing... haven't seen it, looks interesting...

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/

[Iris]

22. Frontline is great and you can see a lot of their programs online for free

[Blue_Tires]

20. That mayor is a dick and the town council a bunch of cowards...

I never understand how GOP pols get away with their national 'liberty-loving patriots' image when coercion and censorship are so commonplace (among other things)

[Iris]

23. I keep wondering is there not a single person in that town who is upset that the city council

is deciding what they can watch at the library?

[RagAss]

24. Bumfuck, Connecticut.

I spent a year in Enfield one afternoon.