News Speak

By Earl Hazell

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I found this disturbing message on the Internet, while looking at author/director Michael Moore’s web site:

“Thursday, June 18th, 2004

Some People Still Don’t Want You To See My Movie…From Michael Moore

Friends,

We’re a week away from the nationwide opening of ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ and not a day goes by where we don’t have some new battle to fight thanks to those who are still working overtime to keep people from seeing this film. What’s their problem? Are they worried about something?

A Republican PR firm has formed a fake grassroots front group called ‘Move America Forward’ to harass and intimidate theater owners into not showing ‘Fahrenheit 9/11.’ These are the same people who successfully badgered CBS into canceling the Reagan mini-series a few months ago. And they are spending a ton of money this week to threaten movie theaters who even think about showing our movie.

As of this morning, a little over 500 theaters have agreed to show the movie beginning next Friday, June 25. There are three national/regional theater chains who, as of today, have not booked the movie in their theaters. One theater owner in Illinois has reported receiving death threats.

The right wing usually wins these battles. Their basic belief system is built on censorship, repression, and keeping people ignorant…”

I plan to see this movie with my entire family and every friend in Lexington I have ever made—but I’d like to not have to fly to Los Angeles next week, or smuggle in a DVD from New York six months from now to do so. Will Fahrenheit 9/11 be unofficially censured from Lexington theaters? Who, if anyone will be showing it in Lexington—or the greater state of Kentucky? When exactly is it coming to theaters here? Ace Weekly should be on the case and let its readership know the answers to these questions, as they carry more Constitutional implications than we can afford to sleep nights without contemplating. Ray Bradbury is probably too busy crying in his grave to spin, given even the possibility that the beloved country whom he originally warned of this political tendency could, in the 21st century, consist of people substantiating Moore’s claims with the power to do on the local level what he seemingly fears.

Or’s well that ends well. n

Response: A new group, hte Kentucky Values Coalition, is sponsoring the Lexington premiere of Fahrenheit 9/11 Friday, June 25. The film will be shown at the Kentucky Theatre at 7pm, with a reception beforehand at 5:30pm. Tickets are $25, which includes entrance to the reception. Info, 859/ 254.5766.

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UK will be tearing down eight tennis courts to build one of its new parking structures (two new courts will be built, post-construction).

As a result of building the two new structures, it's possible that those

who need to visit UK's parking office, may actually be able to find a parking space (which is currently nearly impossible).

Spouse Abuse Center Update

Lexington's YWCA Spouse Abuse Center and its two satellite centers are scheduled to close June 30th.

The United Way of the Bluegrass reported earlier this week that it will not provide the nearly $150k the centers need to continue operating (the Centers failed a probationary period to get their fiscal affairs in order).

Advocates J.D. Lester and Abigail Billings co-founded One Hundred Women, a private fund-raising effort geared toward raising $100,000 for a new center (approximately 75 women have committed thus far).

The KY Domestic Violence Association will appoint a steering committee July 1.

Lotta Bling

UK President Lee Todd was awarded a $100,000 bonus for the third year in a row by UK's board of trustees. One of his most significant accomplishments is boosting UK's endowment past $500 million.

With UK in a budget crisis, he could defer the bonus, but notes that he owes taxes on the $100k either way. Faculty and staff are getting a one percent increase. Students are going to pay a 14 percent tuition hike.

As pay for public safety officers occupies a substantial amount of the local discourse, it's worth mentioning that UK is also facing its own "brain drain" as top professors are lured to institutions offering better pay and benefits. Governor Fletcher ordered a one-time "trim" of $41 million earlier this year in state university budgets (followed by a 2.5 percent recurring cut).

Speaking of $$$

Earlier this week, the Urban County Council moved closer to increasing pay for safety officers — approving an ordinance that would establish a step pay system, which could begin in September, for police and firefighters. Collective bargaining will begin between the city and police/firefighters next month.

To Your Health

The Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society will a host a free health fair, 9 am to 2 pm, Friday, at the Senior Citizen Center, 1530 Nicholasville Road.

Eat Safely

Sunday afternoon, 2 to 5 pm, there will be a free lecture, "Critical Nutrients: Minimizing the Top 3 Causes of Death due to Nutritional Deficiencies," hosted a thte community room at Good Foods Markets and Cafe at 455 Southland Drive. Info, 278-1813.

Cancer Screenings

UK Markey Cancer Center will offer free prostate cancer screenings to men age 50 or older who've never been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

July 14, 4:30 - 6:30 pm. Advance registration required: 257-4488.

To submit an advocacy/activism activity or event for Quickies, email rkirkland@aceweekly.com, or editor@aceweekly.com.