Film showing is a shameful slap at open-government law
March 12, 2008 – 7:18 amJust going to a movie is something you do with your best girl or boy, a bunch of buddies or the family. Maybe you even grab a bite to eat before you go.
If it's a first date and things go right during the film, you hold hands, maybe.
“Would you like some popcorn and a soda?” you ask, hoping the girl says no because that’ll cost you a full hour’s wages these days.
Just going to a movie is not something lawmakers do in private with each other when the intent is clearly and undeniably an attempt to influence pending legislation, no matter whether the cause is right or bad.
Then it's not just a movie, no matter what the head of the Family Policy Council or the House general counsel says. Then – now – it is openly and blatantly skirting Florida’s open-meeting statutes and a slap in the face to the concept of open government.
And everyone involved knows it.
Still, members of the Legislature, spouses and staff are likely to show up tonight at the Challenger Learning Center’s IMAX theater to view Ben Stein’s documentary film “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed,” which actually opens in theaters across the country April 18.
Why the special viewing now?
Because of bills before each chamber of the Legislature that would protect teachers from penalties for – as I understand this – allowing or causing evolution to be challenged in an academic setting.
Timing is everything. If it were just a movie, members of the Legislature could wait – like the rest of us – to view the film when it opens in five weeks.
But the film has a strong point of view on the topic of the pending legislation, and Ben Stein – a former GOP speechwriter – is coming in for the showing to make sure lawmakers get it.
Tonight's special show also skirts the anti-lobbying gift ban. Because the film company does not employ a lobbyist, but apparently is acting in a lobbying role itself on these bills, it is being allowed to give the entire state Legislature a gift of a night out at the movies.
I offered to buy a lawmaker a soda – 50 cents in a machine – along with others in our group, and she gave me two quarters because the company that I work for employs a lobbyist to support bills that protect the First Amendment.
A little ironic is about the nicest thing that comes to mind. It is nothing less than a shameful disregard for open government.
P.S.: Those of you who have criticized the Challenger Learning Center for renting its facility to the movie company are barking up the wrong tree.
And, yes, I’ve been asked to be on their board, but, no, I haven’t joined officially. It is not the CLC’s role to decide right and wrong on free-speech issues. It should not discriminate, but promote the use of its facilities in support of everyone’s rights.
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