FEC declines to rule on f911 ads

[AlCzervik]

From the moonie times.


FEC declines to rule on anti-Bush film


Washington, DC, Jun. 24 (UPI) -- The Federal Election Commission declined to rule Thursday on whether so-called documentary films are exempt from federal restrictions on political ads.

The FEC' general counsel had recommended filmmakers not be granted a "media exemption" to rules governing political speech, such as that given to broadcast journalists and others. The commissioners declined to take up the issue.

Though the debate focused on the case of filmmaker David Hardy's film, The Rights of the People, the issue of the ads for the Michael Moore film, Fahrenheit 9/11, also comes into play. Moore, an avowed Bush opponent, has made no secret of his desire to see the president defeated in November.

Roll Call said Thursday that commissioners agreed with the general counsel's finding that the proposed advertisements for Hardy's film were "electioneering communications" and could not be paid for with corporate or labor money. "Moreover," the paper said, "if legally funded, such ads would be subject to stringent reporting requirements."

By taking no action on the counsel recommendation to deny the media exemption to filmmakers, it left the issue of Hardy's and Moore's film unresolved. If the FEC had agreed with its general counsel, the paper said, Moore's efforts to advertise his film might have faced restrictions.


http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040624-045850-3520r.htm

[skooooo]

1. So Moore's ads are off the hook??

Yippee!

[AlCzervik]

2. looks like

because if you think about it, it's a movie and i don't recall wingnuts bitching about wag the dog or primary colors. It's a slippery slope and their being smart about it.

[goforit]

3. This is a confusing report from the Moonie Washington Times!!!

It almost sounds like it is attempting to stir up support
to sanction Moore"s film.

What is your take on this DUrs??

[AlCzervik]

4. I know but what i boils down to

is they are not hearing the case, period. No ruling, just like when the Supreme court decides not to hear a case. So the ads will run.

[hlthe2b]

8. Parts of it seem contradictory, but there does not seem to be any

action from FEC at least for now..... I wonder if there is another legal avenue, since they seemed to bend over backwards to state an opinion that it would fall under election finance law (but are simply not going to act?)

[Tellurian]

5. It sounds like

The FCC tried to use Hardy's case to set a precedent. Although, the cases are similar, the dissimilarities outweigh their similarities. (Just guessing here) A finding in Hardy's case, (I'm not aware of all the particulars) would not have been applicable in Moore's case. The reason for the decision to leave it unresolved.

I did hear a little tidbit today, though..Someone had voiced an opinion about foreign film makers not having the same rights, Moore being a Canadian. I wasn't sure of the point they were trying to make. Whether foreign film makers weren't entitled to the same rights as American born filmmakers(?) when screening there films here(?)

At any rate- I'm happy Moore is able to show his film, and shame on anyone that would try to stop him from doing so in the Land of the Free!

[GinaMaria]

6. Moore is American

from Flint Michigan not Canadian, although a Canadian film company released 2 of his films iirc.

[Tellurian]

11. Yes, I was listening w/half an ear while they were discussing Moore..

And thinking out loud when I wrote that.
Just trying to disseminate the point they were trying to make.
Thanks, for the reminder though, Moore IS a homeboy.

[regnaD kciN]

17. And, besides...

...I'm hearing that Canada is refusing to show Moore's film until he retitles it Celsius 488.

;-)

[skooooo]

7. American distributors....

..it would seem to me. It has nothing to do with Moore.

[hlthe2b]

9. I think they were getting at the issue of FOREIGN campaign contributions

which are strictly regulated.... If they chose to regulate F911, the fact that the distributors are Canadian, might have a major impact....

[Tellurian]

13. good point-

They are trying to hook Moore up anyway they can..
By either finding an obscure, ambiguous law/rule or create one to stop Moore.
I believe they will continue searching to stop him.
I don't believe they will let this film run until Nov-

[hlthe2b]

14. Well, I think this genie is out of the bottle....

I am optomistic about Moore's chances and Kerry's for that matter--(fingers tightly crossed).

After this weekend, word-of-mouth will be a very powerful force....

[Tellurian]

16. I was really surprised at Terry McAuliff...

He made a very benign comment about the movie on the evening news. And was very nonchalant about it..
He neither mentioned the substance of the film and how it relates nor did he mention the FCC's attempt to stifle the movie.

I'm just wondering if all this hullabaloo is happening because Clinton's movie is coming out soon. I don't know what the pretext will be for trying to stop that movie but it appears that is where this issue is going.

[mike1963]

10. Urm...MM is not a Canadian...

:eyes:
edit: well I should have read the whole thread...sorry to those who pointed it out...

[Skip Intro]

18. That was news to me

My mom, who hates that she likes bush, has told me several times that MM is from Canada, usually by saying something like, "who the hell is he to say "Dude, Where's My Country" when he's from Canada?"

I don't know where she heard this, tho she watches faux, but I knew no different until I read this thread.

The right, damn, they have no problem with lying, and lying large, and lying a lot - no qualms whatsoever. I wonder if "scum" is too strong a word.

[ilovenicepeople]

15. I wish!

Being Canadian I would be so proud.I put Mr. Moore right behind Frank Zappa as one of my favorite Americans,don't worry most of you folks are on my list to.As for Chimpminister Fooler: DUMB ALLOVER(a little ugly on the side!)

[shoelace414]

12. I'm confised why people complain

about the 527's (mostly wingnuts) they were complaining about restricitng free speech, so they said no election ads unless your a canidate for 60 days before the general election and 30 before a primary.

so I guess that means no more 527 ads after September 4th