Posted on 10/08/2004 6:34:59 AM PDT by FlJoePa
Gallagher says he's 'definitely coming' to Penn State
By Gisela Garcia
ggarcia@centredaily.com
THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN called, the date has been set. Now, all conservative radio talk show host Mike Gallagher needs is a venue.
Gallagher, angered that a potential visit to the Bryce Jordan Center by film director Michael Moore is being funded partly by Penn State student fees, said he's "about 80 percent sure" he's clinched a deal for a location to hold his own event, possibly on campus, the same day Moore is tentatively scheduled to speak.
"We're on. We're definitely coming on October 22nd," Gallagher said. "We'll be there at the exact same time that Michael Moore is down the street spewing his propaganda."
Gallagher plans to have an "old-fashioned Hollywood premiere" of "Fahrenhype 9/11," a film that features conservative speakers countering Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11." The event, said Gallagher, will be complete with red carpet, lights and "maybe even a surprise guest or two."
On Wednesday, Gallagher called on his listeners during his nationally syndicated radio show to donate money to Gallagher's Army -- a donation-driven fund that sends gift boxes to troops stationed overseas -- and top the reported $30,000 Moore will be paid to visit Penn State.
"The whole goal of this trip is to raise more money than Michael Moore is getting," Gallagher said. "I want to raise $30,000 and one penny."
Neither Moore or Megan Green, president of Penn State College Democrats, a group helping to fund Moore's appearance, could be reached for comment Thursday.
Within five hours of Gallagher's announcement Wednesday of his Happy Valley visit, he said that approximately $19,000 to $20,000 had been donated, "almost all of it coming from State College," he said.
Meanwhile, as Gallagher cooks up a plan to retaliate against Moore's appearance, the filmmaker's visit has not yet been confirmed.
Bernie Punt, director of sales and marketing for the Bryce Jordan Center said the show was still tentative.
"We're still negotiating on the contract, but tentatively, tickets will be available pending contract approval," he said.
With approval, Punt added, University Park students will be able to get tickets on Tuesday at the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center. On Wednesday, tickets will be available to faculty, staff and all Penn State students. On Thursday, tickets will be available to the general public.
Gallagher, whose show is broadcast on 175 radio stations nationwide, including WRSC 1390 AM locally, said that Moore's Penn State visit has become a hot-button issue.
"Our phones exploded," he said. "People as far as Hawaii have called. I've gotten hundreds of angry e-mails and faxes from Penn State alums, from current faculty, from students, from parents. And they're outraged."
Oh, that Gallagher.
Guess he won't have a sledge-o-matic.
LoL
What is the status of the 'student activity fee' that is assessed on the tuition bill. Are conservative students allowed to opt out? Last I heard they could not.
That's what I thought when I read the headline.
as a penn state alum, if michael moore speaks at that school and they use student fees to pay for it, i will never donate to it again.
You and thousands of other Penn State Alum need to flood the school switchboard and tell them that.
Oops.
Number 10 was to you.
Mikey Moore's rather large melon would make him an interesting fruit of opportunity
Too many Gallaghers, not enough sledge-o-matics.
Hey, that's MY excuse!
;^)
I have a kid at Penn State, and I haven't seen any way to 'opt out' of the student activities fee. It's just a line item on the tuition bill.
I'm pretty annoyed about Moore coming here too. A PSU representative said it represents the ideological freedom that is treasured in an academic environment. Total BS!
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