Posted on 10/11/2004 4:33:31 PM PDT by foolscap
RENO, Nev. (AP) -- The president of the University of Nevada, Reno says "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker Michael Moore "must be allowed to speak" when he visits the campus this week.
Moore's scheduled appearance Wednesday has prompted criticism from Republican student groups and some alumni. In response, UNR President John Lilley has written a letter underscoring the university's commitment to free speech.
"I encourage the students, faculty and community to respect Mr. Moore's right to express his views and to remind others of his right to express them," Lilley wrote last week. "Whatever you think of his views, he is now a guest of the university, and he must be allowed to speak."
Several donors and alumni are upset that the school's student government has rejected their offer of $100,000 to have Moore debate a conservative spokesman during his appearance.
Rick Reviglio, a Republican whose family has given about $1 million to the university, said his donations could cease if Moore, whose "Fahrenheit 9/11" blasts President Bush, doesn't debate a conservative during his visit.
"We have given generously to the university and to see that money being spent frivolously on the likes of people like Michael Moore is upsetting," said Reviglio, general manager of Western Nevada Supply in Reno.
Moore has been encouraging students to vote. His college tour, which ends Nov. 2 in Tallahassee, Fla., has drawn sellout crowds, as well as heated criticism at almost every stop.
Lilley said Moore's speech is expected to attract an audience of about 9,000 to the Lawlor Events Center.
The university's student government voted last month to contribute $6,300 in student-fee funds to Democracy for Nevada, a student political action committee and recognized campus club, which is sponsoring the appearance. The balance of Moore's $33,000 speaking fee will come from fund-raising projects and ticket sales.
Lilley said the student government also has made funds available to the College Republicans and interested parties so they can invite a speaker of a different point of view. He said those plans are pending.
So, who invited Moore-on to UNR in the first place?
No! No! Throw Moon Pies at him and see how many he catches on the fly...and how many he eats off the stage.
On a related note:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1228113/posts
ping
I wonder what reason they gave for that. It is amazing how debates for Moore can not be arranged during this tour. I wonder if it is part of Moore's contract for speaking. Having a debate might interfere with the transmission for his propaganda.
They should go get the "hype" author to speak - good counter
From my college experience
Student government in UNHM wanted to to raise tuition for a pool hall that most students wont use..
at RIC Student Government wont allow funds for Republican Student Club, but will hand out to every Left-Leaning Club and routinely spend money on speakers whom nobody goes to see (unless the professors force them to).
He's charging $40,000!!! What's 'free' about that speech?
I was at Uni in the 1960s and I was the only outspoken Republican on my (600 person) campus. Now that a lot of those people have grown up and got jobs, I suspect their ideas have changed.
When my granola head sister was at Uni in upstate New York, Abbie Hoffman came to their campus and spoke, and when he told them to kill their parents, they rose up and ran him off the campus.
I think not.
If Moore had any guts he would do debates at college campuses sort of like the debates between G.Gordon Liddy and Timothy Leary. Those were very good debates. I wonder if the G. Man would debate Moore. Moore would not stand a chance
Why don't university administrations show the same "commitment to free speech" when someone like David Horowitz shows up?
Paid speech is not free speech, it is commercial communication. That their elected student representatives will spend student money on a propagandist speaks poorly of the UNR student government and a lack of balance with the president of UNR.
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