If you want an introduction to the positions and stakes at issue between various factions over free speech in the United States, this documentary would not be a bad place to start. Director Steven Greenstreet, previously a production assistant on several television shows and films, combines press footage and first-person interviews with those in favor of, and opposing, the visit of Michael Moore to Utah Valley State College (UVSC), in one of, if not the, most conservative state in the union. In the run-up to the 2004 Presidential election, a hotly contested one given US involvement in Iraq and strong opinions about the direction in which George W. Bush was leading the country, student body President Jim Bassi and Social Vice President Kenneth Brown embarked on a plan to attract important opinionmakers, including Michael Moore and Sean Hannity to speak at their campus in order to excite students about the upcoming election and motivate them to take an interest in national issues. However, Utah is a very conservative state and the site of UVSC is perhaps even more conservative- indeed some city leaders dubbed it "Family City USA". The filmmaker also displays some billboards featured there, including missionarymall.com (for clothing and accessories for Mormons who want to dress appropriately during their mission service) and also UtahWeddings.com. Again, this is not notable in and of itself, but serves to illustrate the emphasis that the city leaders place on its pristine family image.
Therefore, it's not terribly surprising when various people protest when it comes to light that Michael Moore has been invited to speak on campus not two months before the election. However, the claims made by the two most prominent protesters to Moore's visit are unusual for the grounds on which they claim his visit is inappropriate. Local resident Kay Anderson, a man who appears during most of the film to be extremely intense but who is not even a student at UVSC, at one point during a hearing about the appropriateness of Moore's visit, offers to pay the Student Association $25,000 if they will rescind his invitation. That he makes this offer during a busy hearing about the appropriateness of his visit is shocking, given that one would expect some respect for the right of free speech, however, even more shocking is when he suggests that students who want Michael Moore to visit might be better off attending school somewhere else.
Many students, to their credit defend vigorously the right to at least hear Moore, even if they disagree with his points of view. One cites Utah's foundation as a haven for those wishing to practice Mormonism as disturbing irony given the intent of some to attempt now to deny others free speech. One immigrant from Togo cites his country's admiration of the principles for which the United States stands as a significant reason why the country, and UVSC, need not be scared of controversial ideas.
Another student, Chris Vreeland, so strongly dislikes Moore (and/or Moore's message (it's not clear if it's one or the other, or both) that he creates a petition calling for the recall of Brown and Bassi, claiming that they have defaulted on their obligations to serve UVSC students. Vreeland stands in public places on campus promoting his petition and attempts to pre-empt opposition by telling students, if you agree, sign the petition. He doesn't seem interested in debating the appropriateness or grounds of his petition. He works energetically and it would seem he has some help in collecting support for his petition, and finally, although Moore visits and Vreeland's petition does not succeed in recalling Bassi and Brown, the toll that protests about Moore's visit took on Brown and Bassi drive a wedge between the two and an addendum to the end of the film notes that they have not spoken since one resigned. Ultimately, Moore attends and gives a rousing speech, extolling the virtues of free speech and his hope that the Iraq War will soon be brought to an end-at which time, he poignantly notes, the sons and daughters of those who dislike him, will be brought home just as will the sons and daughters of his supporters.
Interestingly, Sean Hannity is invited to speak on campus, perhaps as a bone thrown to those who opposed Moore's visit. Hannity waives his speaking fee, perhaps in an attempt to one- up Moore, but then even if this was successful undercut his claims of concern for student affordability by billing the college $40,000 for the use of his private jet. In a dramatic moment in the film, when Greenstreet attempts to ask Hannity about this, he is held aside by security guards.
Ultimately, Greenstreet has made a very interesting film because, while the individual speakers may not be of importance, the issue, free speech is critical. How free speech is protected is central to the film and is captured in a fascinating confrontation of those who wish to allow it and those trying to restrict it.
Therefore, it's not terribly surprising when various people protest when it comes to light that Michael Moore has been invited to speak on campus not two months before the election. However, the claims made by the two most prominent protesters to Moore's visit are unusual for the grounds on which they claim his visit is inappropriate. Local resident Kay Anderson, a man who appears during most of the film to be extremely intense but who is not even a student at UVSC, at one point during a hearing about the appropriateness of Moore's visit, offers to pay the Student Association $25,000 if they will rescind his invitation. That he makes this offer during a busy hearing about the appropriateness of his visit is shocking, given that one would expect some respect for the right of free speech, however, even more shocking is when he suggests that students who want Michael Moore to visit might be better off attending school somewhere else.
Many students, to their credit defend vigorously the right to at least hear Moore, even if they disagree with his points of view. One cites Utah's foundation as a haven for those wishing to practice Mormonism as disturbing irony given the intent of some to attempt now to deny others free speech. One immigrant from Togo cites his country's admiration of the principles for which the United States stands as a significant reason why the country, and UVSC, need not be scared of controversial ideas.
Another student, Chris Vreeland, so strongly dislikes Moore (and/or Moore's message (it's not clear if it's one or the other, or both) that he creates a petition calling for the recall of Brown and Bassi, claiming that they have defaulted on their obligations to serve UVSC students. Vreeland stands in public places on campus promoting his petition and attempts to pre-empt opposition by telling students, if you agree, sign the petition. He doesn't seem interested in debating the appropriateness or grounds of his petition. He works energetically and it would seem he has some help in collecting support for his petition, and finally, although Moore visits and Vreeland's petition does not succeed in recalling Bassi and Brown, the toll that protests about Moore's visit took on Brown and Bassi drive a wedge between the two and an addendum to the end of the film notes that they have not spoken since one resigned. Ultimately, Moore attends and gives a rousing speech, extolling the virtues of free speech and his hope that the Iraq War will soon be brought to an end-at which time, he poignantly notes, the sons and daughters of those who dislike him, will be brought home just as will the sons and daughters of his supporters.
Interestingly, Sean Hannity is invited to speak on campus, perhaps as a bone thrown to those who opposed Moore's visit. Hannity waives his speaking fee, perhaps in an attempt to one- up Moore, but then even if this was successful undercut his claims of concern for student affordability by billing the college $40,000 for the use of his private jet. In a dramatic moment in the film, when Greenstreet attempts to ask Hannity about this, he is held aside by security guards.
Ultimately, Greenstreet has made a very interesting film because, while the individual speakers may not be of importance, the issue, free speech is critical. How free speech is protected is central to the film and is captured in a fascinating confrontation of those who wish to allow it and those trying to restrict it.