Ads for Moore’s movie could be stopped on July 30

[cal04]

Fahrenheit 9/11’ ban?
Ads for Moore’s movie could be stopped on July 30


Michael Moore may be prevented from advertising his controversial new movie, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” on television or radio after July 30 if the Federal Election Commission (FEC) today accepts the legal advice of its general counsel.

In a draft advisory opinion placed on the FEC’s agenda for today’s meeting, the agency’s general counsel states that political documentary filmmakers may not air television or radio ads referring to federal candidates within 30 days of a primary election or 60 days of a general election.


The opinion is generated under the new McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law, which prohibits corporate-funded ads that identify a federal candidate before a primary or general election.

Another film, “The Hunting of the President,” which investigates whether Bill Clinton was the victim of a vast conspiracy, could be subject to regulations if it mentions Bush or members of Congress in its ads.

http://www.thehill.com/news/062404/moore.aspx

[yellowcanine]

1. As long as the ads don't mention Bush what is the problem?

I don't see how they can choke off ads advertising the movie since the movie title doesn't mention a political candidate. Seems like a fairly clearcut free speech issue. Bring it on! Let the lawsuits begin.

[Columbia]

7. USSC has already ruled that McCain-Feingold is Constitutional

[yellowcanine]

14. Not on applying it this way - Ads should still be able to promote

the movie as long as they don't mention a current candidate's name.
Just because the legislation has been ruled Constitutional doesn't mean the FEC would be applying it in a Constitutionally acceptable way in this case.

[Columbia]

21. Tough call

I think McCain-Feingold is a abomination, but I really don't see how they can get around it. Changing the commercial won't change the content of the movie afterall.

[muchacho]

2. fuck these nazis

the word is out.

[Timefortruth]

3. A serious question:

How can Rush, who is by his own admission not a journalist but an entertainer, stay on the air if this holds? Rush's proclaimed goal is to elect Bush and he uses no facts to support his case.

What organization on the left has the ability to bring this kind of action against Rush and Fox?

[eyesroll]

4. Oh, I bet Moore's agency could have fun with this one

...even if they are banned from mentioning George W. Bush by name or by picture or by obvious implication.

It's not hard to create 30 seconds of footage that don't feature Bush or anyone up for re-election in the house or senate.

[AbbeyRoad]

6. I agree

I think they could craft a decent ad that didn't mention Bush, and by July 30 most people will probably already have an awareness of F911.

[LoZoccolo]

8. They could even make it funny.

Have the same ads run, but make it so obvious that they put black boxes over Bush* and bleep out his words. Put a big CENSORED at the bottom.

[AbbeyRoad]

12. LOL

Yeah, that could work. :-)

[Warpy]

11. Sure, all they have to do is advertise it

as what led up to 9/11, what happened during the worst, and what has happened since. They don't have to mention the BFEE or the Saudis or anybody else. They can simply advertise it related to the event.

You bet your bippy they can still advertise.

[Rosco T.]

25. I see no problems with this ad....

I see no Bush?

[KoKo]

5. This is crummy, but by then millions will have seen the movie and he won't

need to spend a penny on advertising. Most movies make their money in the first few weeks, anyway. It won't hurt him, it just is meant to inflame us. Also means that this could backlash on GOP who might just want to roll out some dirt on Moore as a counter. If Moore can't advertise then this means GOP can't, either.

[Art_from_Ark]

9. What the hell is this July 30 deadline about?

"...political documentary filmmakers may not air television or radio ads referring to federal candidates within 30 days of a primary election or 60 days of a general election.

The primaries are over and the general election isn't until November, meaning that 60 days before would be in early September.

Hmmmmmmmm.... Maybe they don't movie ads to appear on radio or TV during the August Repuke-fest in New York?

[Warpy]

15. it covers every PAC, as far as I know

It means we won't have to listen to some breathy female telling us to call Kerry's campaign headquarters to demand why he eats live kittens for breakfast.

Shoot, so Moore will change his adverts. It's worth it to get rid of HER!

[F.Gordon]

18. RNC convention is 8/30

Repukes haven't selected a candidate yet, so they don't want the other 12 GOP candidates to have an unfair advantage over bush*.

[Art_from_Ark]

22. Pretty funny

What's even funnier is that the actual deadline of 60 days would come just after the repuke convention.

Imagine airing a "Fahrenheit 9/11" ad during that "auspicious" event! Can't have that, now, can we?

Meanwhile, the other side still gets to air their ads during the Dem convention.

[Beware the Beast Man]

10. No worries-

I think the box office is going to be pretty huge for a limited-theater run like F911.

[Pepperbelly]

13. the movie will be finished advertising by then BUT ...

that could hammer them on DVD/VHS sales, rentals.

[KittyWampus]

16. The F9/11 Ads I've Seen Don't Mention Bush By Name

That's the fact. Or is it? :dunce:

They have no case if Junior's name isn't mentioned.

[stavka]

17. The all depict him in a negative light....

The adds are anti-Bush

[Gom Jabbar]

19. File this under 'Be careful what you wish for.'

People wanted campaign finance reform. They got it.

[F.Gordon]

20. This is too fucking funny

The same repuke group that has been fighting McCain/Feingold and the FEC is going to file a complaint with the FEC claiming that F911 violates McCain/Feingold.

Beam me up Scotty. This planet doesn't have any intelligent life left on it......

[givemebackmycountry]

23. That's OK

Moore is an amazing prick.
Don't underestimate his contempt of this current administration.

He's no whore like Mel Gibson, picking the last 400 million off of the corpse of Jesus Christ.

Moore is anti-establishment enough that he may very well release it on DVD the very next day for .99 cents.

That would be too beautiful.

That would be perfect.

And it's not out of the question.

[Columbia]

26. So why doesn't he just release it on DVD at cost right now?

Or release it on the internet for free?

Wouldn't that be the best way to reach the widest possible audience?

[Zinfandel]

24. This would also stop "Fahrenheit 9/11" ads on DVD when it comes out

before the election in three or four month's.

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. It says...the ads can't " IDENTIFY" a candidate.

The opinion is generated under the new McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law, which prohibits corporate-funded ads that identify a federal candidate before a primary or general election.

He can still run ads. Just don't show any pics of the idiot-in-chief. Heaven knows he has plenty of other things he can use in the ads that will relate the necessary message. However, I sure do like that clip of Bush talking about terrorists and in the next breath...golf.

[in_cog_ni_to]

28. dupe