The usual illogic of Todd Starnes is featured on Fox News
claiming that he was the cause of a reactionary response to an overreaction of a student showing of American Sniper on the U. of Michigan campus. Actually very few people noticed, although getting former 49er coach Jim Harbaugh to tweet about it during Spring football perhaps helped galvanize some campus reactionaries hoping that Fall season ticket sales would improve among 300 folks on FB.
The University of Michigan canceled a showing of the film “American Sniper” after nearly 300 protesters spoke out, saying the film advances “negative and misleading stereotypes” against Muslims. The university has since reversed its decision.
The Center for Campus Involvement, which was sponsoring the campus event, initially said it would instead show “Paddington Bear,” a PG-rated movie about a stuffed animal’s misadventures. Late Wednesday, the university reversed its initial decision and “American Sniper” will be shown on Friday as originally planned.
“Some students expressed concern that this movie was not appropriate for a night designed to be a fun event and one welcoming to all students,” university spokesperson Rick Fitzgerald told the Post in an email.
The reality is more benign and probably difficult for even the Fox News LoFos to follow. Todd should get some comps from the Paddington Bear folks for his management of "national outrage" and perhaps some extra lug nuts from Jeremy Clarkson. Maybe someone will notice Todd's dispatches when he gets a little closer to some form of ethical message on issues of credit and causality.
Author's note: Following the publication of my column Thursday evening and facing national outrage, the University of Michigan reversed its decision to cancel an upcoming campus screening of “American Sniper” late Thursday night.
ZOMG! Todd all your bases are belong to us!
STATEMENT REGARDING “AMERICAN SNIPER” MOVIE
Statement from E. Royster Harper,
University of Michigan vice president for student life
April 8, 2015
It was a mistake to cancel the showing of the movie “American Sniper” on campus as part of a social event for students.
The initial decision to cancel the movie was not consistent with the high value the University of Michigan places on freedom of expression and our respect for the right of students to make their own choices in such matters.
The movie will be shown at the originally scheduled time and location.
We recognize, however, that some students are uncomfortable with the content of the movie, and appreciate that concern.
Therefore, the university also will show an alternative movie, “Paddington,” in another location on campus at that same time and date to provide our students with additional options that evening.