Expelled from Expelled... But that's not the best part
Offline scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/03/expelled.php
quote
I went to attend a screening of the creationist propaganda movie, Expelled, a few minutes ago. Well, I tried … but I was Expelled! It was kind of weird — I was standing in line, hadn't even gotten to the point where I had to sign in and show ID, and a policeman pulled me out of line and told me I could not go in. I asked why, of course, and he said that a producer of the film had specifically instructed him that I was not to be allowed to attend. The officer also told me that if I tried to go in, I would be arrested. I assured him that I wasn't going to cause any trouble.
I went back to my family and talked with them for a while, and then the officer came back with a theater manager, and I was told that not only wasn't I allowed in, but I had to leave the premises immediately. Like right that instant.
I complied.
I'm still laughing though. You don't know how hilarious this is. Not only is it the extreme hypocrisy of being expelled from their Expelled movie, but there's another layer of amusement. Deep, belly laugh funny. Yeah, I'd be rolling around on the floor right now, if I weren't so dang dignified.
You see … well, have you ever heard of a sabot? It's a kind of sleeve or lightweight carrier used to surround a piece of munition fired from a gun. It isn't the actually load intended to strike the target, but may even be discarded as it leaves the barrel.
I'm a kind of sabot right now.
They singled me out and evicted me, but they didn't notice my guest. They let him go in escorted by my wife and daughter. I guess they didn't recognize him. My guest was …
Richard Dawkins.
He's in the theater right now, watching their movie.
Tell me, are you laughing as hard as I am?
- Login to post comments
i'm quite familiar with the 'steamroller' of ridiculousness that is "Expelled", but from what i hear, Richard Dawkins stupidly gave them all the fodder they needed to spin him as a loon. indeed, i hear that from "them", but shouldn't Dawkins have expected that they would warp his words, and thus be that much more careful about what he said? he didn't think they would latch on to the extraterrestrial seeding theory? that alone makes me wonder how intelligent the man really is.
i'm definitely not laughing at all.
Fear is the mindkiller.
Dawkins was unaware that Ben Stein was a creationist. He was under the impression that he was giving an interview for a movie amenable with science.
One of the more interesting comments in the thread. #524 if you want to read it for yourself.
Organised religion is the ultimate form of blasphemy.
Censored and blacked out for internet access in ANZ!
AU: http://nocleanfeed.com/ | NZ: http://nzblackout.org/
Already posted.
http://www.rationalresponders.com/forum/13134
This is expanded upon in reply #573.
Organised religion is the ultimate form of blasphemy.
Censored and blacked out for internet access in ANZ!
AU: http://nocleanfeed.com/ | NZ: http://nzblackout.org/
Didn't see this posted yet. Posting it here.
Biologist PZ Myers went to a private screening of "Expelled", the anti evolution film produced and starring Ben Stein. He was spotted by producer Mark Mathis and tossed out for no reason but the producer didn't want him there, even though Dr. Myers was interviewed and appears in the movie, and Richard Dawkins was sitting right next to him.
Funny Read:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/03/a_late_night_quick_one.php
This is the funniest thing I have read in some time. I'll have to find out more about this when I return to Morris...
"What right have you to condemn a murderer if you assume him necessary to "God's plan"? What logic can command the return of stolen property, or the branding of a thief, if the Almighty decreed it?"
-- The Economic Tendency of Freethought
That's fucked up. They should be open to a lawsuit for that. What the fuck kind of movie do you have to get personal permission to see?
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
This was a private screening by the movie's makers. Besides, theaters are private property. Both of these things mean that the theater can do whatever the hell it wants. If the theater doesn't want a certain person coming in its well within their rights to deny that person access. Granted its really, really ironic/hypocritical since the movie is supposed to be about "teaching the controversy" yet here they are trying to get rid of any opposing viewpoint (as well as the double irony of kicking someone out of a movie called "Expelled" ).
Personally though I can't see why someone like Dawkins or Myers would want to sit through a Creationist propaganda movie. I can barely stand to watch the 2 minute creationist shorts on youtube. Sitting through two hours of creationist dribble is something that I don't think I'm capable of doing. Especially when I know that the producer of the movie is sitting in the same room as me and thus well within slapping distance.
Morbid curiosity? That would be my reason for seeing the movie, anyway.
I think you are correct. That is the same reason I want to watch it. However, I plan on watching it in a manner that does not "line their coffers" with my money.
"I am an atheist, thank God." -Oriana Fallaci
Haha, as do I.
On another note, Dawkins has written a review of the movie. He has also recapitulated his experience with PZ:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,2394,n,n
It may have been a private screening.
Or maybe they're just a bunch of asshats.
According to the blogs, all you had to do to get in was register yourself (and guests if wanted) online.
It was RSVP reply to an email invite.
I was interviewed for a film produced for my regional PBS station. I, and everyone else in the film, received a video copy for free after it was finished and before first broadcast. I think that is customary. I doubt if Dawkins, or Myers received any such video copy. They may very well want to know how their interviews were edited to appear in the movie.
Too bad stupidity isn't poisonous.