Here’s an e-mail I received regarding an appeal to stop the movie “Super Size Me” from being shown at schools as part of some twisted “educational” tool. It was sent to me from the folks at TownHall.com and I’m happy to post it here and help get the word out. This last paragraph wraps it up nicely:
[Mr.] Spurlock [of the movie “Super Size Me”] claims to be making a “family friendly” version of the film for use in schools. But merely editing out the some of the vulgar footage does not fix this film. Its premise undermines the key principle of personal responsibility in nutritional choice. This film pushes a “blame everyone else” attitude, promotes more government regulation of what we eat and drink, and encourages baseless lawsuits against restaurants. These aren’t the values that our children should be learning in school. Further, Spurlock himself says on his website, “I personally believe high schools should show the theatrical version of the film, sexual references and foul language are nothing new to them.”
The following is an important message from the Center for Individual Freedom
Super Size Me NOT for Kids
Dear Friends,
We have learned that Morgan Spurlock, the director and protagonist of the propaganda documentary Super Size Me, is working overtime to bring his movie into schools as a “health education” tool. But this film’s message and messenger are simply not appropriate for schools and young children. We need to act now before this offensive, Michael Moore-style attack film comes to your community’s schools for viewing by kids.
There are three key reasons why you should be concerned about his movie being shown in schools:
- This Film is Entertainment for Adults, NOT Education for Kids
? Super Size Me repeatedly shows Spurlock stuffing himself with extreme amounts of food and drastically curbing his physical activity. Spurlock has no background or expertise in education, nutrition, health or medical science.
? Super Size Me contains innumerable instances of graphic sexual language and innuendo. The film also includes profane language. Graphic footage of an actual gastric bypass surgery, a rectal exam, and vomiting are included. Along the way, the film and Spurlock himself mock obese people and individuals afflicted with eating disorders.
? The film offers no solutions for obesity. Instead it encourages rude behavior toward overweight people and sends a message that irresponsible behavior is okay. - The Facts Don’t Add Up; This Film is Simply a Distortion of Reality
? Kids should seek the truth at school, but they won’t find it in Super Size Me. Spurlock serves up heaping portions of exaggeration and bad math in his movie.
? He ate the equivalent of approximately 6 meals per day.
? He stuffed himself full of more than 5,000 calories per day.
? He spent $26.26 every day, just to feed himself at McDonald’s.
? Throughout the making of his movie, Spurlock intentionally limited his physical activity. - Messengers are Important. Morgan Spurlock is a Shock-Entertainer, NOT an Educator for Kids.
? Morgan Spurlock has a history of making waves. The previous project from his New York City-based production company, “The Con,” was a “reality” gross-out show on MTV called “I Bet You Will.” The show’s premise was for Spurlock to goad unsuspecting people into doing disgusting things on camera for money. Some of the highlights include paying a woman $100 to eat a cockroach, paying $200 for a student to eat a burrito made of earth worms, and paying $250 to a woman for shaving her head, mixing the hair with butter and eating the perverse concoction.
? On his campus tour promoting Super Size Me, Spurlock’s lectures are laced with profanity, and unsuspecting parents often bring their young children to these events.
? Spurlock, in his movie and in his lectures, liberally uses veiled and overt references to drug abuse. Drug innuendo is pervasive in his lectures.
Spurlock claims to be making a “family friendly” version of the film for use in schools. But merely editing out the some of the vulgar footage does not fix this film. Its premise undermines the key principle of personal responsibility in nutritional choice. This film pushes a “blame everyone else” attitude, promotes more government regulation of what we eat and drink, and encourages baseless lawsuits against restaurants. These aren’t the values that our children should be learning in school. Further, Spurlock himself says on his website, “I personally believe high schools should show the theatrical version of the film, sexual references and foul language are nothing new to them.”
To be effective in this fight, we need your help!
Please contact your local school officials today to urge them to keep this movie out of our schools. In addition, please write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper urging that this film not be shown to children in schools.
It’s critical that you help spread the word by forwarding this action alert to your friends, family and fellow activists as well. Thanks for your help!
Yours in Freedom,
Jeff Mazzella
President
Center for Individual Freedom
www.cfif.org
To learn more about Morgan Spurlock’s super sized distortion, please check out these articles on our website:
Kids won’t find the truth in Super Size Me
Super Size Me Reality Check
The Release of Morgan Spurlock’s Propaganda Film Super Size Me
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
Contact Mr. Johannesen about this article using this form. Please refer to article's title.
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