Free Speech

I'm glad you decided to frame your post in such a way as to encourage discussion of an idiotic decision by the San Fran Film Commission. You could have been inflammatory and made an asinine comment in your post or thread subtitle that fits your particular political views. <_<

 

Yawn...

from http://forums.grunt.com/forums/t/36823.aspx

Sgt Grit, here is your verification from a site called mightyrighty.com in their general forums. One of the posters spoke to Larry Kelly who is the location manager for the Marine Corps Commercial Project. He had wanted to film two commercials, one on California Street and one on the pedestrial walk way of the Golden Gate Bridge. He was turned down for both projects. Stefanie Coyote, Executive Director of th San Francisco Film Commission refused the Marines permission to film on California Street. Golden Gate Bridge District Director of Public Affairs, Mary Currie allegedly said, "Not on my bridge are you going to put your Marines.". Obviously from the name, the site is rather right wing but I have them to be accurate in the past when they are discussing specific incidents. Will do more research but hope this helps. Paul

*To be totally fair, another site (atlasshrugged) has a quote from Ms Currie saying that only one event per day is allowed on the bridge and the requested dates were not available. In addition she said that filming at sunrise would block traffic during commuting hours and this is forbidden. The final reason for not allowing Marines on the bridge is that guns, toy or real, are not allowed on the bridge except for law enforcement personnel in the execution of their duties.

also http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_s...omment-82446479

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ Sep 25 2007, 03:28 PM) [snapback]517560[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, it's all a bunch of cockamaimey-ideas at I copied from a messageboard for marines, run by marines. http://forums.grunt.com/

Find a real issue. Double yawn.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ Sep 25 2007, 04:07 PM) [snapback]517638[/snapback]</div>

There is a BIG difference in not wanting annual Blue Angels shows (which I enjoy watching BTW) and "trying to ban military jets from flying over its airspace".

There's also a difference between one goofball supervisor and a minority of citizens trying to get something done and it actually happening. The Blue Angels ban proposal got quickly shot down (no pun intended).

Throwing out comments like this do nothing to help your supposed arguments.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ Sep 25 2007, 06:07 PM) [snapback]517638[/snapback]</div>

Dude, the same supervisor kicked war protesters off the bridge because they exceeded their 2:00 pm finish time. Why would this uber-liberal arrest war protesters?

This is a case of beauracracy, not "anti-americanism" or whatever. It's about avoiding traffic jams.

She kicks off war protesters:
Anti-war rally ties up bridge
Cops stop traffic to make arrests at Golden Gate
"They agreed to start their walk in time to complete it by 2 p.m.," said bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie.

Like I said before, get a real issue. Triple yawn.

Here's the discussion from the minutes of the Sept 14 Golden Gate Bridge board meeting discussing this.
Ms. Kupersmith provided a brief report on a recent situation regarding the filming
of a commercial by the U.S. Marine Corps on the Golden Gate Bridge. She stated
that inaccurate facts about the situation were presented by radio personality
Michael Savage on his web site and radio show as to why and how the filming
permit was denied. Ms. Kupersmith explained that the U.S. Marines requested to
film the commercial during a weekday time that would have significantly
impacted traffic flow and traffic safety. Consistent with District practice, they
were offered an alternative weekend when traffic impacts would be minimal.
They chose not to film at the alternative time offered.

The District's highest priority when it comes to issuing filming permits is the safe
travel of vehicles and persons across the Golden Gate Bridge, and the District
does not allow activities that can reasonably be expected to distract drivers
crossing the Golden Gate Bridge near the filming location. The potential
distraction associated with the proposed commercial created a serious safety
concern for our daily users.

Ms. Kupersmith also noted that the District is in the process of updating its
ordinance that governs such activities on the Bridge, and the proposed ordinance
would not allow guns of any type (real or fake) on the Bridge except when used
by law enforcement personnel as part of their duties. The proposed changes are in
development by staff and will be brought to the Board for consideration in the
near future.

Ms. Kupersmith further stated that Mary Currie worked with the location manager
for the U.S. Marine Corps’ production company to find two alternate locations:
one at Kirby Cove and one at Battery Spencer, both in the GGNRA Marin
Headlands, and the commercial was successfully filmed on September 11th, with
the Golden Gate Bridge displayed prominently in the commercial.

Discussion ensued, including the following:

• Director Kerns inquired as to who had originally made the filming permit
request. In response, Ms. Kupersmith stated that the request was made in
early August 2007 by Larry Kelly, the location manager for the film
production company hired by the U.S. Marine Corps.

• Director McGoldrick inquired as to whether the District had any control
over how the Golden Gate Bridge is depicted in commercials and films.
In response, Ms. Kupersmith stated that the District cannot approve or
deny a permit for filming or any form of expressive activity based on the
content of that activity, but that the District could enforce the filming
permit provisions in its Master Ordinance if the filming takes place on
District property.

• Director Newhouse Segal expressed her support for the manner in which
Mary Currie handled the situation.

Oh, and you can see the awesome shot the Marines got at http://our.marines.com/
Just click the "Our Marines in San Francisco" link.

 

The story linked by the OP has been updated and the headline changed to accurately reflect the issue in dispute:

 

I wonder if the local ABC station is reporting this partly as payback for when one of their reporters got roughed up at the bridge earlier this year. That would be on another occasion where the bridge supervisor, Mary Currie, suppossed "uber-liberal" who supposedly won't let "Marines on my bridge" didn't let anti-war protesters onto the bridge. Also, if you look at the video on the ourmarines site that they did end up shooting, they're doing formations, gun twirls, etc. Traffic would have ground to a halt to watch.