Inner Libertarian, Activate!

Inner libertarian: activate. Form of: a snarky blog post about a proposed City Council bill to force movie theaters to be truthful about when the main feature will begin:

It’s the latest horror at the movies: endless ads for everything from ladies’ underwear to perfume to soda.

But a new City Council bill aims to set moviegoers free with a different kind of advertising – movie listings that reflect when movies actually begin, not the ads and previews before.

“We can’t outlaw advertising,” said City Councilwoman Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan), author of the bill. “But at least we can tell the industry that they have to be honest about when their movies start, not their ads.”

. . .

If passed, Brewer’s bill would require theaters to advertise the “actual start time” of any movie, not when ads and previews begin. Any theater that doesn’t comply could face fines of $500 to $1,000 for each infraction.

Not surprisingly, the city’s larger theater chains are giving two thumbs down to the idea, saying moviegoers know to expect “pre-feature content” at any movie.

Shouldn’t the City Council be more worried about the important issues — resolutions opposing war in Iraq, for example?

Council Member Brewer explains herself:

“In the scheme of things, it isn’t life or death,” said Brewer. “But people shouldn’t feel used after going to the movies.”

If the benchmark for passing legislation protecting consumers is “feeling used,” then I can think of many more useful bills — a warning label indicating when Andy Dick will appear, for example. The possibilities are endless.