4/5/2009

in

A pornographic movie titled, "Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge," was to be screened Saturday at the University of Maryland; however, State lawmakers, to many students' disappointment, cancelled the film

Megan Tinsley

University of Maryland theater director Lisa Cunningham, wanted to end the semester with fun and "a little stress break for students," by screening a pornographic movie released in 2008, called Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge." But, get this.  
  
Cunningham said she planned to invite someone from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, an organization that specializes in the health care department, to encourage safe sex. Uhhhh.What?  
  
However, the Seattle Times reports that the film anticipated for Saturday was cancelled. State lawmakers debated. The verdict? Funds are a no-go.  
  
Tickets were disbursed left and right for the viewing of the Triple-X Blockbuster, the Washington Post  
  
reports.The sequel, which is produced by Digital Playground, features pornstars Jenna Haze, Shyla Stylez, BellaDonna and Katsuni, among others.  
  
"I really don't think the state should bully us around with their budget power," said Liz Ciavolino, a sophomore.  
  
According to the Washington Post, legislators felt the movie would forfeit nearly $424 million in university funding. However, students are responsible for and cover activity fees, not the state. In a nutshell, lawmakers did not pay for the movie's expenses.  
  
"Pornography is not fun. It's poison," said Maryland Sen. Andrew P. Harris. "The University of Maryland should be responding to the power of ideas, not the power of the purse," said Aaron Titus, spokesperson for the Maryland Coalition Against Pornography. "I would challenge the university to conduct a thorough inquiry into the harms of pornography."