30 MAR 06: P.G.-FORCE

Things have been quiet at the Columbus Public Library lately. Maybe a little too quiet. Away from the reference section and all those books, I mean....

A new issue has surfaced at the Columbus Public Library -- and it involves the free movies shown from time to time. A committee of the Library Board is considering whether to check viewers' ages, for movies not rated G. You know, the way real movie theaters do -- well, every once in a while.

You may not realize last year's Saturday night "movies under the stars" outside the library included a couple of PG-rated films. Movie industry guidelines say young children should NOT see them without an adult. As if that's stopping DVD rentals at Blockbuster....

The Columbus Public Library shows several movie series indoors throughout the year, in its auditorium. Or as some people on Rigdon Road are starting to call it: the Columbus Square 1.

A legal counsel for the Muscogee County Library Board suggests age restrictions be enforced for movies with ratings other than G. I recall hearing or reading a complaint somewhere about this, involving a movie series for teens. But at least the movie gets them away from steamy web sites....

Perhaps the Muscogee County Library Board's attorney is fearing a lawsuit, over not checking ages at "mature" movies. He may be trying to get this rule in place before Fred Phelps's congregation in Kansas finds something new to march about.

But Library Board committee members note the ratings issued by the movie industry are guidelines only. They are NOT the law. So if theater ushers come home at night with loaded pockets, the money wasn't under the seats - those were (ahem) tips.

Some Library Board members say for most library activities, you're considered an adult at 18. But for movies in theaters, the boundary line tends to be 17. And Georgia is such an advanced state, some middle-aged women marry boys who are 16.

Library directors add it's becoming harder and harder to find G-rated movies to show. And let's face it: you can have only so many "March of the Penguins" marathons....

So should "legal ID" be required for young people to watch library movies? I would suggest checking local high schools, to see what kinds of movies are shown there now. The sex education films might be worth at least an R rating.

One of my high school English classes watched feature-length films such as "East of Eden" and "The Manchurian Candidate." We never were quizzed about those movies, either -- leading me to think the teacher had run out of good books to recommend.

I can see why the Library Board's attorney is recommending a screening process for movies. After all, a parent might complain about the content of something their child sees -- and police only tend to enforce city lewdness rules at Civic Center concerts.

BLOG UPDATE: If you clicked on our Wednesday link for the Myspace area showing Roszell Gadson, you may have been disappointed. The page with a bogus profile of the WXTX news anchor vanished from cyberspace Wednesday. Perhaps the creator plans a one-day-only tribute to Phil Scoggins next.

The bogus biography about Roszell Gadson contained some poor grammar, which could have bordered on racial stereotyping. But when we double-checked Myspace.com at post time Wednesday, the page had been changed to say everything was "a joke." Online versions of Rich Little don't always work as well.

If the creator of the Myspace page thought it was all a joke, Roszell Gadson did not. Gadson told your blog Wednesday he called the U.S. Attorney's office to make a complaint about it. I'm not sure what prosecutors can do - since they still haven't found enough evidence to indict the shooter of Kenneth Walker.

Now other fast facts from a warm Wednesday:

+ Columbus Civic Center manager Dale Hester confirmed to WRBL he's trying to sell the arena's name to bring in extra money. Remember, your PayPal donations to us can make this possible - and provide events for the "Columbus City Blogatorium."

+ The National Urban League issued a report on the African-American community nationwide, and found it economically lacking. Yet Columbus President Reginald Pugh said this area is "better than the national average" - and if you elect him to the State Senate, he'll gladly be an example.

+ Descendants of LaFayette native Joe Louis said when the boxing legend was nine years old, a milk cow kicked him - and he slugged the cow in response, breaking three of its ribs. And you thought "cow punching" started in the old West....

+ Speaking of fighting, Georgia Rep. Cynthia McKinney reportedly struck a U.S. Capitol police officer at a House office building. It must be an election year - because she's changing that "peace-nik" image.

+ Instant Message to Ruth Ann's Restaurant downtown: Thank you for posting on your sign when the Columbus Catfish have their home opener. The Catfish don't seem to be revealing that information in many other places.

COMING FRIDAY: E-mail about a high school, hotels and more....

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