Folks are up in arms about author, filmmaker and outspoken critic of the president Michael Moore's pending visit to Penn State. These people say that student funds, distributed by the University Park Allocation Committee, shouldn't go to a politically minded speaker.

But that's discrimination based on a viewpoint. Just because Moore is liberal, or Democratic, or anti-administration or whatever you want to call him, does not mean he should not be brought to campus. He has just as much right to be here--supported by the student activity fee--as conservative commentator Robert Novak did last week. (Novak took a $10,000 speaker's fee.)

Let's face it. Whether or not you agree with his political views, Michael Moore is well-known. Penn State hosts authors on book tours a lot, and every big-ticket speaker on the lecture circuit has a message or agenda. Moore is no different.

I sat down with Tom Truong, UPAC overall chair, and Cathy Carré, who chaired the entire process of the budget for Moore's visit, to learn a little more about what went into it.

Despite rumors, UPAC did not cave to a last-minute request. The committee worked with the College Democrats on the event's budget starting early this summer. The College Dems were eligible for the $15,000 maximum toward an honorarium for Moore, just as any other group would be under UPAC's rules. (And don't get upset about the $15,000. That's small potatoes compared to Rudy Giuliani, Cal Ripken or Jon Stewart's asking prices, all $100,000 and up.)

Yes, Michael Moore is obviously anti-Bush. But he's also an Academy Award winner and media phenom. Everyone knows who he is. And you must admit, a lot of people will go to see him. The sheer number of students who will attend (Moore has packed auditoriums in recent speaking engagements) justifies UPAC's funding the event.

The lead-up to Moore's visit has already done a lot for the university and the greater community. Just look at the discussion it has stirred, not to mention all the people who've been educated about how UPAC works. Letters are coming en masse to the Collegian, and Old Main and UPAC have been fielding calls. It's the beautiful marketplace of ideas at work. Truong told me UPAC looks for events to "enhance the out-of-class experience." Even before it happens, Moore's visit has livened campus debate. To me, that's a great use of student funds.

Perhaps you love Michael Moore's work and want to hear the man in person. Here's your chance to hear validation of your views. Say you disagree with Moore's anti-Bush stance? Stage a protest or a counter-event to galvanize support for President Bush. Not sure where you stand? Start a discussion group. Heck, it's on a Friday--talk about his speech at a bar later that night.

Regardless of his political viewpoints, Moore's speech will be a learning experience. In fact, it would make a fantastic topic for a rhetorical analysis paper. (That's a big hint to all you freshmen in English 15!)

And, as I've said, students will flock to hear Moore.

Take a look at the names of people who've criticized the funding of this visit through letters to the Collegian. You might recognize a few from the rosters of conservative campus groups that have maxed out the same UPAC speakers' fee limit in recent years to bring people such as John Stossel and Ann Coulter to campus.

It's hypocritical to scream bloody murder when someone you disagree with comes to speak, while your group has perfected the art of getting student funds to bring people who espouse your own views.

But this isn't about liberals or conservatives. It's about conversations and controversy. If everyone held the same opinions, and Penn Staters only heard from people who agreed with us, what a boring campus this would be. UPAC, a nonpartisan body, understands this. So please, stop calling it a bunch of liberal conspirators.

Insisting on a have precise balance of the political spectrum in campus visitors would be inane. Have you seen the movie PCU? Happy Valley would become a muddle of political correctness if we automatically countered every supposed "liberal" event with a "conservative" one. Not to mention (and this is blasphemy to some) life isn't always about your politics. Sometimes it's about learning.

Love him or hate him, Michael Moore and his coming visit have started dialogue, which enriches the campus atmosphere. It's making people think and talk to one another about issues. I just hope those discussions will be civil, not a shouting match.