Okay, so all that said, let’s catch up. The most detailed version of Kevin’s story was now told via a video blog which you can find HERE. We apologize for all the chunks, but Kevin did this on the fly using software that made that the fastest way to get the clips up. Kevin was invited on many national talk shows to discuss this (Larry King Live, Good Morning America, etc) but decided this was the best way to tell the story in full, without censorship. So there it is.

In addition to that, Kevin presented SModcast #107, where passenger Natali, also wronged by SWA, gets to tell her side of the story. Keep in mind, this happened all in the same weekend. Just makes you wonder how long it’s been going on, without folks having their voices heard. “Thinicism” is the title, and it’s streaming or downloadable for free right now, exclusively at www.smodcast.com.

Finally today, Kevin’s latest blog entry really shows how the airline has changed their story, with visual evidence, a good example of a very poorly-handled bit of publicity and customer service. This entry focuses on the media, and the careless way they have handled this event as well, basically rewriting it to make a story, not paying attention to the actual facts (which Kevin has made READILY available all week long, they didn’t even need to work to find them). You’ll want to hit up Silent Bob Speaks for the entire story, but here are a few highlights:

…Yes, I have a job that pays me handsomely, and because of this, I normally do fly on airlines for which size is never an issue. And as I’ve said repeatedly: I’ve been flying Southwest from Burbank to Oakland, SF, and Vegas for years (yes, even the FATTER years), and I’ve never had a problem (beyond the occasional disappointment in lapse of customer service that we’re all so used to, it can no longer be considered a true “problem” when traveling). But then, we really fell off a cliff.

…

Everyone keeps saying “Sue! Sue!” Jesus – I don’t want their money; I just want them to admit they fucked up, and they’re sorry to me, Natali, and anybody else they gave shit for no reason. And I Tweeted about it. Lots. And rather than simply handle it, they lied. And lied. And lied. They made this an issue of fat, instead of the issue of a growing lie they told that resulted in the worst example of customer service since Fords Theater sold Lincoln a seat. The resulting feeling in the press: fuck fat people. We’re still allowed to make fun of them. And if you eat that many donuts, you’re bound to take a bunch of shit(s).

Fuck you, media, for not looking any deeper than the sound bite that’ll sell a falsehood. I’ve been here telling you the other side of the story for a few days, and you’d rather dress people up in fat suits and guess at my weight. I’m starting to feel like Jim Garrison: look at the crazy, fat nut, pointing out inconsistencies in an official story – that crackpot. But I’ll take “crackpot” over the human-weasels that say I did this for publicity. Sweet whistling Moses – only a thin person could ever think any fat person would want this much attention called to their size.

WGN Radio’s John Williams discusses the issue in Part 2 of his uncut podcast on his February 15h podcast. He’s got Kev’s side of it, too (though still seems unclear on that falsely spreading news that Kevin CAN fit just fine into their crummy narrow seats).

Saskatchewan artist Max Heron has created an editorial-style comic depicting the incident and taking it to the media for attacking the issue in such an unfair way.

In some cases though, the media have been very fair. Comedian/writer Cathy Ladman contibutes a very pro-Kevin editorial to CNN. Here’s a peek:

…Kevin Smith, I feel your pain!

I cringe for the person who has to sheepishly ask for the seat belt extender because the one in the narrow little seat doesn’t make it around his body. The world is not built for fat people, and airplanes are not the place to look for gentle treatment.

I will not be surprised when airlines start to weigh people’s luggage at the ticket counter, and then ask the traveler to get on the scale and be charged by the pound. It’s coming, you watch. Or they will have bench seats on the airplanes, measure people as they board, and seat them accordingly.

Synopsis

Bear Nation is an exploration of a sub-culture that exists within the gay rainbow. The documentary is presented in the format of show and tell. Through conversations with subjects, experts, bear-lebrites and admirers, the piece will attempt to shine a light on this fresh and vibrant movement.

Director Bio – Malcolm Ingram

A lifelong interest in film led Malcolm Ingram to work at The Toronto International Film Festival at the tender age of 21. After 3 booze soaked years of schmooze, Ingram left the organization to pursue a writing career with the influential Film Threat Magazine. While on assignment for the magazine, Ingram met Kevin Smith (Chasing Amy, Dogma, Clerks) who soon became his mentor and financed his first feature film. DRAWING FLIES, shot in Vancouver, BC in the summer of 1995, starred rising talent Jason Lee and had a successful run on the festival circuit.

Ingram’s next feature was TAIL LIGHTS FADE and featured a high profile and talented cast including Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Elizabeth Berkeley and Margot Kidder. With these two features under his belt, Ingram delved into his psyche and decided to make something more meaningful. Fortunately, it was at the same time that he realized he had a fondness for dudes.

SMALL TOWN GAY BAR was Ingram’s third film and it screened at over 50 film festivals internationally (Including a successful sold out screening at Inside Out). It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film festival and the GLAAD Media award for Best Documentary while winning THE HBO Award for Best Documentary in Miami and the Grand Jury Award at Outfest in Los Angeles.

Ingram recently finished his next gay opus BEAR NATION: LOOKING AT THE HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE OF FAT AND HAIR IN GAY – a documentary in seven parts.

Kevin and Malc’s Bear-themed SModcast should be available online sometime this weekend or early next week. Stay tuned.