Replies

Here's how Focus on the Family defended and clarified Dr. Dobson's remarks.

"From the outset, let's be clear that this issue is not about objections to any specific cartoon characters. Instead, Dr. Dobson is concerned that these popular animated personalities are being exploited by an organization that's determined to promote the acceptance of homosexuality among our nation's youth."

A visit to the We Are Family Website or a viewing of the video (at MSNBC.COM) should be sufficient to reassure even the most skeptical mind that there is no insidious intent to "brainwash" our kids. There is not a single frame in the video that any reasonable person would say advocates any form of sexual behavior. Dr. Dobson is therefore making himself a target for unfathomable reasons -- perhaps he is the recipient of bad advice. It is never a good idea to pick on a fictional character -- even indirectly. They live in the (unforgiving) media and in the minds of fans not likely to take a rational view of critics of the object of their affection. Dobson's case wasn't helped by one his spokespeople who responded to the controversy with these remarks, which will surely attract the righteous wrath of anybody to the left of Mr. Rogers:
"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids." Please: check out the video and draw your own conclusions.