Posted on 01/20/2005 7:25:31 AM PST by E Rocc
SpongeBob in crosshairs
The New York Times
WASHINGTON — On the heels of electoral victories to bar same-sex marriage, some influential conservative Christian groups are turning their attention to a new target: the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants.
James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, said that SpongeBob's creators have enlisted SpongeBob in a “pro-homosexual video,” in which he appeared with other children's television characters.
The makers of the video, Dobson said, plan to mail it to thousands of elementary schools this spring to promote a “tolerance pledge” that includes tolerance for differences of “sexual identity.”
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
"Freerepublic has always had a very, very strong, 'GET government OUT of our lives as much as possible' contingent."
True. But I don't remember a strong "get parents out of the classroom" contingent. Except among libs, of course.
*IF* (and I stress.."IF") a pro-homo agenda is being promoted at school, you would expect parents to be informed and involved. Wouldn't you?
I guess libertarianism means turning over your kid's indoctrination to any sexual deviant who comes along, while deriding anyone who dares try to impose their own repressive "values".No, actually it means doing it yourself. And letting others do likewise for their own kids.
-Eric
Unlearner, the problem is that the majority of posters on this thread didn't even bother to read the article, so they are attacking the messenger.
Dobson isn't accusing the character of SpongeBob of being gay. But if these posters don't read the article, they missed this fact.
" No, actually it means doing it yourself. And letting others do likewise for their own kids. "
I'm with you on that one.
So I guess you would agree that if (hypothetically) a pro-homosexual group shouldn't be using class time to promote values that are contrary to the values they are taught at home?
The fact is that Theocons can't even be counted on to show up. Someone posted in one of the Kid Rock threads that Rove doesn't even consider them likely voters.He also knows that if they don't vote GOP, they at least won't vote for the Democrat. The swing voters, on the other hand, just might. That means that each of them represents a two vote swing. It's basic electoral math....and why Gore never swung left to counter Nader.
Rove knows it. Atwater knew it. Reagan knew it. As one of the Dems' sharpest strategists once said, a campaign looking to "energize the base" is already planning on losing.
-Eric
So I guess you would agree that if (hypothetically) a pro-homosexual group shouldn't be using class time to promote values that are contrary to the values they are taught at home?Absolutely. That's federal law in fact. You can't subject kids to "psychological treatment" of any kind without prior permission from their parents. Even national DARE admits it applies to them (though some local programs ignore it).
-Eric
We agree on much. BTW - have you seen the material in question here? Is it really pro-homo propaganda or not?
I can't comment intelligently because I haven't actually seen it.
I am interested in finding out more. If this is being blown out of proportion, it's irritating. But if it is in fact propaganda, it is unacceptable IMHO.
Is there a way to locate the material? Forgive me if this has been answered already in the thread, I guess I should go back and read through it.
SD
We agree on much. BTW - have you seen the material in question here? Is it really pro-homo propaganda or not?It sounds like Dobson got confused with another source. Personally, it doesn't matter much, if parents get pre-clearance rights as required by law. With kids, this stuff is likely to backfire (note the South Park "Butt Out" episode) and this vid certainly contains music best described as .....errr.....gay.
It sounds to me like Dobson is pushing the anti-pop culture premise perfected by Wildmon and his people. They not only propose dangerous things, they cost us votes. The left uses them the way we use the anti-war nutbars.
-Eric
I'm with Dan, and I can't help but think that someone who buries his head in the sand about the agendas of leftists and deviants-- for indoctrinating children to accept homosexuality as normal-- must have an ulterior motive or something to hide. Why would a conservative not see this as being anti-conservative???
Exactly. Count me out too.
Dr. Dobson didn't say that SpongeBob is gay!!!! He basically said that SpongeBob is being hijacked for use by educators who promote approval of homosexuality among schoolchildren. (Please read the article. It really bothers me that Dr. Dobson is being falsely accused by people who didn't bother to read the article.)
(I also recall the time one of these clowns said that Tinky-Winky the Teletubby was gay, but that was a different one, IIRC.)
Thanks for the reminder. Now I remember -- it was Wildmon who said that Mighty Mouse snorts cocaine, and Falwell who said that one of the Teletubbies was gay.
Set sail on? I thought he was the captain....
I don't think he singled out dear little SpongeBob but no other cartoon characters. But even if he did, it would be a stretch (at least for me) to conclude that Dr. D. is saying SB is gay. He's just decrying the USE of SpongeBob for the purpose of furthering the homosexual agenda.
I read in a another article that SpongeBob's creators envision all the characters as being basically asexual. However, apparently they don't mind his being used in that video to promote "diversity and tolerance" toward homos.
Actually the more I think about it, the issue for me isn't tolerance, because I'm a pretty tolerant person... I try to treat everyone the same and I don't discriminate against homosexuals. What I object to is teaching children to think of homosexuality as perfectly normal. It isn't normal or natural. It's abnormal, and teaching children that it's normal is a lie. I think we can agree on that, right?
Sorry, but I don't find this is a joking matter. My beautiful little granddaughters, ages 3 and 5, love Spongebob and I do not-- repeat --DO NOT want them to see any propaganda concerning Hollywood's victim group of choice. The 5 year old is in Kindergarten, and she can learn about homosexuality at a much, much later date.
vaudine
Check out an episode on the cartoon network. A truly entertaining cartoon. While not as good as Bugs or Daffy, {classics, IMO} the humor is quick and the animation is hilarious. I can actually watch it with my kids and not get bored.
Hyperbole does not an argument make, Dan. And personal insults are the last refuge of someone with a weak argument.
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