Warhorse: The military's 'My Little Pony' fan club

Fox news ^ | July 18, 2012 | Jana Winter

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National Guardsman identified as Darius attended a recent "Brony" convention. (BuzzFeed/Katie Notopoulos)

There's a new insignia showing up on the sleeves of a small group of military men, ... it advertises their love for a cartoon inspired by the girlish 1980s plastic toy called "My Little Pony."

"... the bronies, have taught me that there are things and people worth protecting; things bigger and more important than myself," writes Ken "Derpy" Catlin. "All because I decided to watch some "gay" little show about 6 ponies... I cannot thank you, the MLP team, or the ponies themselves enough for what they have done for me, and this world."

Within the larger group, military Bronies hold a place of honor. At ... "BronyCon 2012" ... civilian Bronies cheered wildly when they spied brethren in uniform...

“We barely made it up to the top steps and everyone outside was cheering for us," a National Guardsman ... told the site...

... A commenter on a Military Times forum was just one of many who questioned why grown men would feel such allegiance to a kids' cartoon.

“I can think of at least four violations ... attending a My Little Pony convention.”

... franchise has long been associated with little girls ... have sought to reel in males with more unisex storylines. The show stars Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn pony and five other ponies who are guided through ponyville by Princess Celestia.

As for the brass, asked if she had ever heard of the phenomenon of Military Bronies, a ... spokeswoman said "I'm unaware of the concept. But when told about Rainbow Dash patches finding their way onto uniforms ... there could be a problem.

“Please note, non-authorized, non-military patches are not authorized for wear on military uniforms,” she said.

[x]

I don’t think you’re a bad person,but it’s my personal opinion that it’s odd for grown men to dress in ‘My Little Pony’ costumes and attend conventions with other grown men.

I like “SpongeBob SquarePants” but I’m not going to dress in a character costume and attend a convention.

No guts, I guess.

[GraceG]

I want a AppleJack AK-47

[KC_Lion]

[GraceG]

I am no Brony, I am a Pegasister!

[GraceG]

That is just priceless!!!

I will take the Classic M14 for home defense and the “Fluttershy” for concealed!

[GraceG]

Some of the same people behind the new MLP series were also behind the powerpuff girls they actually had an episode get banned:

http://powerpuff.wikia.com/wiki/See_Me,_Feel_Me,_Gnomey

They claim it was the “flashing lights” but I suspect it was due to the extremely anti-communist message the episode suggested.

The Powerpuff Girls are once again fighting all of the villains (except for The Rowdyruff Boys) of Townsville. There are too many villains to fight (Mojo Jojo, HIM, Fuzzy Lumpkins, Princess Morbucks, Sedusa, The Amoeba Boys, and The Gangreen Gang are all present), and the Powerpuff Girls are defeated. They become deeply depressed with the way things are in this world and wish for a day of peace, love and understanding. Just then, a drop of rain falls into a crack in the ground, and a rose blooms. A gnome emerges from within the roses petals. The gnome tells the girls that he can get rid of all the evils of the world, but to do so, the girls must give him their powers. At first Buttercup thinks it is insane to give up their powers, but Bubbles persuades the girls that with this, they can finally become normal girls. The girls agree and the gnome casts a spell to end all evil. Townsville is now seemingly a peaceful and harmonic utopia, and the townspeople worship this gnome forming a cult devoted to him. The Professor convinces the girls even though the gnome has provided safety he has robbed the town of its freewill. Since the gnome has become evil, the deal he made with the Powerpuff Girls is broken and the girls regain their powers. The girls travel to the gnome’s headquarters (atop a giant rose) and confront him. During the confrontation the gnome falls from the top of the rose. As he falls into oblivion, he realizes that he ultimately became the evil he sought to destroy and therefore cannot exist in his utopia. The world goes back to the way it formerly was. The Townspeople now worship the girls. But the girls tell the townspeople that evil and good make the world go round and that we must not wish for peace, but we must make peace.

They even use the symbol of the red rose which is a commie symbol in the episode!

Basically it is a children’s version of Ameri-topia.

[KC_Lion]

I had forgotten about "See me, Feel Me, Gnomey". Too me it was about selling your Freedom for "Safety", the Townspeople sold themselves to be free of the Villains because the Girls couldn't keep them safe 100% of time and instead of stepping up their game they make a Faustian bargain with Dee Bradley Baker Gnome.

He conquered them with the Promise of peace, something that Fuzzy Lumpkins et al. could through force.

Its like selling your soul to Van Jones, Cass Sunstine or Billy Ayers. The Devil wears a business suite and says "Lets compromise"

[KC_Lion]

Here is the episodes climax song in question, the point of the episode and best song.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Don't you think Fuzzy Lumpkin is a crudely drawn stereotype of a "right wing redneck?" Always plunking his banjo, brandishing a gun, and screaming "Git offa mah PROPERTAH!"

"Powerpuff Girls" is obviously a Communist plot and all conservatives must declare war on that cartoon and anyone who has ever enjoyed it! /s

[KC_Lion]

Yes, one might say those people are............OBSOLETE!

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

So call me a “Pony-phobe.”

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

The Devil wears a business suite and says “Lets compromise”

---

Barbara Bush can’t understand why we consider “compromise” a dirty word.

[Sarajevo]

Excuse me, but scroll back up to the top and take a look at the guy in the picture identified as “Darius”, and the unauthorized patch on his uniform. It’s a direct violation of AR670-1 (Wear and Appearance of the Uniform), and it’s unprofessional.

[Mr Rogers]

I miss the days when the older guys could have taken a POS like this out back and pound some sense into him. This rates up there with uniformed soldiers swapping spit & marching in gay parades.

[Newbomb Turk]

I really have no problem what soldier's do in their off hours but they need to wear appropriate civilian clothing. Unauthorized wear of a military uniform at a civilian function, unauthorized wear of a non military patch on a uniform is detrimental to the good order and discipline of the Army. Army regulation 670-1 governs this exact topic. If people cannot conform to the standards of the military they need to seek employment elsewhere. Discipline is what keeps people alive in combat and that's what do, what we train for and what our whole reason for existing is. We are not a social organization.I make my own judgement on the my little pony crowd. More and more I am seeing young men have a difficult time becoming men, leaving behind the things of their youth and getting on with life.

[Zionist Conspirator]

I really have no problem what soldier's do in their off hours but they need to wear appropriate civilian clothing. Unauthorized wear of a military uniform at a civilian function, unauthorized wear of a non military patch on a uniform is detrimental to the good order and discipline of the Army. Army regulation 670-1 governs this exact topic. If people cannot conform to the standards of the military they need to seek employment elsewhere. Discipline is what keeps people alive in combat and that's what do, what we train for and what our whole reason for existing is. We are not a social organization.

I have no argument with anything you have said.

I make my own judgement on the my little pony crowd. More and more I am seeing young men have a difficult time becoming men, leaving behind the things of their youth and getting on with life.

As many far wiser than I have observed, one of the most childish things is the fear of being seen as childish.

Every television show, movie, and book has a fandom. In today's world there are "geeks" who get into these media--sometimes far too much. "Friendship is Magic" is as good a show as any (and better than most) for people to "geek out" about. Because it is aimed at children and their parents, it is a decent show, with no controversial or political content (so far, at least, and I hope this remains the case). But it is intelligent and well-written enough for adults to enjoy and a lot of fun, and if people in the military enjoy it, I don't see why you would begrudge them. I can also see why some of the characters would be seen as military mascots.

I don't doubt that what you say about our current youth is true, but this cartoon show is not part of that. I do not ask you or anyone to watch the show but merely hope you will accept it for what it is--a very good cartoon show that both children and adults can enjoy. Your anger at the homosexualization, metrosexualization, or infantilizing of the military is being aimed at the wrong target here. Those military bronies whom you consider a symptom of society going to hell in a handbasket are defending all of us and I don't our rank-and-file military personnel would be so fond of a show that was attacking what they stand for. The subversion of our military comes from the top. I don't think you can accuse the PC pols who run our military of promoting this show among the troops.

One final suggestion, and that's all that it is: every single episode of the show is on YouTube. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, you are free to view any episodes you might wish to. I'm not asking you to try the show out for yourself. But before you attack our young men in uniform for liking a TV show you might have the courtesy to see what it is they are enjoying before you brand it "subversive." If you choose not to do this, then perhaps you should consider the possibility that you don't have the information to stand in judgment on this show or its military fans.

[KC_Lion]

I really have no problem what soldier's do in their off hours but they need to wear appropriate civilian clothing. Unauthorized wear of a military uniform at a civilian function, unauthorized wear of a non military patch on a uniform is detrimental to the good order and discipline of the Army. Army regulation 670-1 governs this exact topic. If people cannot conform to the standards of the military they need to seek employment elsewhere. Discipline is what keeps people alive in combat and that's what do, what we train for and what our whole reason for existing is. We are not a social organization.

I have no argument with anything you have said.

I must admit, after being in the Air Force the Army's way of doing things is vastly different from what I have learned.

For example, I see soldiers from time to time and complete random functions in their ABU's or ACU's or whatever the Army calls them, and the Air Force always told us "NEVER WALK AROUND (off base/off duty) IN UNIFORM, unless it is for official Air Force business and most of the time that would require being in your dress blues.

So this whole situation is odd to me.

Besides, Applejack would make a better mascot than Rainbow Dash anyway.

[Melas]

I like “SpongeBob SquarePants” but I’m not going to dress in a character costume and attend a convention.

I can't say much. I attend the Dallas comic con in a Kolchak costume that's built around a searsucker J. Bank suit.

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

LOL. I had to look up ‘Kolchak’ because I had no idea who he was.

[Melas]

Now I just feel old.