Animated series aims at gun use

Modesto Bee ^ | 5/2/2002 | DONNA PETROZZELLO

[Joe Brower]

In an unusual move for children's television, a character in Saturday's episode of WB's animated series "Static Shock" will shoot one of his classmates.

The episode, scheduled to air May 4 at 7:30 a.m., involves a shy boy who, after being endlessly harassed by a bully, steals his father's loaded handgun and brings it to an after-school center. The gun accidentally discharges, injuring a classmate while other students look on in shock.

[Joe Brower]

There is another article on this crapola by the same newswriter HERE.

If anyone can find an email or snail-mail address for Jessica Pinto, please post it here. I'm going to write her a letter warning her that they could very well face an enormous liability suit if any school incidents arise as a result of this tripe putting ideas in some kid's head and tipping them over the edge.

As a friend of mine, a clinical psychologist stated a couple of years back, "Yeah, that's great -- keep the crazies thinking about it".

[Joe Brower]

[dighton]

The gun accidentally discharges, injuring a classmate while other students look on in shock.

Happens all the time. A round chambers itself, the gun points itself in an unsafe direction, and BANG!

[Bubba_Leroy]

So how about a cartoon showing a responsible gun owner defending him or herself against a violent intruder? Fat chance.

[texicano]

I'm curious about the 4000 kids killed with firearms . Also I wonder how many children are subjected to this tripe

[Jerrybob]

Children are subjected this and many kinds of other tripe every day. It's called THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The only legal solution that I know of is HOME SCHOOLING.

[ladtx]

So how about a cartoon showing a responsible gun owner defending him or herself against a violent intruder? Fat chance.

Or how about a cartoon teaching gun safety? Seems like that would be more productive and may even save a life.

[asformeandformyhouse]

"But many kids are teased and bullied at school, and the fact that this character gets a gun to deal with it could be the salient message for some kids.

Right here is the entire reason for the show. What better way to ban guns than have a few more school shootings.

[techcor]

I think your looking for the "Conservative dream thread". Does anyone know of a show (besides "King of the Hill") that gun use is shown in any positive light?

[Bubba_Leroy]

Not since The Rifleman in the late 50s and early 60s.

[Billthedrill]

"This really was an issue we felt passionate about," said Jessica Pinto, vice president of programming for Kids' WB.

She means "passionately," but that's the whole key right there - they have feelings and want to assuage them by "doing something about it," even if it's the wrong thing and deprives others of their rights to self-defense. If she'd think about the problem it might be different, but that's just too hard.

[Liberal Classic]

Jessica Pinto also belongs The Entertainment Media's Resource on Family Planning, Sexuality and Reproductive Health, which says:

Did you know that teenagers today cite television as one of their primary sources of information about sex?

As television and film industry professionals, our work affects teenagers' perception about sex and consequently their behavior. We have the unique opportunity and ability to reach these youth in a meaningful way with messages that can save their lives. We feel it is important to take responsibility for the information we provide to American families, and the first step is to better understand the issues.

What this says is not only Mrs. Pinto involved in anti-gun propaganda programming, but probably many other messages that she feels "passionate" about.

[gundog]

Does anyone know of a show (besides "King of the Hill") that gun use is shown in any positive light?

I'm not certain that most of the gun references on "King of the Hill" aren't meant to make Texans look like gun-toting idiots. Don't think for a minute that the anti's process this input the same way that we do.

"Can I put a gun-rack on my bike?" -Bobby Hill

[Green Knight]

"It's good to show children that violence doesn't solve a problem,"

Uh ... huh. Doesn't Static Shock solve his problems on a weekly basis WITH violence? Or is violence only okay when it's with super powers, and not with guns?

Anyway, I can't think of any cartoons currently on air that portrays guns in a good light, though this fall Transformers: Armada comes out. The preceeding Transformers series from 99-01, Beast Machines: Transformers was a liberal/environmentalist wet dream. Anti-gun, anti-technology, etc. But from what I understand, Transformers: Armada (which'll be airing on Cartoon Network in the Toonami block) will have LOTS and LOTS of guns! I've also heard that a new G.I. Joe cartoon will be coming out. So for those of you who like to check out what your kids are watching, you may want to check out those 2 and make a judgment as to whether you'd want your kids to watch those shows or not.

And hey, if Optimus Prime in Transformers: Armada is anything like he was in the 1984 series Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye, then he'll be a great role model for the kids (as opposed to pukes like Captain Planet). The 1984 version of Optimus Prime was pretty much a cross between Captain America and John Wayne.

[techcor]

I suppose you're right. But I still like hearing phrases like:

"Can I put a gun-rack on my bike?" -Bobby Hill

But I guess the gun-control nuts hear it differently and probably use it as an example of "Evil gun thoughts".