SpongeBob In Crosshairs (Dobson Alert)

Kansas City Star ^ | January 20, 2005

[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.”

[unlearner]

And the joke is on you.

What? You don't believe homosexual activists are preparing to send out a video encouraging schools to get children to say a sexual diversity tolerance pledge? Or you do not think it is a big deal?

[sandalwood]

Bugs Bunny was dressed up like a girl (thus allowing children to use their imagination that Bugs was a girl bunny). All kids know about playing dress-up.

This character on SpongeBob was just a school boy who wanted to wear a girl's bra - not to pretend to be a girl, but to just, well, wear girl's underwear for no apparent reason except that he felt like it, and outside of his clothes, as well.

I believe there is a difference when I have to explain to my child what she is watching, and there isn't an explanation that fits with her age. Of course, I don't let my kid watch just anything on television, so I guess if you don't care what your kid learns from TV, this issue won't bother you a bit.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I took my kid to the Spongebob movie, and was a bit concerned that Patrick kept showing up in high-heels and fishnets.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

A Lewinsky from who? Sponge Bob? ;-)

Hey, at least it would be nice and soft!

[VRWCmember]

"Here comes the "cartoons are evil" stampede"

In terms of quality, the SpongeBob cartoons stink. But that is not the issue. I can't really tell whether or not you read any of the articles on this thread, but what is objectionable is not the celluloid turd called Spongebob, but rather the fact that this popular cartoon character, among others, will be used in an "educational" video series in public schools to promote acceptance and advocacy of the homosexual lifestyle to children.

Perhaps you are perfectly fine with government schools promoting advocacy of the homosexual lifestyle to children. If that is the case then you will be in solid disagreement with most of the regulars around here.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Yeah, I find that the people who hate the intrusive God of Jesus also tend to hate Dobson as well.

Sarcasm is not one of your strengths, Dan.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Come to think of it, Bugs did it all:

[Hemingway's Ghost]

And Bugs Bunny cross-dresses -- including wearing a bra in "A Corny Concerto" (1943).

The WWII era Bugs Bunny cartoons are, in my opinion, the best Bugs Bunny cartoons ever made. Goerring himself running through a forest with Wagner's Tannhauser Overture playing in the background? PRICELESS.

[VRWCmember]

The group making the video does promote tolerance of homosexuals, but, per the article, "Nothing in the video or its accompanying materials refers to sexual identity."

That statement in the article is inaccurate. The makers of the video would like you to believe that, but the accompanying materials include discussion questions dealing with sexual identity and "acceptance" of those with different sexual identities. (To these people anything short of advocacy fails the acceptance test.)

[sandalwood]

Simpsons= one of the best shows ever written - cartoon or otherwise.

South Park= stupid, vile and offensive, for the sake of being stupid, vile, and offensive.

But neither one is for small children, and even the Simpsons should be watched by older children with their parents present to answer any questions or explain what is going on.

And they don't play either cartoon on PBSkids or Nickelodeon.

[Monterrosa-24]

One reason magazines like Penthouse go after Wildmon is because he has really hurt them financially. Whole chains of stores have dropped such mags and it amounts to real $$$$.

I think Dobson and Wildmon are good fellows and while I don't agree with all their positions they are on the Freeper side of the Culture War. I'm surprised so many strongly oppose them. Guess they don't want to appear uncool but the media will hatchet job anyone that opposes any homo propaganda even One in Teen.

[VRWCmember]

And if this homosexual advocacy group used those classic cartoons in a public school program to indoctrinate impressionable children into advocacy of the homosexual lifestyle I would also find that objectionable.

[desherwood7]

I've heard of Donald Wildmon as well as James Dobson. What's so bad about either of them?

[epow]

Thank God my son can afford to send my grandchildren to a Christian school. The cost for 2 kids is over $13,000 per year, but it's well worth it to keep them out of the hellholes which our public schools have become.

I don't believe the local school officials here in this little bible belt town if left to themselves would allow anything to promote tolerance for sodomy to grade school kids. But they will probably be forced to do so by the threat of loss of state funds if they don't.

I urge anyone who cares about the moral health and spiritual welfare of their children to get them out of public schools if at all possible. If I were a young father again I would far rather have my kids freed from the humanistic, atheistic schools than to drive the latest model SUV or have a king size pool in my back yard.

[Lijahsbubbe]

What burns me up is that you know Spongebob is totally clueless about the fact that he's being exploited!

P.S. Do you think Sandy's gay?

[Onelifetogive]

Protecting American families with info about their schools and other institutions is hardly a joke.

I would trust the integrity and sincerity of Dr. Dobson over his detractors on this site any day...

[Celtjew Libertarian]

The WWII era Bugs Bunny cartoons are, in my opinion, the best Bugs Bunny cartoons ever made. Goerring himself running through a forest with Wagner's Tannhauser Overture playing in the background? PRICELESS.

They're almost all good. But my favorites are the Rabbit Fire/Rabbit Seasoning/Duck! Rabbit! Duck! trilogy with Bugs, Daffy and Elmer, which were early to mid 50s, I think.

[BibChr]

Oh, really? Thanks for your opinion.

So anyway, again and again, I find that the people who hate the intrusive God of Jesus also tend to hate Dobson as well. Having some moral failing of theirs seems to bring out the ugliest in them.

Dan