SpongeBob Is Gay(merged)

[CShine]

US conservative groups are up in arms over a music video featuring children's TV heroes such as the cheerful cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants. Focus on the Family and other groups say the video - a remake of the Sister Sledge hit, We Are Family - is a vehicle for pro-gay propaganda.

.......

"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organisation is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4190699.stm

[Charlatan]

Some "conservative groups" have way too much time on their hands...

[Averett]

Spongebob is not gay. He has a girlfriend named Sally. She's a squirell. Duh, stupid Focus on the Family

[Lebell]

Sponges, of the phylum porifera can be asexual or sexual, with the sexual kind frequently being hermaphroditic.

So we have several posibilities for SBSP's sexuality.

(Who'da thunk my paleontology would ever be useful?? )

[Snug]

Originally Posted by Averett

Spongebob is not gay. He has a girlfriend named Sally. She's a squirell. Duh, stupid Focus on the Family

What's Focus On The Family's stance on inter-species relationships? I scoured their website looking for an answer, but alas, to no avail.

[brianna]

I don't understand what this gorup would like to have taught. From what i gather this video is about tollerating people's differences are conservatives actually against teaching children to be nice to one another?

[Glory's Sun]

Some people will find something wrong with everything... so it's no wonder this has reared it's ugly head

Linky goodness

US right attacks SpongeBob video

US conservative groups are up in arms over a music video featuring children's TV heroes such as the cheerful cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants.

Focus on the Family and other groups say the video - a remake of the Sister Sledge hit, We Are Family - is a vehicle for pro-gay propaganda.

The video's makers plan to mail it to US schools in the spring to promote tolerance and diversity.

They say the attack is based on a misunderstanding.

The video also features children's favourites like Bob the Builder, along with characters from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.

But James Dobson, founder of right-wing Christian group Focus on the Family, singled out SpongeBob at a black-tie dinner in Washington in the run-up to President Bush's inauguration, the New York Times said.

SpongeBob - who appears on the children's cable channel Nickelodeon - is seen as an icon for adult gay men in the US, apparently because he regularly holds hands with his sidekick Patrick.

His creators deny that he is gay, but he is not the first such character to cause controversy.

In 1999 conservatives claimed handbag-carrying Teletubby Tinky Winky, an import from the UK, was a bad role-model.

'Easy lesson'

Nile Rodgers, who wrote the song and is founder of the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) which released the new video, says it is intended to help teach children the values of co-operation and unity.

"We believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbour," he said. "And the fun and exciting format makes it a lesson that's easy for children to learn."

But conservatives say it sees the video as a cunning attempt to promote homosexuality.

They point to the fact that the WAFF is linked to a pledge being promoted by some liberal groups which includes a recognition of tolerance of sexual identity.

"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organisation is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," Paul Batura, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, told the New York Times.

Mr Rodgers said the groups may have confused his foundation with an unrelated organisation with a similar name that supports gay youth.

WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who thought the video promoted homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased".

Seriously.. who gives a shit if he is or isn't. Children need to learn about tolerance and such..why push it under the rug and shelter children when all that does is promote ignorance?

[Averett]

threads got merged! Yay!

[onodrim]

Wow, this definently needs to be stopped! Teach children that it's good to be accepting and loving of everyone! Everyone knows that being gay is a horrible crime that children should never be exposed to! And clearly a male cartoon character who has a good male friend must be gay! /end sarcasm

I will never understand how someone like Dr. Dobson can claim to be such a wonderful Christian, and at the same time so actively persecute those he sees as 'evil.' Way to "love your neighbor as yourself."

[wnker85]

I have to say there is more being taught in SBSP than in telatubbies.
And i didnt understand the problem with the tellatubbies other than its stupid and dumb kids down.

[whocarz]

I always knew in the back of my mind that he and Patrick had a thing going on...

[Glory's Sun]

Originally Posted by Averett

threads got merged! Yay!

I swear I did a search!

Here's my point. Not only are the "christians" making themselve look dumber every day, they are killing their own religion. Maybe that's a good thing.

A child needs to learn that there are gay people in the world. It would be alot better than seeing teen kids who've been sheltered their whole life say "EWW that's disgusting" or hear the word "FAG" in negative way every 5 seconds. I hate spongebob personally, but really I never thought he was gay and even if he was it wouldn't change my opinion on the subject.

[The_Dunedan]

These people have too much time on their hands...

[Mephisto2]

US right attacks SpongeBob video

US conservative groups are up in arms over a music video featuring children's TV heroes such as the cheerful cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants.

Focus on the Family and other groups say the video - a remake of the Sister Sledge hit, We Are Family - is a vehicle for pro-gay propaganda.

The video's makers plan to mail it to US schools in the spring to promote tolerance and diversity.

They say the attack is based on a misunderstanding.

The video also features children's favourites like Bob the Builder, along with characters from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.

But James Dobson, founder of right-wing Christian group Focus on the Family, singled out SpongeBob at a black-tie dinner in Washington in the run-up to President Bush's inauguration, the New York Times said.

SpongeBob - who appears on the children's cable channel Nickelodeon - is seen as an icon for adult gay men in the US, apparently because he regularly holds hands with his sidekick Patrick.

His creators deny that he is gay, but he is not the first such character to cause controversy.

In 1999 conservatives claimed handbag-carrying Teletubby Tinky Winky, an import from the UK, was a bad role-model.

'Easy lesson'

Nile Rodgers, who wrote the song and is founder of the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) which released the new video, says it is intended to help teach children the values of co-operation and unity.

"We believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbour," he said. "And the fun and exciting format makes it a lesson that's easy for children to learn."

But conservatives say it sees the video as a cunning attempt to promote homosexuality.

They point to the fact that the WAFF is linked to a pledge being promoted by some liberal groups which includes a recognition of tolerance of sexual identity.

"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organisation is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," Paul Batura, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, told the New York Times.

Mr Rodgers said the groups may have confused his foundation with an unrelated organisation with a similar name that supports gay youth.

WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who thought the video promoted homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased".

WTF?

SpongeBob and Tinky Winky are being used to brainwash kids into being gay?

"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organisation is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids" - Paul Batura

What a bitter and poisonous world these people must live in.


Mr Mephisto

EDIT: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm

[Mojo_PeiPei]

Have you ever watched Teletubbies? Those are some creepy little fuckers....

[Coppertop]

To tell the truth, I always did think SB was a little light in his loafers.

But calling it an insidious brainwashing method? C'mon... Our country has surely gone whackadoo. Don't people in prayer circles hold hands while praying? Must be gay then...

It's a harmless kid's show. Watching GI Joe didn't turn me into a gun-loving, terrorist fighting super soldier. Damnit, that would've been cool.

[Bodyhammer86]

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

Have you ever watched Teletubbies? Those are some creepy little fuckers....

I'm pretty sure you've already heard the old joke about one of those fuckers being gay, mojo. hehe

[Coppertop]

Not too hard seeing as how it was mentioned in the article above.

[Mephisto2]

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

Have you ever watched Teletubbies? Those are some creepy little fuckers....

Funny, isn't it? In the UK it was criticised as promoting drug use and being an icon for E heads.

Mr Mephisto

[MuadDib]

So the brits are latently afraid of hippies and read that fear into things while we are latently afraid of homosexuals and read that fear into things? I dunno, it just all sounds too far fetched [/saracasm]

[j8ear]

Duplicate thread...

Regardless, both use news sources outside the US, and this group has gotten very little (read: none) press within the US.

This is not a 'conservative group' or the 'us right' as so many like to point out and then attribute this attitude to all conservative groups (that's called prejudice).

This is a wacko fringe lunatic group.

-bear

[Mephisto2]

Originally Posted by j8ear

This is not a 'conservative group' or the 'us right' as so many like to point out and then attribute this attitude to all conservative groups (that's called prejudice).

This is a wacko fringe lunatic group.

-bear

Really?

http://www.afa.net/

http://www.family.org/


I recommend you go to their web-sites and check the "About us" links.

Not so whacko fringe any more, eh?



Mr Mephisto

PS - I find the use of the word "prejudice" (the accusation of prejudice?) in the post above almost amusing.

[linenman13]

Why does everything have to have a hidden agenda? Can't anything just be harmless fun?

[j8ear]

edit:

never mind.

If your amused by prejudice and think these groups are mainstream...more power to ya mate.

peace,

-bear

[Mojo_PeiPei]

Doesn't one of the teletubbies have something awfully similar to a "phallic" symbol on his head? It makes sense now, they are homosexuals... like the seven dwarfs.

[Mephisto2]

Originally Posted by j8ear

edit:

never mind.

If your amused by prejudice and think these groups are mainstream...more power to ya mate.

peace,

-bear

First and foremost, I never accused all conservative groups of harbouring such an attitude. The word prejudice was something you introduced and then accused me (by implication) of such a foible.

Secondly, everyone (or almost everyone) agrees that it is the conservative groups (or fringe groups if you prefer) that are the ones that promote prejudice.

Thirdly, you state the story got little or no press in the US. Here's a link to the story in today's NY Times. Call me an old fashioned foreign busy-body if you will, but as far as I know the NYT is considered a major news source.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/po.../20sponge.html

Here it is in the Kansas City Star: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...n/10686522.htm

Here it is in the Seattle Post Inquirer: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...ongebob20.html

I could go on.


Fourthly, you state that these groups (actually you mentioned it as only one group, but no matter) were the "whacko fringe".

Let me quote from their web-sites:

The impact of AFA is recognized nationwide. Don Wildmon and other AFA personnel have appeared on programs such as Good Morning America, The Today Show, MacNeill Lehrer Report, Nightline, The 700 Club, Meet the Press, Crossfire, and Focus on the Family. AFA is a long-time member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Disney/ABC cancels the pro-homosexual show Ellen, for "lack of ratings." AFA led the campaign to encourage responsible advertisers to drop from the show.


AFA and other pro-family groups sponsored a rally in support of Judge Roy Moore of Alabama who refused to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom.


AFA leads the effort to clean up Howard Stern Radio Show. To date, over 2/3rds off all advertisers dropped from the show in monitored areas.


AFA promotes Pornography Awareness Week


AFA distributes 400,000 copies of the the "Fight Back Book," a comprehensive resource guide of TV advertisers, products and addresses.


AFA supports and promotes Shatter the Silence, a national observance to bring attention to religious persecution throughout the world.

AFA leads efforts to expose abuses of tax dollars by National Endowment for the Arts.


The 43 Federal Prisons removed porn magazines from their commissaries after efforts by AFA supporters.


The Southland Corporation, owners and franchisers of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, along with 30,000 other convenience stores pulled porn magazines from shelves after intensive boycotting and picketing by AFA.


In 1994, AFA launched a "war on divorce," by helping develop and distribute the Marriage Savers video series.


AFA has promoted successful boycotts of several national advertisers because they were leading sponsors of TV sex, violence and profanity. Because of the boycotts, some companies - including Burger King, Clorox and S. C. Johnson - have changed their advertising policies.

and

Focus on the Family, a nonprofit organization ... produces [the founder's] internationally syndicated radio programs heard daily on more than 8,300 radio facilities in 25 languages in more than 164 other countries.

Peace to you too my friend.


Mr Mephisto

[Mephisto2]

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

Doesn't one of the teletubbies have something awfully similar to a "phallic" symbol on his head? It makes sense now, they are homosexuals... like the seven dwarfs.

Haha mojo.

Did you guys ever get an old BBC show called Noddy over there?

Noddy was a puppet who lived in ToyTown with his friend BigEars.

They eventually removed it from air because Noddy and BigEars used to share the same bed.


My other favourites was The Magic Roundabout a very popular TV show that was actually inspired by the creator's LSD trip. It was pretty out there, but quite fun none the less. Sadly it too is no more.


Mr Mephisto

[Dwayne]

So what if they are homosexuals! Little kids don't even understand sex at all. Also if you ask me the guy on blues clues is more homosexual than spongebob. I am also sick of people calling homosexuals evil.

[j8ear]

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

First and foremost, I never accused all conservative groups of harbouring such an attitude. The word prejudice was something you introduced and then accused me (by implication) of such a foible.

The title you selected for this thread belies your argument. You indeed lumped all conservatives with your nifty little "next" and "hit list" quip. I will once again point out that this is the very definition of prejudice. And this thread explemifies it. This isn't an accusation...it's a fact. Don't jump to an offended position. Prejudice is NOT always a bad thing. In this instance it made for a literary device used to spur discussion in an intersting thread.

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Secondly, everyone (or almost everyone) agrees that it is the conservative groups (or fringe groups if you prefer) that are the ones that promote prejudice.

This is patently rediculous. Worthy of no more discussion then that. Even your disclaimer of "almost everyone" is so far fetched, I am embarrassed that you resorted this sort of childish, unsubstantiatable nonsense.

Is this for real?

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Thirdly, you state the story got little or no press in the US. Here's a link to the story in today's NY Times. Call me an old fashioned foreign busy-body if you will, but as far as I know the NYT is considered a major news source.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/po.../20sponge.html

Here it is in the Kansas City Star: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...n/10686522.htm

Here it is in the Seattle Post Inquirer: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...ongebob20.html
I could go on.

I won't bore you with the details of "web only" content, taken from and credited directly to the BBC wires, or the fact that your other two sources are also web only, and taken from and credited to the NYT. This is not significant press. I suspect you could indeed go on. Google is our friend

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Fourthly, you state that these groups (actually you mentioned it as only one group, but no matter) were the "whacko fringe".

AAAh, a press release worthy tome and a ham radio and these wacko's are main stream?

Your just arguing for arguments sake aren't you?

Thanks for the boring, self congratulatory, pat on the back, "about us" link posted by this groups founder. I'm afraid they are still fringe. Wacko is probably too strong a description as I know nothing about them, have never heard of them before, and will likely never hear of them again. That's how I define fringe. Have you ever heard of them before?

The only place groups is mentioned is in the various articles...yet only one group is actually identified. Althugh assurance of "AT LEAST TWO" christian conservative american groups claim is presented...blah blah blah.

This might hit the papers tomorrow and might even hit some mainstream media outlets. But it'll die, since it's from a fringe WACKO group, and has no legs.

-bear

PS: I am very happy for Mr Squarepants. I have myself been attracted to Patrick in his multi limbed, spinelessly flexible sort of way...GRRRRRRoooowwwwllllllllll

[Mephisto2]

Originally Posted by j8ear

The title you selected for this thread belies your argument.

It does not. I'm surprised you cannot recognize humour when you see it. If you honestly believe the title was serious, then I suggest you are in a minority on this board. Or perhaps you are not familiar with my writing style. Or perhaps you just don't know humour. It could be any of these.

This is patently rediculous. Worthy of no more discussion then that. Even your disclaimer of "almost everyone" is so far fetched, I am embarrassed that you resorted this sort of childish, unsubstantiatable nonsense.

Is this for real?

Yes it is for real. And like all accusations of prejudice, it's based on opinion. One man's prejudice is another man's "moral indignity".

I warrant the majority of random people asked the question "Who are more prejudiced? Right wing conservative groups or left-wing liberal groups?" would answer "conservatives". That's my opinion. You disagree, that's your opinion.

And thanks for the insult. I'd like to be surprised, but I'm kinda used to being insulted by (apparent) conservatives for my semi-liberal politics.

I won't bore you with the details of "web only" content, taken from and credited directly to the BBC wires, or the fact that your other two sources are also web only, and taken from and credited to the NYT. This is not significant press. I suspect you could indeed go on. Google is our friend

Huh?

AAAh, a press release worthy tome and a ham radio and these wacko's are main stream?

Your just arguing for arguments sake aren't you?

haha... No. No I'm not. As I started this thread, with whom am I arguing? I responded to your post that "it" was a whacko fringe group. I also simply repeated the words used in the news articles. Did you read them?

They didn't say "Whacko conservative group", they said "Conservatives..."

Take it up with the journalists at the NYT is you have a beef.

Thanks for the boring, self congratulatory, pat on the back, "about us" link posted by this groups founder. I'm afraid they are still fringe. Wacko is probably too strong a description as I know nothing about them, have never heard of them before, and will likely never hear of them again. That's how I define fringe. Have you ever heard of them before?

I have actually heard of the AMA. And I note with interest that I have also heard of some of their "successes" (as reported in the About Us link), even from overseas. Goodness me!

This might hit the papers tomorrow and might even hit some mainstream media outlets. But it'll die, since it's from a fringe WACKO group, and has no legs.

Again, huh? I guess we'll have to see, but the references posted above simply prove your assertion that the story has got "none" [sic] press coverage in the US.

Anyway, I grow tiresome of arguing with someone who personally insults me, so I'll leave it at that. I wish you the best in your future endeavours.

Mr Mephisto

[Justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by guccilvr

Here's my point. Not only are the "christians" making themselve look dumber every day, they are killing their own religion. Maybe that's a good thing.

A child needs to learn that there are gay people in the world. It would be alot better than seeing teen kids who've been sheltered their whole life say "EWW that's disgusting" or hear the word "FAG" in negative way every 5 seconds. I hate spongebob personally, but really I never thought he was gay and even if he was it wouldn't change my opinion on the subject.

I'm assuming you are referring to religious extremists. Like the morons that try to say Harry Potter is evil! There is alot of Chrstians who do not give a damn about this garbage obviously.

Also, this cartoon really sucks. Still, until we see some anal play going on or deliberate gay statements, it's retarded to assume there is a hidden message in a cartoon.

[Mephisto2]

I think this thread may have been posted before mine?

If so, I apologize for the duplication.

Mr Mephisto

[cyrnel]

Originally Posted by Averett

Spongebob is not gay. He has a girlfriend named Sally. She's a squirell.

Then if we're considering The Bob to be humanish, shouldn't this be about bestiality?

[mike059]

I don't think the AFA is a fringe group either, Frankly their agenda scares the hell out of me. While it seems to be family oriented, these people want to control the media and are doing a fairly good job at it. There are several people where I work who are card carrying members of the AFA. Fringe to some. real to me.

[pan6467]

Originally Posted by linenman13

Why does everything have to have a hidden agenda? Can't anything just be harmless fun?

No, nothing can be harmless fun anymore. The reason is a simple marriage of 2 problems we feed instead of try to cure: we are at war and we need diversion to prevent the people from seeing it AND we are a conspiracy loving nation that wants to believe there are insidious reasons behind everything.

The right believes the left is conspiring, in everything they can, to destroy "family values" and promote a far leftist agenda.

The left believes the right is conspiring to turn us all into mind numbed zombies that will not question and will support this darkness to conquer the world.

Neither is even remotely true, although both sides make good arguments against the other, these conspiracies are paranoid delusions but because they sell and make profits for the media companies the media feeds this bullshit to us.

Sometimes, a cartoon is just a creation of an artistic mind and was created to just be fun and is purely superficial with nothing to it...... but people in this country, I firmly believe, have been programmed to look for the hidden meaning behind everything.

[Mephisto2]

Originally Posted by pan6467

The right believes the left is conspiring, in everything they can, to destroy "family values" and promote a far leftist agenda.

The left believes the right is conspiring to turn us all into mind numbed zombies that will not question and will support this darkness to conquer the world.

Well said. Though I don't believe it's the media or that "[the stories] sell and make profits for the media companies the media feeds this bullshit to us."

Isn't that a conspiracy theory all of its own?

It's just politics. And politics has become nasty since the Clinton Administration.




Mr Mephisto

[j8ear]

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Anyway, I grow tiresome of arguing with someone who personally insults me, so I'll leave it at that. I wish you the best in your future endeavours. Mr Mephisto

That's a shame. It is also quite weak. That's how it goes I guess.

It's common for the defeated to be confused with fact vs. opinion.

If you can chalk up your poor communication skills to my lack of humour or your writing style, again I guess, that's how it goes. It certainly wouldn't be the first time for you.

I won't challenge you again. Your retreat veiled as the high road is nauseating.

Thanks for the kind wishes.

SpongeBob, you yellow-bellied right angle assed fag. I've got your back anyday. You, Patrick, your pineapple under the sea! I don't care what wacko fringe group thinks your dangerous, or how the foriegn press, picked up marginally by the US press, distorts this delusion into an indictment on the entire conservative base.

-bear

[Mephisto2]

j8ear,

I don't have much more to say to you about this, or indeed probably much else in the future. I may disagree with what you say but I have never descended to the likes of your post above.

Mr Mephisto

[uncle_el]

Originally Posted by brianna

I don't understand what this gorup would like to have taught. From what i gather this video is about tollerating people's differences are conservatives actually against teaching children to be nice to one another?

lol. apparently so.

focus on the family is run by james dobson, a christian minister. while i think i understand the group's basic premise (reorient to family being the number one priority and center), in practice it doesn't seem so... apparently he is very influential with the current regime, err, administration.

why people continue to harp on fantasy characters/cartoons that aren't even human is beyond me. you'd think they'd have a larger problem with snl's "ambiguously gay duo" than a sponge and his starfish friend and hamburger car, or a bunch of creatures with televisions in their abdomens.

[Mephisto2]

Originally Posted by uncle_el

snl's "ambiguously gay duo"

I've never seen this skit, but already it sounds funny!

Mr Mephisto