Wong & Owens Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 SpongeBob absorbs groups' wrath Christian critics say video `pro-homosexual' By David D. Kirkpatrick New York Times News Service Published January 21, 2005 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. "Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, asked the guests Tuesday night at a black-tie dinner for members of Congress and political allies to celebrate the election results. In many circles, SpongeBob needs no introduction. He is popular among children and grown-ups as well who watch him cavorting under the sea on the Nickelodeon cartoon program that bears his name. In addition, he has become a well-known camp figure among gay men, perhaps because he holds hands with his animated sidekick Patrick and likes to watch the imaginary television show "The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy." Now, Dobson said, SpongeBob's creators have enlisted him in a "pro-homosexual video" in which he appears alongside other children's television characters such as Barney, Blue from "Blue's Clues," Clifford the Big Red Dog and Jimmy Neutron, among many others. The makers of the video, he 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." He urged his allies to stand together to stop it as part of a "spiritual battle" for the country. The video's creator, Nile Rodgers, who wrote the disco hit "We Are Family," says Dobson's objection stemmed from a misunderstanding. Rodgers said he founded the We Are Family Foundation after the Sept. 11 attacks to create a music video featuring 100 well-known cartoon characters--of many species--dancing to his song to teach children about multiculturalism. The video has appeared on Nickelodeon and other television networks, and nothing in it or its accompanying materials refers to sexual identity. The "tolerance pledge," which was borrowed from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is not mentioned on the video and is available only on the group's Web site. Rodgers suggested that Dobson and the American Family Association, the conservative Christian group that first sounded the alarm, might have been confused because of an unrelated Web site belonging to another group called We Are Family. That site is owned by a Charleston, S.C., group aimed at supporting gay youths. "The fact that some people may be upset with other people's lifestyles, that is OK," Rodgers said. "We are just talking about respect." Mark Barondeso, general counsel for the We Are Family Foundation, suggested that anyone who says the video promotes homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased." On Wednesday, however, Paul Batura, assistant to Dobson at Focus on the Family, said the group stood by its charges, even as it acknowledged that the "tolerance pledge" was available only on the We Are Family Web site and not in material sent to the schools. "We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," he said. "It is a classic bait and switch." I hope Focus on the Family catches ebola. Every one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 This is the same James Dobson who took credit for Bush's victory in November. Enjoy the next four years, until Dobson tries to make your lifestyle illegal too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Oh and to answer your question. The answer is no. Big Bird is 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 QUOTE(winodj @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 08:18 AM) This is the same James Dobson who took credit for Bush's victory in November. Enjoy the next four years, until Dobson tries to make your lifestyle illegal too. I know it's tough on us Dems, but I don't think they can outlaw us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 The nice thing about this is that they are trying to stop something that teaches tolerance. Ya know, isn't accepting fellow human beings and being nice to people generally considered a GOOD thing? I don't get these knuckleheads. We go over to Iraq and all those places, and say that we are trying to help them, and that they can live their lives without interference from us. But then we don't even allow our children to see things that might help them accept people, no matter who they might be. Man, the world is one f'ed up place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 09:29 AM) I know it's tough on us Dems, but I don't think they can outlaw us We can try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxy Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Wow. :banghead :banghead :banghead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 (edited) Dobson is just pissed that his attempt at a pop song, "Focus on the Family," never even charted while Rogers' "We Are Family" was a smash hit. In addition to writing that Sister Sledge chestnut, Niles Rogers is a highly respected studio producer, so credit where it is due. He also made several performance appearances at Kerry-Edwards '04 rallies, so he may have found himself in the crosshairs of the religiosos by association as well. Edited January 21, 2005 by FlaSoxxJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 He also wrote Le Freak, as a member of Chic. It's actually a reaction to not being let into Studio 54 one night. However the label didn't like the original chorus of "f*** Off." True story. Thank you VH1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 QUOTE(winodj @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 11:10 AM) He also wrote Le Freak, as a member of Chic. It's actually a reaction to not being let into Studio 54 one night. However the label didn't like the original chorus of "f*** Off." True story. Thank you VH1. Pop up video? I miss that show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Behind The Music: Studio 54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowerCaseRepublican Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Cuz you know when I think of cartoon characters that promote sexuality, I think of asexual sponges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 05:40 PM) Cuz you know when I think of cartoon characters that promote sexuality, I think of asexual sponges. Yeah, as far as I know, the only sponge that ever got any real action was the Today Sponge®. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxy Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 04:40 PM) Cuz you know when I think of cartoon characters that promote sexuality, I think of asexual sponges. You know my ex-boyfriend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 I already told you I'm sorry. I didn't see your parents when I was doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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