Article8 Fundies and WorldNetDaily: Homosexual Barney-Spongebob Conspiracy

[Ian David]

From the latest Article8.org newsletter:
http://www.article8.org/docs/a8_updates/A8_Update_050107.htm

NEWS ITEM: SpongeBob and Barney are the latest vehicles for homosexual activists to push their agenda on young children. WorldNetDaily–Jan. 6 Sponsored by FedEx, this slick video promoting homosexual “families” is based on the 1970’s song, “We are Family” and will be distributed to public and private elementary schools nationwide March 11, along with lesson plans for teachers. Also involved is the Disney Channel. Corporate America continues its campaign against traditional values.



SpongeBob, Barney promote 'gay' tolerance
61,000 schools to receive 'We Are Family' video with lesson plan
Posted: January 6, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

<snip>

AFA researcher Ed Vitagliano sees the project as an "open door" to a secondary discussion of homosexuality, noting the the foundation has a "tolerance pledge" on its website that children and others are encouraged to sign, which includes sexual orientation. (Editor's note: This story previously linked to the website of a group that has the same name but no connection to the video. WND regrets the error.)

"While we want everyone to respect other people's beliefs, we do not consider it appropriate for children's television to be used in an effort to indoctrinate children to accept homosexuality," he said.

Vitagliano says the foundation is employing a bait-and-switch approach, with popular children's figures such as Arthur, Dora the Explorer, JoJo, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Big Bird and Bob the Builder.

<snip>

Characters appearing in the video are from award-winning shows including "Arthur," "Barney," "Bear in the Big Blue House," "Between the Lions," "Blue's Clues, Bob the Builder," "The Book of Pooh," "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Dora the Explorer," "Jimmy Neutron," "JoJo's Circus," "Kim Possible," "Lilo & Stitch: The Series," "Little Mermaid," "Madeline," "The Magic School Bus," "The Muppet Show," "The Proud Family," "Rugrats," "Sesame Street," "SpongeBob SquarePants," and "Zoom."

The video also features cameo appearances by entertainers Bill Cosby, Diana Ross and Whoopi Goldberg.

More:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42253

For more on WND's expose of the Spongebob's dark Agenda:

Who's hue of 2004

These days, it seems there's a dark side to just about everything. That includes SpongeBob Squarepants.

A load of Valentine's Day greetings cards featuring the popular cartoon character showed up lacking Bob's signature yellow color.

As the Detroit Free Press noted: "He's black. And with his trademark big teeth and wide eyes, this SpongeBob seems similar to offensive images of African Americans portrayed in minstrel shows decades ago."
http://www.freep.com/features/living/sponge13_20040213.htm

"We absolutely fell out of our chairs when we saw it," said Carol Miller of the American Greetings Corp., claiming it was just a mistake by printers in China.

Another spokesman said, "Culturally, the guys on press in China wouldn't have the faintest idea of who a SpongeBob was or who a black SpongeBob was."

Come to think of it, the same might actually hold true for Michael Jackson.


------
See also previous discussion:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=221&topic_id=3520

I'm going to post a follow-up thread of some of Article 8's other nonsense in a few moments.

For more informaiton about the We are a Family Video:

SpongeBob, Barney to Sing 'We Are Family'
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-We-Are-Family.html?oref=login&oref=login

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: November 16, 2004

Filed at 5:11 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- Look out kids. SpongeBob SquarePants, Barney and Clifford the
Big Red Dog are joining forces to rerecord the disco tune ``We Are Family'' to
promote diversity and tolerance in classrooms.

A video starring the three children's characters plus nearly 100 others,
including Dora the Explorer and Arthur, will be distributed to 61,000 public
and private elementary schools nationwide, along with lesson plans for
teachers. It will air simultaneously on Nickelodeon, the Public Broadcasting
Service and the Disney Channel in March.

``This is an unprecedented event. For the first time characters from all of the
important kids shows came together to appear in the same video,'' said video
producer Christopher Cerf. ``The producers and performers from each show
embraced the spirit and message of this project.''

The We Are Family Foundation was founded by singer-songwriter Nile Rodgers, who
wrote the song recorded in 1979 by Sister Sledge. The nonprofit organization
creates and supports programs about diversity and multiculturalism. The video
was financed by a grant from the Toni Mendez Shapiro estate.

``Cooperation and unity are the most important values we can teach children. We
believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbor,'' Rodgers
said.

------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/Article_PR_ChildDVD.htm

Over 100 Beloved Children's Characters Unite in Unprecedented Recording November
10, 2004

November 10, 2004, NEW YORK – Arthur, Barney, Bear, Big Bird, Clifford, JoJo and
SpongeBob, as well as over 100 other beloved children's characters, have united
to re-record the smash hit "We Are Family" in an unprecedented music video to

promote tolerance and diversity to America's children. The video, which
demonstrates to children the importance of togetherness embodied in the word
“family”, will be distributed to 61,000 public and private elementary schools
in the United States on March 11, 2005, in celebration of the proposed National
We Are Family Day.

The We Are Family Foundation together with its partners the Anti-Defamation
League, Crown Theatres, Disney Channel, FedEx, Nickelodeon, HIT Entertainment,
Nile Rodgers/Sony Publishing/The Bernard Edwards Estate/Warner Chapel, Nelvana,
PBS, Scholastic, Sesame Workshop, Toni Mendez Shapiro Estate, and WGBH have come
together to produce and distribute this unprecedented children's educational
music video and curriculum. The characters appearing in the video are from
award-winning shows including Arthur, Barney, Bear in the Big Blue House,
Between the Lions, Blue's Clues, Bob the Builder, The Book of Pooh, Clifford
the Big Red Dog, Dora the Explorer, Jimmy Neutron, JoJo's Circus, Kim Possible,
Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Little Mermaid, Madeline, The Magic School Bus, The
Muppet Show, The Proud Family, Rugrats, Sesame Street, SpongeBob SquarePants,
and Zoom, among others. The video, which also features cameo appearances by
Bill Cosby, Diana Ross and Whoopi Goldberg, will air simultaneously on Disney
Channel, Nickelodeon and PBS on March 11, 2005 as a Public Service
Announcement. A PSA will also air in Crown Theatres across the nation.

"This is an unprecedented event: for the first time characters from all of the
important kids' shows came together to appear in the same video," stated
Christopher Cerf, award-winning children's TV/music producer, who, along with
Mitchell Kriegman, president of Shadow Projects, spearheaded production. "The
producers and performers from each show embraced the spirit and message of this
project. They were thrilled to allow their characters to appear with other
characters from different shows simply because they understood the importance
and meaning behind 'We Are Family.'"

“Cooperation and unity are the most important values we can teach children. We
believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbor,” says
Nile Rodgers, co-writer of the song “We Are Family” and founder of the We Are
Family Foundation. “And the fun and exciting format makes it a lesson that's
easy for children to learn.”

The special DVD includes opening and closing wrap-around comments from
characters spreading the message of diversity and unity as well as a "sing
along" version of the song. Additionally, there is a special introduction by
FedEx, who has generously donated their services to deliver these educational
packages to the U.S. public school district offices as well as to private
schools nationwide. "FedEx is proud to provide in-kind shipping for the We Are
Family project. Promoting diversity is part of our corporate culture at FedEx.
As a multinational corporation, diversity is not just a people issue, it's a
business issue. We value the diversity of our employees, customers and
suppliers. Helping to deliver the We Are Family Foundation messages of respect,
understanding and appreciation of differences to our nation's schoolchildren is
a natural extension of how we do business,” states William G. Margaritis,
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Corporate Communications.

Each package will include a DVD of the music video and a booklet containing
educational lesson plans developed in collaboration with the Anti-Defamation
League's Miller Early Childhood Initiative of A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ®
Institute. The lessons aim to put the video's themes of respect, understanding
and appreciation of diversity into practice and are designed for pre-K through
first grade audiences with additional teaching guidelines for grades two to
six.

All teaching guides will be available for download from both the Anti-Defamation
League (www.adl.org) and We Are Family Foundation
(www.wearefamilyfoundation.org) Web sites. In addition, a preview of the
children's video is available at the We Are Family Foundation Web site.

Production of this major initiative has been funded by a grant from the Toni
Mendez Shapiro Estate. "We Are Family" is used courtesy of Nile Rodgers / Sony
Publishing and Bernard Edwards Estate / Warner Chappel.

THE PARTNERS

Anti-Defamation League - A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute
The Anti-Defamation League's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute is a leading
provider of anti-bias and diversity education training programs used by
schools, universities, corporations, community organizations, and law
enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. and abroad. The origins of the A WORLD
OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute date back to 1985, when ADL and WCVB-TV in Boston
initiated the A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE campaign, a year-long series of education
and media-driven programs designed to combat prejudice and create effective
tools to address these issues in the classroom and community. The campaign's
immense success led to ongoing programs and the 1992 official launch of the A
WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute, comprised of four distinct departments –
CLASSROOM, CAMPUS, COMMUNITY and WORKPLACE. The Anti-Defamation League, founded
in 1913, is one of the nation's premier human relations and civil rights
agencies and is dedicated in purpose and program to combating anti-Semitism and
all forms of bigotry, defending democratic ideals and protecting civil rights
for all.

Crown Theatres
Crown Theatres, L.P., one of the premiere motion picture exhibition companies in
America, is a 182 Screen Motion Picture Theatre Circuit based at 64 North Main
St., South Norwalk, CT 06854 with theatres in Connecticut, Maryland, New York,
Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada and Florida.

Disney Channel
Disney Channel is the only television network dedicated to kid-driven, family
inclusive programming 24 hours a day. In the most recent Nielsen Media Research
monthly data (October 2004), Disney Channel primetime is #1 with Kids 6-11 and
Tweens 9-14. Disney Channel's lineup, featuring original live action and
animated series and movies plus contemporary acquired programming, reflects
kids' life experiences and incorporates the multiplicity of today's world,
including people of many cultures, religions, geographic locales and physical
and mental capabilities. The network's "Express Yourself" campaign featuring
Disney Channel stars encouraging viewers to embrace and accept their
differences also supports its dedication to communication, diversity and
optimism. Playhouse Disney, a programming block for the youngest viewers,
features learning-based programming that invites co-viewing with parents and
caregivers. All Playhouse Disney programming is guided by a "Whole Child
Curriculum," a philosophy that suggests intelligence and learning go far beyond
verbal and quantitative skills like memorizing the alphabet and learning to
count. Available on basic cable in over 85 million homes, Disney Channel is
part of Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group, a division of The Walt Disney Company.

FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad
portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual
revenues of $26 billion, the company offers integrated business applications
through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively,
under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most
admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 240,000 employees
and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the
highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and
communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.

HIT Entertainment PLC
Established in 1989, HIT Entertainment PLC (www.hitentertainment.com) is one of
the world's leading preschool children's entertainment producers and rights
owners. With operations in the U.S., UK, Canada, Japan and Germany, the
company's activities span television production and distribution, home
entertainment, consumer products, publishing and live events. HIT's portfolio
of internationally renowned children's brands, such as Bob the Builder ™,
Barney™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™ , Rubbadubbers™ and Angelina Ballerina™ are
enjoyed by children in over 180 countries. In the U.S., UK and Canada, HIT
Entertainment also acts as a representative for the popular preschool property,
The Wiggles ® . Additionally, HIT owns the Guinness World Records Ô publishing
and television property. HIT is committed to providing enduring entertainment
that supports the values of devoted caregivers and empowers young children with
a positive approach to life.

Nelvana
Nelvana Limited is one of the world's leading international producers and
distributors of children's programming and products. Its current stable of
franchise properties includes Emmy Award ® -winning and globally renowned
brands such as Babar , Franklin , Maurice Sendak's Little Bear , The Berenstain
Bears and Beyblade . Nelvana is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based
media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV
and Radio. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting
and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the
Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' website can be found at
www.corusentertainment.com .

Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, the only network that puts kids first, launched in 1979 and has
grown to become the most-watched television network by kids in the United
States and basic cable's number-one network overall. Nickelodeon's "kids first"
philosophy is the key element to its business successes, which in addition to
television now includes feature films, consumer products, records, online,
recreation and publishing. Nickelodeon television programming is seen in more
than 86 million households in the United States and 471 million households
globally in 161 territories via channels, branded program blocks and
international program sales. Nickelodeon operates 29 channels across Africa,
Asia and the Pacific Rim, CIS/Baltic Republics, Europe, Latin America and the
United States.

PBS
PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves the nation's 349 public
noncommercial television stations, reaching over 90 million people each week
through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television
and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic
entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award
competitions. PBS is the leading provider of educational materials for K-12
teachers, and offers a broad array of educational services for adult learners.
PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web sites - pbskids.org and pbskidsgo.org
- continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for
children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the
leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet, averaging more than 30 million
unique visitors and 380 million page views per month in 2004. PBS is
headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.

Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful
difference in children's lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop
changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street . Today, the
Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using
its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are
engaging and enriching. Sesame Workshop is behind award-winning programs like
Dragon Tales and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat and ground breaking multimedia
productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. As a nonprofit, Sesame Workshop
puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street , Dragon Tales and
Sagwa products right back into its educational projects for children around the
world. Find the Workshop online at www.sesameworkshop.org .

Scholastic Entertainment
Scholastic Entertainment (SE) is a leading producer of quality, family-oriented
feature films, television programming, videos, and web sites and is a major
developer and marketer of children's brands worldwide. SE produces the
award-winning, top-rated animated series Clifford The Big Red Dog Ò (PBS KIDS Ò
); the spin-off to this hit series, Clifford's Puppy Days™ (PBS KIDS) ; the
Emmy-award winning series I SPY (HBO Family) and The Magic School Bus Ò (TLC),
starring Lily Tomlin; the award-winning Dear America Ò series; and the popular
kids' adventure series Animorphs ® and Goosebumps Ò . This fall, SE's new
series, Maya & Miguel ™, debuted on PBS KIDS GO!. Scholastic Entertainment's
critically acclaimed feature films include Clifford's Really Big Movie , The
Baby-sitters Club , The Indian in the Cupboard , and The Mighty. SE also
recently announced that it will produce the award-winning Philip Pullman
trilogy, His Dark Materials, for New Line Cinema . Scholastic Entertainment is
the entertainment and media division of Scholastic.

We Are Family Foundation
The We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization,
was founded in 2002 by legendary songwriter/producer Nile Rodgers. WAFF
celebrates our common humanity and the vision of a global family by creating
and supporting programs that inspire and educate individuals of all ages about
diversity, understanding and multiculturalism. www.wearefamilyfoundation.org.

WGBH
WGBH Boston is the producer of award-winning children's series such as Arthur
(produced with Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc.), Between the Lions (produced with
Sirius Thinking, Ltd), Postcards from Buster (produced with Cookie Jar
Entertainment Inc. in association with Marc Brown Studios) and ZOOM , airing on
PBS and Peep and the Big Wide World (produced with 9 Story Entertainment in
association with TV Ontario and Discovery Kids) airing on Discovery. Under the
leadership of vice president Brigid Sullivan, the WGBH children's lineup leads
the field in educational multimedia (including the Web, broadband, and
interactive television) and in technologies and services that make media
accessible for people with disabilities. WGBH's current children's series have
been recognized with some of the world's most prestigious awards, including 10
Emmys, the George Foster Peabody award, three Prix Jeunesse awards, a BAFTA,
and more than half a dozen Parents' Choice awards.
#######

[RPM]

1. let me see.... X-tian tolerance - Good; Gay Tolerance - Bad

Hmmmmmm - christians bitch and wail about being oppressed (despite being the majority religion in the Western world for the better part of 2000 years - can you say complex) and insist on religious tolerance for their beliefs.

But when it is time for gays to demand equality, tolerance becomes a term they act like they have never heard of.

:eyes:

[Ian David]

3. But.. but... but... you just don't get it

They're CHRISTIANS!

That means that God told them to do it, so it has to be right.

[Ian David]

2. Some pictures from the anti-gay Article 8 Coalition Fundies

[Dufaeth]

4. There should be a pink "Don't tread on me" flag eom

n/t

[renaissanceguy]

6. They bitch about our teaching kids tolerance....

while they are putting their kids to the frontlines of HATRED.

It absolutely sickens me whenever I see kids holding up these signs. It's obvious their parents made them do it. The kids don't know better.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14744325 http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14744526

[Ian David]

8. You know, take a look at the girl holding the sign...

Don't you think that the sign is sufficiently vague to be used for messages IN FAVOR OF gay marriage?

[RPM]

5. kick

:kick:

[Dark]

7. If Judges have to follow the will of the people and not the law,

then I want Gore vs. Bush overturned PRONTO!

[Ian David]

9. It's not Gore v Bush. It's Bush v Gore

Bush sued Gore to STOP THE RECOUNT!