Dobson and Medved warned of purported pro-gay "subtext" in Happy Feet
During the December 11 edition of his Focus on the Family broadcast, FOF founder and chairman James Dobson hosted syndicated conservative radio host Michael Medved to discuss the film Happy Feet (Warner Bros., November 2006), an animated feature about penguins living in Antarctica during a period of environmental upheaval. Medved claimed that the film contains a "subtext, as there so often is, about homosexuality," prompting Dobson to wonder whether the filmmakers are "getting at the idea that homosexuality is genetic."
As Media Matters for America has noted, in a November 17 entry, titled "Don't Be Misled By Crappy Feet," on his Townhall.com weblog, Medved called the animated movie, "the darkest, most disturbing feature length animated film ever offered by a major studio." He further alleged that the film contains "a bizarre anti-religious bias" and "a subtext that appears to plead for endorsement of gay identity." Medved also attacked Happy Feet in a November 29 op-ed in USA Today for its purported "pro-environmental" propaganda, as Media Matters also documented.
During the December 11 Focus on the Family broadcast, Medved repeated his warning of Happy Feet's purported pro-gay propaganda:
DOBSON: There is a movie that's out now, called Happy Feet. It's about penguins. It's obviously designed to pull children in and yet, you don't like it. I've read some of the things you've said about it. I haven't seen it and don't plan to see it but from what I've heard, I don't like it either. Explain why.
MEDVED: Because it's depressing and it's dark.
[...]
MEDVED: And then there's this whole subtext, as there so often is, about homosexuality. Not that the penguins are gay -- they're not gay -- but the one penguin hero doesn't fit in and the religious authorities -- the so-called religious right in the penguin world -- are very judgmental. They say, "You are not a penguin. You're not a real penguin." And then he makes this heartfelt plea, he says, "Dad, you have to accept me as I am. I can't change." And --
DOBSON: Are they getting at the idea that homosexuality is genetic? Is that what the subtle implication is?
MEDVED: Well, how many times do we hear that in the media? That it's not a matter of choice, it's not a matter of change, and my problem with that -- as I understand, that there are some people, who -- for whom that may be true, but they're other people -- and you and I know them -- who have changed their lives and have turned around their lives.
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These guys see homosexuality in everything. They just need to go ahead and **** and get it over with. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt and all that rot.
I agree with ya. Makeing something out of nothing it seems. If the movie trluey had gay propaganda, it would have come to light already.... I imagine.
Sounds like Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer to me. Was Rudolf gay?
He and the Winter Warlock are running their own interior design firm now.
Good lord should they end up working for my Mother! She is a Interior Designer. :0)
Why is Media Matters so obsessed with Dobson? Dobson is hardly ever political, and what he is talking about here has nothing to do with politics and conservatism. It definitely isn't conservative misinformation, which is what Media Matters claims its goal is to expose. This is an absolutely pointless post about a non-partisan religous leader talking about something that has nothing to do with politics.
You're wrong.
Dobson is highly political. As people have told you before, and said over and over again, and I will say here. The man is highly political. He has weekly phone conferences with the White House. How is that NOT political? He argued for an amendment in Colorado that would not allow for homosexuals to be granted the same rights as everyone else (anti discrimination to be revoked for homosexuals). How is that not political?
Dobson is as political as they come.
"He has weekly phone conferences with the White House."
Can you prove that? I've never heard anything like that. Also, my main point is that this particular post has nothing to with partisan politics. It's simply part of the overall culture war that Dobson and other traditionalists are fighting. I'm not sure why it's necessary for Media Matters to cover that. And for the record, Dobson does claim to be non-partisan. He simply supports candidates who share the same biblical principles that he has. I'm sure that if there was ever a pro-life Democrat running against a pro-choice Republican, he would probably support the Democrat. He only cares about a few issues.
This isn't some conspiracy thing that he has these calls, it has been known, and out there for quite some time.
Just a few articles about Dobson and the political influence that he wields:
[link to www.slate.com] [link to www.washingtonpost.com] [link to www.thestate.com] [link to www.thenation.com] [link to www.evangelicalright.com] [link to www.tylwythteg.com] [link to www.harpers.org] [link to www.pfaw.org]
Should I continue??
"And for the record, Dobson does claim to be non-partisan. He simply supports candidates who share the same biblical principles that he has."
Anti-gay principles, you mean. Plus, it sounds to me like that's trying to un-secularize an institution whose very charter says it must remain secular. That makes him pretty conservative, I'd say. And labeling a story about a misfit "pro-gay propaganda" is outright misinformation.
We believe that God has ordained three basic institutions — the church, the family and the government — for the benefit of all humankind. The family exists to propagate the human race and to provide a safe haven in which to nurture, teach and love the younger generation. The church exists to minister to individuals and families by sharing the love of God and the message of repentance and salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. The government exists to maintain cultural equilibrium and to provide a framework for social order.
If that ain't political, I don't know what is.
Why is Media Matters so obsessed with Dobson?
MMFA covers conservative misinformation. Mr. Dobson is a conservative who spreads misinformation.
On a side note, as I predicted.
[link to www.arabnews.com]
Good call, EL.
How is this particular post an example of conservative misinformation? Where's the misinformation?
is certainly on the line, I'll grant you that. Dobson is just stating his opinion that there's a homosexual subtext in the movie. However, his opinion is based on so little fact that I think it qualifies as misinformation. At least with Spongebob he could point to the same-sex hand-holding. Here, he's got nothing.
I think they were reaching with Sponge Bob too; he doesn't even have genitals. He's a a sponge with legs.
That's a good observation. I would point out that love is about more than genitalia.
He is a sponge though and I think sponges are asexual. I guess SpongeBob could be just as easily be accused of destroying traditional marriage with his/her narcissistic mode of reproduction and single parent lifestyle. You know the asexual agenda has been worse for this country than the Beatles.
There are posts on MMFA that deal with conservative absurdity, but not necessarily misinformation. I think the point on the absurd items is to make the link that here are the asinine views of these people, and then here are the mainstream media outlets that give these people a soapbox.
When you make assertions like Dobson did without the slightest possibility of backing them up, I say its misinformation. Just because its my opinion isnt a valid excuse. When conspiricy theorists made accusations about Bush being complicit in 9/11 even though it was their OPINION, the rightwing certainly condemned it.
>>"Why is Media Matters so obsessed with Dobson?"<<
Y'know, you make an interesting point. Makes me wonder...
Why are cops so obsessed with policing things? Why are barbers so obsessed with barbering? Why are wingnuts so obsessed with all things gay?
It's all about penguin LUST
now, it has a "pro-gay subtext" . . .
Earth to Dobson, Medved, Cavuto, and all wingnuts: ITS A FREAKIN' ANIMATED MOVIE ABOUT TALKING PENGUINS!! IT IS NOT REALISTIC!!!
Amazing - these clowns can muster up all kinds of outrage for SpongeBob SquarePants, Happy Feet, and other celluloid creations, but can't get enough of an ILLEGAL WAR that has cost the lives - REAL ones - of nearly 3,000 US servicepersons and thousands of Iraqi civilians . . .
The irony of these 110% hetero manly man seeing gayness in everything is too funny.
but no more overtly than it addresses racial hatred, class warfare, elitism, and CHRIST'S message!!!
OK, now you all must think that I'm totally bonkers. But isn't His message that we are all equal in His eyes? That when compared to pure innocence , we each and everyone one of us fall short?
Judge not, Medved/Dobson/TD, least ye be judged and all of that.
My understanding of Christ's teaching includes the human need for acceptance just the way we are.
Why is it so hard for some people to accept that He modeled exactly that for us? What is it with these people anyway?
Dobson: "I haven't seen it and don't plan to see it but from what I've heard, I don't like it either. Explain why."
Hilarious.
And P.S. to truthteller: if you had bothered to read the last Happy Feet article, then you'd already know that the film makes no mention at all of global warming. The environmental upheaval concerns pollution and overfishing.Aand if you're going to start reading a gay agenda into every kid's movie about an animal that feels like he's different from the others and just wants to be accepted, then you're going to come up with a very long list. Rudolph's gay, Simba's gay, Dumbo's gay, Pinocchio's gay, the Little Mermaid's a lesbian...........take it from there.
Rudolph with his "red" nose that's really pink when he's not turned on, the pink part of Dumbo's ears, Pinnochio living with that perv who created him for his own sexual gratification...what a sick world the libs have created.
Even for these dim bulbs. Its about conformity. The message that its ok to be different to march to the beat of a different drummer is anathema to a certain part of the rightwing. Conformity is necessary for them. Do what you are told think what you are told and for goodness sake NEVER tell your children its ok to think for yourself.
Make up problems to draw attention away from the real problems that plague our nation, the same problems that the Republican are either unwilling or unable to deal with.
Forget about healthcare, unemployment, job exportation, lack of opportunity, low wages, government corruption, race relations and our soldiers dying in Iraq...
WE HAVE DANCING PENGUINS TRYING TO TURN YOUR KIDS GAY! Break out the angry mob tools and converge on Hollywood!
Why would Dobson work on real problems? Those require effort and thought and (gasp) compassion. What is one humble preacher suppose to do? He only rakes in a measly $100 million a year and he has all those noble Republicans to bankroll. He's better equipped to handle and solve nonexistent problems.
that we should teach children that homosexuality is not evil. How dare schools teach the truth, such as the sinful notion that homosexuals may be BORN homosexual. Oh, no, we must continue to foster the notions hatched by Bronze Age goatherds...they were experts on homosexuality, you see. By all means, we must continue to teach hate and fear.
Dobson and his fellow troglodytes are so afraid that science will finally prove that homosexuality is not a choice...then all their preaching to the contrary will be exposed for the utter nonsense it is.
Here's a question for all you troglodytes who are SO worried that your children will be taught not to hate homosexuals and will subsequently decide to be homosexuals themselves. Do you remember deciding to be heterosexual? How old were you when you looked at girls, then looked at boys and said, "Hmmmm, I think I prefer the girls, they're rounder and smell better...I'll go with that."
If you can remember consciously making that choice, I'd love to hear about it.
This is an arugment I like to use all of the time, and of course the responses I normally get are, "Well, I just knew."
Ooookkk?
Then how is that gay people don't "just know"?
Ah yes I remember it well. I was six and looking at Sally and Sam on the playground. Which one? Which one? Then Sally offered me half of her twinkie, but Sam just picked his nose. The rest is history!
I went to the movies and watched One Million BC. I kept looking at skimpily clad Raquel and thinking I have GOT to get me one of those, the hairy guy, not so much.
The same people who don't want their children taught to tolerate homosexuals also generally oppose the teaching of evolution. Now, what could these two things possibly have in common? I'm thinking...
6:30 - wake up and get ready for work 7:30 driving to work 8:00 - start work 12:00 - leave work for school 2:00 - come back to work 4:30 - leave work 5:00 - go home and cook dinner with my boyfriend - discuss the days events, etc... 6:00 - work on home work 7:00 - still working on home work 8:00 - watch movie, read book, play games online, go for a walk, etc. 10:00 - get ready for bed 10:30 - read till I fall asleep
You should see how evil & gay my lifestyle is on the weekends!
- I might go out for dinner or hang out with my friends at a bar (straight ones even) - I might spend time with my family... My nieces love me and their Uncle Juan. -I might attend a community event or go to the farmers market. -Go camping or for a hike -You get the idea right?
Super EVIL
Of course I left out the parts where I spend my time trying to recruit straight men and children. I just figured that was a given...
You didn't mention engaging in any homosexual activities in your 'evil homo lifestyle'
If you don't mind my asking, Why is that?
If somebody asked you to describe your lifestyle, would you include "9:30: engaged in vaginal intercourse with the wife"?
You are of course assuming that AA has a wife. It's quite possible he was just flirting with MHK.
Be of the rubber variety?
Where's the part where you destroy a heterosexual marriage, like say, that of your neighbors?
Where's the part where you sell your lifestyle to your neighbor's children?
Aren't these the things the rightwing says are reasons we need to fear you?
It's only a cartoon!
Show tunes and chorus lines do tend to be a "gay" thing....even if composed of animated penguins.
Perhaps to your suave command of tired stereotypes, Redking ("bad driving is kind of an Asian thing," "body odour puts me in mind of the French," "to be honest, dribbling toothless shotgun-wielding religious cranks do make me think of America"), but I doubt the target audience of this film shares your sophistication.
...is to close down all the polysemic texts in the world. Any text (literary, visual, musical, filmic) that can possibly be decoded in a way that is positive to a gay or non-Christian audience must have its semiotic polyvalence ruthlessly supressed! No more subtexts! No more interpretation! No more unsettling ambiguity! It's confusing the Christians!!
What sad people. Seeing commies in every closet, gays in every classroom, War On Christmas armies marching in every mall and agendas in every kid's movie. It must be so very hard to keep up hope without praying for God to eliminate everyone not like themselves. Jesus said "Love one another as I have LOVED you." These guys just never will get it. They must make Jesus cry to see their perverted brand of 'Love'.
...and are just now pathetic. I am glad my mental functions allow me to live in a better world than Medved and Dobson. I doubt even they believe the garbage they spew. Can you imagine what disgusting secrets hide in their closets?