Update - Some of the links once on this page have been changed or removed from the original posting due to the fluid nature of the Internet. All quotes were taken from associated webpages that were up at the time...
~~~~~~~
Accusations abound that Dr. Dobson said Spongebob Squarepants, a cartoon character, is homosexual and promotes the gay lifestyle... Here is the whole story as I found it.
From Dr. Dobson's Website
----quote----
Question: Why is Dr. Dobson objecting to the distribution of a video featuring such popular children's characters as SpongeBob SquarePants?
Answer: From the outset, let's be clear that this issue is not about objections to any specific cartoon characters. Instead, Dr. Dobson is concerned that these popular animated personalities are being exploited by an organization that's determined to promote the acceptance of homosexuality among our nation's youth.
We applaud the ideal of championing to children the value and dignity of every human life as well as respect for our differences. What we vehemently object to is using these beloved characters to help advance an agenda that's beyond the comprehension of 6 and 7 year-old children, not to mention morally offensive to millions of moms and dads.
The video in question is slated to be distributed to 61,000 public and private elementary schools throughout the United States. Where it is shown, schoolchildren will be left with the impression that their teachers are offering their endorsement of the values and agenda associated with the video's sponsor. While some of the goals associated with this organization are noble in nature, their inclusion of the reference to "sexual identity" within their "tolerance pledge" is not only unnecessary, but it crosses a moral line.
We believe that it is the privilege of parents to decide how, when and where it is appropriate to introduce their children to these types of sensitive issues. The distribution of this video trumps the authority of mothers and fathers and leaves it in the hands of strangers whose standards may very well be different than the children they teach.
By calling it to light this video and its affiliation with this larger organization, we are attempting to do for parents what their busy lives often prevent them from doing themselves--connecting the dots.
----end quote---
prying1 sez: It is a well known known fact that Dr. Dobson disagrees with the homosexual agenda. Hate or "homophobia" are not the reasons for the disagreement but spiritual and religious conviction. As a lover of the truth (see my first post) I feel it is necessary to compare Dobson's statement with The L.A. Times and the New York Times. (Defunct links to both papers removed)
-------------
L.A. Times has
ONE SENTENCE attributed to Dr. James Dobson
- "Does anyone here know SpongeBob?" Dr. James Dobson asked DARKLY, addressing a black-tie audience at one of Tuesday's inaugural events. -
and NO links to the entire speech. (darkly? Is that thrown in for effect making him appear sinister??? Is that the way a real newspaper should act? Of course this is from their opinion page not a 'real' newspage.)
ONE QUOTE from a spokesman that has an ellipses in the middle (and in the wrong spot note as/is in real sentence. Might be nitpicking but I am a nitpcker so...)
- "We see the video ... as manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," Dobson's spokesperson told the New York Times on Wednesday. "It's a classic bait and switch.". -
Hmmmm...
--------------
New York Times has ONE SENTENCE attributed to Dr. James Dobson and NO links to the entire speech.
- "Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" Dr. James C. Dobson, the 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. -
TWO SENTENCES from a spokesman that may have had sentences between them. Who knows with these bastions of truth reporting.
- "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." -
Hmmmm...
-------------
All of the writing around those 3 lines are written by people who are obviously trying to foster hatred and intolerance towards Dr. Dobson.
-------------
We are Family Website
The Pledge page has been moved or removed from the We Are Family Foundation website
Tolerance is a personal decision that comes from a belief that every person is a treasure. I believe that America's diversity is its strength. I also recognize that ignorance, insensitivity and bigotry can turn that diversity into a source of prejudice and discrimination.
To help keep diversity a wellspring of strength and make America a better place for all, I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own.
-----------------------
Should the reporters and staff at both the Times buildings take the pledge? It is obvious they are intolerant of Dobson's well known views that homosexuality is not a viable lifestyle...
He is not alone in this view so why is he the one to be attacked? Perhaps it is because both papers are narrow minded and bigoted...
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Attack Dobson? For what?
Friday, January 21, 2005
Michael Moore Gets No Respect!
AP news/excite.com
- Moore Gets No Love From Old High School -
DAVISON, Mich. (AP) - Oscar on the shelf or not, Michael Moore is not getting much respect at his old high school. Despite his fame and many honors, the filmmaker has been rejected all four times that he has been nominated for Davison High School's Hall of Fame.
"Would you want him as a role model? Would you want your son or daughter to be like him?" asked Don Hammond, a member of the Hall of Fame selection committee. "I haven't talked to anybody yet who's for him. The word to describe Michael Moore is embarrassing. He embarrasses everybody."
Ryan Eashoo disagrees. The 1997 Davison High graduate has spent 80 hours the last two weeks and $600 of his own money trying to get Moore elected.
---------------
Then on the Moorelies.com website Ryan Michael Eashoo wrote:"Moore is being blackballed by the Davison School Board and Davison Educational Foundation and the members of the Michael Moore meet up group are taking direct measures to ensure his induction. They are tired of Moore being snubbed by a few simple minded people in his hometown and are taking action."
-------------------
Currently the group has had over 250 nomination forms signed.
-------------------
I have to wonder - 80 hours - $600 - 250 nominations - Not a good return. Perhaps the "few simple minded people in his hometown" are those seeking to put Moore in the hall of fame.
-------------------
Then this: from the Detroit Free Press -
DAVISON, Mich. (AP) -- Attention over efforts to induct filmmaker Michael Moore into the Davison High School Hall of Fame has caused the committee in charge of the honor to indefinitely cancel all inductions.
The hall's nomination committee announced its decision Friday, The Flint Journal reported. Moore has been rejected all four times he has been nominated for inclusion in the hall at his old high school.
"We're not gonna get wrapped up in any controversy here, over his whole situation," said Lynn Collard, a member of the hall's nominating committee.
----------------
To Quote Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - "So it goes."
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Where has Kerry been hiding?
I have to wonder where John Kerry has been for the last few years. He seems to know nothing about what is going on in this country. More specifically about the politics of the last 4 years.
``I'm very concerned about the policies of the last four years and her (Rice's) role in those policies,'' Kerry said during a break in confirmation hearings for the secretary of state nominee.
- Well Mr. Kerry I'm very concerned and wondering if you have been paying attention at all during the last 4 years. Condoleeza Rice has been National Security Adviser to President Bush - Her role = Advising the president on security matters. -
``This is about judgment and choices that have been made, and I want to explore them,'' he added.
- You should first examine your own judgment for basing your life's work on having your memory seared when you spent Christmas in Cambodia.
Above Kerry Quotes from:
Boston Herald
-------------
Next Quote thanks to Radio Blogger
So in my judgment, this is not a question of ratifying a life story as much as it is a judgment that we make about the direction of our nation, the security of our country, and the choices that have been made, the judgments that have over the last years...
- Your judgment Mr. Kerry is not needed. Thank you very little. The judgment was made by the American people and Thank the Living God George Bush was inaugurated today. - Congratulations Mr. Bush!!!
What changes should CBS make?
On yesterday's Hugh Hewitt show 1-19-05 Hugh had callers tell CBS what it would take to win them as customers. There were a lot of great calls as usual because Hugh has the smartest audience out there. (I know, I am one!) Of all the calls, some funny, some serious, not one that I heard (I did miss some) was directed at what I feel to be the real problem. That is, the writers.
The talking heads, and everyone knows they are reading off a teleprompter, are just fluff. Very few care what the face looks like.
The leading paragraphs of a U.S. News Articlestates:
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CBS plans to radically overhaul its evening news program, and likely abandon a single- anchor format, after a blue ribbon panel savaged the network's handling of a controversial story about President Bush's military service, the head of CBS said on Tuesday.
Leslie Moonves, chairman of CBS and co-president of its parent company Viacom Inc., told a meeting of television critics that the network's flagship broadcast, the "CBS Evening News," would be revamped once veteran anchor Dan Rather leaves in March after nearly 25 years in the job.
-----My opinion-----
1.) Why wait? You are loosing money here Leslie!
2.) Stop defending any and all Democrats! Hold their feet to the fire and demand that lying politicians of ANY party be ousted or not elected. This would only help the party and this country. Your behavior and lack of reporting the truth with John Kerry's bid for the office was disgusting.
3.) Tell us the news. CBS should be on top of things not reacting to bloggers. Send some people out there and uncover the graft in government. (I'm sure there is some) Get some investigations going on drugs and payola in the prison system. Search for and help break the backs of the terrorist cells in the U.S.. Need I go on?
MOST IMPORTANT
4.) Replace the news writers with people of integrity. The current batch loves to use nice qualifying adjectives for the left and demeaning adjectives for those on the right. Pro choice sounds so much sweeter than pro abortion and anti abortion sounds more harsh than pro life. The same goes for the gun issue and on and on.
-------------------------------------
Thanks to Hugh Hewitt for the U.S. News link.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Court Rejects Challenge to Inaugural Prayer
Once again Michael Newdow looses in Court.
Newdow argued that saying a Christian prayer at the Jan. 20 ceremony would violate the Constitution by forcing him to accept unwanted religious beliefs. - CBS News 1-14-05
......................
Bates also questioned whether the lawsuit should be thrown out because the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (search) ruled last year that Newdow did not suffer "a sufficiently concrete and specific injury" when he opposed prayers from being recited at Bush's first inauguration.
Newdow said his case is different this time because he actually has a ticket to attend the inauguration. He said being there live is different than four years ago, when he planned to watch the ceremony on television.
Justice Department lawyer Edward White scoffed at that claim, saying the issues in the two cases are the same and that Newdow still has not shown how he would be injured by hearing the prayer.
Fox News 1-15-05
This citizen thinks -
Let me get this straight. - Watching it on TV 4 years ago did not convert him. - Going to see it live this time will convert him? Well if he doesn't want to be converted why is he going? It is obvious this guy has a problem. Perhaps Bush should include in his inaugural prayer a plea for God to help cure Newdow's obsession against prayer .
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
'ISLAMIC HATE' EYED IN SLAYS
From the NY Post - January 16, 2005 -- The father of a murdered New Jersey family was threatened for making anti-Muslim remarks online — and the gruesome quadruple slaying may have been the hateful retaliation, sources told The Post yesterday.
Hossam Armanious, 47, who along with his wife and two daughters was found stabbed to death in his Jersey City home early Friday, would regularly debate religion in a Middle Eastern chat room, one source said.
Armanious, an Egyptian Christian, was well known for expressing his Coptic beliefs and engaging in fiery back-and-forth with Muslims on the Web site paltalk.com.
He "had the reputation for being one of the most outspoken Egyptian Christians," said the source, who had close ties to the family.
The source, who had knowledge of the investigation, refused to specify the anti-Muslim statement. But he said cops told him they were looking into the exchanges as a possible motive.
The married father of two had recently been threatened by Muslim members of the Web site, said a fellow Copt and store clerk who uses the chat
"You'd better stop this bull---- or we are going to track you down like a chicken and kill you," was the threat, said the clerk, who was online at the time and saw the exchange.
But Armanious refused to back down, according to two sources who use the Web site.
Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy would neither confirm nor deny that cops and prosecutors were looking into the religion motive, saying only that "nothing is being ruled out." But a relative of the mayor who answered the phone at Healy's home said there was information the murders were "religion-related."
"There are several theories we are looking into, but we are not commenting on any of them at this time," said Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Guy Gregory.
Armanious' fervor apparently rubbed off on his daughter, Sylvia — who would have turned 16 yesterday.
"She was very religious and very opinionated," said Jessica Cimino, 15, a fellow sophomore at Dickenson HS.
A family member who viewed photos of the bloodbath said Sylvia seemed to have taken the most savage punishment.
"When we saw the pictures, you could tell that they were hurt really, really bad in the face; especially Sylvia," said Milad Garas, the high-school sophomore's great-uncle.
The heartless killer not only slit Sylvia's throat, but also sliced a huge gash in her chest and stabbed her in the wrist, where she had a tattoo of a Coptic cross.
Also found murdered were the wife, Amal Garas, and the parents' other daughter, Monica.
Fred Ayed, the deacon at St. George and St. Shenouda Church, where the deeply religious family attended services, said he's worried that the murders could have a ripple effect.
"I am concerned for the safety of our community," said Ayed, who knew Hossam for 30 years. "People are scared because one family was slain like cows," said Moheb Ghabour, publisher of a local newspaper for the Coptic community.
Osama Hassan, director of the Islamic Center of Jersey City, described the relationship between Copts and Muslims as cooperative if not friendly.
"I think there might be people that can get into physical fights, but not to the point of murder," Hassan said.
Both the deacon and uncle poured cold water on the theory that the family were the victims of a robbery gone wrong.
"This is not a robbery, Ayed said. "We found all of the jewelry in the house. They didn't take anything."
Additional reporting by Heather Gilmore
----End NY Post Article ---------
Where is the 'Main Stream Media' on this? I type into Google - Hossam Armanious "Los Angeles Times" - and I came up with 29 hits. None of them near the Times website. - They at the Times are going to learn someday that People want unfiltered news. - By the time John Carroll has his flunkys rewrite the story so no one's feelings get hurt Everyone will already have heard the story from the internet..
I'm wondering however if the tables had been turned and it had been a Muslim murdered how much front page space would the L.A. Times have given it?
Prying1's opinion - Even if this story proves to be untrue this is what the war in Iraq is fighting against. The hatred many Muslims have for Christians/non Muslims is so deep that they kill because of it. This story in NJ, yet to be proven for the guilty have yet to be found, is similar to proven and true events in Iraq, the Philippines, Israel and points world wide.
I'm waiting for the 'real' God fearing Muslims to stand upand shout "Enough!" and get the murderous pigs out of their Muslim religion. If they want their religion to be respected they had better stop being afraid and disclose who the terrorists are. I want to see the 'real' God fearing Muslims help put the murderous pigs into jail or the ground. Of course putting them in jail leaves room for their friends to kidnap and kill while demanding the release of their buddies. Sending them to their '72 virgins' may be the best bet.Update: It was discovered that the murderers were not Muslums but upstairs neighbors commiting a robbery. (See Wikipedia article here) Two paroled drug dealers bound, gagged and stabbed Armanious and his family because Armanious's daughter recognized one of the neighbors during the robbery.
prying1 still registers the same complaint against the MSM and still would like to see the 'real' God fearing Muslims help put the murderous pigs into jail or the ground.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Fringe Group at Center of Deaths
From an L.A. Times Article (must register to access story) dated January 17, 2005 - Last week, Richard P. Rodriguez, 29, the disaffected son of Karen Zerby, current leader of the communal Christian ministry known as the Family, allegedly killed longtime group member Angela M. Smith, 51, in his Tucson, Ariz., apartment. Then, after driving to Blythe, he apparently took his own life.
The thing that makes this news sad to me is that members of this group, also known as "The Children of God" frequently hung out in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles... As a young 'Jesus Freak' I would encounter them on occasion, receive their literature, listen to their preaching and decline their invitations to join their group. I knew something was wrong. I guess what really turned me off was their insistence that their group was the only way to God. I'd heard that before from so many groups. Yet God had found me without any 'groups' help. I knew he would keep me without any 'groups' help.
(quote from article) In a videotape recorded a day before the deaths, Rodriguez described his desire to exact revenge for an isolated childhood in which he was routinely sexually abused...(end quote)
Rumors did abound even in the '70's as to the nature of the group. Reading the above linked article showed me how wrong the rumors I heard were. It was much worse than word on the street. At least worse than the words I heard concerning it. Child molestation, incest and orgies were not mixed in the rumors back then. The free sex they offered came with a price. For Richard Rodriguez the price was all the Living God truly offered. Peace, Joy, Hope and Love...
(quote from article) - Now the Family, which claims a membership of nearly 8,000 living communally and ministries in 100 countries, is scrambling to shore up its reputation as a worldwide Christian evangelical ministry in the wake of a police investigation, national media interest and accusations from former group members who say that a childhood of sexual abuse growing up in the commune drove Rodriguez to murder and suicide.
The group has issued statements disavowing any responsibility for Rodriguez's actions, saying he was responsible for his choices in life. It also has gone on the attack, warning detractors that "the enemy will rue the day," in a message they said came from Jesus Christ, and calling them "vitriolic apostates." - (end quote)
What is it they are trying to save as far as this 'organization' called the 'Family' goes? How decieved must they be to try to carry on this charade of a religion. Right thinking people would have disbanded it decades ago. Thank God some have gotten out. The emotions and feelings I have for those holding on to this ungodly group might be considered un-Christian but this is one of those times I find it difficult to pray for perpetrators of such evil in spite of Jesus' injunction to pray for enemies...
May God have mercy on Richard P. Rodriguez's soul - May others once connected with and hurt by the organization find peace in their souls.
San Francisco Chronicle article on the same topic
Sunday, January 16, 2005
To What Purpose?
Must be really sad to have no purpose in life. Unless you want to believe that fighting against God is a purpose.
On Jan. 14th 2005 Michael Newdow, professed atheist and sometime lawyer lost a round in his battle/request for an injunction to stop clergy-led prayer at next week's (Jan 20th, 2005) presidential inauguration. He tried the same trick in 2001.
Let me get this straight. Mr. Newdow does not believe there is a God. Since he believes there is no God then he must think that that which Christians believe in is nothing. Since he thinks God is nothing he is fighting against nothing and a persons right to talk (pray) to nothing. Since people who wander around and talk to nothing are considered insane he is really fighting against insanity. His real reason for being is that he is a frustrated shrink. I guess he is trying to use the law to heal the mental aberrations of Christians.... I hope that makes sense. Did I just prove his point?
Perhaps the real case of insanity he should fight against is his own. How anyone could look at the universe and not see that an engineering feat beyond the scope of our imaginations has taken place is beyond me. From the atoms to the galaxies and all points in between we see design. Not chaos as there would be if it were chance.
----------------------------------------------
"When a man is opposed to Christianity, it is because Christianity is opposed to him. Your infidel is usually a person who resents of Christianity to that in his nature and life which Jesus came to rebuke and destroy. -Robert Hall (1764-1831)-
----------------------------------------------
- 
