I feel kinda offended by the The Simpsons' "warning"

[Stop_the_War]

Right before the show about gay marriage that's on right now...they showed a warning that said this:

"Warning, the following show has discussions of same-sex marriage. Viewer discretion advised."

they are trying to equate same-sex marriage to sex or violence. That deeply offends. but i think the actual episode is going to be great.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. That was pretty fucking dumb, wasn't it?

:grr:

[KaliTracy]

2. tongue in cheek, i'm sure.... or was it from the network?

on edit -- added the question.

[Cooley Hurd]

No, it came on as a network message...

...right before the opening.

[wtmusic]

19. Fox certainly doesn't want to alienate their base n/t

[matcom]

3. "Warning, the following show has discussions of 'colored people'.....

:argh:

[ChairOne]

20. Not on the Simpsons they don't - lol /eom

[Siyahamba]

126. Carl Carlson

;)

[globalvillage]

4. Are you sure the warning

was not sarcasm? I'm not watching, BTW. It was just my first thought.

[KaliTracy]

6. mine, too -- but I'm also not watching at them moment. n/t

[HamiltonHabs32]

161. Dont you think the sad thing is....

We don't know if it was sarcasm or not. The only reason we think it was sarcsm was because it was on the Simpsons.

However we are all aware that Fox or the Network could have easily put up that disclaimer because they acutally think there should be a warning before a same-sex marriage show.

Look at the last time this happened with that PBS bunny show. The CEO stepped down over that one.

/strange times

[Comicstripper]

173. We do know, it wasn't sarcasm

All the promos leading up to this episode contained a warning in small print that read "Viewer Discretion Advised," which is not normal for the Simpsons. Not to mention, it came on before the theme song even began.
That being said, the Simpsons is so God-awful now that I was surprised to find myself amused by this episode.

[renaissanceguy]

177. Either way, it provokes a response.

I'm glad the episode was aired, unlike the whole Postcards from Buster hype.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14741193

[Catch22Dem]

5. You SHOULD be offended

I'm straight and I was offended because I'm progressive and it's antiprogressive. And what's the synonym for anti-progressive? CONSERVATIVE!

[Bluebear]

7. The warning made me turn off the show nt

[Sgent]

12. I'm straight

and was offended.

The Simpson's has been one of the most controversial shows in the history of television (at least in Mississippi), the fact that they suddenly decide a warning is required on this episode and no others is worrisome at best.

I don't believe this a tongue and cheek thing -- as they provided the warnings all through the commercials for the show during Malcom in the Middle and the Daytona 500.

[Catch22Dem]

18. You should have stuck around

It was really funny.

[Deja Q]

8. I've seen clips of the episode already. I ain't holdin' my breath...

So far it's been surprisingly funny... but the town hall meeting in the movie "In and Out" felt far more realistic than (preemptively bleeping spoiler in said Simps episode).

[LSdemocrat]

9. I'm nearly sure that is from the network

[katinmn]

10. It's not even on here! It usually is at this time. Weird.

[Fridays Child]

11. The warning should have read...

"This episode is about the union of two people in love with each other. If that bothers you, see a shrink."

[blueblitzkrieg]

13. LoL, amen. nt

[LostinVA]

14. Remember the last season of "Ellen"?

It was after her character (and Ellen in real life) had come out. ABC had the warning before EVERY show, even though it was an innocuous comedy, with NO sexual situations. Even though other ABC dramas and comedies had very heterosexual sexual situations with NO warning. Jesus. Nothing's changed...

[Inland]

15. "A full hour of Viewer Discretion Advised!" was what I heard, seemed jokey

[prodigal_green]

16. this is the caveat

at the beginning of my 11-year-old niece's story on the Sims website:

WARNING: This story contains homosexual relationships. If you do not agree with them, do not read this story! And if you didn't like it, don't rate it! Also thanks to the 'gang' for helping me with this story! You know who you are!

In other words, "don't waste my time with your complaints dumbass."

[Liberal Veteran]

17. Well, without that warning, millions would have filed for divorce...

...tomorrow as the power of "gay nuptials" caused heterosexual marriages across the country to fall apart.

[KnowerOfLogic]

21. Me too, but i'm glad there doing the show. I'm surprised my station

didn't censor it.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

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[sonicx]

23. Put the warning before episodes with opposite sex marriages...

then it's a deal.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stop_the_War]

26. Being gay is not a "life-style" n/t

[Carolinian]

29. Whatever. I still appreciate the warning of sexual content.

[Stop_the_War]

30. There was no sexual content in the episode. Did you watch it?

[Carolinian]

33. No, and I don't want my children to watch it.

Again, I appreciate the warning.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jesus H. Christ]

51. What the fuck?

Do you want warnings if there's going to be negroes on your television too?

[Name removed]

133. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

144. Deleted message

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[antigone382]

193. Umm, OK....

So, you've decided a whole segment of the population is unsuitable for your children to know about or understand...because...they're not like you...

Whatever.

[Walt Starr]

41. Equating the subject of gay marriage with sexual content

says a lot about you as a person.

[Runcible Spoon]

53. one of the most idiotic fucking things I've ever read on DU!

you really believe same-sex marriage discussion=sexual content??!!?? Go back to Mayfield.

[Carolinian]

97. Mayfield?

[Runcible Spoon]

100. hometown of Leave it to Beaver.

nt

[jmm]

79. The following episode had more "sexual content"

yet it didn't have a warning.

Homer: Bart, why do you think your mother and I sleep in the same bed?
Bart: Because we're poor?
Homer: Right, because we're poor. And we're poor because we have kids. And the biological creation of kids is...

Bart: AAAAAHHHHHH!!

[sonicx]

31. If you equate a gay couple with having sex...

you have the problem.

[Carolinian]

38. So be it. It's not suitable for MY children to watch.

[sonicx]

39. Who said your kids had to watch?

the warning was silly.

[Zenlitened]

46. Do your children watch the Simpsons on other nights? - n/t

[Carolinian]

67. Yes, usually they do.

[Zenlitened]

86. And THIS is the one time you find it unsuitable?

Wow.

[Carolinian]

99. It's unsuitable but I wouldn't say it's the ONLY time.

[Zenlitened]

102. Good luck

:eyes:

[readmoreoften]

155. Let me tell you how I feel about you.

As a lesbian, I hope your children are heterosexual, because I fear for your child if he or she is gay or lesbian. If he or she is you will be raising them with such self-loathing that they would very well be likely to be one of the 33% of gay teens who commit suicide every year. Or maybe you will be one of the parents of the 600,000 homeless gay children on the streets because you loathe them so much that you will abandon them.

You contribute to the problem. You, in your tiny way, are to be accountable for those deaths. You are a tiny part of what perpetuates the problem.

The Simpsons will not make your children gay. But your attitude could very well mean their life or death if they are. GLBT people are only 10% of the population, but that means you have a 10% chance of psychologically destroying your child by your hateful behavior.

Why don't you stop before you hurt somebody.

[ultraist]

157. Well said. Homphobia leads to social violence

The attitude we saw displayed perpetuates the culture of hate and violence. These people may not kill homosexuals with their own hands, but they have blood on their hands for all of the oppression and violence against Gays.

I'm not sure why they feel entitled to violate others with their violent and hateful attitudes. I suppose that's part of their mental illness.

[bloom]

175. This is true.

It makes me sad.

It can be a nuisance to have disruptors like that - but sometimes - like in this case - it shows the kind of person the warning is trying to accommodate. It really does our society and the parents involved no favors. The warning reinforces bigotry.

And reinforces toxic attitudes that this parent will feel even more empowered to pass on.

You expressed exactly why this is a problem.

[Solon]

47. That's stupid on so many levels its not even funny....

What the FUCK is the difference between a same sex marriage and an opposite sex marriage? There is NONE, and to say any different is to be no more than a bigot.

[Carolinian]

60. You have to ask?

Look, you do what you want...I don't care. But if you're open to discussing a controversial issue don't expect everyone to see things the way you do.

[sonicx]

64. Are you against gay marriage?

[Carolinian]

80. I'm not certain. Yes, I think gay couples should have legal rights ,such

as survivorship, that are recognized as part of marriage.

[sonicx]

84. Why aren't you certain?

[Carolinian]

90. Because I am undecided about that issue.

And I'll probably remain undecided for a long time. I live in small town NC and I don't know a single gay person. I'm very much removed from the issue.

[sonicx]

92. um, what's there to decide?

spell it out.

[Runcible Spoon]

95. if you're completely "removed" from the situation and admittedly

don't know a single (out of the closet, because I assure you at least one person in your life is gay but just not out!) then why then fuck do you care what gays do?? Are they encroaching on your lifestyle? INdoctrinating your children?

[LeftyMom]

158. Gay people make up between 3-10% of the population,

depending on who's counting. As a result, while you may not know any gay people who are out to you, unless you live in a shack in the woods and have no human contact, you almost certainly know gay people. Some of your children's classmates are gay (although they may not know it yet.)

By your logic, the grocery store should have a warning, too. There may be gay people there. (Even if you do live in the only utterly hetero town in America, people drive through and get hungry and relatives come to visit, right?)

[readmoreoften]

162. Let's be real

Her own children may even be gay. It's not just something that happens to other people's children.

(another thing)
The idea that as low as 3% of the population could be gay seems impossible to me, because about .3-.9% of the population are intersexed. So that makes a portion of the population neither male nor female, hence beyond 'gay' or 'straight'. Then, of course, there is the trans community. From what I understand 30,000 transpersons in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone.

But still, even if it were only a 3% chance that your children were gay would you take that chance of damaging them for life by demonizing them?

[LeftyMom]

163. I thought about mentioning that

(that the kiddies might be gay for all we know) but I'd prefer to avoid the emotional knee jerk response that brings out in some people.

I agree that the 3% number is far too low, but I see that range cited a lot in the media. I think the 10% figure is more likely to be accurate.

[readmoreoften]

165. I hear ya, but maybe their knees need jerking

GLBTs are still 1/3 of all teen suicides and 40% of all instances of teen homelessness. Straights with children should think about the messages they're sending to the future gay children of America.

I know that as a 34 year old gay woman it hurts when people say that you're unfit to be viewed by children because the very fact of your existence is filthy and pornographic. At 14 it hurts even worse.

[GiovanniC]

167. To Be Fair

Who in their right minds would come out to somebody with THAT mindset?

[TheWebHead]

94. not that I want to tell people how to raise their children

but my guess is that if you shield your kids from discussion of same-sex issues, their first taste of it will be via their peers, and inevitably some of the cruelest behavior is taught child-to-child, especially in cases such as homosexuality. So I'd think The Simpson's would provide a more tolerant and educational portrayal of the situation than adolescents who have been cocooned from the subject by their parents exchanging conversations such as "you look like (walk like, talk like) a faggot", "let's beat that fag's ass", "you're so gay", etc.

[Carolinian]

121. You make a very good point.

[gollygee]

48. I don't understand

Are you afraid to say something as simple as, "Usually men fall in love with women and women fall in love with men, but sometimes men fall in love with men and women fall in love with women." Why do you have to discuss sex at all?

I'm a parent and this doesn't blip by "inappropriate" radar.

[Carolinian]

52. It blip's my "inappropriate" radar.

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Carolinian]

61. I really, really don't care if it does.

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Carolinian]

82. It's hardly an ignorant environment. We just see things differently.

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Carolinian]

91. And you aren't winning over any support for your cause.

You need to learn how to talk to people if you want them to come over to your side. You act hateful.

[Runcible Spoon]

98. I am hateful of bigoted sentiments.

for someone who doesn't know any openly gay people, you have an awful lot to say about something you know nothing about. Sorry it's just a bad night for me perhaps. Maybe I have a stick up my ass because my lesbian friend was harassed at the airport today and was almost sexually assaulted by redneck (men) in Florida last week. Or maybe because my mother's best friend can't win custody of her daughter because she is a lesbian. Who the fuck knows. Enjoy your sheltered life. I don't live to "win" you over, and I don't expect to. If you have any intelligence and compassion you'll eventually see the light. Maybe one of your kids will discover s/he is a lesbian/gay and you'll have to deal with that painfully when you could have taken the opportunity to educate yourself. Too bad. P.S. It's not "my cause"..it's a HUMAN RIGHTS cause, which is EVERYONE'S concern and should be EVERYONE'S cause. I'm sorry you don't like freedom, liberty, and civil rights.

[Carolinian]

106. I don't teach my children that gay people are bad, etc. I simply

teach them them about heterosexual relationships because that's all I know. While I cannot embrace homosexuality, I do at least try to teach tolerance and understanding.

[Pithlet]

108. You teach that

by not letting them watch anything that includes homosexuals? By condoning a warning as if homosexual people are something bad that children should be guarded from?

[Carolinian]

111. I disagree with putting it in children's books or cartoons.

[sonicx]

114. why?

[Pithlet]

116. That's too bad.

Because it's only a matter of time before that happens. Other forms of outright bigotry have been slowly weeded out. It's only a matter of time before gays are no longer considered the second class citizens they are, and portraying them in children's books and cartoons will be no big deal. Just like mixed race people and couples.

Because despite your panic induced need to protect your kids from people you don't' know, and are therefore worthy of shunning, they will grow up in a world that condones outright bigotry less and less. They may decide to hang on to that bigotry you taught them, but there will be fewer kids who will, so the odds aren't in that favor.

I'm sorry to break it to you. Maybe you should get a leg up on everyone else and join the 21st century.

Edited: Or=Just like

[Runcible Spoon]

120. you still haven't satisfied your gaps in reasoning....

why would it be different from putting native New Guineans in a book? After all, their sexual practices are highly different from yours. But you don't look at an native New Guinean and think "wierd sex-having person". You think ethnically different. And sexual practices and preferences, while they may be part of a person/group's ethnic identity, are not the essential part of it. This is where gays have been horribly wronged in this culture; their identity has been reduced to their sexual preferences.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

123. Ok but here's what I don't understand about that.

You say you have nothing against homosexuals. You say it's an area about which you know nothing. You say you believe in tolerance..but you won't watch the cartoon or program with your kids wherein you might both learn what that tolerance looks like?

That not only seems contradictory, it seems as if you'd rather your kids learn some things from the street or the schoolyard where they might not learn things as you would prefer them to.

[Carolinian]

132. I'd prefer that they learn from me. Not cartoons. Not manipulative books

[Runcible Spoon]

135. what "manipulative" books are you referring to?

is it so manipulative to teach children that gays are people too? ON edit: not meant to reply to this post

[Carolinian]

139. Many children's books try to manipulate. I'm not talking about any

book in particular.

[sonicx]

145. give an example...

[ultraist]

150. Manipulate?

Are you afraid your children will be manipulated into being Gay from Children's cartoons and books?

[Runcible Spoon]

151. yes but you see the pointlessness of generalizing

an issue without backing it up. You may not be talking about any book in particular, but you are talking about one lifestyle in particular. If these books are such a problem, then you will have no difficulty picking out a representative sample for discussion right?

[sonicx]

136. what's with the "manipulative" crap?

What the hell are you talking about?

And if you've already taught your kids about it, you wouldn't mind them seeing the Simpsons episode.

And as another poster said, if you don't teach em, the kids at school will (and they'll teach em how to call other kids "fags" and "queers")

[StrongbadTehAwesome]

141. you say you don't know any gay people or much about

the subject in general. what do you expect to teach your children about something you know nothing of? if the simpsons are ok by your standards on any other night, why not for that episode as well?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

146. by your own admission, you know nothing

Why can't you watch and discuss it with them? Certainly if other episodes of the Simpsons were acceptable, this one shouldn't be any surprise..no?

[Runcible Spoon]

110. That's a start BUT

this logic is limited. Do you turn off the TV when differently-colored people or foreign people are on? After all, they are outside of "what you know". And why can't you embrace homosexuality? Can you embrace Frenchness? Jewishness? Native American-ness? What's the difference? Why are you afraid of people who are different (and whether or not they are and to what extent is highly debateable!) from yourself?

[Carolinian]

125. I don't mean to offend anyone, but I just prefer people that I have

things in common with. And the more like me they are, the more we have in common. I'm not afraid of people who are different, I'm just not as attracted to them.

[Runcible Spoon]

128. we're not asking you to be "attracted" to them...

we are just asking you to have compassion in your heart to help win equal rights for all, and make the world a bit more tolerant for your children. I assure you, there are gay people like you. There are straight people whom you abhor, I assume. There are gay people who are black white red vote Green, Dem, Repub. They live in the North, South, East and West. Tehy live 1,000 miles away from you and probably down the block. Some are open, some are still in the closet. You may like NASCAR, there are gays who like NASCAR. Football? Check. All I ask is not to boil a person down to the gender(s) of the people they choose to have sex with in the private of their own homes, and to realize that for every leather-wearing, YMCA-dancing "flamer" (and I love them too, because I celebrate diversity), there are at least 50 more getting up in the morning, putting on a suit and tie, making coffee and driving to the office.

[Pithlet]

129. Oh no

That has not been what you are saying. You've been arguing that warning should be put on shows that portray homosexuals. That isn't just not being attracted to them.

The fundamental tenet of progressivism is you judge a person by who they are, not by what they are. If you want a warning label to keep your children away from representations of homosexuals partaking in normal society, then you are judging homosexuals as a group, bad, because of WHAT they are. It's not acceptable. That is why you're getting the responses you are here. This isn't just a difference of opinion.

I don't care if you ever ever become friends with any gay person ever in your life. This has nothing to do with your personal life. But you had damn well better give homosexuals the same respect and the same privileges you give every other person in this society. No one should ever be treated as a second class citizen in this country simply because of the group they belong to. And cartoons that carry warning labels so that straight people won't have to be disturbed by images of gays living a normal life ARE treating gay people as second class citizens.

I don't buy your argument is sincere, anyway. You really think you have a lot in common with Marge Simpson because she's straight? Your kids have more things in common with a large purple dinosaur? Or a talking vegetable? I doubt it.

[Name removed]

138. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Pithlet]

140. Umm. I'm not gay.

I'm married with two kids. A stay at home mom, in fact. In the sub urbs.

And, I'm not insulting you. Just telling you like it is. And touched a nerve at that, obviously.

[Pithlet]

149. Darn.

Guess I shouldn't expect an answer now.

[sonicx]

142. gay = drinking, beastality, drugs, violence....you're something else...

i'm not saying what or else i'll get banned.

[ultraist]

153. It was fucking REDNECKS that cost us the election

Homophobic, racist REDNECKS are responsible for the MASS MURDERING IN IRAQ AND ALL OF THOSE DEAD SOLDIERS. Not to mention the HUGE fucking mess here in the US.

What nerve to make homophobic remarks to a Gay person. That type of hate puts a knot in my stomach. How can people be so ignorant and hateful?

:puke:

[FromTheLeft]

180. Just think about how you feel about rednecks and you will have your answer

n/t

[StrongbadTehAwesome]

143. the list of things you include homosexuality in

tells a great deal about your opinion of it. why do I get the feeling that if this conversation were taking place 50 years ago, that "race issues" would be part of the list as well?

[ultraist]

152. I don't give a damn how the rednecks in small towns in NC are treated

Fuck them. They vote for their homophobic and racist policies. They can rot in hell out their in the counties, JOBLESS for all I care. That's part of the HOMOPHOBIC, RACIST BUSH PACKAGE.

If they value their homophobia and racism that much, LET THEM HAVE IT and ALL THE CONSEQUENCES that go along with it.

Homophobic and racist attitudes are what put BUSH IN THE WH. Remember that.

From a MARRIED HETERO MOTHER

[ultraist]

148. "ya aint' from round here, is ya?"

I've heard that bullshit in some of these little redneck towns around NC.

You need to get out more, hun. Take a trip over to Durham or Raleigh. Celebrate Diversity. The world is not composed of just white rednecks who are not "certain" about Gay marriage and think it's inappropriate for children to learn that ALL HUMANS DESERVE TO BE TREATED EQUALLY.

There is a big Gay film festival in the Spring in Durham. Do yourself and your children a favor and educate yourself.

[sonicx]

113. Homosexuality is not rocket science...

a poster above said it well...

"Usually men fall in love with women and women fall in love with men, but sometimes men fall in love with men and women fall in love with women."

A kid can understand that.

You don't have to know a single gay person to understand that and you don't have to talk about sex. So what's the big fucking deal?

[Pithlet]

105. Hateful?

This, coming from someone who can't decide if people should have equal rights.

Look, if you want to pass on your bigoted views to your children, you can screen what they watch. That is your right as a parent. But, don't expect that screening to be handed to you without upsetting those who AREN'T bigoted. The warnings are bigoted and are to appease bigots. It's that simple. They should be removed. Including them only validates the hate and bigotry. It is validating what people like you think.

[Carolinian]

107. And to not screen them is to validate what people like you think.

[Pithlet]

109. Of course.

It validates what I think. That homosexuals aren't people to be treated as if they're a lower class, and require warnings whenever they appear on tv. You're absolutely right it validates that. Thank you.

[ultraist]

119. That's right. HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL should be validated

BIGOT BELIEFS based on the BIBLE should not be validated.

Gays are not "LESS THAN" human, therefore don't deserve the same rights as other people. THAT IS A HATEFUL BELIEF YOU ARE TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN.

Use your common sense and reason it out: Gays are humans. All humans deserve equal rights.

[RedCappedBandit]

66. I'm sorry for your children

if you shield them from reality.

[Carolinian]

85. I shield them from a lot of reality. It's not a bad thing either. n/t

[RedCappedBandit]

183. I hope you realize

That one day when they are out of your control, they're going to take a look around and see that the world is nothing that they thought it was, and they wont know WHAT to do.

[ultraist]

81. How sad you are indoctrinating your children into a culture of hate

[Carolinian]

93. Hate? How is it hate to expose them to heterosexual relationships and

not homosexual relationships? I don't get it.

[Name removed]

101. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sonicx]

103. Do you make sure they don't hang around black kids too?

[Runcible Spoon]

104. nahh, it's OK as long as the Darkies don't want to date his/her daughter.

wouldn't want any of those interracial mongrel chirrens. :eyes:

[ultraist]

122. Denying equal rights to all humans is BIGOTRY. BIGOTRY IS HATEFUL

WHY shouldn't Gays have the same rights as all other humans in our country?

What is your justification for this belief?

[Carolinian]

131. Whose denying equal rights? What in the hell are you talking about?

[Runcible Spoon]

134. the GOVERNMENT is denying equal rights,!

such as the rights conferred by contracts such as marriage, insurance, adoption, even HOUSING, etc. And people who vote for politicians who enact laws to deny these rights to gays are ALSO denying their deserved equal rights.

[sonicx]

137. oh boy...i'd be interested in your answer to post #103...

I know you saw it...

[ultraist]

147. You are! You said you are uncertain about Gay marriage AND

You don't teach your children that Gays should have the SAME RIGHTS, INCLUDING MARRIAGE, as all OTHER HUMANS.

Denying Gays the right to marry is denying them equal rights.

Just the fact I've had to s p e l l this out for you, after your remarks, is very revealing.

[readmoreoften]

156. Did you ever think that one of your children

might grow up to be gay? 99.99% of us had heterosexual parents. What are you showing your child if he or she is? Would you tell your child that their should be a warning on a television show, because children might 'see' them. That they should be ashamed of themselves in front of children? Would you tell your child that if they turned out to be gay? Because you just did.

[renaissanceguy]

179. Good post. There is NOTHING harmful about

exposing kids to gay couples. I'm sure they'll encounter plenty of them in life, and it's up to GOOD PARENTS to teach their kids to respect others, even if they don't understand or agree with it.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14741193

[renaissanceguy]

178. Any good parent teaches her kids to treat

everyone with respect and dignity. There are going to be things in life they won't like or understand, but they should respect people at the very least with the respect they deserve.

No bigoted remarks or religious dogma can trump that.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14741193

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ldf]

71. fortunately

the world doesn't revolve around YOUR kids.

[Carolinian]

96. Of course, to me it does.

[ultraist]

76. Why is it not "suitable for your children to watch?"

[thebigidea]

130. because, what - they'll turn gay and want committed relationships? or?

[prodigal_green]

40. then they SHOULD have a warning at the beginning of every

episode.

This program contains depictions of in-tact, heterosexual, uni-racial, suburban, American-born families. Viewer discretion is advised.

Shouldn't every parent or child be afforded the same consideration?

[Swamp Rat]

50. Damn straight! They should also warn theat everyone is yellow. n/t

[bloom]

171. that would be great!

:bounce:

[Cooley Hurd]

27. Waylon Smithers has been out for years...

...and I've never seen one disclaimer before any episode featuring him.

That's how silly things have gotten...

And don't forget Karl, Homer's assistant. Didn't they kiss?:shrug:

[Democrat Dragon]

170. thats why I think it was a joke

afterall there have been at least tqo previous episodes involving homosexuals, including one where Homer becomes a roomate for a Homosexual couple and they even kiss.

The Simpsons also has lots of jokes concerning straight people with homosexual tendencies. For example, there was an episode where all Homer could think about while skiing down a very steep slope was Ned Flaners's butt. There are also plenty of indications that Walen Smithers is in love with Mr.Burns,like when he daydreams about Burns coming out of a birthday cake naked and his personal computer has a picture of Mr.Burns saying "you are turning me on" when that appears when the computer starts. Oh and there's that episode where the Simspons go to England, and two sterotypical "fancy" guys kiss each other. Oh, and don't forget that episode with the gay pride parade.

[Fescue4u]

24. Well it not something that everyone would want Kids exposed to

There's nothing wrong with a warning about shows containing sexual issues. especially those that are controversial.

[Stop_the_War]

28. I didn't know gay marriage had sexual connotations...eom

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sonicx]

44. So children shouldn't be allowed at weddings?

[Fescue4u]

55. I've never been to a same sex wedding

I guess it would depend on the format.

If it were similiar to a Gay pride parade, then I would proably think twice...depending on their age of course.

[Runcible Spoon]

59. riiight. Yup all those dykes and queens get out the leather and whips

for all their parades and weddings and have nasty GAY orgies in public to corrupt decent moral folks and their innocent chirren, I hear. :eyes:

[Fescue4u]

63. Oh I have no idea

As I said, I've never been to a gay wedding so I'll take your word for it.


I've seen a few clips of the parades. I don't think I would take my kids to see that though. Those are a bit to "interesting" for my taste.

[Runcible Spoon]

73. "interesting"...

Hell, I'm a woman with a long term boyfriend and I guarantee you that "interesting" does not pertain merely to gays! I resemble that remark!

[sonicx]

62. "If it were similiar to a Gay pride parade"

What would make you think that? Do you assume there will be rap music in Black weddings?

[Fescue4u]

65. Certainly at the reception

It not usual for rap music to be played?

Is that some kind of racial slur?

[sonicx]

69. No, i'm black...

I meant rap music in the actual ceremony. Well?

[Fescue4u]

72. Well?

I guess it depends on what the bride and groom want.

Ever been to Vegas?

[sonicx]

74. I asked you...

if you *assumed* Black weddings ceremonies would have rap music.

[Fescue4u]

75. Then the answer is no.

Tastes and preferences are quite varied.

So I would not assume, nor would I rule it out.

So I ask you.

Do prefer Steamed or Fried Rice? Me I prefer fried rice.

[sonicx]

77. So then why would gay pride parades go through your mind

when thinking about gay weddings?

[Fescue4u]

78. I don't know

It just did.

Perhaps those displays of pride made an impression on me or something.

But then again...that *IS* the point of the parade right?

[sonicx]

83. yes and if you thought about it...

you'd know that a gay pride parade and a wedding have different settings, conditions, and purposes.

I could spell it out for you, but i'll let you figure it out. :)

[liberalpragmatist]

32. I thought it was tongue-in-cheek

I thought they were just kidding.

But even if they're not, they probably have to in order to prevent decency complaints from the likes of parents' television council or whatever it is.

[GiovanniC]

172. Haha... They'll Get the Decency Complaints Anyhow

Nothing can prevent that.

The real question here is this: If a straight couple was getting married on The Simpsons, would that warning be there? The answer is no.

The implication, then, is that there is something inherently offensive about gay people who love one another. There was no sexual content. The very fact that they EXIST is offensive enough.

[AngryAmish]

34. I'm kinda torn about the warning, which surprises me

Do I think that same-sex marriage should be the law of the land? Hell, yes.

However, it is not the norm at this time. If I had a kid (which I don't) having the subject come up without the opportunity for me to think about it a little would strike me as unfair. One wishes to have the opportunity to prepare oneself before approaching an important subject.

If I was watching with a young child the Superbowl last year I would not want to have the whole Timberlake/Jackson thing to happen because I don't want to explain the whole thing to a kid when I am watching the Superbowl.

Do I wish I lived in a country where the warning would not be considered necessary? Yes. But I don't run the culture (yet).

[sonicx]

37. explaining gayness to a kid is easy...

"Billy, sometimes boys like boys and girls like girls."

explaining breasts is easier...

"Billy, as girls get older, they grow breasts to help them feed their babies."

[Zenlitened]

49. But this is the Simpsons. I mean, the show has always been edgy...

... in one way or another.

I can't imagine parents who let their kids watch the Simpsons every other night suddenly shrieking about this one.

[detroitguy]

35. Plus...

...it is CARTOON gay marriage. Sheesh!

[Old and In the Way]

43. Maybe there shoud be a disclaimer when you power on the TV set.

Warning: Tests show that watching certain TV programs can make you more stupid. Some TV shows talk about adult issues. Conservatives and kids under 14 should seek adult supervision before watching.

[Dark]

45. I found it funny that they would even have that message on.

It's pathetic, but still funny, that our country has to resort to this.

[Disturbed]

58. My Mom once said...

that she was not against Gays but that she didn't like their life-style. I asked her what she meant by life-style. She said, "You know, the things they do." I was tempted to ask her for specifics but I knew damn well that she wasn't going to tell me those, so I just asked, "Do you feel that Gays should have equal rights"? She replied that they do but they shouldn't have those damn parades. I changed the subject after that.

[FromTheLeft]

181. I am playing devils advocate here...

Then why was their such an up-roar when a group of conservatives in some mid-western college, I have forgotten which one, wanted to hold a heterosexual pride parade. Don't they have the right to do that as well. They were protested just as hard by the homosexual community as the gay pride parade was by the christian right.

[readmoreoften]

182. Okay, what are the chances that a White Pride Parade

would just be about displaying your Irish, German, and Nordic heritage?

Pretty much about zero percent.

Every day there is a straight pride parade marching down the street on every town of America.

At UT they made up straight pride t-shirts with a little boy and girl holding hands on them. All the transgendered students bought them up and started making out w/ their partners to show their solidarity.

[FromTheLeft]

189. But shouldn't we be better...

I understand that often when groups like those at UT hold these displays it is less about pride in themselves then it is about putting others down, but why can't we rise above. By protesting these things we give them validity. If we were just to ignore them and continually show pride in ourselves they would lose their power. When white supremacists gather and not one but white supremacists show up their message doesn't expand and no one hears them. It becomes a tree falls in the forest question, and in this case there won't be a tree on the ground to prove it happened. Let them hate, but don't give in to hate yourself.

[Dervill Crow]

57. I don't know if the Simpsons have changed or I have.

Years ago my kids weren't allowed to watch The Simpsons. Now I think it is probably one of the most family-friendly shows on the air, though I do disapprove of the violence of Itchy and Scratchy.

[Lucky Luciano]

160. Itchy and Scratchy are great!

The violence there is so over the top for a reason. I always thought that they were satirizing with extreme hyperbole how violent kids television can be in real life.

[Dervill Crow]

166. Yeah, I get it . . .

but seeing mice and cats flayed and filleted is a bit too much for squeamish me.

[RedCappedBandit]

70. Are you sure the warning wasn't sarcasm?

I didn't watch it..

[Zenlitened]

88. No, it was for-real.

It was even included in Fox promos earlier in the evening, where they listed all the shows that were upcoming.

[Democrat Dragon]

169. I'm sure

I still was a joke poking at censorship

[Zenlitened]

184. I'm sure it was not.

[shadowknows69]

87. they didn't have a problem with the inscest marriage though.

no warning for the sterotype trailer trash marrying his sister.

Homer(minister): Are you two brother and sister

Girl: We're a lot of things.

I admit I was suprised that Patty ended up being the character that came out.

[ArcRabbit]

112. Ending kind of sends the wrong message tho

I did love the show and I'm glad they put it up there so people can at least think about it and talk about it, but for those of you who saw it. What kind of ending was that?

She learns he's a guy and they were "suppose" to be in love and that's why they are getting married and then she learns she's not a woman and then just ditches him? I mean, does anyone else feel that was really stupid? I mean, if she loves him/her (whatever) she shouldn't care what gender they are right? I know it's the simpsons and it's suppose to be funny, but just sends the wrong message. Almost feels like she was choosing sex (with a woman) over love.

[sonicx]

115. It was kinda weird, but I think she had a good reason to dump him...

for lying, at least.

[ArcRabbit]

117. true enough, but

she didn't say she was dumping him for lying, she said something to the effect that she only likes women. Geez, she must be pretty shallow. (oh god, I'm talking about a cartoon..... lol)

[jmm]

118. This was an way to deal with the subject

but not have to write another recurring character into the show. Love and attraction are two different things. Once she realized it was a man the attraction was gone. That doesn't mean she can't still love him on some level but her attraction was built upon a lie.

[Siyahamba]

190. I think it would have been worse if she decided to stay with him.

It would have given the message that homosexuality can be changed on a whim.

[leftofthedial]

124. WARNING: This thread contains discussions of same-sex marriage

Reader discretion advised.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

127. I believe it was fox that put that on, not The Simpsons crew.

[Runcible Spoon]

154. MODS I would like an explanation why my posts were pulled

I did not make ad hominem attacks, just attacks on the content of posts....why were they pulled?

[Behind the Aegis]

159. It was offensive

The only good thing that came out of it...lots of support here at DU and the exposure of really stupid bigots.

[FM Arouet666]

164. Fucking pathetic

Warning! This post contains ideas which are not christian, republican, or corporate capitalist approved. Any offense should be directed to the FCC so that a proper monetary punishment can be enforced. :evilfrown:

[izzybeans]

168. Reminds me of an old Mr. Show episode. WARNING: this program

has become too gay even for our gay audience. The content of the program has been edited to now show a hetersexual couple on their honeymoon." or something like it. It was a series of spoof disclaimers to one of their comedy sketches.

I never knew the comedy sketch would actually become the reality. Who new? I bet Bob and David did.

[Felix Mala]

174. A very disappointing episode

"Ich bien ein Sprinfielder" since the Tracy Ullman days, but this episode was awful. No matter which side of something The Simpsons commented on, at least you could count on them being funny. They failed this time. The only good laugh was Marge's line when she found out her future lesbian sister-in-law was a professional golfer: "The surprises just keep coming..."

Being gay and in a committed relationship has nothing to do with wearing a bride's dress.

[Comicstripper]

176. Er, you're wrong on two counts

1) This episode was better than a lot of recent ones.
2) The Simpsons has sucked inconceivable amounts of ass for the past few years.

I was a huge fan. I had entire episodes memorized. For a Simpsons purist like me, the past three-five seasons have been awful.

[Mrs_Beastman]

185. sad, but, true, FOX was covering their ass

[readmoreoften]

186. and when will this ass-covering end?

WARNING: the following episode of THE OLYMPICS contains male figure skaters in sequined costumes. All said figure skaters have signed public statements of their heterosexuality, despite the said sparkly costumes. The sparkly costumes are worn by professionals. Biological males should not try this at home.

[3lefts]

187. According to the writers of that show...

allowing gay marriage also leads to allowing marriage of any kind.

Notice at the end of the episode the Sea Captain wanted to marry the wooden woman from his ship. Behind him (I believe) was a guy that wanted to marry a pig.

[readmoreoften]

188. I wish I caught the episode

so I could judge the context that this was put in.

I have a hard time imagining the writers for the yellow people writing homophobic crap that equates same-sex marriage with pig-o-philia.

Is it available on download anywhere?

[peekaloo]

191. I thought it was satirizing those who believe that gay marriage

would lead to an anything goes mentality. Or actually anything for a buck mentality since that scene was the result of having married all gays where was Homer's next cash cow.

[FromTheLeft]

192. My guess...

Is that they were making a comment on how asinine the argument is that allowing gay marriage will lead to things like pig-o-philia as you so quaintly put it.