CNN reports that "Conservative Christian groups accuse the makers of a video starring SpongeBob SquarePants, Barney and a host of other cartoon characters of promoting homosexuality to children." This is just ridiculous. Although the premise of anything remotely suggestive in any of the cartoons mentioned is tenuous at best, a spokesperson for one of the conservative groups insists that "We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids. It is a classic bait and switch." (via Gothamist) Huh?

Vague inferences to cartoon character improprieties aside, the groups' actual complaint was over a single sentence in the "tolerance pledge" buried on the web site of the producer of the video, the We Are Family Foundation, founded by musician Nile Rodgers:

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.

First of all, I know very few children who, after watching a video of cartoons, research the producers of the video by perusing their web site. Even if that were true, I just don't see the whole "brainwashing" thing happening from a single statement on diversity.

This made the national news yesterday, so I almost didn't post about it now that it's somewhat more "mainstream," but this just pissed me off. I was glad to see that the story on ABC News included an interview with Michael Medved, a conservative commentator, who said, "This kind of thing makes us look silly." Indeed.