.... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is

SpongeBob SquarePants

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm

ailuropoda melanoleuca torontonensis
first it was tinky-winky, now spongebob

From:	Scott Safier
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Thu, 20 Jan 2005 17:39:05 -0000

Chris Ambidge:
> ... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>
>
> SpongeBob SquarePants
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm

I assume that real sponges have genitals (though, not on their
skeletons), but SpongeBob always struck me as more of a plastic
sponge. Do plastic sponges have gender?

--
Scott http://www.pink-triangle.org/scott
AOL IM: CorwinScot YahooIM: CycleMuscle

"Stand firm for what you believe in until or unless logic or experience prove
you wrong. Remember, when the emperor looks naked the emperor is naked. The
truth and a lie are not sort of the same thing. And there's no aspect, no
facet, no moment of life that can't be improved with pizza." -- Daria

From:	Robert Cumming
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Fri, 21 Jan 2005 09:33:49 +0100

In article <10v1ehn10e3f3e7@corp.supernews.com>,
Kathryn Burlingham wrote:
> Robert Cumming wrote:
>> Kathryn Burlingham wrote:
>>>Robert Cumming wrote:
>>>>Cartoon characters are male by default, aren't they?
>>>
>> We all have our ways of being sure of our gender identity, Kathryn.
> Oh, that's right you are a cartoon character! OK, the penis is assumed.
>
> That reminds me, I haven't looked at your stuff (or anyone's for that
> matter) on LJ recently. Y'know, if there were a way to buy originals I
> would. It's tons better than anything I find for sale in galleries.

Well, those jpg files _are_ the originals. I can organise signed
printouts, if you really want. You wouldn't be the first[0].

Robert
[0] The second, actually.

From:	Kathryn Burlingham
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Fri, 21 Jan 2005 23:38:50 -0800

Robert Cumming wrote:
>
> Well, those jpg files _are_ the originals. I can organise signed
> printouts, if you really want. You wouldn't be the first[0].

That would be completely delightful. Do you have a really good printer
and good quality archival paper? Is there an art printer somewhere? I'd
pay all costs, etc etc. Let me go through what you have up and pick my
faves--what a lovely display they would make!

From:	Robert Cumming
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	22 Jan 2005 23:27:06 +0100

In article <10v40oh35sgh817@corp.supernews.com>,
Kathryn Burlingham wrote:
> Robert Cumming wrote:
> > Well, those jpg files _are_ the originals. I can organise signed
> > printouts, if you really want. You wouldn't be the first[0].
> That would be completely delightful. Do you have a really good printer
> and good quality archival paper? Is there an art printer somewhere?

Not that I know of. I only have access to the colour printers at
work, really. And, to be realistic, these are just 450x450
jpegs we're talking here (I'm flattered to be compared to the
Oregonian art market, but it can't possibly be as crap as you
describe).

> I'd pay all costs, etc etc. Let me go through what you have up and
> pick my faves--what a lovely display they would make!

No probs. Send me some PVT mail or something.

Robert

From:	Kathryn Burlingham
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 17:27:08 -0800

Robert Cumming wrote:
> Kathryn Burlingham wrote:
>>Robert Cumming wrote:
>>
>>>Well, those jpg files _are_ the originals. I can organise signed
>>>printouts, if you really want. You wouldn't be the first[0].
>>
>>That would be completely delightful. Do you have a really good printer
>>and good quality archival paper? Is there an art printer somewhere?
>
> Not that I know of. I only have access to the colour printers at
> work, really.

I've just been on the phone to God, and she's told me look for giclee
printers--there's one downtown that does prints to order, I'll get on to
them and see if they'd be able to do it, if that's OK with you. The
paper is important to me, if I'm going to hang them.

> And, to be realistic, these are just 450x450
> jpegs we're talking here (I'm flattered to be compared to the
> Oregonian art market, but it can't possibly be as crap as you
> describe).

Most art available in galleries is intensely--generic. I've been looking
and looking, and haven't been able to find anything that really excites
me. Pleasant to look at, yes. Interesting subjects occasionally. But I
actually love some of yours, and would love to see them on the wall
every day. You must know by now that I respond to the personal in art, I
love diaries and letters, and your journal jpegs capture a distinct
person, one that's different enough from me to be fascinating, but with
a resonance of intense focus on physical detail and the moment combined
with a rich interior life and existential angst that I relate to. And I
just happen to find your style delightful.

From:	Robert Cumming
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	20 Jan 2005 20:07:24 +0100

In article ,
Scott Safier wrote:
> Chris Ambidge:
> > ... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
> >
> >
> > SpongeBob SquarePants
> >
> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
> I assume that real sponges have genitals (though, not on their
> skeletons), but SpongeBob always struck me as more of a plastic
> sponge. Do plastic sponges have gender?

Cartoon characters are male by default, aren't they?

Robert

From:	Kathryn Burlingham
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Thu, 20 Jan 2005 22:01:31 -0800

Robert Cumming wrote:
>
> Cartoon characters are male by default, aren't they?

From:	Chris Ambidge
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:05:58 GMT

[scott]
>> I assume that real sponges have genitals (though, not on their
>> skeletons), but SpongeBob always struck me as more of a plastic
>> sponge. Do plastic sponges have gender?

I seem to recall an interview about six months ago with SBSP's
creator, saying in amused exasperation to the assertion,
something like "Bob is a *sponge* for goodness sake. he
doesn't even have a , let alone a ual orientation."

[robert]
>Cartoon characters are male by default, aren't they?

jessica rabbit

manly panda
i'm not bad, i'm just drawn this way

From:	Scott Safier
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Thu, 20 Jan 2005 21:18:58 -0000

Robert Cumming:
> In article ,
> Scott Safier wrote:
>> Chris Ambidge:
>> > ... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>> >
>> >
>> > SpongeBob SquarePants
>> >
>> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
>> I assume that real sponges have genitals (though, not on their
>> skeletons), but SpongeBob always struck me as more of a plastic
>> sponge. Do plastic sponges have gender?
>
> Cartoon characters are male by default, aren't they?

Tell it to Betty Boop, or the Betty Boop -like character on Drawn Together.

--
Scott http://www.pink-triangle.org/scott
AOL IM: CorwinScot YahooIM: CycleMuscle

"Stand firm for what you believe in until or unless logic or experience prove
you wrong. Remember, when the emperor looks naked the emperor is naked. The
truth and a lie are not sort of the same thing. And there's no aspect, no
facet, no moment of life that can't be improved with pizza." -- Daria

From:	Robert Cumming
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Fri, 21 Jan 2005 08:57:20 +0100

In article <10v16lrb8iemj23@corp.supernews.com>,
Kathryn Burlingham wrote:
> Robert Cumming wrote:
>> Cartoon characters are male by default, aren't they?
>

We all have our ways of being sure of our gender identity, Kathryn.

Robert, twigging (possibly)

From:	Kathryn Burlingham
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Fri, 21 Jan 2005 00:15:49 -0800

Robert Cumming wrote:
> Kathryn Burlingham wrote:
>>Robert Cumming wrote:
>>
>>>Cartoon characters are male by default, aren't they?
>>
>>
>
> We all have our ways of being sure of our gender identity, Kathryn.

Oh, that's right you are a cartoon character! OK, the penis is assumed.

That reminds me, I haven't looked at your stuff (or anyone's for that
matter) on LJ recently. Y'know, if there were a way to buy originals I
would. It's tons better than anything I find for sale in galleries.

From:	Ann Burlingham
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	21 Jan 2005 19:16:59 -0500

Kathryn Burlingham tells robert cumming:

> That reminds me, I haven't looked at your stuff (or anyone's for that
> matter) on LJ recently. Y'know, if there were a way to buy originals I
> would. It's tons better than anything I find for sale in galleries.

yes.

-ann, suddenly remembering the art at the stockholm .con hotel - why,
why didn't we ask for a price list?

From:	Ned Deily
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 01:43:43 -0500

AnnB:
> -ann, suddenly remembering the art at the stockholm .con hotel - why,
> why didn't we ask for a price list?

Unlike Robert's artwork, *that* artwork was priceless. And should
remain so.

--EyesD

--
Ned Deily,
nad@visi.com -- []

From:	Dennis Lewis
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:00:27 GMT

>AnnB:
>> -ann, suddenly remembering the art at the stockholm .con hotel - why,
>> why didn't we ask for a price list?
>
>Ned:
>Unlike Robert's artwork, *that* artwork was priceless. And should
>remain so.

Having missed the Stockholm con, I can only guess at the subject of
that artwork.

However, while we're discussing fine art, there's an interesting item
on the Guardian's site today. (I imagine that at leas editor on the
copy desk was sorely tempted to give this the headline: "Why does
David have such a small dick?")

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/story/0,11711,1396033,00.html

From:	Dennis Lewis
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 19:23:27 GMT

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:00:27 GMT, I wrote:
>
>... (I imagine that at leas editor on the
>copy desk ...

Oops -- meant to write "at least one editor" ...

>http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/story/0,11711,1396033,00.html

From:	Robert Cumming
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	22 Jan 2005 09:17:24 +0100

In article ,
Ann Burlingham wrote:
> Kathryn Burlingham tells robert cumming:
> > That reminds me, I haven't looked at your stuff (or anyone's for that
> > matter) on LJ recently. Y'know, if there were a way to buy originals I
> > would. It's tons better than anything I find for sale in galleries.
> yes.
>
> -ann, suddenly remembering the art at the stockholm .con hotel - why,
> why didn't we ask for a price list?

You foresaw the fuss when, like the UK and the Elgin Marbles, Sweden
realised what a national tresure thay had lost to the US.

Robert

From:	Linda Yanney
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:42:27 +0000 (UTC)

Robert Cumming wrote:
>Ann Burlingham wrote:
>> Kathryn Burlingham tells robert cumming:
>> > That reminds me, I haven't looked at your stuff (or anyone's for that
>> > matter) on LJ recently. Y'know, if there were a way to buy originals I
>> > would. It's tons better than anything I find for sale in galleries.
>>
>> yes.
>>
>> -ann, suddenly remembering the art at the stockholm .con hotel - why,
>> why didn't we ask for a price list?
>
>You foresaw the fuss when, like the UK and the Elgin Marbles, Sweden
>realised what a national tresure thay had lost to the US.

This whole discussion is vaguely disturbing.

LJ
--

From:	Robert Cumming
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	23 Jan 2005 10:30:10 +0100

In article ,
lyanney@arthur.avalon.net (Linda Yanney) wrote:
> Robert Cumming wrote:
> >Ann Burlingham wrote:
> >> Kathryn Burlingham tells robert cumming:
> >> > That reminds me, I haven't looked at your stuff (or anyone's for that
> >> > matter) on LJ recently. Y'know, if there were a way to buy originals I
> >> > would. It's tons better than anything I find for sale in galleries.
> >>
> >> yes.
> >>
> >> -ann, suddenly remembering the art at the stockholm .con hotel - why,
> >> why didn't we ask for a price list?
> >You foresaw the fuss when, like the UK and the Elgin Marbles, Sweden
> >realised what a national tresure thay had lost to the US.
> This whole discussion is vaguely disturbing.

It's nothing to the original artwork. Which, for the record, depicted
cats.

Robert

From:	Ellen Evans
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	20 Jan 2005 12:32:58 -0500

In article ,
Chris Ambidge wrote:
>... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>
>
> SpongeBob SquarePants
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm

Meanwhile, the folks at Fox, worried about the FCC, are now pixelating the
naked bums of cartoon babies.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16857-2005Jan17.html
--
Ellen Evans If my life wasn't funny, it would
jeev@panix.com just be true, and that's unacceptable.
Carrie Fisher

From:	Michael Carden
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 12:40:36 +1000

Ellen Evans wrote:

> In article ,
> Chris Ambidge wrote:
>>... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>>
>>
>>SpongeBob SquarePants
>>
>>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
>
> Meanwhile, the folks at Fox, worried about the FCC, are now pixelating the
> naked bums of cartoon babies.

I don't know whether to laugh, cry or just shudder

--
Dr Michael Carden, Sodom/olog/ist, Religion Dept, Queensland University,
Brisbane, Australia, 4072. ph: +61 (07) 3365 7490,
http://www.sodomology.org
"If I can't dance it's not my revolution" - 'Red' Emma Goldman

From:	Kathryn Burlingham
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Thu, 20 Jan 2005 21:11:09 -0800

Ellen Evans wrote:
>
> Meanwhile, the folks at Fox, worried about the FCC, are now pixelating the
> naked bums of cartoon babies.

Bloomers!

From:	Lee Rudolph
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	20 Jan 2005 13:21:47 -0500

jeev@panix.com (Ellen Evans) writes:

>In article ,
>Chris Ambidge wrote:
>>... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>>
>>
>> SpongeBob SquarePants
>>
>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
>
>Meanwhile, the folks at Fox, worried about the FCC, are now pixelating the
>naked bums of cartoon babies.

Why, everybody in Mandrake Falls is pixelated.

Lee Rudolph

From:	Tony P.
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:44:55 -0500

In article , ambidge@ecf.toronto.edu says...
> ... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>
>
> SpongeBob SquarePants
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
>
>
> ailuropoda melanoleuca torontonensis
> first it was tinky-winky, now spongebob
>

On the basis of "know thine enemies" I signed up for Wildmon's little
hateblog. The emails are most enlightening. Persecuted Christians
indeed.

From:	Usenet Posting
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 19:41:41 GMT

On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 16:21:13 GMT, ambidge@ecf.toronto.edu (Chris
Ambidge) wrote:

>... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>
>
> SpongeBob SquarePants
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
>
>
>ailuropoda melanoleuca torontonensis
>first it was tinky-winky, now spongebob

At least WAFF had a mature response:

WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who
thought the video promoted homouality "needs to visit their doctor
and get their medication increased".

--
The pain is pretty overwhelming, prolly
comparable only to childbirth or kidney stones.
--Brian L.

From:	Brad Macdonald
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 16:16:03 -0500

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005, Usenet Posting wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 16:21:13 GMT, ambidge@ecf.toronto.edu (Chris
> Ambidge) wrote:
>> ... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>>
>> SpongeBob SquarePants
>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
>> ailuropoda melanoleuca torontonensis
>> first it was tinky-winky, now spongebob
> At least WAFF had a mature response:
> WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who
> thought the video promoted homouality "needs to visit their doctor
> and get their medication increased".

Yet we read in the NY Times today that the group of "super-secret
commandos [who] stood ready with state-of-the-art weaponry to swing
into action to protect the presidency" at Thursday's inauguration
"operated under a secret counterterrorism program code-named Power
Geyser."

Brad

From:	Tim McDaniel
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	21 Jan 2005 18:45:39 -0600

In article ,
Chris Ambidge wrote:
> Subject: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
>... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>
>
> SpongeBob SquarePants
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
>
>ailuropoda melanoleuca torontonensis
>first it was tinky-winky, now spongebob

I like today's survey at http://www.cnn.com.

SpongeBob SquarePants is:
( ) Promoting the acceptance of homouality
( ) Promoting tolerance and diversity
( ) Absorbent, yellow and porous

The _choices_ are atrocious -- I agree with all three -- but I do love
the last answer. 72% of all those polled agree with me.

--
Tim McDaniel; Reply-To: tmcd@panix.com

From:	Robert Cumming
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Fri, 21 Jan 2005 09:01:59 +0100

In article ,
ambidge@ecf.toronto.edu (Chris Ambidge) wrote:
> ... is, according to James Dobson of Focus on the Family is
>
> SpongeBob SquarePants
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm
> ailuropoda melanoleuca torontonensis
> first it was tinky-winky, now spongebob

I'm just wondering, do the religious right see these odd little media
issues as central to their mission, or do they get annoyed at how
their most trivial campaigns get the most coverage?

Robert

From:	Ann Burlingham
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	21 Jan 2005 19:17:58 -0500

Robert Cumming writes:

> I'm just wondering, do the religious right see these odd little media
> issues as central to their mission, or do they get annoyed at how
> their most trivial campaigns get the most coverage?

i was wondering that, too. or, tangentially, deciding to be happy that
they're fussing over something so trivial, stupid, and wrong. may all
their causes be thus.

From:	Michael Carden
Subject:	Re: Latest threat to Western Civilisation As We Know It
Date:	Sat, 22 Jan 2005 12:38:26 +1000

Ann Burlingham wrote:

> Robert Cumming writes:
>
>> I'm just wondering, do the religious right see these odd little media
>> issues as central to their mission, or do they get annoyed at how
>> their most trivial campaigns get the most coverage?
>
> i was wondering that, too. or, tangentially, deciding to be happy that
> they're fussing over something so trivial, stupid, and wrong. may all
> their causes be thus.

I just find the whole thing totally bizarre. I'd hate to have a look knside
some of these people's heads. It reminds me of the final episode in John
Safran vs God (http://www.johnsafran.com/tv.html) when he got exorcised by
this US fundie preacher. The guy was a total loonie and comlpete paranoid
who saw demons everywhere and was constantly exorcising his congregation
members.

After seeing that, I got a glimpse of how Dubya and his bogus 'war on
terror' could be such an election winner.

--
Dr Michael Carden, Sodom/olog/ist, Religion Dept, Queensland University,
Brisbane, Australia, 4072. ph: +61 (07) 3365 7490,
http://www.sodomology.org
"If I can't dance it's not my revolution" - 'Red' Emma Goldman