# Lesbians on PBS!? Not while I'm Sec. of Education **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 26, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830 "2005-01-26T21:57:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/1 "2005-01-26T21:57:45Z")
On her second day on the job incoming U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings demonstrated that the administration is not gay friendly. Apparently the PBS show _Postcards from Buster_ has an upcoming episode where Buster goes to Vermont to learn about maple syrup. One of the syrup makers he meets is a lesbian couple. I’m not really sure how they would make it clear that it’s a couple rather than just two women, but it prompted outrage from our new Education Secretary. > [@digital spy](#): > > In a letter to Pat Mitchell, the president and CEO of PBS, Spellings wrote: > > “Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in the episode. Congress’ and the Department’s purpose in funding this programming certainly was not to introduce this kind of subject matter to children, particularly through the powerful and intimate medium of television.” Of course PBS being the brave liberal enclave it is is not going to distribute this episode to it’s affiliates. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/2 "2005-01-26T22:07:24Z")
Maybe it would be okay if PBS would just cut that middle segment where the two women strip down, pour maple syrup all over each other, stare wide-eyed and innocently into the camera, and tell Buster about how naughty they’ve been. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/3 "2005-01-26T22:08:58Z")
> [@Ol'Gaffer](#): > > Maybe it would be okay if PBS would just cut that middle segment where the two women strip down, pour maple syrup all over each other, stare wide-eyed and innocently into the camera, and tell Buster about how naughty they’ve been. > > 😉 You just gotta love pledge week. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/4 "2005-01-26T22:13:45Z")
> [@Ol'Gaffer](#): > > Maybe it would be okay if PBS would just cut that middle segment where the two women strip down, pour maple syrup all over each other, stare wide-eyed and innocently into the camera, and tell Buster about how naughty they’ve been. That would have to please the secretary. Sounds educational to me, and you could even argue it’s anti-gay. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/5 "2005-01-26T22:21:15Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > That would have to please the secretary. Sounds educational to me, and you could even argue it’s anti-gay. 😉 Well everyone knows that the thought of two men making love makes the baby jesus cry while two women together…bring out the popcorn. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/6 "2005-01-26T22:32:13Z")
Fuckin’ homophobes. However, I do reluctantly have to confess to enjoying the fact that the name of the current Secretary of Education is Spellings. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/7 "2005-01-26T22:32:20Z")
> [@digital spy](#): > > In a letter to Pat Mitchell, the president and CEO of PBS, Spellings wrote: > > “Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in the episode. Congress’ and the Department’s purpose in funding this programming certainly was not to introduce this kind of subject matter to children, particularly through the powerful and intimate medium of television.” I kind of feel some affinity for this viewpoint. I mean, I’ve tried authentic Vermont maple syrup, and I found it to be thin and watery, as well as keroseney-tasting. Not the kind of thing I think Michaela would thank her old man for introducing her to. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/8 "2005-01-26T22:39:53Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > You just gotta love pledge week. I’d pay a dollar to see that. 😃 Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/9 "2005-01-26T22:46:17Z")
> [@Ol'Gaffer](#): > > Well everyone knows that the thought of two men making love makes the baby jesus cry while two women together…bring out the popcorn. Well, apperantly [not everybody](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=298155) dislikes it. :dubious: 😕🆒 :o Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/10 "2005-01-26T22:49:50Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > Apparently the PBS show _Postcards from Buster_ has an upcoming episode where Buster goes to Vermont to learn about maple syrup. One of the syrup makers he meets is a lesbian couple. I am shocked – _shocked_ – to learn that PBS is portraying alternative lifestyles in such a positive light. This blatant glamourization of the maple syrup-making lifestyle is clearly a preamble to enticing innocent young children over to the “other side”. Yes, folks, PBS wants your children to become… …_Canadian_! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/11 "2005-01-26T23:03:29Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Well, apperantly [not everybody](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=298155) dislikes it. > > :dubious: 😕🆒 :o > > Stranger Ummm…my comment was a wry and insightful commentary on the ridiculous (and offensive) double-standard regarding the percieved immorality and deviance of sex between two men as opposed to two women. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/12 "2005-01-26T23:04:48Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Yes, folks, PBS wants your children to become… > …_Canadian_! :eek: Well come on, why do you think they’ve been airing Red Green all these years? Sheesh! It’s like you think they’ve been secretive about their agenda or something. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/13 "2005-01-26T23:08:33Z")
I think it’s important to point out here that the “lesbian” couple in question are cartoon rabbits. Cause that makes it a hell of a lot funnier. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/14 "2005-01-26T23:13:10Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > I think it’s important to point out here that the “lesbian” couple in question are cartoon rabbits. > > Cause that makes it a hell of a lot funnier. Or hotter. If, y’know, you’re into that kinda thing. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/15 "2005-01-26T23:26:09Z")
> [@Ol'Gaffer](#): > > Ummm…my comment was a wry and insightful commentary on the ridiculous (and offensive) double-standard regarding the percieved immorality and deviance of sex between two men as opposed to two women. Oh, I know. It’s just that it segued so nicely into that recent threat that I couldn’t help but take advantage of the opportunity to link it in. Keep it up there with the wry commentary…we likes the wry. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/16 "2005-01-26T23:42:29Z")
Just a second here, these are _cartoon bunny rabbits?_ Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? So how do we know that these are members of the Legion of the Damned, and not just a couple of sisters? Bert and Ernie are a “same sex” duo, and we aren’t given to understand anything about thier fuzzy little love lives. So from whence do we find out that these are pervo rabbits? I mean, not to split hairs or anything… ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/17 "2005-01-27T00:03:50Z")
I have the newest version of Between-the-lines 2.0 for parsing politco-speak: > [@](#): > > “Many parents\*\*, who apparently do not own TV’s with off buttons or any way to change the channel, or do not particularly care to be bothered to pay attention to what their kids watch,\*\* would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in the episode\*\*, because that would require some awkward discussions between parent and child. Better to just avoid it altogether.\*\* Congress’ and the Department’s purpose in funding this programming certainly was not to introduce this kind of subject matter to children, particularly through the powerful and intimate medium of television.” ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/18 "2005-01-27T00:17:04Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > I think it’s important to point out here that the “lesbian” couple in question are cartoon rabbits. > > Cause that makes it a hell of a lot funnier. Are you sure? There are lots of different kinds of animals on _Arthur_. Maybe they’re cartoon _beavers_. In lumberjack shirts. That’s how you can tell. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/19 "2005-01-27T00:17:29Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > So from whence do we find out that these are pervo rabbits? I mean, not to split hairs or anything… Booooo. (By which I mean the highest praise) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830/20 "2005-01-27T00:23:10Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I mean, not to split hairs or anything… If you haven’t read Spider Robinson’s Callahan stories, you should. Y’know, before somebody drags you out back without a warrant. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbians-on-pbs-not-while-im-sec-of-education/286830.md?page=2)