# PTC... spot the Homophobic Comments **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 21, 2001, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331 "2001-02-21T11:29:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/21 "2001-02-22T21:13:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kabbes \* > \*\*Of course **Phil** - but it’s not always as easy as that, is it? Especially when the child has got used to having a TV in his or her room. In that case, removing the TV will be interpreted, rightly, as a lack of trust and that is a dangerous road. > > Furthermore many children will want (need?) a TV in their room in order to play on their Sega or Nintendo.\*\* Need??? Sorry, but I have to weigh in on this. I’ve got two children who would just LOVE to have televisions in their rooms. They even ask for them on a regular basis, and I say no just as regularly. We did break down and allow Santa to bring them a Nintendo (gaining critical distance by not officially buying it for them), but that’s hooked up to the only TV in the house, in the living room. I don’t think that incessant videogame playing is any more beneficial to my children than incessant television watching, and that’s the most efficient way for me to monitor it. They’ve got a very long way to go to convince me that they **need** personal television sets. I don’t think I’m that strict a parent. I let my kids do many things my peers frown on (including watch “The Simpsons”), I let them eat junk food, and we discuss topics many parents won’t talk about. I don’t find it difficult to monitor my kids’ television watching because I’ve made it easy. I’ve also seen a lot more episodes of Rugrats and Hey, Arnold than I ever really wanted to, not to mention all those nature shows. I’m with Jodi on the “think for yourself” angle. I think it’s fine to get information about shows from websites or reviews, but as with everything, it’s important to be aware of the agenda of the reviewer. The bottom line for me, though, is that most of what’s on TV is crap, regardless of how “appropriate” it may be. I’m not going to sit through a show like “Seventh Heaven.” Even if its message is inoffensive or “positive,” the show itself still sucks at least as much as most of the “inappropriate” ones. This is why I’ve familiarized myself with the “on/off selector switch” feature on our TV and provided the family with a healthy supply of books. ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/22 "2001-02-22T21:17:32Z")
Jodi said: > [@](#): > > Since when does a parent have the obligation to sit through every TV show/movie/CD/video > game in order to make a responsible determination of whether that particular example of media is appropriate > for his or her kids? IMHO, since he or she became a parent. Go to a web site, talk to your friends, read the reviews, but in the end **make sure you know what your kid is watching**. I don’t have any kids yet, and no, I don’t really know exactly what it’s like to be a parent today. But my parents had the time to do this for me, my friends have the time to do it for their kids, and I would rather throw the TV out when I realize I don’t know what my child is watching. This is just my opinion, but I’ll be damned if I change my mind on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/23 "2001-02-22T21:23:41Z")
I just realized I sound like I would only let my kids watch 7th Heaven and junk like that. I doubt I’d be really strict about things like this, since I intend to watch with them and I can explain something if it’s needed. Alright, I’m done now. I think. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/24 "2001-02-22T22:39:33Z")
SODA, there is a difference between knowing what your kids are watching and availing yourself of other resources (like others’ opinions, and reviews) to determine whether what they are watching is appropriate. These are not mutually exculsive, either; a parent can do both. There is also a difference between knowing what your kids are watching and watching every single episode or movie yourself. Sometimes that isn’t necessary, anyway. I don’t have kids, but if I did, I would not have to watch _any_ show aired by PBS and aimed at kids to know it would be appropriate. Similarly, I would not have to watch _any_ show aired on Cinemax after midnight to know that it would not be. And if I was confronted by a show (or, more likely, a movie) that my kids wanted to see but I did not, I would feel perfectly justified in trolling around on the Web to find out what the movie is about and whether or not it’s appropriate _in my opinion_ for my kids to see. I have never said that finding out additional information from the Web means that parents are justified in not knowing what their kids are watching. (Which, when you think about it, doesn’t really make sense anyway; if you don’t know what your kids are watching, how do you know what to look up?) > [@](#): > > I would rather throw the TV out when I realize I don’t know what my child is watching. Yeah, me too, but then I never said a Web site should be a total _susbstitute_ for parental guidance, just that I think it would be a perfectly fine resource for like-minded parents. And I’m with you, INTERNETLEGEND, I think most TV sucks anyway. The only things I personally even try to make a point to watch are West Wing and Antiques Roadshow (God, I’m so _boring_). When I was a kid, we were not allowed to watch TV _at all_ on weeknights. I admit that my parents didn’t police our viewing on weekends, but since we only had about a half-dozen channels, they didn’t have as much to worry about as parents do today. ---
**Author:** ![nikjohns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/53a042/32.png) [@nikjohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikjohns)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/25 "2001-02-23T01:15:03Z")
**Jodi** Do you think that the view the PTC has of what is apropriate is skewed somewhat? They cite several examples of teen dramas, and complain they are unsuitable for kids (I’m not sure of their definition of kids, if they mean pre-teens then I agree - but unsuitable for teens? hello?!) I totally agree about using your resources, but do you trust the PTC? ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/26 "2001-02-23T01:30:19Z")
NIKJOHNS – > [@](#): > > Do you think that the view the PTC has of what is apropriate is skewed somewhat? Yes, but then I’m not the squeaky-clean, let’s-see-what-our-pastor-says-before-we-have-an-independent-thought type of Christian. And I would say that they seem rather _moderate_ compared to other sites; they’re not complaining about how Sabrina The Teen-Aged Witch promotes Satanism, for example. > [@](#): > > They cite several examples of teen dramas, and complain they are unsuitable for kids (I’m not sure of their definition of kids, if they mean pre-teens then I agree - but unsuitable for teens? hello?!) Well, my assumption was that they didn’t think they were appropriate for kids and pre-teens. > [@](#): > > I totally agree about using your resources, but do you trust the PTC? Nah. While I might take thier opinion into consideration when making a decision, I wouldn’t rely on it alone. And as I’ve already said, some of the stuff they consider “objectionable” I thought was pretty amusing. But then I don’t have kids, so the question’s an academic one for me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/27 "2001-02-23T10:54:04Z")
You can put a TV in a child’s room for use with a games console without connecting up an Arial for television reception. I will agree that it is impossible to monitor every programme that is on, but on the other hand, the PTC have taken it upon themselves to have programmes they deem offensive removed from the air completely by targetting the advertisers. After all, it is they that puts those “Television is leading America’s Children down a moral Sledgepool” adverts featuring Steve Allen in newspapers. ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/28 "2001-02-23T15:39:42Z")
How many of you here even have kids? I guess you also realize that these people, the PTC, are entitled to their opinions just as you are. They are also not doing anything illegal when they boycott, write their congressmen or protest. That is their right as Americans and consumers. My teenage daughter used to watch Buffy in the first season or two, now she’s lost interest. I didn’t find the program terribly inappropriate at the time. However, her brother couldn’t stand to watch it, it scared the shit out of him. He’s 7 years younger. Yes, age can make a difference. I see nothing wrong with using whatever means necessary to gather information about what your children are consuming, be it television, movies or video games. My sister’s children do not watch MTV. They have the station blocked. Every parent should have the right to make these choices. It might not be distrubing to have to explain homosexual or even heterosexual jokes and inuendos to a 10 or 11 year old but you might want to put off having to explain these things to your kindergartener. Thankfully my son prefers to watch Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. He isn’t even interested in more adult or teen oriented programs on the other stations. But I can understand how it might be frustrating to a parent that doesn’t have access to cable or satellite television. So you don’t agree with these people, to bad! They are still entitled to their opinion. It isn’t like any of the programs they listed are Masterpiece Theater anyway, most of it is crapola anyway. So is some of the stuff on their good list. Touched by an Angel makes me want to gag, it’s enough to send you into sugar shock. Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/29 "2001-02-23T17:23:00Z")
Yes, they are entitled to their opinion. No, they shouldn’t be restricted from displaying their opinion. But they are trying to restrict my right to watch what I want to watch? Yes, a programme might be unsuitable for children, but its not aimed at children!! its not like Teletubbie porn!!! I agree that Wrestling can be inappropriate for impressionable children to watch. Simple solution. Don’t let your children watch it. Many other parents are happy to let their children watch it once they have explained what they are looking at, and want to answer any questions that their children may have about the programme. Providing a resource for parents to be informed about the content of programmes is a good thing. Providing a biased resource based on a small group of people’s opinions on what is and isn’t suitable for other people’s kids is not a good thing. Get my drift? ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/30 "2001-02-23T19:17:42Z")
TWISTY – > [@](#): > > I agree that Wrestling can be inappropriate for impressionable children to watch. Simple solution. Don’t let your children watch it. The same might be said for hard-core porn or extreme violence, but I don’t hear anyone arguing that it ought be aired on Saturday mornings. The fact is that given that television is extensively marketed towards children, I don’t personally think it is unreasonable to expect the networks to exercise a little common sense in what they air and when they air it. And I think parents have every right to object to things they believe are inappropriate and to lobby to have those things changed and/or removed. You may not agree with them, but then there is nothing to stop YOU from writing a letter to say how much you enjoy a network’s programming as is, and that they should keep up the good work. Everybody gets a voice; everybody gets to use it. If you don’t agree with what these people are saying then ignore it; if you think they are doing some damage, work against it. I’m sure the people underwriting the site think it is “a good thing,” and they have as much right to their opinion as you do to yours. ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/31 "2001-02-23T19:33:16Z")
Yeah I get your drift but get this…where is the appropriate for children programing on regular televison? It’s almost non-exsistant. I believe the networks have Sabrina and a couple of things on Fridays but where is this programing the other 6 days a week? Isn’t there enough adult oriented sitcoms on network these days? Don’t you guys have your belly full of Friends, Will and Grace, and Just Shoot Me? I can’t think of a single so called family oriented show the likes of Family Ties, Who’s the Boss, or even the Nanny that is running on any of the networks during prime time. It appears that many networks have abandoned programing for young people. They’ve decided to ignore the younger or “family oriented” market in favor of the young adult. I suppose they think that Disney and Nickelodeon along with syndication of the older shows on cable network has the market covered. I’m not necessarily defending censorship, I’m not doing that at all. I’m simply suggesting that some people might have a point when they say that evening programing for the most part is not for kids. And I can’t understand why not? Kids can be a large market audience. Sponsors must know that. Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![Althea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@Althea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Althea)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/32 "2001-02-23T20:38:17Z")
Thank you, Jeff, for the link to the ChildCare Action Project. I think the best was the review of Dogma in which flatulence was listed as a reason under “Impudence/Hate” to not see the movie. Because everyone knows farting is an inexcusable act for a True Christian. These people are too much. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/33 "2001-02-23T23:42:59Z")
As I mentioned in a thread in GD, the CAP Alerts site ( [http://www.capalert.com](http://www.capalert.com) ) is one of the great comedy sites of all time. Check on the reviews of Muppets from Space and some other chldren’s films that you thought were totally harmless. Now, it’s true that PTC has the right to legally try to shut down shows that they don’t like. It’s also true that we have the right to describe them as dangerous and disturbing, especially since much of their propaganda is aimed not at shows with offensive content, but rather at shows that they disagree with for political reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/34 "2001-02-24T00:26:57Z")
What I thought was funny about CAPalert is that they feel they must clarify right on their home page that they are not affiliated with Westboro Baptist or Landover Baptist. Westboro is Fred Phelps and his hate-filled invectiove; Landover is a parody site (very funny too, if you haven’t seen it). The fact that they have to explain they’re not affiliated with either indicates to me that a many people coming to the site must be total idiots. ---
**Author:** ![nikjohns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/53a042/32.png) [@nikjohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikjohns)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2001, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/35 "2001-02-24T00:55:38Z")
the CAP are fantastic: [quote] > [@](#): > > _letter from a Doctor to the site_ > Imagine, here we have a ship going down and death on the horizon, and you have the gall to object because it portrays the crew as resorting to, HORRORS!!!, firearms to control some of the male passengers attempting to get on the lifeboats! And it portrays “children in mortal danger.” A movie about the sinking of a ship that DID have children on it, and you object because it portrays children on the SINKING ship as being in danger??? > [@](#): > > \*their reply] > Please calm down, Doctor. It is a movie. A movie! There was nothing real about the horrors portrayed. Nothing real about Titanic. Amazing. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/36 "2001-02-26T04:58:11Z")
Parts of the CAP are scary, though. For example, they have a list of symbols which they claim to be related to Satanism. It includes the Star of David (Judiasm), Moon and Star (Islam), and Yin and Yang (Taoism). Apparently, for them, Christianity and Satan-worship are the only known religions. ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/37 "2001-02-26T06:35:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LaurAnge \* > Buffy was on there? It realistically portrays what a lot of college life is like… minus the demons, of course. You didn’t have demons at your school? ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/38 "2001-02-26T16:57:33Z")
Well, only the teachers. And a few students. Damn. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/39 "2001-02-26T23:46:04Z")
The [Capalert](http://www.capalert.com/) site is an absolute riot. From their review of [Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me](http://www.capalert.com/capreports/austinpowers.htm) (or as they put it, “Austin Powers: The Spy who ------- Me” to avoid offending the sensibilities of their British viewers): > [@](#): > > In another period in the movie, Powers and his opposite, Felicity [deleted] were in a tent with a light casting their shadows on the tent wall, silhouetting their activities from their left. Powers was on his hands and knees. Felicity [deleted] was kneeled behind and to the side of him fetching things out of a long duffle-type bag lying horizontally on a bench at Powers’ right side. This configuration of shadows made it seem that Felicity [deleted] was directly behind him. As Felicity [deleted] reached in the bag, the shadows made it appear that she was reaching inside Power’s colon. As she stretched to reach deeper into the bag, the shadows appeared as if she was slowly shoving her arm into him up to above her elbow. Dr. Larry Burthoft for Focus on the Family claims this act, when done by homosexuals, is called “fisting.” If this portrayal is a homosexual suggestion, it is not the only one in the movie. Felicity [deleted] pulled several things out of the bag, which appeared to come from inside Powers. She also used a mallet to drive a tennis racket into the bag…handle-first. (Doesn’t make any sense to me, either – driving a tennis racket into a bag?) (I wonder what Dr. Burthoft of Focus on the Family claims the act is known as when done by heterosexuals?) From the review of [Chicken Run](http://www.capalert.com/capreports/chickenrun.htm): > [@](#): > > A virile American chicken with an Australian accent, Rocky - the Flying Rooster (the voice of Mel Gibson) literally drops in on the farm and is drafted to teach British chickens how to fly–or was it something else he was teaching them? Many, adventures and perils happen along the way to the answer. Some of the adventures are not kid humor. For example, as Rocky is toning up the chickens with calisthenics, he leans back and cranes his neck to view the posterior of Ginger while she is in an uncomplimentary position, who is dutifully offended by his rudeness [Eph. 5:3]. Such is not likely to be understood by young children, but a behavioral template may be planted by this challenging of the boundaries of “children’s programming” if only by innocent vulnerability to the copycat syndrome Even the old war veteran rooster of the flock gets into the “adult humor” act with “over-paid and over-sexed.” In addition, when Rocky voices his concerns about where he is to sleep, all the girl chickens offer to share their beds [Hebr. 13:4]. Also, I suspect Jesus would not approve of Mrs. Tweedy pinching the buttocks of Mr. Tweedy before a few million kids. Even Shakespeare is not immune. From the review of the 1999 [A Midsummer Night’s Dream](http://www.capalert.com/capreports/midsummer.htm): > [@](#): > > Other matters of unacceptable behavior and programming include a homosexual kiss, barroom revels, human disfiguration, and the use of drugs (a fantasy love potion) to control. Though the later point is clearly fantasy, such gain provided by use of the drug may encourage experimentation with real drugs for the same end – i.e., the date rape drug? I know this sounds far-fetched, but lesser influences have done worse. > > Of particular interest: in one scene a father took the letter of the law of the time to condemn his daughter to death if she did not wed the man he had chosen for her. Granted, the God-ordered hierarchy of the family is the father is the head of the wife and of the family, but this part of the programming in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a example of counterfeiting of the Scriptures; a mockery of God’s Wisdom for the family. Note that maybe our departure from God’s ordainment of the father as the head of the wife (Eph. 5:23) (and family) just might be part of the reason for the state of our culture. And before you jump down my neck, I did not write the rules. God did. Argue with Him, not me. He can define this rules in ways you can understand and accept. All I can say is that nowhere has God said the father is the dictator of the wife and family. A good leader must know when to be a leader and when to be a follower: when to take the reins and when to hand them over to her – and for how long. Other amusing tidbits: [Erin Brockovich](http://www.capalert.com/capreports/erinbrockovich.htm) is described as “Julia has become potty-mouthed.” And in reviewing [The Birdcage](http://www.capalert.com/capreports/birdcage/birdcage.htm), the author could not complete his review because: “After 25 minutes of the show I had one and a half recording logs of homosexual suggestions and activities.” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2001, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331/40 "2001-02-27T03:36:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Billdo \* > **And in reviewing [The Birdcage](http://www.capalert.com/capreports/birdcage/birdcage.htm), the author could not complete his review because: "After 25 minutes of the show I had one and a half recording logs of homosexual suggestions and activities."** Gee, go figure… I still think they should have done _La Cage_ as _La Cage_. I’d have paid good money to hear Nathan Lane sing “I Am What I Am” and Robin Williams sing “Masculinity”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ptc-spot-the-homophobic-comments/55331.md?page=1)