"Buster" produced axed from TV conference

[Plaid Adder]

Just too old for LBN, but here it is:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=101&e=2...

'Buster' producer axed from TV conference

Thu Feb 3, 7:57 PM ET Community - Planet Out


Eric Johnston, PlanetOut Network

SUMMARY: The Department of Education (news - web sites) has canceled an invitation to the executive producer of "Postcards from Buster" to speak at a children's television conference in Baltimore.



The Department of Education has canceled an invitation to Carol Greenwald, executive producer of "Postcards from Buster," to speak at a children's television conference in Baltimore on Friday, according to a PBS official.


The move followed last week's criticism by Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings about an episode of the "Postcards from Buster" cartoon that featured two lesbian couples in Vermont.


~~~from further down~~~

Spellings defended her stance in an interview Tuesday with the Dallas Morning News, saying issues of sexuality and lifestyle should be introduced by parents.


"I think that particular topic, of sexuality and lifestyles, are things that need to be introduced by parents and families in their own way and in their own time," said Spellings.

***************

"But to any parents who would prefer to use a children's TV program in order to bring the topic up and discuss it with them, the Education Department says a big ol' fuck-you!" Spelling added.

OK, I wrote that last paragraph. But DAMN!!!

Where is the website for the "recall Margaret Spelling" campaign? Bush I'm used to putting up with, but THIS bitch, NO WAY!

Seethe,

The Plaid Adder

[MarianJack]

1. "Introduced by parents and families in their own time"

Unless, of course, it's not what WE (meaning the halliburton administration) want them to introduce.

This has angered me beyond words. I have been VERY vocal to Maine PBS about my wife's and my views. I believe that in the current "gay=subhuman" climate of the bush misadministrations rush to embrace all things evangelical, my wife and I may be the among fundies' worst nightmares. We are heterosexual Roman Catholic Liberal Democrats who know the Bible better than THEY do. It comes from my wife's time as a nun when Bible study was a major part of her life.

We stand with you, Adder and all of the gays and lesbians. As you said, your community is the canary in the coal mine. Here at DU at least, is a place where Gays and Lesbians will be loved and respected. My wife and I WILL NOT BE SILENCED!

As always, Adder, :yourock: :headbang: !

[Maat]

3. Wow. That's a great post, MarianJack.

My hubby and I also support the GLBTQ community wholeheartedly. I, however, am no expert on either the Bible or theology in general. And, I think that you are a big nightmare to the radical religious right.

I second that. "We stand with you, Adder ..."

[MarianJack]

6. Thanks, Maat!

I'm sick and tired of the wholesale hatred and venom coming from the righties since the "mandate". To quote Peter Finch & Paddy Cheyevski (Spelling?), I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!

[Maat]

7. Well, as soon as I have time...

I am going to demand to be able to see the "Sugartime" episode from "Postcards from Buster." I paid for it! And I want to see it. I, too, am mad as Heck and not going to take it anymore!

[xmas74]

11. Same here.

I am not a lesbian-but I want my child to see someone's life that is different from her own. Her life (being raised by a single mother) is not the normal lifestyle in and of itself.
I have been on a letterwriting campaign to see the episode. I paid for it and I want to see it. Besides, my daughter and I watch Arthur and Postcards from Buster everyday when I get home.

And I really, really, want to see how they make maple syrup:headbang: (that would be really cool).

[Maat]

15. Exactly. I'm with you!

The thing is that it helps a kid understand that every family has its uniqueness.

When it came up at her school, how many of the kids wound up with two or more 'moms,' it sure helped me, because my baby came to me a special way - through adoption.

Because she heard about this possibility, the idea of HER having two moms - a biological one and the permanent adoptive one (long story - she was abandoned), ANYWAY, she's used to the idea.

And I'm glad to hear how it helped you - you sound like a great mom!

Take care!

Ma'at

[xmas74]

16. I just want my daughter

to be raised with an understanding of all people.

A very dear friend of mine is gay. He spends alot of time at my house (he is fighting cancer right now). He loves and adores my daughter more than her own father and I hate that people like Spelling want to demonize him in my daughter's eyes. He is a truely great person who stepped up to the plate when my daughter's father left and he helps out whenever possible.


Besides, I still want to see how maple syrup is made (and that is the only part my daughter cares about). :silly:

[Meldread]

10. Thank you both!!!

Thank you both for your support of our community. Without allies like you, we likely wouldn't be as far as we are today. You're making a difference, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

(And, wow a Nun? That's an interesting story I wouldn't mind hearing! :silly:)

[MarianJack]

12. Nothing Dramatic!

My wife loved religious life, she just wanted a family. She left the convent about 4 years before she met me. I didn't know she had been a nun until our 4th or 5th date.

The way I found out was when I picked her up for a date, she was getting dressed in her room and i was looking at family pictures in her hallway. I saw a family picture from her sister's wedding and asked who the nun was (a BIG :spank: to me) and she yelled "DON'T LOOK AT THOSE PICTURES!", so I knew> She was going to tell me soon.

Of course, when we argue, I can't say anything like "Your first husband thinks he's GOD", because he is! :shrug:

[Meldread]

14. *laughs*

That is an interesting story. I'm not Catholic, and really truth be told my knowledge outside of what I've researched of Catholics is limited. (I live in the South, in Virginia, where most everyone is either Southern Baptist or Protestant...)

[China_cat]

2. Spelling and one of the female couples

were on GMA one day last week. One of the women being demonized said "the closest we got to anything sexual was opening the door and saying 'hi Buster, come on in".

Spelling then went on to ask why we should worry about -2%- of the population. And she repeated it several times that gays and lesbians only make up 2% of the population and shouldn't be worried about.

A pox on her house.

[Maat]

4. She is dreamin' if she thinks that the GLBTQ population only ..

makes up 2% of the population. Heck, I think that just the gay and lesbian community makes up at least 10% of the population.

Wow! What? A few days on the job, and Spelling is already a big disgrace.

[China_cat]

5. I know

I almost choked the first time she pulled out that 2%, figuring she was just mis-stating. Then she kept repeating it.

[dsc]

8. I guess we shouldn't worry about Jews or Muslims either

both make up around 2% of the population.

[Meldread]

9. Is there any hope of a Bus accidentally running over...

Margaret Spelling? No? I didn't think so. :(

[xchrom]

13. grrrrr...

ok -- i'm pretty much speechless over this -- i can't belive it's gotten this bad...