Media Matters: The War On Christmas Penguins ('Happy Feet's' Liberal Indoctrination!)

[Hissyspit]

Michael Medved is the best Monty Python character ever...!

http://mediamatters.org/items/200611270003

Mon, Nov 27, 2006 1:28pm EST

The War on Christmas Penguins

Beck, Cavuto, Medved Push Absurd Notion of Environmentalist Propaganda in Animated Penguin Movie
Washington, D.C. -- Not content with their annual discussion of a supposed "War on Christmas," conservative talking heads have taken on a new issue this season: environmentalist propaganda in children's movies. CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck and Fox News' Neil Cavuto recently spoke out against Warner Bros.' new animated children's movie Happy Feet; criticizing the film for its alleged pro-environmentalist content. Media Matters for America spokesman Karl Frisch responded to the criticism, lambasting the conservative talking heads for their return to holiday-season absurdity.

"The idea that anyone would make such comments against a children's movie about a tap-dancing penguin shows just how low the bar has dropped for what the media consider real news," Frisch said. "Conservatives seem to have abandoned their traditional coverage of the supposed 'War on Christmas' for a 'War on Penguins.' "

During their programs, both Beck and Cavuto referred to the film as "propaganda," adding that the movie amounted to "an animated version of An Inconvenient Truth." Happy Feet, which features animated dancing penguins, also admittedly contains environmental conservationist themes, which Beck and Cavuto claimed were meant to indoctrinate children.

Conservative talk-radio host Michael Medved took his criticism a step further in a November 17 weblog post on Townhall.com, referring to the film as "Crappy Feet" and saying it was the "darkest, most disturbing feature length animated film ever offered by a major studio."

I LIKED dark, disturbing animated films when I was a kid!

[RoyGBiv]

1. Here's a clue ...

Yes, the film does have pro-environmentalist content. Yes, it is intended to help indoctrinate younger generations with the idea that if we continue to rape the planet like an unhinged sailor on shore leave after a year's tour that, yes, we're all fucked, including the penguins. And NO, that is not a bad thing.

Ignorant fucks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. And it is FUNNY to boot

[RoyGBiv]

4. Indeed ...

I laughed my ass off.

Funny movies that have a point without being preachy are excellent fare for everyone, but especially kids.

[Lisa]

6. I object, on behalf of the unhinged sailors!

At least they stop spending money once their pockets are empty. The corporations and governments that are now threatening the Antarctic ecosystem simply spend everybody else's cash!

[RoyGBiv]

9. Point taken ...

I've never known an unhinged sailor (and I've know a lot of them) who didn't wake up the next day and at least *think* "I ain't ever gonna do that again..."

[Mojambo]

3. I LOVE it when cons play this game

It makes them look utterly ridiculous!

[Mythsaje]

5. They have a problem seeing the difference

between education and indoctrination. Of course, considering so much of THEIR education IS indoctrination, I can't say I'm surprised.

[Lisa]

7. are they going after Teddy Roosevelt and Smokey the Bear, next?

I mean, those two had an "environmental conservationist" message to beat the band! Teddy refused to go on a "canned hunt", which is more than I can say for Dick Cheney and his pals.

[walldude]

8. #1 At the box-office again, beating 2 new movies

Deja Vu and Deck The Halls opened this week and Happy Feet was still number one. I believe it was Glen Beck who said that parents got suckered into going because of the marketing campaign and that the film would die after it's strong opening weekend. :rofl:

And Medved?
"the darkest, most disturbing feature length animated film ever offered by a major studio."

Wow, that's some boast. I take it he's never seen movies like, Wizards, Fritz The Cat, Heavy Metal, A Scanner Darkly, Bambi, Waking Life, The Prince Of Egypt. I could go on, but I think the point is made.

[badgerpup]

10. Add "The Lorax" to your list of 'darkly disturbing', Mikey-boy...

That was an out-and-out environmentalist cartoon based on the Dr. Seuss book that was banned in some cities PRECISELY for its green content.

I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.