HIV-positive muppet frightens Republicans

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Asher
V-chips are great things.

Jon, not all parents are like you. Many would let their kids watch it even with the new rating. I know I would.

but it would no longer be given the children's spot

so it would be the same as canceling it

and I hope that you think some before you have children

Jon Miller

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus


Of course not. It's not illegal for a kid to watch a show not suitable for kids. That's up to the parents. And hardly any normal minded parent will stop their kids from watching Sesame Street because of this.

Furthermore, it will create a public outcry if the Senate dares to do anything like that to Sesame Street.

sesame street is not near as big as it use to be

and many parents would agree with me

Jon Miller

[Saint Marcus]

and I hope that you think some before you have children

So you really won't let your kids watch Sesame Street should they put the character in question in?

That's really sad. I feel sorry for your kids.

[Par4]

I've never been to South Africa, the closest I have is I know a girl who was born there, never asked her anything about HIV or AIDS though.

All I'm saying is at young 2 to say 5 or 6 when kids play in the park or at a young age at school do they know they have HIV. Do they ask kids do they have HIV and avoid them. I'm under the impression they don't know and don't need to know until they are older.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
but it would no longer be given the children's spot

so it would be the same as canceling it

and I hope that you think some before you have children

Jon Miller

I love you and your outstanding moral code.

You'll definitely go to heaven for that one.

My parents were always honest with me, and I'll do the same with my kids. Not allowing the kids to watch Seasme Street because you don't think they can handle being told it's okay to play with HIV-infected children is your own perogative, but don't you dare tell me to think before I have kids.

You're the one that's going to raise your kid as a God-fearing Christian.

[Saint Marcus]

and many parents would agree with me

most won't


or the US is even more ****ed up than I expected.

[Saint Marcus]

This man must be -so- not-removed from the South African society.

like, totally

[Saint Marcus]

sesame street is not near as big as it use to be

True. But you also have Teletubbies, which features a gay character.

[Par4]

Why?

How many kids know other HIV kids are infected in your countries, and as long as no one tells them otherwise small children are going to have no reason to assume HIV positive children are anything to fear irrationally. Any small kids aren't going to doing anything risky that could get them the disease I seriously doubt they'd be getting their bodily fluids mixed up so why even bother putting it in their minds in the first place. Why even let them bother with HIV at such a young age, let them age a little. Sesame street is watched by 4 year olds not 10 year olds.

Also is that teletubbies character openly gay, and I doubt kids watching teletubbies are going to know about gay or straight or homosexual or heterosexual.

I say too young

[*End Is Forever*]

I'm fairly sure they would know... as we've seen from just this thread, parents are often irrational creatures ("stay away from that kid, he's got HIV") All it takes is one parents like that, and rumours quickly spread on the playground. Even if that isn't the case, what do you say when at 5 years old, a child's best friend dies suddenly?

[Ned]

Saint Marcus, Given that prostitution is legal in Holland, the next thing we should have is a muppet whore momma with a bad Dutch accent - to teach our kids that it is OK to be a hooker.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I have to agree with Par4 and Jon Miller. The kids in the US and most of Europe have no idea bout HIV. To expose them to something like this when they are that young (and they'll ask Mom and Dad was it is) just isn't really a good thing, I think. Like Jon said 9-10 are good ages to start bringing it up.

[SpencerH]

I have nothing against an HIV+ muppet. HIV will be with us for a long time to come; the more people know the better. Whats next though? Ernie with cancer? The Count with hepatitis?

[Ned]

Spencer, But what is the point? That HIV is OK and not to be feared? The character, if I understand it correctly, is not going to suffer at all. It may be one thing teach kids not to fear the one infected. It is quite another to teach them that HIV is not really harmful.

In the movie Philidelphia, Hanks died.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Ned
Spencer, But what is the point? That HIV is OK and not to be feared? The character, if I understand it correctly, is not going to suffer at all. It may be one thing teach kids not to fear the one infected. It is quite another to teach them that HIV is not really harmful.

In the movie Philidelphia, Hanks died.

I may have missed something since I didnt have the energy to read the whole thread. From my perspective, HIV is an infection that we will have to deal with for a long time. HIV+ muppets are not the end of the world and my reaction to this character will depend on how its handled (ie what are the goals of presenting such a character).