Outing of
SpongeBob makes Mad magazine's "dumbest of 2005"
list

Mad magazine will publish its annual "20 Dumbest People, Events, and Things" list in the issue that hits newsstands December 20, and Focus on the Family's James Dobson scored the number 16 slot with his accusations earlier this year that cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants was being used to promote a "homosexual agenda" by appearing in a video that encouraged tolerance among schoolchildren. Says Mad in the blurb, titled "HomoNeurotic: Right-Wing Group Outs SpongeBob": "Early this year, Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson claimed there was a 'sinister agenda' behind a children's video because it featured 'pro-homosexual' cartoon characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, singing the 1979 Sister Sledge hit 'We Are Family.' We can't help thinking that Dr. J has actually lost his focus on the family--isn't it much more sinister that the video is trying to revive disco music? And, given that SpongeBob works as a deep-fry cook churning out Krabby Patties, shouldn't family groups be more worried about childhood obesity? As right-wingers continue to warn us about harmful influences in the fictional world of animation, they better take a look at this utterly shocking information we've uncovered, as it is indeed cause for grave concern."

The list also includes entries like "The Terri Schiavo Circus" and "Scam Artists Give Wendy's the Finger," with "Hurricane Katrina: The Bush League Response" coming in at number 1. "With George W. in the White House, we start each year needing only 19 Dumb Things," said Mad editor John Ficarra. "Bush doing something incredibly stupid is pretty much money in the bank. In fact, he's made our Dumbest list for six straight years. We really owe him a debt of gratitude, which is why we're supporting him again in 2008." (Advocate.com)