By now, most people have probably heard about Farfur, the fundamentalist Islamic Mickey Mouse-like character who promotes violence and hatred on the Hamas-affiliated Al Aqsa TV network. But have you seen him? In any case, this is both a complicated story and a simple one. It's simple because it's wrong. Indoctrinating children is hard to justify, particularly when that indoctrination involves, say, violence and hatred. But it's a complicated story, partly because Farfur was pulled off the air for review, and partly because he's just part of a long tradition of this kind of thing. There are also, just for the purposes of argument, plenty of examples of pro-American propaganda through the years that use children's entertainment as a vehicle. There are racist Bugs Bunny cartoons that reinforced negative stereotypes about African-Americans, Japanese, and Germans, and there's even a famous Disney propaganda cartoon in which Donald Duck plays a Nazi munitions worker (and says "Heil Hitler" all over the place). Is it always reprehensible? Is it effective? Might this kind of thing backfire? Are there any gray areas when it comes to teaching children to hate--or, at least, hatefully express their national/religious identity?
[Ben Greenman's acclaimed new book of fiction, A Circle is a Balloon And Compass Both: Stories About Human Love, is now available at bookstores.]
Reader Comments ( Page 13 of 14)
181. This is real. This is what is invading your schools, your houses, your radios, your television, and yes your kids brains in the end. This is what we've been fighting against, and I think it's time for all those who fight for freedom to stand up and become one with each other rather than arguing with your neighbor. Get real, get smart!
Lance at 8:12AM on May 10th 2007
182. Watching that video actually made me feel sick to my stomach...made the gorge rise in my throat. How could anyone think that teaching their children appalling things like that is a good thing? If there is anyone out there now who still doesn't grasp the seriousness of our problem with these fanatical Islamic terrorists and choose to do nothing about it, you damn well deserve what you get.
Joanna at 8:24AM on May 10th 2007
183. The cursed USA is becoming nothing more than a giant third world refugee camp and guess who pays? Big Business? Nope. The rich? Nope.
The middle class is financing its own demise.
EL SENIOR PRESIDENTE JORGE BUSHO DONE SOLD US OUT.
White African American Civil Rights Activist at 11:31AM on May 10th 2007
184. Katy,
If you're ashamed of this country, please feel free to leave.
Joanna at 8:35AM on May 10th 2007
185. The real terrorists are the illegal alien goyas. If I were Hamas, I'd teach my kids to hate greedy little jews also.
White African American Civil Rights Activist at 8:37AM on May 10th 2007
186. I'm sitting here reading everybodies different comments and I have tears running down my face.
There's so much hatred in our own country, directed at each other...it's not the country that I grew up in at all. Terrorists are being handed their victory on a silver platter compliments of the un-United States. We're finished, we're toast...we're screwed.
Joanna at 8:52AM on May 10th 2007
187. Joanna
Yeah, it is indeed sad that America got destroyed by minorities; exactly as the Roman Empire did. It's soooo dire that I don't even think it matters who becomes the next president as the 2008 elections will probably be our last as a first world superpower before we fall, like the former Soviet Union did.
Thomas Jefferson once said America would probably need a revolution once in a while and believe you me, it's in the air from coast to coast.
GOYA GO HOME WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!
THIS IS OUR LAND AND WE ARE MORE AMERICAN THAN YOU.
Vigilanteism is as American as apple pie and the Shanksville plane on Sept. 11, 2001, reminded US all that sometimes vigilanteism isn't just good, but necessary.
AMERICA...PREPARE FOR BATTLE TO DEFEND THE MOTHERLAND AND OUR CULTURE!!!!
White African American Civil Rights Activist at 9:02AM on May 10th 2007
188. IF there's one single group to blame (another All American tradition), it's the seditious ACLU.
White African American Civil Rights Activist at 9:06AM on May 10th 2007
189. The Disney company should sue! They are using a popular copywrited American icon. This is totally wrong!
allears at 9:16AM on May 10th 2007
190. Anyone in this country who engages in political correctness, tolererce, white guilt or diversity is a BIG part of the problem and must be terminated with extreme prejudice.
There is no more time left for America to indulge in the luxury of diplomatic arse-kissing.
SOS-USA
White African American Civil Rights Activist at 9:32AM on May 10th 2007
191. This is a response to Chris (#10 on this message board). Since you are such an EXPERT on the mid-East, it is time for you to brush up on your knowledge which looks like 500 B.C. right now... the Palestinians were living in Jordan and forced to leave by Jordan's king... Jordan does not want them back and refuses repeated efforts to get back in again... and instead of Western nations coming to their aid... why don't the arab countries with all of their land that can be cultivated, just like the Israelis did, invite them in... THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY LOVE BETWEEN ARABS OR BETWEEN ARABS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS DOWN THROUGH THE AGES... IF YOU BELIEVE OTHERWISE, WOULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM IN IRAQ.. AND what about the IRAQ-IRAN war that lasted 8-YEARS... kudos to your brain Chris, it needs an overhaul.....................
Lewis Fields at 11:37AM on May 10th 2007
192. Is it ignorance or the constant big lie that works? History has been rewritten. Someone thinks the Palestinians had a country or had their land taken from them? Kicked out of Joran 100 years ago they became squatters in the Turkish province of Palestine, which was taken -- by force -- by the Brits in WWI. The U.N. GAVE THEM A COUNTRY at the same time as Israel. Israel begged them to stay and be full citizens in a democracy when the other Arab countries attacked them. The Palestinians listened to Nasser and voluntarily left to join in the glorious genocide. And there's a "right" to believe in Islam like Zionism? One is about peace and brotherhood, the other is about butchering every Jew and Christian on the planet. Pretty much the same to you?
headliner at 11:22AM on May 10th 2007
193. 169. @ Thomas J Gassett (comment 171)
You say, "Without religon, there would be no good or evil, no right or wrong, only the primal struggle between the weak and the strong."
Never fear Thomas, there would still be plenty of good, evil, right and wrong... some of it would be a little less organized, that's all...
>>>
I disagree. Religion gave us our sense of good and evil, and our sense of right and wrong. That's how these concepts were organized and became some what universal. Before this happened the strong were right and the weak were wrong, period.
Religion is the most powerful force for good in human history. It should surprise no one when that force is occasionally perverted by man to create great evil. Blame the men, not religion.
Thomas J Gassett at 3:18PM on May 10th 2007
194. If one took away all of the religion in the world, which will come one day after the Lord's rapture, there would be few hospitals, orphanages, or societal help of any kind. Think about it, how many hospitals are either Jewish or Christian? How many orphanages? Food banks? The list goes on and on. While many would like to blame all religions for the perversion of one, it might be wise to consider the reality. Oh, I know that the atheists believe that this is all they need to outlaw all Spititual Truth, but atheism is a religion too. And if you think islam will leave you alone, you get less respect than the "book people" with them. You may as well start calling yourself "headless", for you won't even be considered for allowance to live, your head comes off without consideration. You aren't even good enough to be their slave. And as for the Jew bashing taking place here, you cannot be a Christ lover and bash Jews....Read your Bible! The Jewish race is no more perfect than the rest of us, but it is ridiculous to blame them for the woes of the world. They have been dealing with islam beating down their defences for much longer than us, we could learn from them. Hitler was lead by islam in his quest for the destruction of the Jewish race, Check the historical records. To compare him to President Bush is pure ignorance. This country may not have done every thing right, but we lost hundreds of thousands of men fighting Hitler. Was it worth it? Sad but necessary!
radiantstreams at 5:00PM on May 10th 2007
195. "Get real, get smart!"
That sounds familiar. Reminds me of Mel Brooks' The Producers.
"Don't be stupid, be a smarty! Come and join the Nazi party!"
All you religious people are going to end up killing eachother. Good luck with that.
miggelz at 5:54PM on May 10th 2007