Marsha West -- NBC Squashes Bob the Tomato’s Free Speech

NBC SQUASHES BOB THE TOMATO'S FREE SPEECH

By Marsha West

October 6, 2006

NewsWithViews.com

Enough is enough. NBC is censoring Veggie Tales star, Bob the Tomato. All our plump little friend wants to say is, "God made you special and He loves you very much," but the censors at NBC are worried that Bob�s love for God might offend some viewers. Let�s see now, showing Madonna�s special in November, where she�s hoisted up on a cross for the sole purpose of mocking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is not deemed offensive to anyone, yet a tubby tomato that mentions the God of the Bible must be censored? Brent Bozell, President of the Parents TV Council, says the early word from producers is that, �NBC has grown increasingly fierce about editing something out of �Veggie Tales� -- those apparently unacceptable, insensitive references to God and the Bible.�

Squashing the free speech of pious produce is bad enough, but it has recently come to light that NBC executives lied about their reasons for putting a gag on Bob.

Lie #1 - Denial

According to Broadcasting & Cable, NBC claimed they had to "clip off the beginning and ending tags, which are Bible verses, but they were also arguably the easiest cut to make." The American Family Association says that�s not so: �The creator of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer, said NBC's excuse for censoring the Bible verses was not true. Vischer said, �Well, that's kinda funny, because as the guy required to do all the editing, I know that statement is false...The show wasn't too long, it was too Christian. The show was already cut down to the proper length, so timing had nothing to do with it.��

Lie #2 - NBC is Fair & Balanced

When the formerly proud peacock network was exposed for Lie#1, their spokesperson gushed, "NBC is committed to the positive messages and universal values of Veggie Tales. Our goal is to reach as broad an audience as possible with these positive messages while being careful not to advocate any one religious point of view."

The plot thickens?

Was NBC unaware that Veggie Tales teaches Judeo-Christian values when they offered Big Idea a Saturday morning slot? You bet your turnips they knew! They were fully aware that veggie hosts Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber teach kids Bible stories that include Jesus� birth and resurrection, Moses in the basket, Gideon the warrior, and Queen Esther�s courage. The stories always end with a Bible verse. Except on NBC.

Peruse the Big Idea website and you�ll come across the ridiculous excuse NBC gave for cutting Scripture: �Under current TV network guidelines certain religious references would not be allowed.� C�mon. Madonna�s mocking of the crucifixion is �allowed.� If the crucifixion isn�t a �religious reference� I don�t know what is. NBC�s hypocrisy is stunning. When it comes to complaints about religious programming, NBC should respond to irritable viewers with their typical liberal arrogance, �If you don�t like it, change the channel.�

Why are the networks bent on removing Christianity from the airwaves? The Secular Humanists that run the show are doing everything in their power to erect a wall of separation between Christianity and television viewers. The network that prides itself on debauched programs like �Will and Grace� and �Las Vegas� is committed to a jihad against Evangelicals. The proof is in the viewing. �Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip� is being touted as �The hit show of the season!� It�s a hit show alright -- and Christians are on the receiving end of the hit! �With great cunning, Aaron Sorkin and NBC send the message repeatedly throughout this hour-long show that Christians are extremists and the enemy of �free speech�. The first and second episodes of �Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip� center upon the theme of Christians as �nut-jobs� who terrorize networks and advertisers with threats of boycotts. In other words, people like you and me, who voice our concern over the decline of decency, are part of a �psycho religious cult.��[1]

Did a Christian put a tack on Sorkin�s seat when he was a kid?

It�s obvious to anyone with half a brain that the execs at NBC have a bias against Christianity. If this is false, then why did they insist that Phil Visher edit Bible verses out of the Veggie Tales series? Additionally, why did the network permit an assault against Evangelical Christians on �Studio 60�? Christians are portrayed as gullible fruit-cakes, whack jobs, nut-cases, hypocrites and bigots. �One of the characters is supposedly a born-again Christian ? a Christian who swears regularrly and writes comedy for this fictional show that mocks Christianity. She also prays before each show and is shown praying with the cast stating: �We say this prayer in the name of your son Jesus Christ, who had to have been funny to get so many people to listen to him.��

Are you steamed yet?

Ah, but there�s more: �This character supposedly appeared on the 700 Club. Her boyfriend was outraged, called Pat Robertson a �bigot� and compared his audience and other Christians to the Ku Klux Klan, stating: �Throw in the Halloween costumes and you got yourself a clan rally.��[2]

Aaron Sorkin must be proud.

By attacking Christian beliefs, NBC is spreading hate across the airwaves. What�s behind it, you ask? NBC producers are Christophobic. Those poor souls have an unnatural fear of Christians, especially orthodox Christians. Hence they want to shut down all dialogue, pervert the Gospel message, and make Christians seem abnormal and irrational. How intolerant of NBC!

People of faith should consider taking their viewing business elsewhere. Or turn off the tube until the networks start offering wholesome, family-friendly programming! Moreover, a serious Christian should carefully consider what they consume.

But it�s NBC�s blatant bigotry that�s the issue at hand. Which begs the question; why do network television execs refuse to play it down the middle? What compels these men and women to allow their ultra liberal political agenda to dictate programming when they know a huge segment of the viewing audience will tune out? Where�s the logic in having the main characters in �Studio 60� bash Christians? Does this demonstrate good business acumen? It seems clear that the decision makers at NBC have little or no consideration for their stockholders. Hell-o!!

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Hardly any of my friends watch the networks anymore. Not only because most of the programming delights in demeaning Judeo-Christian values; but also because people are sick and tired of garbage being dumped into their homes. At long last a wholesome TV series that teaches youngsters about God�s love and forgiveness is aired. Sadly, NBC�s execs will not countenance Bob and Larry�s references to God. NBC�s stated mission is to protect the sensibilities of the �broad audience.� Hence, the demand for Phil Vischer to remove any mention of the Name of, well, you know Who I mean.

Watch out, Buzz Lightyear, you could be next!

Action Item:
If you want to tell NBC to stop censoring God from Veggie Tales, click here?

Footnotes:

1, Program Review: NBC's "Studio 60" by American Family Association
2, Ibid.

Additional Reading:
Aaron Sorkin's Crack About Television by Lisa de Moraes

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Marsha West is the Founder and Editor of the E-Mail Brigade News Report, an online news report for conservative people of faith. Marsha is a freelance writer specializing in Christian worldview. She is a regular contributor to NewsWithViews.com, Alainsnewsletter.com, CapitolHillCoffeeHouse.com, plus her commentaries appear in MichNews.com and bibleteacher.org.

Marsha is also designer and webmaster of a Christian apologetics website, On Solid Rock Resources. She is currently writing a series of children's books for homeschoolers. Marsha and her husband reside in historic Jacksonville Oregon.

E-mail:�EMbrigade@aol.com

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