TV characters blamed for child obesity, Homer Simpson couldn't care less

You know, I find it hilarious that people blame television and video games for their crazy children yet CONTINUE letting them watch and play.

Yeah, except those guys are all bodybuilders with alien powers/technology and kids get disappointed when they can't punch through brick walls. <:(

Hey, here's a fun idea, lets be like parents and blame TV for all our problems. I'm short, It's all the TV's fault!

Why do parents blame the TV for their OWN education mistakes?

Why should children become fat from watching TV?
The parents have to say: No! We don't eat fast food now!
In the end it's the PARENTS who buy their kids the fat stuff.

Whenever parents blame random things for the reason their kids are so ****ed up, and not the fact that they're bad parents, a part of my soul dies.

Here's their logic:

OMG I'M SHORT LET'S NOT BLAME GENETICS AND SAY IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF [insert show with short main character]!!111 I'M SARCASTIC AND LET'S NOT BLAME MY PARENTS WHO ALWAYS TALK IN A CONDESCENDING WAY TO ME AND INSTEAD BLAME [insert video with sarcastic main character]!!11

And here's mine (and hopefully yours):

Dude, shut up, stop watching TV, and start being a good role model. And next time, if you want a tall kid, don't sleep with someone obviously shorter than normal.

Yeah, I'm tired. But my point still stands. I think.

One more thing: If I see someone else go the way of Cookie Monster (provided it's not, say, a one-episode gag or something like that), some executive or other big-shot (I almost typoed that as a curse word. It would have fit just as nicely.) is gonna die that very night.

Homer Simpson, much like Cookie Monster, is a blatant example of what NOT to do.

In practically every way.

I think people should worry more about Homer promoting domestic violence and alchoholism.

Peter Griffin is the fat one.

It's funny how Homer's voice actor is a vegetarin and never drinks.

I agree with what Duckboy (and just about everyone else in this topic) said. Two words: Bad parenting. So many parents say, "This game/show is bad for my kids", when in reality, maybe its not really that bad, maybe they just need to teach the kids the difference between shows and real-life. For example, my parents always told me when I was a kid, "Just because Cookie Monster eats cookies all the time doesn't mean you can." And actually *gasp* explained why! It wasn't because Cookie Monster was a bad influence they wanted to protect me from; they knew Cookie Monster was just a way to entertain kids, but nevertheless they wanted to make sure I knew that just because Cookie Monster or other TV characters did it, didn't mean I can. They actually knew that it was their responsibility to teach me, not the TV's. As for the rare time that these stupid people find something that actually is bad for their kids, like Grand Theft Auto for example, well... Think about the name of the game. Think about those words. "Grand Theft Auto." If a parent took the time to think about the title, they'd probably realize that a game called "Grand Theft Auto" is about stealing cars, and if they thought a little further they might realize that some violent elements might be tossed in. Just a little thinking is all it takes, something which too many people just don't do. If the title doesn't reek of bad news for ya, when it was on the shelves it was rated "M" for "Mature", as in 17 or over! So why the heck are you buying it for ten-year-olds, idiots?! If that still doesn't present a problem to you, then maybe the parents could *gasp* read the back of the box, to see what the game is about. I think even those who can't comprehend the title and the rating would put the game back on the shelf if they read the back of the box and saw what was involved in the game. As for people 17 and over who buy it, they know enough to know the difference between what is acceptable in a game and what is acceptable in real-life. If they've been tought the difference. Its all about what you teach your kids. As for Homer, I won't say he's a good influence, but you should be telling your kids that, not me. People like this who blame the media for the bad behavior of their kids are the kind of parents who just can't be bothered to raise their kids. Kids who aren't taught may wander over to bad influences, because they sure aren't going to raise themselves, are they?

Edit: To amend my previous statement about Homer: He's not exactly a good influence, but he's not really a bad one either. The real influences are the parents, if they decide to take that role. Otherwise they leave that job to the TV.

This post has been edited by Banjzooie on Aug 18 2005, 12:19 AM