(SNN) Under pressure from the Secretary of Education, the Public Broadcasting Service has decided not to show a controversial episode of the PBS for Kids show “Postcards from Buster”. The episode, entitled “Sugartime!”, was deemed inappropriate as it featured a same sex couple.

“Postcards from Buster” is an animated travelogue featuring a rabbit in real life situations

“Postcards from Buster” is an animated travelogue featuring a rabbit in real life situations with real people. But in the episode, “Sugartime!”, situations got a little too real for Margaret Spelling. The episode features Buster going to a maple sugar farm in Vermont which is run by a lesbian couple. Buster is introduced to the two mothers in the family, which then sits down to dinner. Things get out of hand at the dinner table when one of the lesbians asks to be given some sugar.

As one of her first acts in office, Spellings demanded that PBS pull the show. Spellings said many parents did not wish their children to be exposed to homosexuals. Spellings went on to say that allowing our children to know about homosexuals went against the whole idea of educational programming, as understanding homosexuality could make children illiterate.

Understanding homosexuality could make children illiterate

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation was quick to condemn Spelling for trying to prevent “inclusive images of same sex families” in government funded programs. "For the Department of Education to try to prevent television programs from depicting gays and lesbians should raise serious concerns for all Americans," said GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry. However, James Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” took precious time out of their fight against Spongebob Squarepants’s homosexual leanings to praise Spelling.

Spelling even went as far as to demand that PBS refund the money that went towards the show's production. This would come as quite a blow to PBS. Public Television is forced to put together a budget consisting of contributions from the federal government, state governments, corporate grants, and viewers like you. It is impossible to stress what a difference just a few extra dollars could make toward bringing you your favorite programs, such as “Are You Being Served” and “Keeping Up Appearances”.

posted by NewsBlog 5000  # Friday, January 28, 2005