Daily Kos

SpongeBob Update: Focus On The Family targets Keith Olbermann

by Hunter

Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:31:50 PM PDT

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann is one of the few "real media" journalists to have a blog consistently worth going to.  From Olbermann, we learn that for the last week, Focus on the Family has been locked in mortal combat with themselves, and they're losing badly.

Or more specifically, FOTF targeted K.O. for an impromptu spam campaign, as a result of Countdown's reporting on James Dobson's "SpongeBob" comments. Dobson backpedaled like a man possessed once media attention on his remarks started coming out, in the process citing Olbermann as "one of the most hostile of the commentators" against him and setting up an email generator by which FOTF groupies could spam Olbermann on the subject.

Olbermann writes:

The spam e-mails began coming in Tuesday night. They were pretty routine, damning me to eternal fires and reminding me what they "did" to Dan Rather and how I'd be next. But they were generated from Dobson's own website, which of course negates their impact, and as a result a lot of them were downright hilarious.

Something approaching 20 percent of them were simply blank. Others began with, or consisted entirely of, the preamble "(Please delete these words and type your own message here.)" Others referred to Dr. Dobson as Dr. Dobsin, Dr. Dobsen, or Mr. Dobbins. Many were cut-and-paste repetitions of one another, and about 20 percent were from false e-mail addresses.

One particularly useful one included the actual instructions on the Website as to how to conduct the campaign...

Anyway, go peruse the last entries of Bloggermann for the whole sordid tale. It's pretty funny. His own favorite hate-mail submission so far includes this gem:

I showed respect even though I disagreed with you and yet you have the audacity to call me intelligent.

Touché.

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Permalink | 78 comments

  •  Go K.O! (none / 1)

    He was one of the few in the SCLM with the cajones to actually investigate voting irregularities in Ohio and Florida.  I have enjoyed his blog for several months now and find it pretty up front and honest for a mainstream media type.

    Obama 2008

    by cato on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:24:11 PM PDT

  •  Parody Proof! (4.00 / 7)

    Hall of Fame entry:
    I showed respect even though I disagreed with you and yet you have the audacity to call me intelligent.

    Blog: "Patterns That Connect" Current Dkos Diary: here

    by Paul Rosenberg on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:24:23 PM PDT

  •  Olberman for CBS Anchor! (none / 1)

    Go Keith Go!!!!

    Democrats Will Win if We Are The Party of the People see: Progressive Populism

    by jsmckay on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:25:12 PM PDT

  •  How very CHRISTIAN of them. (4.00 / 8)

    Geesh.  Can I get my religion back already, please?

    "The revolution's just an ethical haircut away..." Billy Bragg

    by grannyhelen on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:26:36 PM PDT

  •  yay. more fake outrage (none / 1)

    why do any of us waste our time with this crap?

    by DarthCheney on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:27:14 PM PDT

    •  I think the point is where other talking heads are (none / 0)

      intimidated, Keith exposes them and their mail so to borrow a logo "you decide"
         to show that they are spaming, being provided with a handy format to send letters "put your comments here"  ,  and that many of them have phoney email addresses is exposure of their tactics.
        Laughter can be quite disarming.

        the fact that the good "Christian" couldn't spell the word was a hoot.

        No one to date has exposed these people, it was about time they stopped counted messages and exposed the content.

        It's not a waste of time, it is a lesson.

      Lunch Lady

      by Lunch Lady on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 06:00:37 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Does Keith (none / 1)

    live in a pineapple under the sea?

    by davybaby on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:29:50 PM PDT

  •  Good job by K.O. (4.00 / 2)

    The SpongeBob controversy must have really embarrassed them.  Good, they deserve it.

    McCain: Less jobs, more war.

    by Unstable Isotope on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:34:47 PM PDT

  •  Hunter (none / 1)

    I posted on top of you, so I updated you to the top. In an hour or so, I will reverse this, ok?

    Everybody dies alone.

    by Armando on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:39:42 PM PDT

  •  When in doubt (3.80 / 5)

    or disarray, the nutjobs on the right always go for the same solution -- blame the media and counterattack.  This one doesn't seem to be going so well.

    Someone should follow Dobson around for a while, singing the Spongebob theme song:

    Captain: Are you ready kids?

    Kids: Aye-aye Captain.

    Captain: I can't hear you...

    Kids: Aye-Aye Captain!!

    Captain: Oh! Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

    Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!

    Captain: Absorbent and yellow and porous is he!

    Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!

    Captain: If nautical nonsense be something you wish...

    Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!

    Captain: Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish!

    Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!

    Captain: Ready?

    EveryBody:  SpongeBob SquarePants! SpongeBob SquarePants! SpongeBob SquarePants!

    Captain: SpongeBob.... SquarePants! Haha.

    Now THAT would be funny.

    by jsmdlawyer on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:41:23 PM PDT

  •  This isn't funny. (4.00 / 2)

    These people may not be able to send emails correctly, but if their leader tells them to physically beat the crap out of Olbermann or anyone else, they will do it - and there's no way one can possibly talk to them and convince them to "act reasonably". I hope Olbermann has hired security guards to protect himself, his family, his workplace, and his home.

    - What happens on DailyKos, stays on Google.

    by Jon Meltzer on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:41:54 PM PDT

  •  Don't you understand what's really at stake here? (none / 1)

    SpongeBob Squarepants promotes not merely sexual perversion but slacking and unemployment.  He is an evil influence in many ways and must be crushed.

    (until I can think of something better)

    by Ernest Tomlinson on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:42:34 PM PDT

  •  This is all because of what SpongeBob (3.94 / 17)

    did at the last State of the Union address:

    Check out My T-shirts

    by mrboma on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:45:42 PM PDT

    •  Mr. Crabs is Definately a Republican (4.00 / 3)

      The Krusty Krab has appreciated in value to the point where he would get nailed with capital gains tax so the money grubbing bastard voted for Bush.

      Bikini Bottom as a whole is solidly blue however.

      by sloanman on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:55:57 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  WOW! (none / 1)

    Great piece! Great link! I watched the video in question. WTF? Where is the gay reference? Why was Sponge Bob singled out? WTF? I know, maybe they played the video backwards and heard the hidden messages. These people are BEYOND scary!

    Turn me on, deadman!

    John McCain '08 - Stay The Corpse!

    by kitebro on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:50:46 PM PDT

  •  Somewhere in Secaucus (4.00 / 2)

    The ghost of Murrow sits on an MSNBC set and smiles.

    by Ptolemy on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:51:01 PM PDT

  •  It looks to me (none / 1)

    like K.O. KOd em, nice piece of journalism Keith, you're a breath of, well you know the rest, good luck!
    PEACE!

    by PC on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:53:39 PM PDT

  •  Hell hath no fury... (none / 1)

    Like an idiot made to recognize his own idiocy.

    Hanoi didn't break John McCain, but Washington did.

    by Dallasdoc on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:54:21 PM PDT

  •  Dobson will set the record straight... (3.50 / 2)

    ... but only to Fox News, of course.

    From Doc Dobson's newsletter (emphasis added):

    In response [to the story that 'outraged' the media], we received more than 100 requests for interviews within 24 hours from media entities within the United States and around the world, including the "Today Show," "CNN," the "BBC," "ABC News," the CBS "Early Show," "Good Morning America," "MSNBC," "National Public Radio," and "Hannity & Colmes" (the only one I accepted).

    by fictionaldepth on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 04:58:02 PM PDT

    •  Falwell on the Media (none / 0)

      From Falwell's November 21 televised sermon, broadcast from his Thomas Road Baptist Church:
      Let me talk to you about five good things of late ... for which this week I hope you and your family around your Thanksgiving table will praise the Lord. ... No. 5: America has alternative news media and is no longer held hostage by the major print and broadcast media. I remember a day when ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN and the major print media controlled all the news flow to the American people and we found ourselves getting warped and distorted news. I thank God now in the 21st century for talk radio, that three hours a day people like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and hundreds of others are telling the truth of what really is going on. I thank God for FOX News Channel [applause]. I thank God for the Internet bloggers and the news producers like NewsMax.com, WorldNetDaily.com, even The Drudge Report.
      http://mediamatters.org/items/200411240002

      by piniella on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 09:10:57 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Time.com (2.50 / 4)

    is reporting that the Dem state chairs just endorsed Fowler, and that this is a minor setback for Dean.

    Be that as it may, its a major setback for the Anti-Dean forces, as the previous frontrunner for that faction was Frost, and now that is fracturing.

    Seems to me (John Q.; Public Citizen)that with Kerry & the Clintons taking a neutral stance, and the GOP with no incentive to attack Dean until if/when he takes the Chairmanship, that its now the Anti-Dean wing of the party which has no leader!

    by Zach in Phoenix on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 05:16:13 PM PDT

  •  We've left reality (4.00 / 6)

    and entered the Twilight Zone. That's the only explanation of how I can load DKos, see 'SpongeBob Update' as the lead headline, and know exactly what it's about.

    -dms

    Having trouble finding stuff on Daily Kos? This page has some handy hints and tricks.

    by dmsilev on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 05:21:40 PM PDT

  •  No more donkey (4.00 / 3)

    I think the Democratic party needs a new mascot. The Jack-ass isn't really appropriate, IMHO.

    I nominate SpongeBob to be our new mascot!

    Check out My T-shirts

    by mrboma on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 05:23:31 PM PDT

  •  The underlying issue is important though (4.00 / 2)

    I think tolerance should be taught and emphasized in schools.

    Dobson disagrees.

    I think riding the spongebob thing works to our advantage BECAUSE it detracts from the major issue. But if we were forced to have a conversation about the major issue, the great divide in this country would open up again.

    But in many ways, I would welcome that conversation.

    It's not a campaign. It's a movement. Will you stand up?

    by danthrax on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 05:23:56 PM PDT

    •  This really is the right "frame" (4.00 / 2)

      to put into place: what prompted all this, a public service announcement promoting tolerance.  That's the greater threat to them than even evil homosexuality.

      Dobson is protesting an ad for tolerance.

      I'd love to see the Dems reframe the gay marriage issue into one of the right wing's fear of tolerance.

      Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds. --Elie Wiesel

      by a gilas girl on Mon Jan 31, 2005 at 05:27:18 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I'm with ya (none / 0)

        but don't hold your breath on this one:

        I'd love to see the Dems reframe the gay marriage issue into one of the right wing's fear of tolerance

        One point I've tried to make recently is that there is far too much self-congratulations from Democrats on this topic:  "Look at the silly fundies, working hard for the Rs but then getting tossed to the back and not getting the abortion or anti-gay stuff they want passed" and the like.  I sometimes feel like gay folks are the Ds equivalent.  We get Dems to come speak to our events every so often, to spout platitudes, and then to do nothing when they get elected.  John Kerry talks about "supporting" Civil Unions, but hasn't done a damned thing about them--same for most of the Dem candidates (except for great people like Brad Carson whose homophobia was different from his opponents only in extent--Carson simply wasn't as batshit crazy as Coburn).  John Edwards was on the campaign trail DEFENDING aspects of DOMA.  The Oklahoma anti-marriage amendment was pushed through a Democratic legislature before going before the voters.  The last time Dems had control of the legislative and executive branches, they gave us Don't Ask Don't Tell (pushed by widely respected Democratic Senator Sam Nunn and signed by Democratic President Bill Clinton).

        In order for the Democratic Party to talk about tolerance and the like, they'd actually have to believe it.  Far too much of this party doesn't even buy into tolerance for gay folks.  Expect no (or a minimal) challenge to the intolerance of Dobson and his ilk, because to do so might challenge parts of the Democratic Party.

        I am a revolting homosexual!

        by MAJeff on Mon Jan 31, 2005 at 08:32:24 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  Spongebob a Chum Guzzler? (3.66 / 3)

    Children's cartoon favorite Spongebob Squarepants is the latest cultural icon to draw the ire of the American Taliban. Identified as an agent of the gay agenda by Focus on the Family's James Dobson, Spongebob joins Rick Santorum's dogs and John Cornyn's box turtles as a threat to the American family.

    What is it about Spongebob that drives these imams of intolerance into a rage? One easy answer is projection: Dobson et al perhaps cannot come to grips with their homo-erotic attraction to Spongebob and shrimping with his band of chum guzzlers. After all, he is a sponge - maybe it's all those holes...

    by Avenging Angel on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 05:27:51 PM PDT

  •  Did you know, in fact, that Keith O. rules? (none / 0)

    Because, he does.

    His news show is the most entertaining non-fake news show.  I hope they keep him on forever.

    LOVE IT when he rants against FOX, like when he offered $90,000 for the Bill O'Reilly Falafel Audio Tapes.

    Keith rocks.

    by Sam Loomis on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 05:45:15 PM PDT

  •  what maroons (none / 1)

    "(Please delete these words and type your own message here.)" "

    by pitbullEmily on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 06:14:18 PM PDT

  •  Hunter: (none / 0)

    Ha!  Chuck Currie turned me on to this last week, including a link to Dobson's spam generator. (Interestingly enough, it looks like it was put together by an independent group that sells its services to whoever needs to gin up some grassroots action.)

    In any case, Chuck suggested that people use the spam generator to praise Olbermann and others, and that's exactly what I did.

    Ha!!

    Come, come, come to the church in the wild wood, come to the church in the vale.

    by pastordan on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 06:32:01 PM PDT

  •  Keith, watch your back.......... (none / 0)

    I checked out the site and did a quick document scan of Dobson's editorial:
    7 pages, 3,425 words, 20,718 characters with spaces, 58 paragraphs, 282 lines.  And he's lamenting the Sponge Bob presentation as "...brainwashing of children..."?  

    After reading that through, his followers could be mesmerized into any behavior.  As funny as it started out to be, Jon Meltzer has a point.  These people have been known to become
    hyper-reactive (ie killing of abortion Dr's) to issues they perceive as detrimental to their cause, and nudged into it easily by stating "in the fear and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).  Yikes, he's creepie.  

    Maybe Keith should watch his back..........Red

    I luv SpongeBob GayPants and only my toys are red!

    by redvette on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 06:40:17 PM PDT

    •  Could you please translate? (none / 0)

      What would what you just said cause Keith to worry.  I'm not being sarcastic here, just curious.

      "Rupert Murdoch Loves Hillary Clinton"--CBS News headline.

      by Thistime on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 06:56:39 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Cynicism, Sarcasm, Reality? (none / 0)

        I'm a psychiatric nurse, I've worked with the criminally insane. (Mendota Mental Health Institute, a psychiatric hospital operated by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, specializes in serving patients with complex psychiatric conditions, often combined with certain problem behaviors. Winnebago's programs are designed to serve mentally ill children and adults, severely disturbed and difficult patients, and forensic patients, all requiring specialized services.)  

        So maybe I'm just a bit more cautious when mind "reformatting" is afoot.  Dobson is entitled to his opinion and perception, but blind followers often read between the lines, not unlike what we see in the Iraqi suicide bombers, who are doing what they are doing, following the word of "their" religious leaders.  

        When you work with the (dangerous) mentally ill population, overt awareness a.k.a. paranoia, becomes part of  you.  But you can never be to safe................Red

        only my toys are red

        by redvette on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 07:33:43 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  There are laws (none / 0)

    Someone should see if they violated the anti-spam laws.  Using a false e-mail address definitely does.

    Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter - Martin Luther King

    by Do Something on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 07:08:46 PM PDT

    •  Federal Anti-Spam Law Summary (none / 0)

      * Requires Spam to include a valid reply address
      * Requires Spammers to stop spamming when a consumer asks them to
      * Prohibits falsifying email routing information
      * Requires Spam to be labeled as Spam
      * Allows ISPs to establish Spam policies: we accept all Spam; we accept no Spam; or we accept Spam for a tariff
      * Requires ISPs that are compensated for accepting Spam to offer their subscribers an opt-out list
      * Allows victims (consumers or ISPs) to petition the FTC for a cease-and-desist order or to sue
      * Protects innocent third parties (Internet backbone providers)
      * Facilitates the availability of ISP Spam policies
      * Protects state laws currently used to sue Spammers (trespass, theft, etc.)
      * Pre-empts state laws regarding Spam policies and other aspects of the act

      The Act provides for injunctive relief and damages up to $250 per violation, with a maximum award of $2 million. The Act further provides that a court may increase a damage award up to three times the amount otherwise available in cases of willful or aggravated violations.

      Certain egregious conduct is punishable by 5 years imprisonment.

      You say you want to change the Constitution?
      Well, y'know - we all want to change your head

      by Shawshank on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 07:28:41 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  SpongeBob Redux (none / 1)

    Dobson's play against Sponge Bob was nothing more than a rallying cry to his troops.  By making fun of him without confronting his frame with one of our own, we cede the meaning of words like "diversity" and "tolerance" to his definitions.  And in case you missed it; his definitions translate into something like "flaming faggots fondling your children in public school."

    So, lets mock him less and confront him in the public space with our own argument more.  The man has 7 million listeners a day!!!  Close to half a million of them in Ohio.  Remember what happened there?

    Of course right now we don't have anyone that comes close to this audience, but, Al Franken et al could be a start.

    by BruceinNJ on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 07:13:42 PM PDT

    •  Good point (none / 0)

      Now they get to whinge that the big blue secular meanies and making fun of them AGAIN...

      and the issue is not addressed.

      Spongebob Squarepants[1] ISN'T the issue.  The question should be stated loudly and repeatedly:

      "What's wrong with tolerance, Dobson?"  "What do you have against diversity?"

      Let him answer to that rather than word counts and bickering about who is sillier or more profane.

      <small>[1] I never, ever thought I would type those words, let alone discuss him on a socio-political level.  </small>

      by nephthys on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 07:52:25 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  spoof 'em out of business, I say (none / 1)

      So, lets mock him less and confront him in the public space

      You can't possibly approach Dr. Chucklehead seriously. Mockery is the only response--mockery might be the appropriate response to the good doctor and his semiliterate confederates from here on.

      Me, I'm worn out, wringing my hands about what the religious right has in store for me and my country. I'm worn out taking it--fundamentalism, Dominionism, the threat of theocracy--so seriously. I like Olbermann's take: Look how silly they are! Look how the rational world reacts to their tomfoolery! He! Hoo! Ha!

      Yah, they are scary and pose some real threats. But laughter feels good. Let's laugh in their faces, and hope they give us more material like this.

      God bless our tinfoil hearts.

      by aitchdee on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 08:58:54 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  SpongeBob & J.R. "Bob" Dobbs (none / 0)

    Please, please do not confuse Dr. Dobson with the great J.R. "Bob" Dobbs.  It was with shock and dismay that I heard about SpongeBob. I had recently suggested that he would make a great contribution to our missile defense program, but now I'm not so sure.

    It was like getting hit with a ton of bricks that I found SpongeBob hanging around the Burger King in our peaceful little town. The Burger King!  Where the Children are!

    God Help Us All!

    The North Coast Curmudgeon

    by North Coast Curmudgeon on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 07:42:23 PM PDT

  •  I strongly recommend Olbermann -- (none / 0)

    He is right on almost always.

    by nycnat on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 08:02:14 PM PDT

  •  Another Falwell Gem (3.50 / 2)

    From the December 2 edition of Hardball:
    FALWELL: But I think all behavior is chosen.
    MATTHEWS: I'm open. I don't know.
    FALWELL: I think that --
    MATTHEWS: Did you choose to be heterosexual?
    FALWELL: I did.

    MATTHEWS: How old were you when you chose to be heterosexual?
    FALWELL: Oh, I don't remember that.
    MATTHEWS: Well, you must, because you say it's a big decision.
    FALWELL: Well, I started dating when I was about 13.
    MATTHEWS: And you had to decide between boys and girls. And you chose girls.
    FALWELL: I never had to decide. I never thought about it.

    QUESTION: Why didn't his head explode?

    by piniella on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 09:03:11 PM PDT

  •  Where oh where (none / 0)

    is Floyd R. Turbo, American, when we need him?

    WE are the insurgents in occupied America.

    by jazzmaniac on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 09:07:42 PM PDT

  •  SpongeBob went to church with me today... (none / 0)

    SpongeBob sat next to me this morning at First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio.  I didn't hear him sing - which is probably a good thing - or pray, but he did seem to listen attentively to the sermon.  The message was based on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), and included the point that many Christians would dismiss the Beatitudes as impractical.

    The minister enjoyed meeting SpongeBob during the post-service greeting.

    Yes, in fact, I do drive a Volvo.

    by KTinOhio on Sun Jan 30, 2005 at 09:13:12 PM PDT

  •  FCC Spamonator (none / 0)

    I wonder if the comments Powell recieved from Dobson's group were as eloquent and well written.

    Seriously:  Is it possible that the comments Powell received were as transparently coordinated and as poorly constructed?  Is the media cowering because of a patently fabricated morals campaign predicated on such flimsy and childish letters?

    by Anonymous on Mon Jan 31, 2005 at 05:16:30 AM PDT

  •  Veggie Tales! (none / 0)

    Dr. Dobson should look closely at what is originating in the world of Christian Children's Characters to promote the gay agenda....take Veggie Tales for an example...
    Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato..everyone knows that a tomato is a FRUIT!

    by ClearHead on Mon Jan 31, 2005 at 06:22:43 AM PDT

  •  I like this quote (none / 0)

    More importantly, at some point, some of these people are going to wake up to find that the great secular assault they see on their children was, in fact, a bogeyman created to hide their own bad parenting.

    Kinda sums it all up, doesn't it?

    Blog: Sydneysided. Photoblog: pflog.

    by AggieDemocrat on Mon Jan 31, 2005 at 06:29:10 AM PDT

  •  Dictatorship of the Moral Majority (none / 0)

    "...yet you have the audacity to call me intelligent."

    I'd make a comment about the implications for running a country entirely as a democracy, but it seems so unnecessary.

    Think, liberally.

    by Liberal Thinking on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 12:20:43 AM PDT

Permalink | 78 comments