CARTOON? NETWORK

This past week the Turner Broadcasting Groups' Cartoon Network and two of their officials were charged with one count of placing a hoax device and one count of disorderly conduct for placing electrical devices near bridges and roadways to advertise one of their programs.

It seemed that there was public outrage concerning these devices as some suspected them to be terrorist threats.  The outrage is a result of the phobias of the post-9/11 world we live in.  Everyone is suspicious of anything that looks out of place.  Grant it that these fears could have been realized and that law enforcement and public safety departments have every reason to be suspicious of strange devices, but there was no indignation about the message on the signs.

The sign portrays a rectangular being, outlined in neon or some sort of string of individual lights, with his hand raised in the air exposing a closed hand and a raised middle finger.  I don't know much about advertising, but I am not going to watch a show that enlists my viewing time by such a gesture. I have more important things to do with my time than that.

An Associated Press article on the web mentioned that this sign advertised an "adult cartoon."  Whatever happened to cartoons like Popeye, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Bugs Bunny and Dudley Do Right?  I can tell you in two words: The Simpsons! I wish that more would be more shocked by these subtle tactics to influence us to support their worldly antics.

Paul