The phone rang

Today I got a phone call. The woman on the phone asked for the “lady of the house”. I said “What is this regarding?” She said, “This is not a solicitation. I’m with the Dove Foundation. I’m conducting a survey. Can I speak with the lady of the house?” I said, “That would be me.” Although “lady” is not the word I would use to describe myself – I think I’m more of a “dame” – in the 1940s sense, of course.

This woman recited a scripted speech asking me if I agreed that TV ratings have gotten too lax. If I felt TV programming was something I couldn’t do anything about. If I felt helpless as a parent when it came to finding “wholesome” entertainment? When she finished, she said, “Do you agree?”

I said, “No.”

There was silence. I am sure she heard my 8th month old daughter fussing in the background and was shocked by my response. I then said, “You’re talking about censorship”

‘No ma’am I’m not”

“Yes you are.” As I spoke about how TV ratings were just fine and that it is the parent’s responsibility to monitor what their children watch, she continued her scripted speech on the other end. I think we both stopped talking at the same time.

She said, “Well we want to talk with people that think this is an issue and agree that there is a problem”

“Okay, Fine.”

So the Dove Foundation doesn’t want to hear from people who disagree with their principles. But what is the Dove Foundation and what are their principles?

I was curious. So, I went to their website – please check it out – it’s www.dove.org . Here’s their mission statement “ THE DOVE FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization established to encourage and promote the creation, production and distribution of wholesome family entertainment”. You can read their reviews of films (recent and on video) and also take their on-line survey. Oh – please take it. When you’re done link to the survey “results.” I’m not sure how good their data is if they wont even talk someone like me since I don’t agree with censorship. I think there might be a little preaching to the choir going on at the Dove Foundation that is skewing their data… Did I say preach? Well that leads me to…

The first thing I noticed on their website was that their recommended video game of the week is “The Bible Game” – okeley dokeley. Their chairman’s letter bemoans the capitalistic take over of Easter and Christmas. So, “wholesome family values” = “Judeo-Christian philosophy” in DOVEland. I found it also fascinating that one of their board members produced Xmen – and it got their recommendation. Hmmm. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen did not… Hmmm. Both have a lot of sexual innuendo, violence, creatures… Hmmm… Oh, and they have a list of recommended “EDITED” DVDs. I am not even going to go into the major problems I have with that.

By the way, none of the “Harry Potter” films are approved (for any age) – you know – because of Occultism (one of their rating criteria). May I quote from the review? Here ya go “But along with the learning of incantations, potions, wand waving and broomstick riding, HARRY includes other elements which the Bible also takes a negative view of. More disturbing is the concept of an evil wizard’s spirit co-habiting another’s body. It will be difficult, if not impossible, in most families, Christian and secular alike, to deny their children’s desire to see the film, but witchcraft, conversing with the dead, and possession should be maturely discussed with young viewers. Despite its positive messages and honorable characters, we cannot, in good Spirit, endorse HARRY POTTER as recommendable.”

Interesting that “Spirit” is the capital “S”.

Now there is some serious crap on TV. I should know. I watch a lot of it. But, there is also quality programming, mostly on cable. As a parent, it is my responsibility to monitor what my child watches and to not use the TV as a babysitter. If my daughter is going to watch something too “mature” for her, with my permission, you better believe I am going to sit down and watch it with her AND have a conversation with her about what she’s seen. I don’t need some foundation whose opinions of what are “wholesome family entertainment” are not synonymous with my own. Just because it says “Disney” doesn’t mean I’m going to let my daughter watch it – I could go on for days about how much I damage those “princess” movies do to a young girls psyche. But, you better believe that all the “princesses needing a prince” movies received the Dove Seal of Approval. Is telling your daughter that she is only a success if she marries (and marries well) really the message we want to send to little girls? Give me Hermione or Mulan any day. But this is a topic for another entry.

The TV rating system is something I never thought should be in place to begin with. But it’s there. Get a “V” chip is you’re worried and don’t trust your child. But, as prohibition taught us, the more you restrict something, the more people want it. There is a black market for everything. I remember sneaking downstairs with my older sister to watch “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” – when I was 11. It was a rated “R” movie and had nudity. I know you’re shocked. I also snuck into some really horrible Patrick Swayze and Jamie Lee Curtis movie with my friends when I as in jr. high, just because it was rated “R”.

Did those ratings stop me? Nope. It just made it more exciting. Did I like the movies – can’t say I really remember them.

So, in parting, please visit the Dove Foundation and let them know what you think.