Through the wonder of supermarination, the Thunderbirds used fantastic gadgets, rockets, and futuristic vehicles to rescue those in harm’s way from the most harrowing circumstances. However, there is one thing even the famed international rescue team couldn’t save and that seems to be the nation’s declining moral values.
Fans of the filth presented as acceptable broadcast fair today often counter critics of decaying entertainment standards with one does not have to watch the programming available if it is an affront to their convictions and beliefs. While that is true to an extent, it is not a charge as easy to make in regards to commercials since they often implant their messages in our minds and are over many times before we are even able to get up and change the channel or find the remote.
Despite the fact that much of television is not fit for children to see, it has been generally understood by both parents and broadcasters that Saturday morning should be a reasonably family-friendly time free of smut and sexual innuendo. One would think this would be especially true during classic shows one normally doesn’t have to be afraid of sitting their children down in front of to watch.
Depicting wholesome, clean-cut adventures rendering assistance to those in danger, one would think of “The Thunderbirds” as the kind of program parents would not find objectionable. However, it seems the eggheads at TechTV have figured out a way to defile even this most innocent of pleasures.
Throughout sci-fi and comic book history, most superheroes have been known for defending uprightness and propriety. However, a new costumed character named “Trojan Man” epitomizes and spreads what some hope will become the new American way of loose living and promiscuity by getting condoms to amorous couples in the nick of time without even first ascertaining their matrimonial status.
The promiscuity lobby will no doubt respond with their cliched lament of how dare you impose your values upon viewers. With that said, I retort a parent should be able to turn on what is considered a kid’s show without having to answer or cleverly evade “Daddy, what’s that mean?” type questions.
Good grief people. Have we become so licentious and unashamed that we can’t even wait to watch our filth until after the little ones have gone off to bed?
The purpose of placing a condom ad on mid-Saturday morning could only be to alter the values of those seeing it and ultimately those of the broader society. It’s definitely not about profit or even product placement, for how many Geeks do you know in the market for quality prophylactic?
Copyright 2004 by Frederick Meekins
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