Rant ahead: may be oversimplifying everything in the world ever.
So, I was reading blogs on the Guardian's website at lunch today (which was such a mistake - I should have gone outside and frolicked in the sun), and found this blog about the Heinz advert that was pulled for showing two men kissing. I have a number of problems with this.
Firstly, here's a link to the advert in question.
The first thing that may strike you is that it is not actually an advert about a gay couple. It's saying 'Oh, this mayo is so like a New York deli, it's turned Mum into a Robert De Niro fake! Oh well, at least we'll still have delicious sandwiches". So getting steamed up about it promoting some kind of gay agenda or whatever shows that you're just not paying attention.
Secondly, people have complained about it because it may cause children to ask awkward questions about two men kissing.
1) The advert can't be shown during children's programmes because it promotes a product that is high in fat, salt and sugar. Now obviously children do watch TV outside of kid's programmes but if they are, then I think it's down to the parents discretion, isn't it? If you don't want your children to be exposed to material that is more adult then they are, put a PIN service thing on your TV or get them to read a book or something. Or be expected to have to answer to odd question.
2) Awkward questions? Maybe I'm simplifying, but but surely you can just tell them that some men like other men? I mean, you don't have to go into graphic detail about gay sex or anything. Besides, asking awkward questions is what children do. I can distinctly remember asking my mum what a wet dream was whilst my grandmother was in the room. I don't think talking about homosexuality would have made that any more awkward. You're more likely to get difficult/embarrassing questions from children during a trip to the zoo.
Also, I'll bet every single one of those people who complained have taken a child to see a pantomime, during which, as my good friend Wikipedia points out:
In short: people are stupid and need to untwist their knickers. How about we worry more about the fact that there are pensioners literally freezing to death because they can't afford their gas bills anymore, because god forbid anyone in top management should take a paycut. And let's not forget about Robert 'Only God can remove me' Mugabe. (Personally, if I were the opposition party, I'd change the party name to G.O.D., but then I would probably be murdered in my bed).
*takes a deep breath*
Anyway... my 'and finally...' story tonight will be that I've been baking a lot recently, including my first loaf of bread from scratch ever! It didn't rise too well - I don't think it did anyway. It tastes good though and doesn't look too bad so I will definitely be trying again. I also made Peanut Butter and Chocolate Squares from Nigella Lawson's cookbook and OMG they are EXACTLY like Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. :)
I've also booked some beginners German classes, which is something I've been meaning to do for a while now... I kind of feel that this baking and soon-to-be language learning is really good for me. My brain feels a little better. I can't quite describe it, really... It just feels like I'm doing something good for it.
I hope it continues.
Firstly, here's a link to the advert in question.
The first thing that may strike you is that it is not actually an advert about a gay couple. It's saying 'Oh, this mayo is so like a New York deli, it's turned Mum into a Robert De Niro fake! Oh well, at least we'll still have delicious sandwiches". So getting steamed up about it promoting some kind of gay agenda or whatever shows that you're just not paying attention.
Secondly, people have complained about it because it may cause children to ask awkward questions about two men kissing.
1) The advert can't be shown during children's programmes because it promotes a product that is high in fat, salt and sugar. Now obviously children do watch TV outside of kid's programmes but if they are, then I think it's down to the parents discretion, isn't it? If you don't want your children to be exposed to material that is more adult then they are, put a PIN service thing on your TV or get them to read a book or something. Or be expected to have to answer to odd question.
2) Awkward questions? Maybe I'm simplifying, but but surely you can just tell them that some men like other men? I mean, you don't have to go into graphic detail about gay sex or anything. Besides, asking awkward questions is what children do. I can distinctly remember asking my mum what a wet dream was whilst my grandmother was in the room. I don't think talking about homosexuality would have made that any more awkward. You're more likely to get difficult/embarrassing questions from children during a trip to the zoo.
Also, I'll bet every single one of those people who complained have taken a child to see a pantomime, during which, as my good friend Wikipedia points out:
- The leading male juvenile character (the "principal boy") - traditionally played by a young woman.
- An older woman (the pantomime dame - often the hero's mother) is usually played by a man in drag.
- Risqué double entendre, often wringing innuendo out of perfectly innocent phrases. This is, in theory, over the heads of the children in the audience.
In short: people are stupid and need to untwist their knickers. How about we worry more about the fact that there are pensioners literally freezing to death because they can't afford their gas bills anymore, because god forbid anyone in top management should take a paycut. And let's not forget about Robert 'Only God can remove me' Mugabe. (Personally, if I were the opposition party, I'd change the party name to G.O.D., but then I would probably be murdered in my bed).
*takes a deep breath*
Anyway... my 'and finally...' story tonight will be that I've been baking a lot recently, including my first loaf of bread from scratch ever! It didn't rise too well - I don't think it did anyway. It tastes good though and doesn't look too bad so I will definitely be trying again. I also made Peanut Butter and Chocolate Squares from Nigella Lawson's cookbook and OMG they are EXACTLY like Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. :)
I've also booked some beginners German classes, which is something I've been meaning to do for a while now... I kind of feel that this baking and soon-to-be language learning is really good for me. My brain feels a little better. I can't quite describe it, really... It just feels like I'm doing something good for it.
I hope it continues.