Save A Puppet - Vote Democrat

[sisabet]

I was telling tzikeh about this the other day, but then she distracted me with something shiny and I never finished my thought. So blame tzikeh for my big intense need to share.

So I am driving and listening to Howard Stern the other day and Robin is talking about how, since the Republican Convention is in NYC, the conventioneers are looking to take in shows.

So far so good.

Then Robin makes the remark that the Republicans have to be careful which shows they see - cause of family values or Jesus or something.

--An aside - Jesus hates "Annie Get Your Gun" - he feels it teaches false morality.

So, "Avenue Q" is out because there are gay puppets in it.

I was a bit shocked. I mean - yes, I knew that anything other than strict 1950's heterosexuality was a big no-no with the current powers that be, but dude - there is no tolerance for the puppets.

I started worrying that this would escalate - that the current administration would start cracking down on high-profile homosexual puppets - you know - to get the word out that a safe puppet is a closeted puppet.

You know they'd go after Bert and Ernie. And then I was really upset (I'm still driving btw) cause we all know that Bert is actually Canadian. And while he is such a stickler for the rules - he has all the paperwork and his visa is just plain perfect - that won't stop the Bush Administration from pulling a fast one and revoking it.

And y'know - I started to get tearful, because it is just not fair. Ernie would marry Bert if he could - in a heartbeat. I just felt bereft at the thought of Bert being ripped out of Ernie's life and you only *wish* you had found love the way they have found love, people.

So then I was getting desperate, and cooking up schemes where Prairie Dawn would marry Bert, just so he would not be deported and then I was so pissed off that they would have to go to that length, really. It is just wrong and stupid and makes no sense and won't someone please think about the puppets??

And while I am certain other people will post much more thought out reasoning for their political decision-making, just know this: There will come a day in November when I exercise my right as an American citizen to voice my opinion. And on that day I will think many many things. But when the curtain closes around me and I am alone in the booth, under the eyes of my diety and my own conscience - I will be thinking of a little yellow puppet and a little orange puppet and the love that must be protected. I hope you will do the same.

Comments

[winterlive.livejournal.com]

I love you.

[bdbdb.livejournal.com]

That was great!! :)

[quinn222.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for putting it all in perpective and focusing on the really important things. This post should be required reading for all registered voters. I think we need buttons and bumber stickers...

[xanphibian.livejournal.com]

*licks you all over*

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

You rule.

[wolfling]

You know they'd go after Bert and Ernie. And then I was really upset (I'm still driving btw) cause we all know that Bert is actually Canadian. And while he is such a stickler for the rules - he has all the paperwork and his visa is just plain perfect - that won't stop the Bush Administration from pulling a fast one and revoking it.

And y'know - I started to get tearful, because it is just not fair. Ernie would marry Bert if he could - in a heartbeat. I just felt bereft at the thought of Bert being ripped out of Ernie's life and you only *wish* you had found love the way they have found love, people.

Well you know if that happened, Ernie would just follow Bert back to Canada and they'd get married in Toronto with lots and lots of press and well wishers from puppets all over the world and then get new gigs working on Queer as Folk. ;)

No Puppets! No Peace!

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Yes, but then Bert would walk off the set in a snit the first day they told him to drop trou (or, stripey shirt) because Bert is a nearly nude.

As long as the Bush Administration remains in power, I cannot see a happy ending to this tale.

[darlulu.livejournal.com]

Bert/Ernie forever!

I must admit Bert was my *favorite* Sesame Street character. I even had a Bert doll when I was little and slept with him every night because he just made me feel so safe. My older sisters thought I was crazy for fixating on the "boring" character - they preferred the Cookie Monster and Miss Piggy - but I didn't think he was boring. I thought he was good and kind and predictable - which for a child obsessed with patterns was a highly satisfying combo. And while Ernie could be a pest at times and anger me for messing around with Bert, I could see even then that his spontaneity and good humor balanced the cautious and serious Bert out perfectly. They are so MFEO. And anyone who says otherwise *cough*Bush*cough* should be taken out back and shot. Or at the very least, not reelected. :D

[mintwitch.livejournal.com]

I have a Bert piggy-bank. Still. Bert supports sound fiscal policy...

[darlulu.livejournal.com]

Bert condones punctuality as well, which is why I have a Bert watch...still...that uh, doesn't work anymore. Bert would be so disappointed in me, I know.

But see, now I'm all green with envy that you have a Bert piggy-bank, although I'm sure Kermie would have something to say about said terminology.

Maybe an 'Ernie-bank' would suffice instead. ;)

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Your post is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.

[mintwitch.livejournal.com]

If I wasn't already planning to vote democrat, I would now. And you bring up a very good point about Bert & Ernie: due to our conservative administration's unwillingness to support either gay marriage or puppets, two of the most beloved icons of American culture are living in SIN! Gay, gay, puppet sin. It's a travesty.

[coiledsoul.livejournal.com]

Wow. You wen't on an entire puppet-rights rant without once mentioning the interracial (and forbidden) love of puppet!Angel and Spike. Impressive.

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

See, the thing is, Bert and Ernie are *in* Avenue Q. They've renamed themselves Rod and Nicky, and they're pretending Nicky is straight because the tragic unrequited love of Bert Rod for Ernie Nicky makes for a good storyline. But you can tell who they are by the voices, the faces, and the hints at Rod's true citizenship when he makes up a girlfriend named Alberta who lives in Canada to prevent himself from being outed at a friend's wedding.

[saifai.livejournal.com]

Well man, that's just not right. Gotta do what's right for the puppets.

I mean, can you imagine how poor little puppet!Angel must feel?

[kamilaa.livejournal.com]

I love you.

I so do.

[fox1013.livejournal.com]

Bert and Ernie are NOT GAY! They're just... BUSY!

If there's any gay puppets we should be worrying about, I think our efforts should be focused on Angel.

[kittygoslingp.livejournal.com]

If only I could vote in November, I'd be following you into the little curtained booth and thinking of the little guys who need us to stand up for them.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

This is adorable. I love Bert. With his sensible oatmeal, his saddle shoes, his Boring Stories and his love of the number 6.

But on a serious note, you should have heard the uproar when Takalani Sesame (the South African Sesame Street) introduced an HIV+ muppet. She's a little girl muppet who was born infected. And it's utterly necessary there where 1 out of 9 people is infected.

But how the conservatives howled about PBS advancing the gay agenda to preschoolers!

As if they hadn't for years.

[linzeestyle.livejournal.com]

I love you. What would I do without you on my friendslist to alert me of what *really* matters - the truly important issues we should all be thinking about when we go to the polls in November.

Won't someone think of the gay muppets?

Linzee

[renenet.livejournal.com]

I went to the Sesame Street website after reading your post and ended up bawling while I read their 2003 annual report about all their international endeavors. You made puppets make me cry!

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I made myself seriously upset when I was imagining Bert being ripped,/i> from Ernie -- As a child they were my perfect pair - Bert, so strong and sensitive and smart and just - solid. An Ernie, wacky and zany and they both have such great hearts and the best pillow talk ever and that someone would even dare try to split them up! Well, even though I knew it was all imaginary - I was still spitting bullet mad.

[auros]

On the topic of gay marriage and the current crop of politicians, this is the Best. Post. Ever.

May I link to it? :-)

(I got here from lenajill, just FYI.)

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Thank you - feel free to link.

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

Fabulous thread. You should be in metaquotes.

Your icon raises a curious point: what are Pilgrim Puppet Angel's politics? I mean, he's a gay puppet, but also a pilgrim.

My guess is conservative Democrat. He likes certain fiscal policies instituted by a Republican Congress, but craves the social liberalism that allows him to be less than puritanical on the weekends.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Well - interestingly enough - Angel is a very confllicted man/vampire/puppet -manpire puppet? on a good day - so being a Liberal Pilgrim would actually be very in character for him. Well, as long as he has a soul. Angel's soul is extremely sexually repressed - thankfully that is his only part that is.

So - when truthseekersara comes to rown - will it be with you in tow??

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

Nope. I'll be here, studying. Again.

I believe she's in town July 7-9 for sure, give or take a day before and after. Have gentle, ladylike fun.

[twistinside82.livejournal.com]

I've heard so many good reasons to vote democrat, but they're all uber-political, which I am not. This, from now on, will be my number one reason to vote democrat. If ever anyone wants to engage me in a debate I will be all "But Bert and Ernie! Their love!" and people will bow before the logic, and I will nod and say "It's all sisabet, dude. She's like, a genius."

[glamsith.livejournal.com]

Having read your eternal love inspiring post, and all the insightful comments, I'm now burdened with the realization that Bert would be the ideal poster child for the log cabin republicans. My God! Does no good deed go unpunished?

Send Grover to washington. Queer puppets need a lobbyist!

[whoisclothilde.livejournal.com]

This was a truly wonderful, hilarious post.

Here in England, there's been a certain amount of reporting on the Republicans' 'blacklisted' musicals during the convention.
Eg - why have they banned The Producers? Because they're worried people won't understand that it's not *actually* a musical celebrating the life and workds of Adolf Hitler....

Thank You!

[truthseekersara.livejournal.com]

Given the lackluster Kerry campaign, I just keep saying that "I'm anti-Bush". I don't like being "anti". Now I can finally say, "I am just not comfortable with Bush in office- given that I'm pro-Bert'n Ernie."

Someone needs to leak this story to Jon Stewart... I'd like to see Steven Colbert cover it....

[missmurchison.livejournal.com]

This is the most moving and true thing I've seen written about this election season. Mr. M agrees, and he wants you to know how deeply touched he was by your poignant pleat for puppet partnership.

[fishsanwitt]

I shall be thinking of this in November when you'all vote :) Thank you for this fine coverage!

[drewsilla.livejournal.com]

O.M.G.

I love you. And I think I might be turning a little bit gay.

I'm Pro-Puppet and I vote.

[jidabug.livejournal.com]

Definitely one of the most compelling reasons I've yet seen to exercise one's voting rights this year. Thank you for bringing this issue to light.

Re: I'm Pro-Puppet and I vote.

[missizzy]

I just realized-what about the Martians? I think they're supposed to be sexless, but I remember one time they sung about themselves and their baby being a family.

Re: I'm Pro-Puppet and I vote.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Well - if the administration will do *this* to puppets - you can bet your sweet ass that sexually ambiguous people from another planet will not be getting red carpet treatment.

::frets::

[cruisedirector]

I would just like to note how much I adore you for this. Am a little worried about cartoons as well; Buzz and Woody might not even be the same species.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

This really never stops being funny, no matter how manytimes I read it.