Dr. Seuss' The Lorax: "Indoctrination?"

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is an animated kids film coming out March 2nd, 2012. An adventrous tale of a little creature, "The Lorax" who encourages eco friendly living. Believe it or not this movie is causing controversy! In the article "More 'Indoctrination' Paranoia: Fox Attacks Dr.Suess' The Lorax" author Todd Gregory quotes Lou Dobbs who bashes the childrens movie on his live Fox Business show. Gregory's article seems to be mainly a mockery of Lou Dobbs and his panel who discuss the movies underlying "tree hugging" message to kids. Or as Gregory puts it subtle forms of anti-business indoctrination that brainwash your kids into hating capitalism? This articles intended audience is obviously those who read left leaning blogs such as this one on Media Matters. Todd Gregory comes across as credible since majority of the article is quotes straight from the show itself.Yet it is hard to get a sense of what Gregory really has to say on the "issue" or concern because a sarcastic tone through out  leaves the reader a little one sided. I feel maybe this is because with the video of the Fox show included its enough to make you agree Dobbs and his collegaues are nuts. He makes pretty outrageous claims linking The Lorax to some sort of liberal agenda because in his opinion, "The movie is reminiscent of President Obama's recent speeches on taxes." With the movie not even being in theatres yet I find it hard to prove this link. I think its pretty clear that this man Lou Dobbs along with other right wing conservatives actually do have some sort of panaoia as the author calls it when it comes to the beloved Dr.Suess story. How The Lorax could be percieved as Dobbs says, "Plainly demonizing the so-called '1 percent' and espousing the virtue of green-energy policies..." I dont really know. Especially since this was a story written in 1971, it sure would be taking those liberals some time to let the brainwashing commence. Personally I cant imagine how a movie that encourages environmental appreciation and respect could be viewed as anyting but a positive message for children. A message seen throughout many of the most famous kids movies.

Compromise on birth control

This week the White House is revising the health care rule Obama put in place in the Affordable Care Act insurance policy concerning contreceptives for employees. The health care rule requires guaranteed coverage for women from their insurance companies for contreceptives including birth control and the morning after pill. This requirement caused major upset for religious employers saying it violates their teachings. This article by the Washing Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-to-announce-adjustment-to-birth-control-rule/2012/02/10/gIQArbFy3Q_story.html?hpid=z1 goes into detail how Obama plans to satisfy both sides of this issue. Those like myself would believe that this birth control rule is a great addition to health care policies because as we've seen teen mom rates are high and while abortion, which is a bigger issue, could be avoided with contreceptives being easily available and affordable to those women who need it. As of now these religious employers are mandated to subsidize the cost of contreceptives. These institutions argue that this isnt a fair request when they believe it is intrinsiclly wrong. These institutions mainly the Catholic church have berated Obama with a firestorm of critism. The Obama administration is now going to "modify" their position. I think this article is important not only to all American women that it directly affects but everyone, with the election coming up its telling to see how Obama quickly decided to satisify the Catholic church by including some sort of exemption for religious employers. Under political pressure and of course the upcoming election looming Obama is in a position to try and please all. Whether you agree or disagree with the original policy it will be changing to give leeway to to accomodate all religious organizations.