Annie’s Mailbox: Children get subversive joke

Dear Annie: When my grandchildren were at my house recently, we watched “Spongebob Squarepants” on Nickelodeon. The show was fine, but I am really concerned and disgusted over two short filler cartoons which ran during the program.

One was called “Pass Gas With Class,” and showed gross ways for students to do so. The other cartoon instructed children on how to avoid hugs and kisses from elderly women relatives. It depicted these women as ugly and hairy-faced.

I am shocked at the disrespectful attitude these cartoons encourage and the crass, vulgar subject matter being served up to impressionable children. “Spongebob” is a cute, harmless show, but I will not allow my grandchildren to watch it here in the future because of these crude additions that the network somehow feels are funny. – Jane in Ohio

Dear Jane: We can understand your shock, but children are smarter than you think. They know “instructions” on passing gas and depictions of ugly adults, male or female, are intended as subversive humor, especially if these cartoons are connected to a show like “Spongebob,” which flaunts such humor.

The best way to counter such offenses is by watching these shows with your grandchildren and talking to them about what they see. Tell them they should not judge people on their looks, but on their kindness and compassion. Explain why passing gas in such a fashion is funny in a cartoon, but it might not go over so well in a real classroom.

Dear Annie: I am married to a wonderful man who is highly respected in the community, beloved by family and friends. He is humorous, witty, thoughtful, affectionate – and very overweight. He’s been up and down the scale all his life. He now has a heart problem.

Although he walks a bit, he abhors exercise and continues to indulge in too much food. I made the decision to love him as is, focus on his good points and not nag. He lacks energy and has told me he realizes his body is not attractive. I cannot overlook the fact that his body really is a turnoff, and our sex life has suffered tremendously. It is now reduced to occasional and obligatory.

My attempts at healthy cooking and physical activity together have been rejected. – Loving Wife

Dear Loving Wife: You’ve made the only decision you can if you love your husband and want to stay with him. It sounds like there may be some low-level depression going on, and if you can get your husband to address that with his doctor, it might help. Meanwhile, continue to prepare healthy meals, and know that affection and intimacy can reduce stress, which may prolong his life.