As politicians gathered in Washington for George W. Bush's second
inauguration, allies of the President attacked a popular children's cartoon
character for being 'pro-homosexual'.

At a black-tie dinner for members of Congress and supporters, James Dobson, founder of 'Focus on the Family', accused SpongeBob Squarepants' creators of enlisting the character in a video to be sent to thousands of schools with the aim of promoting a 'tolerance pledge' for differences of sexual identity. Dobson urged his audience to fight against the video as part of an ongoing 'spiritual battle' for America.

The video was made by Nile Rodgers for the 'We Are Family' Foundation, set up after 9/11 and named after the Rodgers-penned disco hit. Rodgers says the purpose of the video is to feature 100 well-known cartoon characters dancing to his song in order to teach children about multiculturalism. He insists that nothing in it refers either to sexual identity or a 'tolerance pledge'.

Rodgers reckons conservative Christian groups attacking the video have got their wires crossed, mistaking his foundation for a similarly-named website which supports gay youth in South Carolina.

Focus on the Family refused to back down, claiming the video was 'insidious' and 'manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids'. The Foundation retorted that anyone thinking the video promoted homosexuality needed 'to get their medication increased'

SpongeBob isn't the first cartoon character to be attacked by
fundamentalists - Teletubby Tinky Winky suffered the same fate six years ago.

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