Animation Source Forums

Okay...I'm going to just tell everyone my feelings, without anger, without accusation, and with all humility, in the hope that this won't lead to a flame war, or anything. This post is motivated by deep personal conflict, hurt, and moral dilemma. This is long...sorry about that.

I dunno...when I came to Balto Source (in the months before I actually signed on as a member, but was rather just a visitor), I was excited by the idea of a whole community of fellow Balto fans, and enjoyed visiting the forums and the main site features. Those were good times.

After becoming a member, and after some initial "settling in" difficulties, I found many friends (despite my difference in age from so many), and people I could talk to about not only the cartoons, but the real history. And I took great pride in being able to share my knowledge of the real history with folks who'd knew so little about it. To me, I was honoring the original heroes (human and canine) of the 1925 Serum Run...and it felt GOOD.

Then we started to see this rise of fan fics that centered on homosexuality, incest, violence, and evil. And other deviances. And the battles which occurred over the "right or wrong" of them being here, and the "rights" of the writers to post whatever they wanted. In the end, there was a moderately-fair compromise over it...but the writers of that material won a much larger portion of the pie - they still could post fictions which contained such material, but it could not be too descriptive.

And those who were on the other side of the argument were resigned to keeping their mouths shut because, if they dared to speak up about how they felt, they were labeled as "haters"..."homophobes"..."flamers". They were vilified for their religious beliefs (if they expressed any) as if being religious somehow makes them "dirty".

Recently, I was made a fan fic moderator. My duties included checking fan fics for compliance with the revised rules. I've poured over them, and found many that skirt the very edge of the new rules. And we've seen the whole "gotta get on the bandwagon" mentality, where dozens of writers are now doing especially homosexual fan fics just because one or two people initially did...like it's some kind of trend. And I have to try and bury my personal beliefs and morality (which do NOT include homophobia) in order to try and adjudicate such fan fictions. Which I no longer believe I can do. I saw one today which made my heart sink. And I will not specify which. But it was the proverbial "last straw".

And so hangs the dilemma. I STILL personally believe that it is completely wrong for ANY homosexual (and homoerotic), bi, or incestual fan fics to exist on this site. I STILL feel that twisting the existing Balto cartoon characters around to fit some politically-correct ideology is an insult to me as a fan of the cartoons. And I DO believe it cheapens and hurts the cartoons and the characters (and, thus, is an insult to them and their creators). AND that it also cheapens, hurts, and lays deep insult to the real history, and the real heroes (canine and human) of the 1925 Serum Run.

But I'm apparently the odd one out on this site. One of but a handful who try and stand by their beliefs, and get criticized (or worse) for them. For MY part, I've never set out to hurt anyone because of my beliefs...nor have I ever pushed them upon anyone. But plenty of people have hurt or slammed me, or pushed their beliefs on ME (and others who believe as I do, or even more passionately than I do), because I was brave enough to state mine. They cursed me for stepping on their rights as writers...for being a homophobe...a "hater". A religious nutcase (even though I've NEVER used religion as a reason for my moral dilemma).

Part of me feels like the magic is gone. Like every day I stay a member of this site, I'm compromising my morality and my beliefs in order not to irritate or insult the writers and their "fans". And yet I continue to be hurt...to get my feelings and beliefs trampled...especially when I speak up. Part of me tells me that it's time to move on. It's time to stand by the characters I love, and the real people and dogs of 1925, and distance myself from a site that has, in some respects, become a clearing house for homosexuality, bisexuality and incest. And violence.

Intolerance is a two-way street. There are plenty of people who support those aforementioned ideologies and lifestyles who can be venomously-intolerant of those who are repelled by such lifestyles (to varying degrees). And while I work with or socialize with the occasional homosexual or bisexual person, there is no law saying that I MUST morally accept their lifestyle. Does that mean I cannot work with or socialize with them? Why should it mean that? Most people are not that one-dimensional, and neither am I. My morality also teaches me to be as kind to others as circumstances permit, and to consider the WHOLE person...not just one aspect of him or her. But this issue I have is not about homosexual or bisexual people. Not at all. It's about these fan fictions...and having them constantly pushed into our faces with "shipping", as some of you call it, and signature images (especially those touting the "Kodi + Kirby" thing, or incestual relations between Kodi and Aleu - both of which are VILE concepts to me...neither is less vile than the other).

I'm sorry if I've offended anyone. But I have a right to speak my peace, and have the same expectation of not being flamed for it as any writer has who writes this kind of..."material".

So I have some serious decisions to weigh. But I am planning to definitely resign my post as a fan fiction mod. I just can no longer compromise my own morality to protect fan fictions which contain material which sickens me.

I hear you Sep, I too feel like the minority and we are both preaching almost the same thing. Surely we can't be the only folks here who believe that this morally wrong stuff shouldn't be mixed with Balto?

There are a certain number, Ac. However, they've been intimidated into silence, or are not permitted to speak openly. And it is considered inappropriate to speak your mind about it. You get ganged up on. Or your topic gets locked or deleted. Either out of fear of a pending flame war, or because it's not "politically-correct" to dislike anything connected with homosexuality, bisexuality, or any other thing that you might view as deviant. And if you're Christian, Jewish or Muslim, and oppose such things on religious grounds, you're automatically labeled as a close-minded hater and homophobe. I don't understand that. I just don't. It's a definite double-standard. But such is the way of the world.

And I'm not looking to fight with these people, or play one-upmanship with insults and flames. I just feel it's not worth fighting about anymore, or getting attacked because of my beliefs. I'm thinking it might be time to move on...Balto Source is becoming, in some ways, a place I feel is unwholesome. Which is a shame, because there are still many very good people here...

They do indeed see them as "things". And that is the very heart of the problem. Some of them have even SAID "why the h*ll are you making a big deal about this?? They're only CARTOON CHARACTERS!" Those people are exemplifying the worst of human nature...they look inward at themselves, and what is important about THEM. They are selfish...they are concerned with, and wrapped up in themselves, rather than honoring and respecting the boundaries of good form, innocence and morality. Such is the nature of our world nowadays. Ironically, they often accuse their detractors of the very same thing, which is befuddling to me.


I have a problem with my having the authority to decide the fate of fan fictions posted here when I have a moral problem with them being allowed here at ALL. And yes, heterosexual fan fics, which do more than simply INFER the nature of a bonding between two characters (the way they did so well in the Balto 1 cartoon and do in so many classic Disney cartoons) bother me also. But I'm not morally-opposed to heterosexual relations. That's a different animal for me. And it's a personal belief.

In any case, I've come to believe that I shouldn't be in a position of being able to remove or decline fan fics that have material I'm morally opposed to, and yet to also have to surpress my moral beliefs just to comply with the rules and allow any fan fics that fall within (or JUST within) the boundaries...but still contain objectionable material. If it were up to me, I'd ban them all. But it's not. That is a conflict with the accepted rules of this site. So I am doing the only right thing that can be done...I'm trying to step away from the position, and not cause a problem for the site or its writers who enjoy submitting such..."material".


Togo, our old differences had to do with your interpretation of my initial posts about the "MySpace fan art theft" situation waaaay back in the summer, when I came on trying to be of help, and to be a voice of reason. I was ganged up on there, too, and attacked because I hadn't openly and aggressively condemned MySpacers. And I got angry then, and defended myself...because the attacks on me were cruel and petty. And you misunderstood what I was trying to do, as so many did who posted there. But it is an old argument. And an entirely different situation. And it has been resolved. Because you and I worked EQUALLY at resolving it. Why bring that up? The point I was making is that I don't want to fight over THIS issue, or hurt people because of my beliefs. But that I recognize that I am in the minority, because it's currently politically-correct and socially-acceptable to sing the praises of homosexuality and bisexuality, but ***** to oppose it or state that you don't like it. So I was trying to be humble about this, and reasonable, by speaking calmly and humbly, and seeing that I removed myself from any position which could create conflict over my moral beliefs. And I even apologized right away. Are you going to punish me even for trying to be humble and considerate?

I really do feel for you Seppala, you are a big part of this forum, though I do not think KodiXKirby is vile, placing sexual content is disturbing in a kids fan section, but the actual idea in my opinoin is not vile, though its just an opinoin. I am truly sad about your decision, I pray you do not leave this site or forum, we have had enough good mods leaving, and people say they are being ridicolous, but I am starting too understand why they did, all this pressure. But anyway, you have evry right as a free person, too express an opinoin, especially when you did not try too start anything or hurt anybodys feelings.

-Roxas

I'm not leaving yet, Roxas. But thanks for your sentiments, and your opinion. I am currently wrestling with it inside myself. It is my feeling that, if Balto Source continues to be a clearing house for offensive material (even if it's borderline), which flies in the very face of the "kid-friendly" moniker it so proudly parades around, then I will go. Completely. This becomes even more likely if that level of activity for such material actually INCREASES...as it seems to be. Which is why I'm conflicted and tormented about this. My heart is very heavy about this right now...no joke. I'm not trying to be melodramatic. It's just a fact.

You have to understand...everytime I pass over one of these "gay" or "bi", or even violent fan fics (or one with plenty of profanity in it), I feel like I'm betraying myself, the cartoon characters I've come to love, and the real dogs and humans who I've not only come to love, but to respect and admire. I feel like I'm turning a blind eye to who I am. And that's not fair to ME. And I won't do that anymore.

But, out of respect for the rules, and understanding the fact that this is not my site, and I am not lord and master of this membership, I must do the right thing by stepping away from a position where I DO have that power...because my moral beliefs demand that I delete every fan fiction containing gay, bi, incestual, violent or profane material TOTALLY...no matter how little of it is contained within those pages. Or explicit heterosexual material as well. ANYTHING which is unlike the original cartoons in terms of style, and which violates the sanctity of a "kid-friendly" moniker, like this site proclaims itself to be (but which it most definitely is NOT).

I'm trying to respect everyone's wishes, and remove myself from a position which could anger or offend others, and which more and more causes me stress and moral hurt.

Oh of course, and that truly is understandable, The only reason I do not mind KirbyXKodi is due too the fact that Kodi has no affection too any female dog. Seriously violent fanfictions I truly dislike, Balto is about hope, courage, friendship and love. Not blood, guts, guns and death. A little bit of cartoon violence can spice up a fanfiction but no more than that! And I am glad too hear, or read rather that you are not leaving, do not forget there are people here who care about you, regardless about the age difference, besides I need somebody else too keep Kair in check.

-Roxas

Quite frankly, Roxas, the Balto cartoons are also not about homosexuality, bisexuality, heterosexual pornography, excessive violence, or incest. Nor is there a single profane word in any of them.

Still, I hope to remain a member here. I really do. But I won't stay if this stuff doesn't start to either disappear, or at least stop advancing.

Incidentally, why is it to be assumed that, just because Kodi was not given a female love interest in Balto 3, that it's okay to make him gay? First of all, he's a DOG (and no matter WHAT anyone says, dogs and other animals ARE NOT CAPABLE OF HOMOSEXUALITY. At most, maybe the great apes are...and maybe lower primates). Second, that mindset is the same kind of reverse prejudice that people use on heterosexual men who don't marry by a certain age, or aren't visibly sexually-active. "He MUST be gay...he's just hiding it! Har har har! Let's go get a beer!" PFF. I'm still single. And middle-aged. I guess, by that definition, I'm gay. I never realized that. I've never even had the slightest interest in the male anatomy, or sexual relations with another male. But whatever...

I haven't really changed at all Togo. If people still attack me, I'm prepared to defend myself. But I also have understood that Steet got sick of seeing us all battle so bluntly and aggressively on the forums. And he wanted a stop put to it (by ALL of us). So, out of respect to him and the rest of the membership, I complied. Willingly. But if left with no choice, I'm still quite capable of doing whatever it is I have to in order to defend myself from petty attacks and flaming.

Okay Seppala, I did not say I liked it, I just said I do not mind it. Let me explain it better, with Balto I hate gay fanfics, because he so obviously loves somebody else and is not a homosexual. And on too your point about single men have too be gay, thats just what ignorant people say, we know better then them, and I am fourteen, it shows just how intelligent they are, do not let it get too you, you are yourself and only you can decide who you are, remember what is important is who you are, not what you are.

-Roxas

I understand your feelings as well, BaltoSeppala.

When I first heard of Balto Source, I too thought it was a place where I could share my love and appreciation for these wonderful films (of course only two films were released when I first joined - WoC came about a month or so afterwards) that had moved me so much ever since I was in elementary school (when the first film came out in theaters and soon to VHS).

I suppose, as I have mentioned many a time, I may be partly to blame for the flaming wars and the destruction of the purity of the Balto films with my incest-centered fic series. If only I had known that these things were to spawn from it, causing hate wars and arguments everywhere, I may not have written them at all.

I do agree that these sort of fics (the same-sex/incest fics) should not be in reach of children if they are graphically in nature (In my own fics (I mainly focus on the incest ones), I try to not be graphic, unless it is necessary for the story (which I have not had to go into, and if I ever do so, those fics will not be posted here, of course) to have it so.). However, I really am not a supporter of these like the "obsessive shippers" are - Yes, I do have a series to continue, but I hope no one expects more fics like that from me anytime soon.

And no offense, I at least try to put some truth and reality in my stories (like with how dogs actually live together and the like . . . you understand, right?). unlike many other writers. Fantasy stuff is okay (like having magic or something that would never really happen in real life), but as I've mentioned many times, some people just go too far and push the limits of their literal freedoms by overdoing it and trying to make everyone else like whatever they like. (It pisses me off.)

*sigh*

I doubt I'll be much help to convince you to stay, but I know that you know that there are still some interesting people here that are not like those ones that make you upset. There are some intelligent members here that are just like you - confused, scared, afraid of the sudden rise of these perserve things that taint the name of Balto as we know it.

My advice: I think you should remain the fanfic mod. We really need someone like you to help those who need it most - the confused young fans that only write what they think everyone will read because someone else did the exact (or a similar) plot with the same (or similar) characters. You are a great person (I can tell by the way you speak/write and the way you make your stories. You're amazing and have an interesting way to make a predictable plotline original.) and it would be a shame to lose you all because of some dumba**-flamers and them not liking your beliefs and all.

Good luck, whatever you plan to do! Besides, I'll always be here at least.

- Juuchan17

I said I'm not going to argue with people. And I'm not going to accept a discussion about splitting hairs. It's wrong for ANY of this stuff to be here on this site. That's how I feel. I thought I made that quite plain. If you're looking to back-door me into an argument, TikTac, it won't work. I won't give in to that. I suggest that, if you don't like what I've said, and you can't find a way to discuss it without trying to find a way into arguing, then stay AWAY.