What else happens this weekend? The SuperBowl of course. The game obviously matches the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. Maybe on Sunday I'll give a prediction. Right now, I don't even know who I want to win.
Which is okay, because right now, the fight is not between the two teams, but about the pro-choice and pro-life crowd. Let me explain.
The second the subject matter became common knowledge, it blew up. Women's groups across the country immediately attacked CBS, saying it was reversing a long-standing policy of not showing controversial commercials during major sporting events (not sure if I've ever seen something like that during March Madness). On that point, the women's groups are right - CBS did change the policy. But it is their policy, which they are free to change whenever they want.
Planned Parenthood came out with this response:
Tebow was actually in Washington today, not sure why. He's been caught up in this, mostly because he is intentionally very open about his Christianity. Good for him.
So the question: does this kind of commercial belong on television, especially during an event like this? Seeking your thoughts.
I'm not sure if my abortion position could be more public, but I'm still a little wary of writing it all out here. But know this: regardless of my position, this is a commercial. If the network chooses to show it, so be it. As the pro-choice groups would say, this is the network's choice. If they don't like it, they should make their own commercial.
I really stress that the analysis is despite, or regardless of my view on abortion.
This is a serious question though, especially where the role of media is concerned. Last night, John Stewart was on the O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, where the network was obviously a major part of the conversation. They specifically talked about the narrative often interpreted from that network, the same argument being made with this ad on CBS. It's an interesting clip.
Tell me what you think. And have a good. I'll talk to you when I dig myself out of the snow.
http://bentondc.blogspot.com/2010/02/superadbowl-tim-tebow.html?showComment=1265350254777#c570114461922719655'> February 5, 2010 at 1:10 AM
I find with issues like this, I always come to the same conclusion.
When I hear about an organization complaining about the content of something being aired, on either side, I think two things.
One, they are being a little childish and whiny. Instead of dealing with an issue, they prefer to scream like a tantrum-prone child in a supermarket until people get so tired of hearing it, they give in.
Two, clearly they don't find their own argument compelling enough to match up with what the other side can put together. Which makes you wonder why, if they don't see their argument as stronger and more convincing on it's own merits, they believe what they do.
Either way, hell yes I think the ad is within the rights of CBS to air. Preferably with a pro-choice ad in the same commercial bloc. Let's get people thinking and talking rationally and with good, reasoned, informed arguments, not (mistakenly) deriding a television station for deciding to take money from a willing buyer to air a commercial.
Then again, this all also kind of stems from my abhorrence of political correctness. If you don't like how someone thinks, don't take the cowards way out by simply silencing them by crying offense; change their mind through discussion and reasoned argument.
http://bentondc.blogspot.com/2010/02/superadbowl-tim-tebow.html?showComment=1265400051687#c8268610678457011772'> February 5, 2010 at 3:00 PM
We all know what my stance on abortion is: Carrying a large tote bag that said "Pro-Choice" when I was 9 months pregnant with your sister says it all I think.
That being said, I agree with you that this is a commercial. 30 seconds. If James Dobson, who I disagree with on most things, wants to spend his money for a 30 second sound bite, let him. As long as the Tebows aren't advocating killing abortion docs (which I will assume they are not) I have no problem leaving the room to get a coffee while they talk.