Controversial commercials? It is most definitely Super Bowl time. This has been the hot topic for a few days. CBS has agreed to air anti-abortion / pro-life ads (all semantics). In 30 seconds, the commercial will tell a story about how Tim Tebow’s mother chose to not abort her child. Tebow goes on to be the University of Florida star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner. It has everyone taking sides and I mean EVERYONE, including me. Pro-life vs pro-choice. Liberals vs conservatives. First Amendment free-speech defenders. Rights for gays.
I haven’t seen the commercial, but those who are against it say it’s against abortion. I can’t really define or wish to define where I stand politically. But, I am pro-choice. I believe women should have a choice. As a man, I will never be able to comprehend the relationship between mother and child and the emotional and physical burdens/blessing of having to carry life. As such, I am in no position to decide what a woman should do. If this commercial presents a perspective of one’s choice to choose life then I am all for it. Tebow’s family is extremely blessed to have made the best out of such dire circumstances. Tim Tebow is standing up for his beliefs and I respect him for that.
However, this situation gets clouded a bit because of CBS. If you are going to air ads from advocacy groups on one side of the spectrum, then they should be open to the other as well. CBS rejected an ad for a gay dating website. What criteria did they use to reject the commercial… I don’t know. If companies and groups can afford the commercial time and produce appropriate ads then there shouldn’t be a problem. Abortion and gay rights are highly political and polarizing issues in America and this whole commercial ordeal captures pretty well what it’s like in the U.S. right now. What is also stirring controversy is that CBS had a hand in creating the Tim Tebow commercial. They should be more neutral. Definitely added a Fox News type of stench to this whole thing.
Bottom-line? I hate hypocrisy.
Where do you stand?
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/02/03/2010-02-03_the_left_tries_to_intercept_tebows_message.html
Tags: abortion, commercials, football, gay rights, superbowl, tim tebow