Tebow anti-abortion ad in the Super Bowl just free speech
I admire Florida football star Tim Tebow, both for what he does on the field and for who he is off the field. By all accounts he tries to live his Christian faith, and I’ve never been bothered by his efforts to proselytize. Even in the Biblical citations he wears in his eyeblack, he shows the good manners to proclaim his faith quietly without questioning or condemning that of others. OK by me.
Tebow is now the focus of a bit of controversy involving an anti-abortion ad in which he stars with his mother. The ad, sponsored by James Dobson’s Focus on the Family, will air during the Super Bowl, and some pro-choice groups are protesting the ad’s acceptance by CBS. They do have a point.
As the Washington Post reports, the Women’s Media Center and other groups “questioned how and why the network, which used to forbid ‘advocacy’ advertising, agreed to air Focus on the Family’s spot, which is valued at $2.5 million to $3 million.”
“The media center also noted that as recently as 2004, CBS had rejected an ad from the United Church of Christ, which wanted to use the Super Bowl as a chance to tell people it welcomes gay members. The center says CBS also has rejected ads in the past from MoveOn.org and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.”
The question of fairness is legitimate, but if this is really a new policy at CBS that will be extended to other causes as well, liberal and conservative, fine. The previous policy — designed not to offend anybody — never really made sense anyway, not in an advertising culture where discussion of four-hour erections and urinary problems have become standard.
And if Tebow wants to use his hard-earned fame to promote causes that he believes in, fine as well. I just hope he picks his spots carefully and stays wary about how others want to use him.
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810 comments Add your comment
Peadawg
January 27th, 2010
8:15 am
Being a Georgia fan, it’s hard to root for a Gator. But Tebow is such a great guy I can’t help it. I hope he does well in the NFL!!!
Peadawg
January 27th, 2010
8:16 am
Also, this is a bunch of BS:
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/ajc-exclusive-7-lawmakers-284543.html
gttim
January 27th, 2010
8:18 am
If you think this new policy will be extended to liberal causes, then you are smoking crack. It will not be. Damn liberal media!
BTW Focus on the Family’s Dobson is the guy who wrote this:
“Meanwhile, the boy’s father has to do his part. He needs to mirror and affirm his son’s maleness. He can play rough-and-tumble games with his son, in ways that are decidedly different from the games he would play with a little girl. He can help his son learn to throw and catch a ball. He can teach him to pound a square wooden peg into a square hole in a pegboard. He can even take his son with him into the shower, where the boy cannot help but notice that Dad has a penis, just like his, only bigger.”
Just saying.
USinUK
January 27th, 2010
8:18 am
didn’t Tebow seriously muff a game in front of recruiters the other day???
as far as the ad goes, is anyone surprised that they are kow-towing to Dobson and his bunch???
Peadawg
January 27th, 2010
8:21 am
“didn’t Tebow seriously muff a game in front of recruiters the other day???”
His first day of Senior Bowl Practice in front of NFL Scouts didn’t go very well. He’s never taken a snap from under center and his delivery is really really bad. Hopefully he gets better.
Outhouse GoKart
January 27th, 2010
8:21 am
Peadawg
January 27th, 2010
8:16 am
Dems seem always confused about one thing or the other.
justme
January 27th, 2010
8:22 am
Can you just hear the screams if somebody wanted to air a pro choice ad. Talk about a double standard.
Jay
January 27th, 2010
8:22 am
Dawg, I suspect that throwing motion will doom his NFL chances at QB. If he could fix it, he would have by now, and it’s really not going to work in the pros.
USinUK
January 27th, 2010
8:23 am
Peadawg –
the way I see it, anyone who can do what QBs do when a bunch of 300-lb+ guys are trying to flatten you gets a great big SAAAAA-LUTE from me.
USinUK
January 27th, 2010
8:25 am
this is a suck-up to all the people who were scarred for life over the “wardrobe malfunction”, all the people who complain about the preponderance of beer ads, all the people who complain about the scantily clad wimmen in the preponderance of beer ads … etc …
Call it like it is.
January 27th, 2010
8:26 am
Way to go CBS. There is no secret here. Tebow is sending out a great message that a lot of young people should hear. CBS executives know it. Why didnt they air the United Church of Christ and their Gay message? Because despite what the left would have you believe, the great majority of America does not support gays or their agenda, and CBS would have lost millions of viewers. This is not rocket science.
Peadawg
January 27th, 2010
8:28 am
I agree Jay. The way he has to “wind up” his arm…Dwight Freeney or Demarcus Ware will be all over that like a fat kid on a twinkie.
Peadawg
January 27th, 2010
8:29 am
Mick, he may be opening a door…but atleast he’s not afraid to speak about what he believes in. If you’ve read about all he’s done…he really is a stand up guy!
Mick
January 27th, 2010
8:29 am
Nothing against tebow and his message, but why open this door? Well, tivo makes life so much simpler anyway….
Outhouse GoKart
January 27th, 2010
8:30 am
Discretionary spending freeze? Just another shell game…another pitiful attempt by the Coconut to “throw us a bone.” Its another in a long list of Obama-Scams…
After Brown victory, Obama struggles to control message
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1077
Bud Wiser
January 27th, 2010
8:32 am
Oh how the left wing socialist morons would love to stifle free speech in America, particularly when it is not their own. If one can only promote their point of view, then the ignorant public will come to take it as the truth.
(Gag)
Also concerning free speech:
a. If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?
b. If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?
c. If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?
d. If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent “Austrian language,” would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?
e. If George W. Bush had stated that there were 57 states in the United States , would you have said that he is clueless?
f. If George W. Bush would have flown all the way to Denmark to make a five minute speech about how the Olympics would benefit him walking out his front door in Texas , would you have thought he was a self important, conceded, egotistical idiot?
g. If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to “Cinco de Cuatro” in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?
h. If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word “advice” would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as proof of what a dunce he is?
So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can’t think of anything? Don’t worry. He’s done all this in less than 12 months — so you’ll have three years to come up with an answer…
There is a difference between free and stupid speech. The uppity Kenyan has demonstrated stupidity at its very finest.
Normal
January 27th, 2010
8:32 am
Tebow would make a good Tight End, H Back, or Strong Safety…
As to his ad, I think it’s his right, but I think running it during the game is tacky. The Super Bowl is supposed to be bringing people together for a few hours…
stands for decibels
January 27th, 2010
8:33 am
Nothing against tebow and his message, but why open this door?
Because corporate media hates you. Duh.
USinUK
January 27th, 2010
8:33 am
call it –
“the great majority of America does not support gays or their agenda”
and the great majority of America doesn’t believe in prohibiting abortion – according to a Gallup survey, 76% of people want to keep it legal in some form.
Granny Godzilla
January 27th, 2010
8:33 am
It should kept fair and balanced, let Dr. Tiller state the opposing view……OOOPS! Can’t do that, they murdered him in church.
Granny Godzilla
January 27th, 2010
8:34 am
Bud
When posting other peoples work, even if it is crap, you should note that.
Eric
January 27th, 2010
8:34 am
I’ll admire Tebow when he poses for Playgirl and admits that he smokes pot. There’s no reason to admire the ideals of someone who hasn’t lived yet. When the reality of the real world sets in, who knows what his ideals will be. Til then, he’s outta line.
Curious
January 27th, 2010
8:34 am
In this economic climate, CBS, like the AJC, needs to sell an ad wherever and to whomever it can. The interesting part will come when it airs a pro-choice ad and must absorb the wrath of the conservative noise machine. Can CBS take the heat? I doubt it. On the other hand, what’s the difference in an anti-abortion ad and an ad for a candidate touting his anti-abortion stance?
GRIT
January 27th, 2010
8:34 am
Abortion is murder, it offends me. What about my feelings on the subjeck? All you marxists, Communists, Socialists and Obamaists need to realise that we are going to take our nation back.
I’ll bet CBS caves in, anyone want to take that bet?
david wayne osedach
January 27th, 2010
8:35 am
I don’t think he will get the results he wants from this ad placed in the Super Bowl. The viewers are more focused on the game and enjoying themselves.
Road Scholar
January 27th, 2010
8:35 am
Such a non-story! If you don’t like it, don’t watch it! Besides, if it airs after halftime, most won’t see it since the SB is usually over by halftime!
Outhouse GoKart
January 27th, 2010
8:35 am
“If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?”
Yeppers…tacky tacky tacky…what a loser.
Normal
January 27th, 2010
8:35 am
The Defence of Kentucky (my school) showed him a little of what it would be like in the NFL as QB… Man, what a hit! Drove him into his team mates knee and, presto change-o, a first rate concussion.
suwaneedawg
January 27th, 2010
8:35 am
Although I am right of center to me this ad is not about right or left. If the Women’s Media Center is worked up they can either run their own ad or don’t watch it. My understanding the ad simply says that he is grateful his mother had the courage to not do what the doctor’s advised her to, abort her baby. I will get political for one statement. The left believes in freedom of speech until the speech is against one of their core belief’s. To sum it up, they are speech nazi’s.
stands for decibels
January 27th, 2010
8:36 am
and the great majority of America doesn’t believe in prohibiting abortion – according to a Gallup survey, 76% of people want to keep it legal in some form.
yebbut yebbut yebbut I gots this one pole that sez more people think “pro-life” sounds nicer than “pro-choice” so U R Rong!
Ron
January 27th, 2010
8:37 am
If he wants to talk about his causes, he has the right. If you don’t like it, spend $3MM and buy your own spot. CBS has the right to change their mind on policy. I would say the same thing if he was pro choice. We have way too many people trying to legislate free speech lately!
ty webb
January 27th, 2010
8:37 am
Come on, why the uproar? afterall, isn’t the ad celebrating the “choice” Mrs. Tebow made?
The Coach
January 27th, 2010
8:37 am
The First Amendment provides that the GOVERNMENT cannot censor speech. A private company can do what they want.
Scooter
January 27th, 2010
8:38 am
I don’t have an opinion about the ad one way or the other but I do have an opinion about Tebow. He is a great college QB but he isn’t NFL material.
Outhouse GoKart
January 27th, 2010
8:39 am
Pro-abortion sounds like an acceptable term, or should be.
USinUK
January 27th, 2010
8:39 am
Curious –
“On the other hand, what’s the difference in an anti-abortion ad and an ad for a candidate touting his anti-abortion stance?”
one is an advocacy ad, the other is not.
Suwanee –
“The left believes in freedom of speech until the speech is against one of their core belief’s. To sum it up, they are speech nazi’s.”
first of all, no apostrophe is needed for nazi – you were using the plural, not the possessive.
secondly, this isn’t a freedom of speech issue – this is an issue of the SuperBowl network negating their own “no advocacy” policy.
stands for decibels
January 27th, 2010
8:39 am
Pro-abortion sounds like an acceptable term, or should be.
No, it’s not. It is as inaccurate as claiming that those who believe drug use should be decriminalized are “pro-drug” or even “pro-addiction.”
TaxPayer
January 27th, 2010
8:39 am
Well, this ad is valued at 3 million dollars and, just like a politician caught up in a bidding war from competing corporations for his services, they have to think about the bottom line.
mary
January 27th, 2010
8:39 am
Tim Tebow is an exceptional athlete and individual with a true conscience and belief in his GOD. I am thrilled that he has the GUTS to play the media game. God has a plan and NO ONE will stop it….Thank you Tim Tebow!
Whacks Eloquent
January 27th, 2010
8:40 am
Eric @ 8:34,
If Tebow made it thru college without falling for those, I’d say he’s the real deal.
Like it or not, it is absolutely CBS’s decision. If they suddenly want to go pro-Christian and far right, who should be allowed to stop them? If you don’t like it, don’t watch. The ratings go down, and they may change their minds…
lmno
January 27th, 2010
8:40 am
CBS is right to air this ad.
CBS was wrong to not air the ad by the United Church of Christ.
USinUK
January 27th, 2010
8:41 am
dB –
“yebbut yebbut yebbut”
uyrtrtuyrtyuuyrtrutyrtuyrtuyrtyu <— (the sound of me hitting my forehead on my keyboard repeatedly)
DAVID-AJC Truth detector
January 27th, 2010
8:42 am
IT IS REAL EASY BEING FOR ABORTION…..once you are born…..
Jay
January 27th, 2010
8:42 am
Obamayourmama, back off the personal attacks and insults please.
Outhouse GoKart
January 27th, 2010
8:42 am
If history is any indicator Mr Obama will tonite step from his current pile into and even bigger pile this evening!! Perhaps a viewing might provide some needed comedy relief?!! Ya…thats it…we need another grandiose speech!
YES WE CAN, HHRUMPF!!
State of the Union speech unlikely to ease worries, analysts say
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/26/obama.sotu.tone/index.html?hpt=T1
USinUK
January 27th, 2010
8:43 am
“I am thrilled that he has the GUTS to play the media game.”
yeah … boy-howdy, those white christian boys are so put-upon! talk about suffering!!!
Outhouse GoKart
January 27th, 2010
8:44 am
stands for decibels
January 27th, 2010
8:39 am
Seems one is either pro-abortion or anti-abortion. So….
Raydio
January 27th, 2010
8:44 am
Face it, women’s groups are upset because the ad is effective.
.......
January 27th, 2010
8:44 am
Tebow is a real mystery. Has anyone here seen pics of his girlfriend? She has the most amazing rack! Yet, he doesn’t play with them.
Frankly, I can’t believe God would make something as attractive as his Girlfriend’s rack with the intention of covering them and I believe he is probably angering God by not using this gift to his full advantage.
If God were to bless me with such a beautiful rack to enjoy, I would shout it from the mountain tops praising his name and saying, “Glory be to God who gave me this wonderous rack to enjoy!”
Jan Brewington
January 27th, 2010
8:44 am
Enter your comments here CBS, please run the ad. There is nothing hateful about this ad. Do not bow to pressure from people who want the ad pulled. They do not want any light shining on the fact that humans can choose to bear their offspring rather than kill them.