Comments on: Focus on the Fuckery: CBS Aborts Good Judgment

By: Dear Redhead

Dear Redhead — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:44:14 +0000

Jason – WOW. Go anti-choice movement. Would love to see your reaction to a pro-choice ad having aired in that hot air-filled Tebow ad (which was nothing more than a bait-and-switch on the part of both CBS and FOTF). You’re entitled to your opinion about abortion when you grow a vagina and stop using the “I have a friend who…” argument. But in any case, thanks for stopping by and giving my little column a read.

And for the record, Bill didn’t say anything about anything being “hateful.” He indicated that FOTF is pulling a fast one on Biblical interpretation with their “Internet Guide to ‘Christian’ Living for Dummies – click here” approach. I’ve always found it staggering that professed “Christians” turn to hateful tactics by targeted groups with whom they do not agree and try to force their beliefs on them and judge them based on a set of beliefs to which the others don’t subscribe. That’s like me – blissfully spiritual but not religious – hating a Muslim for crossing in front of me on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Sure, he got in my way, but I don’t hate him for making the journey, for where he’s going or why.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:19:44 +0000

Bill, what’s hateful about wanting to protect human beings from the moment of conception?

Piper, I don’t know how many women are dead because they choose to have a child. I know that nearly 50 million abortions have been performed since 1973 in the USA. However the rate is declining.

Red, I have a friend who had a child from rape, she loves her son, doesn’t care much for the father. She’s married now and quite happy.

Choice is a misnomer. We have many choices in life but the law acts to prevent us from making choices that negatively affect other people. Saying that abortion is a valid choice for an unwanted pregnancy is not that dissimilar to saying that poison is the solution to an unwanted marriage.

Abortion should exist as a medical procedure where the life of the mother is endangered. That’s not a large percent of actual abortions though, I’ve heard figures as low as 2% of the total are for that reason.

For the placement of the advertisement? That’s the company’s choice. A choice it must be said that doesn’t involve anyone dying, just a few minutes of discomfort.

By: Bill Green

Bill Green — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:46:59 +0000

Awesome and well said. One comment I do completely disagree with though:
“Focus on the Family is an extremist and conservative collective dedicated to a strict interpretation of the Bible.”

Uh, not so much. I’m with you on extremist, but they are not pushing a strict interpretation of the Bible, they are pushing THEIR interpretation of the Bible. Big difference. The Bible is about laws and ethics. Quoting the bumper sticker, hate is not a family value, and an organization whose sole purpose is to promote hate should not be thumping the Bible. However, actually reading it might do some of them some good.

By: Heather

Heather — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:28:15 +0000

I totally agree ~ I watch the Super Bowl for the FUNNY commercals. OK & to laugh at the Hubby & Bro-in-law act like they really care who wins the Big Game when neither one of their teams are even in it this year!!

How about CBS being hypocrits……did you know they refused a Gay on-line Dating Site’s add b/c it was “too contoversal”, but apparently Anti-Abortion adds have been moved over to the “Heck Yeah, that would be a GREAT add for the Super Bowl” list. Seems to me, being forced to hear about someone else’s view on abortion being shoved down my throat isn’t as much fun as watching an add where two guys are fighting over football, reach into the chip bowl at the same time & end up swapping spit. I’m interested to see if they run the Kayak add where the two co-workers are swapping spit more heavily than the two guys are will be shown during the Super Bowl…..

By: Michele

Michele — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:57:46 +0000

I have to say, if I were a contributing member of FOTF I’d be mightily pissed they spent so much money on a commercial, instead of on helping to “equip married couples to live out God’s design and intention for biblical marriage and to help parents raise children who know, love and serve God.” But then again maybe I wouldn’t be – doesn’t that kind of membership require you to check your brains at the door?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:25:09 +0000

Glad I stopped by to read this from Shelly’s post. Aside from the obvious lunacy on behalf of CBS to air the commercial I enjoyed reading your post and a lot of areas totally had me cracking up.

By: Dear Redhead

Dear Redhead — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:48:31 +0000

@Christina – I’m not offended by anything. I’m disappointed in the marketing decisions. I do wish the “choice” side of the issue discussed in more broad detail ALL of the choices. Unfortunately, the extreme choices on either side of the spectrum receive the most racket, no? And I don’t think I eve said anything derogatory about Mrs. Tebow’s CHOICE. I’m dissing a network and a major for-profit organization for what I consider a faulty path in marketing expenditures. And I still don’t want it in my living room. ‘Nuf said.

@MariKurisato – thanks for stopping by – I always enjoy you in my neck of the woods!

By: Mari Kurisato

Mari Kurisato — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:54:10 +0000

“Choice is only good when I can use it to tell you how to behave! Stop being offended!”

_________
Dear RedHead: thought, relevant post.

By: Christina Rodriguez

Christina Rodriguez — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:26:46 +0000

I think it’s sad that people only want to hear about the abortion side of choice. Isn’t giving birth to a child a choice? What an ugly person Tebow’s mother is for CHOOSING life! Abortion is legal. It isn’t the only choice. Just choose to use the mute button on your remote. It’s just a commercial! Quit choosing to be offended!

By: Dear Redhead

Dear Redhead — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:26:06 +0000

@Jenny, Bloggess – thanks for stopping by doll. Glad to have your eyes on my rants as mine are on yours all the time! I’ve gotta back-up ToyWithMe, though: awesome ass shots in football. #nicepants

@T – thanks for joining in on Erin’s idea to donate to Planned Parenthood.

@MamasRockin – I have a lovely condo in hell. Please – be my neighbor!

@Carrie – thanks for clicking through on Twitter! And yes, I think CBS is more financially motivated than anything when it comes to taking FOTF’s advertising dollars. Oh well. Fuck ‘em. Fly to Denver and I’ll make you some dip We can giggle our collective way to hell for ignoring the ad.

As a follow-up, one of the gals who contributed a quote to the above column, Shelly Kramer, posted HER thoughts on the snafu today: Can’t We All Just Have Some Nachos? Have a read – killer perspective from a marketing pro’s standpoint.