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September 2, 2010
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NOW misses the point
Published February 10, 2010
I admit it — I did not watch the entire Super Bowl. The night centered around Prince Noah, as is usually the case, and getting him ready for bed. I was glad, though, to catch the much heralded and harangued Tim Tebow ad placed by Focus on the Family. Because as everyone should have expected, the 30-second commercial was much ado about nothing.
Let me start off by saying I am adamantly pro-choice. I do not believe in any way, shape or form it is my right to tell a woman what to do with her body. With that said, though, I would never think it appropriate to stop someone from expressing their right to freedom of speech in placing this Super Bowl ad.
Leading up to the big game, many pro-choice organizations asked CBS to not allow the commercial to run, saying the Super Bowl is not the appropriate venue for such an advertisement. The whole three-ring circus sprang up once people learned about the ad — despite no one actually having seen it. When I saw the ad, I thought it could have just as easily been an ad telling the audience to make sure to remember your mom for Valentine’s Day. In fact, without having read all the melee beforehand, I would have thought it was very much just a son who loves his mommy spot that pointed people to the Focus on the Family Web site as an afterthought.
Guess what National Organization of Women, the Center for Reproductive Rights and other pro-choice advocates? You all bit on the media ploy which thrust the Tebow story into the limelight (his mother had a placental abruption and it was suggested by a doctor to terminate the pregnancy. Obviously, she did not). The real story turned out to be all the hype that led up to the advertisement, not the ad itself.
Yes, abortion is a very serious issue. In all likelihood, there is little to sway a person who resides on either side of the issue to change their minds. But that does not mean either side should stifle the right to express an opposing point of view. While the U.S. Constitution does not specifically address any rights associated with abortion, it does point out clearly the right to freedom of speech and expression. For NOW and other pro-choice groups to ask this advertisement be pulled stands against their own principles.
Switching gears just a little, the Tebow ad could just as easily been promoting National Marriage Week USA. This is a new initiative to “strengthen and support marriage” because marriage is in crisis in this country, according to those backing this movement (it is not officially recognized in the U.S.). The effort recognizes the week leading up to Valentine’s Day as an ideal time to “build a broader collaboration and to elevate marriage to the national attention it deserves.”
While I am not advocating this specific effort, I do champion the realization marriage requires work and will offer its just rewards. Take some time Valentine’s Day to sit down and tell your significant other how much you appreciate them. Heartfelt words can be more of a sign of your love than any trinket.
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