What Tim Tebow's Super Bowl ad can teach the pro-choice movement

Washington Post ^ | Sunday, January 31, 2010 | Frances Kissling and Kate Michelman

[Pharmboy]

Next Sunday, when millions of people tune in to watch Super Bowl XLIV, they'll see a football star off the field, too. Tim Tebow, the University of Florida's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, is set to appear with his mother in a 30-second advertisement to be aired during the game. The spot, which has not been released, is said to feature Tebow, by all reports a humble young man who takes his faith seriously, and his mother telling the story of her decision 23 years ago to ignore medical advice and continue a risky pregnancy.

snip...

Women's and choice groups responding to the Tebow ad should take a page from the Focus on the Family playbook. Erin Matson, the National Organization for Women's new vice president, called the Tebow spot "hate masquerading as love." That kind of comment may play well in the choice choir, but to others, it makes no sense, at best; at worst, it's seen as the kind of stridency that reinforces the view that pro-choice simply means pro-abortion.

[Pharmboy]

Michelman has taken a huge step back realizing her side has been losing lately. I was surprised to see the moderation in her long-winded article. They are going for the moderates in a moderate way...when she positions NOW as being "strident," you know she's getting the message. Perhaps the Massachusetts election had other effects than the obvious...

[Pharmboy]

Just to let you folks know: it had a different headline in the print edition:

How to be pro-choice on Super Bowl Sunday

[freedumb2003]

And this little gem in the text of the article:

People want to be inspired, and abortion is as tough and courageous a decision as is the decision to continue a pregnancy.

It is hard to find a more incorrect statement made since Gutenberg trotted out his press...

[sodpoodle]

There is no such thing as a *Pro-Choice* movement.

There is a Pro-Abortion movement - which is genocide by any other name.

and there is a Pro-Life movement.

[Pharmboy]

True...but the fact that these two abortion crusaders would even acknowledge that having the child can be seen as courageous struck me as something that they've never done before. Perhaps I have missed their previous steps backing away from stridency and "no compromise," but the whole tenor of this piece is quite surprising to me and that is why I posted it, i.e., as a sign that the good guys are winning.

[pnh102]

... pro-choice simply means pro-abortion.

Many people feel this way because THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS.

Abortion is the ultimate "sacrament" in the liberal religion. The liberals have been trying for years to show that something, anything "good" could possibly come from abortion and thus, legitimize it to everyone else.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

People want to be inspired, and abortion is as tough and courageous a decision as is the decision to continue a pregnancy.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever read.

[Tax-chick]

... the view that pro-choice simply means pro-abortion.

That's because it does. "Pro-choicers" are not "pro-" any other choice except the choice to kill.

[freedumb2003]

>>but the whole tenor of this piece is quite surprising to me and that is why I posted it, i.e., as a sign that the good guys are winning.<<

Agreed, but the overtone is “the good guys are winning, DAMN IT AND THEY MUST BE STOPPED.”

But it tracks the ascendancy of the pro-life movement well (as you point out).

And if the recommended commercial were made it would help the pro-life movement more than the author realizes.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

So here's our Super Bowl strategy for the choice movement. We'd go with a 30-second spot, too. The camera focuses on one woman after another, posed in the situations of daily life: rushing out the door in the morning for work, flipping through a magazine, washing dishes, teaching a class of sixth-graders, wheeling a baby stroller. Each woman looks calmly into the camera and describes her different and successful choice: having a baby and giving it up for adoption, having an abortion, having a baby and raising it lovingly. Each one being clear that making choices isn't easy, but that life without tough choices doesn't exist.

Let's amend this a bit to make it clearer:

So here's our Super Bowl strategy for the choice movement. We'd go with a 30-second spot, too. The camera focuses on one woman after another, posed in the situations of daily life: rushing out the door in the morning for work, flipping through a magazine, washing dishes, teaching a class of sixth-graders, wheeling a baby stroller. Each woman looks calmly into the camera and describes her different and successful choice: staying happily married, getting a divorce, or purchasing a 12-gauge shotgun and blowing out her husband's brains on the kitchen floor. Each one being clear that making choices isn't easy, but that life without tough choices doesn't exist.

[Tax-chick]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever read.

Certainly it's right up there. (Along with the "earthquakes caused by global warming" line.)

Abortion is choice made from fear, not with courage.

[Pharmboy]

HA! Fifteen years ago they might have made that one, but they are moderating their stance these days...

[Rocky Mountain Wild Turkey]

They said it themselves, pn102. Wasn't it Steinhem who said:

"If men got pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament."

<< SIGH >>

St. Michael, the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil......

[Paradox]

The Tim Tebow spit IS all ABOUT CHOICE, they are asking you to CHOOSE LIFE. Simple as that. ANYONE who opposes the ad is simply ANTI-BABY.

I say that as someone whose anti-abortion convictions are probably not as strong as most others here, but this add is simply GOOD and RIGHT, for crying out loud.

Oh, and I say that as something of a "Tebow hater" :)

[Pharmboy]

You are probably right about their proposed ad helping our side...interesting point.

Another surprising thing in this piece was that it did NOT include any Christian-bashing, other than the mild shot at Focus on Family for being "anti-gay." And around these parts, that wouldn't even be considered a bash at all.

[Minn]

What Tim Tebow's Super Bowl ad can teach the pro-choice movement

That they are a bunch of disgusting, nasty hags?

[Russ]

Has anyone noticed how far Tebow’s stock has fallen among the chattering class on ESPN and other sports outlets since this ad became an issue? They are demonizing his skills, abilities and everything else about him.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Excellent, excellent point, Mr. R! Each is a choice. Each could arguably be a “tough” choice. That third one, though, is especially tough on somebody else...

[Pharmboy]

While you may be right, many experts and amatuers (like myself) have always felt that he likely did not have the necessities for being an NFL Q-back. Perhaps a linebacker, but not a quarterback. He may prove us wrong and I wish only the best for him...

[wendy1946]

Abortions involving rape or genetic problems probably amount to one or two percent of abortions. The abortions you'd be more concerned with are those of teenage girls and young women concerned with their lives being "ruined".

In 1955 there was essentially a lottery system in which a certain number of teenage girls had babies which were adopted by older couples, but that lottery system is not coming back. What we actually need is to somehow again make it both economically possible and respectable for young people to marry and start families in their late teens (i.e. when the human species is biologically programmed for it), in most cases while they are still in school. THAT would solve 95% of the problem; anything else is wishful thinking.

[Mrs.Z]

***Has anyone noticed how far Tebow’s stock has fallen among the chattering class on ESPN and other sports outlets since this ad became an issue? They are demonizing his skills, abilities and everything else about him***

Everyone knew where Tebow was coming from the first time he wrote scripture under his eyes.

He is focused on ETERNITY and the Lord will bless him for that. Let the sports “powers that be” say what they will.

[don-o]

That’s a coincidence imo. He was always suspect as far as being NFL quality. Fla tailored their offense to his skills set. That won’t happen in the pros.

[Pharmboy]

Kurt Warner has been a well-known Christian athlete and he has been treated well by the sports media. I believe that many sports media people are fairly conservative (and soem good Christians as well) OTHER than the ESPN crew.

[pnh102]

"If men got pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament."

And just like everything that every feminazi says, it can be refuted with simple reason... if men got pregnant, then we wouldn't be men.

[pnh102]

Has anyone noticed how far Tebow’s stock has fallen among the chattering class on ESPN and other sports outlets since this ad became an issue? They are demonizing his skills, abilities and everything else about him.

It is the price of being a Christian. The world will always hate us for our faith, just as it rejected Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry.

It makes me angry too, and in previous posts on similar topics I would often lash out at those who hate us, but because of the patience and faith of other people on this website... I've gotten better at handling such things.

[Pharmboy]

Also, if their reasoning were correct, no women would be pro-life now.

[rintense]

The NFL has many players who didn’t ‘fit the NFL’ mold that have become quite successful. Tebow will do fine, and will be a steal for any team if he slips past the 2nd round. As I’ve said all along, do NOT be surprised if Indy takes him. Indy grabs character players with tons of talent. Of course, that means Bilacheat will probably take him first.

[Tax-chick]

At first, there seems to be a bit of truth behind the implied point: If the negative consequences of immoral sexual behavior fell equally on the sexes, people would act differently.

However, that doesn’t hold up. The negative consequences of immoral sexual behavior fall disproportionally on women, and yet, women continue to participate. This suggests a short-circuit in the decision-action loop that would not be overcome if the incentives were distributed differently.

[Canedawg]

I dont know if there is a conection between the ad and the reports of his abilities and mechanics. Many of us have always been skeptical of his pro prospects.
***

“Florida QB Tim Tebow struggled during Saturday’s Senior Bowl but said he is open to modifying his passing motion as he attempts to move to the NFL this spring.

Tebow, playing for the South in its 31-13 loss to the North at the college all-star game, was 8-for-12 for 50 yards. He fumbled twice — on consecutive plays — and ran four times for 4 yards.

After drawing criticism early in the week when Tebow had trouble adjusting to taking snaps under center, the former Heisman Trophy winner said he thought it was a successful week.

“I feel like I improved every day,” he said.

Tebow, who played in a Florida offense that relied on the shotgun, said he is willing to change his mechanics to fit the pro offenses that would require him to take snaps under center.

“I’m definitely open to improving my fundamentals,” he said. “I think I showed that by working and improving every day.”

On Thursday, ESPN analyst Todd McShay said Tebow was no better than the fourth-rated QB at Senior Bowl practices. —

[Ballygrl]

I know I’m being nit-picky, but I think all of us need to start doing this, call it pro-abortion. For too long people have been able to get a pass saying “I’m personally against abortion and I think it’s wrong but I have no right to impose my opinion on someone else” so they conveniently say they’re pro-choice, no, as long as you advocate for abortion then you’re pro-abortion.

[Ballygrl]

Thank You! glad to see someone else feels like I do.

[GailA]

First they came for the unborn........

The new Demonrat mantra! Woof, woof, let granny eat dog food...spoof on 'let them eat cake'.The articles also contain the new big fees to Tricare for Life the retired over 65 Military's secondary health ins)

obama's war on seniors See the links in post 43-46 and on the last page.

Expanding support for families balancing work with caring for elderly relatives with a $102.5 million Caregiver Initiative adding $52.5 million in funding to Department of Health and Human Services caregiver support programs that provide temporary respite care, counseling, training, and referrals to critical services. The administration says the extra funding will allow nearly 200,000 additional caregivers to be served and 3 million more hours of respite care to be provided. It also adds $50 million to programs that provide transportation help, adult day care, and in-home services, such as aides to help seniors bathe and cook, help which eases the burden for family members and helps seniors stay in their homes.

Even the commie rag Mother Jones is reporting the cut and gut to granny's SS/Medicare.

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/01/obama-puts-social-security-chopping-block

Bambi in his own words I' won't cut Medicare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0EAP47SdcY

[mlizzy]

"So here's our Super Bowl strategy for the choice movement. We'd go with a 30-second spot, too. The camera focuses on one woman after another, posed in the situations of daily life: rushing out the door in the morning for work, flipping through a magazine, washing dishes, teaching a class of sixth-graders, wheeling a baby stroller. Each woman looks calmly into the camera and describes her different and successful choice: having a baby and giving it up for adoption, having an abortion, having a baby and raising it lovingly. Each one being clear that making choices isn't easy, but that life without tough choices doesn't exist" --from the article.

[last sentence needs to be changed] "...Each one being clear that making choices isn't easy, but that life without tough choices murder doesn't exist." [and, yet, it does]

It's impossible to make a loving low-key pro-"choice" ad because abortion equals murder, and everyone truly knows that (except for the advanced ignorant or those too anxious to seek out the truth) with the scientific proof and medical advancements that we have. Abortion comes only from the devil. There is no way to sugar-coat ending the life of your baby.

"These pro-abortion folks need to be mocked, ridiculed, shunned and shamed in as public a way as possible" --Emmett Grayson McCarthy

[Figment]

“Has anyone noticed how far Tebow’s stock has fallen among the chattering class on ESPN and other sports outlets since this ad became an issue? They are demonizing his skills, abilities and everything else about him”

That’s a stretch. They are talking mainly as to his prospects as an NFL quarterback.His NFL prospects have always been questioned. The ad is just making his name come up more

[MsLady]

tough and courageous a decision as is the decision to continue a pregnancy.

Yes, I would think anytime your thinking about ending someone's life it would be a tough decision, unless you have no heart. But, ending someone's life who can't defend themselves, so your life won't be disrupted. That is not the definition of courageous.

Although many women think abortion will be easy, in and out, it's done and over with. Abortion can be very emotionally traumatic, unless you have a hard heart. Women who have abortions go through several things emotionally. Denial of what they've done but, deep down they know, they bury there pain and try to keep it stuffed down. Which can lead to all kinds of emotional problems. They harden there hearts until they feel no one's pain, including there own. This is the worst condition for any one. Or facing up to it, asking for forgiveness(God's grace and mercy is sufficient) emotional healing and wellness will follow this route.

One of the things that infuriates me about abortion. Most women who have them are between the ages of 15-24. These are young women, most without a clue of what they are about to do. If they knew the emotional and physical trauma they are about to put themselves through and knew what it would do to the person they are carrying. I don't think most women would do it. But, the abortion clinics tell them virtually NOTHING and they put a happy face on the whole thing. Our news media covers for Planned Parent and are accomplices to abortion. Not putting forth the whole truth of the ugliness of it.

[ari-freedom]

they are pro-abortion because they make $$$ from it and want an end to all those poor black babies. They think it is their version of welfare reform.

[sodpoodle]

Do any of you remember the *movement* or panic in the late 1960’s concerning the inevitable OVERPOPULATION?

Shortly thereafter; Roe v.Wade was passed and the gay community came out in full force. Both were embraced by the left and the media (same thing).

Then in 1980 AIDS showed up.

From National Right to Life:
***By the time you read this sentence, America will have passed a tragic, momentous, and most sobering milestone. Within a day or two of January 22, 2008, the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, baby number 50,000,000 will have been sacrificed on the altar of Roe v. Wade.***

I see a pattern!

[tcrlaf]

When the left wants to push “Change”, they create a “Scare Meme”.

I’ve lived through:
The “Population Bomb”, then it was “Global Cooling!”, followed by “ACID RAIN!” followed by “Global Warming”, which was then followed by “Global Climate Change!”.
Remember how we were ALL GONNA DIE! if we didn’t accept abortion and Socialism?

“Shortly thereafter; Roe v.Wade was passed and the gay community came out in full force. Both were embraced by the left and the media (same thing). Then in 1980 AIDS showed up.”

Gays make up a HUGE percentage of today’s Mainstream Media, far above the average population by a factor of 10+. One article 2 years ago stated that over 50% of NBC’s New York staffers are GLBT. Over the years, gay control of the media has been very well documented, here.

They blame Reagan and Republicans for “The Great Gay Death” caused by AIDS, not their inability to curb their pecadillo’s.

[Pharmboy]

Yep...several years ago a NY Times reporter (I believe it was Fox Butterworth) told a group during a presentation he was giving that on any given day the people assembling the front page of the Times may ALL be gay or lesbian.

[Guenevere]

Michelman, et al...want their turn with an ad to reach the millions during Superbowl.........TOUGH TURNIPS!

You're not Tim Tebow!
Tim Tebow earned the right to this 30 second spot.

He earned it because he's alive & has become an awesome athlete, and has winsome ways, and has an all American attitude and spirit.

You don't.

Your carefully chosen words can't negate 37 years of strident voice and unconscionable action against innocent unborn babies.

Deal with it....

The tide IS turning....and it's turning against you.....finally!

[Pharmboy]

Yep...and Kate gets it...she knows she’s losing her baby killing battle and now has to regroup. Pity...

[freedumb2003]

Yes, I would think anytime your thinking about ending someone's life it would be a tough decision, unless you have no heart. But, ending someone's life who can't defend themselves, so your life won't be disrupted. That is not the definition of courageous.

I'll go a little further in my explanation. These girls have been told from menarche that a fetus is a "thing" -- a wart to be removed, less it interfere with looking good for Friday night at the club. It is taken as Holy Writ that the unborn child isn't a person, it is just some unwanted tissue.

Liberals worship sex, but treat it as as a recreational sport and pass that worship to their children.

So, the initial decision isn't even seen as killing -- it is just excising.

But I believe that you are right that later they regret the decision and realize they have been brought up on lies. Liberals may deny human nature but they can't deny our inner humanity. Because the latter was planted by God, even if He gave us free will to embrace it -- or not.