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Farewell to the Spectator
December 16, 2011 | 8 comments
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Tentative Praise for Ryan’s New Bipartisan Medicare Plan
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The Day Ahead: Thursday, December 15
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Examiner for Romney, National Review Against Gingrich
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Paul Ryan to Introduce New Medicare Plan with Democrat Ron Wyden
December 14, 2011 | 4 comments
The Spectacle Blog
Focus on the Family has succeeded in purchasing a 30-second ad for the Super Bowl broadcast that will feature Tim Tebow and his mother Pam Tebow recounting her pregnancy with him in a pro-life inspirational message.
Tim Tebow, of course, just finished his career as a quarterback for the Florida Gators, a career in which he won two national titles and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman trophy. He is an outspoken Christian known for wearing bible verses on his eyeblack, a former homeschooler, and a missionary during summers. When pregnant with him in 1987, Pam got sick during a missionary trip to the Philippines, and suffered a placental abruption. Her doctor, thinking that the baby would be stillborn, recommended that she have an abortion to protect her own health. Obviously she disregarded that recommendation, and today Tim is 6’3”, 240 lbs.
Pro-life groups like Focus on the Family have been trying to get ads in major broadcasts like the Super Bowl and the American Idol finale for a long time. For instance, CatholicVote unsuccessfully attempted to get a similar video about Barack Obama’s mother’s decision to raise him into the 2009 Super Bowl.
It’s hard to overstate Tebow’s stature in the college football world, but one indication is that, according to the Davie-Brown Index, he is already more marketable than any NFL quarterback other than Peyton Manning. To have such a popular and universally liked star promoting their pro-life message is a major win for Focus on the Family, assuming that NBC CBS follows through and actually airs the ad on Feb. 7th.
The pro-choice camp never wanted to see NBC allow any message like this to air on such a huge TV event, understanding that such a story can’t help but lend emotional tones to the pro-life message. Don’t be surprised to see pro-choicers suddenly worried that Tebow is destroying his commercial appeal with a divisive ad (i.e. showing character) or even grumbling that Pam Tebow’s decision not to abort Tim was based in “invalid” logic (really).
Yarrrr| 1.20.10 @ 1:27PM
A Super Bowl commercial before he has even played in the NFL is not a wise move for him at all... people do not like this foisted upon them... they just want to watch the game... and Focus should be smarter than this...
Wait a couple of years and then do it with a general ad run...
FavreFan| 1.20.10 @ 5:11PM
Com'on, Yarrrr - why is it wrong for him to appear in an ad during the Super Bowl? 1) The guy is clearly NFL-bound. 2) You hear "Tebow" you think "football." and 3) some of us actually watch both college AND professional football. Lighten up...Focus on the Family has a brilliant idea hear and I support it 100%.
usmcpatriot| 1.27.10 @ 10:49PM
AMEN! and thank you FavreFan
catholicguy| 2.6.10 @ 4:45PM
Great People out there are actually thinking and respecting this THANKS FavreFan
mc| 2.8.10 @ 10:50AM
yeah, they had a brillyant idea hair.
...moe time in class, less time watchin footbal favrephan...
Lori| 1.25.10 @ 10:56AM
God Bless this young man for his awesome courage! How in the world could this "not be a wise move"? I for one am a parent of 3 young adults that will be watching the Super Bowl. Gee I know a lot of people that will be first time Super Bowl watchers this year.
Kim Lilley| 1.25.10 @ 10:13PM
There is definitely something wrong in this world when people find it offensive that a determined, inspirational, giving, selfless young man such as Tim Tebow - an absolute wonderful role model for young people - is considered in the wrong for extoling the virtues of strong family bonds and the gift of life. How can forming close family bonds and cherishing life BE CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL OR BAD????? So now its become wrong and offensive to choose life? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? And CBS, this country may be polarized by an issue but I am going to be so happy to be sitting in front of my tv WITH my children during the Superbowl and see and ad that extoles the virtues of that! Lets not forget - this country is pretty evenly divided on the issue of choice/life. And there are extremists voicing an opinion that is NOT that of the pro-choice movement as a whole. To be pro-choice does not mean you don't believe in protecting life - - - - it means you believe there should be a choice. Keep being your inspirational self, Tim. When you do good things and give so much of yourself, you may take some heat but you'll never go wrong.
PHZ| 1.28.10 @ 4:45PM
People aren't concerned about the "family bonds" and "cherishing life" aspect. They are concerned about what it opposes by making such claims. It will clearly oppose abortion. They are giving a huge stage to a known homophobic, anti-equality organization. But then again, that's the kind of thing you'll find in the bible. And why is it pro-life and pro-choice? Isn't it more accurate to label them pro-choice and pro non-choice? If a government outlaws the practice, that's what it becomes.
Terrie| 1.28.10 @ 5:24PM
So if "family planning" advertise their services- does that mean they are against women choosing life for their unborn? True choice, is hearing the pros and the cons of an issue, the good that can come out of your choice as well a the consequences. It doesn't mean silencing the voice of those we disagree with. With viagra commericials and commercials using women as sex objects, I'm glad to see a commercial of this kind make it to a wide audience. Also, this young man has not said anything about abortion being outlawed. There are many who feel that abortion should be avoided and would encourage people to choose life, however would NOT want abortion outlawed because it IS a difficult choice that has to be made between the parents (dads included) their doctor, and their own conscience.
PHZ| 1.29.10 @ 3:08AM
I agree with a lot of what you state. If family planning would promote its services, it provides an option and in no way forces a woman to terminate a pregnancy. If it's merely advice and information that a pro-lifer offers, fine, but it's not necessary to add guilt. So many groups are in favor of banning abortions and gay marriage, and this is one of them. The thing is, family planning doesn't force you to terminate a pregnancy or to become gay. But those who oppose these ideas and want government action, want to impose their views and beliefs on others, EVEN IF IT AFFECTS THEM IN NO WAY. Like I said, if it's advice or info, fine... If it's promoting restrictions and penalties, they're outta line.
michelle| 1.27.10 @ 11:24AM
Don't you mind Tim Tebow has the right to speak his mind? http://bit.ly/azLbXv
John Schwartz| 2.3.10 @ 11:00PM
I don't want to have Viagra commercials Foisted upon me when I'm watching the Super Bowl however, If Viagra pays for the ad they should be able to foist it upon me. The same goes for Focus on the Family and the Tebows.
BD57| 1.20.10 @ 1:49PM
Yarrrr's simply wrong on this.
Sure, some people will be offended, but waiting a couple of years won't change that. For them, there is never a "right time" for this sort of message.
It's not a complicated message. Abortion snuffs out a life. Had Pam Tebow listened to the advice she got, there would be no Tim Tebow and the world would be a different place.
If this upsets pro-choice types, well - it's an upset they deserve.
BD58| 1.21.10 @ 2:31PM
Yes, the world would be a different place. A better place!
What an arrogant piece of garbage to assert "oh my, can you imagine a life without me, the greatest athlete and cry baby on earth?"
I suppose we should also be happy that Hitler was never aborted either?
SAra beeson| 1.24.10 @ 8:27PM
Oh please - knowing the tebows that is not at all what they are saying - do some research before you blow your big horn - these are people who have dedicated their lives for Christ and to Saving the unwanted of the world - look into their orphanages - simple message life is precious to God even if you are a Hitler - Christ is waiting for you - to make you his - and change the world - Just think what could have been had Hitler come to know the living God!
usmcpatriot| 1.27.10 @ 10:53PM
You can be certain of one thing, "Stupidity is genuine!" and BD58 proves it.
yeahIsaidit| 1.31.10 @ 10:30AM
What an idiotic piece of garbage to assume Tebow is arrogant for the fact his mother simply allowed him to live and HAVE a life.
Tebow is not Hitler and Hitler "aborted" himself. Leave it to you lefty loonies to bring Hitler into a pro-life commercial. I suppose you believe we should use abortion as a means of snuffing out "could be" Hitlers?
Mike| 2.6.10 @ 1:05PM
"It's not a complicated message. Abortion snuffs out a life. Had Pam Tebow listened to the advice she got, there would be no Tim Tebow and the world would be a different place."
No, the WORLD - as in the 6 billion and growing people who populate it and the environment around them - would hardly be any different. Save a niche of college football and one star Florida quarterback in the late 2000's, the world would not be much different at all.
That's the arrogance of the message.
For the record, Tim Tebow is a tremendous athlete and his mother should deservedly be very proud of both him and her decision - I'm sure it was very hard to make, and she took the responsibility of raising a child...that's no easy task.
The not-so-subtle logic of the advertisement is pretty fallible, though.
doug| 1.27.10 @ 2:59PM
why would anybody be offended by this? mom had problems with pregnancy, kept baby, baby grows up to become great college football player. how is that offensive? haters?
Barbara Wilkins| 1.20.10 @ 1:52PM
Yahoo!!! The time is NOW for ads like this. Thank God Focus and others have the courage to do it and not back down. Our world desperately needs role models and he is sure one of them. Don't be fooled by those who tell you to wait! I hope the positive feedback is overwhelming and we see more of this. Way to go Focus!
Paul| 1.20.10 @ 1:53PM
One correction needs to be made...CBS is broadcasting the Super Bowl this year, not NBC.
Joseph Lawler| 1.20.10 @ 2:25PM
Thanks Paul.
jaxparrothead| 1.20.10 @ 2:29PM
So, I guess from your support of this type of message you would also support a pro-choice message from Planned Parenthood during the Super Bowl?
andy| 1.20.10 @ 3:06PM
I would support it if after every E.D. commercial you place an abstinence one and after every beer commercial ad one from MADD or DARE, after Lingerie Bowl on for sex addicts, etc... why do we all of a sudden need to hear an opposing view to be fair. For years we've been bombarded by ads that we had no choice other than turn the tv off. Welcome to our world.
terrie| 1.28.10 @ 5:27PM
Andy, Well said. Couldn't agree more.
Sammy| 2.6.10 @ 1:08PM
In your mind, "E.D. = pre-marital sex"?? Or do you think that loving, married men in long-lasting relationships don't have erectile dysfunction?
FavreFan| 1.20.10 @ 5:13PM
Nope!! Why should I support a pro-death commercial just because a pro-life commercial is aired?
AllenG| 1.20.10 @ 6:05PM
If they want to spend the money? Yes.
Jocon307| 1.20.10 @ 8:33PM
I wouldn't "support" such and ad, but I'd support to the end Planned Parenthood's (or whoever's) right to air it. I don't think it would be a great venue for them, but that's beside the point.
Take political ads, first of all it is only fair that all sides get to air their views.
More importantly if PP, et al run and ad supporting a candidate that gives me important information, and I would most likely oppose such a candidate.
Why is any of this a problem?
doug| 1.27.10 @ 3:05PM
let's call pro-choice what it really is. pro abortion (some call it murder). you want choice? go to the drug store look on the shleves for your choices: colored, lubed, ribbed for her pleaseure, glow in the dark, etc, etc. this doesn't mention all of the different pills and other female birth control methods. you can even say 'no'. your pro-choice stance is really a cover for some irresponsible person that wants to take the easy way out of a tough situation (95+ percent of the time).
carrie| 1.27.10 @ 4:04PM
You are so right! Maybe Planned Parenthood could air a message with a warm feel good story told by a mother who aborted her child. She could smile and tell us all how good it felt to rid her self of the helpless human being inside of her.
GEORGE MORRIS| 1.20.10 @ 2:31PM
YES, IF RACHAEL MADDOW DOES IT? ISN'T SHE THE DARLING OF THE PRO ABORTIIONISTS?
GEORGE MORRIS| 1.20.10 @ 2:52PM
GOD BLESS THE TEBOWS. WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE TEBOW, MCCOY, SHIPLEY, BRADFORD AND OTHERS BE SUCH GREAT TESTIMONIES FOR THE WORLD THIS YEAR IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Cris| 1.20.10 @ 2:53PM
Hey, parrothead,
One need not support an idea to approve of its dissemination. In fact, I'd love to see a pro abortion TV commercial that told people exactly what the process involves, and the consequences.
KIen (Old Texican)| 1.20.10 @ 3:16PM
Tim,
God bless you and your mom.
Screw the nihilists...(sic............bastards)
Pingback| 1.20.10 @ 3:33PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Tim Tebow's Super Bowl links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Rick| 1.20.10 @ 4:22PM
I will be praying for Tim and his Mom! They will need alot of prayers to do Gods work in which they are about to do.
Margie| 1.20.10 @ 4:43PM
Awesome. This just proves once again to all the pro-abort fanatics (notice I used the word fanatic, a word they like to use on us in a derogatory way) that all their howling about "Oh, the life of the Mother, the life of the Mother!" is 99.9% baloney.
If they had faith (in God) the size of a grain of mustard seed.. He's in control.
~But when you're agenda is to kill your unborn baby, you won't be considering God.
Pingback| 1.20.10 @ 5:23PM
4 Super Bowl Xliv Tickets Landshark Stadium Miami 2010 - - By One Online links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Elain| 1.20.10 @ 6:45PM
Yea....to all the comments!!! Especially Andy and Cris. I think parrothead needs to fly on out of here. There are lots more of us and we are rising up!!!! Finally!!!
Williams| 1.20.10 @ 8:43PM
But do people really want to think about/be preached to about abortion during the Super Bowl? I think generally people watch the game for fun, which is not a bad thing. It's the Left's mission to politicize everything - I'm not sure that it's a good idea for conservatives to join in. (And the question of why conservatism must be equated with self-righteousness is a whole different topic....)
Jolly One| 1.24.10 @ 2:41AM
It's a great story, dunderhead. There's nothing preachy about it. Old loser.
Pingback| 1.20.10 @ 8:44PM
Tim Tebow off-field concerns? - The Cleveland Browns - Barking Hard links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Molly| 1.20.10 @ 10:12PM
Isn't it interesting how one positive/Christian commercial causes more controversy than the everyday beer and condom commercials? This saddens me and makes me very thankful for role models like Tim Tebow. As a big sister, camp counselor, and youth sponsor, I am praying for Tim Tebow. I pray he continues to let God use him and I pray he stays on track because the children and youth of today need someone to look up to.
You have an incredible opportunity here, Tim. Please continue to live be example :) Jer 29:11
Pingback| 1.21.10 @ 4:06PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Tim Tebow's Super Bowl … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.21.10 @ 4:06PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Tim Tebow's Super Bowl … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.22.10 @ 12:22AM
Tebow Anti-Abortion Ad to Air During Super Bowl « Daily News links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Melissa| 1.22.10 @ 10:42AM
Tim has the right to do commercials, why he's to be blamed. go ahead Tim. for SuperBowl, I already hd my tix from Ticketsinventory.com and I'm waiting impatiently. can't wait! oh my god!
rbirkey | 1.27.10 @ 10:55AM
This ad is completely within Tim's rights to do... last I checked it's a free country with free speech. It is completely within CBS's rights to air because they have a right to sell the time to whoever they want to sell it to - they won the Super Bowl deal with the NFL. And it is completely within the rights of Focus on the Family to buy the ad time and produce the ad... with their own money. What's the big deal?
tom| 1.27.10 @ 6:25PM
he was, and still is, and always will be, a total douchebag.
davie| 1.28.10 @ 3:21PM
Let Tebow say what he wants!!! Just don't vote him into office
Mary Ellen | 1.28.10 @ 6:35PM
God Bless him and his family for standing up for what 72% of this country believe in, that is to protect the gift of life. We will never know who this world is missing because of abortion, maybe the Dr. that would have found the cure for cancer, maybe the friend you never had, maybe your grandchild. God bless you and your family, your in my prayers.
Steve| 1.29.10 @ 12:42PM
Keep it out of the Superbowl. Religious station might be appropriate. Let's clarify something too. As a pro-abortionist myself (should be legally required under some circumstances in my view, i.e. for those who already have 3 or more children), don't confuse me with the majority who are pro-choice. If you're already overpopulating the planet you affect the rest of us, and I don't think you ought to have the choice of having even more. Clearly, I disagree with those who suggest a fetus is a human being with all the rights thereof.
sara beeson| 2.2.10 @ 6:26PM
Thank the Lord you were not number 4 in your family>
David | 1.30.10 @ 11:25AM
Great post on this over at:
http://redletterbelievers.blog.....stian.html
ralph spoilsport| 1.30.10 @ 6:43PM
Anyone think it's a problem that abortion was illegal in the Philippines at the time of Tebow's birth? Where's the choice in that?
sara beeson| 2.2.10 @ 6:36PM
check your facts - which country, what doctors, where what he born, where did the prenatal care take place. ... don't assume anything before you know that whole story and all the facts.
Lee| 1.30.10 @ 8:31PM
Let me clarify that "Pro-Choice" does not mean "Pro-Abortion." No one wants an abortion; some people find themselves needing one.
If Tebow's family was fully cognizant of risks, benefits, and choices - and empowered to act as they felt necessary- great. The problem is that this story, isolated from the stories of women who couldn't access abortions and thus suffered in pain or dead, or stories of families who do have abortions turn out just fine as well - shames women who need abortions. If as a community we don't understand and empathize with both sides, we are not a community at all.
Let's agree than both sides are options and that the choice is up to the woman and her family, not the government. So don't advocate one story with out mentioning all the different takes on it, because it encourages the general population to support anti-choice movements that restrict MY CHOICE. Get your laws of my body, and your rhetoric out of my football game.
Tracey| 2.5.10 @ 10:51PM
Lee, everyone knows there are times a woman's life is in danger due to a high risk birth or something similar, I don't think that by not mentioning it, people don't know about it. Let's agree, this is the very small minority of abortions (based on true "need") and that is just a fact. The majority are based on a lifestyle choice. Women who "need" abortions won't be shamed by a mere commercial. Shame comes from within and from a deep conviction that something is wrong, no matter how many people rally around you to say it is your right, and your choice. Even when women feel they "need" an abortion, it is the taking of a life and they struggle with that. The point isn't about taking away people's rights to choose. (choose abstinence, choose birth control, choose condoms) The point is about the value of the unborn life. Why are people that care about unborn children called fanatics, religious zealots and the like? Why is caring about babies so wrong? And I disagree with you, I think there are many that want an abortion, or at least the option to "use" it when they feel it is a better option than giving birth. You say nobody wants an abortion.. not true. So, let's agree, both sides ARE options, but why is it great that the government controls laws to protect those that are murdered, raped, assaulted and more, but if it is taking away YOUR choice to take a life, you feel like they should mind their own business. Self serving, don't you think? The movement to save lives is not so much self serving, it is other-serving. Serving the babies that can't stand up for themselves.
Charlie| 2.1.10 @ 9:19PM
He's not suggesting a law goofy. He is giving a testimony of a CHOICE his mother made.
sara beeson| 2.2.10 @ 6:31PM
Choice starts at whether or not to have sex or use birth control - It is not that difficult NOT to get pregnant - and what it is easier to kill than to adopt? Oh that's right the world does revolved around that famous character that we all know "ME ME ME"
Maylane Wong| 2.4.10 @ 4:25PM
Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life is the theme of the ad, I believe. What a wonderful theme for a family event like the Super Bowl game! Kudos to CBS for wanting to show this uplifting ad. And to Pam Tebow and her son Tim for telling their inspiring story.
shadowmike| 2.4.10 @ 9:05PM
Lee I am curious with your logic on it is the choice of the Mother and the family, when does the unborn get a vote?
Steve wow you are for total government control, must be a big fan of China where they forcably aborted unborn female babies for more males due to the mandatory one baby per family rule.
SpellCheck| 2.6.10 @ 1:28PM
What does "forcably" mean? Like, with a fork? Ouch, that's got to hurt!
Sharpie| 2.9.10 @ 12:41PM
No, the instrument used more resembles a sharp spoon.
R.Weaver| 2.5.10 @ 1:27AM
Does it not bother anyone that this money could have been spent more wisely? A 30 second ad on the Super Bowl is super expensive, I would have rather seen Focus on the Family spend there money on helping teenage pregnant girls, not on a stupid ad that will only be watched by those who support their cause ans scorned by those who don't - age old stand-off.
Scot| 2.5.10 @ 5:54PM
It's a free country. I respect the right of Focus to air their ad. Planned Parenthood could do the same and I would be OK with that too. Thanks for spending the money so I can watch the game for free in the comfort of my own home! Ms. Tebow is obviously pro-choice. It was her decison to choose life. (To people in China, this is what pro-choice means)
The people who spend millions for 30 seconds of your time realize something that is overlooked many times. What goes in your head impacts who you are. If these messages didn't have an influence, the advertisers wouldn't pay millions for them.
Polly Drysin| 2.5.10 @ 7:11PM
The boy is gay. Anyone with halfway decent gaydar can see it. It's easy to stay a virgin when you have no desire for the opposite sex. Cannot WAIT! This is gonna be more fun than Tiger.
S Wells| 2.6.10 @ 11:56AM
I would like for them to also show an ad with a husband and children or mother, father, brothers and sisters of a woman who chose to continue a pregnancy with this condition and ended up on the losing end. Pam's story certainly is moving. But as a guide to making abortion decisions, it's misleading. Doctors are right to worry about continuing pregnancies like hers. Placental abruption has killed thousands of women and fetuses. No doubt some of these women trusted in God and said no to abortion, as she did. But they didn't end up with Heisman-winning sons. They ended up dead.
Reily| 2.6.10 @ 1:26PM
Great point.
Although, I do have to play the advocate here and say that for the women who did defy medical opinion, trusted in God to save them and their child, and died...they probably didn't have much remorse over it, since at that point...they've pretty much thrown out the idea of self-preservation in return for some hope of what would be a spiritual salvation.
Not saying I agree with either viewpoint, as I think a person's choice is their choice. Not really all that much I can do about it, one way or the other.
I would, however, enjoy an ad that featured a woman who, at a time in her life when it would be irresponsible for her to have a child, had an abortion. Then, show her going on to not only living a happy life (whatever it may be), and in addition, turned into a person who reaches out to help the community that already exists around her. I'm sure those people exist, just as the Tebows exist, and who's to say both aren't good people?
Tima| 2.7.10 @ 10:04PM
I would like to know how many people making comments on this page have been affected by someone in thier live that has had an abortion.
I have sat in a abortion clinic.I was not given anything information that would help me when my friend( after having an abortion) that day almost died in my bed if I would have left her thier all alone (because they said she would be fine no problems)she would be dead...And to everyone who thinks that your choice don't affect anyone else your wrong I know for a fact My whole family has suffered My mother went to her death suffering because no one told her 30 years ago that the glob of tissue was really a child .She didn't get to see an ultra sound to be informed ...So to all of you Pro-Choicer I hope you never have to sit beside a love one as they are dying asking why did I kill my baby F Y I that was my sister or Brother
VOL Fan| 2.9.10 @ 1:30PM
This is obviously a very volatile subject but the pro choice group taking the position that the Tebo commercial promotes violence against women are idiots. You can disagree with their pro life position, but to claim it promotes violence against women only discredits the group to a point of ridiculousness. Hint, he was a football player. Tim Tebow has the guts to stands up for what he believes in a respectful way. This is the kind of person I want as a friend.