As you have probably heard by now, CBS is allowing an anti-choice advocacy ad to be aired during this years Super Bowl. On Tuesday, CBS stated they would allow other "responsibly produced" advocacy ads to air during the game as well. That certainly didn't give any progressives time to not only raise about $3 million to have the ad aired, but also produced, and approved by CBS. Follow my diary below the fold to learn more about why Progressive must boycott the Superbowl.
Asking some of you to boycott the Superbowl, is like asking you not to breath. I understand that. Progressives love football too. The actions of CBS are highly questionable, especially since they have refused to air other advocacy ads before. Tim Tebow, who I must confess, as a Gator fan, is an attractive young man. He's also a great football player. He's been controversial because he paints Bible verses under his eyes in games. I disagree with that, but I overlooked it. I can not however overlook what he is doing now.
He has teamed up with a hate-mongering group called Focus on the Family. You know, the group that wants to tell you who you can marry, how you should live, and now they are telling women what to do with their bodies. This partnership with Tim Tebow is beyond repulsive.
The ad will tell the story of how Tim's mother was advised to get an abortion while she was carrying Tim. It will give some fairy tale story about how she made the CHOICE to keep the fetus, and he grew up to be a wonderful football player. The ad is obviously pro-life. The people behind this ad want to take away your choice. They want to ensure that people like Tim's mom, do not have the right to choose what they do with their bodies.
This is what NOW had to say about the ad:
Attention activists: Get thee to the Women's Media Center's Not Under the Bus site immediately to stop Focus on the Family's anti-abortion rights Super Bowl ad.
Make no mistake about this ad: it's offensive to women. Yes, it features Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mother, who had been advised to have an abortion after a serious illness. Standing alone, it sends the message that all women who give birth are heroes; it sends a message that abortion is always a mistake; and it is insulting to the one in three women in this country who have abortions.
After intense pressure led by the Women's Media Center and supported by women's advocacy allies including the National Organization for Women, CBS abruptly reversed its long-standing policy against accepting socially controversial advertisements and said they would accept ads so long as they were "responsibly produced." (What does that mean? Who decides? Are women's issues responsible? Is calling out racism responsible? Is advocating equal marriage responsible?)
This is revolting. Focus on the Family, which believes it can counsel lesbians and gays out of homosexuality and would like to end legal abortion, gets accommodation from CBS after that same network previously denied ads from the United Church of Christ depicting a welcome environment for same sex couples.
Progressives must boycott this game.
Tim, it's time for you to keep your opinions to yourself.
NOTE: This recommendation isn't for everyone. People here need to chill out and stop being so nasty with their comments. I wonder why I bother coming here sometimes. I never say you are somehow less progressive if you choose to watch the game. Again, CHILL OUT people.