How About You Focus On Your Own Family?

Dear Mrs. Tebow,

Like millions of other college footballistas, I have watched your son develop into one of the game’s most memorable players. His heart, talent, personal ethics, and ability to run are  like those of Georgia’s own Herschel Walker, and that’s saying something. (Yes, yes. I know he broke Herschel’s rushing touchdown record, but he took four years as opposed to Herschel’s three.) Your maternal pride in this fine young man is justifiable, but I must say that utilizing him to further your religious convictions is anything but.

Your family is deeply religious, and appears to live their beliefs. In and of itself this is absolutely laudable, but your rights and beliefs end right at the point where mine begin. As a mother, I can only imagine your agonizing decision to carry Tim to term despite medical advice to the contrary. Many would have chosen differently so as not to leave four motherless children behind, but your choice is personal and that is precisely as it should be. That said, your personal choice should be kept en famille rather than being a highlight of the bloody Super Bowl. Most people have long since made up their minds in this regard, and I assure you that no 30-second spot during THE football game of the year will have the impact for which you so hunger. I have watched the Super Bowl commercials for many years, and have yet to purchase Gillette shaving cream, Budweiser beer, or the services of e-Trade. I can also assure you that this really isn’t personal – I don’t want to spend Super Bowl Sunday pondering capital punishment, bigamy, or any other burning moral/ethical issue about which I have already made up my mind. I want to watch the damned game and be entertained, not lectured by the commercials, and I couldn’t possibly care any less about Sarah Palin’s support of your venture even if I tried.

As far as Tim goes, he has a bright future ahead. If he’s able to fix that funky throw, he’ll be a tremendous asset both on and off of the gridiron. Any team that drafts him will sleep soundly with no worries of DUI’s, bar fights, domestic violence or any of the other personnel plagues of the NFL. I just don’t want him, or any other male for that matter, advising me how to manage my reproductive system. Personally, I believe that his time might be better spent by imploring the “deadbeat dads” of America to be the kind of man that both he and his father exemplify – but I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that this type of public service/morality message will never air during the Super Bowl despite the fact that every struggling single mother in America would throw in a few bucks to make it happen.

CBS spokesperson Dana McClintock advised the AP that, despite the long-standing policy of eschewing this type of commercials during major sporting events, “we have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy ads after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms.” He then stated that CBS “will consider responsibly produced ads from all for the few remaining spots in Super Bowl XLIV”. I have a few suggestions, Dana. How about messages from MADD and the American Heart Association? Follow it up with ads about children lost in the foster system for 15 years because no one will adopt them. That should do it. Your audience can then feel guilty about their snacks, drinks and homes and a ripping good time will be had by all.

Terry O’Neill has stated that “The goal of Focus on the Family ad is not to empower women. It’s to create a climate in which Roe v. Wade can be overturned. ……….. NOW respects every woman’s right to plan her own family and insists that our laws do the same.”

I join Terry O’Neill in her sentiments, and add that CBS should respect my feelings, my privacy, and mind their own damned business.

Before I close, Mrs. Tebow, just one little suggestion: perhaps Tim should place all but about $40,000/year (about the average family income in Florida) into a fund so that unwanted foster children awaiting adoption will be able to go to school and further their lives. That would be the embodiment of pro-life values.

This is an open thread.