Freedom to Preach?

I'd like to expand on a story from one of the links from yesterday's post to provide the Flogging Whip with a sense of satisfaction today.

The story/article/information concerns the apparent plan for various TV markets to show graphic anti-abortion "bloody fetus" images via a paid ad during the Super Bowl's commercial time-outs. Tell me, is this what you want to see while rooting-on your team of choice? Do you want to have your pizza and hot wings while viewing a gory image no matter what the purpose?

I didn't think so.

What irks me the most about the aggressive anti-abortion message is not only how distasteful the idea is, but the In-Your-Face at any cost many radical factions of the political-cultural populace will go to pound their message into your living/screening room.

An image of a bloody fetus is not always from an abortion. The image from a miscarriage will cause a similar vision. How lovely for those who have had the misfortune of a miscarriage to suddenly find themselves hit with what, to them, has to have been a sad and upsetting episode in their lives on a day meant for fun and social gatherings. Where are the minds of those behind this not very brilliant idea? Mean-spirited and off-target, that's where.

There is a time and place for such images to be shown on TV. News programs. Special Reports. Ads on the pious 700 Club and other programs of similar focus. Places where the audience may expect to see such advertisements. Similar to images of war and the bloody aftermath of same, at least when I tune in to a "Special report" on the maiming of soldiers, I'm prepared to either tune-out or look away if I don't want grim images to stick to my brain.

Oh sure. Those who are behind the ads want to use the huge audience of the Super Bowl to make a large statement to those who don't, they think, share their views, or may be waffling on their position to be Pro Life or Pro Choice. In a way, it's an interesting, albeit controversial platform, which is precisely what "they" want. Controversy = lotsa chatter pro or con. Either way, the message is "out there" to the masses.

Nevertheless, I call a huge Foul.

Perhaps Madonna can divert attention from the egregious intentions of the Commercial Crashers by wearing one of her less-than-chaste on-stage outfits during her halftime performance. You know, do something equally radical minus the gore so that beyond the game we'll have another On Stage Gaffe to chortle and Twatter about for years to come. This is one time I'm hoping Madge will bring back the wild child she once was and stop trying to impress with her latest matronly dress.

Should you care to refresh yourself on the details of the ads, (or for the first time), go here to read it and steep. (Different link from yesterday.) Spare Us From The Nuts