Tebow Critics: Going Out In Style

Well, the Tebow ads came and went.  Pam Tebow called Tim her miracle baby and talked about family toughness and love that pulled them through difficult times.  Never was abortion even mentioned.  I think that now would be a good time to reflect on some of the idiocy that has been thrown out in the last week or so.


1. Gloria Allred - Allred made big news when she boldly proclaimed that Pam Tebow may be lying about her story since abortion has been illegal in the Philippines since the 1930's, and even asked for at FTC review of the ad for illegal/misleading advertising.  Two comments on this: (a) isn't one of the principle arguments thrown out by pro-choice advocates the notion that if abortion is illegal, women will still find ways to have abortions, just unsafely?  It seems that if we buy this argument, then we would have to reject Allred's notion that abortion really wasn't an option for Mrs. Tebow.  This is definitely a fair criticism, since Allred herself draws the parallel between the illegality of abortion in the Philippines and the same in the U.S. pre-Roe.  (b) This is more important than that first point.  Allred is actually dead wrong.  According to this New York Times story from 2005, there are at least 400,000 abortions annually in the Philippines, and the WHO estimates that the number may be as high as 800,000.  They are typically offered for between $37 - $93 by real doctors (who have to do the procedures secretly).  Will she apologize?  I somehow doubt it.

2. NOW - The National Organization for Women.  Terry O'Neill, president of NOW, called this ad "extraordinarily offensive and demeaning".  I remind you - she did this without seeing it (which is obvious once you watch the video).  Will NOW (and Ms. O'Neill) apologize?  See below.

3. Planned Parenthood - Planned Parenthood was so offended by the pro-life theme in this commercial (that didn't one time mention abortion or pro-life) that they deemed it necessary to find some famous athletes of their own and do a rebuttal ad...to the ad they had not yet seen.  What's funny about it is that they had to get Al Joyner (who? oh...the guy that married Jackie Joyner-Kersee and was Flo-Jo's brother) and Sean James (who? some dude that made the Vikings roster for two years and never played a down) to make this rebuttal that didn't actually address a single thing in the ad!  Honestly, you know you're struggling when the only "famous" athletes you can find are a guy who's more famous for the female athletes he's associated with than for his own exploits and another guy who never saw a professional field.  This is probably more funny than it is pathetic.


Some media types have done the honorable thing in admitting they look dumb now for criticizing an ad they had not yet seen.  Sports blogger Mike Bianchi, for instance, writes, "If you got worked up over this Tebow commercial, you get a Dud nomination" and "there wasn't even a mention of abortion or pro-life in the commercial.  I know I feel stupid.  Do you?"

Others, however, continue to insist on looking more and more ridiculous.  Terry O'Neill, for instance, says the ad supported violence against women.  She says, "I am blown away at the celebration of the violence against women in it," she said. "That's what comes across to me even more strongly than the anti-abortion message. I myself am a survivor of domestic violence, and I don't find it charming. I think CBS should be ashamed of itself."  WTF mate?  Did you watch the ad?  Of course it comes across more strongly than the anti-abortion message...there wasn't an anti-abortion message in the ad.  


Now some wench named Amanda Marcotte, who is apparently well-known in the feminist blogosphere, tweets the following: "Hey Mom! Tried to kill you from the womb and failed. How about a blind side tackle? Violence against Moms."


Are these people serious?  Their initial attacks were preposterous.  Now that those fell to the floor with a resounding thud, they have to come up with some other poppycock in a last-ditch effort to save face for their initial criticism.  It's not working - it's having exactly the opposite effect.  




*Update* I didn't realize when I posted this, but K-Lo, over at The Corner, had posted on NOW's reaction as well.  I thought it was quite apropos.  Have a look.