Video: The first ultra-scary Tebow ad for Focus on the Family
posted at 3:24 pm on February 7, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Steven Ertelt at LifeNews got an advance look at the Focus on the Family ad for this evening’s Super Bowl [see update below -- for the pre-game], featuring Pam Tebow and her son Tim. The ad, which created a firestorm of controversy, shockingly depicts a mother proud of her son, who “almost didn’t make it into this world,” and even more horrifyingly notes that “I love him.” Next thing you know, Super Bowl ads will talk about apple pie, hot dogs, and the American flag. It’s a slippery slope, I tell you:
Besides calling her Heisman Trophy winning son a “miracle baby,” the ad never discusses explicitly the heartbreaking choice offered to Pam Tebow during her pregnancy. For that, the ad refers viewers back to Focus on the Family. Just remember that this was the commercial that infuriated feminists when you’re watching the GoDaddy commercials and skimpily-dressed women selling beer. Be sure to check LifeNews for the transcript.
Update: This is one of two commercials — the other one will run during the game, and that will be the more “controversial” spot. This is the pre-game ad, which is running now.
Blowback
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Holy cow, just saw that ad, all I can think of is deliver us from evil amen. I hope the sarcasm is apparent.
fourdeucer on February 7, 2010 at 5:20 PM
No links.
mankai on February 7, 2010 at 5:21 PM
But if any woman out there who is thinking about an abortion cause of your doctor told you what could happen is that you could bleed out and die then you should be aware that the reason your doctor is telling you this is cause there’s a not insignificant chance that what will happen is you will bleed out and die.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 5:19 PM
Nice sentence structure there, Walt Whitman.
kingsjester on February 7, 2010 at 5:21 PM
happyfeet- your writing is that of an idiot.
CWforFreedom on February 7, 2010 at 5:22 PM
You structure sentences your way and I’ll munch thoughtfully on tasty butter tarts.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 5:22 PM
John Edwards has a series?
/kidding
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 5:23 PM
You structure sentences your way and I’ll munch thoughtfully on tasty butter tarts.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Nothing I can say in response can top that.
kingsjester on February 7, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Remember the great pro-Life ad the NFL rejected last year?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c&feature=player_embedded
CWforFreedom on February 7, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Anything with links has about a 70% chance of going into the moderation filters mankai. HA may have “wrenched up” the levels too high, but that’s just a guess.
Rovin on February 7, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Hmmm.. Butter tarts are one of the leading causes of obesity and may lead to the wearing of large belts and drape like fabrics to hide your abdomen. Be careful!
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Not yet but rumor has it he’s the next Flav-a-Flav.
thomasaur on February 7, 2010 at 5:25 PM
I love how idiots continually prove me right. Thank you , thank you, and thank you.
CWforFreedom on February 7, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Key West Reader
My other half is just starting to get the drift on the O.
*sigh*
elclynn on February 7, 2010 at 5:29 PM
I suspect some form of alcohol is also something happyidiot needs to avoid as well.
CWforFreedom on February 7, 2010 at 5:29 PM
You celebrate Life your way Mr. jester and I’ll celebrate Life my way and Mama Tebow can celebrate Life however the hell she wants.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 5:19 PM
Celebrate diversity!
Mr_Magoo on February 7, 2010 at 5:32 PM
You know what? I buried a child. She was a happy and healthy girl who died suddenly. When I was pregnant I was told that they found a problem in utero. I carried to term anyway and she taught me the meaning of unconditional love. She lived so that I could learn what love really meant.
So step off, you ignorant disgusting troll. And I hope your dreams are full of the images of whatever it is that will satisfy your appetite for the blood of dead children. Fooker!
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 5:32 PM
Socialist commies love to kill; 100 million last century.
father on February 7, 2010 at 5:34 PM
OMG… Too funny. Someone will photoshop this one. Of this, I am certain.
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 5:34 PM
There’s nothing wrong in pointing out that not every baby will be a miracle baby and for a certain number of womens what follow Mama Tebow’s advice, they will be lethal babies.
How is Mama Tebow’s anti-doctor philosophy any different than the little president man alleging that doctors want to saw your legs off for money?
Not very different, really. I know doctors are neurotic but they’re not evil anti-Life ghouls.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 5:35 PM
You structure sentences your way and I’ll munch thoughtfully on tasty butter tarts.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Careful there happyfeet. With talk like that (freedom of choice), you just might find yourself at a Tea Party event. Then you’ll be labeled a crazy, right-wing, gun-totin’ racist!
Mr_Magoo on February 7, 2010 at 5:36 PM
You sure are a strange and demented little troll. Are you satisfied or joyful about anything in life?
OmahaConservative on February 7, 2010 at 5:37 PM
She just seems so bitter about everything in life.
Blessings to you KWR!
OmahaConservative on February 7, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Pro-Abortion zealots would still vomit at this ad, because they don’t fight for “rights” or “choice”… They fight for anti-human causes, death, and totalitarianism.
RightWinged on February 7, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Now you have crossed a line… two in fact.
My brother in law is a heart surgeon who has saved hundreds of lives over the course of a long career. You are blasting women who choose not to abort their babies and now you are demeaning life saving doctors?
Obama’s on the thread?
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 5:40 PM
They should have taken advantage and made a few more ads. They could have thrown in an anti-gay spot and anti-Muslim one featuring that teen who claimed her family was going to kill her for converting to Christianity. That would have been neat.
fastestslug on February 7, 2010 at 5:41 PM
They just had Chairman Mao on with Katie (CBS) discussing his health care plan.
Dire Straits on February 7, 2010 at 5:42 PM
Thanks, Omaha. I will always KNOW that the reason my daughter lived was to teach me what true and unconditional love is. Without her, I would never have learned that lesson. Her death brought me to my knees, but the life that she brought to my heart will never die. Everyone is placed here for a reason, and her life on this earth taught me the best lesson I could ever learn.
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Most of us are fortunate to not have to know or experience the grief you have. Bless you for your strength and your ability to carry on.
fourdeucer on February 7, 2010 at 5:45 PM
God bless you Key West.
yoda on February 7, 2010 at 5:50 PM
When you have Faith, nothing can defeat you.
I, have Faith in America.
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Revolver might have been the first album they did it on, but all the hoopla was from the White Album and “Revolution 9.”
NavyMustang on February 7, 2010 at 5:53 PM
I’m not sure I am going to be able to recover after watching that video SARC! Oh the ho’er a baby is a miracle not a burden. Go figure, and they can grow up to be Heisman Trophy Winners. Make it Stop LOL!
Dr Evil on February 7, 2010 at 5:53 PM
So sad
So Sad
So Sad
No Freedom in America
No Freedom what so ever
Obama is King and off with our heads if we Dare question how he got there.
Gleen Beck no Freedom of Speech.
Ed Morrissey no Freedom of Speech.
Both forced to lie for the King. Forced to accept a phony document and two stupid newspaper clipings for the most important job in the world. When anyone with an IQ above a corpse (man?) knows that would not get you in preschool. Hey maybe Pre-School is why Stanley made sure Barack had a Birth Certificate in America. Their lies are so transparent.
McCain was forced to prove to the Senate he was Natural Born Citizen. But how dare anyone ask his Oneness to do the same.
Barry Soterro (his oneness)attended school in Indonesia for years a country that allowed only Indonesians to attend schools and required even Catholic Schools to teach Muslims like Barry two hours of Islam per day or face 10 years in prison. First year in a Muslim only school (Magrassa?). While in college he used his Indonesian citizenship/Passport to get a Visa to visit the most radical area of Pakistan (no Americans allowed by new Dictator there).
No freedom to question this.
Not on a blog
Not on TV
Not in the Senate
Not in the House
Not in the Courts No Standing (means they for no reason refuse to hear it)
Not at school
Not in a News Conference
Freedom. How dare we want Freedom in Obamaland.
No freedom to tell wonderful stories about a sports hero and hero mom if it might help even one woman choose life or think maybe God has told them they will be safe.
No freedom to chose life over Abortion if the Doctor says Abortion.
Freedom NOT in Amerika.
Steveangell on February 7, 2010 at 5:56 PM
okey dokey
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:03 PM
What a nice ad. Such a change from all the other Superbowl ads.
4shoes on February 7, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Nice exit, punk rat bastid.
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Why do I have this sinking feeling that the Chairman has become irrelevant as of late?
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Happyfeet, doctors tell women with highrisk pregnancies to aabort all the time. Sadly, this is even more true if the child is thought to have disabilities. I was told to abort my son by my original OB. I left her practice. OB is already a high risk profession, and children born with disabilities raise a doctor’s rate of neonatal death. They have a vested interest in seeing these children aborted.
Now, no one is suggesting that ALL OB’s are like this, but I have never spoken to a parent of a special needs child who was not heavily pressured or outright told to abort.
Vera on February 7, 2010 at 6:11 PM
This has nothing to do with special needs kids. This has to do with a life threatening situation where both mom and kid can die. The doctor has to tell the mom the risks, and the doctor knows much more about the risks than this self-righteous Tebow woman does.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Thanks for pointing this out… I recently heard of some experiences similar to what you are talking about…
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Right now, you’re the one coming off as self-righteous… Don’t you need to go harass some people over at C4P?
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:15 PM
Now millions, no, billions, of women will be brainwashed and enslaved by right wing ideology, roe v wade will be overturned and women will be forced to go to a back alley for an abortion — all because of this one commercial. How dare the Tebow’s do this to America, how dare they!
Narutoboy on February 7, 2010 at 6:16 PM
If this woman’s ad is at all effective, she’s gonna get women killed, MeatHead.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:19 PM
No… The women in question will (at worst) die because of a choice THEY made. Is that like someone arguing to keep guns legal “getting” people killed that shoot themselves with a gun?
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:21 PM
That’s it! We should ban cigarettes because cigarettes will kill people! /happyfeet
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:22 PM
First of all, this has everything to do with special needs kids. Mrs. Tebow’s doctor encouraged abortion because the drugs used to treat her condition were likely to cause birth defects. She wasn’t being reckless, she took the medication and followed her doctors orders for her pregnancy. She just didn’t kill her son in the process.
There is a vast difference between explaining risks and telling a woman she should abort. My first pregnancy was complicated by placenta abruptio and preterm premature rupture of membranes. After I left the abortion happy doctor, I found a doctor who explained the risks and told me what to look for in terms of hemorage so I could get to the hospital if I needed to. After the rupture, I was hospitalized and given antibiotics and drugs to stop labor. All risks were explained, but expectant management was more than appropriate.
It’s obvious from your comments that you’ve never gone through a high-risk pregnancy. For your sake, I hope you never do. It isn’t a good thing, and it’s even worse when you feel that your doctor does not value the life of your child.
Further, she isn’t telling women to disregard their doctor’s advice, but just saying that there is hope after a poor prenatal diagnosis. Often these things are presented as completely hopeless.
Vera on February 7, 2010 at 6:23 PM
killed in the sense of what killed my wife?
It’s called a placental abruption, sir. We used to warn women about the possibility before we all decided that golly that lovely Mrs. Tebow person was right and gosh darnit, every baby is a miracle baby.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Obviously, she was wise to not take the doctor’s advice.
Sporty1946 on February 7, 2010 at 6:25 PM
I suppose so.
Wait, Tebow is simply (at most) encouraging women to consider their options. Not every woman that has a risky pregnancy is going to die. It’s a personal choice and that shouldn’t be scolded or frowned upon if someone chooses to bring their child into this world.
Now about those cigarettes? Wanna ban them?
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:28 PM
Great post, Vera. I had the same ‘your baby’s gonna die’ from one doc. Switched to another and lo and behold she was perfect and beautiful. She did die, but her death had nothing to do with any of the sh*t that was fed to me by the ‘diagnostic technicians’.
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Actually, happyfeet, it’s called placenta abruptio. If it occurs early in pregnancy it is managed by bedrest and observant care. If the mother is actively hemoraging to the point of risking her life, the doctors will intervene, usually by c-section.
I find it hard to believe that you don’t know the name of the condition that you claim killed your wife, but if you did indeed lose your wife to it, I am sorry.
That said, a partial abruptio, which is what Mrs. Tebow and I both had, is managed by watchful waiting. Her course of action regarding management of this condition is standard.
Vera on February 7, 2010 at 6:31 PM
but no one should frown if someone doesn’t want to risk death either Mr. MeatHead, and the Focus on the Family goons are very frowny about that indeed.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:31 PM
Mayo calls it placental abruption.
Stupid doctors.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:34 PM
You’re going to make me defend Focus on the Family? Again, let the women decide – the message is a good message. You have a problem with Focus on the Family for being frowny, yet YOU are the definition of frowny. Get off the high horse and share it with Dobson, will you? Better yet, I think Pat Robertson is calling…
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:34 PM
You are a disgusting and repulsive commenter. I hope that Ed or Allah can see what you are doing.
In the meantime, I’mma watch the Colts tromp all ovah the Saints.
In my heart, I want the Saints to win their first. But reality is that Obama bet on the Saints, and hence, they shall lose.
Note to Obama: Stay out of our lives. That includes:
The Superbowl, supermarkets, doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, banks, car dealerships, foreign countries, state and local elections, corporations, Wall Street, Sesame Street and Main Street.
“Get back… Get back.. Get back to where you once belonged”.
/The Beatles.
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 6:34 PM
Happy Feet never addressed the cancer sticks issue…
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:36 PM
I didn’t make me no commercial Mr. MeatHead. Me and Mr. Dobson are very different like that.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:36 PM
He’s licking his wounds. Be patient.
Key West Reader on February 7, 2010 at 6:37 PM
I quit smoking when the little president man taxed them for his dirty socialist SCHIP scheme. It’s been almost a year since I smoked at all.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Again, happyfeet, the abortion was recommended because Tim was likely to have disability, not because of Mrs. Tebow’s healh issues.
You seem to be confused because the presumed disability was to be caused by medicine given to Mrs. Tebow. Note, she didn’t refues the medicine. She took the medicine knowing the risks to her son in order to give them both a chance of life.
This isn’t a story of rejecting medical advice to the point of putting yourself in danger, it’s a story of accepting whatever consequences might come and doing everything possible to preserve life.
Vera on February 7, 2010 at 6:38 PM
I don’t think cigarettes should be banned because number one they are very tasty and number two they are your best friend when the world turns against you and number three they are very tasty.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:39 PM
I doubt you could afford to make a SuperBowl commercial… instead you come here and moan about the frownyness… You’re right… there is a difference. You cry more and are less tolerant.
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:39 PM
B-b-b-but they’ll get people killed. Plus, I’d take a child’s life over taste, but that’s just one pov I suppose…
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:40 PM
Tell me about it… I feel like I’m talking to Joy Behar.
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:41 PM
no Vera that doesn’t track…
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:41 PM
For some reason I might know you. I’m a big Key West fan and visitor there.
simkeith on February 7, 2010 at 6:43 PM
OH MAN!!!
They just made NOW and NARAL look like idiots!!!!
The ad was hysterical!!!!!!!!
IrishGirl17 on February 7, 2010 at 6:44 PM
apparently they were concerned she had messed up the fetus by taking medicine for amoebic dysentery, but Mrs. Tebow says the abortion option was cause they feared she would die.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:45 PM
I even just let my 11- and 5-year olds watch this commercial. I am sure they are scarred for life.
Sekhmet on February 7, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Why would you burden your children with a baby at a young age??? /s
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Holy CRAP. They made the pro-abort and “feminist” crowd look like fools! THIS is the add they had a hissy fit over? HA!
Way to give them some rope and let them hang themselves. This is the commercial that “pro-choice” people had to take a stand against?!?!
Ampersand on February 7, 2010 at 6:51 PM
The second ad was winsome — and funny this time.
NOW can’t compete with that!
INC on February 7, 2010 at 6:51 PM
Well played FOTF.
daesleeper on February 7, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Okay… well it’d better at least say the word abortion. Cause if it doesn’t…. some people look pretty foolish.
And Focus on the Family looks incredibly smart! Make the other side say stupid bigoted stuff… then be polite.
Everyone is waiting to see the ad… we all know the story now. They don’t have to tell us!
Amazing how stupid the left is! Why do they think they are smarter than us again?
petunia on February 7, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Are you one of those people who claim to be pro-choice but are really just pro-abortion?
If you are truly pro-choice, then you have to accept that Mrs. Tebow made a choice.
Accept it.
ladyingray on February 7, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Didn’t you hear the intolerance leaking out of that ad!!!
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:53 PM
The “from the beginning” was because they wanted her to abort due to pathogenic amoeba and the risk of fetal harm from the medicines she was given. The abruptio was secondary to the infection, and as your your quote notes, the concern was that Tim would be born stillborn.
Vera on February 7, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Ah… but she made a choice and is now jeopardizing the lives of other women… /happyfeet.
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 6:54 PM
No Vera read what Mama Tebo says.
That’s unequivocal.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:55 PM
*Tebow* I mean.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 6:55 PM
I’m starting to think this was a brilliant Machiavellian move on Focus on the Family’s part. They come out smelling like roses and manipulated the “pro-choice” people into making fools of themselves.
Well played.
Ampersand on February 7, 2010 at 6:57 PM
I don’t think Focus made an attempt to manipulate NOW–NOW did it to themselves.
I think Focus wanted to keep it brief and warm to grab people’s attention. There’s a longer story at their website.
They were trying to be winsome–not clobber people.
INC on February 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Isn’t that the nature of our current American Left? They tend to get worked into a frenzy over things that just aren’t that upsetting…
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 7:01 PM
Yeah, it is!
INC on February 7, 2010 at 7:01 PM
It’ll be brilliant brilliant brilliant until the media finds stories of dead women what wanted to do it Mama Tebow’s way.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Why don’t you just send in your story? I’m pretty sure these stories are already out there… Imagine, women choosing to risk their lives to give birth to their children! OMG!
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 7:04 PM
I don’t have as story that I know of I was adopted.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 7:05 PM
This is a stupid statement. Don’t you think Mrs. Tebow knew the risks? She still made a choice. It was her choice. You sound like you want to be able to force a woman to have an abortion.
ladyingray on February 7, 2010 at 7:05 PM
*a* story I mean
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Sure you have a story. Just send in your “I hatz sara palen” diary.
Now, don’t you have to go protest in front of the Duggar’s house?
MeatHeadinCA on February 7, 2010 at 7:07 PM
I don’t want to force women to have an abortion. I just don’t want them faced with a sick marketing campaign urging them to dismiss their doctor’s advice and risk their lives and then end up dead.
This Mama Tebow style of argument by anecdote would be wholly dismissed if it were made by dirty socialists, wouldn’t it?
Yes. Yes it would.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 7:08 PM
so you fear a commercial by a woman who was willing to sacrifice her life for her child?
Fighton03 on February 7, 2010 at 7:08 PM
I love the Duggars! They have a prayer closet and they make their own laundry detergent and they have a slide in their house.
happyfeet on February 7, 2010 at 7:09 PM
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