Cross post from Women and Politics.

As if Focus on the Family’s Super Bowl ad hasn’t already sparked harsh criticism and anger, they decided to go ahead and double down.

Yes, the extreme anti-choice group has produced yet another commercial gem, which will be aired…wait for it…four times during the pregame show.

So now we don’t even have a chance to heat up our queso before having anti-choice rhetoric shoved down our throats.

I find the outright bias and audacity of CBS hard to put into words.
Despite my frustration, I find myself laughing at this scenario, as it
is truly ridiculous that such a hateful and divisive group is airing five ads during the most-watched sporting event of the year. Five.

Not to mention that it turns out CBS has been in bed with this group
for months—helping with the writing of the ad to ensure it was approved
for air. Beautiful.

And now, the latest pièce de résistance: "In fitting with the Super Bowl theme, the ad was made with a bit of humor in it," says Focus on the Family CEO Jim Daly.

I’m sorry, what? Let me repeat that. The organization
that founds itself on the sanctity of human life and wholesome family values has produced a humorous commercial about abortion.

And again, I say—can you even imagine the backlash that would
occur if Planned Parenthood were to produce a humorous ad about
abortion…how pro-choice supporters would be called unfeeling, cruel,
and soulless baby haters?

Never before have I seen such a blatant double standard. Never before have I wanted nothing more than to walk into a TV Executive’s office and scream at the top of my lungs.

How has the anti-choice, anti-woman movement managed to hijack
public discourse? How have we gotten to a place where their hurtful
ideals are eagerly displayed to an audience of over 100 million people?

How did we get here? Studies show we have wide support for a
person’s right to make their own personal, private health care
decisions across this country. We have many pro-choice elected
officials and activists.

But why, despite all this support, do I feel like we’re losing the
battle and drowning in hateful ignorance? How do we win the fight back? How do we effectively speak out?

It seems we’re no match for corporate greed and wealthy socially conservative donors. Our voices can’t match their indoctrinating dogma and full wallets. But we must find a way. It just can’t be all about the money.

We must regain our ground in the fight for reproductive health freedoms. We have come too far to be hurled into a place where we have no control over our own bodies…where the public has no respect for women or reproductive rights.

How we get there, I don’t know. But I do know it has to start now,
with people across the country in all levels of power. This means,
especially, that we need to ensure the election of more pro-choice
women to public leadership.

Because I’m here to tell you, Jim Daly, that there is
nothing funny about abortion or your vicious campaign to control women. And there never will be. 

 

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