The advertisement below was played during the American Superbowl earlier this year. I thought it was a rather cute ad, though others found it to be a little bit improper, for various reasons. None of those reactions, however, were in line with the basis for this ad being pulled from television.
No, this Doritos advertisement was rescinded because several pro-choice groups complained that it humanized an unborn baby. I wonder: can you humanize someone who is already human?
I think not. A human’s a human, no matter how small, to paraphrase Dr. Seuss’ inspired elephant Horton, from the book and film Horton Hears a Who. Watch the ad below, readers, and see for yourselves:
Doritos Ad
An unborn baby’s heartbeat can be detected three days after conception. A human’s a human, no matter how small.
Fathers. They are not thought on very much today. In some ways, their position has gotten a worse rap than motherhood. Yes, some of them are downright subhuman, but so are some mothers. (Catherine the Great was not very well thought of by her illegitimate son, Paul, who became Czar after her death. He even passed a law prohibiting women from ruling Russia when he came to the throne.)
Yet fathers have a difficult job, too. No, they do not always have to change the baby, or care for the sick children in the family. No, they do not have to do the dishes or the laundry every day. But then, it is no easy job to earn enough money to pay the bills, buy groceries and clothes, and purchase Christmas presents either. And many fathers have that situation facing them every morning.
I have heard some say that fathers are mysterious. To some extent, this is true. But why are fathers so mysterious?
“Well, they aren’t around all the time;” “They aren’t as understanding as mothers;” or “They’re always busy.”
All right. But why?
Fathers are not around all the time because it is their duty to provide for the family. In circumstances where the reverse is true, then the mother is mysterious and the father more familiar. By and large, however, fathers are not always nearby and/or are always busy because someone has to support the family. Often, that job belongs to the father.
As for fathers not being as understanding as mothers, my experience tells me that is pure balderdash. No, not everyone has had my experience, but this I know: Fathers can be as understanding as any mother with their children. Sometimes they can even be more understanding than a mother can.
I have nothing that specifically celebrates Father’s Day, but through these two songs below I can express my sentiments:
“Butterfly Kisses”
“Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)”
These songs do not describe a father for everyone, I know. But they articulate my feelings on fathers perfectly.
Mothers. Women we often ignore, or sometimes we plain dislike them. Doubtless, there are mothers out there who bear disliking. But that has not been my experience.
Oh, I have had fights with my mother, arguments, fallings out, and things of that sort. Most people have. But one of the wonderful, wonderful things about a good mother is that she is almost always willing to forgive the spats and annoying disagreements. Especially if you take out the trash for her or wash up the dishes as part of your apology when she is invariably proved right about whatever it was the two of you disagreed upon. After all, mothers are the ones with experience in the world. What her children think is new mother has seen many, many times before.
For that reason, I have included this song below, “The Mom Song,” in honor of mothers all across the globe. It is not the most flattering song in the world – but it is a mother’s song:
Thoughts on the Edge of Forever 