policy with pop

Tim Tebow: From the Football Field to the Political Arena

Tim Tebow seems a likeable guy. When Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks belittled the Heisman winner, he responded in a classy and humble way, earning my respect. Since then, he’s won another national championship, cried, and recently won the Sugar Bowl. But, the quarterback may be making a controversial play by participating in a Focus on the Family ad promoting a pro-life chance.

Liberal organizations, especially pro-choice groups, are criticizing CBS and Tim Tebow for the upcoming Super Bowl ad. The ad will reportedly feature Tim’s mother describing her decision to give birth to him. Obviously, that decision resulted in producing the Heisman-winning quarterback, which implies that every pregnant woman should not choose abortion.

CBS had previously rejected other political ads, stating that its policy was to reframe from such ads. Some feel like CBS has backtracked on this policy by allowing this ad, produced by right-wing religious group Focus on the Family. The group describes itself as a global Christian ministry. Focus on the Family has been described by some liberals as a hateful, anti-gay and anti-women group. Obviously, Focus on the Family is a controversial group.

Women’s organizations are not the only ones hoping to pass interfere with the ad. Some football enthusiasts say a political/religious ad is inappropriate for a day to tailgate, drink, and watch football.

Tim Tebow, like any high profile football player, is either loved or hated by football fans, depending on which college football team they are rooting for. However, Tim has always made his faith known to the public. Besides stories about his missionary trip and his vow to remain a virgin until marriage, he also puts Bible verses on his eye markings. But, I don’t recall him using his public microphone to preach advocate his political positions. This ad would be his first.

Defending himself from criticism over the Super Bowl ad, he argues that he’s just standing up for what he believes in. Sarah Palin also blocked the quarterback’s scramble, by criticizing women’s groups for their criticism of Tim and pro-lifers.

Does the ad’s affiliation with a ultra-conservative group matter?

Is the Tebow ad an attack on pro-choice group and laws?

Is it wise or noble for the quarterback to run into the political thicket of the abortion debate? Or should he concentrate on improving his football techniques?

Should CBS play the political ad? Or is it sacrilegious for the network to mix football with a political/religious debate? 

Aubrey O’Day Bares All

Aubrey O’Day…  I knew the girl during college. We had two classes together. In fact, I studied with tutored her.

Then Ms. O’Day became a controversial reality star on MTV’s Making the Band and a member of the defunct girl-group, Danity Kane. With her crazy antics and all the rumors swirling around about her, Aubrey has her fans but also incites the haters.

While I have my own opinions of Aubrey from personal interactions, I’ll keep them private and won’t weigh in on the fray. But I will share one positive incident that made a lasting impression on me.

One night Aubrey picked me up for one of our study tutoring sessions. One of her sorority sisters was also in her car. Aubrey had just come from an interview for a waitress gig at Hooters. She then playfully declares that she had to wear her PUSH-UP, push-up bra for the interview. She goes on to say that she needed it because she wasn’t as busty as her sorority sister and needed all the help she could get for the Hooters interview.

Even in college, Aubrey always dressed… provocatively. We all knew she was confident in flaunting her body. But this incident showed me that Aubrey was truly comfortable with her body.

That was 2003. Since then Aubrey’s breasts have expanded exponentially… Now I’m not saying the girl got implants, as some say. I haven’t seen or talked with her since 2005. For all I know, Aubrey had a natural growth spurt… that only occurred in the chest area.

The very vocal Aubrey O’Day is not letting these plastic surgery rumors go unaddressed. In her new song “Never Fallin,” she sings that she is all real when it comes to her chest. Apparently, you can ask Hugh Hefner.

Back when I knew her, Aubrey seemed secure with her body. And, I respected her confidence in her body image, even if I did not always understand her choice in clothing (or lack thereof). But, if she did get breast implants, did she sell out?

Even though she is famous, Aubrey is not the only person who comes under scrutiny for how she looks. We all deal with body issues. Should we learn to accept our bodies and avoid plastic surgeries? Or is cosmetic surgery a perfectly acceptable means to achieve the body we want?
 

How Should Mariah Carey Respond to Eminem’s Insults?

Remind me not to get on Mimi’s bad side…

Mariah Carey hits Eminem with a bus of a song in “Obsessed.”

The feud between the megastars started in 2002.  Eminem publically claimed that he had been sexin’ the diva. In the released single “Superman,” Em raps, “Buy you ice / B*tch if you died wouldn’t buy you life / What you trying to be my new wife? What you Mariah? / Fly through twice>”

Mariah did have a rebuttal. “Clown,” off her Charmbracelet album, is reportedly about Eminem and takes the rapper to task, but it was never released. While Mariah made some subtle jabs while responding to reporters’ questions, she never publically launched a counter-offensive. She took the higher ground so to speak.

I thought the 2002 feud had died. It’s 2009 for goodness sake.

But with his return to the spotlight, the rapper brought back his old insults. He raps about Mariah in “Bagpipes from Baghdad,” a song off of his Relapse album, calling her a c*nt, a wh*re, and a b*tch. He also clowns Mr. Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, too.

Nick defended his wifey and launched a blog attack at Em, claiming Slim Shady (a white male) was sexist and racist for insulting the bi-racial diva.

But, Mariah can speak… sing for herself.  She recorded and released “Obsessed.” Now the diva’s camp claims that the song and video is not about the Detroit rapper (apparently she’s vegetarian and doesn’t beef). Right… Because referencing sex rumors and drug problems in your song has no relation to the reignited feud and Eminem. And, dressing up like an Em is only a coincidence.

Anyway, what do you make of Eminem's attacks against Mariah? Insults from a jilted ex? Or put-downs from a sexist and racist (like Nick claims)?

How should one respond to insults? For years, Mariah did the supposedly classy thing and only refuted any accusations. And the insults kept coming. Apparently girl got tired of the attacks and fired back. Which approach is best?

And who are you supporting in this war of lyrics?

Jessica Simpson: Weighing Our Judgments

Argue with me if you want but I think Jessica Simpson’s best song to date is 2001’s “Irresistible.”

But Jessica isn’t a teeny bopper pop princess anymore. Her life has changed since then relationship-wise (Goodbye, Nick Lachey. Hello, Tony Romo), music-wise (pop to country) and screen-wise (reality television to movie/direct-to-DVD). But the media and public has taken notice of another change – her body.

The internet was abuzz with photos of her recent Chili Cookoff performance. See.

Jessica received harsh criticism about her weight gain. I mean I felt sad for the girl.

Sister Ashlee came to the defense of her big sis… I mean… her older sis. Ashlee posted the following response to her blog:

I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister's weight. A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman's weight or figure as a headline on Fox News.

All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you're a celebrity, there shouldn't be a different standard.

Is this something you would say to your wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, or even a friend? I seriously doubt it. How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment where we criticize a size 2 figure?

Now can we focus on the things that really matter.

It’s sweet that Ashlee defended Jessica. But I think Tyra Banks made the point more effectively on The Tyra Banks Show when she faced similar weight criticism. Watch the iconic moment:

Now Ashlee and Tyra are saying criticism of female celebrity’s weight is sexist and demeaning to women. Plus, they argue the comments ingrain a harmful body image in girls and women.

Considering both Jessica and Tyra have used their bodies and sex appeal to further their careers and make money, is it fair for the public to critique their bodies?

Weigh in on this debate. What do you think? Is the weight criticism of these celebrities fair or is it mean, sexist and destructive? And, is Jessica Simpson still “Irresistible”?

Palin Faces Sexism... from Media or McCain?

We’ve already discussed the alleged sexism Democrat Hillary Clinton faced in her primary defeat, but is Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin facing sexism in the general?

The McCain campaign and Republicans claims that Palin has been the victim of sexism, especially by the media. One example it frequently mentions is when questions are raised if Palin should be vice president because she is a mother of five. These questions do not arise when male politicians with children run for office. The campaign has also taken issue of the media and society trivializing her candidacy and invading her family’s privacy.

But the McCain campaign is not the only one to cry foul. A pro-Hillary group has also criticized the supposed sexism directed at Palin, even though they do not support her. Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona, who was an Obama supporter in the primary, also noted that Palin faced sexism.

More importantly, SNL has picked up and decided to expose the supposed sexism. Watch it here: 

But the media is not taking these charges lightly. CNN’s Campbell Brown made this declaration:

So is Palin the victim of sexism? And, if so, who’s at the oppressor? Is it the media and society? Or is the McCain campaign? And, what are fair questions and what are sexist?

Note: After Campbell’s charges that the McCain campaign was silencing Sarah Palin from speaking to the media, Palin finally had her first Q&A with the media. Coincidence?

America Against Lively TV

Hilarious. As you can see Ugly Betty star America Ferrara rolled her eyes when her Sister of the Traveling Pants co-star, Blake Lively, talked about the new season of Gossip Girl. Thanks, Talk Soup, for the commentary.

Anyway, Blake was asked about the incident and graciously stuck up for America. How patriotic! She said, “She’s one of my best friends in the whole wide world and honestly, when you’re sitting in a room for three hours doing interviews… we were staring at a post-it with a smiley face, so I think I probably rolled my eyes a hundred times. I’m like ‘Oh gosh, this thing is still going on’.”

Blake was showing some sister solidarity. America decided to go for honesty.

During a magazine interview, America explained herself. According to America, “if you’re watching The Hills or 90210, all of the backstabbing shapes the way we act – you go to school, and you think your job is to find a sworn enemy and be jealous of each other.” She continued, “I mean, I love Black Lively; she’s a wonderful friend of mine, but show like Gossip Girl kind of condition us to be mean.” She also lamented that these shows lack “close, genuine female relationships.”

Girl, America does not mess around! Is she being mean or truthful? Do you think America’s assessment of the effects of teen dramas on its viewers is accurate?

And, if you were Blake, how would you respond to America’s explanation? More sisterly love? Or cat fight? Kidding...

Oprah: See No Palin, Speak No Palin, Hear No Palin

Sarah Palin is in high demand. She made the cover of Time Magazine and countless tabloids. But, despite the attention, she avoided the Sunday political talk show circuit last week. Palin did however interview with ABC World News’ Charlie Gibson on Thursday and will take the hot seat with Fox News’ Sean Hannity next.

One person whom Palin will not be gabbing with before the election: Oprah Winfrey. The Queen of Daytime Talk reportedly refused to have a sit down with Palin on her show. Oprah denied these allegations.

Oprah is a huge Barack Obama supporter, publicly stumping and raising money for him.

She stated that since she publicly announced support for a politician - a first for the media mogul - she will not invite any of the candidates on the Oprah Winfrey Show until after the election. This policy includes Obama and Palin.

Some conservative women are upset at what they see as a slight to the first woman on the Republican presidential ticket. Some of them are calling for a boycott of the show until Oprah allows Palin onto the show.

Do you think Oprah’s self-imposed policy is reasonable and fair? Or do you think Oprah is being biased and is just trying to hinder the McCain-Palin campaign from reaching her legion of women viewers?

Buffy Slays Church Attendance?

“In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer followed the trials and tribulations of a teenage girl, who happens to be super strong and has to save the world a lot. Buffy is the Chosen One but she’s not your typical Slayer. She has friends, loved vampires, and come back from death (twice). Unlike the stiff Superman-hero model, she broke stereotypes and was a relatable, humanized character.

The show has a huge, loyal following. In fact, university classes, academic conferences and papers have explored the social, cultural and philosophical impact this Sarah Michelle Gellar fronted show had.

While praised for its many social empowerment messages, Buffy is most often identified for its girl power theme. She staked vampires. She killed demons. She beat a god into submission. She has power.

But apparently Buffy’s power also challenged the God (Note the capital G. And, no, I’m not talking about Glory). One new academic study in the book Women and Religion in the West claims that Buffy is responsible for the decline in women’s attendance at church. The author, Dr. Kristin Aune, asserts that the show promoted Wicca with its use of witchcraft and made it cool, driving its female following away from the church.

Here’s the first episode, appropriately entitled “The Witch,” in which witchcraft is brought up:

Witchcraft is used throughout the show’s run, especially season six. I encourage Buffy watchers to comment on whether the witchcraft shown on Buffy promoted Wicca over Christianity or not. Give specifics!

And I’ll ask everyone: Is the show responsible for the decline in women church attendance? If so, what, if any, remedy should be applied? Or is Dr. Aune claim inaccurately shifting responsibility of the women’s decline in church on the hit TV show? If so, who or what is to blame?

Palin: Secret Life & Reba Combo?

Is it just me or did the presidential election become a crazy TV show? The recent headlines about the Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has brought a ton of drama to the tube. And she’s only been on the national scene less than a week.

A few days after John McCain selected Palin as his running mate, it was revealed that the religiously conservative governor’s unmarried, 17-year old daughter was… pregnant.

The teenage daughter’s pregnancy is similar to the summer hit show, The Secret Life of an American Teenager. This ABC Family show, a cross between 7th Heaven and a watered-down Juno, explores the tough “realities” of teen pregnancy.

But back to Palin: She got all Reba on us when she became the VP nominees and admitted that her daughter was in fact pregnant. Palin made this public statement, “Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned.” This is reminiscent of Reba, a sitcom that focused on a mother taking care of her untraditional family, which included her teenage-mother daughter. Reba, while realistic about her daughter’s actions, still openly welcomed and celebrated her granddaughter’s birth.

Now Palin’s story touches a lot of different issues (and a few TV shows apparently).

First, how do we prevent teenage pregnancy? Palin advocated abstinence-only education. Can she still make a strong case for that? Or is her daughter’s situation anomalous to that policy recommendation? Or does Palin’s story help support sex-education?

Second, once a teenager becomes pregnant and decides to go through with the pregnancy, how should society treat her? Do we hide it? Shun it? Many school districts segregate pregnant teens – taking them out of the school they were attending and placing them in special schools for pregnant teens (and delinquents). Is this a fair policy? Or do should we treat teen moms-to-be as they were before?

What message, if any, are sent to other teenagers and children with these policies? Should it matter?

Finally, should Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy be a factor in whether we should vote for her and McCain?

The Shorts Suit: A Project Runway Hit?

One of the readers at PolicyWithPop.com (Emily) asked me to write something up about Project Runway. I love that show and the suggestion. So, here it goes.

In the current 5th season of Project Runway, one designer caught my eye. Unfortunately, it was not what he was making for the competition. What caught my eye was what he was wearing.

Wesley, who was eliminated on the second challenge, regularly wore a shorts suit - a normal suit top but, instead of pants, shorts. Honestly, I wasn't sure how I felt about his shorts suit. It definitely has a point of view, and it could be argued that it is fashion forward.

Apparently the shorts suit is making its way into the workplace. The New York Times recently did a story explaining that the shorts suit is gaining credibility at some firms and offices. In the article, those that wear the shorts to work argue that the short suit makes perfect sense stylistically and especially for the hot summer days. Plus, they admit it allows them to show off their calves, which women are already allowed to do in the workplace.

Despite the manly-leg revolution, many top firms have kept their ban on the shorts suit. They do not believe the shorts suit is professional enough for the office.

As Heidi says, "One day you're in. The next day you're out." You be the judge.

So should the shorts suits be acceptable workplace attire? Or is this just a new fad that will eventually fade?