This video is generating a bit of steam in some parts. I was emailed a link to it and asked to comment. Watch it and then we can discuss.
Some people seem to think, and I sympathize with them to a point, that using Obama in a pro-life ad is at best bad taste and at worse, well worse.
I think that the video makes some good points. Many try to pre-judge the quality of a life these days to determine if that life is worth living. Using Obama’s story as the background, it would have been easy for someone to think that the unborn Barack never had a chance in this world. He obviously did.
Now of course, what really makes some upset is that Obama would deny others the right to live based on similar circumstances to his own. It is this juxtaposition that I believe is the point of the producers of this video. Whether that point is made artfully can be judged by the individual viewer.
The point I would make if I were to have a point is that I object to the notion the right to life is in any way tied to some perceived quality of life or some vague notion of potential. A life is sacred because it is a life, not because that life may one day be notable or valuable in the eyes of others. A life is valuable and sacred simply because it is is a life, a gift from God. This goes for all children, potential or not. Even baby Barack.
January 22, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Good analysis… I watched the clip and, for some reason, just had a bad taste in my mouth afterwards. I have read other [written] stories of this type… the mother already has six children, is syphilitic, would be willing to have an abortion if available… congrats,you just killed Beethoven… (or something to that effect).
Your point about the potential of all children and the sacredness of all life, regardless of the limited or limitless potential to achieve [by the world’s standards] was well made.
Thanks for opening dialog on this one.
January 22, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Very interesting critique of the ad and very correct in pointing out its flawed arguement. I guess I’m not that deep of a thinker because when I first saw the ad, on the morning of the inauguration, I thought it was very appropriate.
We might think of the intended audience of this particular ad and pray that it is profound to them and is a first step in believing in and respecting the sanctity of life, regardless of perceived potential.
Anyway, today I am especially thankful my mom chose life. Thanks Mom!
January 22, 2009 at 1:32 pm
You and I and many pro-lifers understand that a life is sacred because it comes from God. This video is for those who don’t see it that way. This video is for Barack Obama and his people. They need to see that his life could just as easily have been snuffed out — by people like him.
Oh…maybe a baby is not a punishment.
January 22, 2009 at 1:35 pm
irony: Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
Seems rather obvious that while the rest of the world is still caught up in Obamania, that this is a bit of a conscience prick…or at least should be. I do wonder, however, should he sign FOCA, if CatholicVote might not feel a bit different about the video, as it seems praiseworthy of his accomplishments and seems to miss the “potential” for great harm that is within his grasp. Life is sacred, precious and should be celebrated…I don’t want to believe that my pro-life friends would rather that Mr. Obama had never been born, but would rather pray for his conversion. I must admit, the whole situation is rather Hitleresque…promises of a new tomorrow, a brighter day, a stronger country. Death, destruction, scandal, loss of nearly every essential freedom the reality. May God have mercy and may Mr. Obama live up to his potential…
January 22, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I think we may be reading into this video a bit too much. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive 40-second summa of all the reasons abortion is a grave evil.
It merely carries a powerful, yet simple message: Life is a gift–and one we don’t have the right to destroy.
January 22, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I’ve always thought that the fact that Obama wants to “give women the choice his mother didn’t have”
betrays a deep sense of self-loathing….
Either that, or the tantrum of a melodramatic teenager – “I wish I’d never been born!”
Too bad that other children have to die so that he can have his tantrum…..
January 22, 2009 at 2:54 pm
The clip is thought provoking as shown by your comments – all of which I liked. The surprise ending & humanistic tone minus any reference to God does tell me that the target audience are Obama's people (pro-abortionists) if not Obama himself.
January 22, 2009 at 3:00 pm
The important thing here is to get people over their misplaced compassion. Once we get it through their heads that even a poor kid can accomplish something, then we can move on to the idea that a life is not valued by its productivity.
Some people need to take baby steps on this.
January 22, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Point taken about potentiality. However it seems to me a minor quibble compared to the creative reboot of Reagan’s quip that he sees that everyone in favor of abortion has already been born.
January 22, 2009 at 3:42 pm
There is an entire segment of women that obtain abortions for selfish reasons, not simply because they tangibly can not afford another baby, or that the baby’s life is in danger, etc. This video assumes abortions are procured in the ‘best interest of the child’ (we all know this to be a lie). I would think that instance would be in the minority.
Certainly thought-provoking, but still an eerie video given that we know his stance on abortion.
January 22, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Thanks for posting this!!!
My initial reaction from this video was anger. Why? Because the message is a bit puzzling. Had the last images been wording that sent a stronger message about “imagine the potential if Obama would choose life” or “if we would all choose life” or something to that effect, it would have really been a slam dunk and hit home. But, it doesn’t. By merely popping up the “Catholic Vote” logo, it comes across as a bit puzzling. What is the intent? Are Catholics lauding Obama? Are they saying he is okay? Did Catholics vote for him? (the word vote – which I know is in their name, just muddles the message).
I realize the intent behind the ad, but I don’t think it was a homerun with the way it was done. The message could have been a bit stronger to be fully effective.
Simply stated “Mr. Obama, choose life. Your mom did.”
Prayers to all who are braving the cold today in Washington, DC. Let’s keep them in our thoughts and prayers today – that we’ll all keep up the fight for life.
January 22, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Someone ,please make even a better one…for a commercial….just like this, but said even better!
January 22, 2009 at 8:30 pm
They did make it as a commercial. It ran on BET on Tuesday (inauguration). It just sent out a mixed signal to people who don’t truly ‘get’ Catholic teaching. When you end it short of a strong pro-life message, it sounds like Catholics are openly supporting Obama.
Good start, but we have to (and must) do better. Next time it has to be a slam dunk.
January 22, 2009 at 8:30 pm
They did make it as a commercial. It ran on BET on Tuesday (inauguration). It just sent out a mixed signal to people who don’t truly ‘get’ Catholic teaching. When you end it short of a strong pro-life message, it sounds like Catholics are openly supporting Obama.
Good start, but we have to (and must) do better. Next time it has to be a slam dunk.
January 22, 2009 at 10:07 pm
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January 22, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I guess I’m the odd one out – I thought the message was that we can’t possibly assign a value to a life based on certain factors, and that Obama’s success showed just how shallow that is. A lot of people seem to think of abortion as something merciful, saving children and women from lives of misery, and this proves you can’t just make that judgment based on factors you decide are important.
It’s not my ideal ad, but it’s a clever idea and hopefully one that made people think. Targeting it to African Americans via BET was good thinking, too, because there are such higher rates of abortion among minorities.
January 22, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I, too, thought it was very clever.
I’ve been on the other side of the fence, and those mentioned in the ad are many of the exact arguments that pro-aborts use to “justify” abortion.
To me the message came across as: “You might think this kid is better off dead, but you can’t possibly know that. Give life a chance.”
Good point though about the CatholicVote.com at the end. A better punchline is needed.
January 23, 2009 at 1:33 am
Umm… it may not be “MY” ideal ad, but that’s because I’m pro-life, anti-abortion, anti-Obama. Why should it need to be an ad that appeals to me?
I say: target your audience with a thought that will take their breath away. If that’s the objective, I have to think it’s a job VERY well done. What other person could be put in there? Pope Benedict? Maybe that would impress me, but again: I ain’t the one who needs to be impressed.