|
On
The Soapbox
from
the editor

So we now have codes on our
television to warn us of violent or sexual content in the television
programs that we are watching. That's nice. As a father of a four year
old I appreciate this. But now I am worried about the commercials.
Of course the "..not so
fresh feeling..." commercials are annoying enough. But I'm talking about
the commercials suggesting couples getting caught in the shower; oral sex
in the park; items use for "comedy" value. That's right! I'm not
talking about condom commercials or even the "call me for a good time commercials".
These are commercials for your regular, name brand, buy everyday items.
I first took real notice
when my daughter (who was watching Loony Toons on The Cartoon Network)
said "Look, Daddy. They don't have no clothes on.
Sure enough, I looked up
from my computer in time to see a Psychic Advertisement showing tarot cards
with nude figures on them. (Why someone thought that The Cartoon Network
was a good place for a psychic ad is still a mystery to me.) My daughter
wasn't shocked to see Bugs Bunny without clothes. She didn't complain cause
Porky didn't wear pants. She was taken back by the sight of nude
people which I counted being displayed 5 more times that hour.
But The Cartoon Network
didn't want my daughter to be negligent of her naked cartoons and started
to air a promotion where they showed a variety of cartoons "...doing the
no pants dance...".
"...if you can't find anything
good on television it's
because you looked too hard.
"
So I began to watch commercials
more closely and now I am scared. I heard once that the first rule
of retail is "Remember that people in general are STUPID." Advertisers
have really picked up on this.
A commercial for a birth
control solely targeted the fact that it fought acne as a selling
point. (Perhaps if you are still fighting acne you should check your age
before having sex.)
A rambling announcer for
Imitrex (a migraine medicine) warns that some people taking Initrex who did not have heart
disease have had serious heart related problems.
Pravacol (a medicine used
to prevent heart attacks by reducing cholesterol) warns of a serious possible
side affect which has the signs of weakness or muscle pain.
Of course Imitrex and Pravachol
are by prescription only so the other question that I have is why is it
being advertised on my television. Doesn't that cost money? Doesn't that
mean that the prescription will cost more to pay for advertising? Why do
they need to advertise if it's by prescription only? The doctor will prescribe
it if I need it.
I am a firm believer that
if you can't find anything good on television it's because you looked too
hard. Turn the blasted thing off and take your children out for pizza and
putt golf. But on the other hand I think that advertisement rating
should be initialized and should match the rating of the program it is
supporting. If you watch a church service on television you might
notice that they have no beer and condom commercials. It just wouldn't
be appropriate. Not to mention, it would be a waste of money since
the preacher (hopefully) is speaking out against alcohol and premarital sex.
No I don't have the answer,
but I'm still asking the question. Why? Why are 900 numbers appearing on
children's networks? Why are prescription drugs being advertised
on television at all? And why are sexually explicit commercials being aired
on children's afternoon cartoons?
I do know that many people
say just change the channel or get rid of the TV. That would be some
options. But if I were to witness you or your family being treated
in a lewd manner or mugged would you want me to simply turn around?
I think not!
So send me your feedback.
What do you think?
GETTING OFF THE SOAPBOX
ROBIN HOOD |