Networks Set To Begin Airing Condom Ads In Prime Time

American Family Association ^ | 3-16-05 | Donald Wildmon,Founder and Chairman

[Just Kimberly]

Please forward this message to your family and friends!

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Take Action Today!

Networks Set To Begin Airing Condom Ads In Prime Time

CBS and ABC have said they are seriously considering airing condom ads during prime time and daytime television. NBC and Fox and other networks will follow their lead.

I hope this concerns you as much as it does me. The condom companies say their purpose in airing their ads is to help stop the spread of disease. So, why do their ads promote products like "Warm Sensations" and "Twisted Pleasure"?

Don't be fooled by their double-speak. If the networks decide to break their self-imposed policy of not airing condom ads, we'll soon have Church & Dwight's "Trojan Man" ads bombarding our children at every turn.

You can expect that these ads will be aired repeatedly, especially during sporting events.

The networks and condom companies don't really care about what they advertise when our children are watching television. They want to make money! That's why one company president said, "…we could quadruple this business." Does that sound like a company that has our children's best interest in mind?

Do you want the networks to start airing condom ads all hours of the day? Once condom companies get their foot in the door, it’s only a matter of time before the ads will get more and more graphic.

Please send an email message to the six major networks that use public-owned airwaves. Let them know you want them to reject any offers to air condom ads on network television.

Click Here To Send Your Letter To The Networks! http://www.afa.net/Petitions/TakeAction.asp?id=125 (copy and paste if link doesn't work)

Sincerely,

Don

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman American Family Association

P.S. Please forward this email to family and friends

______________________________________________________ (My Response)

Dear Television Network President,

"I have learned that network broadcasters are considering plans to accept and air ads for condoms during daytime and primetime viewing hours.

I strongly oppose these ads on network television because of the number of children who might watch your network.

The FCC licenses you specifically to "serve the public interest." I believe it is NOT in the public interest to air ads for these sexually oriented products.

You may argue that these ads will be discerning and for the purpose of preventing sexually transmitted diseases, I will not be persuaded.

I look forward to hearing that you will continue to abide by industry precedence and refuse to air condom ads on your network."

The above quotes are the 'suggested email response' given to us by American Family. Very polite and to the point - but I must put my two cents in.

What is wrong with you people? I really do not mean to attack you - but do you think it is appropriate for condom ads to be shown when young children are watching? How many (really) 5 year olds and up do you really think need them?

Oh, I get it. You are marketing to the parents! Guess what? They already know what they are for and have chosen NOT to use them - because they have kids!

Look guys, I doubt very seriously that your cash bottom line is suffering to the point that you need to present these ads on primetime T.V. I mean, don't you make enough money from the ads in the porn industry, the college market, MTV, etc.? Surely there are enough gays and college kids to keep you in business.

I believe, honestly, you are sincerely only doing this for the 'shock factor'. It will call more attention to you , and you may sell one or two more of your particular brand.

Yes, I am a Conservative Christian Mother of two teenage boys. It is MY business on how to educate MY children. Now, if these were T.V. shows, I could just choose not to watch. But when you are watching a show in primetime with your kids (which , by the way is very difficult, because even the good shows are focusing on more sexual topics and innuendo), it is hard to quickly switch the channel due to commercials.

Can you - FOR ONCE - think about the generation you are helping to educate? You realize these kids are our future, and they are going to be SO polluted by your advertising that Bill Clinton will look like a spot on Sesame Street.

I worry so much about my future Grandchildren. What will you guys think of next? I cannot wait until YOU people have kids and grandkids. Oh, wait - you are probably the type who will let them watch porn at the age of five, and have them shooting up their classmates by the age of nine.

Sorry. Enough is enough. (Did you not notice the voice of the Christian Public in November? We are still here. And do you think we are not smart enough to launch a counter campaign. Don't give us much credit, do ya?)

[Just Kimberly]

Above is an email I recieved today. Many of you may have gotten it, too. I enclosed my response below the information. I chose to speak up and exercise my freedom of speech. I do not think they are going to like me much, but I cannot remain silent any longer. It is time for the MSM to be put in their place. Sorry if I offended anyone here - just can't take it anymore, and wanted to share for those who may not know about this already. JK And by the way - they have restricted alcohol ads, taken away cigarette commercials - but this is supposed to be okay?

[HitmanLV]

I don't even watch the networks very much at all, and encourage others to do the same.

[KoRn]

Well now along with 'male enhancements' we will see condoms......Just damn, what's next?????

[kingu]

Let me see if I understand this right... Commericals for condoms during prime time are going to have an effect that would supersede the effect of having bowls of condoms in the office at your local elementary school?

They'll have more effect than having a teacher explain in detail how to open a condom package in middle school?

They'll have more effect than having a teacher demonstrate on a cucumber in high school?

It's a legal product - the companies have a legitimate interest in promoting their product, the television networks pay for their programming from those advertising dollars. I've no problem with their advertising condoms at any point of the day. If you're worried about your children, DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION. I'll guarantee that seeing Doogie Howzser debating having sex with his girlfriend will be a far deeper effect on their lives than a simple television commerical.

Perhaps I'm just too much into this personal responsibility. Perhaps our nation would be well served by having classes in school that show folks how to turn off their televisions and change channels when something they don't want to see comes on.

[Zivasmate]

Not only that , but the content of alot of these sexed-up network shows is far more suggestive than any condom add.

[kingu]

*passes over the fire resistant jumpsuit*

Guess if you're going to get in the line of fire with me...

[endthematrix]

The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and you know is uninfected.

---

JK, don't cover your eyes...


"consistent condom use is a highly effective means of preventing HIV transmission."


"Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis."

"Genital ulcer diseases (genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid)and HPV infections can occur in both male or female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid only when the infected area or site of potential exposure is protected. While the effect of condoms in preventing human papillomavirus infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer, an HPV-associated disease."

Fact Sheet, Male Latex Condoms:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts/condoms.htm

[Jeff Chandler]

If you're worried about your children, DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION.

[neverdem]

DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION

Such a command always struck me as one that causes the temptation of forbidden fruits, and as useful as Prohibition. Besides, some television is informative and useful as long as it's age appropriate. History, hard science and math for home schoolers comes to mind.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the CDC link. It's recommendations are notable for how relative they happen to be, with so few hard numbers.

[little jeremiah]

Moral Absolutes Ping.

FYI. I got the email too since I'm on their list. Being lazy, I figured someone else would post it!

Who needs TV, anyway? There's FR for news, books for entertainment, and playing music for fun.

Let me know if anyone wants on/off (or back on) this pinglist.

Note: One of the best things anyone can do for his/her children is to throw away the television.

[kingu]

Such a command always struck me as one that causes the temptation of forbidden fruits, and as useful as Prohibition. Besides, some television is informative and useful as long as it's age appropriate. History, hard science and math for home schoolers comes to mind.

But what you're describing is learning, supervised by an adult. That's not watching television. The problem is that parents abdicate their responsibility and deem that it is everyone else's problem to handle their problems.

There are bad things on the Internet. My daughter is on the Internet. Therefore, my reaction should be: get rid of the bad things on the Internet. Instead, I teach my daughter to pick appropriate things to do on the net and she has a wonderful time. And when her friends at school mention the darker areas, she is empowered to note that if you don't want to see those things, you can stay away from them, and she invites them to websites that are more appropriate.

And shockingly, it works. Sure, sometimes she slips, goes into a chat area she really shouldn't be in. She's aware of it, and I can see it on her face.

That's another secret to protecting your kid on the net. They don't ever require privacy while online. If they demand it, they're doing something they don't want you to see, and you've got a lot more problems than what's on the computer screen.

Parenting is a seven day a week, twenty four hour a day job. Yeah, I make a lot of mistakes, yes I have a lot of failures under my belt, but I'm never going to depend upon someone else to raise my kid.

*cough* </rant>

[neverdem]

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

Please consider any ping lists that you may have. When I used condoms, failure or condoms, failure rate at PubMed, some studies approached twenty percent, IIRC. Please consider writing some of these money grubbing boobs.

[Veto!]

Oh good! Another reason to NEVER watch network tv. Except The Amazing Race and Survivor, both of which are looking for family audiences.

As for the rest of network tv, they can run condom, Viagra, Depends, and Tampax ads all day and night for all I care. A cesspool of bodily functions, that's what its become. Next thing you know, there'll be some American Idol looking for people who can vomit on key.

[endthematrix]

Just saw a TV blurb that Sharron Stone received an award for her fight against AIDS. What? By placing a bowl of condoms in the foyer of her home so that her daughter could grab a handful before going out to....

[Just Kimberly]

Ahhh, parenting at it's best!! Go Sharon Stone! (this is me being sarcastic). The POINT - yes - if I am afraid of my children seeing something I deem indecent on television - I turn it off. HOWEVER - to ALL who have responded with sarcasm.... These are commercials we are talking about! If you are watching 'the game' with your child, do you really think you are going to be paying attention to the commercials?(except during the Super Bowl) Isn't that when you run to the kitchen to fill your drink, etc.?

As parents, it is our responsibility to TURN IT OFF!! But when they begin running commercials, 30 second spots that are there before you can blink - how do you control that? Other than to flip REAL FAST - but the damage is done.

Schools do not need to educate the kids on sex, etc. - PARENTS DO! But,since many parents have given up that right, as THEIR lives are more important,somebody has to do it, this I understand - however, Thank God I was never involved in a class as some have described above. Although that may have stopped me from ever having kids!

Why not teach morals and values at home?

Look guys - think about it this way - this entire society has become so desensitized to 'sex sells' that nothing shocks anymore. THAT is the issue. And forcing info into a home where parents are attempting to restore morals and values to this country from the inside out - don't you think they (we) need a little support - instead of being made fun of?

To all who have responded with the decency and moral thoughts here - since I did post to Religion/morals, Thank you. I appreciate the fact I am not alone in standing up for future generations. If we do not put limits somewhere - it will never end. I was watching C-span not too long ago when the 'obsenity and decency' act was on the floor - a very wonderful REPUBLICAN Representative stood up and asked how many more E.D.(erectile dysfunction) ads did we have to see? Especially during the Super Bowl - when children are watching?

There is a time and a place for everything. Keep this junk on MTV, FX, etc., and OFF primetime networks between the hours of 6 and 10. How tough is that? Nickelodeon will be next - rest assured.

Oh, and before anyone begins to hollar "censorship" - you are darn straight! Somethings have NO BUSINESS anywhere CLOSE to our Children! Once it is planted in your brain, where do you think your thoughts are going to go?

A funny story to conclude....

Blank your mind... In the room is a big pink elephant. Do not think about his long trunk. Do not think about his big floppy ears. Do not wonder why he is pink. Do not think about why an elephant is in the room. Do not think about the tusks he has. Do not think about his big feet thundering across the floor.

Now.....What are you thinking about? JK

[beyond the sea]

Networks Set To Begin Airing Condom Ads In Prime Time

Damn, this was the only thing missing during 'Ozzie and Harriet' and 'Father Knows Best' when I was young.

This country is being taken down the sewer.

[Just Kimberly]

Not being 'taken down the sewer' - it's already there. Time to crawl out and flush the garbage. JK

[jo kus]

"DON'T LET THEM WATCH TELEVISION."

Jeff, that is an unrealistic option. Do you have children? How are you going to control them when they are at friends or when you aren't home?

Regards

[franky]

By not watching TV yourself.

I watch station EWTN and TMC. Sometimes I watch History or Discovery depending on the show. The Weather Channel is not bad and an occasional sporting event.

It is just my wife and myself. Our grandkids are well trained by their parents to keep TV to a minimum.

We control our pleasures and our kids will have control also.

It starts with us.