Those ads are giving him the willies
With all the problems in our country, U.S. Rep. Jim Moran has decided to make it a priority to ensure that no kids hear the word "erectile" on television. The Virginia Democrat wants the House to consider legislation that would ban advertisements for erectile dysfunction drugs between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Said the congressman, "I do object, when you're sitting around with the kids, to be warning people about a four-hour erection. That's not appropriate. I have no problem with the product. I have a problem with advertising it." Yes, let's attach great shame to our private parts and any discussion thereof. It'd be much more fun for boys to be totally shocked, and maybe even a little afraid, when they get a surprise around age 12. Let's face it, little kids couldn't care less about mushy advertisements showing semi-elderly people getting frisky. And if a kid is old enough to take interest in such advertising and ask a question, would it be that horrific to give him or her an age-appropriate answer? I do have to admit, however, that the "Viva Viagra!" ads are so catchy that anyone from 8 to 80 can't help but be sucked in. Moran claims the ads have become "increasingly aggressive ... more pervasive and explicit." Hey, in this day and age, just having a guy toss a football through a tire swing as a metaphor doesn't get anyone's attention. And it's not like those folks in the Cialis spa commercial are in the same bathtub playing "Up Goes the Periscope." I also guarantee you that if the drug companies didn't warn people about the possibility of four-hour erections, a lawsuit is coming from the first guy who has an unwelcome encounter with the corner of a chest of drawers while navigating a dark bedroom. The three major ED-drug manufacturers note that their television advertising is carefully targeted to run during shows that appeal primarily to men over age 50. And at least one of the companies already has its own restrictions on hours of the day when the ads run. If you ask me, Moran is the one going off half-cocked.
Labels: Business, Entertainment, Government
posted by Brant at
1:22 PM
18 Comments:
Are you seriously, seriously kidding? Those ads are disgusting and offensive- and what's worse are the herpes ads. Who in the hell wants to hear about a scabbing herpes rash during dinner? It's one of my huge pet peeves of TV. You are the first person I ever heard defend them. Obviously, you don't have little kids running around.
..."Herpes? Oh yes, little Joey, those are the scabs you get when you associate with skanks."
..."What's a skank, dad?"
I don't even watch TV alot and I still them 24/7 on many major networks. They blanket viewers, they don't target old folks. How would you do that anyway? Advertise only on the home shopping network and the Hallmark channel??
TOO GROSS!!!!
I don't think I've ever heard scabby rashes mentioned during the Valtrex commercials. You have quite a vivid imagination. And I find it hard to believe that any child would be damaged by hearing a Viagra commercial. I can pretty much guarantee they hear worse at school. So, your answer is probably to move to a house in the middle of nowhere, teach your young'uns the three R's at home and avoid all contact with the outside world through radio, television and the Internet. That should do it. Wait, there are probably a bunch of books you should burn, too.
1. Turn the tv off during dinner... then, the conversation topics are entirely up to you.
2. TV advertising is HIGHLY targeted. In fact, it's kinda what I do for a living. There is a reason that you see Triangle Tech commercials during daytime tv and Lexus ads on CNBC and Metamucil ads on the gameshow network.
Brant you failed to mention this was a looney Democratic office holder.
Um, Mr. or Mrs. Reading Incomprehension, the second sentence refers to the lawmaker as "the Virginia Democrat." Try reading a little bit more slowly. Move your lips and trace the words with your fingers on the computer screen if it helps.
Sorry missed it, but it would be civil to not be a jerk about it. Remember that you representing a business, sort of leaves a bitter taste towards the old O-R when you act like a jerk.
Sorry for the tone. I have to confess to sometimes exhibiting jerklike qualities. I think it's a reaction to reading the comments on the daily poll. ;-)
I have to wonder why, for roughly the first 2000 years of mankind's existence, ED wasn't thought to be so big a problem. But it does occur, and I suppose manufacturers have just as much right to advertise cures for ED as they do to advertise cures for headache, which may interrupt even more coupling. As for being offended by herpes ads,is it better to just ignore the fact that herpes exists? People have and will continue to contract herpes. Herpes is an STD, but it doesn't target only the promiscuous. There is no cure. So, it's better to pretend it doesn't exist, or to allow those who have contracted it, maybe through no fault of their own, to fear having intercourse for the rest of their lives?
Ads for Viagra and anti-herpes medications ads aren't promoting promiscuity, they're merely addressing two very real facts of life that can cause pain people. But Americans are notorious for their prudishness, even if it's only skin deep.
Two things I wonder about in these commericials: What do the bath tubs in the Cialis ad represent? And what happens after 4 hours of erectibility?
Joe, they say call your doctor after 4 hours. I'm not even attracted to him.
That's funny. I think I'd be taking out a newspaper ad to brag.
What's in the water in Virginia? The state's attorney general, who is also the presumptive Republican nominee in this year's governor's race, put himself in an awkward spot a few years ago when he suggested to a newspaper reporter that some people might not be qualified to serve as judges in Virginia if they broke the state's sodomy laws.
When the reporter came back and asked if he had ever broken those laws, he replied, "Not that I can recall."
As a Democratic operative told Salon, "I might have forgotten where my car keys were, and I might have even forgotten where my car was, but there's a few things in life you never forget."
--Brad Hundt
Abortion is murder. The media has made it a habit of depicting any and all kinds of sexual acts, diseases, bra sales, you name it, plastering whatever agenda they want on public television. You have to ask yourself...why?? Should we protect our children, and teens from all the filth?? Teens hormones are fueld by this crap. Do the drug companies really need to advertise ED medication on public television. If I had a problem with ED, I'd go to a doctor and follow his medical advise, and go and fill his prescription.. I don't think I'd shop around and try and get the best price. I've had to tell my kids already that it's an adult problem, and that they don't need to know what ED is.....But why should I have to try and explain it to them? If our government can't protect us, what in the Hell is there job? Come on Brant, you want to turn the other cheek? Why? I'd loath a four hour erection too...I think it'd be cool. But that's for me, as adult to decide. All the bombardment of ads for drugs, and better sexual performance all are fueled by the Food and Drug Administration’s need for money. The money involved in the drug company’s paybacks is astonishing. Let talk about hormones, and abortions. All these young kids are led to believe that sex is fun. Abortions are encouraged by the Obama administration. Come on...look at all the revenue that generates...Wow!! Billions of dollars a year are spent on millions of abortions. The bombardment of the media's propaganda of illicit immoral crap helps fuel the hormones, that fuel the sex, that fuel's the abortions. Do we really need bra, women’s underwear, men’s underwear, sexual improvement lubes, skin conditioners on naked women commercials and the list goes on and on. It's all fueled by money. SO… I wouldn't expect to see any legislation soon to curve the habits of the media machine. Who cares if teens, life is shattered by an unwanted baby, or an STD?? We as parents do... I appreciate anyone who stands up and says enough is enough. Leave your TV on! Keep the smut off. There’s a place for the smut in adult magazines, (unfortunately they are legal)but not on public television. (Look at the divorce rate, but that's another blog.)
I doubt that a single teen pregnancy has been a direct result of someone viewing an ED commercial. Kids are led to believe that sex is fun? Well, heck, it is fun, and they don't need someone telling them that, because the vast majority of them are going to find that out BEFORE they are married. And as a point of fact, the Obama administration does not encourage abortion. In fact, just this weekend, the president had this to say at Notre Dame:
"So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions, let's reduce unintended pregnancies. Let's make adoption more available. Let's provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term. Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded not only in sound science, but also in clear ethics, as well as respect for the equality of women." Those are things we can do.
Now, understand — understand, Class of 2009, I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away. Because no matter how much we may want to fudge it — indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the subject are complex and even contradictory — the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature.
Open hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words."
I doubt that a single teen pregnancy has been a direct result of someone viewing an ED commercial. Kids are led to believe that sex is fun? Well, heck, it is fun, and they don't need someone telling them that, because the vast majority of them are going to find that out BEFORE they are married. And as a point of fact, the Obama administration does not encourage abortion. In fact, just this weekend, the president had this to say at Notre Dame:
"So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions, let's reduce unintended pregnancies. Let's make adoption more available. Let's provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term. Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded not only in sound science, but also in clear ethics, as well as respect for the equality of women." Those are things we can do.
Now, understand — understand, Class of 2009, I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away. Because no matter how much we may want to fudge it — indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the subject are complex and even contradictory — the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature.
Open hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words."
New York, New York... the city so great they named it twice :-)
I know. This freakin' work computer of mine is giving me fits. I'll punch the "publish your comment" button, and the damn thing tells me I had a password failure. Then I hit it again, and it publishes the comment twice. Gotta love technology.
Actually, I would think the sight of a middle-aged couple who look like their parents (or grandparents) getting cozy, as you see in the multitude of ED ads, would be a turn-off to teens. A typical 16-year-old probably doesn't want to think about a couple of fiftysomething or sixtysomethings getting it on...
I kinda wonder if that anonymous rant came from someone who's looking to revive the chastity belt industry.
--Brad Hundt
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