CNN (and other liberal media) v. Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber has apparently kicked up quite a bit of controversy in a recent interview he did with Rolling Stone magazine. In the interview he was asked about his thoughts on a wide range of issues including religion, sex, healthcare, abortion, and certain other political thoughts.

On the issue of abortion, Bieber stated: “I really don’t believe in abortion. I think [an embryo] is a human. It’s like killing a baby.” When asked if he is anti-abortion even in cases of rape, he said, “Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don’t know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”

When I read some of the responses to his anti-abortion comments yesterday attached to a Netscape article, it seemed that most were of the opinion that until Bieber grows a vagina of his own, he should have no right to comment on abortion. I particularly found many of the responses insulting.

To begin with, abortion is not just a woman’s issue. Regardless, ladies, of what anyone would have you to believe, if you become pregnant, the fetus inside of you is not yours alone. Remember, it takes two to tango, and the creation inside of you belongs, in half, to someone else. It’s the same concept as if you swallowed a diamond that belongs equally to you and someone else and then claim that the diamond solely belongs to you because it is now inside of you. Nice try, but, sorry, no. Just because the diamond is inside of you, that doesn’t make it yours alone. It may do all those who believe so strongly in abortion to keep this in mind before they choose a sexual partner. You don’t want to get pregnant, then don’t have sex, and don’t have unprotected sex. And if you do become pregnant, the guy involved will have at least some say or involvement in the matter (usually far less than he should). Regardless, the guy will be in your life to some extent and you will have to deal with him. But to suggest that Justin Bieber should not be allowed an opinion about abortion just because he is male is so gender biased it is ridiculous. Abortion is not a woman’s rights issue, it is a human life issue, and that affects all of us, male and female.

What disgusts me the most about the reaction to Bieber’s comments however is the notion that his age (16) makes him too young to intelligently comment on such a thing as abortion. Several media hosts, including the ladies on the View and CNN’s Kyra Phillips, have brought the young pop star’s age into question.

While discussing the interview with her guest this morning, Phillips had the following things to say about Bieber. “When you don’t really know what you’re talking about at the age of sixteen, should you be addressing controversial issues like abortion?” She went on to say, “It just seems like something this young kid shouldn’t be talking about.” Her guest reacted by saying, “There’s no place for him to be commenting. He’s sixteen!” Then at the end of the discussion, Phillips concluded with, “He’s [Bieber] still very young, he’s got a lot of growing up to do, a lot of experiences to have, and then maybe when he matures a little bit he can talk about these issues.”

Now, I’m sorry, but are you, Phillips, really insinuating that because of his age, Bieber cannot talk intelligently about the issue? Furthermore, that he is wrong in his beliefs and will, in time, with more “maturity” realize he is wrong? Just who exactly do you think you are to suggest such a thing? The kid gave a valid opinion. He’s not eight years old, he’s sixteen. I’d hate to know a sixteen year old who has not given some thought about such a thing as abortion (especially considering the amount of teen pregnancies that still exist in this country). I remember students having opinions and writing essays about abortion when I was in the fifth and sixth grades (ages 11 to 12), and many of their arguments were based on the same ones I hear people talk about today. Believe it or not, young people do have opinions on matters such as this, and not all of them are uninformed, naïve, or misguided opinions. A lot of young people actually do research and take all of the arguments into consideration.

What the media is really concerned about is that Bieber—this phenomenal pop icon—actually, heaven forbid, has some conservative beliefs and doesn’t mind sharing them. It’s not about his age, it’s that he has a huge following, mostly comprised of teen girls, and the media can’t believe he would actually express a conservative viewpoint to all of those young female followers. So, to counter him, they have gone on a bashing spree to discredit his intelligence.

What’s more is that Bieber does not have some wild and absurd viewpoint. His opinion on abortion mirrors that of most conservatives in this country. I, a man in his late twenties, actually agree with Bieber’s viewpoints on abortion. When you are pro-life, you believe abortion is wrong, even sometimes in cases of rape. Having that belief, at any age, does not make you unintelligent. My own belief in this matter is based on the fact that I was conceived out of wedlock. My parents were unmarried high school students at the time. I realize they could have aborted me, and by some peoples standards my parents would have been more than justified in doing so. They were young (my mom only a year older at the time than Justin Bieber currently is), unmarried, had hopes of going to college, and knew they would face ridicule from others. I am glad they chose to let me live. I have seen politicians, businessmen, and others talk about being the product of rape, and likewise, being grateful that they too were not aborted, but given the chance to live. When you are the product of such experiences, you are more than intelligent on the matter. You are an expert, and your opinion should matter a great deal. When others express similar opinions, there viewpoints should matter as well, and not be belittled for reasons that are purely political.

So, I say to Kyra Phillips, and all those others who have tried to belittle Bieber, that you should be ashamed of yourselves. If you disagree with someone, that is one thing. You have a right to disagree. But to insinuate that someone is unintelligent or naïve simply because they disagree with you is morally wrong and unacceptable.

Political Ramblings

I have to say there has been a lot going on lately. I haven't written about it yet--though I've certainly wished to (I've just been too distracted)--but I want to say a few words about the decision recently made by congress to repeal the military's policy of "Don't ask, don't tell", which banned homosexuals from openly serving in the military. I say now, it was about freaking time this was done. For a long time I have believed this ban to be one of the last great means of discrimination in the workforce. I know and understand some of the arguments people have had in favor of the ban. Some straight troops just do not want to shower and dress and sleep in the same places as gay ones. I can understand this. The problem, however, is that this was and is already happening--the straight troops just didn't know it. Perhaps people are just happier not knowing about the truths around them. But, I fail to see where this objection is sufficient to discriminate against gays. Implement a policy of respectfulness and, maybe, even a schedule of bathroom times (because in all honesty, I can understand straight guys not wanting gay guys to see them naked. As a gay man, it would make me somewhat uncomfortable as well on certain levels). Anyway, that's my thoughts on the subject. I just feel it was about time our government did this. It should have happened years ago. And I commend the democratic congress and President Obama for seeing this through (finally).

Something else I want to mention is the situation going on in Egypt. I won't take a side on the matter, because it's simply not my country and I don't know all of the issues going on. However, I do hope the level of violence seen in that country in the last few days will subside and whoever wins the conflict, a greater level of peace, prosperity, and freedom will come to the people there. And not only in Egypt, but for the people facing similar troubles in Yemen, Jordan, Syria, and other countries in the region as well. And now, to say something that I'm sure a great many will hate me for saying, this was something George W. Bush predicted would happen. Once people get a taste for freedom, freedom will spread like wildfire. To me, it looks like what Bush was saying all those years has actually started to take place. Maybe he knew a bit about what he was talking about after all.

Now I leave you with this incredibly great song by the Newsboys titled Born Again. Enjoy!