A moral message from Hollywood?

Like Rick Santorum, many of us have noticed the rash of movies on the "girl goes through with unwanted pregnancy" theme. Knocked Up, Juno, Waitress, to name a few. Is there some kind of political message here? Are these movies tapping into something changing in our culture?

Nope. I'm with Christopher Orr at TNR--it's just that "girl goes through with unwanted pregnancy, with hilarious results" makes a better, tenser story than "girl has quiet abortion to terminate unwanted pregnancy" or, worse yet, "girl avoids unwanted pregnancy through the consistent use of appropriate birth control techniques."

For the good of our young people, I'd personally like to see more depiction of the realities of birth control in the movies. (Especially if they could make it as chuckle-inducing as the condom scene in The 40-Year-Old Virgin.) Films include sex and the crassest sexual references all the time, but how often is the use of a condom actually depicted or suggested? Do we ever see female characters use or allude to the use of oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy within a committed relationship? No, we do not.

Don't let us down, Jon

Let's all pray that Jon Stewart doesn't softball Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) during his appearance on The Daily Show tonight. The run-up to a Supreme Court confirmation vote is no time to let Mr. "Man on Dog"* off easy.

"Softballing Santorum"--ugh, now that just sounds dirty.

*See Santorum's interview with the AP, 4/7/05.

Specter heads Santorum-ward

Depending on what happens here, Dan Savage may get an opportunity to apply another Pennsylvania senator's name to a bodily fluid, a la Spreading Santorum.

November 9, 2004
Contact: Lauren McCabe, 202-236-2405 or lauren.mccabe@nbc.com

SEN. SPECTER ASKS FOR PAT ROBERTSON'S SUPPORT; WILL VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENT'S JUDICIAL NOMINEES

In an interview with "CNBC's Capital Report with Alan Murray and Gloria Borger", Dr. Pat Robertson, founder of The Christian Coalition, said Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) called him this afternoon to discuss Specter's future as expected chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"He is going to vote for the president's nominees. There is no question about it. And I don't think he's got a litmus test. He made it clear to me over the phone, he has no litmus test."

Gloria Borger's interview with Dr. Pat Robertson will be seen tonight at 7pm ET on CNBC.