Graphic Public Service Announcement Against Domestic Violence Causes Controversy in Panama
After the Catholic Priest Reynaldo Caramañites expressed his displeasure over the televised announcement created by the Ministry of Social Development about domestic violence, because he thinks it goes against marriage, the Minister of Social Development Guillermo Ferrufino said there are political groups behind all. He regretted that this situation has occurred, and he said this announcement has no bad intentions, but rather it tries to send a message, that if people accept marriage vows it should be in order to bring happiness to Panamanian homes and families. He added that he respects the institution of marriage in society. (Panama America)
Editor's Comment: Have you seen this friggin' public service announcement? It was paid for and produced by the government of Panama, specifically by the Ministry of Social Development. It starts off with a happy couple getting married, but then there are arguments, fights, the guy first hits the woman and knocks her to the floor, and then he picks up a blunt object and bashes her brains in, and it ends with her blood (a lot of it) running down her face, and she's apparently dead. The first time I saw this thing I didn't know what was coming. It was just after 6:00 pm one day last week. I was watching the evening news on channel 2 TVN, and my five year old daughter was there with me. When the ad came on it showed the happy bride and groom getting married, and my daughter started asking questions about my wife and I, our wedding, if mommy had worn as white dress, stuff like that. And then with no warning at all - BLAM - there' fucking blood and guts on my TV screen, and my daughter is trying to figure out why the woman who was in a beautiful wedding ten seconds ago was just brutally murdered by her husband. Over - the - fucking - top. I sent my daughter out of the room as quickly as possible, but it was too late. I immediately sent "WTF?" messages via Twitter and Facebook to my friends and contacts at TVN. That ad should only be on the air after 10:00 pm when all of the kids are supposed to be in bed. Hey Ferrufino - that was fucking stupid ... and the criticism has nothing to do with politics. Dumb. Very, very dumb.
