The Best Super Bowl Commercials

The Ram brand declares 2013 the Year of the Farmer

JOIN THE MOVEMENT.

This was the winner for me, hands down. The best qualities of what makes America great are embodied in this classic ode to farmers by Paul Harvey. Some of the other commercials clearly embodied some of the worst and were simply hot garbage by comparison. God Bless our farmers and the best of "fly-over" country.  

Published on Feb 3, 2013

And on the eighth day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the field, milk cows again, eat supper, then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt and watch it die, then dry his eyes and say,'Maybe next year,' I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from an ash tree, shoe a horse with hunk of car tire, who can make a harness out hay wire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. Who, during planting time and harvest season will finish his 40-hour week by Tuesday noon and then, paining from tractor back, put in another 72 hours." So God made the farmer.

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bales, yet gentle enough to yean lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-comb pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the leg of a meadowlark."

It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed, and brake, and disk, and plow, and plant, and tie the fleece and strain the milk, . Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft, strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh, and then sigh and then reply with smiling eyes when his son says that he wants to spend his life doing what Dad does. "So God made a farmer."

http://www.youtube.com/RAM?sid=1037056&KWNM=Super+bowl+commercial&KWID=3779433026&channel=paidsearch&spid=SB_2013

The extended version from farms.com

Farmers Tribute: So God Made A Farmer. Paul Harvey

Here's the text of Paul Harvey's 1978 'So God Made a Farmer' Speech, which inspired the Ram Trucks Super Bowl ad that has resonated with so many Americans:

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board." So God made a farmer.

"I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle a calf and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait lunch until his wife's done feeding visiting ladies and tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon -- and mean it." So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, 'Maybe next year.' I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from a persimmon sprout, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, who can make harness out of haywire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain'n from 'tractor back,' put in another seventy-two hours." So God made a farmer.

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor's place. So God made a farmer.

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bails, yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadow lark. It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week's work with a five-mile drive to church.

"Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'doing what dad does.'" So God made a farmer.

You really can't go wrong with a Clydesdale commercial and Budweiser has the franchise on that one making them the Yankees of the Super Bowl commercial derby.

2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"

Published on Jan 31, 2013

See Budweiser's 2013 Super Bowl ad featuring our famous Clydesdales horses — and introducing our newest foal, who was just 7 days old during the shoot. 

I saw one critic wrote that this one was somehow demeaning and insulting. I thought it was pretty cute. To each his own. 

Volkswagen Game Day 2013 Commercial | Get In. Get Happy

Miracle Joe Montana Jersey Stain - Tide Super Bowl 2013 Commercial Ad

The State of the Union - Morally Corrupt and Bankrupt as usual - NO CHANGE

In case you are scoring at home, we now have two Obama State of the Union addresses and two times the President has been openly called a liar during the speech. Last year by a Congressman regarding whether or not illegal immigrants would be included in health care and this year by Supreme Court Justice Alito, who reportedly mouthed the words "that's not true" and shook his head at this comment by the Prez.

Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests - including foreign corporations - to spend without limit in our elections. Well I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that's why I'm urging Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to right this wrong.

Really??? After the last election was bought and paid for (in your favor) by George Soros, we are all of a sudden concerned about foreign entities bankrolling elections? Sounds like closing the barn door after you've scooped up an election.

UPDATE: from Politifact.com

We found Obama was exaggerating the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance when he said it would "open the floodgates for special interests – including foreign companies – to spend without limit in our elections." We rated that Barely True.

A lot of flowery rhetoric in the speech and little or no results to show for it. The good news is that least this year, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was able to resist the urge to hurl her panties at the President.

And I was glad to not hear much if any about stimulus or jobs saved or created. Just about how much worse it would be if Obama weren't around to provide comedic relief. If we really needed a Comedian in Chief, my guess is Arsenio Hall might have been available. WTF!! We already have Stuart Smalley in the Sentate, which is proof positive that some of us just don't give a flying Wallenda anymore.

Somebody is clearly lying in DC. I just hope the ass-clowns don't bring down this country before we find out who. Interesting that right after the SCOTUS remark the Prez seemed to indicate that earmarks are now OK, as long as Congressman post them on their websites. WTF!!!

I thought part of the CHANGE was anti-earmark, pro campaign reform. Maybe he meant state of perpetual change. Hard to keep up with ALL these finger-pointing, no-results, no-change LIARS.

I heard someone (maybe Rick Santelli) recently propose that some Congressmen should have to testify for their roles in the economic process and possibly face jail terms for their malfeasance. Might be worth a try. Kudos to Rick, whose Tea Party rant I believe was the genesis of the Scott Brown election in Massachusetts. Maybe the times they are a' changing, just not soon enough.

Anyway, back to the issue that got the Supremes inserted into the speech.

Let's review, we pass a bill that is struck down by the Court as unconstitutional, so the solution is to send the same rascals back to the drawing board and try to figure out another way t circumvent the Constitution of the United States. SOUNDS REASONABLE.

At the heart of the issue is the courts recent ruling in Citizens United v. FEC that has ruled certain provisions of the incumbent-shielding McCain-Feingold (so-called) campaign reform law UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Apparently, the court sees this as more of a First Amendment free speech issue than a campaign reform issue and I agree.

These advocacy groups represent citizens--they are by definition an association of citizens--and in many ways they represent our interests better that our elected representatives.

Any day that the Supreme Court takes time to protect and expand the First Amendment free speech rights of Americans is a good day in AMerica.

Remember the judges / umpires analogy? The same play is viewed differently depending on what side of the field you are standing on.

from Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy regarding the ruling:

"If the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits Congress from fining or jailing citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech."

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from Newt Gingrich regarding the Supreme Court ruling:

Citizens United v. FEC is one more piece of evidence that the model of bureaucratic campaign finance reform – of government restricting the freedom of Americans to criticize politicians rather than maximizing our freedom to question our leadership – was wrong.

The Founders understood the importance of the unfettered right of citizens to complain about their government. They recognized the danger of politicians controlling or censoring the debate about themselves. That's why they wrote in the First Amendment to the Constitution that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech."

These words and this right have been stunningly perverted by laws like McCain-Feingold, which was explicitly a case of Congress making a law abridging our freedom of speech – of incumbent politicians attempting to censor the people's discussion of whether they should remain in office.

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It is interesting that while all this is swirling around Washington that the NFL, the Super Bowl and Tim Tebow will become a part of the issue.

Tim wants to tell both his and his mother's story.

from sportsillustrated.com


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/01/16/tebow.super.bowl.ap/index.html

Tebow will appear in Super Bowl commercial for Christian group

Tim Tebow will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl

The ad is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Tebow's birth

And some want to prevent him from having the right to tell it.

from foxnews.com

College football phenom Tim Tebow is about to become one of the biggest stars of Super Bowl XLIV — and he's not even playing in the game.

Tebow, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the University of Florida, and his mother Pam will appear in a pro-life commercial that tells the story of his risky birth 22 years ago -- an ad that critics suggest could lead to anti-abortion violence, even though none of them have seen it.

The 30-second spot, paid for by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebow's turbulent pregnancy in 1987:

It's a happy story with an inspirational ending, but pro-choice critics say Focus on the Family should not be allowed to air the commercial because it advocates on behalf of a divisive issue and threatens to "throw women under the bus."

"This organization is extremely intolerant and divisive and pushing an un-American agenda," said Jehmu Greene, director of the Women's Media Center, which is coordinating a campaign to force CBS to pull the ad before it airs on Feb. 7.

"Abortion is very controversial, and the anti-abortion vitriol has resulted in escalated violence against reproductive health providers and their patients," Greene said. "We've seen that clearly with the murder of Dr. George Tiller," the late-term abortion provider who was gunned down in his Kansas church in May 2009.

Next month may mark the first time NOW has had to tackle a Heisman winner. The group typically tracks Super Bowl ads for signs of sexism, not for religious or political content.

I could see if the ad was in some way advocating violence against pro-choice forces, then maybe advocate to suppress it. But isn't it a bit of a stretch to imply that simply telling this story would lead to any violence?

Bad enough that abortion itself, especially how it is currently practiced, is not construed as a horrific act of violence, but I digress.

I fail to see how recounting this remarkable story of love, faith and courage would lead to violence. I guess I must be missing the linkage.

I come down on the side of free speech every time. Unless someone yells fire in a crowded theater. I just don't see that here.

THE SUPER BOWL & SPRINGSTEEN

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION:

As much as I like the Kurt Warner story in total, I still remember the Giants years when fumbles and the nickname "Skirt" came up all too often. So as much as I'd like to see him succeed, I have to get behind the Steeler defense to keep Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin under wraps.

They should be able to bottle up the Cardinals newly found running game, putting Warner & Co. in long yardage situations, thereby letting the pass rush wreck havoc and bring about "The Return of Skirt".

Plus, it's probably too much to ask for an NFC team to come from out of nowhere late in the season and win the Super Bowl two years in a row.

Steelers 27-17.

And now, the for the real reason to watch this years Super Bowl.....
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE.
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SPRINGSTEEN SONG POOL:

My bets for the four songs that the Boss will play are:
1. Born to Run
2. Working on a Dream
3. Promised Land
4. Land of Hope of Dreams

Super Sunday - Recap

Going in this was going to be a no lose situation for me.

If the Bears win, I'm happy for the home-team, my neighbors and friends will be happy, people around here were all geeked up, in spite of the recent zero degree weather we've been having.

If the Colts win, the phrase "It couldn't happen to a nicer guy" almost doesn't do it justice.

For Tony Dungy to win the Super Bowl, as one of the most well repected coaches in all of sports, and more importantly, the classiest and most dignified men in sports, you had to root for him to get his just due this time around. It puts to rest the phrase, "nice guys finish last" and may be a model for coaches personality and behavior in the future, both on and off the field. Maybe we can dream a little, but I'm sure old habits will die hard.

The best part of the game was the halftime show, featuring Prince. One of the best guitarists in history, Prince did not let the crowd down. I thought he belted it right out of the park. It was awesome to see "Purple Rain" played with purple back lighting in a driving rainstorm. How can it get any better? If I didn't know better, I'd say God wanted to jam with Prince. They could have delayed the game a little longer IMO and let Prince really get down some with one of his signature songs.

PRINCE IS *&^%$#@ AWESOME. There had to be cigarette lighters going off in living rooms all over the country. HAHA.

The second half of the game was almost anti-climactic. The Super Bowl commericals certainly were. That sound you may have heard in the background while you were watching the game, was a giant flushing down the toilet of all the advertisement dollars that went to waste producing some of that drivel. Most of them had to be recycled product, since I'm sure I've seen a lot of them before. Must be one of them there "paradigm shifts" in the ad industry. Oh well, who cares, really? I'm just mad that I held it in for some of that, could have busted a bladder or something. Pisses me off, no pun intended. Maybe this TIVO thing is here to stay after all.

Congrats to the Colts. Maybe next year, the right Manning will win the big one. I hope Eli doesn't go a day without hearing, "Why can't you be more like Peyton?" He'll either man-up and get better as a QB or go psycho or something and flame out. Either way the Giants can get serious and find a decent QB. Again to dream.....

The best thing about the game really is we are now one day closer to hearing the magic words, Pitchers and Catchers Report in x # of days......I need something like that to get through these @#$%^&* below zero Chicago days, either that or the SI Swimsuit issue. ;)~

Hell, who needs Punxsutawney Phil?

Super Sunday - Bears will Roll

unfortunately for Tony Dungy, who I would like to see win as much as anyone. It's just that he's got his fate in Peytron Manning's hands and his history in big games is not good. He ought to be as giddy as a cranked-out schoolgirl Super Sunday.

Speaking of which, Rex Grossman may be in approximately the same condition for about an hour after kick-off or so. I predict two or three Pick-Sixes in this game.

If Lovie Smith listens to me and installs the "direct snap to Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson offense" we ought to be seeing our second ticker tape parade in Chi-town since we've been here. (see White Sox).

In fact, I'm kind off getting used to this. In Tampa, we where able to see the Bucs reverse their decades long record of franchise futility...... then the Tampa Bay Lightning went from expansion neophytes to Stanley Cup Champs during our time there..............then the White Sox busted up a forty year run without a pennant as soon as we moved here....... and now the Bears are going to reverse 20+ years of lacka, lacka Super Bowl success on Sunday ....... hey, you're not thinking what I'm thinking?

If the Bears win, I can move to San Francisco and reverse the Giants dismal record of World Series success and then, drunk and giddy with the power invested in me by the Gods of Sports, I can move back to Tampa and do the same thing for the Devil Rays????

Then I could die a happy man. Oh well, one can dream can't one??

Sorry Tony and Peyton, I see a Bears mauling here.