Do-Gooder Ads, Courtesy of Your Government

I despise the mutual-masturbation cabal that puts out pointless social-engineering ads like the one below.

The campaign was spawned by the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, based on an idea by the Ad Council. Says the OPDV website:

The message of the campaign is that boys learn from the men in their lives. As a father, coach, mentor or a male friend, men have the opportunity — and responsibility — to teach boys to respect girls and women. ...

The campaign, which will run statewide — from Brooklyn to Buffalo and everywhere in-between — consists of:

•€“ Television and radio public service announcement
•€“ Billboards, bus shelters and phone kiosks
• Posters and brochures in five languages — English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Russian and Chinese
•€“ Web advertising

That's quite the media buy. My, Haitian-Creole, even. Most thorough. Millions of Haitian spouse-beaters around, are there?

It's not just the copious use of public funds that bothers me. It's not just that there's zero chance that these vague, nebulous, state-sponsored sermonettes will reduce domestic abuse. It's not even just the fatuousness of a government hectoring its citizens to play nice by using their own money to bombard them with the pious bromide that women deserve "respect" too.

No, what bugs me the most is something else. It is the unshakable hunch that everybody involved in this wet noodle of a campaign knows that it won't result in fewer domestic beatings. No one believes that some brute on his way home to administer another pummeling might see that poster, and is suddenly (1) stricken by remorse and the desire to buy his wife a dozen roses, and (2) wholly determined to have a little heart-to-heart with Junior about the inviolable sanctity of womanhood.

I'm sure the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and its witless copywriters don't believe it either. They know perfectly well that this is just window-dressing in the name of social progress. No doubt it makes all the liberal-minded, forward-thinking officials feel good about themselves that they're so bravely on the side of respect. The ads are really targeted at them —€” a feedback loop cum echo chamber designed to give tax-funded do-gooders the warm and fuzzies.

By the way: Who do you reckon is taking the most credit for admonishing men to treat women with respect? It's right there in the OPDV main banner (click to enlarge):

Comments

[Bob]

Is that Client 9 Spitzer? well he attacked money laundering, and gets caught by the IRS, attacked prostitution rings, and gets caught with his pants down..., now he's attacking domestic abuse. Do we worry about his wifes health?
I'm personally offended by the hoodie with the 'awaiting instruction' comment. Do they really believe that teenage boys are mindless empty vessels just waiting orders? Have they met any teenagers? If I was a teen seeing that I'd be deeply offended ( read P*ssd off) Its the same as the Gaming is murder simulations arguement. Treat the kids with respect and they will respect you. Creating this fear culture of our own youth is only going to make our future worse.
why is it always the idiots that take these gov. positions?!

[Jerry]

Bob-because that's the only job they can get. You don't newed brains to come up with most social engineering idiocy.

I really like the Energy Hog one, I wonder who thought that moronic vessel to get us to stop using energy. I guess we should all just turn off the thermostat and be cold (or hot).

[Paul]

I'm jockin' the bitches, slappin the ho's!!!

Hey, what's this? Hmm, women deserve respect? Wow...this changes everything.