TEBOW-SUPER BOWL AD
After weeks of furor, public sees Tebow ad
UNDATED (AP) — Viewers primed for controversy over a Christian ministry's Super Bowl ad featuring football star Tim Tebow might be asking, "Is that all there is?"
Focus on the Family revealed beforehand that the ad would feature Tebow and his mother, Pam, who gave birth to him in 1987 after rejecting a doctor's advice to have an abortion for medical reasons.
But if abortion rights groups hadn't protested, you might never have known what the ad was about.
The closest it comes to mentioning abortion is when Pam Tebow says, "I call him my miracle baby. He almost didn't make it into this world. I can remember so many times when I almost lost him."
Tim Tebow then bursts in and tackles his mom, who responds that she's tougher than he is.
The ad ends by saying viewers should go to Focus on the Family's Web site for the full Tebow story.
On the Net: www.focusonthefamily.com
Sound:
<<CUT …239 (02/07/10)>> 00:10 "grown up now"
Excerpt of ad featuring Pam Tebow
This is an excerpt of Pam Tebow talking about her son, Tim Tebow, in a 30-second ad shown during the Super Bowl.
<<CUT …240 (02/07/10)>> 00:04 "as I am"
Excerpt of ad featuring Tim Tebow
This is an expert of Tim Tebow talking with his mother in an ad that ran during the Super Bowl.
<<CUT …241 (02/07/10)>> 00:11 "issue of life"
Jim Daly
Jim Daly says Focus on the Family wanted to prompt debate with its ad.
<<CUT …242 (02/07/10)>> 00:10 "think we can"
Jim Daly
Jim Daly says the ad is about choosing to give birth instead of choosing abortion.
SUPER BOWL AD-MEGACHURCH
LA megachurch's Doritos ad airs during Super Bowl
MIAMI (AP) — An ad produced by members of a Los Angeles church called Mosaic has aired during the Super Bowl, becoming one of three winners of the Doritos' "Crash the Super Bowl" contest.
Mosaic's pastor, the Rev. Erwin McManus, says his congregation places "a high emphasis on creativity," and believes God wants them to "dream big and have the courage to pursue it."
The tongue-in-cheek ad opens on a funeral scene and then cuts to a young man alive in a closed casket. His body is covered in Doritos and he's watching the Super Bowl on a tiny TV while mourners sob outside. Two friends snicker that by faking his death, their friend gets a week off work plus his favorite snack.
But the man gets excited when his team makes a big play and jostles the casket, which tips over to reveal him inside. After an awkward pause, his buddy jumps up and shouts, "It's a miracle!"
Sound:
<<CUT …267 (02/07/10)>> 00:05 "full of Doritos"
Excerpt of Doritos ad produced by members of Mosaic church
This is an excerpt of a tongue-in cheek ad that opens with a funeral where a man fakes his death.
<<CUT …268 (02/07/10)>> 00:09 "It's a miracle"
Excerpt of Doritos ad produced by members of Mosaic church
This is an excerpt of a Super Bowl ad for Doritos in which mourners are shocked when the man in the casket gets excited and tips it over to reveal him inside.
<<CUT …269 (02/07/10)>> 00:03 "emphasis on creativity"
The Reverend Erwin McManus
The Reverend Erwin McManus says it's exciting that members of his congregation produced an ad that aired during the Super Bowl.
<<CUT …270 (02/07/10)>> 00:07 "we're very excited"
The Reverend Erwin McManus
The Reverend Erwin McManus says winning a nationwide contest underlines an important lesson.
NKOREA-US MISSIONARY
Missionary who entered North Korea reunites with family
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Korean-American missionary who defiantly entered North Korea to demand a change in its leadership has rejoined his family in Los Angeles after 43 days in the communist nation's custody.
Robert Park wept as he left the flight from Beijing and met with his family, according to his brother. A thin and pale Park, who flew from Pyongyang (pyuhng-yahng) to Beijing after North Korea announced he would be freed, would not speak and looked down while Paul Park told reporters his brother is in good condition.
North Korea's official news agency quoted the 28-year-old missionary as saying he was now convinced "there's complete religious freedom for all people" in North Korea. Robert Park didn't respond to questions from reporters when he arrived in Beijing about whether he had spoken freely or under duress.
Sound:
<<CUT …033 (02/07/10)>> 00:07 "able to embrace"
Paul Park, brother of released missionary Robert Park
Paul Park, whose brother Robert Park has just returned to the U.S. after being detained in North Korea, says it's been an emotional family reunion.
<<CUT …034 (02/07/10)>> 00:13 "as a family"
Paul Park, brother of released missionary Robert Park
Paul Park, whose brother Robert Park has just returned to the U.S. after being detained in North Korea, says his brother has lost weight, but appears to be fine otherwise.
<<CUT …035 (02/07/10)>> 00:14 "have him back"
Paul Park, brother of released missionary Robert Park
Paul Park, whose brother Robert Park has just returned to the U.S. after being detained in North Korea, says he doesn't know everything that his brother endured, but he's glad to have him home.
<<CUT …036 (02/07/10)>> 00:17 "in North Korea"
Reverend Madison Shockley, the family pastor of missionary Robert Park's parents
Reverend Madison Shockley, the family pastor of Robert Park's parents, says he applauds the missionary for his dedication to the poor in North Korea.
<<CUT …037 (02/07/10)>> 00:15 "that are starving"
Reverend Madison Shockley, the family pastor of missionary Robert Park's parents
Reverend Madison Shockley, the family pastor of Robert Park's parents, says they knew there son was taking a risk, but is was something he cared deeply about.
<<CUT …038 (02/07/10)>> 00:13 "the people go"
Reverend Madison Shockley, the family pastor of missionary Robert Park's parents
Reverend Madison Shockley, the family pastor of Robert Park's parents, says Park showed commitment and bravery during his time in North Korea.
WINTER WEATHER-CHURCH COLLAPSE
Fallen tree, snow cause DC church collapse
WASHINGTON (AP) — After more than two feet of snow in the nation's capital, the walls have come tumbling down at Joshua Temple Firstborn Church.
Fire department spokesman Pete Piringer says that when a tree fell on the church's roof Saturday afternoon, the weight of the tree and the snow made the roof collapse and the walls give way.
Piringer says the only thing left is the church's steeple.
He says no one was inside the one-and-a-half-story wood frame church when it collapsed, and homes on either side of the church were not damaged.
HAITI-AMERICANS DETAINED
Haitian lawyer for jailed US missionaries fired
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The Dominican lawyer for 10 U.S. Baptist missionaries charged with child kidnapping in Haiti says he has fired their local Haitian counsel.
Jorge Puello (PWAY'-oh) says he fired Edwin Coq (KOHK) because the Haitian attorney asked for $60,000 to bribe the missionaries' way out of jail. Coq denies that. He says the amount was his legal fee.
Puello, a lawyer in the Dominican Republic, was hired by relatives of the missionaries after they were arrested, and he retained Coq to represent them before a Haitian magistrate.
The Americans said they were on a humanitarian mission to rescue orphans after Haiti's Jan. 12 earthquake, but at least 20 of the children had living parents.
Coq said Thursday that the group's leader, Laura Silsby, deceived the other missionaries by telling them she had the proper documents to remove the children from Haiti.
GUYANA-MORMON MISSIONARIES
Mormon missionaries resuming work in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — The Mormon church is slowly rebuilding its public profile in Guyana after the government ordered dozens of its missionaries to leave last fall because of outdated documents.
Church spokesman Leslie Sobers says the church has resumed donations of medical equipment to charities in the South American nation.
Sobers declined to say how many missionaries are now in Guyana after some 40 church members left to comply with the government's Sept. 2 departure order. Police say no more than 20 missionaries remain.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has said it hopes to replace the missionaries who departed. The church has been sending missionaries to Guyana for more than 20 years.
AUSTRALIA-WILDFIRES
Australia mourns lives lost in wildfires 1 year on
KINGSLAKE, Australia (AP) — Australians have marked the one-year anniversary of the country's worst-ever wildfires in big-city cathedrals and small towns still bearing burn scars.
On Feb. 7 last year, hundreds of fires raged across southeastern Australia as temperatures soared and powerful winds whipped blazes into firestorms. In a single day, 173 people were killed and more than 2,000 homes razed. The scale of the disaster dubbed Black Saturday deeply shocked Australia.
A national day of mourning was observed Sunday.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was among dignitaries who sang hymns and prayed at a nondenominational service at St. Paul's Cathedral in the southern city of Melbourne.
Sound:
<<CUT …121 (02/07/10)>> 00:11 "state last year"
Right Reverend Dr. Mark Burton, dean of Melbourne
Dean of Melbourne the Right Reverend Dr. Mark Burton says this Sunday service is in memory of those who died in Australia's worst-ever wildfires a year ago. COURTESY: Australian Broadcasting Corporation ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT …122 (02/07/10)>> 00:08 "close to us"
Carol Matthews, bushfire survivor
Bushfire survivor Carol Matthews says the wildfires left many people mourning for those who died. COURTESY: Australian Broadcasting Corporation ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT …123 (02/07/10)>> 00:12 "and our future"
Carol Matthews, bushfire survivor
Bushfire survivor Carol Matthews says the bereaved community is still feeling the effects of the wildfires. COURTESY: Australian Broadcasting Corporation ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT …124 (02/07/10)>> 00:10 "our state's history"
Professor David de Krester, governor of Victoria
Governor of Victoria Professor David de Krester says the people of Victoria are very grateful to the firefighters who battled the wildfires last year. COURTESY: Australian Broadcasting Corporation ((mandatory on-air credit))
HINDU FESTIVAL
Hindu rite features body-piercings, grueling hike
SINGAPORE (AP) — Thousands of Hindus have pierced their bodies to fulfill vows to their deity Lord Muruga as part of the annual festival of Thaipusam in Singapore.
After being pierced with metal pins on different parts of their bodies, the faithful set off on a 2 1/2-mile walk from a Hindu temple, many carrying canopies that can weigh nearly 100 pounds.
The grueling walk took some participants six hours, with friends and relatives surrounding them, singing and chanting prayers.
When asked if they feel any pain, almost all answered "No!" Some of them seemed to drift in and out of a trance. Faces were expressionless and there was little sign of blood.
One devotee said his penance would earn credits, not for himself but for his descendants.
