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Calling the work of raising children "the most important job in this country," President Obama today marked Father's Day by announcing a nationwide fatherhood and mentoring initiative aimed at helping fathers fulfill their responsibilities as parents.
Among other things, the new initiative will support programs offering job training, parent-skills classes, domestic violence prevention, transitional jobs initiatives for ex-offenders, and other methods to engage fathers in their children's lives.
"Here's the key message I think all of us want to send today to fathers all across the country: Our children don't need us to be superheroes; they don't need us to be perfect. They do need us to be present; they need us to show up and give it our best shot no matter what else is going on in our lives," Obama told the crowd at THEARC, a non-profit organization for underserved youth and adults. "They need us to show them -- not just with words, but with deeds -- that they, those kids, are always our first priority."
Obama, whose own father left his family when he was just two years old, has often spoken about the importance of parental responsibility in helping kids to learn and grow and to stay out of trouble.
"Over the course of my life, I've been an attorney; I've been a professor; I've been a state senator; I've been a U.S. senator; and I currently am serving as president of the United States. But I can say without hesitation that the most challenging, most fulfilling, most important job I will have during my time on this earth is to be Sasha and Malia's dad," he said to applause. "You don't need a fancy degree for that. You don't need a lot of money for that. No matter what doubts we may feel, what difficulties we may face, we all have to remember being a father is not just an obligation and a responsibility. It is a privilege and a blessing."
Later in the afternoon, the president was set to host a mentoring barbecue on the South Lawn for 150 area youth, with workshops led by (among others) artists, athletes, public servants, and scientists.
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"....those kids, are always our first priority."
This from a guy who votes to murder babies that are born from botched abortions.
This from a guy that doesn't want his daughters to be "punished with a baby."
Boy, you just expect comments like this one. The fact that Obama considers being a dad his first priority is lost to this poor person and their inability to see anything but the contents of a woman's womb. If you are voting for right wing nutcases that support this delusional view, you are voting against the needs of CHILDREN and the support they need through WIC, Head Start and the like. Spare me your faux outrage and get a hobby that does not involve butting into the most intimate decisions that families are faced with.
It takes a twisted individual to take something positive (regardless of your political beliefs ) and turn it into something to fit your sick personal agenda!
But hey... that's how the right wing nuts roll...isn't it?
Bringing up abortion does not equate to what the President is trying to convey about parents in this country. If the previous administration had set forth an agenda on all forms of birth control instead of just abstinence, we might have a lower birth rate among young folks in this country. As with modern times, the father figure has disappeared in many homes across this country and what the President is trying to focus on is the family unit. I guess you don't want him to promote the family unit as a whole with a mother and father? Many children across this country would benefit from the message that the President is trying to convey about the family unit, you do want children to benefit from this type of message don't you?
KLM ~ To second and echo Eric's comments, if an unwanted teenage pregnancy is NOT punishment, then why is it that so many fathers -- many, many of them from red states -- do not stick around to enjoy all the fun?
Terry,
It's also worth noting that the abortion rate goes DOWN under Democratic President's and UP under the Repug's!
I wonder why that is...? *insert snark*
Hey KLM in Mi - Just how many of the babies born around the world now because of the christian war against sane birth control starve to death each year? Millions of deaths of starving children are on the hands of you evangelical christian lunatic fringers who demand that all babies be born then you abandon them to their cruel fates because you're too cheap to support the life you bring about.
You evangelical christian lunatic fringers are the ones who are polluting our planet with way too many people, causing so many food, water and resource shortages. Our world population has exploded over the past few decades and is unsustainable, our planet needs sane intelligent birth control in order to keep our population from blowing up in our faces and causing so many dire hardships. You pompous pious jerks demand that women can't choose to have abortions if they feel it's better to have one yet none of you step forward to take care of those unwanted babies. It would be poetic justice to force every anti-abortion nutcase to have to adopt an unwanted baby to make them put their money where their big mouths are.
Pope-A-Dope Rat Ratzinger should shut his arrogant ignorant trap about telling people to practice unsafe irresponsible sex because all he cares about is trying to pervert as many souls as possible for his decrepit child abusing church, yeah Pope Rat just wants more victims for his pedophile priests to abuse. We need responsible birth control worldwide before we populate humanity to extinction. Just watch in the coming years as this irresponsible anti-birth control cabal spirals world population out of control and see how many wars erupt as people starving to death start trying to take matters into their own hands with guns provided by the NRA.
Responsible Birth Control is Humanity's Only Hope for Survival!
Feisty,
I think the reason is that we know abstinence teaching only does not work. The idiot from Alaska knows this all too well.
MLK in MI, the man is talking about the responsibility of being a father and you make a statement like that. you Conservatives always go back to abortion, some one could say the sun is shinning and you go back to abortion, man you need a life. you statement is not why I'm leaving my post,
President Obama makes fatherhood such a important issue is because he grew up with out his father, just like i did. my father was so busy working and drinking he did not take time for his 6 kids, my mother had to fill the void when they were married because he was never home, either he was working or out running the street drinking. Obama father was too busy getting his degrees and running everywhere, he was not there to raise his son and before his knew it (president Obama) his father was goan, like mine. my dad died at 36 for the reasons i mentioned above i was 9 and he left 6 kids 17 to 7. Obama dad was killed in a auto accident when he was 12. growing up with out my dad i had no one to mentor me, yes uncles and my grandfather were there but its not the same as having your dad there. Obama when he was a community organizer, dealt with fatherless kids and the effects, and all he is trying to do is get the message out so young boys and girls don't have to live like he did, trying to find out who you are, a son is a reflection on his father, and if no father is there then you the son is lost. Fatherless. Like Obama my mother was everything, when she died it was devesting. when i had my son i was not going to have him deal with the same things i had to, my son was going to be raised by his dad, and believe me it was toughest most enjoyable job i have ever had. Today he is a freshmen in college and he is a man to be proud of.
President Obama is bringing out the problems with men today. any man can make a baby, but to raise them is a real job.
Hey, Eric!
Long time, no talk, buddy! I have a great idea to fix the world's population, food shortage, abortion, Medicare, and Social Security problems: Soylent Green!
Think about it:
We let all babies be born and kill all the people 65 or over and turn them into food for everyone else! No more Social Security. No more Medicare. And we reduce the old, feeble population and, Hey! maybe even open up a few jobs while we're at it!
This is such a great idea! How come no one else has thought about it?
Have a great week!
Actually, you should take your complaint to Nude Gingrich
He divorced his wife as she was still on the gurney after a cancer operation The wife that had financed his 'education'
He NEVER paid Child support His children were left to live on charity (and presumably welfare)
Nude Gingrich was a DEADBEAT DAD Maybe you should send this article to him He's probably 'Restoring American civilization'
Shut up, it is so sicken hearing about abortions rights. It is up to the woman; and between her and God; not you or the President or anyone else. Hopefully by him being present in their lives, they will think about other things instead of having babies. What is the difference in having an abortion before the baby is born and the baby being born then killed from head blows because it was thrown against the wall. There isn't any difference except the baby had to fill it; and the parent is jailed. Which is another mouth to feed in the system! Why isn't all those against abortions helping with the children, who were born or taken from their parents. You and others want to complain about a woman having an abortion but what are you all doing to help the children that were born. It really is not any of your business or anyone else unless you are asked to help pay for it. If the man or woman would wear protection or refrain themselves, then there would not be any reason for abortions. If the dad or father would accept their responsibilities instead of running off to the next piece of tail they can get, again there would be no reason for abortion.
klm in mi i stead of talking about the responsiblitys of father hood you have turned this in to a talk about abortion, again you sick.
Considering how many deadbeat dads there are out there it's once again time for President Obama to lecture the country on being good responsible fathers. Better believe a large proportion of deadbeat dads who run out on their families and children are from the party of worthless family values. Better believe that Mississippi, run by Incompetent Haley Barbour is a leader in deadbeat dads since it is the state with the highest percentage of teenage pregnancies that cause us all to pay for their single welfare moms who weren't smart enough to practice safe responsible sex with proper birth control preventative measures. You know like Deadbeat Welfare Mom Bristol Palin the poster girl of unsafe irresponsible underage teenage sex.
Mississippi Leading the Nation in Unwed Welfare Teenage Moms!
Big ditto for this.
I have to agree with Obama 100%
Thank you proud proud republican. It just shows that even in this polarized atmosphere reasonable people really agree more than disagree on most things.
Saw some great news on CNBC just a while ago and they're yapping about a new plan to help cut the budget deficit by raising taxes on the rich and greedy. About time that we force the rich and greedy to pay their fair share of taxes by restoring the top two tax brackets that Ronny Raygunz eliminated and repealing the capital gains tax cut welfare for criminal hedge fund managers passed by Criminal George Wrong Bush. Plus we can never allow the rich and greedy to escape the estate tax the way they have the past few years. We should start a Net Worth tax and tax the heck out of the billionaires who have way too much wealth and who have been the biggest reason why our budget is so upside down.
All of these tax cuts for the rich and greedy has done is to increase our national debt and then redistribute wealth upwards to the very people who can afford to pay the most in taxes. The Great Right Lie that these tax cuts create jobs has been proven to be false, where are the jobs at dopes of nope from all of this tax cut welfare to the rich and greedy. Oh yeah they got outsourced by the dopes of nope to China which is kicking our behinds in the capitalist game. Plus it's time to end the outsourcing jobs tax credit and to start making sure that large multinational corporations pay taxes to the United States instead of hiding it from our taxation while paying billions in foreign taxes. Exxon Oil paid billions in taxes to foreign countries last year yet paid not a single penny to the United States, is that really fair? Not a chance!
Tax the Rich and Greedy Before They Steal all of our Wealth!
Don't let your heart be troubled Eric. Obama and his friends in Congress are in the process of destroying all the wealth. We'll all be equal once Obama and his minions are done with their work.
I imagine you were thrilled however when the Republicans were taking from the poor to give to the rich. What services are you willing to do without? Those that don't help you directly, but may help someone who has a disability and needs support? I keep wondering how the right wing, who pushes themselves as more Christian than Christ himself, fail to see their duty to those less fortunate.
Doesn't anyone realize that an increase of tax on the wealthy means that the wealthy will at last be taxed the same amount as the rest of us?
Feisty says it takes a twisted individual to take a positive event and twist it to fit their own sick personal agenda.
Then I read eric's rant and have to say I agree with feisty. eric is sick
Got any facts to go with that? Didn't think so.
Read his posts
Great message to be sending to fathers all across America. Sometimes when someone becomes a parent, it doesn't mean they're ready to be parents. Same thing applies with people in high positions in government, when you are offered a responsible position in a place where you have never had any experience. Inexperience. Youth. A few of the many reasons why things can go wrong -
June is the anniversary of Watergate -
On C-Span this weekend they showed a program which reflected on the subject of the Watergate break in (which took place in June 1972); this program took place in 2008. Included were John Dean and Bud Krogh. Before talking about the break-in itself, Bud Krogh talked about the day back in December 1970 when he received a call that Elvis Presley wanted to meet with President Nixon and receive a badge. Bud Krogh thought it was a joke and after careful investigation, confirmed that it indeed was Elvis. So it was cleared through by either Ehrlichman or Haldeman, I can’t remember which, and Elvis was given the okay to go to the White House immediately and meet with President Nixon.
He showed up in a purple shirt & cape, with a gun. Once Elvis was cleared he met with President Nixon and asked if he would be able to receive a badge. Everybody kind of looked at each other and Nixon said yes, they could get him a badge. So they spoke for many minutes and then when the mtg was about to end, Nixon did what he always did. In the bottom left hand drawer of his desk, he kept little keepsakes for visitors. So he opened the drawer to get something for Elvis. Elvis proceeded to stand behind Nixon as Nixon looked for a gift. Elvis then told Nixon that since it was Christmastime, his security guards (Memphis mafia) and friends needed gifts as well, so Nixon ended up giving him all kinds of expensive trinkets, which he didn’t want to do.
Krogh’s point was that there comes a point when you reach the White House, somebody has got to say No. And in Nixon’s White House, no one ever wanted to say no, even when it came to Elvis. Except John Dean. It was he who got on an airplane and flew out to San Clemente and told someone (I have forgotten who) that blowing up the Brookings Institution was a very bad idea. Everybody else wanted to do it. John Dean from then on became seen as a sort of old lady from the Nixon group.
John Dean then went on to explain that the reason the Watergate cover-up was necessary was because of the breaking in of Daniel Ellsburg’s doctor’s office, in the aftermath of the releasing of the Pentagon Papers. No one wanted this info to get out, hence the Watergate cover-up.
fyi: The most requested item from the Archives? The photo of Nixon with Elvis. That photograph is more requested than the Bill of Rights or even the Constitution of the United States.
Nixon/Elvis photo http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/elvis/elnix.html
Krogh learned a valuable lesson, too late – Be sure and take your integrity with you when you enter the West Wing, regardless of your age or inexperience. Don’t ever leave your integrity at the door.
One more thing. Elvis told Nixon that the Beatles were anti-American. lol
Great Post Pat: You are indeed an expert on the Nixon White House.
I voted
Ron, I have to admit that when I was listening to John Dean and Bud Krogh tell these stories, I was LMAO. Can you imagine? Wanting to blow up the Brookings Institution, and John Dean, age 31, having to tell the Nixon Administration that it was wrong?! And then to have to cover up Watergate in order to cover up the breaking in of Ellsberg's doctor's office?! lol
And Bud Krogh himself was a young lawyer at the time and he didn't have the courage to say no to anyone.
The Elvis story to me was hilarious. What an unbelievable Administration this was. It's almost beyond belief. G. Gordon Liddy. Howard Hunt. As big as nut cases you're ever going to find in this country, yet people sitting around a table, all nodding in agreement to most of their schemes. And it all began with the release of the Pentagon Papers, which Nixon didn't even care about (according to J. Dean) because it made the Democrats look bad, until Henry Kissinger began pushing Nixon's buttons and telling him that national security secrets had to remain secret, hence the breaking in of Ellsberg's office to either try to find info to smear him, or to see if he had any more info he was planning on releasing. I guess it was supposed to be a clean break in, yet they trashed the place. Bud Krogh asked what part of the word "covert" did they not understand? I laugh like heck when he said that.
"Our children don't need us to be superheroes; they don't need us to be perfect. They do need us to be present; they need us to show up and give it our best shot no matter what else is going on in our lives,"
Fathers and mothers also need an opportunity to make a decent living for themselves and those children, that opportunity is becoming a thing of the past for many, far too many. I hear much too often nowadays that joblessness for 10's of millions and under-employment for several times that in the "new normal". Why is this considered acceptable? It was not acceptable to let a few crooked financiers and bankers lose their shirts, it was a matter of gravest concern to make sure their lifestyles were not disrupted; legislation was passed virtually overnight to have the taxpayer save them. Yet look at the bill to extend unemployment benefits, it has been weeks meandering it's way through Congress and is now stalled in the Senate even after $25 bucks a week was cut out of the weekly benefits and removed the tax increases on investors, meanwhile people can't pay their bills, lose their homes, go without healthcare, food, credit ruined, but since these poor bastards can not afford to buy a Senator of their own they get screwed and do without, greatest country on Earth, right. People who continue to ignore the plight of people who have fallen on hard times do so at their own peril.
Well said, w bush. For the last generation we've concentrated on making things easier for the wealthy, the investors, and for big business on the assumption that things would become better for everyone else down the chain. It's been an enormous failure, with steadily falling standards of living and increasing numbers of families living on the edge of ruin. Conservatives like to brag about the "Bush recovery" being an "unprecedented" 8 year expansion in the economy. What good is that if it doesn't advance people at the same time? It was the ONLY time the minimum wage didn't recover to at least the previous peak level before entering another recession. Brag on that, if you can.
I have always wondered how one equates a person's belief that it is a woman's right to chose what she does with her body with murdering babies. So I guess according to some if any of us on this blog believe in a woman's right to chose then we are murderers. Does that also apply to people who believe in capital punishment? If a person agrees with capital punishment and another person is executed (killed) by others does that make those who believe in and support capital punishment murderers?
CA, you're talking about two very different things there. With abortion, you have an innocent human life that doesn't get the opportunity, through no fault of its own, to exercise its right to life. With someone who is being executed through the use of capital punishment, you have someone who has exercised his free will and chosen to take the life of another, usually in an extremely depraved manner (since the death penalty is generally used in those cases that show a blatant disregard for human life).
You note the juxtaposition of these stances, but isn't it interesting the while Republicans in general are pro-life but pro-death penalty, Democrats are, in general, pro-choice and anti-death penalty?
While you may not agree with the pro-life position, you have to at least appreciate that the passion derives from their view that it is a termination of an innocent life.
For me, I understand and actually share in the pro-life point of view, but I remain pro-choice. I would never have an abortion myself as I would not be able to look at myself in the mirror afterwards, but I don't feel like I should be empowered to take that decision away from another.
Oh, and to Feisty: I saw your ignorant, immature, childish insult directed at me last week (to refresh your memory, you called me an ignorant sl*t and said I was predictable). Honey, you have no clue what you're talking about about 98% of the time on here (and that's probably an overly generous estimate), and if anyone is "predictable", it would be you.
Jill- OK:
I am assuming that most of those who oppose a woman's right to chose do so on religious grounds. And if these are Christian religious grounds my question would be does the Christian God make the distinction between a innocent unborn child and a criminal who may have committed a crime when it comes to taking their lives? Is not one of the Christian ten commandments "thou shall not kill". Or does God make a distinction and say "thou shall not kill innocents" but "it is ok to kill the guilty".
I think people have to understand that attempts to legislate morality is a diffcult if not impossible task. It certainly is a task that will create divisions among the people. And I still would like to know what the right has in mind regarding punishment for women who chose to abort and for physicians who provide abortions. Are they to be executed, imprisoned, fined, what?
CA, Tuscaloosa, AL
The Law did provide in many instances of killing the guilty (Capital Punishment)not only the guilty but his entire family, some stoning were directed from God in the Old testament, but we who are callled Christians live under a dispensation called grace, the ten commandments aren't christian but part of the TORAH the book of Law, where the old penalties for our sins no longer applies. Some of us if we were still bond by the Law would be guilty and our punishment would be death.
Well, CA, you would have to engage people who do disagree with abortion on religious grounds how they justify supporting the death penalty while abhorring abortion. In my mind, the distinction is marked; on one hand, you have an innocent life and on the other, you have an individual who took an innocent life. It is quite easy to justify executing the person who killed another human being (i.e., an eye for an eye; maybe he reaped what he sowed?). It is quite difficult to justify killing an unborn child, who has done nothing to deserve that fate. Since God and religion are seen from a different perspective by each and every person on the face of this earth (if you are a Christian, for example, you cultivate a personal relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and worship), you'll likely get a slightly different answer from each and every person you talk to.
One interesting aspect of abortion is that some people think that it should be available to women, even those who cannot afford it (yes, I understand the reasons that people feel that way, but I'm not going to get into that here). Perhaps those who do not support abortion feel that it is not a "right" to be distributed equally amongst the population, and it is offensive for the government to try to do so. You say that attempts to legislate morality is difficult if not impossible, but it's done all the time....the truth of the matter is that almost every law in the books is an attempt to legislate morality, because the law is one of society's ways to define and create its culture, in a sense. Morality is certainly an aspect of culture.
As far as the right's view on punishment for a woman who has chosen to have an abortion, you would have to ask someone who supports criminalizing abortion. I think that the better way to reduce abortion is through comprehensive sex education and the ready availability of birth control. The return of the family unit is something that is just as important, and so I am encouraged that President Obama is talking about the importance of fathers in the lives of their children.
I think though that one of our problems as a society is that we are way too "anything goes." Our collective mores are going down the tubes, and nobody seems to care.
On another note and a little off-topic (with respect to abortion, anyway), I also think that, as a society, we do a lot to encourage and bolster girls, but we don't do much for boys, which is, unfortunately, contributing to a lot of the issues that we have as a society...that is one more reason that I'm glad that President Obama is taking the time to talk about the importance of fatherhood.
The President is right. The media, and people of all polical persuasions, try to paint the president as incompetent, detached, not caring, and other names according to their polical agenda, and ideology, and not matter what they said, I see him as a outstanding father, and father figure. He tries to show respect for all people, he tries to be fair and balance, he takes responsibility, he listens and tries to include the suggestions of even the "average person," These things have made him look, indecisive, and passive. In my opinion this makes him strong. Everybody has an opinion, and think they can do things better. The far left, and right, want things their way, and think he should do their bidding, and seem to punish him, by constant criticism, by trashing him, calling him incompetent, withholding their support. I know he is strong, and inspite of this, will continue to do his best. I pray that he will not be worn down, by all of the negatives, that out weigh the positives. He does not deserve this. We need him as our president, I can't think of anyone who can take his place. Certainly not John McCain, or Sarah Palin. Not ever Hilary, Nancy or Joe Biden. So instead, of beating up the president, and trying to wear him down, we need to have his back, and support him, especially the ones who claim they got him elected. This is not the time, to abandon him because he is not doing your bidding, he is the president of the whole country, not just the Democrats, or African Americans. If the Democrats loss in 2012, it is because they dis spirited, their own base, with their constant complaining, calling the President, incompetent, (Norman Goldman types) agreeing with the GOP, and not having his back. The president has had go it alone, most of the time. I didn't see GWB base doing this. Regardless what we think of the Presidents policies, there is a way of disagreeing without going GOP.
Jill,
This is a very thoughtful post. I agree with you about abortion; the way to decrease abortions is not to criminalize it but to bolster methods to help prevent unwanted pregnancies. Also, I agree with you about the difference between abortion and capital punishment (one kills an innocent life, while the other kills a guilty person); however, there is a flaw in your argument. You are assuming that we can know without a doubt that a person is guilty of murder. How many people on death row have been set free by DNA evidence? Too many. Unfortunately, many were found to be innocent by DNA evidence only after they had been executed. And there is not always DNA evidence to make it clear whether the person charged with a crime is guilty or not. We have to rely on eye-witness accounts or "experts" whose training may be flawed (see the case in TX where a man was convicted of killing his children by arson; the fire marshal didn't have up-to-date methods for investigating the fire. The man was found to be innocent AFTER he had been executed).
A true "pro-life" platform would be about protecting ALL life. Some criminals have committed horrendeous acts, but it is not our job to kill them. It is also much more expensive to put someone on death row because of the appeals process (which is necessary to make sure we don't kill an innocent life--but it still happens). Maybe if we weren't spending so much money making sure someone is really guilty before we can kill him or her, we wouldn't have to let other criminals out of jail too early ("early release") because we can't afford the beds. We could spend money on crime prevention too. Instead, we waste time and money trying to decide whether we have enough evidence to kill the criminal, the death of whom brings no relief to the victim's family or to society's woes.
Bethie, I was not arguing in favor of capital punishment; the truth is that I am on the fence. In my heart of hearts, I think that the loss of any human life is tragic, but when you see reports about someone who, say, murders in cold blood multiple people, taking sons, daughters, mothers, and/or fathers away from their families, there is something inside of me that says that he does, indeed, deserve to die for those actions. Ultimately, though, as a Christian, I tend to believe that only God has a right to judge our actions on this Earth (not a jury of our peers) and so perhaps we don't have the right to sentence someone to death. Like I said, I'm on the fence. I was just saying that I understand the viewpoint held by some that capital punishment is, at times, warranted.
I can get on board with your argument that it is impossible to be 100% sure that an individual did commit crimes that may result in his eventual death at the hands of the state. That is another reason I tend to lean more to the side that doesn't support capital punishment. If there is even a scintilla of a chance that a person may be innocent, which I think is present in most cases, then that person should not be killed. The execution of an innocent man is perhaps the most horrific travesty of justice our legal system could ever impose.
I'm always amused at the posters on here. While I believe what I believe, when thinking about those beliefs, I can be so "gray" about most of my viewpoints because I actually enjoy listening to differing points of view and I enjoy trying to see the origination of those ideas. It is sometimes hard to fathom how people can be so resolute about their beliefs to the point where they're calling people who may disagree with them disparaging names. I'm not saying that people shouldn't stand by their convictions, but it puzzles me how close-minded so many people can actually be. The irony of that is that those same people who are so close-minded are actually the ones who consider themselves the most open-minded. :-)
Thank you for your thoughtful post as well, Bethie. I enjoy conversing with someone who doesn't resort to name-calling when expressing her point of view. It's very refreshing on a site such as this one!
Waiting to change planes on our family's cross country journey, so I figured I'd jump on the laptop and surf the web a bit. (For those who asked a week and a half ago, we went all over California and into Nevada and Arizona as well. Beautiful, beautiful country out there. The next leg of the flight will apparently take us very close to "ground zero" for the oil spill. I am afraid of what I'm going to see out the window.
Anyway, hope everyone's doing well.
As for this topic, excellent words from the President. Here's what I just don't understand. If we're talking about policy, such as health care, stimulus, energy, etc...have at it...disagree all you want with the President's position. I certainly do. But how in the world do you react negatively to the President of the United States talking about the importance of fatherhood!? He certainly has a unique perspective. Read these words again: "being a father is not just an obligation and a responsibility. It is a privilege and a blessing." How can you spin this negatively? I spent Father's Day yesterday hiking with my wife and kids and I told my wife at the end of the day how lucky I am to be a husband and father.
Have a wonderful time, Frank, Grimey Grimes!
Thanks Newday...we had an awesome time. Now, sadly, its time to go home!
Glad your daughter's wedding went well.
Frank, well put! Being a father is a true special gift and blessing that no father should take lightly. The President is clearly right in discussing this topic that America clearly lacks in importance to our children. Safe travels!
It never ceases to amaze how so many here look for talking points rather than insight. The fact is that far too many children are raised without fathers. The fact remains that the most important thing is being there. True, money makes things easier but even those fathers without income still have value. Just the time taken to talk to your child about your life gives them some insight into the world that leaves them better prepared. Unfortunately we spend too often thinking about how much we make or what we can buy, and in so doing make fathers who already feel stigmatized by their lack of financial support to feel unvalued and therefore undeserving of being in contact with their children.
I had a father periodically growing up (lived in a different state) but the guy I used as my role model had no job. he had a child with my neighbor and he constantly came to be with his kids. He worked on and off in construction but everyday he wasn't collecting a check he was talking to his kids, and trying to show them new things. Half the time they just walked from place to place since he had no car. It's funny that nearly 20 years later I saw in that man the traits I wanted to possess. Now he's got a son who's extremely successful. Not so much in the career (although he's a bigwig over at Booz Allen and Hamilton) but moreso because he raised a good MAN
Obama is a a class act. It is hard to recognize after the last 16 years.
Awww, Barack as our "national father". How quaint. Although, I thought Democrats were maternal by nature, and Republicans, fraternal.
What I find extremely laughable is the fact that the Son of Fiddler (See Roots for comparison), "Step-N-Fetch It" Michael Steele has the mitigated gall to criticize President Obama on Father's Day IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! As an African American married father, I am extremely proud to see that he takes time for his children, that he and Michelle MAKE the time to be involved in their daughters lives DESPITE the full plate of Shi'ite that the Bush Administration had left for him to clean up. That shows the true measure of a man, and his one example puts to shame ALL of the "Family Values" that the Republican claim to extol to the rest of the nation, and would be HIGHLY ADVISED to look NO FURTHER for a better example of the word "FAMILY" than the Obamas'.
Even though I support President Obama, my ONLY criticism on this matter is that he goes to the inner cities of this nation and have a heart to heart talk with the people in them, and uplift black fathers that doing what they need to for their children. This is NOT to say that parents don't have a responsibility to raise their children; on the contrary, we do; but to see a figure holding a position of authority like Barrack Obama, would help AID parents in telling African American children that there is NOTHING wrong in living your life as honorably as you can, that it's O.K to study hard and achieve all that the world has to offer and that you don't have to settle for being just a rapper, actor or sports athlete on the extravagant end, or a junkie/drug dealer, gang banger, "dead beat daddy" (There are some dead beat mommas out there, too.), coming up in the criminal system, or winding up in some funeral parlor on the worst end (I know I'm going to get some heat off of this post, but it must be said.). Whimsical, just a tad, but let's see what happens.
As be-lated as it is, HAPPY FATHERS' DAY TO ALL FATHERS!!!!