I’m glad that I was beyond the reach of the news this Father’s Day, because if I had listened to the news on Sunday, I know I would have been left with the same sore feeling I get every year.
I’m not a perfect father, because I’m not a perfect person. I don’t have quite the resources to be around every day for my children, because I’m out there working to keep a roof over their heads. When I’m home, I give my kids all the attention I can.
Does that sound like an excuse?
Maybe it does to Barack Obama, who chose to title his Father’s Day speech this year: No Excuses. Like he did last year, President Obama chose to spend Father’s Day telling fathers how rotten they are.
On Mother’s Day, Obama wrote an official proclamation declaring that, “Generations of mothers have labored tirelessly and selflessly to support and guide their children and families.” On Father’s Day, however, Obama scolded American fathers that “there is no excuse for failing to meet their obligations.” Obama also “gave a nod to the single mothers picking up the slack,” opening up his speech with the statement that “We can all agree that we’ve got too many mothers out there forced to do everything all by themselves. They’re doing a heroic job, often under trying circumstances.”
Hey, Mr. Obama, it’s called Father’s Day for a reason. It’s a day of appreciation for fathers – not for mothers. We’re supposed to get a chance to relax and enjoy being with our families without being nagged at, told that we’re not good enough.
If Obama wants attack American fathers, I suppose that’s his right. Can his advisors please tell him to stop doing it on Father’s Day? Let him declare October 3rd to be National Fathers Are Lousy Bums Day. Let him make January 10 into Mothers Are Better Than Fathers Day. On Father’s Day, though, I just don’t want to hear the complaining.
Funny you should mention that… I’ve been quietly seething over a full-page ad in yesterday’s New York Times telling America’s dads not to go beating their families up. You know, it’s important for people not to beat one another. I get that. But there are plenty of us American fathers who — no, really — do not beat their family members, even on an occasional basis. Father’s Day is really just another marketing opportunity for Hallmark cards, but it’s a cultural indicator to see all this on Father’s Day. No father is perfect, and a fair number of fathers don’t father well, but don’t tar us all with the same brush — a lot of us, far from beating the kids, are beating our own asses into the ground in order to make things better for our kids.
Are you being serious? I mean, I’m not a father (as far as I know…), but I think Obama’s addressing the millions and millions of fathers out there who are really negligent of their kids, which is a big problem in this country. He’s addressed the issue in that way before.
i’m with Ross on this one: Obama wasn’t trying to paint with a broad brush – if his comments didn’t apply to you, just listen quietly and move on with your day. i commend him for taking negligent & abusive fathers to task. Somebody has to address all the violence, ill treatment and shirked responsibility that takes place daily in this sorry excuse for a country.
Tom and Ross, why doesn’t Obama use Mother’s Day to take negligent and abusive mothers to task? Why doesn’t he use Mother’s Day to praise single fathers who pick up the slack when mothers fail to live up to their responsibilities? Do you honestly think that doesn’t happen? I suggest you go talk to the staff at your local child protective services agencies and divorce courts, and you’ll get an earful.
What’s noticeable is the distinction made here. Does Barack Obama take Mother’s Day to lecture on fetal alcohol poisoning? Does the New York Times feature full-page ads on Christmas Day noting that Santa Claus is really all made up?