In Praise of the Argumentative

Today in mountains-from-molehills news we have the Teutuls and Pauls. There may be floods and economic deprivation in the world while we count down to the Mayan-predicted (did they see their own end coming) apocalypse in 2012. However, the really important things in the media are struggles between sons and dads ... at least celebrity/politician fathers and male progeny.

The world of "entertainment" brings forth the news that co-star of American Chopper father Paul Teutel Sr. blew off co-star son Jr.'s nuptials this past weekend. Apparently, the wedding was a big reality-TV deal. And hot on the heels of that we have Texas Congressman Ron Paul announcing that people who own property should get to do what they want with it in contradiction to son and Kentucky senator candidate Rand Paul who thinks (at least in the case of something controversial for his potential constituents) that a middle way denying private property rights and pressuring for a monetary donation is the right way to go in trying to steer the more politically expedient course regarding the proposed 51 Park Muslim cultural center. They do seem to agree that the first amendment freedom of religion thing isn't that important so undoubtedly there is hope for reconciliation — in the same way that Teutel Jr. says of his missing pops, "I still love him, and the truth of the matter is it was an absolutely perfect day and I wouldn't have changed anything."

Media Meltdown

If you can imagine New York Times columnists riffing on the importance of Cougar Town as some sort of indicator of the great importance of househusbands then it should be no trouble at all to consider Washington Post using pixels to imagine the thoughts of a male panda as his baby is shipped thousands of miles away.

Ah, but don't imagine it: It's true. NYTers Gail Collins and David Brooks have a conversation on the changing nature of the economy and television and the culture of older-younger partnerships which somehow has gone off the track by considering that a television show demonstrating how 40-year-old wealthy women can have sex with hunks 10 to 15 years younger is a demonstration model for a solid career choice for male slackers. And the WaPo's John Kelly, lets his mind wander through the zoo cages until it comes to rest within the head of Chinese panda Tian Tian, who is apparently chomping like a qat addict on his bamboo stash and writing a note to his son, Tai Shan, who has been recalled to the homeland.

Both articles are so strange in conception and execution that it is only possible to think that dads at home have taken a step backwards, thanks to two great news institutions. Although, it is probably also possible to consider the exact opposite as well.

Who Gets to Hold the Megaphone?

In a near-comic episode of boys being boys, Ron and Michael are fighting over daddy. The two Reagan sons — the first, child of Ron and Nancy who is paid to espouse more liberal views and the second, a more conservative spouter and adopted son of the former Pres and his first wife, Jane Wyatt — are constantly clashing over their father's legacy. Most recently, they have, unsurprisingly, taken opposite sides on the (who cares) debate of what POTUS 40 would think of the Teabaggers.

The winner in the clash? Both of them, for as long as interest can be drummed up in what a dead man would think today they will both continue to be employed for their connection to that man. (You don't think they've fixed it that way, do you?)

The Disappearing

Fathers are disappearing and we can't even alert the media.

An Aussie Doc, Robinson, a parenting "expert," says too many men aren't dadding up — taking one or all the kids on his own. Not enough dad time and the kids suffer.

...and the pops disappear: Fathers are disappearing throughout Australia. However, lest you think this is just a problem down under, a McClatchey Newspaper report explains that fathers are disappearing from the parenting mags as well.

Maybe we need to figure out how to move the father figures from parenting pages to the personals so we can get these men dates (albeit with their own children) and keep them from disappearing onto the backs of milk cartons.

Bad Dad Better, Says AP

It's absolutely a petty point, but WD would be the accursed slacker dad if it were not pointed out that the AP's "Dads Aren't the Slackers They Used to Be" headlines an article that conflates housework and quantity (not quality) of time with kids with fatherhood.

The article's buried lede is that doing things (usually) more important to women gets a man more coupling ;-), ;-) ...[What's the emoticon for gagging?]

** Being a dad isn't divorced from making a woman happy, but it isn't always married to it either. **

Fear the Toon!!!!

Everyone can agree that Nickleodeon star Jimmy Neutron's dad, Hugh, is not a great role model for papa bears. He does seem to love Jimmy as much if not more than anything else — although the apparent Adult ADD doesn't make the a particularly meaningful.

But still, this is the show you don't let your kids watch because of the image of a dumb dad? Apparently it is for the Florida family of seven McKeens. McKeen père was quoted in a Washington Times story about evil media (TV and advertising) and their conspiracy to promote the image of dodo daddies. This, of course, is undoing years of good work by shows such as "Father Knows Best" and "The Flintstones", among other treasures.

** If the image of the dad at home is praiseworthy, you probably have nothing to fear from outside images. **