Monday, March 2, 2009

Right-Wing Book Critic Steps Down

James Dobson, a fundamentalist leader known for his not-contradictory support for Sarah Palin and hatred for Harry Potter ("witchcraft," Dobson once fumed), is leaving his position as head of Focus on the Family, a conservative ministry.

So I'd say it's a good day for families, and reading.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

unlike march 31 , when schwartz books in shorewood closes.

Anonymous said...

what makes his stepping down a good day for families?

Anonymous said...

Hello. Hello. Are you planning to defend your comment?

Anonymous said...

Why is spanking better that a time out?

http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Parenting/2005/02/Do-Not-Spare-The-Rod.aspx

It is child abuse, introduces the child to violence as a way to solve problems and is not good for families.

Anonymous said...

Time-outs are not always effective. When used as Dobson describes, spanking can be an effective later step in discplining a child.

My son was spanked occassionally. Periodically, he would purposely and knowingly step outside the bounds of acceptable behavior. He would be warned of the consequences and told to stop. But, in his sometimes defient nature, the misdeeds ensued. The punishment was a single swat on the butt that was never done while I was angry.

Here's the definition of child abuse:

"Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines child maltreatment as any act or series of acts or commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child".

In other words, child abuse is a single (or repeated) physical, psychological, or sexual act that is done (or not done) that results in harm, potential harm, or threat of harm. By use of this definition, is any parent innocent of child abuse?

My guess is that some day, somebody in persuit of a doctorate will formulate a thesis, concluding that time-outs are a form of child abuse because the isolation causes psychological harm resulting from feelings of abandonment.

Anonymous said...

James,
This is my third request for you to back up your statement, "So I'd say it's a good day for families, and reading".

James Rowen said...

To Anon; Sorry: I've been busy...it's a good day for families and reading - - in my view, shich Ihave signed - - when a scold steps off his judgemental perch from which he influences reading and families, thus the culture.
It's an opinion, so don't look for anything empirical.
And I don't think we'll agree about that in the case of Dobson.