Happy Father's Day

Preview For Sunday 062109

Hey folks,

Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. We are TRULY fully loaded and ready to go. But first, to all the Dad's out there. Happy Father's day.

I do want to comment on some "controversy" involving Obama and Fathers. I'll do that in just a second.

First, coming right up today?

Thousands mourn Iranians killed in protests
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Protesters: Stop Or Die
Juneteenth
Sotomayor quits women's club, State Run Media Bias
Swine Flu Update 062109
IWA for Sunday 062109

That's coming right up. But first I want to talk about the latest controversy from my friends on the FAR Right. They say with what is going on in Iran and North Korea, Cuba, and Russia, not to mention we are still at war with those that want us dead, Obama is ignoring it to talk about Fathers. Sorry, I just do not see it this way.

According to The Baltimore Sun - Obama say prime goal was 'to be a good father' By Paul West paul.west@baltsun.com

June 20, 2009

WASHINGTON - - President Barack Obama, speaking in highly personal terms as the son of an absentee father, devoted much of his workday Friday to promoting the importance of parental commitment and mentoring.

Celebrities from the worlds of music and sports joined the president at the start of Father's Day weekend for what Obama called the beginning of a national conversation about fatherhood and personal responsibility.

"I decided that if I could be one thing in life, it would be to be a good father," he told a White House audience, after saying that his father's decision to walk away from his family had left "a hole in a child's heart" that couldn't be filled.

I LIVED that. I met my Dad when I was 21 years old. Until that moment, I was total how evil was and saw him as a Darth Vader type of figure. Thing changed INSTENTLY upon meeting the man and we have a good few years together before he past on.

I understand what Obama is saying here. I lived it. I get it. I do not have the time right this second to do all the research, but the percentage of single Minority Moms are so high, it's about time someone say something about Fathers.

Obama spoke after five men, including a former addict from Baltimore, described their own struggles. The president said there was "no rule that says that you have to repeat your father's mistakes."

Probably why I spend as much time with my Josh as I do.

Adults who were deserted by a parent "have an obligation to break the cycle" and "do better than they did, with your own children," he said.

Joe Jones, 50, founder of the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore and a prominent advocate for inner-city fathers, described his 17-year struggle with heroin and cocaine addiction that began at age 13, not long after his family broke apart.

Jones thanked Obama for making fatherhood issues a priority and said that "the right kind of support systems and the right kind of public policies" can overcome problems "that attack young men's ability to manage their own behavior."

Later, during a question-and-answer session with members of the East Room audience, Jones asked Obama about his decision to run for president with two young daughters at home.

"Frankly, I don't think we would have made the same decision if our kids were a little older," the president said. "Sasha was 5. Malia was 8. And they were still in Chicago. They had my mother-in-law, and they had a whole network and a community and a family that could help and support them."

In response to another question, Obama drew on his biography to underscore the importance of adult influence on young people.

Obama's Kenyan father deserted the family when his son was 2, and reappeared briefly when he was 10. Still, the president said yesterday, that fleeting encounter "in the few weeks that I was with him" made an impact. Obama, a basketball enthusiast and jazz fan, said that his father gave him his first basketball and took him to his first jazz concert.

"I didn't remember this until later on in life, but just that imprint is powerful. And imagine if that's sustained every day," the president said.

Ed Gordon, a former Black Entertainment Television host, thanked Obama for promoting his family in the news media. The Obamas have been particularly agreeable to cover stories in publications aimed at African-American readers.

"The image is so powerful," said Gordon, and that has made it easier to persuade young men to become more involved with their children.

Vice President Joe Biden added praise of his own.

"Mr. President, you're a great President. You're a great dad," Biden said. "And you're really good to be doing this. It's a big deal," he said, to applause from the invited guests.

Obama did not announce any new government initiatives but did take several hours out of his schedule to highlight a variety of public, private and faith-based organizations.

He made a quick trip to a Northern Virginia nonprofit, Year Up Inc., a job-training program for young urban adults. And later, he played host to a picnic for young men from the Washington area, with rib-eye steaks grilled on the South Lawn by celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

On hand were many of the celebrities who had taken part in the day's events, including NBA players Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat and Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards; Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and Antwaan Randle El of the Washington Redskins; hip-hop artist Darryl "DMC" McDaniels; and Tony Hawk, described by the president as the best skateboarder in the world.

Good for Obama. I mean that. If we DID have more two Parent Homes, we would have less crime, lower expenses, ETC. With this, I'm with Obama 100 percent.

OK. Going to fill my cup. Trust me, you will need one to. Be right back.
Peter