Posted on 06/11/2007 4:28:27 PM PDT by PercivalWalks
Guy Berkeley "Berke" Breathed (aka "Berkeley Breathed"), creator of the popular, nationally-syndicated cartoon OPUS, gives fathers a nice kick in the teeth Father's Day week with his latest comic "Davie Dinkle has two moms" (pictured).
In the comic, which appeared in many of America's largest newspapers yesterday (6/10/07), two elementary school boys have the following discussion:
Boy with Black Hair: Hey, ya hear about Davie Dinkle in third grade?
Boy with Blond Hair: No.
Black: He's got two moms.
Blond: Two?
Black: Multiple mommies.
Blond: Cool.
Penguin: No dad?
Black: No dads.
Blond: A dearth of dads for Davie Dinkle.
Black: Makes you wonder.
Blond: Makes you wonder what?
Black: Makes you wonder how he'll do without a male role model in the house.
Dad: (Drunk, as he angrily throws the TV out the window) Now THAT was a pitch you @$%* moron!
In "Davie Dinkle has two moms" Breathed's message is clear--dads are useless as role models (when they're not outright destructive), and kids have little need or use for them.
To write a Letter to the Editor of the paper(s) which published this anti-father cartoon, see below. If your letter is printed, please let us know and we will link to it. To see the cartoon in a larger, clearer format, go here: glennsacks.com/blog/?p=816#more-816.
Write a Letter to the Editor Regarding Berkeley Breathed's anti-father OPUS cartoon "Davie Dinkle has two moms"
New York Times -- letters@nytimes.com Los Angeles Times -- use web form here: www.latimes.com/services/site/la-comment-oped-cf,0,86410.customform?coll=la-promo-opinion. Philadelphia Inquirer -- inquirer.letters@phillynews.com Minneapolis Star Tribune -- opinion@startribune.com Boston Globe -- letter@globe.com Miami Herald -- HeraldEd@MiamiHerald.com Kansas City Star -- letters@kcstar.com The Sacramento Bee -- opinion@sacbee.com Fort Worth Star Telegram -- letters@star-telegram.com The Charlotte Observer -- opinion@charlotteobserver.com Atlanta Journal Constitution -- use web form here: www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html. Salon.com -- use web form here:http://letters.salon.com/about/index.html.
Berkeley Breathed can be reached at opus@washpost.com.
Numerous other papers published the OPUS cartoon. Some of them include: Austin American Statesman; Raleigh News & Observer; Fresno Bee; Akron Beacon Journal; Dayton Daily News; The State (Columbia, SC); Wichita Eagle; Lexington Herald-Leader; The Tacoma News Tribune, and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
This anti-father, "two moms are better than a mom and a dad" assertion is not unique to Breathed. Prominent feminist authors Peggy Drexler and Rosanna Hertz received positive media attention after putting forth similar notions in their recent, highly-publicized books Raising Boys Without Men: How Maverick Moms Are Creating the Next Generation of Exceptional Men (Drexler) and Single by Chance, Mothers by Choice: How Women Are Choosing Parenthood Without Marriage and Creating the New American Family (Hertz).
I criticized Drexler in my column "Raising Boys Without Men: Lesbian Parents Good, Dads Bad" (World Net Daily, 9/10/05) and "Are Boys Really Better off Without Fathers?" (San Francisco Chronicle & others, 8/31/05). I criticized both Drexler and Hertz in my co-authored column "Are Single Mothers the 'New American Family?'" (World Net Daily, 9/28/06).
(Note: My commentary above should NOT be construed as a criticism of lesbians, lesbian moms or gays. As I've made clear on many occasions, I fully support the rights of gays and lesbians to live their lives as they choose. What I oppose is the idea--pushed by Breathed, Drexler, Hertz and others--that kids don't need fathers, that moms are better than dads, and that having two moms is better than having a mom and a dad.)
He’s also a human being in a tough spot; one that is exceedingly personal. If I recall correctly, Edwards tried to call him on it in a similar manner. It made Edwards look very small.
Buy a crossword puzzle book at the supermarket.
There are many different patterns for sex-change. Some species will begin life as males and switch to females (protandry), and others switch from female to male (protogyny). Further still, some will change sex in both directions, and others will be both sexes at the same time
“I can’t remember when men were portrayed as positive role models in the pop culture.”
I really enjoy watching the old shows that do portray both mothers and fathers positively, and positively reflect on families. Shows such as “Leave it to Beaver” and “Andy Griffith” are particularly enjoyable, especially when compared to today’s shows.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Loved both of those shows as a kid...and still do.
What a revolting development that was!
(Blink.) Is that Binkley? When the heck did he reappear in the strip?
(And Bearthed’s always had a reoccurring “Dads suck” theme in his strips, as can be seen by the character of Binkley’s dad. This isn’t anything new with him.)
Unfortunately, when you make yourself a public figure, like Bubba, all things personal become tough spots. Like a parent, you have a responsibility. Comes with the power.
“That mother in law in Bewitched was the ultimate battle axe.Darren was in a no win situation,her being a witch with magical powers and all.How could he have the upper hand when she could turn him into a frog?”
“Ever seen this before? It’s Holy water.”
*splash*
“Yeah, the power of Christ compels ya, bitch!”
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