[PMCarey]

Okay, I'll probably get slammed for this, but WHAT WAS THE FATHER THINKING? Look, let's all agree that the union guy was a thug and and idiot and should be made to walk across a carpet of razorblades. Now, with that out of the way, let's look at the father's behavior here. The event was a rally for John Edwards and he decides to go there in what he knows is going to be hostile territory and campaign for Bush. He certainly has a constitutional right to do that and he certainly should hope that he'll be respected; BUT he should also know that he's running the risk of having a confrontation with a Kerry/Edwards supporter and probably a very loud and angry supporter.

So, knowing all that (and let's be honest he should know all that) he takes his three-year old daughter along. I'm sorry, but I would never take a three-year old into that kind of situation. The union guy was wrong and and a thug, but the father was an idiot.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

This is a PUBLIC airport. It used to be safe to go to places like these. And yes, in an earlier, more kinder America, I would have taken my kids to see the Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates of either party as a Civics lesson.

[Dan from Michigan]

He probably expected civil discourse. Maybe honest disagreement.

It's real easy to armchair QB(particulary after seeing the threads on FR about the goons), but I doubt he knew what the union goons were really like. I don't think even most activists I know have seen what they are like.

I'd give the dad the benefit of the doubt. He should expect the goons to leave his kids alone.

[mcg1969]

I tend to agree with you PMCarey, but it used to be reasonable to do that. Sure, it isn't any longer, civility has declined so much. But this may be the first time he has been confronted with that truth. With 10 kids, and politically active, I'll bet his kids have done this many-a-time before.

[rintense]

He was thinking what every other person who takes part in the political process was thinking... that they would and should be safe to express themselves without fear of reprisal from thugs.

[the_rightside]

You do have a point.