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Characterizing his words as some form of appropriate discipline is like serving manure as "food" because it is organic.

I didn't say his words were appropriate discipline. I said that condemning this guy for using harsh language with his kid , especially when a private message is made public, will lead us down a road we should not be going, one where any parent is afraid to use stern language to their child, lest someone record it and broadcast it as a means of legal manipulation.

I am amazed at a lot of the responses here on this subject. People here must have had some incredibly lucky, perhaps sheltered lives if Baldwin's message for his daughter is so horrible to them that it automatically constitutes "violence" and "child abuse" and he should be locked up. Quite frankly, if this is the worst that this girl ever hears from her parents, then she is one lucky little kid.

We all know that Baldwin is a complete anti-American a-hole, and since I consider most leftists to be deranged, I wouldn't be shocked to find out that he was an abusive dad, but this recording doesn't prove a damn thing, and everyone thinking they know everything about this family's relationship and feeling entitled to pass holier-than-thou judgement on them based on a single recording is exactly why this situation bothers me. One day, someone will record you speaking harshly to your child in one way or another and the next thing you know CPS has taken your kids. Is that the society you want?

...everyone thinking they know everything about this family's relationship and feeling entitled to pass holier-than-thou judgement on them based on a single recording is exactly why this situation bothers me.

You really need to understand that there are many parents with successful relationships with their kids (and kids who stay out of trouble) who never, never, never speak to their kids in such demeaning way. Learning to communicate discipline respectfully of the child, the other parent and of oneself is one of the key skills needed for marriage and parenthood.

This phone call was not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern of abuse that has been reported not just in the tabloids, but also in the mainstream media, for many years. He's had plenty of time to have learned better.

Those who are frightened of accusations of abuse would do well to spend take marriage and parenting classes, learning not develop patterns of abuse in order to deal with spouses and kids. Who said being a parent should be easy, or that the parent deserves more consideration than the child? This guy had just mocked his daughter on national tv, twice. Where is her platform?

A father is supposed to defend his daughter's honor. He totally blew it, and he's been outed. Thankfully.

I am amazed at a lot of the responses here on this subject. People here must have had some incredibly lucky, perhaps sheltered lives if Baldwin's message for his daughter is so horrible to them that it automatically constitutes "violence" and "child abuse" and he should be locked up. Quite frankly, if this is the worst that this girl ever hears from her parents, then she is one lucky little kid.

Well, I have not led a sheltered life and have heard this kind of stuff alot in my life, from other people. But I can tell you what he said to his daughter was completely wrong and out of line.

With all the many mistakes, alcohol problems, tragedies, etc my parents would have never said anything like this, and never have I. Its wrong no matter who does it.

I too was surprised by those who somehow brought their own personal experiences into this and took different opnions according to what they had experienced.

Who knows the full truth?

Alec Baldwin has shown a lack of control many times, hasn't he?

You must remember that WORDS HURT. Children NEVER forget the harmful words that their parents say to them. And children cannot rationalize away like an adult can.

A parent saying, “You’re a pig.” Does often translate into, “My dad hates me, he finds me disgusting, he doesn’t love me...” And children do not erase those perceptions.

It takes a good deal of “repairing” that damage. And right now, it appears to me that Baldwin is trying to cover his behind in the public’s eye.

He should shut up, and tend to his daughter. It may take years to undo this type of damage. This is just a snippet that you have heard. Imagine the other things he may say to his daughter, that haven’t been taped. Perhaps that was Bassinger’s intention... to get the support of the public.

I cannot imagine that the judge in this case will be happy with what she has done. But, I also believe this custody case has muli-layers of pulling the child this way and that. This was not a good call by the mother. The child already knows what her father said to her. There is no need to throw it out there for the public to see.

I actually think Bassinger is trying to ruin her ex-husband’s career.

But that is neither here, nor there, when it comes to custoday.