Letters to the Editor
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I completely understand Baldwin's frustration.
I completely blame Kim Basinger for this entire incident. Baldwin had a court order to call at X time. When he calls, the kid's phone is off. My mother used to pull this type of crap on my dad CONSTANTLY. And at 11, the kid is old enough to know what was going on and act accordingly. My siblings and I certainly did.
At age 11, most kids ARE "little shits." And yes, I'm guilty of informing my own son of that fact on occasion. Mainly when he's being a little shit.
Just yesterday I watched a kid, about 4 years old, raise his hand to slap his own father, while his dad mouthed harmless little platitudes. I may be a hothead with a rude mouth, but my kid treats me with respect. I'm not above grabbing his arm and getting in his face. I will not allow my son to humiliate me in public, but if he had ever dared to (and he didn't), he would've gotten a big dose of humiliation (see arm grab and angry words) himself.
I don't call him stupid or put down his intelligence, though. There's no excuse for that. My friends used to joke that they thought my first name was "dammnit" because that was all they ever heard me addressed as.My dad insulted both my and my siblings' intelligence constantly. All it did for me was to a.) make me not care one whit about his opinion, and b.)make me determined to surpass him academically, financially, and socially (which I've done. Thanks, dad!)
Unfortunately it had the opposite effect on my siblings.
But telling them they're being a little selfish shit when they're being a little selfish shit? I have no problem with that at all, and I think its sorely needed in this society of "the world revolves around my precious little pumpkin, and he can run through the restaurant screaming at the top of his lungs and slap me in the face all he wants because he's my previous pumpkin."