Author Archive
Daddy Cop
Interesting article, unfortunately not fully online, about John Timoney, current Miami Chief of Police. “Timoney today is regarded as one of the most progressive and effective police chiefs in the country,” according to the article; he worked in New York under Bill Bratton. Apparently he had a horrible time with both of his kids, one of whom is currently in jail for drugs. However, both appear to be on the mend. Interesting story of a father who loved his kids but didn’t really know how to show it, or how to deal with their very serious problems.
Miami Blue (New Yorker)
Adoptive parents better?
What? Do I put my own kids up for adoption?
Research suggests they invest more time and money in their children.
Grant Koski seems to have what every 3-year-old needs.
His dad calls him Peanut and hugs him when he runs by.
His mom takes him to and from preschool and makes warm lunches.
He goes to Disney movies and to the park.
Grant is adopted. So is his brother, 9-year-old Griffin, who reaps similar benefits from what seems an archetypal household.
But don’t worry parents:
But it’s a “false assumption” that children fare better with birth parents, said Brian Powell, co-author of the study and sociology professor at Indiana University.
If nothing else, this could help quiet the notion that adoptive parents are horrible. Maybe it’ll even help gay couples convince adoption agencies to give them an even playing field.
New York Mag says: Don’t praise the kids too much
What do we make of a boy like Thomas? Read more »
Bill Gates Keeps His Kids Offline
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Just because you’re the daughter of Bill Gates does not mean you get to play on your computer all day long. Read more »
That old-time ‘ligion
My oldest son (hereafter referred to as “Thing 1”) received a CD-ROM of games from his computer class at school. On it was a little amusement called Smite Thee, in which you are God (looking like Zeus) and you either zap non-believers with lightning bolts or ‘bless’ your followers. The non-believers look like monks and move in to steal pieces of your temple. Once they do, the game is over.
Thing 1 tells me that they wouldn’t let him play this at school “because it shows God being mean to people. God isn’t mean to people, is he, dad?”
PS: the kid doesn’t go to Our Lady of Perpetual Wealth or Ye Olde Jewy Shul, just your basic elite private school. Got me thinking: what the he… sorry, the h-e-double hockey sticks are they teaching him there?
It gets better. While he’s playing, he calls out, “No one’s getting my temple yet, dad!” And my personal favorite: “I AM GOD!” Zap! Thunderbolt! A believer! Bless him! Anoit his head with oil! (Actually, there is no anoiting nor is there oil, but isn’t that the next step?)
This isn’t Pat Robertson territory, but still, it’s slightly disturbing. I can’t even imagine what my mother would have said if I’d brought home a game like this. Of course, it would have been with playing cards, but still.
