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As a father of 5 kids from the ages of 5-17, I feel I know a bit about parenting (most lessons, of course, I have learned the hard way).
My most recent parenting challenge has been to try to teach my 16 year-old daughter how to recognize a good man from a… well… a not-so-good man.
The small problem I am having with this particular lesson is that no matter what I say to my daughter these past few months, she looks at me like I’m a moron (I am told this phase should pass within 10 years).
I recently employed the classic story of a young woman out on a fancy dinner date with a handsome young man:
He arrives at your door, well dressed — perhaps even carrying roses. He gives a very warm greeting to both your parents, and promises to bring you home safely at a reasonable hour. He then walks you to his car and opens the door for you. He takes you to a beautiful restaurant and pulls out your chair to seat you. He speaks kindly to you and appears interested in your opinions, your thoughts and even your family. Then, just as you’ve decided he’s surely the nicest young man you’ve ever met, he suddenly yells at your waiter in a horrifically rude and condescending tone.
This boy, I explain, despite all the kindness he has extended to you, is not a good man. A man is not measured by how he treats a pretty girl, but rather, by how he treats the most defenseless — be it an employee, a waiter or the homeless on the street. It is only the man who treats “the least of us” with respect and compassion that can be called a true man.
After thoughtfully conveying this story to my daughter, for just a brief moment, I thought I had finally broken through into that impenetrable mind of the 16 year-old girl. Then, in a flash, the moment vanished — replaced with that “you are a moron” look. Shoot. So darn close…
Today, though, I owe a debt to Governor Chris Christie (and YouTube). For what I could not teach to my daughter, he kindly did for me.
During today’s press conference, Governor Christie responded to a reporter’s polite question with a condescending “Are you dumb?” He then concluded his conference with a classy “Thank you all very much and I’m sorry for the idiot over there.”
I was so disgusted by his behavior that I showed the video clip to my kids. My 16 year-old daughter watched the clip and immediately replied:
“He might be a good Governor, but he’s certainly not a good man.”
That-a-girl!
Thanks, Gov. I owe you one.
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the politically challenged 