The News
If you have not seen the news, on January 9th former president Bill Clinton was named “father of the year” by The National Father’s Day Committee. My first response was, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Well, at least that is what I think I said. It’s all a blur too me, now. Sadly, I may have even used the Lord’s name in vain.
Yes, the former president of the United States of America, the man who made the term “Lewinsky” famous, was named “father of the year” in expectation of the upcoming Father of the Year Awards banquet to be held June 11, 2013.
Me haveth some questions…
Question One
Who in the world is The National Father’s Day Committee?
Have you ever seen those cheap, plastic trophies that say, “World’s Greatest Dad“? They are handed out by loving children all over the civilized world (at least the parts that have Wal-Marts and Dollar Stores). I never knew there was an actual “Council” who determined who was the actual father of the year.
But believe it or not, The National Father’s Day Council was created in 1931 “to achieve universal observance of then little known holiday – Father’s Day.” Then, starting in 1942, the National Father’s Day Committee began conferring honors upon “contemporary life style leaders of our society,”the first being Douglas MacArthur.
Other top dads of the year have been Pat Boone (1960), Tom Brokaw (1978), Mario Andretti (1997), and Randy Jackson (2008).
Question Two
What in the name of all that’s holy caused these people to pick Bill Clinton?
This is the real question. What caused a group of presumably intelligent people to come to the conclusion that the best example of fatherhood this country had to offer was a compulsive womanizer? May I suggest two words? Blue dress! Two more words: Jennifer Flowers!
After doing a little reading, I finally found out what led the National Father’s Day Committee to select Bill Clinton as “father of the year.” Tell me if you think they are worthy of a plastic trophy.
- Philanthropy through the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative
- Being the U.N. Special Envoy for Haiti
- A bunch of “profound generosity, leadership and tireless dedication to both his public office and many philanthropic organizations.” – National Father’s Day Committee chairman Dan Orwig
Really? Are they serious? These are reasons to call someone the national “father of the year”? Whatever happened to stuff like faithfulness? Even the Huffington Post (liberal as the day is long) thought this was a joke!
A Better Choice
I don’t know about you, but I think they could have made a far better choice for “father of the year” than ol’ “Slick Willy.” As a matter of fact, any man who can check off the majority of the following list deserves a bigger plastic trophy than Clinton ever will.
Never cheats on his wife, even in Vegas.- Plays with his children, even when he is tired.
- Holds down a real job, even two, in order to keep a roof over his family’s head.
- Gives to others without having a reporter take pictures.
- Hugs his wife in public – because he actually wants to.
- Treats all women with respect and would rather die than abuse one.
- Knows his family is more important than his career.
Forget the U.N., foreign countries, foundations, and presidential libraries. A real father is defined by commitment, consistency, faithfulness, compassion, strength, leadership, and sacrifice.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” – Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” – Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” – 1 Peter 3:7 NIV
And then there’s this guy. He had his daughter pose half-naked to sell a car on Ebay. At least Bill taught Chelsea to keep her clothes on in public. Good grief!
Related articles
- Bill Clinton: Father of the Year (nationalreview.com)
- Actual Thing: Bill Clinton Named ‘Father of the Year’ (townhall.com)
The Recovering Legalist 