Turns out that stage father Papa Heene has this thing about directing his sons to make bratty videos, presumably to show off their ersatz Dennis-the-Menace-like scampiness. Here's a lovely video in which the Heene children pick their noses to make a booger soup to serve to Mom:
Here's a clip in which the Heene children get paid to pick up what they call "dog sh*t." It's always charming when small children swear:
In this clip, described by one of the Heene parents as "outrageously funny and comical" (funny and comical both), the trio makes dessert. I particularly love it when the littlest one calls his brother a "dumbass," and later suggests putting "sh*t" on the plate. Har har! No wonder this YouTube channel is titled "Hilarious Heene Family." Verily, these frisky tots ought to be given their own reality show. Well, whaddaya know, Richard Heene has been unsuccessfully pitching just such a project to the cablers.
I look forward with lip-smacking relish to the truth about the Balloon Boy story coming out. It might be the only thing that saves these three children from having their lives ruined by their world-class jerk of a father.
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Okay.
I withdraw my comment. I apologize to Rod and Gerard and anyone else I offended.
I meant in no way to defend the Heenes' awful behavior. At the risk of indulging in the very self-justification I'm criticizing (they don't have Lent every year for nuthin', after all), my explanation is: my comment was about what I think it does to *us* when we get on a roll with the kind of gleeful contempt that was being poured out about this story. It begins to look, to me, like a huge mutual self-justification party. And that's how we (and I totally include myself) sin all the livelong day. We're frequently justifying ourselves and comforting ourselves with assurances that we're not as bad as someone else. (That the someone elses may be really very bad is irrelevant.) It's why the Church makes us confess that we're the chief of sinners every week. If we're Christian, the Fathers would probably ask us regarding those we condemn, "why aren't you rather weeping for them?" I'm far from obeying that myself, and yeah, I know about public behavior warranting public comment. Still, the tone and volume of the condemnation in this thread just got to me, and I hit "send" when I should've stayed silent.
I hate it when I let myself get upset about some blog post, and I really, really hate it when I let myself join the fray with a comment that only adds to the heat. It is never, ever worth it.
Of course I realize that as soon as you point out something you consider Pharisaical, you're guilty of being Pharisaical. I get that. I'm not proud of it, but I suspect few of us have truly broken that cycle, at least in our thoughts. Though many wiser than I would not let expression of it slip in an outburst like the one I had. I suppose there should be something like a Godwin's Law regarding the term "Pharisee" for discussions that touch on religion.
Line about the priest: a terribly grumpy thought that should've stayed suppressed. Sorry, Rod. I never expected you to answer that anyway.
And believe it or not, I'm not the finger-waving Church Lady you think I am, Rod. This is what I hate about getting angry online, too. We address people in ways we never would in person. If you and I sat across the table from each other at coffee hour, we'd probably get along fine. If you said the same things there that bothered me here, I'd probably either have stayed silent or found a gentler, more respectful way to question you about it. Actually, I might even have just agreed with you to some extent, too. Since the conversation would be a lot shorter than a blog comment thread, the whole thing probably wouldn't have gotten under my skin so much.
And also believe it or not, I do enjoy this blog a lot. It's why I come back, though I do get irritated by some posts and discussions I don't like. I'm sorry that I commented only on the stuff I didn't like this time.
To sum up: I'm sorry for the angry outburst, and I'm sorry that this apology isn't perfect, because it contains attempts to defend some (not all) of the thoughts behind said outburst. I don't mean to retain with one hand an apology offered by the other, but hope to offer a calmer version of the thoughts that bothered me yesterday. Along with an actual apology. I am really sorry that I let that comment fly.
As Dr. Laura might mockingly comment with disdain: "Gee, I can't wait to be adopted into this family...."
You know--it's not even charming when big children swear (or adults, either, for that matter...)
Deb,
I've had more than my fair share of posts that I wish I could take back. I'm trying really hard to get better at doing what you so beautifully pointed out: imagining myself at table with the one whom I am addressing. It helps.
As for my post, I was trying to move along in the direction that Rod had suggested-talking about parenting. While Regina and I struggle to get it right (and we never will get it al right), my point was really about the standard we hold ourselves to. Not in a self-righteous way, but offered as one approach that a couple is using and admitting that it isn't easy. I'm sorry if in the context of the Heene story that came off badly. And I'm sorry if in not stating it better, it led you to anger.
God Bless
Deb, thank you for your thoughtful words. I sincerely apologize to you as well for snapping back.
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