What man across America could conceivably look at their son, and hope they turn out like Donald Trump? What child could ever look at a father like Trump with respect or love? What a sad day it must be for him. What a lonely day. At least he has himself and his cult.
Thanks Steve and happy fathers day to you as well.
I am a very blessed father indeed with 6 children and soon 17 grandchildren. I love them all and they treat me wonderfully for sure. The children are strong successful and a mixed bag politically but very thoughtful.
I have two conservative Christians and four left leaning progressives. They love their dad and all his goofy yet charming niceties.
I wish every father the best today. I am hopeful for all of our future as we beat back this dragon that threatens to consume us.
Happy Father's Day, Steve, and all dads here on The Warning. May more fathers teach and model humility, decency, integrity and love. May we also have great compassion and care for the children who do not have fathers of integrity and model love and integrity for them, too. Being a father and an American are gifts and are of the highest order of duty and responsibility. Have a beautiful day!
Jun 18, 2023·edited Jun 18, 2023Liked by Steve Schmidt
Happy Father’s Day Steve. I think point 10 is one of the most important points we can teach our children, yet one of the hardest as well. Indeed, social media today encourages people to create their own truth even when different from reality. From there, it’s easy to avoid the truth and spout lies. May the value of truth regain its luster and appeal in our society.
Happy Father’s Day, Steve, and all fathers. Your point about knowing when to step back & apologize for an improper line hit my heart today.
I’m reminded about my late father, who drew those false lines in my life to estrange him from me, his lesbian daughter. My older sister died just shy of her 30th birthday at the hands of a drunk driver. My older brother lost his battle with cancer. That left me, the “other” one.
Years later, when cancer ravaged my father’s body, I moved in temporarily to care for him bc my stepmom could not. One day, his temper was short & he shouted at me. It nearly broke me. I heard her say: “Stop it. She is *here* taking care of *you*, *us.*
After a long silence while I washed dishes, he called to me. At first I couldn’t look at him. I knew I would cry. He called to me again. Please come over here. I did. I leaned down near his ear: What do you need, dad?
You, he said. Tears spilling, he said, “I’m so very sorry, baby. Can you forgive me?”
Then we both were crying. I said yes. I knew then we were talking about my whole life.
Dad passed in my arms a few weeks later.
On Father’s Day I am grateful beyond measure for the closure and acceptance I finally received from the man I thought would never give it. Love really does conquer all. That apology was my father’s bravest and finest moment.
How uplifting. There is a quote I want to offer because what happened between you and your parents that day made me think of it. “The holiest place on Earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.” Your love healed him and in turn his love healed you that day.
Thank you for that beautiful sentiment, Susan. I have always felt blessed for those final weeks we spent together. I learned how to forgive and accept forgiveness in return. I wish this for everyone.
Great piece Steve. We have twins, one boy and one girl. What being a father means to me changes with time. In the early years it was mostly fear and effort. Fear that I would screw up and somehow mess up their lives. They are now 27 years old. I did not screw up. My wife, God love her for putting up with me is their guide, I just help a little. Luckily they have always asked questions, even today. That gave me the chance to instill honesty, kindness and bravery when called for. Neither of them will tolerate a bully. Did I teach that? Maybe. Do they love their country? No question. Do they vote? Every time. They ask me every time about the candidates, so they will vote being more knowledgeable. I don't tell them who to vote for, but I tell them who I am voting for and why. Today even though they ask me about the candidates they don't need to because they know who to vote for. I've been pretty successful in business and life. Lucky I guess. But today when I look at what I have accomplished, it's these too kids who are the top of my work. Thank God, I did not screw up.
Jun 18, 2023·edited Jun 18, 2023Liked by Steve Schmidt
Happy Father’s Day to you Steve. You are right that we won the lottery when we were born in America. It is sad when Americans focus on the wrong reasons that people from all over the world risk life and limb, leave families and friends behind to pursue the dream that we have available to us. I wish the best to those who risk all to give their children the opportunity to be fathers and mothers in the rich and fertile land that is America!
Happy Father’s Day Steve! My father has been gone almost 26 years now. I miss him every day still. He wasn’t perfect. No one is. But he did his best and he made sure I knew he loved me, not only with his words but with his actions. If he said it, if he made a promise, you could bet it was going to happen. Consistency and love, I don’t think a child can ask for much more than that and if they get it, I think they should consider themselves lucky.
Carey, mine as well. And I agree with all you say, he wasn't perfect, but i know he did his best. Remember we learn how to BE from those closest to us, our mothers and fathers. Learn from them but don't always do what they did - improve on it every day
I don’t wish to focus on DJT and the failure of his parents to instill any sense of humanity upon him during Father’s Day. This defect in the Trump Family character was common knowledge well before the year 2016.
The greatest conman and grifter somehow captured Americans attention as his slight of hand re-branded our country as an asset to be pillaged and our institutions invalidated to stop the grand larceny.
Jun 18, 2023·edited Jun 18, 2023Liked by Steve Schmidt
Happy Father’s Day to all! Thinking of my dad, gone now for 11 years, and how he would have been disgusted with the Golden Turd™️. As a life-long Republican, he saw through Bush the Younger and confided in me that he considered him a low-IQ frat boy. I was, in no uncertain terms, not to tell my mother he’d voted for Gore!
He lied about his age at the tail end of WWII to enlist, a weak of sight and flat of foot 17yo, and joined the chaplain corps only weeks before Japan fell. He never would have seen combat, fortunately. He was a mild-mannered church organist and choirmaster who never once raised his voice to his sons in anger, and loved his family deeply.
Great commentary and even better advice to your kids Steve. I have three kids, all healthy, hard-working adults. Inexplicably, my oldest son is MAGA. Great disappointment to me, but hopefully, in time he sees a better path. Happy Father’s Day amigo!
A most admiral list of how teach a child to be a man (or woman) in today's America. I'm sure you are as good a father as your own likely was. Parenting can be tough at times, having to make the smartest choices on handling difficulties. But the rewards are countless. Happy Father's Day to you, and all the fathers responding below.
Happy Father’s Day and your list of 12 is appropriate to all adults
Thanks Steve and happy fathers day to you as well.
I am a very blessed father indeed with 6 children and soon 17 grandchildren. I love them all and they treat me wonderfully for sure. The children are strong successful and a mixed bag politically but very thoughtful.
I have two conservative Christians and four left leaning progressives. They love their dad and all his goofy yet charming niceties.
I wish every father the best today. I am hopeful for all of our future as we beat back this dragon that threatens to consume us.
Happy Father's Day, Steve, and all dads here on The Warning. May more fathers teach and model humility, decency, integrity and love. May we also have great compassion and care for the children who do not have fathers of integrity and model love and integrity for them, too. Being a father and an American are gifts and are of the highest order of duty and responsibility. Have a beautiful day!
Happy Father’s Day Steve. I think point 10 is one of the most important points we can teach our children, yet one of the hardest as well. Indeed, social media today encourages people to create their own truth even when different from reality. From there, it’s easy to avoid the truth and spout lies. May the value of truth regain its luster and appeal in our society.
Happy Father’s Day, Steve, and all fathers. Your point about knowing when to step back & apologize for an improper line hit my heart today.
I’m reminded about my late father, who drew those false lines in my life to estrange him from me, his lesbian daughter. My older sister died just shy of her 30th birthday at the hands of a drunk driver. My older brother lost his battle with cancer. That left me, the “other” one.
Years later, when cancer ravaged my father’s body, I moved in temporarily to care for him bc my stepmom could not. One day, his temper was short & he shouted at me. It nearly broke me. I heard her say: “Stop it. She is *here* taking care of *you*, *us.*
After a long silence while I washed dishes, he called to me. At first I couldn’t look at him. I knew I would cry. He called to me again. Please come over here. I did. I leaned down near his ear: What do you need, dad?
You, he said. Tears spilling, he said, “I’m so very sorry, baby. Can you forgive me?”
Then we both were crying. I said yes. I knew then we were talking about my whole life.
Dad passed in my arms a few weeks later.
On Father’s Day I am grateful beyond measure for the closure and acceptance I finally received from the man I thought would never give it. Love really does conquer all. That apology was my father’s bravest and finest moment.
Lisa, Thank you for sharing this deeply touching story about your relationship with you father here today. Love does conquer all. Best to you, Lisa
Thank you.
How uplifting. There is a quote I want to offer because what happened between you and your parents that day made me think of it. “The holiest place on Earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.” Your love healed him and in turn his love healed you that day.
Thank you for that beautiful sentiment, Susan. I have always felt blessed for those final weeks we spent together. I learned how to forgive and accept forgiveness in return. I wish this for everyone.
Happy fathers day to all fathers and mothers who are both mom and dad!
Great piece Steve. We have twins, one boy and one girl. What being a father means to me changes with time. In the early years it was mostly fear and effort. Fear that I would screw up and somehow mess up their lives. They are now 27 years old. I did not screw up. My wife, God love her for putting up with me is their guide, I just help a little. Luckily they have always asked questions, even today. That gave me the chance to instill honesty, kindness and bravery when called for. Neither of them will tolerate a bully. Did I teach that? Maybe. Do they love their country? No question. Do they vote? Every time. They ask me every time about the candidates, so they will vote being more knowledgeable. I don't tell them who to vote for, but I tell them who I am voting for and why. Today even though they ask me about the candidates they don't need to because they know who to vote for. I've been pretty successful in business and life. Lucky I guess. But today when I look at what I have accomplished, it's these too kids who are the top of my work. Thank God, I did not screw up.
Happy Father's Day to all of those fathers simply trying their best as we parent in these "interesting times."
Your role is ever more fraught and of the highest import.
Thanks, also, to all of those who have accepted the baton from our nation's founding fathers, and struggle daily to parent this petulant country.
A very Happy Father's Day to you, Steve. Enjoy the family. Thanks for everything#
I really like this comment, Mia.
Happy Father’s Day to you Steve. You are right that we won the lottery when we were born in America. It is sad when Americans focus on the wrong reasons that people from all over the world risk life and limb, leave families and friends behind to pursue the dream that we have available to us. I wish the best to those who risk all to give their children the opportunity to be fathers and mothers in the rich and fertile land that is America!
Happy Father’s Day Steve! My father has been gone almost 26 years now. I miss him every day still. He wasn’t perfect. No one is. But he did his best and he made sure I knew he loved me, not only with his words but with his actions. If he said it, if he made a promise, you could bet it was going to happen. Consistency and love, I don’t think a child can ask for much more than that and if they get it, I think they should consider themselves lucky.
Carey, mine as well. And I agree with all you say, he wasn't perfect, but i know he did his best. Remember we learn how to BE from those closest to us, our mothers and fathers. Learn from them but don't always do what they did - improve on it every day
I don’t wish to focus on DJT and the failure of his parents to instill any sense of humanity upon him during Father’s Day. This defect in the Trump Family character was common knowledge well before the year 2016.
The greatest conman and grifter somehow captured Americans attention as his slight of hand re-branded our country as an asset to be pillaged and our institutions invalidated to stop the grand larceny.
Happy Father’s Day to all! Thinking of my dad, gone now for 11 years, and how he would have been disgusted with the Golden Turd™️. As a life-long Republican, he saw through Bush the Younger and confided in me that he considered him a low-IQ frat boy. I was, in no uncertain terms, not to tell my mother he’d voted for Gore!
He lied about his age at the tail end of WWII to enlist, a weak of sight and flat of foot 17yo, and joined the chaplain corps only weeks before Japan fell. He never would have seen combat, fortunately. He was a mild-mannered church organist and choirmaster who never once raised his voice to his sons in anger, and loved his family deeply.
We miss him greatly. Here’s to you, FCS.
I liked reading your comment. It made me laugh (tm) and warmed my heart.
Happy Father's Day, Steve. Happy Father's Day, other Warning Dads.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I miss you every day of every year.
Great commentary and even better advice to your kids Steve. I have three kids, all healthy, hard-working adults. Inexplicably, my oldest son is MAGA. Great disappointment to me, but hopefully, in time he sees a better path. Happy Father’s Day amigo!
A most admiral list of how teach a child to be a man (or woman) in today's America. I'm sure you are as good a father as your own likely was. Parenting can be tough at times, having to make the smartest choices on handling difficulties. But the rewards are countless. Happy Father's Day to you, and all the fathers responding below.
Happy Father's Day to you on this glorious Santa Barbara morning. Immediate chuckle reading your first line today; thank you for the great start.