Sometimes You Should Just Hang Up

I think Alec Baldwin was a little upset with his daughter. Did you hear the crazy voice mail he left her? This is the voice of a dad who just spent hours stuck in traffic, in the middle of July, in a Dodge caravan with broken A/C and only two working windows, battling stomach cramps, a headache and homicidal urges all just trying to get his ungrateful kids and shrewish wife to a water park in the Dells.

As a dad, I can understand the voice and even the message. I would be lying if I said I've never lost my temper with "Daughter" and said things I regretted. That being said, I've never lost my patience with "Daughter" and said things I regretted. There, at least it's written out in case I ever need court transcripts.

I think all parents can relate to that kind of frustration. I'm not even taking into account all the baggage of Baldwin's divorce. I'm sure it's hard to keep your relationship with your kid strong while you're living on the other side of the country starring in a TV show, yapping about the world's problems and making sure horses aren't being exploited while pulling buggies through Central Park. It has to be difficult to make the effort to keep in touch with your child only to have them not try to meet you half way. I don't care if they're 12, or 11 or whatever. Oh wait that's Alec's logic. It's disappointing sure, but it's a kid, and kid's, for the most part are selfish, goofy little beasts. They'll do things and not realize that they hurt some one's feelings. That's what kids do. Adults need to realize that.

I'm not trying to crucify Alec Baldwin. He may have over reacted to a phone being left off for a scheduled call, but it sounds like this happened on previous occasions. His biggest mistake was not hanging up. If he had just slammed his cell phone shut, flung it across the room and grabbed a Scotch until he cooled down, nobody would know. If he jumped around his house screaming insults about his daughter while head butting a picture of his ex-wife, but had hung up the phone, no one would be the wiser. That's where an explosive temper will get you in trouble. Trust me, I know. It's like an animal seeing red. The phone went to voice mail, he was mad, he left this crazy, rambling, insulting message and then hung up. I would be willing to bet that the phone hadn't even been lowered from his ear when he thought "Oh, man, that was so stupid. I don't really feel that way. I'm an ass."

I think phones, e-mails and text messaging should have some sort of "cooling off" period like is in place for buying a gun. Install some type of pitch regulator on all machines, and if your voice, or words set off an alarm, your message couldn't be sent. It would be like the box that pops up when you try to delete a program from your computer. "Are you sure you want to send this insane message?" Hey I think it's a good idea, if you don't, well, to quote my favorite Baldwin, "you don't have the brains or the decency of a human being. I will fly out for the day to straighten you out. You are a rude, thoughtless little pig." Have a great weekend! Later...Brian

PS...Don't miss the big show Saturday night/Sunday morning from 1-5 am on WGN.