I've seen an interview with him, I don't care to see him again.

Okaaaay.

Yes, it was initially funny bu it is not a great example of parenting. Everyone can relate to him as a very frustrated parent of a young, self absorbed and bratty teen. I can even relate to him taking her computer away. But shooting the computer sent what message? Guns are how you should handle problems? Maybe it's just me but the frustrated father should have thought a little longer before acting.

Exactly Goldie!!! Really, when I saw him - and I can't remember who did the interview - I thought - how were his actions any better than hers? Guns are serious business. I think he definitely handled it the wrong way.

tina

I change the station every time The Today Show has these stupid segments. I seem to watch the Food Network more and more these days.

Just have to wonder if he handles all his problems this way! Guns are just to dangerous to be used in this manner. Seems very emotionally immature to me!!!

I thought the same thing as most of you here in that the dad did not send a good message in the way he handled the situation. Where would that way of reacting end? Dad: hey Chelsea that dress is too short...bang bang bang, dad shoots the dress off. Or, Chelsea brings home a boy the dad doesn't like so he yells dance boy dance as the kid has to jump and dodge bullets aimed at his feet. I don't think that dad should get anymore attention. The only good that could come of it is an increased profit for the person who owns the shop at the guy's local whiskey store. However, even that has a down side due to all the dads friends gathering to celebrate his good ole boy celebrity before they go home to beat their wives.

I don't agree with what he did, but I did laugh. I'm more interested to see how their relationship is now since it happened. Both of them needed big changes, IMO.

Don't forget, the daughter had publicly humiliated her dad before and she still wouldn't stop.

JT, I think that's quite the exaggeration.

Hey Lynn, you around? I think she and I are the only ones addicted to the Today Show. lol.

I will preface my response with the full disclosure that I did NOT see the video that went viral. Wouldn't waste my time. From the description here, sounds like the daughter went off on her Dad via social media networking? If that's the case, why would a responsible parent not just remove the privilege of the computer access? This guy shooting up his DD's laptop is just ridiculous behavior for a parent IMHO.

At times I happen to catch the morning tv programing. Not a Today show fan, but have put those types of programs on in the morning if there's a segment I am interested in seeing, or at times as white noise while I am getting dressed.

It must be a slow news week if this guy is still getting attention. The Today show needs to fill a certain amount of air time and they've chosen this guy? How about featuring a parenting "expert" to talk about reasonable ways to deal with our kids in the age of 24/7 access to social networking? Now that would be a segment worthy of attention. I have to wonder who NBC feels the target audience is for this guy's appearance?

This guy's behavior reminds me of that of that idiot, Rush Limobough. They both are examples of men with anger issues dealt with by ridiculous caveman-like behavior. I really don't think these guys warrant any more attention than they've already gotten.

Here's the thing. He had taken the computer away before. Twice. The last time he gave it back he told her that if it happened again, he was going to put a bullet through it. He kept his word. This was not an angry, uncontrolled reaction. This was carrying through on a punishment that the daughter anticipated.

Look, I'm not a gun person. But a lot of people are, and they handle them carefully and safely. This guy is one of those guys. Calling the guy a caveman or some sort of rootin' tootin' redneck straight out of central casting is just biased and indicates that one hasn't investigated the story in any way.

Since my dad is a good ole boy AND a responsible gun owner/ user he never resorted to shooting any of my things up and never would regardless, although some of his other parenting skills were questionable. This is however how several of his good ole boy irresponsible friends would have handled the situation though. This was my world growing up and why I moved several states away as soon as I was able. It does send the wrong message.

I was raised by hunters. I don't own any guns but I'm not unfamiliar with them or totally against them. My father would not waste a good bullet to destroy something that cost good money. I could imagine him taking something away from me permanently and finding a better use for it elsewhere.

I think Dad should have donated the computer to a school, library or other non-profit organization. Shooting the computer was very wasteful and in bad judgement. (Maybe bad judgement runs in the family?)

Again, Goldie makes perfect sense. What kind of lesson does it teach? Of course the daughter was in the wrong, but in mho the father was too. We've always had guns in our family, but I would not condone his actions. Wasteful is a good point.

I don't see anything funny about it.

jakabedy - I don't care if he told his child that her punishment would be to shoot her computer. His actions are not a lesson I would care to teach my child. Just sayin.

Please re-read my response. I didn't call him a "some sort of rootin' tootin' redneck straight out of central casting" those are your words. I might add that I happen to agree with your description despite the back story on the laptop. I don't need to "investigate" the story. My comment is based solely on his actions. In my world, intelligent, well adjusted adults do not behave that way. May be a regional thing?

What I want to know is - who raised this girl to behave in such a disrespectful manner?
Oh yeah, I already know the answer to that question.

Saw a clip somewhere and just shook my head. The world is full of idiots.

Well, I'm sorry another of my topics turned "hot." We've had this discussion already, why hash it out again and offend and take direct jabs at each other? The Full Moon isn't until Thursday.

I was merely letting those who partook in the other conversation know that father and daughter will be on The Today Show. Now people are dissing The Today Show? I don't get this petty arguing.

Tina, I knew you wouldn't find it "funny" nor watch the show, only because *I* mentioned it. Same ole, same ole, huh? I guess two jabs deserves at least one.

Anyway, I'm going to watch to see if either of them regret their actions. I still think it was one of the funnniest videos I've ever watched. :)

It's all about perception. I didn't see anything "hot" or controversial in this thread. People share opinions. Why is that so hard for you to comprehend?

My perspective may not be the popular one, but I was a rebellious teen with parents who were at their wits end. I also raised a teenage girl who had a mind of her own and I did not follow my parents example in how to manage her. This story in some ways has some familiarity to it.

While the guy is probably using the only parental tools he has, I think he has made a bad situation worse. He's not only brought himself down to his daughter's level but he's just not acting responsibly. You don't ground kids for months on end, you don't tell a 15 year old to get a job when legally you're responsible for supporting her, and you don't destroy a computer that's being used for school. I also have problems with him invading her privacy but I know a lot of parents have to do that these days, thank goodness I never did.

I understand she put something he didn't like on a public network and he was mad but as the adult, he's suppose to rise above her issues and figure things out, not retaliate. If the situation is beyond his scope (which obviously it is) he needs to get help but at least act like an adult and show your actions are not to hurt but to teach. He was absolutely wrong to shoot the computer and to post a video he said himself she'd probably never see. What good is it to drag your family business across the internet that way? He said himself he's in business so he of all people, he should know better.

The daughter posted a rebuttal video. She may not be behaving the way they want her to but maybe she has reasons for behaving the way she is. She's 15 and has a "girlfriend". Maybe she's going through a lot of things she really doesn't understand, it's obvious she's struggling. She said he doesn't accept her for who she is; if that's the case, shame on him. Kids need to be validated and encouraged, they need to know the love is unconditional; it's crucial at her age. In any case, respect is earned and sometimes kids don't respect their parents for a reason. Maybe she just needs to be heard. In any case, the scary part is, she damaged his car in retaliation, and it seems like she may have used a gun to do it. Great example he's set.

Here is a link that might be useful: daughter

I guess aside from the issues the father has with his temper, what bothers me most about this is that apparently the daughter put something on social media about her dad. Now the dad shoots up his DD's laptop and puts that video on YouTube. If he didn't want her to air the family laundry, well I guess he didn't think putting a YouTube video online of him shooting the laptop was, in fact, doing the same thing he asked his DD not to do - airing of the family laundry. Why do people do that? The whole thing is just perpetuated by morning shows, etc. booking this guy for their shows. I think the guy is enjoying the attention.

Oakley - not taking jabs at you at all. As I said, I watch morning shows. I was commenting on the dad's poor choice of behavior and questioning why a morning show would book him. Nothing at all to do with you personally. I don't think media outlets should give him anymore traction.

As far as the gun thing goes - when DD was young I was very conscious about guns. Never kept one in the house, and always asked if there was a weapon in the home when DD went to a new friend's home for a play date as a child. Fast forward. DD is an adult. My FIL owns a gun shop. I have no problem with anyone legally purchasing a gun for purposes of self-protection or hunting. I do have a problem with some guy going off half-cocked and shooting up a laptop whilst being filmed only to put it on YouTube. IMHO he is an idiot enjoying more than 15 minutes of fame.

and let us not forget, he wants this 15 year old girl to REIMBURSE him for the bullets he used to shoot it with and software he installed on the computer that he destroyed.

I agree...total idiot.

Lukki, I don't think that was really his daughter. She looks much older than 15. I think it us someone looking for their own 15 minutes of fame.

I didn't see the laptop video. But that video of the daughter seems too polished. Most videos done by people on youtube are peppered with a lot of "um", "uh" and "ya know". Filler words while they think of their next words, since it's spontaneous. This girl didn't do that. Something doesn't seem quite right about it.

That girl is twenty eight and not the daughter, and has a bunch of vid's on youtube.

Oakley - get over yourself. You put stuff on this board - then you get mad when people answer!!! I'm not dissing the Today show - it was only a couple of weeks ago that I asked if you'd seen the Paula Deene interview. But I have no desire whatsoever to see any more of this guy! I really don't get why you don't understand that and why you singled me out in your response. I certainly wasn't the only one who had negative comments against the guy.

I think it is the daughter.

took a second look...I guess you're right. I didn't see the other videos when I saw this one. Sorry!

He is an idiot and why any news media outlet would even cover this story is beyond me. It's as bad as all those other "reality" shows on TV that do nothing but depict and encourage bad behavior and acting ignorant. More bad reality TV.

This father is not qualified to father anyone. It's a shame parenting doesn't come with instructions. I saw the original video, thought it was stupid and wouldn't waste my time listening to his ignorant ranting again. Only thing he and his daughter need to do is apologize to each other and move on. I'd enjoy seeing them acting like mature caring adults instead of idiots. I have no patience for that type of bad behavior and it seems to be permiating every fiber of our society.

Just saw them on the Today Show and they did seem like a nice family. I just don't think using the gun to shoot up a computer was a good idea!!! I think they all learned something.

I saw the clip where they showed them this morning (before the commercials, etc.), did not watch the actual clip. Would have loved to have seen the mother who lost part of both legs, protecting her kids during the tornado. I saw an interview earlier this week on our local station and was in tears after listening to her and watching her poor husband who was quite overcome (understandably). She has such a great attitude through this. Those kids should never doubt a mother's love . . .

Thanks for the heads up about the show oakley.

From the today show interview:
"everyone assumed it was a hot headed rage when I did this"

I agree that a lot of people took it that way but he just didn't come across as angry or violent to me in the video, frustrated yes, acting a little rediculous yes which is what I thought was funny about it :). After seeing the interview they really do seem like a very nice family, the parents are very intelligent, well spoken and educated and care a great deal about their daughter.

I did not see the interview but did watch the YouTube video in which the father shot the laptop. Someone above asked if perhaps the dad's behavior and attitudes are regional, and I am very sorry to say that I think they are. That behavior is the epitome of "redneck." You see it everywhere inthe south, a tacky and dumb parental reaction of "well, I'll show you." When parents get into pissing matches with their kids do there's no adult in the room.

kswl, you just insulted half of the country. Calling all Southerners "rednecks" and "tacky and dumb". I seriously doubt that acting tacky and dump has anything to do with geography. People from different regions of the country express their feelings differently. Calling them tacky and dumb because they live in the South is prejudicial don't you think? All you have to do is look at an episode of any of the Housewives of (any city), Big Rich Texas, Bad Girls Club, etc., etc. and the tacky and dumbness is running rampart everywhere.

I saw a couple minutes of the Today interview that one of the other shows was airing and it was good to see Papa in a different light.

Hiwith, I dont know where you got the idea that i consider all southerner rednecks? I did not say that, and I don't think it. I live in a small town in Georgia and grew up inthe south. My family and most of my friends are southerners. There was no blanket condemnation of any part of the country on my part.

That said, there are a LOT of dumb, redneck people in the South where I live who applaud that father's action and see nothing at all wrong with it. I'm sorry, but I consider the entire incident childish, demonstrating a lack of parenting skills and good judgment, redneck and just plain tacky--- take your pick. :) I did see a clip of the father and wonder what their motive was for doing this all so publicly.....they seem like the type who will turn this into a reality show. Ick.

I hate these five minutes of fame interviews done by the morning shows. All that interview was was damage control. It's no different from the famous idiots who publicly humiliate themselves and do the same thing to change public opinion. Mel Gibson, Tiger Woods, Koby Bryant to name a few.

They dress up pretty, get prepped for a "controlled" interview and have their professional talking head sitting next to them to make it all seem like it's okay and under control.

What's really appalling to me about this guy is not only was he able to talk about how many people agreed with his behavior (which I find hard to believe) he let Matt Lauer scold and force that girl to admit on live TV that she was wrong for posting a stupid letter on her facebook page. IMHO, they're all hypocrites because I don't know an adult alive who at some point during their teens didn't vent to their friends about their parents; the only difference now is thanks to technology, the manner in which it's done is different. Yes Facebook is a public network but her parents did allow her to have the account and she did post it on a PRIVATE page that he had to break into. Would I want to hear my daughter talking about me like that? Of course not but then again, I wouldn't have invaded her privacy the way he did. And honestly, there are a lot worse things she could be doing to lash out with her frustrations. Still instead of seeing there was a problem and working with her to fix it, he grounds her for "months" like she's in prison and destroys the equipment she needs for school.

I also feel very strongly that instead of putting a minor on national so she could be further intimidated and humiliated by someone like Matt Lauer, he should be protecting her from the backlash of his stupid antics and taking classes to gain some freaking parenting skills. I just can't believe that people are buying into the facade and don't realize that the behavior in that video is uncensored and THAT guy is who that young girl is really living with, not the jerk on the couch.

I didn't see the interview but Lukki, your comments are interesting, to say the least! I do agree with some of the points you made. AND NOT TO BASH THE TODAY SHOW, but I can totally see Matt doing just as you said. They irritate me sometimes how they provoke a guest into certain answers/attitudes, etc.

tina (who is trying her best to ignore the redneck comment!)

I live in Georgia. I think what he did was funny and many of my relatives think it was funny, too. And we are not dumb. Or redneck.

Just as an aside, it's my understanding that the father didn't hack into her facebook account. They had a facebook page for their dog and although she had unfriended her parents, she hadn't unfriended the dog. The dad saw the letter through the dog's page.

We had similar issues with our daughter when she was in her teenage years. We didn't handle our issues the same way as this man, but I certainly understand his frustration. Call us dumb or redneck all you want, there are plenty of educated, professional, Subaru-and-Volvo driving, tennis playing parents here in Georgia who sympathize with the dad.

Thanks Tina, I'm not sure why you are worried about Bashing the Today Show though, IMHO, if their reporting is sub-par, then it's warranted. Years ago, I used to wake up to either the Today Show or GMA and listen to it while dressing for work. I looked forward to it when they had decent (as in unbiased) reporting and the lighter articles didn't either promote their network owner or exploit someone.

The same would hold true for many of the day time talk shows as well. Even though I think Anderson Cooper's show is in a bit of trouble, he's the one interviewer/reporter I can think of that steers clear of that type of journalism regardless of his platform.

Daisyinga,

Please go watch the video again, he clearly states he went into her page. Openly admits to "being in the business" and knowing how to get around the security, blocking or whatever term he used. He violated her privacy.

I raised my daughter in the south and loved every minute of it so I didn't appreciate the redneck term either, it's just as offensive as many other terms we've talked about in this forum. Bad choice of words for sure.

I guess Matt warranted it LOL. I made that comment because of being accused earlier of "dissing the today show". I do usually have it on on work mornings while I'm getting ready, even if I'm only listening.

I agree with your remarks on the term redneck and as KSWL explained her remark, I decided not to comment even though it stung a bit. Hmmm, guess I did comment after all. I'll agree with whoever brought up the "housewives" that type of personality is all over, not just the south. Reminds me of a visit to DC as a young teenager - with a group - and someone asking me where we were from (because of my accent LOL), and then being surprised that we wore shoes!

And then again, I guess KSWL is right - at least according to Daisy - that people in GA are laughing at this guy and the situation. For the life of me, I just can't figure out what is funny about it.

tina

Tina, I didn't remember that part of the post, sorry. LOL Well, anyone who wants to diss me for bashing a show that has gone so far down the tubes are welcome to do so; they're entitled to their opinion but I could really care less as I feel pretty strongly about mine. While I respect others opinions, I won't apologize for mine or step around anyone who objects to it.

As far as the humor of it, I also agree, don't see it at all.

"I live in Georgia. I think what he did was funny and many of my relatives think it was funny, too"

And people wonder why Southerners get stereotyped? If this is the mentality of an educated group, they haven't come that far from their depiction in "The Help".

I hope I did explain the "redneck" comment --- that I did not mean ALL Southerners, a group I am proud to claim. But every region has its own bottom-of-the-barrel group, I just don't know what they're called in other parts of the country. These are the people you see slapping their tired children in the grocery store for whining saying "I'll teach you a lesson." The dad did basically the same thing, IMO, only for the "enjoyment" of millions and to preen about it on YouTube. That particular lowlife dad is, regrettably, from the South and we happen to have that special term for people like that. I do not consider him representative of all Southerners, perish the thought!

Daisyinga, we've moved from Volvos to hybrids down here. :)

kswl, when you said you saw it "every where in the South" I assumed that covered all the south. Sorry I misunderstood what you were thinking and not writing. My mind reading is a bit off these days. LOL No sweat.

I definitely agree with "I hate these five minutes of fame interviews done by the morning shows."

I never watch them because they are only staged to make the interviewer look like a real journalist, when in fact nothing is further from the truth. They are all National Enquirers that hide behind the big TV networks.