NSFW:
The father of the year nominations came out, and Alec has been passed over. Now, Alec Baldwin is in court versus Kim Basinger and she clearly leaked this to make him look bad, but… he kind of threw the pitch in slow-motion underhanded right over the plate.
Kristy Sanchez-Trujillo
T-Mobile Outage
T-Mobile
Megan Gale
Sylvie Van Der Vaart
Clash Of The Titans
Ashley Neufeld
Afton Williamson
Kyrstin Gemar
Tesla Coil
Xperia X10
Cany Vossough
Reza Vossough
Ninel Conde
Julia Louis Dreyfus
Guardians of Childhood
Botox
Chase Utley
Prince Of Persia Sands Of Time
Cherokee
Christopher Lee
Prince Charles
Prince William
Prince Harry
Cleveland Browns
Ernie Accorsi
Reina Flynn
Reid Gray
Cole Hamels
Brett Myers
Quinn Gray
SEPTA
Burlington Northern
Star Wars The Old Republic
Nightmare On Elm Street
Gerard Butler
Amrit Dhaliwal
Louise Linton
Gwen Stefani
Curtis Lavelle Vance
Anne Pressly
H1N1 Vaccine
Melody Ross
Oasis Of The Seas
Disney Cruise
Selita Ebanks
Anthony Sowell
JJ Redick
Axe Body Spray
Christopher Walken
Dragon Age Origins
Yea sounds just like the kinda thing a right wing republican woud do! Baldwin is a republican, right?
/snark
(see comments on the intial report of the VT shooting here for backround….)
I blame Long Island. It’s just got a terrible track record for producing a-holes: Joey Buttafuoco, Howard Stern, the Baldwins, and worst of all, Bill O’Reilly. Anyone else reminded of this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkCT9MyEPcI
Hey Pedro, we can play this game too: “The guy who played Jack Ryan in the movies is almost as big of a jerk as the Jack Ryan who was married to Jeri Ryan!”
silliness.
This is terrible. No parent should talk to their child like that, but at the same time Kim Basinger is no better. Releasing this tape as a way of publicly embarrassing Baldwin doesn’t reflect well on her skills as a mother.
I think what made this call so terrible is the profanity he used. I will say that patience is a virtue and Baldwin could use more, but lets not go overboard. Parents DO get upset at teenagers as it pertians to time managment and being where you are supposed to be when told. I was punished and my dad expressed his dissapointment(Baldwin did say this) when I was 20 minutes late to being picked up and didn’t bother to call him. Its what makes the ages of 12-16 so difficult. Teenagers are finding who they are and are generally inconsiderate of others around them, which is perfectly OK, but if a child is instructed by a parent to contact them and they are irresponsible, should you praise them? Baldwin was wrong for using a threating tone and profanity, and Bassinger is even worse to air this out in court.(I actually agree with Jay) but lets not get all high and mighty by pretending we discipline with kid gloves or not at all. I can think of several alternative ways to handle this situation, but can the readers of this blog?(generalized question)
Basinger is “just as bad”? WTF?
You might be right if she gave this to the tabloids in the middle of divorce proceedings. That’s not what the article says. Her ex threatened and intimidated her 12-year-old daughter, so she took the…um, whadyacallit…oh yeah, evidence to a family court judge to make sure the wacko would have to stay away.
I’d do exactly the same.
Just curious… is Alec Baldwin still the president of the Film Actors Guild?
This IS NOT a Republican / Democrat issue, this is a Baldwin is an Asshole issue. They exist on both sides of the aisle.
Spot on, White Whale.
I’ve personally experienced the “phone calls to and from an inconsiderate teenage girl” issue and know how frustrating it is to have it happen time and time again.
Baldwin lost it, no excuse, shame on him. But I’ve been in those shoes and it’s maddening.
Quaker and what was her reasoning for leaking this to the public?
All she has done is make it a public spectacle in order to make Baldwin look terrible and her daughter unfortunately gets dragged into the middle of the whole thing.
what was her reasoning for leaking this to the public?
I didn’t see anything that says she did. Could have been someone at the court. Could have been a lawyer or a lawyer’s employee. Could have been the daughter for all I know. I won’t accept your leaps of logic, or Oliver’s, as actual facts.
To claim that Basinger is “just as bad” has no basis other than what you assume to be true.
Also–have we tumbled down the rabbit hole here? Jay is taking sides with Alec Baldwin?!?
“This IS NOT a Republican / Democrat issue, this is a Baldwin is an Asshole issue”
Thank you. It still is not stopping Faux News from drumming this up. Rather than show a VTech memorial is trying to score political points. Tasteless.
Quaker,
I should probably rephrase or explain my view of Bassinger. Its not the evidence in court that bothers me, but how this is being spread to the media. Do I have proof that Bassinger gave this to TMZ? No, but I am curious beyond belief how this is making the rounds in the media. Hasn’t their divorce been going on for YEARS!? They both have done some nasty and hurtfull things to each other, and if Bassinger did this Baldwin to hurt him publicly, it speaks to poor mothering skills. The child probably loves her father and doesn’t wish him to be humilated regardless of this voice mail.
The main issue with me is that this is a personal issue and probably a disciplinary issue, which is not the business of America or the media but within this family. Intimidating a child is wrong, but being dissapointed and reprimanding YOUR child is not wrong either. Baldwin’s tone was unacceptable but if she is being irresponsible then there is nothing wrong with disciplining your child.
Quaker, given the nature of their divorce and the fact that the whole thing has been ugly, I can only assume.
So I will stand by comments based on the notion that she or her lawyer released this voice mail. If she didn’t, then I retract my comments about her.
and if Bassinger did this Baldwin
Right there is my quibble.
Those who say Basinger is “just as bad” judge her based on the assumption that she didn’t just provide this recording to the court, but disseminated it more widely.
On one hand we have a recording of Mr. Baldwin cursing his 12-year-old daughter and moaning about how her failure to answer a phone call makes him look.
On the other, we have a guess.
These things are not equal.
given the nature of their divorce and the fact that the whole thing has been ugly, I can only assume.
Your assumption makes Basinger “just as bad” as the man on this tape? Let’s explore that a bit. Suppose, for a moment, your assumption is incorrect. Would Basinger still be “just as bad” as Baldwin?
If not, then let’s amend your statement to say: “Based on things I just made up, Basinger is just as bad as the man shouting and cursing at a 12-year-old and calling her ‘pig’.”
Quaker, pay attention and read my comment further.
WW- The Fox News Boogeyman hysteria is laughable. This “news” story has been covered by every network.
How did the tape get out? The court leaked it?
Riiiight.
Kim Bassinger is the most likely source. Given the limited number of hands that should have come into contact with that evidence, it would be easy to out the leaker. Otherwise you have to believe that Ms. Bassinger is passing the tape around to anyone who wants a listen and one of them leaked it. I’m stunned that there is a tape to be passed around at all. Aren’t most answering machines digital now? That would require making a tape, then passing it around, then acting astonished that it got leaked.
What’s the context here?
Ugly divorce?
Check.
Nearly teen age daughter with limited paternal contact, living with her mother, who apparently has managed to miss more than one instance of scheduled contact with her father?
Check.
Dad have a history of temper tamtrums?
Check.
Dad have a history of violent physical abuse?
Not so check.
I’m not defending Alec Baldwin’s behaviour here (the pig business definitely crosses the line into verbal abuse), but I find it hilarious that there is this high minded talk about not assuming Ms. Bassinger shares some significant measure of blame while simultaneously assuming Mr. Baldwin is the devil incarnate. How many here are parents and can actually speak from experience on what rearing a willful child is like, much less one in the middle of a contentious divorce? Martin Mull said it best:
“Having children is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain.”
You can (and most do) love them more than anything, but no one else can push your buttons like they do…and they do, oh boy, they do.
You can (and most do) love them more than anything, but no one else can push your buttons like they do…and they do, oh boy, they do
Amen, Bill.
I find it hilarious that there is this high minded talk about not assuming Ms. Bassinger shares some significant measure of blame
Nothing “high-minded” about it, bill. You called it just what it is: assumption.
Jay: How chairitable of you. “I’ll make stuff up, but if I’m wrong, then nevermind.”
“I’ve personally experienced the “phone calls to and from an inconsiderate teenage girl” issue and know how frustrating it is to have it happen time and time again.”
She was 11, not a teenage girl, although I suppose since her father doesn’t know her age either you can be excused.
I don’t really give a damn if you get ‘frustrated’. No one forced you to have a kid. Everyone gets angry. No excuse possible for calling an 11 year old girl a pig.
Jay: How chairitable of you. “I’ll make stuff up, but if I’m wrong, then nevermind.”
I’m sorry but how is making an assumption “making stuff up”? Assumptions are not always wrong my friend. Is this better:
If Kim Basinger leaked this tape, then her behavior is just as bad as Baldwin’s.
Is that better for your sensibilities?
I’m sorry but how is making an assumption “making stuff up”?
Perfect.
Quaker, so anytime somebody makes an assumption about anything, they’re making stuff up?
Jay: Hey friend, want to come over for dinner?
Friend: Sure. What are we having?
Jay: I’m assuming my wife is going to make some sort of pasta. It’s Wednesday and she usually does.
Friend: Excellent!
At Jay’s home, the wife serves up steak.
Friend: Why, you liar! You made it up! You said your wife was making pasta!
See how silly that looks? Stop it Quaker.
Partisan,
Point taken. I just saw that Fox was milking it for political points. Of course all cable news is sycophantic and will look to exasperbate an issue.
In Defense of Alec Baldwin
I find Glenn Sacks is a pretty sane, rational, and fair minded guy. He does fight for father’s rights, but he also has expressed support for feminism when he thinks that is deserved, and he has called out other men for being assholes and terrible fathers.
He doesn’t let Baldwin off the hook here, but he gives some context to what he thinks is going on.
Quaker, I think it is true that Basinger’s mom has in the past blamed Basinger for wrecking the relations between the Ireland and Alec Baldwin. It’s also true that Basinger was taken to court for denying Baldwin visitation (I don’t know the outcome of that.)
It’s an ugly divorce, but it is not at all clear that either of them are better or worse than the other one.
I also don’t know how a court recording got in anyone’s hands or even why it is considered newsworthy without other evidence of Baldwin being an abusive parent.
It’s also not clear to me that the phrase to “straighten you out” is a threat or should be considered a threat to a judge.
And she’s 11 and not a teenager and so she should be immune to that sort of talk? I am also not sure about that. Baldwin did blow it. His language was horrible. But parents do blow up and say horrible things they regret. And so do kids. At 11 she is a kid and shouldn’t hear this. But other 11 year olds have problems with addiction, and are having kids of their own. Some 11 year olds are joining armies. At 12 and 13 in my religion, kids are considered to become adults. At 18 in our society, kids are considered to become adults. How does that happen if we have an attitude that at 11 they are not expected to deal with some of this behavior?
Custody battles are ugly and a tragedy. And shouldn’t be fought in public.
I see your point, Jay. Just like the fellow whose wife makes pasta with regularity, you must have a good reason for leaping to conclusions about who made the tape public and therefore making judgments about her character.
I’m sure you’ll agree that my assumptions provide an equally reliable measure for evaluating the character of all sorts of people.
I also don’t know how a court recording got in anyone’s hands or even why it is considered newsworthy without other evidence of Baldwin being an abusive parent.
Exemplary. Tell me, was that sentence at all difficult to write? Others here have found it prohibitively challenging.
“I don’t know how the recording got into anyone’s hands…”
That small truth eludes other commenters and in its absence, they declare that Ms. Basinger must also be at fault.
Hey… this is none of our business!
I also don’t know how a court recording got in anyone’s hands
Well I do think Occam’s Razor points to Basinger, but I wouldn’t make that conclusion.
I think if I were Baldwin I would consider asking the judge to either a) find Basinger at fault or b) investigate his courtroom or c) both, and failing that, I would move for a different judge. Because if it’s not Basinger, then that court would have to be terribly biased against Baldwin, and I would get that out in the record.
I can believe it was Basinger, or someone involved with the courts that should be tossed in jail for that release (unless for some reason it is considered to be in the public domain), but I can’t see any reason to think this was Baldwin or his lawyer.
Baldwin’s lawyer, Vicki Greene, told TMZ, “Whatever happened yesterday was sealed and confidential. What you’re telling me you’ve got you shouldn’t have.” Sounds to me as though a crime was committed. I would be incensed and demand the court investigates and if it was Basinger, that it takes that crime into account while making its decision on the custody issues.
I guess the corollary is that if I were Basinger and hadn’t released the recording, I would do as Baldwin has done and have my attorney release a statement denying involvement.
And again, I would ask the court to investigate how the recording was released, because to my mind, releasing the recording is harmful to Ireland and prejudicial to everyone involved and makes the judges job that much harder.
(But who knows, people wisely do not ask me these things often (or more than once.))
Well I do think Occam’s Razor points to Basinger, but I wouldn’t make that conclusion.
Entirely reasonable.
Consider as well that news about public figures like Mr. Baldwin is a marketable commodity. Would it be at all possible that outlets that traffic in this sort of news might cultivate sources inside the courthouses of Los Angeles?
Farfetched, I know.
I guess the corollary is that if I were Basinger and hadn’t released the recording, I would do as Baldwin has done and have my attorney release a statement denying involvement.
And if you were Baldwin and had made the recording, would you also have your lawyer release a statement blaming Basinger?
I am not sure what you are saying. I thought everyone agreed that Basinger made the recording.
I don’t know how Baldwin got the recording, though I suspect he probably had to be given a copy of the recording when it was submitted as evidence.
I think Occam’s Razor would point away from Baldwin releasing the recording, but if I were Baldwin and HAD released the recording, you’re damn right I would try to get my lawyer to release that statement.
Again, that’s why I think that Basinger, if she didn’t release it, should be asking the court to find out who did.
Consider as well that news about public figures like Mr. Baldwin is a marketable commodity. Would it be at all possible that outlets that traffic in this sort of news might cultivate sources inside the courthouses of Los Angeles?
Well I would probably pay more for info on Basinger, especially if it included pics. But you’re right. Still, while I don’t follow this sort of news much, I can’t recall at the moment of anything like this happening with other similar trials from OJ, Blake, Spector, Brando, …?
If I were the judge and thought someone in my court and done something like this, I would be sending people to jail.
She was 11, not a teenage girl, although I suppose since her father doesn’t know her age either you can be excused.
Gee, matt, you got me on a technicality, there. 11 is NOT a teenager. And thanks for excusing me. /sarcasm. However, if you had kids of your own (which I’m guessing from your tirade that you probably don’t), you might know that they don’t all wait until they turn 13 to start exhibiting “teenage” behavior.
I don’t really give a damn if you get ‘frustrated’. No one forced you to have a kid. Everyone gets angry. No excuse possible for calling an 11 year old girl a pig.
That’s fortunate, because I don’t really give a damn about your opinion. Who said I was looking for sympathy or complaining about having kids? I simply said that I’ve been in those shoes and understood where the frustration was coming from. Did you miss the part where I said “Baldwin lost it, no excuse, shame on him”? Just because I understand how Baldwin could get pissed doesn’t mean I’m in any way excusing his behavior. It’s NEVER right to give in to anger or frustration it and lash out (either physically or verbally) at a child. Duh. I didn’t think I had to spell that out for you.
I am not sure what you are saying. I thought everyone agreed that Basinger made the recording.
Sorry. By that I mean Baldwin left a recorded message. He “made” the recording by speaking into a recording device.
Ah thanks for the clarification. Um, I am going to take the “Sigh, I actually need to get some work done today” chicken out and not bother going back over it.
Haw! Yet again setting a good example.
what a complete moron!
An interesting post on the subject this morning by ThirdScreen, worth checking out:
The Voicemail Solution for Alec Baldwin’s Daughter (and for the rest of us)
YouMail.com
http://blogs.business2.com/thirdscreen/2007/04/the_voicemail_s.html
No parent should talk to a child like that. Why would an 11 year old take a call from someone who treats her like that? And then threatens her? Sheesh.
When I heard the tape I said “so what”. If my dad had yelled at me like that, I would have gotten of easy.
My father made drill sergeants look like girl scouts. Usually at the end of one of this tirades I would get a whoopin. He used his belt and my brother and I would compare welts afterwords.
Guess today my dad would be arrested for child abuse.
Baldwin sounds drunk, though that may be tape or my mistake.
To reprimand a 11-year-old for being irresponsible (if true) is appropriate. You tell the 11-year-old that her conduct is unacceptable and irresponsible.
What you DON’T do is humiliate and threaten the child. He really, really sounds nuts.
Shit, he lost his temper. Right?
If somebody recorded everything you said in the middle of a heated argument and posted it on the internet, you would look bad. As would we all.
So cut the guy some friggin’ slack.
So cut the guy some friggin’ slack.
Sure. Mr. Tough Guy was cursing and name-calling at an 11-year-old girl, his own daughter.
Totally normal, rational, sensible behavior, right?