Obama's fatherhood initiative

Here's something more dads can get behind: President Obama extended his observance of Father's Day to Monday.
While Obama has a serious, noble mission in mind - getting more dads to step up and be involved in their children's lives (something that seems like a no-brainer but something he will get hammered for because he mentioned "two fathers" in raising a child) - there are tons of benefits to this plan. More barbecue, baseball and beer. If that's all we get with an extra day of Father's Day, then I'm all for it.

Happy Father's Day

Thanks to the world's best Dad, and one cool Gramps.

On Fatherhood

President Obama delivered a speech Friday on fatherhood, stressing the importance of dads in their children's lives. For the president, the address had a personal touch, according to The New York Times.

“I say this as someone who grew up without a father in my life,” Mr. Obama said. “That’s something that leaves a hole in a child’s heart that governments can’t fill.”

At npr.org, Peter Breslow has an hilarious commentary on telling his daughters stories of his dog Ralph. Old Wahoo really appreciated this essay because I can relate to Peter having to tell how Ralph climbed Mount Everest, and how the stories became more and more fantastic, because Alex wants - no, demands - stories such as this. Though he usually wants putt-putt stories involving Jabba the Hutt and the Sarlaac pit.

Also, check out Kara Swanson's post about her dad. It's a great read for Father's Day.

Remembering Fathers

On Father's Day, while we celebrate with cookouts and backyard ballgames, let's take some time to remember the families that aren't together, the ones with fathers far away and in harm's way. NPR had a great story on a Marine family, and how they manage being apart.