Beware A Terrorist In Shorts.

       Of all the important concerns facing America these days, which problem, in your opinion, is the most vexing and at the same time, important, problem needing to be worked out as quickly as possible? Is it the economy? Perhaps healthcare, or immigration, inequality, jobs, taxes, politics, foreign policy? Just what is the biggest problem?
       May I suggest one not previously mentioned? There is a divorced couple in New York City, according to the New York Post, who share custody of their 4 year old son. On a weekend recently, the dad wanted to take his son to their usual restaurant for dinner. The son threw a temper tantrum because he demanded to be taken to McDonalds. Dad refused, and finally gave the boy a choice, either anywhere else but McDonalds, or no supper at all. The 4 year old son chose no supper at all.
       On the way back to mom's dad tried to sooth things over and get the boy to go out for dinner. The boy refused. When he got home, the boy tattled on dad. Mom took the boy to McDonalds at once, presumably as a reward, and then sued to remove dad from custody as an unfit parent. A court appointed psychiatrist agreed with mom so now dad is suing the shrink.
       As you can see, this is the real problem facing America today. Joe Scarborough put it this way this morning on Morning Jo, "you don't negotiate with terrorists." So the real question before us today is, do we negotiate with children? Do we just give in? Or do we send them to bed with no supper? Remember you're dealing with a shrink who has already stated you were wrong to deprive that child of fries with that. No super-sizing means no visitations. If the child goes Big Mac-less, dad goes child-less. Worthless toy or no? Which parent did the right thing?
       If mom had refused to allow the boy to play in the street, should the father then have allowed it? If the son wanted to go sky-diving and dad said he could go to MacDonald's instead, should mom have taken the boy sky-diving? Perhaps a compromise that would be to allow the boy to eat a Big Mac while floating to earth? The answer here is simple. There's only really two possible answers. Yes or no. Was the shrink and therefore the mom, correct or not. Well, the psychiatrist is doing a forensic evaluation of the facts. In other words, she'll get back to you. Or in this case, she'll get back to the judge.