Did Alec Baldwin's Inappropriate Phone Message Need to Go Public?
Sunday April 22, 2007
Have you read the transcript of the inappropriate, hate-filled voice message Alec Baldwin left for his 11-year-old daughter, Ireland? In the message, Baldwin berates his daughter for not taking his call at the specific time they had apparently agreed upon. In the actor's own words:
As a mom, I actually have to wonder whether TMZ received the message by some other means. After all, who would wish such utter humiliation upon her child with the public release of the message? Under the same circumstances, and given the fact that legal action was already being taken, would you want the transcript and recorded message to go public?
Related: Hear the phone message for yourself at TMZ
"...[O]nce again I've made an a** of myself trying to get to a phone to call you at a specific time...Clearly, any parent in possession of such a communication would want to share it with the authorities; and presumably, that's just what Kim Basinger, Baldwin's ex-wife and Ireland's mother, did. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Maren Nelson temporarily revoked Baldwin's visitation rights when the call was brought to her attention. However, she also ordered all records regarding the phone message to be sealed. As a result, Baldwin has now taken legal action against Basinger, presuming that she and her lawyer released the call to the celebrity news site TMZ.
"...I'm tired of playing this game with you. I'm leaving this message with you to tell you you have insulted me for the last time...
"...I'm going to fly out there for the day just to straighten you out on this issue. I'm going to let you know just how disappointed in you I am and how angry I am with you that you've done this to me again...
"So I'm going to let you know just how I feel about what a rude little pig you really are. You are a rude, thoughtless little pig, OK?"
As a mom, I actually have to wonder whether TMZ received the message by some other means. After all, who would wish such utter humiliation upon her child with the public release of the message? Under the same circumstances, and given the fact that legal action was already being taken, would you want the transcript and recorded message to go public?
Related: Hear the phone message for yourself at TMZ
Comments
You don’t understand what it’s like to be an abused person or have your child abused. You become desperate for someone to know how bad it is and to know exactly why you are afraid for your child. Sometimes courts don’t do a thing about it. It’s a far less evil for your child to be “publicly humiliated” than to suffer abuse–and shouldn’t Mr. Baldwin be the one who is humiliated? His tirade isn’t the little girl’s fault, even though he seems to think it is. And has anyone ever considered that fact that the daughter might WANT the public to know what her father is really like, might WANT people to know how he treats her so that maybe she can get some help???
I truly feel this situation is very sad, on both sides. If the mother and father could work together to parent this child, then perhaps these acts of anger would not happen. I feel that all the people involved should feel great remorse and shame for what they have done to each other and this child. I understand how hard it is to co-parent when only parents is doing the work, but please people think of this child. Never speak to people in anger. I know “easy for her to say”. The damage is now done, they should all move forward and get some clear rules and good councilling.
I feel so sad for all involved. Maybe Mr. baldwin’s message was done in anger, but as only outsiders we do not know the extent of what is happening in their situation. It would be wonderful if they could work out things not have to play games back and forth involving their child in this situation. Unfortunately, this is the frequent situation of parents that are seperated or divorced. I am sure that many of us, at one time or the other have said things to our child or children that we did not mean or would love to take back. I will not judge Mr. Baldwin on one phone message, because he is probably a wonderful father and was at his wits end. The message should not have been aired in public for all to hear. I think that they should both take a class on how to get along, for the sake of Ireland. They are going to be in each others lives for a long time , there will be Birthdays, and Weddings and other events and they need to learn how to handle it appropriately.
I wish them the best.
I will say this…I have experienced what he has although I have never talked to my kids that way.
But this term “Parental Alienation” certainly got my attention. I thought I was suffering silently alone, but once this term was mentioned, I began to research it and am looking for a support group. I need help. In 2002, I had a complete nervous breakdown due to my ex-husband getting my girls at age 9 and 11 when he is an alcoholic and drug addict. I did not have enought $$ for lawyer because he knew I was processing disability and retirement.
So whoever has the most money wins in Family Court. And his influence on my children has led them to drugs, quitting high school, absences and tardies at school so that juvenile authorities are involved.
HELP! How did he get away with this, and how does he keep doing it? I called DHR in our state to check on my children’s welfare…he played the suave act with all his money and big house…they only observed the material…did nothing!
Venting too much, but getting this topic to the forefront for me was a RELIEF!! The pain of living w/o your own children is horrific, but knowing their lives are ruined is worse.
I do not think it should of been aired. We are only hearing one side of the story. Making Alan look bad, we do not know what Kim or his daughter has been doing to Alan. If someone has this side of the storie I love to read it. I do know kids too can take sides and drive the other parent crazy. Just a thought.
Patte,
I’m so sorry. How old are your children? Never give up hope; even though they are not with you now, they’re going to come to you eventually with many questions. One thing I’ve advised NCP in workshops I’ve done is to keep a journal of letters to your children. Even when you can’t give it to them right away, being able to share it eventually (perhaps as they’re nearing adulthood) will assure them that you’ve loved them all this time and did all that you could to be involved in their lives. Also, please think about joining us in the Single Parents Forum. We’re here to support you.
Best,
Jen