Larry B.  writes:

Here’s the White House release on Father’s Day. I found it to be a poorly written thing, and so I have sent a copy with my parenthetical comments. Here’s the original.

Presidential Proclamation–Father’s Day

FATHER’S DAY, 2010

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

From the first moments of life, the bond forged between a father and a child is sacred [Not his child?]. Whether patching [Bandaging? Patching is for torn fabric.] scraped knees or helping with homework, dads bring joy, instill values, and introduce wonders into the lives of their children [It’s not Dad’s Day, it’s Father’s Day! Father’s instill values, dads throw footballs.]. Father’s Day is a special time to honor the men [Shouldn’t this be ‘man’?…I wonder where this is leading…] who raised us, and to thank them for their selfless dedication and love.

Fathers are our first teachers and coaches, mentors and role models. They push us to succeed, encourage us when we are struggling, and offer unconditional care and support. Children and adults alike look up to them and learn from their example and perspective [How many times has he used ‘and’ now? Very choppy]. The journey of fatherhood is both exhilarating and humbling. It is an opportunity to model who we want our sons and daughters to become, and to build the foundation upon which they can achieve their dreams [We? Now we, being all the Americans he is addressing, are fathers? …Also, can we for once leave out the ‘fulfill one’s destiny/dream’ cliché? I wonder how Obama celebrates…].

Fatherhood also carries enormous responsibilities. An active, committed father makes a lasting difference in the life of a child [that is, his child]. When fathers are not present, their children and families cope with an absence government cannot fill [That hasn’t stopped Obama Co. from trying]. Across America, foster and adoptive fathers respond to this need, providing safe and loving homes for children facing hardships. Men are also making compassionate commitments outside the home by serving as mentors, tutors, or big brothers to young people in their community. [Also working…it’s funny that he’s ascribing many traditionally female-type roles to fathers now.] Together, we can support the guiding presence of male role models in the lives of countless young people who stand to gain from it. [How can we do that? I thought the government couldn’t help after all?]

Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers [Dad and Dad], a stepfather, a grandfather, or caring guardian. [Ha! There it is; we were wondering when that would come up. Now fatherhood is just another alternative.] We owe a special debt of gratitude for those parents [Not fathers anymore?] serving in the United States Armed Forces and their families, whose sacrifices protect the lives and liberties of all American children. For the character they build, the doors they open, and the love they provide over our lifetimes, all our fathers deserve our unending appreciation and admiration.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, [Forget the fathers, it’s all about him now (therefore)] President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 20, 2010, as Father’s Day. I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on this day, and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Let us honor our fathers, living and deceased, with all the love and gratitude they deserve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. [Where, why, and what for did this goopy, antiquated-style sentence come from?]

                        — Comments —

Kilroy writes:

It seems to have been a rushed document. Although Obama has in the past recognised the detrimental effect of fatherlessness on the black community, he sadly does not see this issue as worthy of the dignity and respect that he would otherwise bestow on pet-left issues. I reject this day. If Father’s Day is to be couched in these terms, I want nothing to do with it. I refuse to celebrate a festivity that has been vandalised. This is just another example of how even aspects of culture that have a veneer of traditionalism are just a shell – pure form and no substance – we go through the motions only, but even the motions, and as Larry B describes, leave a great deal to be wanting. 

PS:  I have no problem with the antiquated sentence. I find standard colloquial English in Legal and Government documents to be part of the liberal assault on tradition. However, the “goopy” style does contract sharply with the clumsy style of the rest of the document. Perhaps this is why it stood out as so odd.

Marcy writes:

While I appreciate a good fisking as much as any, your readers should know that the last two sentences of the Father’s Day proclamation are not Obamian hubris, but perfectly proper formal language common to Presidential Proclamations from George Washington through to George Bush, Jr. There is a time and place for formality, and if President Obama has chosen to discard traditional language in favor of something less “goopy” to modern eyes, then it would truly have been “all about him.”

Please follow and like us: