Unfortunately the actions of Mr. Baldwin are much to prevelant in today's society. Age does not equal maturity on the part of adults. Many children suffer the emotional duress of parents that teach by fear, intimidation and bullying. Emotional abuse will continue to be the hardest proven form of child abuse in today's world. Ms. Bassinger may have allowed the tape to be released in an effort to reach out for help with what her daughter was going through. Emotional abuse is so virtually impossible to prove without this type of evidence. The release of this taped message may have been the only way to prove the tirade's Mr. Baldwin displays to his daughter. Clearly, Mr. Baldwin was beyond a cohesive thought process and reacted out of sheer anger toward the child. Children need to know a loving and secure environment, I applaud Ms. Bassinger for doing whatever it takes to bring Mr. Baldwin's actions to light.

"Ms. Bassinger may have allowed the tape to be released in an effort to reach out for help with what her daughter was going through." Could it be that Ms. Bassinger is only trying to get back at Mr. Baldwin. "The release of this taped message may have been the only way to prove the tirade's Mr. Baldwin displays to his daughter." How do you know that Ms. Bassinger does scream/yell at her child like Mr. Baldwin did?

Exactly, this was purposely leaked to the press to put pressure on the judge and those who decide custody and visitation. Kim may regret all the obstacles she has laid in front of Alec, in a very few years. Ireland's next six years will be the toughest, and without the presence of the father, she will have a tough time. If I were Kim, I would do my darndest to make sure Alec remained in the picture and exercised his father role. :D

A very good point! Fathers play a very important role in the lives of thier daughters. If Girls can learn to have an honest, loving relationship based on understanding and forgiveness with thier fathers then they stand a better chance of having successful adult relationships. Since Kim Bassinger seems intent on destroying any relationship Ireland may have had or could have with her father, then I worry about Irelands future. Rather than encourage hostility between Alec and Ireland, Kim would do better to encourage a more open relationship so that Ireland is better equiped to decide "for herself" what type of man she wants in her life and how her self-esteem will develop. I think that Alec, having his terrible lapse in judgment thrown in his face over and over by the media will make him a better parent; the kind of parent that is ready forgive his daughter for slights and disobience/rebellion because he will naturally want Ireland to forgive him. Kims actions in releasing the tape I believe were done to manipulate the public. Alec has been receiving a great amount of positive press in recent months and with a court appearance on custody coming up, I imagine Kim was feeling very nervous that she would not get her way. It is such a shame when adults, Kim and Alec both, are unable to put aside thier own feelings and insecurities to focus on the real issue; the child.

"Fathers play a very important role in the lives of thier daughters. If Girls can learn to have an honest, loving relationship based on understanding and forgiveness with thier fathers then they stand a better chance of having successful adult relationships." Amen to that!!!!

So it's better for Ireland to have an abusive father in her life than no father at all? I disagree. In a perfect world she'd have a loving, healthy (albeit imperfect) father, who would nurture her with love, acceptance, and affirming words. It doesn't appear that she has that. She'll eventually need to grieve the loss, unless, that is, Alec's heart is completely transformed and he repents of his actions, excuses, and minimization. At which point, their father daughter/relationship could be healed and restored. Could it also be that Kim knows the power Alec Baldwin wields, as well as his apparent threatening demeanor, and is frightened to do battle with him? If I had an abusive ex-husband like him, I'd do everything in my power to keep my child away from him...including leaking a tape of his threats and verbal assalt on my precious child!!

The motives of the person who released the tapes are irrelevant. The tape speaks for itself, as Ms. B's attorney said, and Mr. Baldwin was clearly verbally abusive and THREATENING to his daughter. At the very least, CSD needs to get involved and investigate both parents for possible abuse.

As I read some of the coments posted, I can't help but think it is wrong to sit back and try to judge a situation that we no nothing about except what we are fed by the media. I am divorced, with 4 children, from a man that emotionally and mentally abused us for years. It took a lot of courage to finally leave him. He continues to abuse and try to control and manipulate us still. If I could expose him in a way for people to see how he treats my children, to help protect them I would. These abusers are usualy very smart in how they choose to behave without geting caught. The abuser's main goal is to make the victim look crazy and out of control. What would be said of a mother who did not do everything she could to protect her children from any kind of abuse. It is important to have a relationship with your father but, when a father's behavior is abusive, it is equally as important if not more so to know you have a mother who will protect you and not ignore the abuse.

I think people are reacting to the recorded message, not the media. If I were visiting a friend or family member and heard a tirade like that as they played back their messages? I would be worried. And I would say so.

Amen, Amen, Amen!! My hope in mankind has been restored!!! Too many people don't want to rock the boat, and would say nothing. Or, as some have stated here, would actually applaud the parent "for having the courage to "discipline" their child." Give me a break.

Thank you for sharing your story, and I completely agree. My mother did not protect us from our abusive father (she, too, was abusive), and that has been very hard to get over, now that I have my own children. You are to be highly commmended for protecting your children at all costs. I'm so saddened to see how abuse has been minimized in our society, and how many people on this forum are excusing this type of behavior. It's sickening. Thankfully, I work with children on a daily basis and can make an impact in their lives. It helps it to not have all been in vain for me. Blessings to you and your kids.

Oh please, this is a KID who has treated her dad like dirt. What's the matter with a society and culture that can't treat kids like kids. She mis-behaved and he told her so. Big deal.