Received: from evaki.its.uow.edu.au (130.130.68.32) by staffmail.uow.edu.au (10.5.102.13) with Microsoft SMTP Server id 8.1.340.0; Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:48:44 +1100 Received: from febris-nat.its.uow.edu.au ([130.130.68.210] helo=febris.its.uow.edu.au) by evaki.its.uow.edu.au with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1Ll9zg-0000wD-84 for blane@uow.edu.au; Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:48:44 +1100 Received: from c3.confirmedcc.com (c3.confirmedcc.com [64.95.77.164]) by febris.its.uow.edu.au (MOS 3.10.3-GA) with ESMTP id RDO76449; Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:48:40 +1100 (EST) Received: from p2-ws508.ad.prodcc.net (unknown [10.252.0.101]) by c3.confirmedcc.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 60AC41860F67 for ; Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:29:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Fatherhood Foundation To: Brian Lane Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:29:59 +1100 Subject: Fathers and the Global Financial Crisis Thread-Topic: Fathers and the Global Financial Crisis Thread-Index: AcmqdzDIE3eHKaQNS6G8yvyftVUXxA== Message-ID: <1102508668409.1101938345415.1211.8.117174019@scheduler> List-Unsubscribe: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=un&v=001jm8CFGIzLJHYg-gJRLc-3d90mBLDU8ykajtV9vyDC8Z7ZfoUZ4vY7Q== Reply-To: "info@fathersonline.org" Accept-Language: en-AU, en-US Content-Language: en-US X-MS-Exchange-Organization-AuthAs: Anonymous X-MS-Exchange-Organization-AuthSource: excasht03.ad.uow.edu.au X-MS-Has-Attach: X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: x-junkmail-status: score=10/49, host=febris.its.uow.edu.au x-junkmail-sd-raw: score=unknown, refid=str=0001.0A09020A.49C56ECC.0058:SCFMA772204,ss=1,fgs=0, ip=64.95.77.164, so=2008-09-22 23:22:13, dmn=5.7.1/2008-09-02, mode=single engine x-junkmail-iwf: false x-return-path-hint: ESC1102508668409_1101938345415_1211@in.confirmedcc.com x-roving-id: 1101938345415.1211 x-lumos-senderid: 1101938345415 x-roving-campaignid: 1102508668409 x-roving-streamid: 0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="_000_1102508668409110193834541512118117174019scheduler_" MIME-Version: 1.0 --_000_1102508668409110193834541512118117174019scheduler_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable HTML Web Version Dads4Kids Newsletter [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/526.gif?a=3D1= 102508668409] 23rd March 2009 Inspiring Fathers Encouraging Families Issue 344 [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/stock1/3m9q9k8q.jpg] Fathers & the Global Financial Crisis Dear Brian, Welcome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email information servi= ce for Fathers and Families as we present Fathers and the Global Financial = Crisis. In This Issue Frontline...Where is the money Link...Silly Money Laughter..Insufficient Funds Grandfathers...Think for yourself Single Dads...Father Suggestions All You Need is Love..Redefine Wealth Special Feature...Financial Crisis Links News & Info..Men are Women's Issue Dad's Prayer..23rd Psalm Next Week Tips for Dads [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/stock1/6j4d1b1i.jpg] [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif] Join our Mailing List! [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/ftf_btn_1.gif] Quick Links Fatherhood Foundation Fathering Adventures Family Law Web Guide Men Alive National Fatherood Initiative Families for Life Dad Can Do Culture Watch Men's Fraternity Promise Keepers CSA Adverts Help Us Help Others Thought of the Week [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/stock1/4k5y1v4l.jpg][http://img.constant= contact.com/ui/images1/s.gif] You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Jesus Christ Frontline [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/670.jpg?a=3D1= 102508668409] I can still clearly remember the day. The sun was shining and a light north= easterly was blowing the clouds across a beautiful blue sky. I was driving= my car back from inspecting some building jobs that my company was working= on down the far South Coast of New South Wales. It might have been a beautiful day on the outside, but inside my mind was r= acing. I was in turmoil. Creditors were pressing for payment and I was in t= he middle of refinancing my building company from the ANZ to another bank (= I won't say 'which' bank, but let you guess). The trouble was that after pr= omising the funds and activating an unsecured business overdraft they had s= uddenly decided to withdraw their support. That is a euphemism for 'sending= us to the wall'. I was paying 20% interest on our bank overdraft and the s= ame in interest on a number of unsold spec homes that were up for sale. To = make matters worse there had been 3 months of almost continuous wet weather= which, when there are millions of dollars on the line, is every builder's = nightmare. Cash flow had evaporated and I was trying to restructure the bus= iness and banking arrangements to get into a more healthy financial positio= n to work my way out of the hole. The bank in question never gave me the op= portunity and effectively cut off the blood supply. It was a financial exec= ution par excellence. The sky was blue. The sun was shining but all I could think about was that = I was about to lose my business, my home and my good standing in the commun= ity. Most of all I was going to fail my family as a father. Aren't fathers = supposed to be protectors and providers? Where was my family going to live? How would my family survive if I lost my= job and my ability to make money? I was a failure. That's when I thought a= bout the $100,000 life insurance policy and the fact that the tree lined ro= ad would make a perfect place to stage an 'accident'. Suicide seemed an opt= ion in my unstable state of mind. The cry of my young sons in the baby seat= s in the back of the car thankfully interrupted my thought process, dragged= me back to reality and helped restore my sanity. I could take my own life,= but I could never take theirs, and besides they needed a live father not a= dead one. Thank God I had taken them with me for a drive that day; otherwi= se I might not have returned. Why am I telling you this story? The world is experiencing a Global Financial Crisis (GFC). It is about to e= nter what the CEO of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) has euphemistica= lly dubbed 'The Great Recession'. Many commentators are predicting massive = job losses and the crash of many companies, even countries, going broke as = a direct result of the GFC. Iceland was the first and it is predicted that = many others will follow. This will cause enormous challenges for families a= nd fathers in particular. Will we all be out of work? No, even in the Great= Depression 7 out of 10 people had jobs. The trouble is that as men we iden= tify with our job and our ability to be successful in our jobs. When we los= e our jobs through no fault of our own we can often feel like a failure. Th= e world crashes in on us and in our depression and condemnation we start to= think crazy thoughts. You need to know now, that no matter what happens, your life is not your jo= b, and whether you have a job or not, you are still a successful father and= together with God's help you can make it through. You may not own or be ab= le to buy all you want, but you can have all you need providing you are abl= e to reduce your needs to the bare necessities. I have been watching the Global Financial Crisis closely over the past few = months. Firstly I read Peter Schiff's book, 'Crashproof: How to Profit from= the Coming Crash' written in 2006. Schiff foretold what was going to happe= n in the global meltdown with stunning accuracy. Next I read a book first p= ublished in 1994 by G Edward Griffin, 'The Creature from Jekyll Island', wh= ich is really the history of money and banking over the last few centuries = with a particular focus on the USA Federal Reserve. Edward Griffin's accura= te prophetic analysis of today's GFC was even more amazing considering the = date of publication 15 years ago. I would highly recommend it if you don't = mind being assaulted by the truth. If you want to find out what's happening in the GFC, there is no point in t= alking to people who didn't see it coming. You have to talk to those who co= uld see it coming. They are those who are far better able to pass accurate = comments today. We have listed some links and articles in Special Feature which we will al= so put on our website about the GFC for your furthe= r information. Compare them with each other and make your own decisions. Another interesting viewpoint is articulated on YouTube by Gerald Celente. Celente foretold the 1987 Crash, the Dotcom Bubble and the current= crisis. His batting average is excellent but his synopsis is not something= you will hear about in most mainstream media. This information is not intended to frighten anyone but to prepare for the = coming storm. Storms are part of life. When we build our life on the rock (= as Jesus said), the storms of life will not affect us as much because our i= nvestment is beyond the world we live in and is based on the truth, and no-= one can take the truth away from you. Lovework Forewarned is forearmed. Jesus said, "A man's life does not consist in the = abundance of his possessions". Your relationships are more important than all the gold in the world. Treasure your family and things that will last forever and you will not be = disappointed. Yours for good foundations Warwick Marsh PS I rang G. Edward Griffin to thank him for his eye opening book about the= ups and downs of world finance. I asked him what he thinks are the challen= ges ahead and what advice he could give our readers. His answers were both = simple and profound: "As a dad you have a responsibility to think for yours= elf and not to drift along with the masses. Do your own thinking and break = free of the media straitjackets and politically driven mantra of the day. W= e are in grave danger of drifting into totalitarianism in the coming econom= ic stability the world is facing. The best way to make a difference is to f= ind the truth and put it into action." A big thank you to Peter and Victor = for the book recommendations. ____________________________________________________________________ Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison for 33 years. He is the grandfath= er of two children and father of five children, four boys and one girl, ran= ging in age from 28 years to 16 years. Warwick is a musician, songwriter, = producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himsel= f. Link of the Week Silly Money Laughter [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/663.gif?a=3D= 1102508668409] I went to the ATM this morning and it said "insufficient funds"... I'm wond= ering is it them or me?... How do you define optimism? A banker who irons five shirts on a Sunday. With the current market turmoil, what's the easiest way to make a small for= tune? Start off with a large one. What's the difference between an investment banker and a large pizza?A larg= e pizza can still feed a family of four. Grandfathers [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/stock1/9j3y9n5f.jpg] As a dad you have a responsibility to think for yourself and not to drift along with the masses. G Edward Griffin Single Dads [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif] [http://origin.ih.constan= tcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/669.jpg?a=3D1102508668409] New Single Father Suggestions (Pt2) From FatherMag.com I am now the single father of an eight year old girl and an eleven year old= boy; a single father for only eight weeks now; officially divorced just on= e week ago. By no means do I consider myself an experienced single father at this point= , but I have come a long way in eight weeks. By my friends' accounts, I seem to be doing pretty well so far. I am an eng= ineer and so I try to solve problems logically; maybe that helps. I even made the comment to myself the other day, "No wonder my wife left, s= he had no system." Kids need structure, and most of them like it, because t= hey know what to expect and when to expect it. Let me also say that I took several days off right after she left to get so= me of this sorted out. I had the advantage of her simply leaving, and wanti= ng a four year settlement, so I have not had the trauma of relocation and a= ttorney battles. Here are some more things that have worked for me so far: Housework My kids are old enough to understand and follow a few basic rules. A few th= at we have that relate to housework are: No dirty dishes in the sink, they always go in the dishwasher. Don't put your hands on the walls. No food or drink allowed in carpeted areas of the house. Don't do anything that creates more work for other people. The last one has been really successful for me, because you can analyze man= y actions and have the kids think, "Does this create work for Dad or someone = else?" Food I may be in better shape than some here, because I have always liked to coo= k and consider myself good at it, but my kids are at a picky stage where th= ey will not eat many things. Similar to what happened with the clothes, we sat down and made a list toge= ther of things that the kids like to eat and will eat. Then, we go to the s= tore and buy those things. When dinners are made, it is stuff they picked o= ut and have already agreed to eat. We made sure to cover the major food gro= ups, talked about the importance of balanced meals and agreed that they wou= ld each take a multi-vitamin every day. On days when there is just not enough time to make a full meal, we have fro= zen pizza or some such other quick food that they picked out. Go out when you just can't do anything else. I started to make a schedule a= nd plan meals, but I found that for us, it was better just to come home and= have multiple choices. Tuna Fish, Pizza, burgers on the grill, salad, all = are easy, good and quick to make. Extra Time When do you find time to do these things? Well, I keep the kids involved in= scouting, church, etc. and use opportunities when they are on trips, visit= ing with friends, etc. to do major things like mowing the lawn, vacuuming, = etc. I now go to bed about 9-9:30PM, not long after the kids go because I am so = tired. I have also started getting up at 5AM instead of 6:30 when the kids get up.= This gives me almost two hours of personal time when I am rested that I us= e to do personal things (read the paper, smoke a cigar, listen to music, et= c.) and sometimes work (bills, cleaning, etc.) I find that the loss of slee= p is compensated for by my feeling that things are done, and not hanging ov= er my head. I am a much happier person all day having had some extra relaxa= tion or work time in the morning. Some of the themes so far that have helped make me more comfortable were: Forget about the wife, she is gone. Talk about what happened with your kids and friends. Kids, particularly nee= d the emotional outlet and talking about it helps heal the hurt. I rule the house, it does not rule me. I feel better and less stressed when= things are under control and relatively clean. To me, this is worth losing= sleep for. Simplify things that are difficult. Kids like and need structure. The kids can pitch in. Accept help from others when offered. You have to give up some sleep to get things done. Take some time off to develop your new family "structure" for getting thing= s done. It's unreasonable for anyone to expect you to continue working at t= he same performance level through an event like this. Sorry if this seems too simplistic, but in the midst of the emotion, it is = often difficult to think clearly; it was for me. One more item that may be of interest: Therapists, counselors, and others h= ave told me that while it is unusual for a wife to leave her kids, almost a= ll of these cases are due to depression, alcoholism, or some other severe e= motional disorder. In my case it was depression which led to alcohol abuse. I was encouraged by many people to go to Al-Anon, which is a spin off of Al= coholics Anonymous and is for people whose lives are affected by someone el= se's alcohol problem. Their big theme is to stop focusing on the person who= is causing you the trouble and start improving your own situation. The first meeting I attended was during my initial two week "panic" stage, = and when it was my turn to share, I spilled my heart out on the table. The folks there were understanding and empathetic, and gave a lot of suppor= t, but after listening to their stories about throwing things, marking bott= les, etc. and their comments to me, I realized that several of them were ac= tually envious that I no longer had to live with my wife; that, relatively = speaking, I and the kids were lucky to be getting out of the relationship. This realization was what turned the corner for me, out of panic, and into = an opportunistic perspective. I find, when I start to feel a bit overwhelme= d, that it helps me to think about this as "Russ's Big Adventure." Copyright =A91997 - 2001, FatherMag.com [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif]All You Need is Love REDEFINE 'WEALTH' TO HELP [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/11019= 38345415/img/665.jpg?a=3D1102508668409] MARRIAGE The Washington Times March 15, 2009 By Julie Baumgardner National research indicates money is not the deal maker when it comes to ge= tting married, but it often is the deal breaker for when a marriage ends. So if people were arguing over money before the economy started tanking, I = bet things are even more tense now. In a recent conversation with Professor Kit Yarrow, a consumer psychologist= who teaches psychology and business at Golden Gate University in San Franc= isco, she agreed that these are tense and complicated times, but there migh= t be a silver lining. "I encourage people to be as positive as possible," Ms. Yarrow said. "There= is no question that many people are experiencing genuine hardship and trau= ma and are making some serious lifestyle adjustments. However, on the posit= ive side of things, we are seeing a shift away from materialism toward valu= es." Ms. Yarrow believes more people are rethinking how they define wealth. "People are exploring where their riches come from and are finding that wha= t really makes their life rich is relationships," she said. "If you have pe= ople in your life that love you and you have people to love, your life is r= ich. All of the rest of the stuff is great, but it is gravy." If money is causing friction in your marriage, consider these suggestions f= or recession-proofing your marriage, drawn from a recent "Good Morning Amer= ica" interview featuring Ms. Yarrow. - Expand your meaning of wealth. A definition of "wealth" and "security" should include all of life's riches - good health, hobbies, pets, friendshi= ps and, most important, spouse and family. In the midst of difficult circum= stances, it helps to be intentional about focusing on what you have instead= of what you don't have or have lost. - Consider new roles. Flexibility in the face of change is the best defense= . We often enter into marriage with certain expectations about who should pla= y what role. Now might be a good time to consider expanding those expectati= ons to meet new economic realities. For example, if a husband always has be= en the breadwinner, but loses his job and the wife, who has been at home, h= as a skill set that will allow her to find work quickly, switching roles co= uld be a good thing. Putting your thoughts and feelings on the table concerning this issue can h= elp prevent tension in your relationship. While change may be necessary at = the moment, it doesn't have to be permanent. - Create a routine. In times of uncertainty, it helps to create as much pre= dictability in your life as you can. Set up weekly budget meetings to inclu= de not only talking about finances, but also the best ways to handle anxiet= y, feelings and your marriage. Don't forget to schedule weekly meetings spe= cifically for romance to keep the emotional aspects of your relationship st= rong. - Mind the gap. Stress and anxiety deplete emotional resources. Everyone ha= s a little less resilience right now and everyone needs a little more suppo= rt. That 'gap' can create misunderstandings that can mushroom into real conflic= ts. Don't jump to conclusions. Focus more on your spouse and less on yourse= lf. - Do the doable. Focus on what you can do and avoid panic around what you c= an't. Remember, fear is just a warning bell - worrying does not solve probl= ems; it short-circuits rational thinking. Be mindful and stay in the presen= t. Reach out for help and also help others - it's empowering. Having an att= itude of gratitude and humbleness makes you appreciative rather than feelin= g angry. Julie Baumgardner is the executive director of First Things First, an organ= ization dedicated to strengthening marriages and families through education= , collaboration and mobilization. She can be reached at julieb@firstthings.= org Special Feature [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif] [http://origin.ih.const= antcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/664.jpg?a=3D1102508668409] Fathers & the Global Financial Crisis by Warwick Marsh The following links and articles will be place on the Fatherhood Foundation= website under 'Fathers in Crisis' and are a resour= ce for fathers to help them better understand and cope with the Global Fina= ncial Crisis. Many commentators believe the world has a long period of financial instabil= ity ahead of it that could result in significant job losses for fathers in = many parts of the world, and resulting in hardship for families. It is imperative that individuals do their own analysis and make their own = judgements. The Fatherhood Foundation does not agree with every commentator's views or = opinions but provides the following information in order for the general pu= blic to make up their own mind about their personal course of action on wha= t is best for them and their own family. Vanity Fair: Wall Street Lays Another Egg b= y Niall Ferguson Niall Ferguson is Laurence A. Tisch, Professor of History at Harvard Univer= sity and a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford. This is an = excellent article to provide an overview of the GFC from an historical poin= t of view. Economic Brief: 'Solving the economic crisis: what will replace the ideolog= y of globalism?' by Patrick J Byrne, NCC National Vice-President. This pape= r gives an interesting outline of the GFC and its ramifications from an Aus= tralian point of view. Associate Professor Steve Keen, Western Sydne= y University. This website has some very pertinent economic information for= Australia and the GFC. Gerald Celente YouTube Interview on mainstream USA TV is both revealing and challenging. Pleas= e check it out and make up your own mind. Trends Research Institute: Gerald Celente - The= world leader in trend forecasting delivers concise, deployable success str= ategies to corporate clients. Peter Schiff, autho= r of 'Crashproof', is a financial forecaster and investment adviser prepar= ed to be different. This is an interview recorded in 2006 which shows his a= bility for accuracy. Peter Schiff: 'Why the Meltdown S= hould have Surprised No One.' G Edward Griffin i= s the author of 'The Creature from Jekyll Island', first published in 1994.= This book foretells our current situation in great detail. It is really a = book about the history of banking over the last couple of centuries with a = particular focus on the USA Federal Reserve. G Edward Griffin website. If you have read any of the above articles or watched the YouTube links you= will no doubt be looking for a practical plan of action to cope with the G= lobal Financial Crisis. Here are some ideas: 1. Do your own research, think for yourself, make your own judgements and k= eep abreast with developments with the GFC. 2. Get out of debt or at least reduce debt to a manageable level. 3. Work out your own budget and consider ways you could reduce your expendi= ture as a family, and how you could live on less (most of us were doing thi= s before the GFC appeared). 4. Work on becoming more valuable to those who employ your services. Job se= curity is now the major issue in employment. 5. Build up a reserve of storable food. 6. Grow your own vegies. 7. Expect the worst and believe for the best. 8. Keep an attitude of gratitude and don't stop giving. News & Info [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif] [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/666.jpg?a=3D= 1102508668409] Men are women's issue by Marybeth Hicks Last week, President Obama signed an executive order creating the White Hou= se Council on Women and Girls. He did so with a speech in which he praised = the perseverance and pluck of his own single mother, the grandmother who ul= timately raised him, and especially his wife, whom he credited for her exce= ptional skill as mother to their two daughters. Under the direction of his longtime political pal Valerie Jarrett, Mr. Obam= a has added membership on this council to the already daunting list of task= s of every Cabinet-level appointee. He says the council's job will be to en= sure that the feminist agenda saturates public policy on all levels. The president gathered the A-listers of feminism to celebrate his announcem= ent, including the leaders of the National Organization for Women, NARAL Pr= o-Choice America and Emily's List. Others who work to advance the cause of = women and girls (but not abortion rights), were not in attendance. Probably= an oversight. The folks who did attend seemed thrilled that a special White House council= had been created to advance feminist ideas. I doubt it's going to do much = good for women and girls. If Mr. Obama wanted to actually do something significant for American's wom= en and girls, he would have created instead a White House Council on Men an= d Boys. Just imagine the estrogen-induced response to something so sexist as a coun= cil chartered to address the concerns of one gender over another. Oh, wait.= That's what this is. But anyway, his is a council to address the issues of women and girls, so o= f course it is entirely fair. Actually, I'm the mother of three girls, and I happen to think Mr. Obama's = new council won't win the battle of the sexes. That's because the best thin= g anyone can do for American women and girls is to encourage men and boys t= o "man up." A council on men and boys would promote stable marriage as the best avenue = to improve the lives and living conditions of America's women and families.= A council on men and boys would address the crisis in American manhood tha= t results in the scourge of infidelity, divorce, lack of commitment and fat= herhood with multiple partners. A council on men and boys would seek to eliminate the objectification of wo= men in the media. It would battle our hypersexual culture by fighting again= st the "hook-up" mentality that defines the way in which young men view you= ng women. And most importantly, it would stamp out the violence against wom= en that emanates from men's widespread exposure and growing addiction to po= rnography. Such a council would work to train a new generation of boys to become real = men, who honor and uphold women as equals in the workplace, the community a= nd the home - not because the government regulates such an attitude, but be= cause it's right. A council on men and boys also would address the underlying problems that c= reate "women's issues" such as child care, inadequate pay and domestic viol= ence. These aren't "women's issues," but issues related to the systemic col= lapse of the American family. Believe me, I'm not man-bashing. Rather, I think the feminist agenda is a f= alse promise. A council on women and girls that seeks to infuse feminism ac= ross the government propels us further from real solutions. Our government = just isn't man enough to fix what's wrong. www.marybethhicks.com _____________________________________________________________ Letters Dear Fatherhood Foundation Thanks, loved last week's subjects. I love more and more your passion and p= erseverance, a profound encouragement to me! Hey, loved the poem too thanks! Rob _________________________ Dear Fatherhood Foundation First of all I love your website. I find myself looking forward to the next= series of articles to print and take home to share with my husband. I would love to receive the e book titled, Mothering Denied by Dr. Peter Co= ok. With Sincere Gratitude, Rachel _______________________ Dear Fatherhood Foundation Could I please request a free copy of the eBook of 'Mothering Denied' by Dr= Peter Cook. Thank you also for the effort that goes into your newsletters.= They are a valued and appreciated. Thank you, Cliff ______________________ Dear Fatherhood Foundation I had to write this to you to let you know what I felt when I attempted to = read the article that was about motherhood becoming a dirty word. Warwick, I have to admit that I simply could not read the whole article bec= ause I felt so hurt, insulted and angry over it even being in this newslett= er. All we ever hear in the media is how bad off poor mothers and women are and= how motherhood is so important and of course that insulting verse you had = in the beginning that stated some ridiculous thing about God making mothers= because He couldn't be everywhere. Well, God actually is everywhere and d= oesn't need mothers or fathers at all. I am not a woman hater, but boy, I am fast learning how to hate everything = that is mentioned about women. Everywhere we go or look there is some adve= rtisement or program in place for mothers or women in general and not only = that, there is an equal amount of father/men hating programs and advertisem= ents telling all of us men that we are the scum of the earth, that we are a= ll paedophiles, rapists, wife bashers and child abusers. All this time I have been able to get great value from your publication and= now you have to introduce the same message that we have rammed down our th= roats everywhere else, into the Fatherhood Foundation's Newsletter. You may think I am a woman hater; you may think I am some sicko who just ca= nnot get on with life, but you would be far from right. I am a father, who has been abused by two rotten women over the last 30 yea= rs; have had my children abused; have been abused by the rotten system that= facilitates these evil women and today I know of many other men who are st= ill being abused by women and system, yet I am a survivor of this but am st= ill suffering because my children still suffer. No one will address women who abuse. All we ever hear about is poor women = this, and poor women that. Now you have joined the ranks to help point out some injustice done to wome= n. Even though I have survived, I will still take many years to overcome the h= urt that I have suffered at the hands of women and the fact that according = to society I am scum. Please if you want me to continue to support you, leave the help and suppor= t for women to the thousands of organisations out there that exist for them= and let them use the millions of dollars of taxpayers' money on more adver= tising, that we men cannot get any of to help us in our struggle. Yours was to me an honourable organisation that put out a newsletter to mak= e men feel like we were loved and cared about, but now you are telling the = same tale about poor women when we all know that women do not suffer like m= en do in this country and this hurts deeply. And on this day I find out that DIDs has had its funding taken away, probab= ly by some female politician or public servant. All of this father hating stuff only serves to make me want to vomit, becau= se it upsets me that much. And my children have to continue to suffer abuse and neglect, because the a= buser is a woman. My dear God! Regards Peter ______________________ Dear Fatherhood Foundation My name is Keren Blackmore and I am gathering information for the Lighthous= e Church, Wollongong's 40th Birthday Celebration later this year. As you ca= n imagine 40 years in the life of such an incredible church is a mammoth ta= sk. Below is a guide to the items I need. If you could help or know of anyo= ne who might be able to, please pass this message on. Names/addresses/phone numbers of past members/friends of Lighthouse Church,= Wollongong. Photos (please scan and email). Newspaper clippings. Stories - highlights. Music. Please do not send originals as I cannot guarantee their safety. All information can be emailed or sent to: Mrs K Blackmore Lighthouse Church PO Box W73 West Wollongong NSW 2500 kezz@lighthousechurch.com.au Thank you for taking the time to assist me. Keren Dad's Prayer [http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs007/1101938345415/img/668.jpg?a=3D1= 102508668409][http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif] 23rd Psalm for the Global Financial Crisis The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want even in the middle of the Global Financial Crisis. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Even when I despair of life because of my financial woes. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the Global Financial Crisis, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. My life is more than my job or my possessions. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my creditors and bankers. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. My relationships mean more to me than all the money in the world Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Help Us! [http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif]The Fatherhood Foundation = is a Harm Prevention Charity. Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven to be a source of h= arm. The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by promoting excellence in f= athering. Excellent fathers are in word and deed: responsible, involved, pr= otective, loving and committed to the well-being of their children and thei= r children's mother. If you would like to give financially to the Fatherhood Foundation Public F= und and receive tax deductibility: Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund (Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax ded= uctibility) Westpac Branch Wollongong DONATE ONLINE BSB: 032 695 A/C: 25-5558 Or mail cheque and address details to: PO Box 542 UNANDERRA NSW 2526 AUSTRALIA The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund is a public fund listed on the Regis= ter of Harm Prevention Charities under Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax = Assessment Act 1997. You have received the fathersonline.org newsletter because you have subscri= bed, or you have been subscribed by a friend. If you do not wish to receiv= e future emails, please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below. Forward email [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/safe_unsubscribe_logo.gif] This email was sent to blane@uow.edu.au by info@fathersonline.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe(tm) | Pri= vacy Policy. Email Marketing= by [http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/cc-logo-color-sm.gif] Fatherhood Foundation | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia --_000_1102508668409110193834541512118117174019scheduler_ Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
HTML Web Version Dads4Kids Newsletter
=09
3D"Dads4Kids
=09
=09 =09 =09
 23rd March 2009      Inspiring Fathers Encouraging Families  Issue 344
 

 

 
Fathers & the Global Financial Crisis
Dear Brian,
Welcome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email information = service for Fathers and Families as we present Fathers and the Global Finan= cial Crisis.
=09
In This Issue
Frontline...Where is the money
Link...Silly Money
Laughter..Insufficient Funds
Grandfathers...Think for yourself
Single Dads...Father Suggestions
All You Need is Love..Redefine Wealth
Special Feature...Financial Crisis Links
News & Info..Men are Women's Issue
Dad's Prayer..23rd Psalm
Next Week&nb= sp;
Tips for Dads=20
 =
=09 =09
= Join our Mailing List!
 
Quick Links
Thought of the Week
You shall know the truth
and the truth will set you free.
&n= bsp;
Jesus Christ
 
Frontline
= 3D"Loosing 
I can still clearly remember = the day. The sun was shining and a light north easterly was blowing the clo= uds across a beautiful blue sky. I was driving my car back from inspecting = some building jobs that my company was working on down the far South Coast = of New South Wales.
 
It might have been a beautiful day on = the outside, but inside my mind was racing. I was in turmoil. Creditors wer= e pressing for payment and I was in the middle of refinancing my building c= ompany from the ANZ to another bank (I won't say 'which' bank, but let you = guess). The trouble was that after promising the funds and activating an un= secured business overdraft they had suddenly decided to withdraw their supp= ort. That is a euphemism for 'sending us to the wall'. I was paying 20% int= erest on our bank overdraft and the same in interest on a number of unsold = spec homes that were up for sale. To make matters worse there had been 3 mo= nths of almost continuous wet weather which, when there are millions of dol= lars on the line, is every builder's nightmare. Cash flow had evaporated an= d I was trying to restructure the business and banking arrangements to get = into a more healthy financial position to work my way out of the hole. The = bank in question never gave me the opportunity and effectively cut off the = blood supply. It was a financial execution par excellence.
 
The sky was blue. The sun was shining but all I could think about was that= I was about to lose my business, my home and my good standing in the commu= nity. Most of all I was going to fail my family as a father. Aren't fathers= supposed to be protectors and providers?
 
Where was my fa= mily going to live? How would my family survive if I lost my job and my abi= lity to make money? I was a failure. That's when I thought about the $100,0= 00 life insurance policy and the fact that the tree lined road would make a= perfect place to stage an 'accident'. Suicide seemed an option in my unsta= ble state of mind. The cry of my young sons in the baby seats in the back o= f the car thankfully interrupted my thought process, dragged me back to rea= lity and helped restore my sanity. I could take my own life, but I could ne= ver take theirs, and besides they needed a live father not a dead one. Than= k God I had taken them with me for a drive that day; otherwise I might not = have returned.
 
Why am I telling you this story?
 = ;
The world is experiencing a Global Financial Crisis (GFC). It is abo= ut to enter what the CEO of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) has euphe= mistically dubbed 'The Great Recession'. Many commentators are predicting m= assive job losses and the crash of many companies, even countries, going br= oke as a direct result of the GFC. Iceland was the first and it is predicte= d that many others will follow. This will cause enormous challenges for fam= ilies and fathers in particular. Will we all be out of work? No, even in th= e Great Depression 7 out of 10 people had jobs. The trouble is that as men = we identify with our job and our ability to be successful in our jobs. When= we lose our jobs through no fault of our own we can often feel like a fail= ure. The world crashes in on us and in our depression and condemnation we s= tart to think crazy thoughts.
 
You need to know now, that n= o matter what happens, your life is not your job, and whether you have a jo= b or not, you are still a successful father and together with God's help yo= u can make it through. You may not own or be able to buy all you want, but = you can have all you need providing you are able to reduce your needs to th= e bare necessities.
 
I have been watching the Global Financ= ial Crisis closely over the past few months. Firstly I read Peter Schiff's = book, 'Crashproof: How to Profit from the Coming Crash' written in 2006. Sc= hiff foretold what was going to happen in the global meltdown with stunning= accuracy. Next I read a book first published in 1994 by G Edward Griffin, = 'The Creature from Jekyll Island', which is really the history of money and= banking over the last few centuries with a particular focus on the USA Fed= eral Reserve. Edward Griffin's accurate prophetic analysis of today's GFC w= as even more amazing considering the date of publication 15 years ago. I wo= uld highly recommend it if you don't mind being assaulted by the truth.
 
If you want to find out what's happening in the GFC, there is= no point in talking to people who didn't see it coming. You have to talk t= o those who could see it coming. They are those who are far better able to = pass accurate comments today.
 
We have listed some links a= nd articles  in Special Feature which = we will also put on our website about the GFC for your furth= er information. Compare them with each other and make your own decisions. 
Another interesting viewpoint is articulated on YouTube by Gerald Celente. Celente foretold the 1987 Crash, the Dotcom Bubble and the current crisi= s. His batting average is excellent but his synopsis is not something you w= ill hear about in most mainstream media.
 
This information = is not intended to frighten anyone but to prepare for the coming storm. Sto= rms are part of life. When we build our life on the rock (as Jesus said), t= he storms of life will not affect us as much because our investment is beyo= nd the world we live in and is based on the truth, and no-one can take the = truth away from you.
 
Lovework
 
Forewarned is forearmed. J= esus said, "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessio= ns".
 
Your relationships are more important than all the g= old in the world.
 
Treasure your family and things that wil= l last forever and you will not be disappointed.
 
Yours for= good foundations
Warwick Marsh
 
PS I rang G. Edward G= riffin to thank him for his eye opening book about the ups and downs of wor= ld finance. I asked him what he thinks are the challenges ahead and what ad= vice he could give our readers. His answers were both simple and profound: = "As a dad you have a responsibility to think for yourself and not to drift = along with the masses. Do your own thinking and break free of the media str= aitjackets and politically driven mantra of the day. We are in grave danger= of drifting into totalitarianism in the coming economic stability the worl= d is facing. The best way to make a difference is to find the truth and put= it into action." A big thank you to Peter and Victor for the book recommen= dations.
_____________________________________________________________= _______

Warwick Marsh  has been married to Alison= for 33 years. He is the grandfather of two children and father of fiv= e children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 28 years to 16= years.  Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public speake= r who likes to think he can still laugh at himself.
Link of the Week
<= /font>
Laughter
= =
 
 3D"Atm"
I went to the ATM this morning and it said "insufficient funds"... I'm= wondering is it them or me?...

How do you define optimism? A banker who irons five shirts on a Sunday= .

With the current market turmoil, what's the easiest way to make = a small fortune? Start off with a large one.

What's the difference between an investment banker and a large p= izza?A large pizza can still feed a family of four.



=
Grandfathers
 
 
As a dad
you have a responsibility
to think= for yourself
and not to drift along with the masses.
 
G Edward Griffin
 
 
 
Single Dads
 
 = ;3D"Dad
New Single Father Suggestio= ns (Pt2)
From FatherMag.com

I am now the si= ngle father of an eight year old girl and an eleven year old boy; a single = father for only eight weeks now; officially divorced just one week ago.

By no means do I consider myself an experienced single father at th= is point, but I have come a long way in eight weeks.

By my frien= ds' accounts, I seem to be doing pretty well so far. I am an engineer and s= o I try to solve problems logically; maybe that helps.
I even made the= comment to myself the other day, "No wonder my wife left, she had no syste= m." Kids need structure, and most of them like it, because they know what t= o expect and when to expect it.

Let me also say that I took seve= ral days off right after she left to get some of this sorted out. I had the= advantage of her simply leaving, and wanting a four year settlement, so I = have not had the trauma of relocation and attorney battles.
Here are s= ome more things that have worked for me so far:
 
Housework

My kids are old enough to understa= nd and follow a few basic rules. A few that we have that relate to housewor= k are:
No dirty dishes in the sink, they always go in the dishwasher.
Don't put your hands on the walls.
No food or drink allowed in carpeted areas of the house.
Don't do anything that creates more work for other people.
The last one has been really successful for me, because you can analyz= e many
actions and have the kids think, "Does this create work for Da= d or someone else?"
 
Food

I may be in better shape than some here, because I ha= ve always liked to cook and consider myself good at it, but my kids are at = a picky stage where they will not eat many things.
Similar to what happened with the clothes, we sat down and made a list= together of things that the kids like to eat and will eat. Then, we go to = the store and buy those things. When dinners are made, it is stuff they pic= ked out and have already agreed to eat. We made sure to cover the major foo= d groups, talked about the importance of balanced meals and agreed that the= y would each take a multi-vitamin every day.
On days when there is just not enough time to make a full meal, we hav= e frozen pizza or some such other quick food that they picked out.
Go out when you just can't do anything else. I started to make a sched= ule and plan meals, but I found that for us, it was better just to come hom= e and have multiple choices. Tuna Fish, Pizza, burgers on the grill, salad,= all are easy, good and quick to make.

Extra Time=20

When do you find time to do these things? Well, I kee= p the kids involved in scouting, church, etc. and use opportunities when th= ey are on trips, visiting with friends, etc. to do major things like mowing= the lawn, vacuuming, etc.
I now go to bed about 9-9:30PM, not long af= ter the kids go because I am so tired.

I have also started getti= ng up at 5AM instead of 6:30 when the kids get up. This gives me almost two= hours of personal time when I am rested that I use to do personal things (= read the paper, smoke a cigar, listen to music, etc.) and sometimes work (b= ills, cleaning, etc.) I find that the loss of sleep is compensated for by m= y feeling that things are done, and not hanging over my head. I am a much h= appier person all day having had some extra relaxation or work time in the = morning.

Some of the themes so far that have helped make me more= comfortable were:
Forget about the wife, she is gone.
 
Talk about what happened with your kids and friends. Kids, particularl= y need the emotional outlet and talking about it helps heal the hurt.
I rule the house, it does not rule me. I feel better and less stressed= when things are under control and relatively clean. To me, this is worth l= osing sleep for.
Simplify things that are difficult.
 
Kids like and need structure.
 
The kids can pitch in.
Accept help from others when offered.
You have to give up some sleep to get things done.
Take some time off to develop your new family "structure" for getting = things done. It's unreasonable for anyone to expect you to continue working= at the same performance level through an event like this.
Sorry if this seems too simplistic, but in the midst of the emotion, i= t is often difficult to think clearly; it was for me.

One more item that may be of interest: Therapists, counselors, a= nd others have told me that while it is unusual for a wife to leave her kid= s, almost all of these cases are due to depression, alcoholism, or some oth= er severe emotional disorder. In my case it was depression which led to alc= ohol abuse.

I was encouraged by many people to go to Al-Anon, which is a spi= n off of Alcoholics Anonymous and is for people whose lives are affected by= someone else's alcohol problem. Their big theme is to stop focusing on the= person who is causing you the trouble and start improving your own situati= on.

The first meeting I attended was during my initial two week "pan= ic" stage, and when it was my turn to share, I spilled my heart out on the = table.

The folks there were understanding and empathetic, and gave a lo= t of support, but after listening to their stories about throwing things, m= arking bottles, etc. and their comments to me, I realized that several of t= hem were actually envious that I no longer had to live with my wife; that, = relatively speaking, I and the kids were lucky to be getting out of the rel= ationship.

This realization was what turned the corner for me, out of panic= , and into an opportunistic perspective. I find, when I start to feel a bit= overwhelmed, that it helps me to think about this as "Russ's Big Adventure= ."


Copyright =A91997 - 2001,
FatherMag.com
All You Need is Love
REDEFINE 'WEALTH' TO HELP 3D"MarriageMARRIAGE
The Washington Times March 15, 2009
By Julie Baumgardner
 
National r= esearch indicates money is not the deal maker when it comes to getting marr= ied, but it often is the deal breaker for when a marriage ends.
 =
So if people were arguing over money before the economy started tanki= ng, I bet things are even more tense now.
 
In a recent conv= ersation with Professor Kit Yarrow, a consumer psychologist who teaches psy= chology and business at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, she agreed= that these are tense and complicated times, but there might be a silver li= ning.
 
"I encourage people to be as positive as possible," = Ms. Yarrow said. "There is no question that many people are experiencing ge= nuine hardship and trauma and are making some serious lifestyle adjustments= . However, on the positive side of things, we are seeing a shift away from = materialism toward values."
 
Ms. Yarrow believes more peopl= e are rethinking how they define wealth.
 
"People are explo= ring where their riches come from and are finding that what really makes th= eir life rich is relationships," she said. "If you have people in your life= that love you and you have people to love, your life is rich. All of the r= est of the stuff is great, but it is gravy."
 
If money is c= ausing friction in your marriage, consider these suggestions for recession-= proofing your marriage, drawn from a recent "Good Morning America" intervie= w featuring Ms. Yarrow.
 
- Expand your meaning of wealth. A= definition of "wealth" and "security"
should include all of life's ri= ches - good health, hobbies, pets, friendships and, most important, spouse = and family. In the midst of difficult circumstances, it helps to be intenti= onal about focusing on what you have instead of what you don't have or have= lost.
 
- Consider new roles. Flexibility in the face of ch= ange is the best defense.
We often enter into marriage with certain ex= pectations about who should play what role. Now might be a good time to con= sider expanding those expectations to meet new economic realities. For exam= ple, if a husband always has been the breadwinner, but loses his job and th= e wife, who has been at home, has a skill set that will allow her to find w= ork quickly, switching roles could be a good thing.
 
Puttin= g your thoughts and feelings on the table concerning this issue can help pr= event tension in your relationship. While change may be necessary at the mo= ment, it doesn't have to be permanent.
 
- Create a routine.= In times of uncertainty, it helps to create as much predictability in your= life as you can. Set up weekly budget meetings to include not only talking= about finances, but also the best ways to handle anxiety, feelings and you= r marriage. Don't forget to schedule weekly meetings specifically for roman= ce to keep the emotional aspects of your relationship strong.
 - Mind the gap. Stress and anxiety deplete emotional resources. Everyon= e has a little less resilience right now and everyone needs a little more s= upport.
That 'gap' can create misunderstandings that can mushroom into= real conflicts. Don't jump to conclusions. Focus more on your spouse and l= ess on yourself.
 
- Do the doable. Focus on what you can do= and avoid panic around what you can't. Remember, fear is just a warning be= ll - worrying does not solve problems; it short-circuits rational thinking.= Be mindful and stay in the present. Reach out for help and also help other= s - it's empowering. Having an attitude of gratitude and humbleness makes y= ou appreciative rather than feeling angry.
 
Julie Baumgardn= er is the executive director of First Things First, an organization dedicat= ed to strengthening marriages and families through education, collaboration= and mobilization. She can be reached at julieb@firstthings= .org
=09

Special Feature

 3D= 3D"Financial
F= athers & the Global Financial Crisis
by Warwick Marsh= =20
 
The following links and articles will be place on the Fatherhood Foundation website under 'Fathers in Crisis' and are a = resource for fathers to help them better understand and cope with the Globa= l Financial Crisis.
 
Many commentators believe the world h= as a long period of financial instability ahead of it that could result in = significant job losses for fathers in many parts of the world, and resultin= g in hardship for families.
 
It is imperative that individu= als do their own analysis and make their own judgements.
 
T= he Fatherhood Foundation does not agree with every commentator's views or o= pinions but provides the following information in order for the general pub= lic to make up their own mind about their personal course of action on what= is best for them and their own family.
 
 
Vanity= Fair: Wall Street Lays Another Egg by Niall Ferguson=
Niall Ferguson is Laurence A. Tisch, Professor of History at Harvard = University and a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford. This = is an excellent article to provide an overview of the GFC from an historica= l point of view.
 
Economic Brief: 'Solving the economic cri= sis: what will replace the ideology of globalism?' by Patrick J Byrne, NCC = National Vice-President. This paper gives an interesting outline of the GFC= and its ramifications from an Australian point of view.
 
<= a track=3D"on" href=3D"http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102508668409&e=3D0016Hjx= HMHOXLxzM63she84176fcmfVHBUOBrM-NAu3Tz05p_544XFS_ENxh3AeWD_tm3hrv_y1c-FhgZF= jjiVcUYBmVCSpbc9Frbxu_OmKF2xfNND-bVxYfgk61jrQEKr4" linktype=3D"link" target= =3D"_blank">Associate Professor Steve Keen, Western Sydney University. = This website has some very pertinent economic information for Australia and= the GFC.
 
Gerald = Celente YouTube Interview on mainstream USA TV is both revealing and ch= allenging. Please check it out and make up your own mind. 
 =
Trends Research Institute: Gerald Celente - The worl= d leader in trend forecasting delivers concise, deployable success strategi= es to corporate clients.
 
Peter Schiff, author of 'Crashproof', is a financial forecaster= and investment adviser  prepared to be different. This is an intervie= w recorded in 2006 which shows his ability for accuracy.
Peter Schiff: 'Why the Meltdown Should have Surprised No = One.'
 
G Edward Gr= iffin  is the author of 'The Creature from Jekyll Island', first p= ublished in 1994. This book foretells our current situation in great detail= . It is really a book about the history of banking over the last couple of = centuries with a particular focus on the USA Federal Reserve.
G Edward Griffin website.
 
If you have read any of th= e above articles or watched the YouTube links you will no doubt be looking = for a practical plan of action to cope with the Global Financial Crisis. 
Here are some ideas:
 
1. Do your own researc= h, think for yourself, make your own judgements and keep abreast with devel= opments with the GFC.
2. Get out of debt or at least reduce debt to a = manageable level.
3. Work out your own budget and consider ways you co= uld reduce your expenditure as a family, and how you could live on less (mo= st of us were doing this before the GFC appeared).
4. Work on becoming= more valuable to those who employ your services. Job security is now the m= ajor issue in employment.
5. Build up a reserve of storable food.
6. Grow your own vegies.
7. Expect the worst and believe for the best= .
8. Keep an attitude of gratitude and don't stop giving.=20
 
News & Info
=
  =20
3D"NewsInfo" 
 3D"Couple
Men are wome= n's issue=20
by Marybeth Hicks 
<= /div>
 
Last week, President Obama signed an executive order cr= eating the White House Council on Women and Girls. He did so with a speech = in which he praised the perseverance and pluck of his own single mother, th= e grandmother who ultimately raised him, and especially his wife, whom he c= redited for her exceptional skill as mother to their two daughters.
U= nder the direction of his longtime political pal Valerie Jarrett, Mr. Obama= has added membership on this council to the already daunting list of tasks= of every Cabinet-level appointee. He says the council's job will be to ens= ure that the feminist agenda saturates public policy on all levels.
T= he president gathered the A-listers of feminism to celebrate his announceme= nt, including the leaders of the National Organization for Women, NARAL Pro= -Choice America and Emily's List. Others who work to advance the cause of w= omen and girls (but not abortion rights), were not in attendance. Probably = an oversight.
The folks who did attend seemed thrilled that a special= White House council had been created to advance feminist ideas. I doubt it= 's going to do much good for women and girls.
If Mr. Obama wanted to = actually do something significant for American's women and girls, he would = have created instead a White House Council on Men and Boys.
Just imag= ine the estrogen-induced response to something so sexist as a council chart= ered to address the concerns of one gender over another. Oh, wait. That's w= hat this is.
But anyway, his is a council to address the issues of wo= men and girls, so of course it is entirely fair.
Actually, I'm the mo= ther of three girls, and I happen to think Mr. Obama's new council won't wi= n the battle of the sexes. That's because the best thing anyone can do for = American women and girls is to encourage men and boys to "man up."
A = council on men and boys would promote stable marriage as the best avenue to= improve the lives and living conditions of America's women and families. A= council on men and boys would address the crisis in American manhood that = results in the scourge of infidelity, divorce, lack of commitment and fathe= rhood with multiple partners.
A council on men and boys would seek to= eliminate the objectification of women in the media. It would battle our h= ypersexual culture by fighting against the "hook-up" mentality that defines= the way in which young men view young women. And most importantly, it woul= d stamp out the violence against women that emanates from men's widespread = exposure and growing addiction to pornography.
Such a council would w= ork to train a new generation of boys to become real men, who honor and uph= old women as equals in the workplace, the community and the home - not beca= use the government regulates such an attitude, but because it's right.
A council on men and boys also would address the underlying problems that= create "women's issues" such as child care, inadequate pay and domestic vi= olence. These aren't "women's issues," but issues related to the systemic c= ollapse of the American family.
Believe me, I'm not man-bashing. Rath= er, I think the feminist agenda is a false promise. A council on women and = girls that seeks to infuse feminism across the government propels us furthe= r from real solutions. Our government just isn't man enough to fix what's w= rong.
 
 
_______________________________________________________= ______

Letters
<= /font> 
Dear Fatherhood Foundation
 
Than= ks, loved last week's subjects. I love more and more your passion and perse= verance, a profound encouragement to me!
 
Hey, loved the po= em too thanks!
 
Rob
_________________________
&nb= sp;
Dear Fatherhood Foundation
 
First of all I love yo= ur website. I find myself looking forward to the next series of articles to= print and take home to share with my husband.
 
I would lov= e to receive the e book titled, Mothering Denied by Dr. Peter Cook.
&= nbsp;
With Sincere Gratitude,
Rachel
______________________= _
 
Dear Fatherhood Foundation
 
 
= Could I please request a free copy of the eBook of 'Mothering Denied' by Dr= Peter Cook. Thank you also for the effort that goes into your newsletters.= They are a valued and appreciated.
 
 
Thank you,=
Cliff
______________________
 
Dear Fatherhood F= oundation
 
I had to write this to you to let you know what = I felt when I attempted to read the article that was about motherhood becom= ing a dirty word.
 
Warwick, I have to admit that I simply c= ould not read the whole article because I felt so hurt, insulted and angry = over it even being in this newsletter.
 
All we ever hear in= the media is how bad off poor mothers and women are and how motherhood is = so important and of course that insulting verse you had in the beginning th= at stated some ridiculous thing about God making mothers because He couldn'= t be everywhere.  Well, God actually is everywhere and doesn't need mo= thers or fathers at all.
 
I am not a woman hater, but boy, = I am fast learning how to hate everything that is mentioned about women.&nb= sp; Everywhere we go or look there is some advertisement or program in plac= e for mothers or women in general and not only that, there is an equal amou= nt of father/men hating programs and advertisements telling all of us men t= hat we are the scum of the earth, that we are all paedophiles, rapists, wif= e bashers and child abusers.
 
All this time I have been abl= e to get great value from your publication and now you have to introduce th= e same message that we have rammed down our throats everywhere else, into t= he Fatherhood Foundation's Newsletter.
 
You may think I am = a woman hater; you may think I am some sicko who just cannot get on with li= fe, but you would be far from right.
 
I am a father, who ha= s been abused by two rotten women over the last 30 years; have had my child= ren abused; have been abused by the rotten system that facilitates these ev= il women and today I know of many other men who are still being abused by w= omen and system, yet I am a survivor of this but am still suffering because= my children still suffer. 
No one will address women who abuse.=   All we ever hear about is poor women this, and poor women that.
 
Now you have joined the ranks to help point out some injustice= done to women.
 
Even though I have survived, I will still = take many years to overcome the hurt that I have suffered at the hands of w= omen and the fact that according to society I am scum.
Please if you w= ant me to continue to support you, leave the help and support for women to = the thousands of organisations out there that exist for them and let them u= se the millions of dollars of taxpayers' money on more advertising, that we= men cannot get any of to help us in our struggle.
 
Yours w= as to me an honourable organisation that put out a newsletter to make men f= eel like we were loved and cared about, but now you are telling the same ta= le about poor women when we all know that women do not suffer like men do i= n this country and this hurts deeply.
 
And on this day I fi= nd out that DIDs has had its funding taken away, probably by some female po= litician or public servant.
 
All of this father hating stuf= f only serves to make me want to vomit, because it upsets me that much.
 
And my children have to continue to suffer abuse and neglect,= because the abuser is a woman.
 
My dear God!
 Regards
Peter
 
______________________
 =
Dear Fatherhood Foundation
 
My name is Keren Blackmor= e and I am gathering information for the Lighthouse Church, Wollongong's 40= th Birthday Celebration later this year. As you can imagine 40 years in the= life of such an incredible church is a mammoth task. Below is a guide to t= he items I need. If you could help or know of anyone who might be able to, = please pass this message on.
 
Names/addresses/phone numbers= of past members/friends of Lighthouse Church, Wollongong.
Photos (ple= ase scan and email).
Newspaper clippings.
Stories - highlights.Music.
 
Please do not send originals as I cannot guara= ntee their safety.
All information can be emailed or sent to:
&nb= sp;
Mrs K Blackmore
Lighthouse Church
PO Box W73
West W= ollongong NSW 2500
kezz@lighthousechurch.com.au
 
Thank you= for taking the time to assist me.
 
Keren
 
=

Dad's Prayer

3D"Financial3D"DadsPrayer" 
=
23rd Psalm for the Global Financial Crisis
 
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want even in the mi= ddle of=20
 the Global Financial Crisis.
He makes me lie down in green = pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
= Even when I despair of life because of my financial woes.
He guides me= in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I wa= lk through the valley of the shadow
of the Global Financial Crisis,
I will fear no evil, for you are = with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
My life is mo= re than my job or my possessions.
 
You prepare a table befo= re me in the presence of
my creditors and bankers.
You anoint my = head with oil; my cup overflows.
My relationships mean more to me than= all the money in the world
Surely goodness and love will follow me al= l the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forev= er.
=09 =09
Help Us!

3D"HelpUs"= The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity.
Fatherles= sness and inadequate fathering has been proven to be a source of harm.= The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by promoting excellence  in = fathering. Excellent fathers are in word and deed: responsible, involved, p= rotective, loving and committed to the well-being of their children and the= ir children's mother.

 

If you would like to give financially t= o the Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund and receive tax deductibility:

 

Fatherhood Found= ation Public Fund
(Name, address and amount details must be = emailed for a receipt for tax deductibility)

 Westpac Branch Wollongong      &nb= sp;            =   = DONATE ONLINE

BSB: 032 695
A/C: 25-5558
 

Or mail cheque and address details to:<= br />PO Box 542
UNANDERRA  NSW&nbs= p; 2526
AUSTRALIA

 

The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund&n= bsp; is a public fund listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities u= nder Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.=

 

You have received the fatherson= line.org newsletter because you have subscribed, or you have been = subscribed by a friend.  If you do not wish to receive future emails, = please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below.

=09 =09 =09 =09 =09
3D"Safe
This email was sent to blane@uow.edu.au by in= fo@fathersonline.org.
Fatherhood Foundati= on | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia
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