Veep’S Message Was And Is Sound

My, how they brayed when then-Vice President Dan Quayle criticized “Murphy Brown” for setting a bad example.

Remember?

In May 1992, Quayle attracted the fury of late-night talk show hosts, Hollywood and the media by making a passing reference to the sitcom in a speech about family values. Here’s the line that ignited the firestorm: “It doesn’t help matters when prime time TV has Murphy Brown - a character who supposedly epitomizes today’s intelligent, highly paid, professional woman - mocking the importance of a father, by bearing a child alone, and calling it just another ‘lifestyle choice.”’

Increasingly, it’s becoming clear Quayle was right. Caring, hands-on fathers are crucial to family stability and stopping America’s cultural free fall. But don’t take our word for it. Ask Murphy Brown herself: actress Candice Bergen. In April, Bergen told the Los Angeles Times the text of Quayle’s comments were “completely sound.”

Bergen went on to say she was distressed by the story line in which her illegitimate baby became a second priority. That she was very different than her character. That her family “has always come first - by a mile.” That she didn’t think the baby episodes sent out a good message.

Strangely, the cultural jackals who hounded Quayle out of office have been silent about Bergen’s admission. Then, they probably never read his entire speech. If they had done so, they would have discovered Quayle wasn’t putting down single moms; he was pointing out the importance of strong families and a father’s role in a child’s development.

In another part of the speech, Quayle said: “Right now, the failure of our families is hurting America deeply. When families fall, society falls. The anarchy and lack of structure in our inner cities are testament to how quickly civilization falls apart when the family foundation cracks. Children need love and discipline. A welfare check is not a husband. The state is not a father. It is from parents that children come to understand values and themselves as men and women, mothers and fathers.” Today, even social liberals are beginning to embrace the truth that fathers are important. Most of us realize the social damage caused by illegitimacy, divorce, teen parents and absent parents. And, if we’re honest, we’ll admit the ideal situation for children is to be born and raised in an intact family.

That’s not to say kids raised in single-parent families are doomed to failure. Examples abound of single-parent families that have succeeded. Yet, as another Father’s Day has come and gone, it’s time to acknowledge the value of good fathers - and to be thankful if you were blessed with one.