I have to go with the side that supports Alec Baldwin on this one. --The contrasts between this controversy and the Don Imus one is interesting. These were not public airwaves until someone decided to put them there. ----Alec called his daughter "a rude little pig". My great grand-mother called my mother "une petite couchon" which means little pig in French. It may sound better but it means the same thing. Seeing as how my mother is now 85 and successfully raised 5 children with an intact self-esteem, I think that if concerted legal action is taken against whomever leaked this, this will be a bump in the road rather than a major obstacle in the child's road. --Having studied family law at the paralegal level, I realize that stuff like this happens all the time. Parents become such children when they are battling over their children. --Kim Basinger or her representatives are responsible for this and should be disciplined. THanks for letting me vent

Alec Baldwin was clearly out of line. Leaving a message like that on his 11 year old daughters phone is a disgrace. I think it was right to make this public. It shows how abusive some of these parties truely are. Everyone wonders why some divorces are so nasty, this is why. Abuse! The abuser will never let anything be what it is. They always want more and not for the sake of the child. They wont let anything rest because that is the only way to hold on to the power and control that they feel they lost during the split up. Men like Alec are costing women tons of money every year on never ending lawyer fees. Unfortunatly unlike Kim, most of the rest of us women can barely afford to pay these fees. The men drive us into finacial and emotional ruins all to maintane that hold of power! It needs to stop. Alec has proved to the nation how out of control these men are.

It's time to stop playing the blame game. It seems with Alec Baldwin that everyone is trying to blame the circumstances, the ex-wife, even the daughter. I don't think he should give up his job either. I have seen this happen with my own friends who divorce. The parents dump their pent up fustrations on the kids for things that are out of both individual's control. As fustrating as it may be kids at his daughter's age are not good at being available for their parents even in the best of situations. The kids are very caught up in their own lives and with their own friends. And the plain truth of the matter is Alec was venting on the wrong person. That temper didn't develop overnight it is probably not the first time Alec has gone off on his daughter. His daughter is owed a huge apology and some fence mending from her Dad. And it might take a few tries before she even let him in her life again. He could have said the same thing in a loving way and had he then it wouldn't have matter if it had been leaked because it wouldn't have been bad. And I am saddened at the people who justified this by saying we all talk to our children at one time or another as he did. Shame on all of you. Preteens self esteem is low enough and if we are talking to them as he did, no wonder. Parents are for affirmation and our children look to us for that. Without it sadly the parent is just another face in the crowd. I wish to remain nameless

dear Alec My wife has taken my children over 1000 miles away from me with the permission of the courts, I have to fight for every visit and every phone call, I know exactly what you are going through with being frustrated at your ex and your daughter who just doesn't understand what is going on. My daughter has said terrible things to me and I have yelled at her because I miss them so much it hurts and sometimes I let it out. there needs to be a reevaluation on how divorce and custody is handled in this country. men are not monsters, as protrayed by the court systems of the u.s. we deserve just as many rights as the women when it comes to being able to have access to our children.

I side with Alec Baldwin in this case under a couple of likely conditions. 1. Kim Bassinger is restricting Alec's legal right to communicate with the daughter. 2. The daughter is also intentionally making it difficult for communication to occur. If these are not true then i will have to reevaluate my position. Personally coming from a situation similiar to what I see and hear on the news, it is my impression that as a result of Alec & Kim splitting early on in Ireland's life, she has not grown an attachment, respect, love for Alec like she normally would and should have. Therefore she is probably adverse to the idea of a foreign entity (Alec) asserting control over her, in addition I would be willing to bet that Kim Bassinger hasn't done anything to support Alec's role as father... and in fact has in effect turned Ireland against her father by means of her likely slander of Alec over the years. I imagine that Alec & Kim have different parenting styles that only further put a split in between the two, and Ireland has basically decided to side with her mother. Often in these sorts of situations the child will feel like they have to side with a particular parent, which isn't the child's fault.... but it makes it frusterating for the opposing party nonetheless. I don't think Alec would call Ireland a rude pig if she did not do anything to sidestep communication with her father. And from the sound of the message... it has happened multiple times before. Ireland probably dislikes her father and doesn't want him to control her, which is understandable given the fact that he (Alec) has always been positioned as an outsider in this entire ordeal. I think Alec may be in denial about Ireland's true feelings toward him, and as a result is desperatley trying to be a part of her life by means of asserting control... and at the time of the message, he may not have been in a proper state of mind to realize he wont get anywhere with an ironfist so to say. I think that if he was better aware of Ireland's position and her feelings toward him, he may be more forgiving and more willing to try alternative means of reaching out to his child... but as a parent he might just simply think... "how could she not think of me as a father, am I not her dad god dangit?" Personally what Alec said wasn't jack crud... Ive heard and said things a thousand times worse from and to my parents. If everyone is all up in arms about this, I should expect they call out the flipping calvary for a guy who spanks his kid. I would also pit the two of my parents against each other to get what I wanted, I have no doubt that Ireland is playing the same game. She might even be trying to get a rise out of Alec as a result of her actions. Kids aren't stupid they know how to play games... I played them my entire life, and I have a good hunch that Ireland is too. There really is no concrete way to prove my point especially given the fact that Ireland could play victim or no fault in all of this (trust me... its easy.) I highly suspect that Kim Bassinger was somehow related to the release of the phone message.... and that beyond anything is what has done the most damage in this situation. Unless of course Ireland enjoys the sympathy... which could be entirely possible... she may feel alone in this whole situation and use her sad situation as a means of gaining sympathy, all in order to fill some sort of void that she feels as a result of a lack of nurturing and care from both parents. All of this is highly assumptive... but... this exact situation has happened with me... even the phrase "parental-alienation" has been a term my Dad has used in the past in regards to his relationship with me. So its strangely familiar and I do understand what and why people were motivated to do the things they have done in this situation. I do place certain conditions on my opinion... and if they turn out not to be true... then I will reevaluate. But given my knowledge of relationships and my experience... this was my extrapolation of the entire thing.

Re: Alec Baldwin's Verbally Abusive Voice Mail Diatribe I am absolutely incensed by Matt Lauer's comment this morning that "we don't know the other side of the story" referencing actor Alec Baldwin's horrific voice mail message to his 11-year-old daughter. Hey, Matt: THERE IS NO OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY. Period. End of sentence. No one, especially a parent, should ever speak to a child the way Mr. Baldwin did. I would pretty much bet a lifetime of dollars spent in therapy that this wasn't the first time Mr. Baldwin has verbally abused his child. It is child abuse, pure and simple. Alec Baldwin is an immature, abusive, selfish, narcissistic sociopath who doesn't deserve to be a father. Take it from someone whose father spoke to her in the EXACT same manner (following my parents nasty divorce) until I severed all ties at age 16, Ireland is far better off without this monster in her life. Devaluing a child's worth as a human being by calling her the reprehensible names Mr. Baldwin used has irreparable life-altering consequences that will haunt this young girl forever. To Matt Lauer: you've lost me as a viewer; I will now tune in to GMA after 15 years of faithfully watching The Today Show. To Alec Baldwin: get some help and PLEASE stay away from small children and animals, you are detrimental to their health and well-being.

The media making such a big deal about Alec Baldwin's message is what's hurting Ireland the most.

I realize there is always two sides to a story. Whether or not the story was leaked is another issue. The problem is that it was leaked and he is a celebrity and sometimes those are the consequences when you are in the public eye. I have not heard Alec Baldwin take any responsibility for his actions or say that he has apologized to his daughter for his actions. He was wrong and an adult/parent should not talk to a child that way, under any circumstances! He verbally abused his daughter, threatened her and I have not heard the media say that in any way?? He obviously has anger issues and needs help for that. I feel he is making excuses for his behavior and there have been a lot of excuses made for him-"he did that because of parental alienation"-whatever. His daughter is 11 years old and he should know better. It seems as though her mother is only trying to protect her. What kind of mother would Kim Basinger be if she let her ex-husband treat their daughter that way? I would never let anyone talk to my 10yo daughter that way-especially her father! I don't know how many mothers would stand for that. I would have more respect for him if he made a statement saying he was wrong and apologized to his daughter. The bottom line is that she is just 11yo and I assume she has already suffered tremendously from her parents bitter divorce. It's not "poor Alec"- it should be "that poor child, she shouldn't have to go through that".

Dear Alec, you are NOT at fault ! You and your daughter have my deepest sympathy's ! Parental Alienation needs to be a serious offense. It is tearing our families apart. Our legal system is at fault. This is a dirty secret that needs to be addressed. Our Judge's and Lawyer's need to be held accountable for their MALICIOUS and ILLEGAL manuvers. The residential parent, their attorney and the Judge's are the root cause. Alec Baldwin is NOT at fault. Divorce Attorney fees need to be capped. The attorney's are running wild. The system is broken. Wake up America !!! Fix the system, for the sake of our children. STOP PARENTAL ALIENATION NOW !!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please forward this to Alec Baldwin, Jeffrey Leving and Jeanine Pirro ... I speak from expierence. It all began in 1994 and is still alive. I want to make sure I am being directed down the right road. I am a mother that lost custody for NO reason. I found a cry for help on the internet dated 2000, that my son was shouting for help. Our second evaluation said I should have been the residential parent. The first evaluation was unethical and should have been thrown out. Please forward this. Thank You very much.

YES, there probably is another side of the story. Unless you have been thru a custody battle with a vindictive ex, you have no idea the frustrations that exist. If one parent is trying to protect the children, do "What is in the best interest" and the other parent sabotages every move the other parent makes,and puts the child in the middle, the hurt and frustration is unbelievable. My children and I have the emotional scars to prove it, and it was over 20 years ago. Children aren't always so innocent either, they learn fast how to play the game to their benefit. As they say - people in glass houses!!!! This did not belong on TV - don't be so quick to judge, my guess is the mother instigated the entire matter.

Matt, I listened to your report this morning with Ms. Pirro, Ms. Braniecki, and Mr. Leving. AMEN to the fact this issue is getting into the media, but the court system itself at least in Wisconsin, and where I live in Eau Claire County is at fault for contributing to the problem of PAS. Wisconsin has a provision in state law of equalized placement with both parents since 1999, but research has shown that mom gets primary placement in Wisconsin 87% of the time. I was divorced in 2000, and my former spouse got primary placement even though she worked nights and I worked days. I've had an on-going battle with my former spouse since the divorce amounting to at 15 to 20 court appearances. The last one lasting from May 2005 through February 2006, when I was stuck with all the legal fees, for a motion her attorney brought to the court to basically abolish a consistant schedule, to one where my former spouse can control. I'm forced now into taking it to the Appeals Court of Wisconsin without a lawyer. I've done all my post-divorce work without an attorney. I would like to address the comments of each. TO MS. PIRRO... I myself have brought contempt charges against my former spouse for vistation interference 8 times and the family court system has done nothing, including one instance where my former spouse sent my son to Florida for a period of 6 weeks which interfered with multiple placements of mine, this was done also at the direction of her attorney, which is actually a felony in Wisconsin under WI STAT 948.31. I have this evidence in a police report, but the DA's office did nothing and neither did the local courts. The problem is this is a money maker for attorneys and the court system and not in the best interest of the children. Not to sound sexist, but the court system protects the mothers way too much. In my last hearing, the judge said I couldn't file any more motions in this matter, so the interference is now legalized, plus I can't file any more police report otherwise I will be found in contempt. TO MS. BRANIECKI... AMEN to you as well, even though you were reluctant to blame Kim. The children are the victims here, but in most cases the mothers use the children against the father. My oldest child who is now in college has started to figure things out, but I lost all that time inbetween because of what my former spouse has said in the past. TO MR. LEVING... AMEN and thank you as well. P.A.S. is a very real problem yet the court system in this area doesn't seem to recognize it, and the irony is that this usually involves custody studies, which costs money, and money in most cases fathers don't have. I am so glad you got the opportunity to bring the subject up, but I was alittle upset at Ms. Pirro's facial expressions that I saw where it appeared what you were saying didn't matter to her. Mr. Lauer, you at least got the agreement of the whole panel that this is a real problem, but is this where it ends? I know exactly where Mr. Baldwin is coming from, because I've been there. All he wants is to be a father to his children, like I do, as well as most fathers out here, BUT the mothers of the children also do what they can to sabotage that relationship with the children. Mr. Baldwin's recording had to have come from Kim, his former spouse, knowing full well it would paint Alec in a bad light, when Kim then can use this to further alienate Alec from his child. Mr. Lauer, I and a friend of mine have started a father's group locally in my area. I get calls all the time from fathers that this has happened to. If Ms. Pirro, Ms. Braniecki, or Mr. Leving would like to speak with me further, or if you Mr. Lauer would like discuss this further, please provide my contact information to them and please feel free to contact me . Thank you for bringing this subject to light. Charles Lingen c_lingen@hotmail.com

Alec baldwin was totally wrong to behave in the way that he did. He left a lenghty nasty and increasingly threatening message on hid daughtr's answering machine. his threat at the end that he would come out and striaghten her out was horrific. It does not matter what the rights and wrongs of the case may be. No loving or caring parent could or should behave in that way. No wonder the child doesn't want to talk to him. Who would? He is an abusive thug who has nothing to reccomend him but fame. If an ordinary father has made that message he would be in serious trouble.

I have 3 children, and I would like to find one parent who has NOT got frustrated and angry w/a child. This should NEVER have made it to public ears. This will NOT scar this girl for life, she will only be embarassed that the whole world had to hear it!

Verbal Abuse, Sexual Abuse and Physical Abuse all destroy the spirit of the being. The abuser will always and forever control that being. Entire families are destroyed and even after the abuser dies they are still in control. Confrontation makes the victim who speaks up the enemy. This event should make clear to everyone that Mr. Baldwin is the abuser.

The court should take this child and put her in a therapeutic foster home until her parents go through some intensive family therapy TOGETHER!! Both of these parents should be ashamed of what they have put this child through and continue to put this child through. It is unbelievable that neither one of them takes any responsibility for their actions, what kind of message are they sending to this child. Have either one of them thought about what this is teaching her as far as how to parent your child. Look at Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, their children look so happy and secure and the reason is because they were able to put aside their own egos and petty differences and put the needs of their children first. Alec Baldwin definitely needs some anger management counseling because yes we all get upset with our children at times but when the child is already in the middle of a domestic nightmare such as this one you would think that he would choose his words more carefully and think before he opens up his mouth. Kim Basinger should also be ashamed of herself by allowing that tape to be publicized. What kind of mother throws all the family dirty laundry out for everyone to view, especially when it involves your child.If she is so protective of this child then why would you throw her into the national spotlight like that.It is too bad that Alec and Kim can't get past their own selfish pride and do what is right for this child. Neither one is fit to raise this child at this point. What is really sad is that when Ireland gets older and starts to deal with her own teenage issues, she will become a emotional wreck realizing that her own childhood revolved around her parent's hatred of each other. Harvey Levin you too should be ashamed of airing that tape, what a snake! That man must be void of all conscience to do that to that child. I hope Alec and Kim finally come to a meeting of the hearts and decide that whatever reason they could not live together should not be the ongoing basis for how they parent and love this child. I agree with Valerie Betinelli "you have to love your child more than you hate the ex".

it is amazing how ridiculious all the comments are regarding the alec B. voice mail to his daughter and I am amazed at how many people think it's ok to talk to your kid that way, but it is not ok to make any racial slurs when doing standup comedy etc. How sad for our country to let things come to this. I have three small childres all of which i gained in a 12 mos period. adopted two gave birth to one, and even at my lowest point of frustration from dealing with instant family of five, financial struggles i would never speak to my kids in this manner, Alec B obvious has some serious anger issues which he has put on his own child, very sad for both of them, sad that they as a family can't come to terms after all these years and get the custody thing settled. the joke is on them because their lawyers are laughen it up all the way to the bank. and the only one suffering is the kid. It disgust me that Alec got so much support. I understand his exwife is probably a pain in the ass, but no matter how you look at it he was way out of line and needs help mentally. How said that their are so many parents out there willing to admit they have yelled at their kids one way or the other. These particular words were hurtful and disparging. NO WONDER WE HAVE KIDS SHOOTING EACH OTHER IN MASS MURDERS AS IN VA they are so screwed up by parents who thing calling them pigs or other foul sentences is OK and the kid will get over it. WELL GUESS WHAT THEY DON'T ALL GET OVER IT.

I feel bad for Alec. He was frustrated and caught in a crazy-making system. While growing up, I've had worse things said to me by my own father yet I turned out to be a "model" citizen. Custody cases that go on and on only benefit the lawyers and Judges while the families endure great stress on so many levels. No one knows how they will react when pushed to the limit. Most humans, when pushed too hard, push back. I don't choose mothers over fathers or visa versa, there are "good" and "bad" in both. It has become apparent that reform is needed in the courts and the laws and these cases should not be allowed to drag out. Finally, there are groups forming out there like Daddyjustice.com to bring the public's attention to this need for change.

Of course we all say things that we later regret but there is a distinguishing difference in constructive criticism and character assassination. Mr. Baldwin’s ranting was very hostile and demeaning—this clearly shows ‘his’ character. Even when a person thinks he or she is being nice, the true character always shows through. I would imagine that his ex and daughter were met with this condescending attitude on a daily basis. This makes an individual feel worthless and he or she will usually become an under-achiever. Why? Feeling worthless undermines developing confidence of any kind, especially self-love and the belief that anyone else could love you or would think anything you had to say was worth listening to. Mr. Baldwin assaulted his daughter’s character by using the words ‘pig’ and ‘idiot’. He could have yelled just as loud and used the same tone of voice for constructive criticism. Example: PICK UP THE PHONE! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH YOU’RE HURTING ME WHEN YOU IGNORE MY CALLS. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN YOU AND I REFUSE TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE. I WILL FLY OUT THERE SO WE CAN DISCUSS YOUR RUDE AND THOUGHTLESS ATTITUDE. I AM YOUR DAD AND I DESERVE YOUR RESPECT. I BET YOU DON’T TREAT YOUR MOTHER THIS WAY. PICK UP THE PHONE! AGAIN, YOUR BEHAVIOR IS OUT OF LINE. CALL ME WHEN YOU GET THIS MESSAGE. NOT TOMORROW, NOT NEXT WEEK, TONIGHT! I could understand losing your temper in a manner such as this—still yelling and very angry—not threatening nor demeaning.

When will we as a society understand that verbal abuse is a very powerful and harmful dynamic of domestic violence? Verbal abuse cannot be excused, condoned or accepted for any reason.

I think being a parent is a decision people make, it is already harder for men to get custody of the children over the mother, knowing that Alec and Kim are in the middle of a custody battle why would you even go there? Why would you do that to your daughter? If he was so upset he should have just hung up the phone before he said something that im am sure he regrets. When a couple splits up and they have children the first thing you think of is the kids and not wanting to upset their lives but to call your child and talk to her like that...sure everyone says he is in the middle of an ongoing custody battle....i say blah blah blah.....he needs anger management big time, what happens if he gets custody of that girl, if I were Kim I wouldn't want my daughter to be forced to live with a dad that could potentially go off for a thing as not answering the phone. Sad for Ireland, im sure she loves her dad but to have that put out there for everyone to know that is whats sad here. How can anyone think this is the first time he has done off? and how can he promise that he wont go off on her if he gets custody?

Rosie hang in there to Hell with what people say you speak your mind we have freedom of speach. i love you i think you are amazing dont ever stop being you if we all could be like you to speak up and not be afraid what others think. the thing donald trump as said about you well shame on him. please dont just stop tv i really want to see you doing something eles. i support you 100% wish you nothing but happen times in your furture. Hang In There you will be missed dearly.

I agree with previous poster Pam Morton. As the child of divorced parents, including an abusive father, and having gone through a divorce myself, I completely understand the frustration PARENTS can feel. If the couple is stressed and hateful, they can verbally take out their frustrations on each other - as adults, that's their right. But there is no excuse for what Alec Baldwin did to that little girl. NONE. I'm tired of people blaming the courts, the judges, the mother, etc. No one held a gun to the man's head and made him spew that garbage to a child. I can't believe posters on this site sometimes even blame the child! Guess what? She's a child! It's not her responsibility to make the adults feel better! She's not the grown-up here! I still remember comments like Alec Baldwin's when they were made by my own father and she may never get over this. Maybe Kim B is a lousy mother, maybe she leaked it, maybe she didn't but someone at the court did - it doesn't matter at this point. Shame on you, Alec Baldwin, for taking out your frustrations on a child - she could never have done anything to deserve that treatment. If you were too upset to control your anger, you should have kept your feelings to yourself! If you think divorce is hard on the parents, can you even IMAGINE how it must feel for a little girl?

All I can say about this is - "GIVE ME A BREAK!" - Parents and children both get angry and say things they don't mean. I am guilty, my parents are guilty. It did not scar me for life - it will not cause irreparable damage. Imagine if all of your cell phone conversations and messages were leaked to the press for just one day...what would we find out about each other? Its ridiculous that the media has taken this very sad private matter and convinced us that it's news and that we should all comment on it. Shame on the media and shame on the person who leaked it.

H-E-L-L-O- there is another side of the story. I don't care if you have been through a horrible custody battle with a vindictive ex, that is no excuse to bring the child into that! Any responsible adult should know how damaging that can be to children. That should be kept between the parents and they should protect their children from that. How could he take his frustrations out on his 11yo daughter? SHE IS A CHILD! His battle with his ex is not his daughters fault. He's controlling, arrogant and abusive. A little love, support, kindness and letting the child know that its not her fault would go a lot farther in her mind. And that would probably help his custody battle. This is not her fault and she should not be put in the middle. He has shown his true colors. Its too bad that he is a celebrity and his dirty laundry has been aired, but that is the price he has pay. That was a form of child abuse and I would bet he has done that before. Why are people sticking up for him? Bottom line is that this was verbal abuse against his daughter, it was not said to his ex wife. Was she just suppose to sit back and let him do that? No form of child abuse is acceptable and I don't give a hoot if you are a celebrity.

Alec Baldwin demonstrated a great deal of immaturity in his rant on the phone message. No matter what his issues are with his ex-wife, he is an adult and needs to remember that he is a role model to his daughter. He has been, and is setting the example for her - in her vision and experience of males in her life, now and in the future. She will measure her future relationships with men by the relationship she has with her father, and the observations she makes of how her own father handles himself in all situations. Blaming a child for his feelings and calling her belittling names, reduces him (Alec)to the emotional level of a twelve year old; as if he is also in early adolescence and bickering with a sibling. He appears unable to recognize that children respond and react to adults in their lives with information gleaned by prior experience. In other words, his previous behavior with her will determine her response to him in the future. It's simple conditioning. She is still young enough to want to believe her father cares about her and hopefully the relationship can survive the destruction of divorce feuding. Serious parenting assistance is needed ASAP, as well as ongoing family therapy, for this child's sake.

Agreed Alec is an imature,abusive,narcistic,thug. Amber nailed it. He can't let go because he lost the power to control Kim and Ireland. Alex looses. My x who is just like Alec kept me in a 14 year custody dispute. I invented a million dollar toy to help children endure father's who do this. SCAN-IT

Control. It's all about control - and losing control. Although anger is a normal human emotion, it can be destructive when spun out of control. It harms not only the people around him, but actually hurts himself in the process. It's one thing to be assertive, but another to act aggressive. I've lived with an abuser, and he always had an excuse - "it's always everyone else's problem or fault" and it's difficult for them to be accountable for their own behavior. I can bet that this is not the first time Alec has exhibited this type of abusive behavior. And I can almost bet that Kim Basinger was abused by him during their marriage, whether it be physical or verbal abuse. That could be the reason why she defies all of the court orders, because as a parent, she feel's it necessary to protect her child from this abuser. The fact that this recording was released to the public is irrelevant. This is what he did, it's what he said and now the public knows what an irrational tyrant Mr. Baldwin can be. We now get a glimpse of what Ms. Basinger has had to endure throughout their relationship. The best thing he can do is apologize and seek professional help for his anger management issues. Perhaps this will help to give him answers as to why he needs to "control". After he has addressed his issues, my wish for him is to finally have a healing and much healthier relationship with his daughter and ex-spouse.

If only parent's would put the best interest of their child first. While I don't condone what Alex said to his daughter, I suspect that Kim has a big part in this. While it may not be the case, I can think of several scenarios in which I would hold her equally responsible.

Who was being insulted Alec? and who was being the "rude little pig?" It sure wasn't your child. Grow up and get some needed help.

What a wonderful world this would be if no one ever raised their voice, spoke in anger or said something they later regreted. The real world is very different. How self rightious everyone is when it is some else being held up for public ridicule. Would those same people hold up to the public scrunity if their private messages were leaked? Thinking the mother is protecting her child by allowing the voice message to be released around the world is insane. Imagine the child going to school with everyone knowing what her father said to her, just maybe she was embarrassed that her private life is now being discussed on every media outlet and every on line chat in the world. I think it would be wonderful if every parent stopped before they spoke to make sure they never uttered a harsh word to their children, but I wish parents would stop before lashing out physically with their children. I'm pretty sure niether thing will ever happen. I fell very bad for Mr. Baldwin, he will always carry the burden of losing his temper with his child and having the world listen in on his private conversations. I hope he takes legal action against the ex-wife for yet again trying to destroy his relationship with his daughter.

I would like to quote on the great family movie The Wizard of Oz. Reffering to Rosie Ding Dong the witch is dead which witch the wicked ding dong the wicked old witch is dead.

There is NO excuse for this kind of dialogue between a child and a parent, I don't care who the parent is.As a former teacher of 20 years and a parent, he lost all respect from his daughter and may never get it back. Both these parents need to get help. Rosie, you are becoming an embarrasment to women and gays. Shut your stupid mouth. I used to have a great deal of respect for you, but you have lost it girl. Take your smut to the other side of town where people might laugh, but not on TV, where people have to question your stability. I mean "Eat me," while grabbing your crotch with high school girls in the audience. What were you thinking about? Don't give the male population a reason to continue to disrespect women by acting like this at a public forum.

Unless you have lived in the land of nasty divorces, you don't know what you'd do. When one parent, often the mother, uses Parental Alienation (PAS) to force the father out of the picture or to destroy the targeted parent, it severly hurts the kids. The psychologist on Today said that this girl will never get over it. She's right IF Kim fosters that kind of sulking. My bet is that Kim is saying things to Ireland such as, "I know he hurt you so badly. I told you he was a bad person. He used to call me names all the time." This battle has been going on for years and it will not be over anytime soon. Kim's goal is to destroy her daughter's relationship with Alec. She needs to love her daughter more than she hates her ex. That's the first rule to remember during a divorce, and it's often the first one to be broken. Kim is just like my husband's ex. She WILL do WHATEVER it takes to pull Ireland and Alec apart. I've seen a hundred times in my own home and I can spot it from a million miles away. OF COURSE, Kim released the VM. Why would Alec do that? That doesn't even make sense. Kim is bitter and angry and full of hatred. She needs to get over herself and start putting her daughter first.

After reading the string of comments so far, I felt it necessary to re-comment on the comments of Pam Morton and Netter in this string. Frankly, this may bring a firestorm of comments, but P.A.S. is a very real problem and it appears you are products of it. I would be willing to bet that it was your mothers that filed for divorce. Heck, statistics show that it is the female that files about 92% of the time. Did your respective mothers file for divorce? By your comments, I think that may be so, plus your comments reflect the possibility that you may have been subjected to P.A.S. in your childhood, and you have residual effects of it to this day. Did your mother speak negatively about your father during and after the divorce? Ms. Morton, from what I've heard, it is a fact that females are more narcissistic than men are. Divorces are settled in a court of equity instead of court of constitutional law. Plus, there would be no disputes and battles if divorce cases were settled in front of a jury and decisions based on facts and conclusions of law. In my local county, family law accounts for over 60% of the caseload...Custody battles don't benefit the children, the family law court system is destroying the children and making tons of money doing that. I would speculate that both Alec and Kim have spent tons on attorneys and it's still going on. Kim may have divorced Alec for whatever reasons, but Alec didn't divorce his child. And that is the case for most fathers, when it is the female that files for divorce 92% of time. Fine, if the wife wants to break the marital contract go ahead, but leave the children when you move out of the house. Mr. Baldwin has been labeled as a "mad dad" like I have and thousands of other fathers out there. Why? Is it because he is waging a custody battle? Any father that does so is labeled that thanks to the feminists. Now add a former spouse and the court system that thinks that way, and the thought of a father getting a fair shake in the court system goes right out the window. Then I guess I'm a "mad dad" and I proudly wear that label. In my hearing, the judge is telling me how to be father, yet when I responded by saybng, "How can I be, when you won't enforce the very agreement you wrote?" The judge got mad at me and stuck me with all the fees. As a father, like most fathers out there, just want to be a father to their children, that's all, and do it fairly in the court system. Alec cracked under the moment, and if you were in shoes you may have as well. Alec is only human, and the insults upon him that's he's an abuser are unfounded. Maybe, that why I'm a fan of Alec, the characters he portrays are so believable because of passion and talent as an actor. His passion for his child is just as great as mine and many other fathers. I have a reputation locally as adovacate for father's rights, which I know the local court system hates me for. I have fathers calling me all the time for advice. I can't give them legal advice but I point them in the right direction on getting educated about their rights as a father. Alec has a right to be pissed, and yes he did take it out on the wrong person his daughter, but I do hope Alec uses his star status to bring this problem to the forefront so the courts and the attorneys don't abuse the children in order to make a buck. Whoever leaked the voicemail message should be brought up on charges, because now Mr. Baldwin's reputation is now in question from this lowdown stunt. Alec, if you decide to take this huge responsibility on and fight for legal reform, I'll be in your corner and help you in Wisconsin....because there are thousands and thousands of fathers out there that support you as well.

I sympathize with Alec Baldwin and this ongoing feud with ex-wife Kim Basinger. However, this maliciousness between them is doing no good to their daughter and they BOTH are not taking her best interest to heart. I am not a product of divorce nor am divorced myself, but have had friends that have been. It's brutal on the kids when the parents keep at each other and forget that at one point they had a beautiful child together that they are now distroying with their hate. I'm sure they must know deep down that there will be no winners here, just 3 lonely and angry people whose lives have been torn apart by divorce. I feel that there needs to be an end, through the courts, to all of this. I can't believe that both of these parents aren't going to provide the daughter with a good home. The courts needs to make this stop it's been going on way too long. Think about the child for once and quit being so selfish-both of them.

This is quite unbelievable. This is just plain and simple...abuse. Alec Baldwin needs to take responsibilty for his own actions. Kim didn't put the phone up to his face an tell him to say those things to his own daughter. In our world today, all the legalees want to point their fingers at everyone else. No matter how upset or how wrong things are in Kim and Alec's custody battle, that does not give him the right to treat his own daughter with threats, name calling and no respect. He obviously has some anger management issues and needs to seek help. If he doesn't he will surely loose any type of relationship with his daughter. It's too bad this had to come out in the public, because I'm sure it's hurting Ireland the most.

Alex was extremely abusive to his child. No matter how angry a parent gets, he or she does not have the right the verbally abuse a child. Verbal abuse is destructive and long lasting. I believe that the tape was released (right or wrong) because there was a need to let the public know what has been going on for a long time with this man and his abusive rants. Many parents have put themselves a risk of contempt of court to shield their children from abuse. It clearly appears to me to be a cry for understanding to the court because Kim Basinger may have to let this raving father have private visitation with their daughter. It's not surprising what a desperate parent will do to save their child. Please understand that.

Perhaps Ms. Bassinger leaked the voice mail but for valid reasons. The court system does not always work in the best interest of the child due to red tape, lawyers, and money. I recall a case in Richlands, North Carolina where family members knew a legal guardian was physically and emotionally abusing a 7-year old girl named Kayla. The guardian still maintained custody of the child even after social services investigated the case and noted signs of physical abuse. The child's parents were no longer around so an aunt tried to get custody but was refused. The child's grandmother out of desperation to save her granddaughter, kipnapped her and fled to another state. She was later arrested and put in jail. The child was returned to the legal guardian who was later arrested and sent to prison for murdering the child--she had been poisoning her with pesticides. The child suffered a slow, horrible death. All the signs of abuse were there, but the system failed to protect the child. By the way, the grandmother committed suicide because she was haunted by her failure to save her granddaughter. With all the anger and rage displayed by Mr. Baldwin over the years, Ms Bassinger may be desperate to protect her daughter from his verbal and physical abuse by any means necessary. Please pay attention--it's not just the voice mail but a history of anger and violence that has intimidated even adults. Again, the court system doesn't always work. Disclaimer...I am in no way suggesting that Mr. Baldwin would physically hurt his daughter.

There was no excuse for Alec Baldwin's behavior and when he says his wife "provoked" him - well that's what wife batterer's who beat their wives use for an excuse. Rapist's claim their victims "tempted" them and were asking for it. And abusive fathers insist that the ex-wife and or daugher "provoked" their abusive assault. Like most perps, Alec Baldwin cannot and will not really take responsibility and get some help with his anger management issues - quit whining and blaming other people You can be sure this was not the only time he spoke to his daughter that way. Just the only time he got caught or the only time the whole world overheard him making an ass out of HIMSELF!

Come on, who rreally caes if Alec baldwin makes yet another A## of himself! A young person killed hinself and 32 others last week. I am sorry for Ireland,but I am not going waste anymore time on this relatively banal topic.

Sure all of us parents have lost our tempers with our children yelled at them in anger, ect. But I would never say the things to my children that Alec Baldwin said to Ireland, that is verbal abuse! And for those of you who think it was okay for him to do that, you need to rethink your parenting skills too. I don't care what is actually going on between Kim and Alec, they should keep that between themselves. Stop sticking up for this abusive man. He got what he deserved when that voice mail was released. He needs help.

What's this? Rosie is leaving the View? Is it possible that we may have some silence from her big mouth? She stands for too many things that I don't. She needs a muzzle. But I guess that is the great thing about our country. You can speak your piece even if your an idiot. Thank our troops Rosie. Your right to shoot off your big mouth was bought in blood by people far more noble than you. I could sit and debate all day long what is wrong with her way of thinking, but what's the use. The bigger the bugle the louder the noise and she has a far bigger bugle than me.

Rosie O'Donnell has a right to her opinion, but no right to drown out the opinion of others...which is what she does whenever someone starts to disagree with her. This is the equivalent of a child holding her ears and shouting "I don't hear you!" There are many ways in which O'Donnell resembles a child...her egocentric view, her irresponsible behavior, her modified version of the truth, her temper tantrums, her pugnacious propensity, her tendency to let someone else in the house do the work while she spends hours with fingerpaint, her fixation with her crotch. Barbara Walters played the indulgent parent for far too long...helping to create the monster who came to loom large and dominate her. Is it any wonder that O'Donnell sympathizes with Alec Baldwin? She admits using the f word when she's angry and yelling at her own children. It's not difficult to envision verbal tirades from either one of them. It's not hard to believe that both of them think they can manipulate public opinion to suit their own purposes...soliciting sympathy by claiming victimhood. Rosie O'Donnell and Alec Baldwin are two extremely delusional individuals and are banking on others sharing that state of mind.

I don't ever think it's right to degrade and belittle your children, but I as a parent have done it. The important thing is to pull them aside and tell them you were wrong and that your sorry. A hug should finish your conversation. Our society has made it difficult for us to effectively discipline our children anymore without being accused of abuse. Years ago my parents disciplined me and I turned out just fine. They also showed me care, concern, and love. That is what shaped who I am.

I think Alec could use some anger management for his reaction to Ireland not doing what she was suppose to do, and I think Kim needs some major therapy for her senseless act of letting this cell phone conversation go public. They both seem selfish in their desires to "control" Ireland. I was disappointed that the Today show aired the personal message left by Alec B, but at least they are now trying to take a healthy approach by having interviews and discussions with attorneys and doctors which unfortuately assure us these actions are nothing new in divorce and custody battles. I guess if this incident can get the attention of at least one viewer all caught up in a messy divorce to recognize a change is needed - than success. (of course it was at the cost of exploiting Ireland even more than her parents are already doing).

Ifeel sorry for Ireland but Kim should have been called a pig, clearly she is more intertested in herself than her daughter. Alex needs control management and clearly they both need to raise there daughter together they also need to go to counseling as a family and stay until Ireland's tired of them.

All I can say about Rosie O Donnell, is listen to the song by Good Charolotte, Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous. These things are so TRIVIAL....I wonder what would happen to all these celebrities if there riches were taken away? I don't think most of them would survive living paycheck to paycheck like most Americans....Crazy country we live in it seems sometimes!

I have to tell you - I'm very happy that Rosie O'Donnell is leaving The View!!! She was always on the defensive about her lesbian lifestyle and that came out loud and clear. I watch body language and the other hosts literally cringed several times as she would make her comments. She was very outspoken and I refused to watch the show once she was casted. I hope that The View can get a more creditable person on the show in the future.

We are all being polite as far as Kim Basinger is concerned. Alec knew that this was a recording, but Kim, who seems to be a nasty bitch, released the tape to degrade Alec. She should be held in contempt of court and told to go to therapy for that and Alec should seek help in anger management. I would eventually give custody to Alec, since he seems to care for his daughter and he was just frustrated at his ex and not his child. Stop blaming him and making him out to be an ogre. I suggest TMZ should be held in contempt of court. If TMZ had any decency, it would not publish this tirade. As for Ireland, I think she is a spoiled brat, thanks to her mother and she should stop playing one parent against the other. Nowadays, 12 year olds are not as naive as we think they are. Believe me, I know, since I worked in a school for many years and no 12 year old was naive.

Wow! Maybe Hollywood will now see fit to make Flinstones 2, now that Rosie will be looking for employement. How Rosie ever got this far I'll never know. Hollywood and the media had better get their heads out of their you know whats! This type of hype is not worth airing. I can't believe the sponsors didn't pull the plug on this show a long time ago.

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