Throw the Dog a Bone

I just watched a JC Penny Fathers Day commercial. The suggested motive for buying Dad a gift was to “Show that Daddy matters.” Now imagine that it had said, “Show Daddy that he matters.” See the difference? Showing that “Daddy matters” appears to be directed to some audience other than Daddy. Yeah, the old guy’s usually around here, but it’s Mom that does the heavy lifting. Let’s put a picture of him on the refrigerator along with one of his old TV Guides; give him some good press. Maybe it will amp up his image. It’s just so…well, patronizing.