text.

[heartlessglitch]

My analysis and records of previous Network communications indicate that it is ironically common for this holiday to be marked by a series of posts to the Network airing grievances of a paternal nature.


Personal experience suggests that fathers are rarely the heroes portrayed by commercial greeting cards.
I sometimes wonder why society feels obligated to celebrate such a holiday at all.
If the subject of fathers is so controversial, perhaps it is better unheralded.


As a matter of academics and curiosity, I will pose a brief series of questions to the Network, as is traditional under these circumstances:
Did your father love you?
How do you know?

Comments

voice; spidey's comm

[shutterbugged]

Wow. Good thing you opened that can of worms to feed that pretty kettle of fish.

[heartlessglitch]

The responses have been surprising in their quantity.
I suppose I should have expected that the Network would be eager for the opportunity to air paternal grievances.

[shutterbugged]

Well, you asked. I don't know what else you were expecting. Some questions you just have to phrase with a little more tact, you know? Especially on a day when people are already feeling sensitive about the issue.

[Spider-Man had a great dad, but he gets that he was one of the lucky ones.]

[heartlessglitch]

I have already been lectured on my lack of sensitivity.
So you can spare yourself the trouble, if that is all you have to say.

[shutterbugged]

I'm not trying to lecture you, honest. Just offering some perspective. [Spidey really seems to keep putting his foot in his mouth where Danger's concerned, doesn't he?]

But the answer is yes, if you needed another data point.

[heartlessglitch]

Acknowledged.
Will you elaborate?

[shutterbugged]

Well, let me see... [Why does he always answer the more personal network questions as Spider-Man? When will he ever learn?] Sorry, it's hard to put into words when it's something you've always known. Not, like, something you pick up by deduction -- it's bone deep.

That's not a bad definition of love, come to think of it.

[heartlessglitch]

"Bone deep."
I am not certain I understand this terminology.

[shutterbugged]

Deep down, all the way -- like it's part of you.

[heartlessglitch]

Acknowledged.
I believe I understand you now.
I have felt something similar before.

[shutterbugged]

Yeah? It's a good feeling.

[heartlessglitch]

Sometimes, I suppose it can be.

[shutterbugged]

Do you, um -- [should he be even asking this] -- have someone you'd call a parent?

[heartlessglitch]

Yes.
My creator, Charles Xavier.

i'm really sorry i can't take him anywhere

[shutterbugged]

Oh, huh.

[Spidey didn't know Xavier was into robotics. Although there was that time he dated that alien bird lady, so maybe it's not so much into robotics as into robo-- God, he hates his brain sometimes.]

So you're... one of the X-Men? Or have you struck out to do your own thing?

asldkj SPIDEY PLS

[heartlessglitch]

I was not, originally.
In fact, I spent a significant amount of time attempting to eliminate the X-Men.
However, I am now affiliated with them.

[shutterbugged]

Oh, so the usual career trajectory, then.

[heartlessglitch]

You humans have another saying:
"If you cannot beat them, join them."

[shutterbugged]

As long as it works just in the one direction, I'm in favor.