By now you've probably seen the video, or heard about it. And it's disgusting. It shows a 16-year-old girl being beaten with a board and a belt by her father, a Texas family court judge. Because the video is 7 years old, and the incident two years beyond the 5-year statute of limitations, the DA will not be prosecuting. There could be federal charges, and judicial disciplinary action for the judge, who has been put on leave for two weeks while the case is investigated.

Now, the judge admits to the beating but interviewed yesterday and in an ensuing statement through his attorney, continued to blame and chastise his daughter. He said she released the video because he threatened to cut her off financially.

He's missing the gargantuan point.

His brand of discipline is appalling. Adding insult to his daughter's emotional, mental and physical injuries, is his refusal to offer an apology or even to be contrite or conciliatory. The girl's mother took part in the beating by berating her daughter and telling her to take the physical punishment. The mother has since divorced the dad, apologized to her daughter and is making the rounds on TV news shows to describe an abusive family life at the hand of her ex. Her role as an accessory makes me cringe, too.

The fact that this man is a family court judge makes this troubling at best because of his significant role in determining the proper course for troubled families and children. But whether an abuser is a judge or a welder or a homemaker, such forms of discipline are never acceptable. Period. I've yet to be convinced that this kind of punishment is anything other than angry and frustrated parents who need to find an outlet for their rage. Little ones can never be the target, whether it is a spanking or a beating or whatever term is applied. Studies show this is not effective, and is likely to cause lifelong problems for the human being who must endure the rod.

The court administrator in Arkansas County, Texas, said that the judge's behavior in the courtroom revealed that he had anger management issues. The judge himself said yesterday at the time of the taped beating, he lost his temper. My point: This is about his inability to control his rage and thus, to take it out on a child. Sadly, this is being repeated in homes across this county and our nation every day. A sobering comment on our parenting skills.

I call it abuse, and it's never ok.

What do you think?