The example cited in the op did sound a bit extreme, and obviously, as the op mentioned earlier, it was a vent, and "July" has also admitted she is extremely sensitive regarding the spanking issue.
People who choose not to spank, make a lot of assumptions regarding those who choose to spank; same goes the other way, people who choose to spank, often also make assumptions about those who choose not to. It's unfortunate, but we continue to support those offensive generalizations by some of the posts here on this thread.
It is offensive to those who spank when "anti-spankers" imply abuse, hitting, anger, etc, (basically, spankers dont' love their kid and are anything but gentle and loving).....it's also offensive to "anti-spankers" when "spankers" imply they don't love their kids enough to discipline them properly, or let their kids run wild and become brats, basically have no other way to discipline their kids, or teach them respect or right and wrong.
Just something to think about. I think we could all use a bit of adjusting of our mindsets toward those who choose different forms of discipline than the one we think is best for our family.
I think it would be nice if we could all assume that the other parents in the other "camps" love their children deeply, and will do whatever they see as best for their children and will be as loving and gentle as possible because of the extreme self-sacrificial love that most parents have for their children.
Reality is that some kids (way too many) are abused, no one likes that fact, everyone who is a loving parent passionately hates the fact that kids are abused, most can't imagine how a parent can do that to a child.......no one wants it to happen, or continue.
The assumption that this parent in the op was abusive, and does this kind of thing all the time is ridiculous.......how is anyone to know, maybe he had a bad day. I don't support how he handled the situation, because I wouldnt' do it that way. But what if I had a bad moment? Would I want my entire parenting years and my heart for my children judged by the one bad moment??? Absolutely not!!!
So, this was an unfortunate situation, but I also believe there is way too much over-identification going on and too much assumption. I can understand "July's" plea, she doesn't want any child humiliated in the middle of a crowd. (I would feel the same way) She was venting her identification with a child's likely embarrassment and humiliation. Let's just remember, we can't read others' minds, we can't feel their emotions. And we don't know what this father's day to day relationship is with his children.