How can somebody who doesn’t care much for material things advocate laissez-faire capitalism? Surely this is a system that only benefits the very rich, i.e. people who care about material things above all else. Correct? Wrong. Most of the people … Continue reading
One of my favorite ‘in-season’ pastimes is to stroll the boardwalk or the beach and watch people having fun. Though many have gone to considerable expense to travel (or buy a vacation home) here, their laughter and smiles always make … Continue reading
If you saw somebody trying to put out a fire with gasoline, your reaction would most likely be: “Stop!” If the person turned to you and said, “Well, I didn’t start the fire!” you’d be dumbfounded. Perhaps that’s why 70 … Continue reading
Q: Dear Dr. Hurd, I have been reading your columns for awhile now. I understand that you oppose the idea that morality is supernatural, derived from God, or in any way religious. What you do seem to be saying is … Continue reading
You’d think that President Jimmy Carter’s former pollster would be one of Obama’s biggest apologists. Not so much. Here’s what former Carter aide and supporter — Patrick Caddell — has to say about Barack and his party: ‘President Obama’s undoing … Continue reading
Many people suffer from the false belief that, “These bad things happened in my childhood, and they ruined me.” It’s like saying, “I’m damaged goods.” Actually, no such thing is true — or could be true. The damage from the … Continue reading
A moral person is not someone who follows arbitrary rules or commands. A moral person is not someone who answers to “God.” A moral person is actually someone who “answers” to objective reality, something ascertained and understood through the honest … Continue reading
‘So long as our leaders tell us that we must trust them to regulate and redistribute our way back to prosperity, we will not break out of this economic quagmire,’ says Daniel S. Loeb, a prominent hedge fund manager on … Continue reading
Hi Dr. Hurd: I read your “Daily Dose” column and am getting a kick out of these “excuses” and “toxic euphemisms.” One such excuse I have in mind is that of Borderline Personality Disorder. Translation: “I am a jerk and … Continue reading
People — divorced, widowed or perpetually single — ask me how they can find (and keep) a romantic relationship. What is it that prevents a person from finding the love they want? The answer usually boils down to a combination … Continue reading
As the late George Carlin used to say, “It’s all B.S. — and it’s all bad for you.” Such is the state of American culture at this point in time. Readers continue to send in great examples of toxic euphemisms … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: In the Aug. 23 Daily Dose of Reason, you asked us to send in psychobabble euphemisms that we’ve heard, along with our translations. Here’s mine: My ex-therapist: “You’re suffering from childhood trauma.” Translation: “I’ve rooted out a … Continue reading