Dear Dr. Hurd: Many people seek mass wealth because it brings social status. Throughout history status has always existed in cultures. From kings and queens to tribal hierarchies. Even the animal kingdom has examples of status. Status appears to be … Continue reading
CNN.com reports on 5/20/14: For six months, CNN has been reporting on delays in medical appointments suffered by veterans across the country and veterans who died or were seriously injured while waiting for appointments and care. The VA requires its … Continue reading
The road to dictatorship is paved with comments like this: “Well, maybe we should have censorship if it involves hate speech.” This is what I’m starting to hear people actually say. “Hate speech” is now defined as anything with which … Continue reading
Dispassionate objectivity is itself a passion, for the real and for the truth. — Abraham Maslow
Ever since the 1980s (the era of Reagan), the Republican Party has consisted of two groups. One, the economic conservatives; two, the religious conservatives. The latter favor limited government in economics, with activist government in religious matters (abortion, gay relationships, … Continue reading
The scandal at the Phoenix [Veterans Administration healthcare] division involved an off-the-books list allegedly kept to conceal long wait times as up to 40 veterans died waiting to get an appointment. Officials were accused of cooking the books to hide … Continue reading
NYPost.com [5-14-14] reports: Watching “House of Cards” and other streamed programs may be about to change. The Federal Communications Commission is expected to pass revised Internet regulations Thursday that could open the door for Internet service providers to start charging … Continue reading
President Barack Obama praised the new Sept. 11 museum … as “a sacred place of healing and of hope” that captures both the story and the spirit of heroism and helpfulness that followed the attacks. “It’s an honor to join … Continue reading
“If I back off and mind my own business, this means I don’t care.” I find this a recurring theme in the lives of many people, especially about their loved ones. Because of what I do for a living, I’m … Continue reading
All parents lie to their kids, claims a columnist writing for “Daddy Files” on Facebook [reprinted as “19 Lies Parents Tell Their Kids” at huffingtonpost.com 5/12/14] Says who? The writer-father, Aaron Gouveia, lists a number of lies (19 total) which … Continue reading
I need help understanding a few things. It has to do with smoking cigarettes and legalizing marijuana. Take the case of Maryland. Just this last week, I learned two things about Maryland. One, they’re decriminalizing marijuana possession — not just … Continue reading
The leading indicators of insanity involve arbitrary claims and magical thinking. For examples of both, consider this recent story: A proposal by University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) junior Bailey Loverin would force professors to issue “trigger warnings” before teaching … Continue reading