In the movie “Titanic” — and most likely during the real-life event, as well — a top aide to the ship’s Captain spotted trouble ahead and shouted, “Iceberg!” The warning, as we all know, was not heeded in time. Consider … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: I consider myself a compulsive talker. A talker that gets myself into trouble. For me it’s not so much an inadaquency as some kind of crazy need to say something or answer someone when an answer is … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: I am a counselor working in a public school setting. This is starting to become a source of great conflict for me because after months of reading and contemplation, I have reached the conclusion that the government shouldn’t … Continue reading
According to nearly everyone, the downgrading in American credit is the fault of the Tea Party Republicans. “If they weren’t so partisan and ideological,” the conventional “wisdom” spouted by academia and the media goes, “then we wouldn’t be in this … Continue reading
Is there such a thing as a duty to others? Yes: To leave them alone. And that’s it. There is no given, preexisting duty to others, outside of this. Once you CHOOSE to associate with particular others, then there are … Continue reading
There are essentially two parties in Congress today. One is the liberal-socialist Democrat-Republican party. These consist of all Democrats plus most of the Senate Republicans, leaving aside the Tea Party Republican Senators elected in 2010. The second party consists of … Continue reading
Richard Nixon said: “Always remember that others may hate you but those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.” Intuitively, most people agree, or want to agree, with this quote. But I see … Continue reading
Anxiety: You cannot take a risk. It’s too painful. What if your risk doesn’t work out? Reason: You’ll be no worse off than before you started. Anxiety: But you’ll feel badly. Reason: Won’t you feel badly if you don’t try … Continue reading
It’s wrong and irrational to pretend that you’re a victim when you’re not; but it also serves an emotional purpose, for many people. By “emotional” I mean irrational. It’s not that emotions are always mistaken or irrational, but in this … Continue reading
(Reprinted in part here with the author’s permission. To read the full article, click on the link below.) One of the benefits of having been a nurse for over thirty years is that people will occasionally allow me to be … Continue reading
Obama reportedly shoved back from the negotiating table and told Republicans, who won’t agree to his tax and spending increases, that he’s “taking this to the American people.” But the American people want a balanced budget. They don’t want reduced … Continue reading
Most people talk about raising the debt limit as if it’s the self-evidently responsible thing to do. Obama and the Democrats, in particular, keep emphasizing that America must “honor its obligation.” This would be like a long-term heroin addict lecturing … Continue reading