There are times when I will, in a moment of repose (which requires a big, fat cigar), consider the bigger questions of life. Last Thursday evening my friend, Bendel, and I sat with our feet propped on the back porch railing, puffing small clouds of smoke, doing just that.… Read full post »

Shit. I was really trying to get some work done here. Don’t get me wrong: I love writing on my Open Salon blog, but following the election, I realized that I needed to get back to some of the things that actually help pay the bills. And, one day at a… Read full post »

What follows is an article I wrote several years ago, as I watched partisan politics hit what seemed like new lows every day.  From my perspective as a psychotherapist, and as I worked to complete a book about how to not be controlled by fear (Embracing Fear), I became increasingly aware… Read full post »

"I don't believe in therapy."

Most of us have heard that one. It is an interesting position to take --- an extreme statement that can never be based on fact. It is just an arbitrary position. Instead, one might say, "I don't think therapy is all that it is cracked up to… Read full post »

Barack Obama will be the 44th president of The United States and it is time for me to get back to work.

 I'm sort of a foul weather political commentator really ---- a psychotherapist, professional babbler ("lecturer" is just not a word easily associated with me), and author of self-help… Read full post »

I am happy --- and proud --- to report that in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, the day after Sarah Palin's recent visit to drum up support (coincidentally, the same day she was found guilty of ethics violations in her home state), my satirical commentary, "Who's My Little Maverick" is on… Read full post »

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, it is important that we voice our objections to the venomous hatred that has been expressed at McCain/Palin rallies recently. To say nothing is to be complicit in these expressions of hatred. Passivity, inaction and silence, on the part of Senator McCain, Gov… Read full post »

Picture this: Dick Cheney in a debate. In response to a question that has nothing to do with what he plans to say, Cheney says, “It is our solemn responsibility to rid this world of evil and if, in order to do so, we have to take extraordinary measures, then that… Read full post »

During the recent presidential debate (9/26/08), moderator Jim Lehrer presented the following as one of his lead questions:

Are you willing to acknowledge, both of you, that this financial crisis is going to affect the way you rule the country as president of the United States…?

Play this one li… Read full post »

Psychologically, contrast is necessary for perception. It is the contrast (the difference) between the fingers tapping on this laptop keyboard that makes it possible for me to see “my hands,” and the more specific contrasts between the individual keys, not to mention the letters of the al… Read full post »

I am as disappointed and angry about the revelation of John Edwards’ infidelity as the next democrat. I will make no excuses for him. I do, however, want to suggest that we stop and think about how and what we tend to judge so harshly.

We can reasonably assume that judgment of… Read full post »