Recently I have been confused or maybe just amazed that our media and politicians and to some extent a number of the legal profession has somehow increased their own expertise and have become armchair Psychiatrists or Psychologists. These new spokesman for a profession I still consider as noble that is ''The Helping Profession'' have made ridiculous and uninformed statements as to the cause of the shootings at Fort Hood in the State of Texas. As a Licensed Psychotherapist I am outraged that these media people and these politicians are speaking as if they have the truth. When I listen to these professionals who represent the media and our politicians, I close my eyes and imagined these men and women sitting at a round table with dark red curtains surrounding the room. They are wearing cone hats and capes, maybe shaking rattles while gazing into a crystal ball looking with serious intent at a glowing light that is peering through the fog and smoke deep within the crystal. These people who claim to know all and see all are patiently waiting with anticipation watching and looking into the light for the true answer.

     How is it that the media and these politicians can immediately diagnose this situation. It appears as if the media and the politicians who were first speaking out were trying to provide an excuse for this man's murderous behavior. The public was hearing the term posttraumatic stress disorder before we knew the gunman's name. The public was told by the President of the United States not to jump to conclusions and yet the media, ACLU types and various politicians were already spreading ideas that mental health issues were at the root of these killings. These same people kicked around the idea of this horrific event as being a simple crime. The idea of this mass murder being an act of terrorism was not only down played but again we were told by the President what to think and that was not to think. One would hope that an event so awful and specific given the terrorist attacks in the past and those terrorist plans that have been recently disrupted would have automatically created a red flag with a major warning to protect the American people. One would think the American people would have been encouraged to be on guard as we have so many times in our past. It makes no sense we would be encouraged to be off our guard and not to at least come to some conclusions. The President along with the American people would have been better served if he would have said not to jump to all conclusions but apparently again many in authority interpreted the President's comments accurately and that was not to jump to some conclusions. Our country would have been better served if the President would have said for all good Americans to be on the lookout and to do accurate good detective work  following all information to all logical conclusions until we have the absolute truth as to who is responsible for these murdering terrorist acts.

     For whatever reason it appears the debate surrounding the murder of our brave men and women is now being controlled by political correctness and politics. Our good Lord only understands the reason that our leaders want to view this attack on our military and our Country as a simple crime or an act committed by a person suffering from a psychological problem. One can only wonder why the present administration has made it clear that certain terms and words and phrases are no longer acceptable. Our leadership no longer talks about the war on terrorists or terror. Our leadership no longer talks about terrorist acts and is only interested in reframing these acts as criminal in nature. In other words the present administration believes since they have taken office we are no longer at war with Radical Muslim Extremists who have specifically stated they want to kill Americans and destroy our way of life. It appears that political correctness and politics will be the process used to determine or define a crime, terrorist attacks, mental-health issues and other areas that affect us as American Citizens.

     As a Licensed Therapist I am at a loss that state and national associations that govern and assist our fields of practice such as Psychiatry and Psychotherapy are not speaking out against the statements of these politicians and media representatives. I am concerned other Therapist and Psychiatrists are not speaking out in greater numbers. The statements the media and politicians are making regarding mental health problems and how these problems motivate behavior have to be confusing for the public and people who are seeking help. I fear portions of the public may buy into these armchair Psychiatrists and Psychologists statements and that these statements may actually do damage to our profession.

     I have studied human behavior for more than 35 years. I am no closer to understanding the need for some in authority and leadership to refuse to recognize or place blame on those individuals or groups who are in fact responsible for their actions. It is well known among those in the crimnal justice system that the crimnal attemps to minimize his or her responsibility by reducing their total involvement when committing a crime. For example if a man is accused of assault and battery the criminal might admitt to slapping their victim instead of breaking their victim's arm and leg. Why is it that we have men and women at every level of sophistication in authority trying to minimize or reframe the behavior of the man who butchured so many of our military people. Why are these leaders attempting to reduce this terrorist mass murderer to a criminal or a man tortured by PTSD a mental health disorder. We were told not to jump to conclusions but it was perfectly fine for our leaders to conclude this man was tormented by his own mind suffering from a very serious mental disorder. Acccurately diagnosing PTSD can offen take weeks or even monhs to determine yet this murderer was evaluated by an intervention or process that can only be descrbed as ''Long Range Mind Reading.'' It is possible these Armchair Therapists are using the crystal ball I mentioned earlier. We were told not to jump to some conclusions but evidently jumping to some selected conclusions is normal and acceptable. 

     As a rational person I doubt I will ever understand what has happened to right and wrong. Why is it so difficult for the people of this country to use the word evil and of course I am not speaking for everyone. Criminal behavior does not adequately describe what happened at Fort Hood. As a Therapist I would be completely surprised and shocked if a Psychotherapist that is a journeyman actually seeing clients as a Therapist can be found that would diagnose this butcher with a mental health disorder 30 minutes after the crimes were completed. I would not be surprised if a celebrity Therapist could be found to appear on TV or radio for all the mandatory interviews and three-minute opinion spots who would be willing to diagnose this murderer with some type of mental health disorder including posttraumatic stress. Again it's amazing that we were told not to jump to conclusions but yet the media and celebrity Therapist who probably haven't seen 10 actual clients in the last 10 years were throwing around mental health terminology and diagnosis without knowing anything about the shooter with the exception that he was determined to be a male. In my opinion a Psychiatric diagnosis or criminal behavior does not describe this man's attack on unsuspecting military men and women who might have previously sought out this killer's help, even seeking to enter into a sacred doctor-patient relationship. The only description or explanation that could possibly come close to describing what took place at Fort Hood is a simple pure act of Radical Islamic Fundamentalists Terrorism. This description I think can be better described as an act or a type of barbarism that is just plain ''evil in nature.'' The movie ''The Exorcist'' came out in the early 70s and set the standard for scary movies. I thought the movie was great not because of the scary stuff (I could have went my whole life without seeing that little girl's head turn a 360) but because there was a back story that had to do with a young Priest who was also a Psychiatrist. This young Priest was struggling with his faith and the fact that he was a brilliant Psychiatrist. He was trying to make sense between his faith and his religion and his faith in his scientific training. He was called on to perform an exorcism on a little girl who was supposedly possessed. The young Priest struggled with the reality of the little girl's possession. At the beginning of the process the older and more experienced Priest who was a great Theologian and a spiritual giant within the Catholic Church was assigned to work with the young Priest to provide an exorcism for the little girl. The young Psychiatrist Priest had evaluated the little girl and at his first meeting with the older Priest the young Priest began to give his report to the older Priest based on his Psychiatric findings. The young Priest had determined that the little girl had split into three distinct personalities. When the young Priest approached the older Priest saying that "I have found that our young patient has three distinct personalities," the old experienced Priest looked sternly at the young Priest and said, "there is only one."  Of course the old Priest was referring to the devil being the only personality within the little girl. Again I ask the question as to what has happened to the culture, the traditions, the can do know how attitude, the will power, the curiosity, the experience, the history, the institutions and not just the education but the wisdom of the people of our great country? It seems as if for the sake of political correctness we have committed cultural, traditional and intellectual suicide. The American psyche has been possessed and we are on the verge of being conquered. This invasion or possession is not criminal in nature and is certainly not a mental health problem and maybe it's not even political correctness. Maybe it's just what the experienced wise old Priest knew as a certainty. It is as the old Priest said, ''there is only one and its evil,'' We still have time. 

 

 

     I have always loved the Mojave Desert. I experience peace and solitude when traveling in the Mojave. I know what your thinking. What in the name of Mike is so important to visit or see in the Mojave Desert. I could easily spend a day talking about my feelings for the Mojave. Lets just say for now that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Actually there is, I mean there was a Cross sitting high on a Mojave hill for all to see but evidently there are some people that have no interest in seeing this Cross and after taking their complaints to our Courts, the Cross was ordered to be covered for the present. This complaint has nothing to do with beauty but meaning and symbolism. I have only seen pictures of the Cross and now it is too late. The Courts have ordered the Cross to be covered with plywood in order to protect those citizens who may be offended by the values they themselves attribute to the Cross. So I am confronted with the idea I have not seen the Cross personally and because of the absence of tolerance and the prejudices of others I may never see this gift that was erected to honor those Americans who answered the call of their Country with their very lives. I also have not seen Disneyland. I understand from some this is un-American. Like most vacation destinations that people want to see I thought I had time since by most people's standards I am still a young man although my wife may have different thoughts about this last statement. 

      I would not have made a good vampire because I love looking at Crosses. I am no different from most Americans who consider themselves believers or disciples of Jesus. The Cross reminds me of my Lord's gift and simply put it was his life for mine. The Cross reminds me of sacrafice, love, devotion, hope and mercy. When I see a Cross standing over a grave or in an area where there are graves and these graves are for our Military, I think of these men and women's sacrafice. I think of hope, freedom, goodness, honor and commitment not necessarily devotion to a Christian faith or God. The Crosses we see and focus on are to recognize and bring honor to those who are resting in peace. These Crosses are not locked into or left with only one meaning and that meaning to bring worship or praise to a Christian God. I imagine the Crosses were put over the graves to give honor to the men and women who served their Country. Maybe just maybe the Mojave Cross was raised to honor the dead and again with all respect not to draw attention to or provide honor to a Christian God. 

     Yes the Cross is used as a religious symbol but it can mean or stand for other ideas. The cross only has the value that one is willing to give it. There is a more important issue at hand and I would think most Christians would agree. When Christians look at the Cross we make no excuse and we are not interested in watering down its meaning. Christians are not interested or at least we should not be interested in slipping one by. A very old friend once said to me ''what you win a person with is what you win them to.'' My friend was talking about truth, honesty and the realty of our convictions. For Christians the Cross means God's love and salvation through Christ who died for our sins. As for the people who actually condemn Jesus the Cross was nothing more than a murder weapon. Christians give the Cross meaning and value but what about these people who want the Desert Cross taken down because after being there for 70 years it was discovered to be on Government I mean Tax payer property. These people want the cross removed. They say it is offensive because the symbol represents a religion. The Cross is honoring the dead not the living and no one is using the Cross as a tool to save souls or proselytize. This Cross is offensive to some and a comfort to others. Just what is this terrible offensive being suffered by the people who are complaining. Is it the fact that the greatest commandment in the Bible is ''love your neighbor as yourself and to love God,'' and that these statements were made by the man who died on the Cross. Yes the very man who spread love by telling the world we are supposed to love our enemy and turn the other cheek and respect our parents, help the poor, stop stealing, well you get the idea. If you are not a believer or even if you hate religion and everything about religion then why bother. This Desert Cross was erected to honor our soliders who have fought and fallen in battle to protect the freedoms of our citizens.

     It is beyond my thinking how anyone who is intelligent can come to the conclusion that this Cross was erected with the idea of doing harm. The obvious meaning was to honor and draw attention to the fallen not to provide praise or worship to the Christian Deity. There is nothing wrong with the Desert Cross. The citizens who built the Cross obviously felt it represented good and something Holy in nature. The people who erected the Cross were offering their best and in offering their best were attempting to honor those who have served our Country in war. Are there bad people out there that have done bad things in the name of their religions and faith? Yes there are people who have done terrible things in the name of their God. The people who built the Cross were only trying to do good. Those who are attacking this Cross and demanding its removal have gone far beyond political correctness. These people who are claiming to be offended are purposely confusing good with bad, a common practice of the Devil.

     A good friend of mine sent an anonymous quote that I think says it all. ''If a conservative is a nonbeliever, he doesn't go to Church. A liberal nonbeliever wants any mention of God or religion silenced.'' In maintaining the Desert Cross no one is asking anyone or suggesting to anyone to ''repent and get saved.'' When understood correctly Christianity is a faith that teaches love and acceptance. Are there distortions and abuses? Is that a trick queston? When a man or woman turn their mind, heart and soul to God a very private journey

begins or happens between God and that person. Why are a few people so angry? The Cross has no magic to manipulate, influence or control others. The Cross is either meaningful or meaningless depending on one's private view. An old Greek philosopher once said "it is not things that make us crazy but how we look at things." Our citizens who truly understand the Christian faith tradition that concerns itself with the Cross and its meaning through the New Testatment understands the Cross represents or stands for a model for love that will motivate and inspire humanity to love each other. Here is the proof. ''This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.''

I John 4: 9-11                                        

 

 

     Healthcare is important but at what cost to all of us. Nobody rides for free. When I listen, watch and read what is happening with this Healthcare debate I like most parents am worried about my 6 year old little boy. When the scoring of the Healthcare Bill was reported there was celebration including dancing in the streets. The President said he would not sign a Bill that would add one dime to the deficit. As our President made this declaration he kept his head bent slightly up looking from side to side not really giving eye contact. His voice clear and stern, hands firmly gripping the podium. His message convincing, sure, strong and believable. Is the President believable?

     So the Planets line up causing Congress to pass the Bill giving Healthcare to every man woman and child in the United States while reducing the deficit. The Cubs win the World Series. Professional wrestling is discovered to be fake and at this very minute my boy is eating dinner without being told 6000 times to sit up straight and keep his hands to himself. The President has made a bold statement. Its a shame that the term voodoo was taken in an old debate over economics between Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. Voodoo math would certainly go a long way in describing the math system used by Congress to make the deficit numbers neutral in the Healthcare Bill. I wish this type of math would work for Cap and Trade, bankrupt Medicare, bankrupt Social Security, the craziness of 500 million in interest owed daily and especially my checkbook at the end of the month. The truth is that just because one walks into a garage does not make one an automobile. Wanting something even something that is noble and good that will serve the people of our Country is not enough if the math fails to be accurate.   

     We have a war along our Southern Border with thousands of human beings murderd annually and there are cutbacks planned for our Border Patrol Agents. We have citizens under attack but there is no will to send our military to help. Even if we had the will we do not have the soldiers. Our soldiers are in Germany watching for Iranian missiles. Our soldiers are in South Korea watchng the South Korean Border. They are in Iraq and Afghanistan. You guessed it watching their Border. We are Country building in Iraq what ever that means. We are preparing for full scale war in Afghanistan and after a second victory our politicians will be more than happy to rebuild their Country. North Korea is hanging on by a hair. Their people are starving while their supreme leader sits in a drunken stupor staring at his watch to determine if it is time to wake the White House and yes we will be happy to rebuild their Country. We will eventually have to fight Iran and then rebuild their Country. Social Sercurity and Medicare will be bankrupt soon. Of course I am missing so much but hopefully I am addng some color to the picture. Our Government is promising a college education for whoever asks. California wants to give illegals free tuition. I only mention California because we are always the first in our Country when it comes to innovation. Unemployment is creeping toward ten per cent but there is another significant group of people no longer looking for work. Ten percent makes no sense as an accurate number but we are using voodoo math so no one worry we are ok.

     I am listening but something is wrong. I realize I am stating the obvious but I am compelled to say our Government spending is out of control. As a Nation we have taken our domestic and foreign pathology and we have developed a problem-solving strategy that is what my wife refers to as ''retail therapy'' that is happiness through spending.  In some cases this temporary insanity has become acceptable. I have experienced profound moments of saddness when watching T.V when I should have been praying. The other night the Evening News covered a story in Detroit where thousands of people young and very old stood in line believing they were going to receive a personal stimulus check for 3000 dollars. So many of those people just seemed lost. It was if I was watching a story about a third world Country. Lets say we are no longer in Kansas and the Healthcare Bill will not add one dime to the deficit but what about the 500 million we are paying out every day just for the privilege to be in paralyzing debt..

     Given my line of work and experience, famlies who manage their financial affairs modeling their efforts after our Federal Government tend to slowly disintegrate and suffer until the family unit is destroyed by divorce and worse if that can be imagined. In addition it should be noted that the Governments financial planning and decision process is only going to contribute to the disintegration of not only these at risk families but the Government is going to place even more hardship on those families like mine that play by the rules. If this Healthcare Bill passes in its present form the Government is going to reduce the tax deductions for Healthcare expenses and tax Healthcare equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches and oxygen tanks. Of course there has been debate to reduce and in some cases eliminate charitable tax deductions. There are plans within the present Bill to reduce the level of income that is taxable in order to generate more revenue.

     President Obama says as a result of the Healthcare Bill there will not be one dime added to our National debt. It maybe true but it is not the Nation's debt, this debt is yours and mine. President Obama says Cap and Trade will increase our monthly energy bills. This Bill will cut Medicare causing additional financial hardships on Americans who are in need. Social Security cost of living increases have been canceled hurting those American citizens having the most need. Our Government claims this Healthcare Bill will not cover illegal immigrants yet there is no verification and without verification those who are illegal will have access to the program. Our Government is not planning for growth including legal and illegal immigration. This was a mistake that California made in the late 70s with proposition 13. Our leaders are not planning for the possibilities of other wars or natural disasters like Katrina. It is obvious that we need reform and it is more than obvious that we need something done regarding the entitlement programs, the wars that are being waged, homeland security and our border problems, education, unemployment and our national debt. I am no expert when it comes to the economy but I do understand simple business practices and math. I do not believe that our country has the financial resources to maintain the status quo let alone take on 1/6 of our economy. Thomas Paine said ''If there must be trouble, let it come in my day, that my child may have peace.''