No Means No, Right? by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

When your child runs out in a busy street, we emphatically say, no! That’s dangerous! A car can hit you. Don’t do that.

If it happens again, we don’t let go of our little one’s hand. We can’t allow someone we love to be injured, or worse.

If we love our country, we expect the justice system to do the same, to protect us. And most of the time they do. Dozens of people who attacked our capital are in prison.

If you threaten President Biden, and encourage your followers to rise up against him, you need to be stopped.

Why are our judges and even the attorney-general not stopping Trump? He’s attacking every fabric of our society. They know that if you say no, you must act on it. If you break the law there are consequences. If you don’t back up the law with reasonable action, people will continue to act out. In Los Angeles when the laws for how much you can steal without being put in prison was lowered, there was a rash of smash-and-grabs, until a special police force was set up.

Letting our ex-president threaten our society isn’t helping anyone. If anything it’s encouraging more and more outlandish anti-societal behavior. If the ex-leader of the free world can do it, why can’t we?

Judges, administrators, leaders, do your job. Free speech doesn’t mean continual lying and encouraging insurrection. Right?

Happy Reading, Art

#smash&grabs, #settinglimits, #raisingchildren, #protecting society

IT’S GETTING A LITTLE COMPLICATED IN SMUKLER’S BOOKSTORE, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

Most days, Smukler’s bookstore is a quiet, peaceful, contemplative place to be. Then, just yesterday, THE REAL STORY, started complaining.

“I’m lonely,” he whined.

“What?”

“Are you deaf? I’m lonely. There’s no one here to talk to. You’re a psychiatrist, right?”

“Right.”

“So you can understand what I’m saying.”

“True… But sometimes, being an only child has its advantages. No brother or sister to compete with. You get all the attention. Who’s to say that when there’s another book sitting next to you, that you’ll be happier? Maybe you’ll feel jealous?”

“Trust me. I won’t. And don’t give me all that sibling rivalry crap! It gets old listening to Joe be so gaga over Lara. And he’s so stubborn… If it wasn’t for her he’d be a goner.”

“That’s true.”

“I want to meet some new characters.”

I nodded.

“I heard you thinking out loud. Aren’t you having another baby?”

“I am.”

“When can I meet him?”

“Maybe a month or so.”

“Hmm. That’s not so bad. Is he interesting?”

“He’ll blow you away. But, he’s in a lot of danger.”

“Danger. I’m used to that. Maybe I can help?”

“You already have, Buddy. You’ll make a good friend for NINE NORTH to have.”

I poured myself a fresh cup of coffee, took a deep breath, and settled into my chair.

Thanks so much for reading.

Feel free to click away and buy THE REAL STORY, eBook or Paperback.