Category: Self Examination

Looking beneath the surface to understand why we do what we do

WHY DID IT TAKE A BEHEADING TO FINALLY GET OUR PRESIDENT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE SURROUNDED BY EVIL? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Psychiatry, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view

ISIS (The terrorist Islamic state) finally got our government’s attention. Their blatant, vicious beheading of journalist James Foley was so in our face that no one could ignore for one more second what is happening in northern Iraq and Syria, and in fact all over the Middle East.

Just like President Obama, most of us are reasonable people and feel that everyone should be treated fairly and their beliefs respected. That idea of fairness is flawed when one is dealing with Islamic terrorists. Nothing they say or do can or should be believed. Their goal is to destroy anyone and everyone who doesn’t conform to their ancient cancerous ideas.

It’s no wonder that we suspect and fear the motives of all believers of Islam. Why did it take so long for the president of Indonesia to say publicly that these terrorists bring shame to all sincere, caring Muslim believers and that Islamic leaders should unite in attacking extremism? Why haven’t these leaders done something?

Why aren’t millions of “good” Muslims speaking out against the twisted “evil” Muslims? Why aren’t the millions of american Muslims marching with american flags in anger and horror at what is going on in the Middle East and supporting freedom and women’s rights? Is their silence affirmation and tacit agreement with the terrorists?

Fear? Reprisal? Insecurity?

Maybe. But at some point, a people must stand up for what they believe in. Just like in the sixties when activists marched for the rights of blacks in this country, why aren’t Muslims marching in support of american values and against Islamic terrorist values?

Finally, our president is doing what needs to be done. Terrorists must be stopped. We are at war for our very existence. Another Hitler has emerged and someone has to stop him.

Why should a psychiatrist have any special insight into the mind of a terrorist? I deal with people who are motivated to look into themselves on a daily basis. Who better to have an opinion regarding people who have no interest in examining themselves and are determined to kill people who don’t agree with them…

Art Smukler is an award-winning psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.

IN DEALING WITH IRAQ, WHAT CAN OUR GOVERNMENT LEARN FROM A BASIC CHILD REARING TECHNIQUE? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view

Children are often willful, out of control and want what they want when they want it. Trying to reason with a two-year-old is pointless. Firm, reasonable limits need to be set. Naturally, the child is enraged, but soon he understands that he can’t run into the street because he might get hit by a car, and he can’t punch his baby brother just because he wants to.

Our position in Iraq is somewhat similar to dealing with a two-year-old who refuses to listen. The US stance is that there must be a coalition government formed with both Sunnis and Shiites. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has refused and appears committed to a Shiite Iraqi leadership. What should we do?

The more all of us learn about this ancient Islamic conflict, the more we get how logic won’t prevail. And now Iran and Syria are supporting their new best friend, the Iraqi Shiites, to eliminate the Sunni insurgents. Oh, and aren’t we doing the same!

If reason won’t prevail, we should do what we’d do with a two-year-old. Set limits. Pull our advisors out of Iraq and let the prime minister, or whoever replaces him, do whatever he wants — but without us.

If we only knew how complicated the issue between the Muslim rival factions was, chances are we would have found another solution to the “weapons of mass destruction” other than invading Iraq. But, NOW WE KNOW! Let’s use this knowledge and not get any more soldiers killed or maimed for a cause that just won’t respond to reason.

If people are determined to die for their religious beliefs, the least we can do is stay out of the line of fire. Let’s get our own House (of Representatives and Senate) in order. We have our own out-of-control two-year-olds who won’t listen to reason.

Art Smukler is the award-winning psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.