OF COURSE I CRIED, by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

Jason, a smiley, playful, 6-year-old boy recently had an appointment with his pediatrician.

“The doctor had to give me two needles,” he said.

“Wow. Did they hurt?”

“Yes!”

“Did you cry?”

“Of course I cried!” he said, looking like the question was beyond silly, that crying was what any normal person would do.

“How about your sister? Did she get a needle?”

“Yes. And she cried too! Really loud!”

Then Jason put on his father’s huge sweatshirt that went down to his knees. “This really looks good,” he said. “I love it.”

Creativity and spontaneity are so often crushed by “mature” adults who are so sure they know what’s right and what’s wrong. They know all about religion, sexuality, and who we should and who we should not hate. They know how we should feel and how a man should act and how a woman should act.

It’s so impressive that we are surrounded by know-it-alls. It’s also very impressive that many of the people we have elected to run our government are so sure that they are right, that they are willing to make all of us suffer to make their point.

Dr. Art Smukler is the award-winning writer 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.

MICHAEL SAM, HERO OR PARIAH? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

A group of students formed a human wall outside of Mizzou Stadium to block from view members of a Baptist Church who were protesting against the outpouring of support for Michael Sam, the SEC defensive player of the year. When he signs with an NFL franchise, he will be the 1st openly gay NFL player.

Religious zealots have been attacking “outsiders” for centuries.

Actor and comedian, Alec Mapa said it beautifully, “I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear that religious people are coming for me and my family the one thing I can think is: Shouldn’t you be reading to the blind? Aren’t there homeless people in your area who could benefit from a kind word or a hot meal? Could there possibly be a better use of your time and resources than going after the lives and freedom of people you’ll never meet, whose lives and freedom will never affect you in any other way?”

It’s amazing that so many people know what’s right and will fight and sometimes even kill anyone who disagrees.

Women shouldn’t vote — repealed 1912 in the US. Now in 2014, Sharia Law professes that women shouldn’t read or attend school.

Prohibition — repealed 1933

Medical school quotas against Jews, unpublicized and denied, — stopped in 1960s

McCarthyism — Communist witch hunts against anyone who opposed Senator Joe McCarthy’s ideas. Finally stopped by President Eisenhower in 1954

George Wallace, governor of Alabama, stated in 1963, “In the name of the greatest people that have trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever.”

Is Michael Sam a hero and a new role model?

YES.

Dr. Art Smukler is the award winning writer 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.