MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'indicators'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:19:59 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4580956&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F13%2Fstaying-happy-in-bad-times%2F A year and a half ago, USA Today published an interesting article as a kind of wrap-up of the four-day annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. Among the happiness talk was how to stay chipper in this economy. My friend, Robert Wicks, attended and was interviewed for the article. Here is his section in the article (I still get giddy when I recognize my friends among the experts): Simplicity is a silver lining to the downturn, says psychologist Robert Wicks. “In the up economy, people were successful, but in many cases, they were missing their lives,” says Wicks, a psychology professor at Loyola University Maryland in Columbia and author of Bounce: Living the Resilient Life. “They weren’t spending time really enjoying themselves and weren’t spe... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4580956 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:34:11 +0100 4580956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4313961&cid=t_113301_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F05%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2011-vol-305-no-1%2F This article aims to evaluate the relationship between gait speed and survival in geriatric patients. Pooled analysis of 9 cohort studies (collected between 1986 and 2000) measured the survival rates and life expectancy in geriatric patients. Predicted survival based on age, sex, and gait speed was as accurate as predicted based on age, sex, use of mobility aids, and self-reported function or as age, sex, chronic conditions, smoking history, blood pressure, body mass index, and hospitalisation. The article concludes that in this pooled analysis of individual data from 9 selected cohorts, gait speed was associated with survival in older adults. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online alternatively contact the Library for a copy of the article. Fi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4313961 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:45:28 +0100 4313961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253139&cid=t_113301_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwomens-health-in-the-u-s-gets-an-f%2F2010.12.12 The Oregon Health and Science University has published its fifth report card since 2000. It grades and ranks the United States on 26 health-status indicators for women. In 2010, not one state received an overall “satisfactory” grade for women’s health, and just two states — Vermont and Massachusetts — received a “satisfactory-minus” grade. Overall, the nation is so far from meeting the goals set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that it receives an overall grade of “unsatisfactory.” The national report card uses status indicators to assess women’s health: Women’s access to healthcare services (medically under-served area, no abortion provider, no health insurance and first trimester prenatal care) Wellness... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253139 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:00:00 +0100 4253139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4155235&cid=t_113301_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbuzcooper.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fgrand-junction-comparison.png In a high-profile paper in the September issue of Health Affairs, Thorson and coworkers showed that the care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, CO was superior to that of 20 other unnamed hospitals. Grand Junction is, of course the smal town in SW Colorado that became famous when President Obama visited there during the health care reform debates during the summer of 2009, and here’s what he said: “Hello, Grand Junction! It’s great to be back in Southwest Colorado. Here in Grand Junction, you know that lowering costs is possible if you put in place smarter incentives; if you think about how to treat people, not just illnesses. That’s what the medical community in this city did; now you are getting better results while wasting less money.” So, Grand Junction, a town of 58... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4155235 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:00:35 +0100 4155235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243861&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2010%2F02%2F05%2F10-websites-with-the-best-information-on-depression%2F After searching for websites about depression (‘‘depression,’’ ‘‘depression treatment,’’ and ‘‘depression help’’) with a popular search engine: Google, the authors of this work carefully examined the websites. The websites were evaluated on accountability, interactivity, esthetics, readability and content quality. They also used the brief DISCERN as a content quality indicator for general consumers. They found 58 sites from which 13 were excluded: 8 were not websites, 3 were blogs or discussion forum, 1 required an access login, and 1 was inaccessible. They analyzed 45 websites, the overall quality of the websites about depression was good. Those with a high score on the brief DISCERN, the presence of HON label (The Health On the Net Foundation (HON) ) and affiliati... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243861 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:37:28 +0100 3243861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883308&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F10%2F16%2Fdebating-the-stages-of-grief-death-and-dying%2F Pages: 1 2 Next »     Single Page When researchers have a disagreement about what the research shows, most usually either submit a letter to the editor, or an editorial to the journal in question. Sometimes they’ll go one step further and even design an experiment to reproduce the effects of the previous research in question. But rarely do they turn to a magazine to call into the question of a peer-reviewed research study. And especially not one published in the prestigious medical journal JAMA. So you have to wonder what led Russell Friedman and John W. James to publish their treatise against the traditional and well-accepted stages of grief in the latest issue of Skeptic magazine, calling into question the results of the Yale Bereavement Study (YBS). The Y... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883308 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:18:54 +0100 1883308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289775&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F03%2Fare-we-fighting.html George W. Bush says we are fighting for freedom and democracy in Iraq. Bruce Cockburn's song, "Call It Democracy" makes you think. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289775 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:51:43 +0100 1289775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1279447&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F03%2Fa-confused-geor.html George W. Bush does not appear to be a fundamentalist Christian. He does appear to be articulating the Universalist belief that there are many roads to God and heaven. At about 21 seconds into the clip, George says that the Iraq war "is a war between evil people that are willing to kill on a mass scale." Indeed, the United States has killed far more Iraqis than Iraqis have killed Americans. Do you suppose he sees himself as "evil people" or is this a Freudian slip? A (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1279447 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:42:44 +0100 1279447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1274865&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F03%2Fuus-understand.html Yesterday, March 2, 2008, Chalicefire has a short article entitled "UUs understand the interdependent web of life." There is a video done to Marvin Gaye's song Mercy, Mercy, Me which is worth watching. Link: Chalicefire: UUs understand the interdependent web of life. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1274865 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:19:41 +0100 1274865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1265149&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Famerican-except.html Scott Tayler, a Co-Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY, gave a very interesting sermon on February, 3, 2008, entitled "The Healing Power of 'We Can't'". Reverned Tayler talks about his Mennonite roots of nonviolence and his attempt to square this with American Exceptionalism which is the American belief that we are divinely ordained to save the world. This hubris leads to an unconscious belief that we are God. To what extent does our nationalism become idolotry?  Rev. Tayler then goes on to express a concern about America's survivor guilt, our sense of compassion of being responsible for the negative consequences of what we have set in motion. I become quite impressed with the quality of Unitarian Universalist preaching about issues that affect our live... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1265149 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:17:25 +0100 1265149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1253242&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fforeign-policy.html \ Click on picture above for a better view and to read the quote. While military spending has escalated in recent years and Dwight D. Eisenhower warned Americans in the 50s about the danger of the military/industrial complex, none of the candidates are seriously discussing this issue and all of them except Ralph Nader seem to favor military spending at record levels according to an article published on 02/21/08 on the Foreign Policy in Focus web site. Here is a snippet from that article:One issue that will not be discussed in tonight's presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is our nation's burgeoning military budget. Earlier this month, the Bush administration announced a proposed military budget of $614 billion, not counting the full cost of the wars in Iraq and Af... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1253242 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:51:00 +0100 1253242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1225306&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fthe-difference.html "The country where free public education was born struggles with the concept of what education is, what is should accomplish, and how it should approach the child." p. 239 The Whole Parenting Guide by Alan Reder, Phil Catalfo, and Stephanie Renfrow Hamilton "As a society, we have erred in assuming that education should be something done to our kids by some external agent called 'school' and that it should conclude when a person finishes formal schooling and begins a career. The shallowness of this concept has motivated many parents to make learning their own family value, to encouare their kids in their education, and even join them in that great adventure.". 239 Ibid One of my favorite bumperstickers says, "Don't let public schooling interfer with your educatio... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1225306 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:00:57 +0100 1225306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1221281&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fno-country-for.html A lot of people seem to like No County for Old Men, a movie directed by the Coen brothers, based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy, released in November, 2007, and it has been winning a lot of awards but, while entertaining if you like violent movies, I am not sure of its social worth. It is the story about a Viet Nam vet Llewelyn Moss who, while hunting, stumbles upon a drug deal gone bad where several men and dogs are killed and he makes off with 2 million dollars to be hunted down by a psychopathic killer Anton Chigurh. The wise old sheriff Ed Tom Bell played by Tommy Lee Jones has had enough of the carnage and killing over drugs and decides after seeing the slaughter that he is too old to be in this law enforcement game any more and decides to retire. This could have been a great movie ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1221281 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:17:46 +0100 1221281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207396&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F02%2Fa-baseless-malp.html In the February 1, 2008 issue of Medical Economics, Gastroenterologist Michael Cappell tells the story of the time he got sued in a shotgun malpractice case. Even though innocent of wrongdoing, he still paid a hefty professional and personal price. Shabby treatment of health care professionals discourages the good ones from practicing medicine and they will not be there to help the sick when they are needed because the lawyers have driven them from the field. Here is part of what Dr. Cappell says about the personal toll on him:From a societal perspective, justice was served. Except for the elderly physician, who faced trial for malpractice, the court dismissed claims against all of the other 16 physicians originally named in the lawsuit. From my perspective, however, justice was poorly s... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207396 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:30:21 +0100 1207396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191386&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fpostponing-pare.html The On Point radio show with Tom Ashbrook had a great show on Monday, January 28th, 2008, on postponing parenthood. For the first time in human history more parents than ever are postponing child bearing and rearing into their 30s. In fact 52% of college educated women are waiting to have their first child until they are over 30. I have noticed in my area in Western New York in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties nestled between Rochester, NY and Buffalo, NY school enrollments in all 18 school districts in those counties has dropped between 2004 and 2007 in some districts as much as 13, 14, and 15%. Most of this drop is attributed to the shrinking demographic of fewer adults between 18 and 34 living in these counties and having children.It's not new but it's truer than ever -- more an... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191386 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:38:50 +0100 1191386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191387&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fdocs-dont-walk.html According to a survey of physicians in the United States a huge percentage of them don't walk the talk as far as actually acting on their ethical beliefs. The report of the survey appeared in the December 2007 issue of the journal, Annals Of Internal Medicine.This survey of 3504 practicing physicians in the United States found that most physicians agreed with principles regarding fair distribution of resources, access to and quality of care, conflicts of interest, and self-regulation that were proposed by professional societies in 2002. Self-reported behaviors, however, showed that about one half did not follow self-regulation principles and that about one third would order unneeded magnetic resonance imaging for back pain in response to a patient's request.According to an article in the J... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191387 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:43:11 +0100 1191387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191388&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fmccains-idiotic.html I can't decide if Presidential hopeful, Senator John McCain, is senile, psychotic, or disingenuous. According to an article in the January, 2008 issue of Clinical Psychiatry News, McCain is quoted as saying that buying health insurance is like buying a house and that it's a matter of choice whether Americans "want" to buy it or not. Apparently, he hasn't talked with the 47 million Americans without health insurance or the Americans who have been bankrupted by medical costs because they didn't "choose" to buy health insurance. McCain's analysis of the health care crisis in the United States is scary in its simplistic naivete. It reminds me of Marie Antoinette's statement, when told that the peasants were starving to death because they had no bread, "Let them eat ca... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191388 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:04:43 +0100 1191388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191389&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Farmy-suicides-u.html The Associated Press reported today, 01/31/08, that the number of suicides in the military has continued to climb and is up 20% from last year.As many as 121 Army soldiers committed suicide in 2007, a jump of some 20 percent over the year before, officials said Thursday. The rise comes despite numerous efforts to improve the mental health of a force stressed by a longer-than-expected war in Iraq and the most deadly year yet in the now six-year-old conflict in Afghanistan. Internal briefing papers prepared by the Army's psychiatry consultant early this month show there were 89 confirmed suicides last year and 32 deaths that are suspected suicides and still under investigation. More than a quarter of those — about 34 — happened during deployments in Iraq, an increase from 27 in Iraq ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191389 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:10:37 +0100 1191389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1187159&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fus-abortion-rat.html The abortion rate and actual number of abortions are down in the U.S. according to an article  published by Reuters on January 17, 2008 based on a study which will be published in the journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health in March of 2008.The U.S. abortion rate continued its long-term decline in 2005, falling to its lowest level since 1974, according to the latest census of all known abortion providers in the U.S. conducted by the Guttmacher Institute in New York. In 2005, the U.S. abortion rate fell to 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 years, continuing the downward trend that started after the U.S. abortion rate peaked in 1981 at 29.3 per 1,000 women. The number of abortions also declined, to a total of 1.2 million in 2005. This is 8 percent fewer tha... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1187159 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:27:35 +0100 1187159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1185777&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fjustice-talking.html Justice Talking is a great radio show and on its program released on 01/21/08 Margot Adler the host talks with FCC Commissioner, Michael Copps and other guests about the new FCC rules on media consolidation. Media Corporations have bought our politicians and now they want to increase their power by controlling not only radio and TV but newspapers. This is not a good thing for our democracy which is becoming increasingly fascistic under the Republican Bush Administration as the politicians and corporations get into bed together to manipulate and oppress citizens at the local level by keeping them in the dark and spinning the news in a direction that the polticians in power say is "Fair and Balanced". This is a major campaign issue in the 2008 election. Do you know where your can... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1185777 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:42:22 +0100 1185777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1169709&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Ffrance-best-us.html On January 8, 2008 Reuters reported on a study in Health Affairs which found that the United States is the worst country out of the leading 19 industrialized countries in preventing deaths due to treatable conditions. This is outrageous. It seems that Michael Moore's film, Sicko, is accurate in depicting the state of health care in the United States. When the Bush Administration says that the United States has the best health care system in the world, what they don't tell you is that this applies only to those Americans with money and health insurance. The other 47 million Americans without health insurance or money to pay for it are going to die prematurely. This is a major campaign issue in the 2008 campaign. The hell with gay marriage, abortion, and fear mongering about terrorists. ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1169709 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:24:49 +0100 1169709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1162562&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2Fwitness-against.html What kind of a nation have we become under the Republican Bush Administration? A nation that violates the Geneva Conventions by engaging in torture, extraordinary rendition, eliminating the right of Habeas Corpus, and engaging in the unconstitutional activity of surveillance on its citizens suspending their rights to privacy. It appears that Osama bin Laden is winning as the United States suspends the civil liberties of its citizens and decreases their freedoms, engages in behavior alienating other countries around the world, and increasingly becoming a Christian Nationalist Fascist State. Fortunately, some brave citizens are standing up for freedom even as they are being branded traitors and criminals by the current administration. On January 11, 2008 there was a demonstration in Washin... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162562 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:16:22 +0100 1162562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1161019&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2008%2F01%2F60th-anniversar.html While President Bush and his administration disingenuously tell the American people that the terrorists hate Americans for their freedoms, very few Americans know about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was agreed to and promulgated by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. This year is the 60th anniversary celebration of this declaration. There are many web sites devoted to the Declaration and a good place to start is the article on Wikipedia. It seems hypocritical for the Bush administration to be talking about freedom when this administration has engaged in war crimes perpetrating a pre-emptive and immoral war on false pretenses, engaged in torture against the principles of the Geneva Convention, thrown out Habeas Corpus, engaged in illegal surveillan... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1161019 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:16:00 +0100 1161019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123291&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Flocal-communiti.html What's wrong with our democracy? The corporations have all the power, and the people in the communities in which corporations have a vested interest be damned. How did this happen? The Supreme Court said in 1819 that corporations are persons and have the same rights as a human person would have. Douglas Pibel has a great article in the Fall 2007 issue of YES! magazine entitled "Communities Take Power". Here is what Pibel writes about corporations being given the rights of humans:In 1819, the Supreme Court declared for the first time that corporations are entitled to protection under the Constitution. That case started in New Hampshire. Since then, corporations have been granted virtually all the rights constitutionally guaranteed to human beings. They use those rights to site... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123291 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:51:22 +0100 1123291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1119860&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fwhat-have-we-do.html North Coast Cafe posted an interesting video on December 19, 2007 when Miss Teen  USA contestant from South Carolina was asked a simple question, "Why do you think 1/5 of Americans cannot find the US on a map?" Her answer is pitiful and my only thought about her confused response is that she has been watching too many of the presidential contender debates. I would love to see her and George Bush in a discussion of weighty policy issues. Link: North Coast Cafe: The Brilliance of American Youth. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1119860 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:16:38 +0100 1119860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1112666&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fzakaria-on-unwe.html Fareed Zakaria has an very important and interesting essay in the November 26, 2007 issue of Newsweek magazine entitled "America the Unwelcoming". He points out the United States, the land of the free and home of the brave, is the only country in the world where tourism has declined the last few years in spite of tourism growing in other countries around the world. Why you might ask? Because under the Bush administration America has become inhospitable to people from around the world. Here is snippet from Zakaria's essay:Every American who has a friend abroad has heard some story about the absurd hassle and humiliation of entering or exiting the United States. But these pale in comparison to the experience of foreigners who commit minor infractions. A tourist from New Zealand, Ri... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1112666 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:58:57 +0100 1112666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1101450&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fit-takes-the-su.html Back on April 2, 2007 the Associated Press report on the Supreme Court's ruling that the EPA does have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions was broadcast on CNN.The Supreme Court rebuked the Bush administration Monday for its inaction on global warming in a decision that could encourage faster action in Congress on climate change and lead to more fuel-efficient cars as early as next year. The court, in a 5-4 ruling in its first case on climate change, declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate those emissions from new cars and trucks under the landmark environment law, and the "laundry list" of reasons it has given for declining to do so are... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1101450 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:09:48 +0100 1101450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1100124&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fnj-bans-death-p.html Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye makes us both blind." The state killing people to teach them that killing other people is wrong never made any sense to me. Finally, the great people from the state of New Jersey are leading the way of sanity and reason in the United States abolishing the death penalty. Yahoo News reported on 12/17/07 an article distributed by the Associated Press. Here's what it says in part.Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed into law Monday a measure that abolishes the death penalty, making New Jersey the first state in more than four decades to reject capital punishment. The bill, approved last week by the state's Assembly and Senate, replaces the death sentence with life in prison without parole. "This is a day of progress for us and for the millions of people ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1100124 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:58:21 +0100 1100124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1098812&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fking-coals-moun.html The Bush administration and probably the democrats too, because of the support they get from King Coal, are into mountain top removal in the beautiful Appalachian mountains. As of May, 2007, U.S. energy companies were seeking permits for about 130 new coal powered plants. Not only is this terribly destructive to the topography of our mountains, but dumping all this carbon into the atmosphere does nothing to help with global warming. This also is one of the those stories which the corporate media is not reporting and yet it has a tremendous impact on our country. It also should be a campaign issue in 08. Where do the candidates stand on mountain top removal? The heck with gay marriage. Let's get real. To learn more about mountain top removal, click on the link below. Link: Home (Brea... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1098812 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:55:54 +0100 1098812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1097666&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fno-texas-border.html The fact that the federal government is run by idiots is apparent to the American people of sound minds. All you have to do is look at the fiasco that is Iraq, the mess in New Orleans after Katrina, the failed health care system, and stupidities like building a wall between the United States and Mexico. Luckily there is still sanity in the states, the cities, and the localities of this great nation. In October the Mayors of Brownsville, Del Rio, and El Paso, Texas showed their opposition to the wall by refusing access to city property by U.S. government officials assigned to begin design work on the fence. To learn more about the local opposition to the wall visit the Notexasborderwall.com web site by clicking on the link below. You won't read or hear about this opposition in the corpora... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097666 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:24:43 +0100 1097666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1097668&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Famish-grace-the.html Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcends Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher is a wonderful book, well written, informative, and inspiring. Amish Grace describes the events following the tragedy at Nickel Mines, PA on October 2, 2006, when Charles Carl Roberts IV went into an Amish school and took 10 little girls hostage and eventually killing 5 and wounding another 5 and then killing himself. The Amish, true to their beliefs, forgave Roberts and his family and invited Roberts widow and family to the funerals of their children and many of the Amish also attended the funeral of Roberts. These acts of forgiveness, while true to the teachings of Jesus, are rarely seen in our society hell bent on vengeance and retribution. Many questions arose in resist... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097668 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:36:21 +0100 1097668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1096171&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fal-gores-nobel.html I have been growing increasingly disenchanted with the coporate media. Thank God there are shows like Democracy Now with Amy Goodman. Democracy Now had a great show on December 11, 2007 featuring Al Gore's Nobel Prize acceptance speech, and the acceptance speech of Rajendra Pachauri, the chair of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Amy also interviewed Ted Glick who is a 99 day fast to protest the Congress's failure to address climate change. This hour long show is well worth listening to. I think every American should know what is going on with climate change and our corporate media, because of their vested interests, only pay the topic lip service. To listen or download the hour long show, click on the link to the show's web page below. Link: Democracy Now! | December... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1096171 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:11:23 +0100 1096171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1090472&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Flive-freedo-it.html Sarah van Gelder and Doug Pibel have published a very good editorial in the Winter, 2008 issue of YES magazine. Basically, they say that the way to freedom is to do it yourself and ourselves. The more action and consumption we can engage in locally the better. We contribute to our own self sustainability and the joy and satisfaction of human community. I am also reading the book Amish Grace and the more I learn about Amish culture the more I realize that their way of life is based on this same notion of doing for oneself and for one's community. Supposing we started eating locally, buying locally, interacting locally? Increasingly we see that the Federal government and global corporations do not operate in the interest of local communities and citizens. The more power we give to Federa... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1090472 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:20:21 +0100 1090472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084224&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2F20-of-americans.html The CDC, Center for Disease Control, in press release on December 3, 2007 reported that 1 in 5 Americans, 40 million people, cannot get the medical care which they need.Nearly one in five U.S. adults – more than 40 million people – report they do not have adequate access to the health care they need, according to the annual report on the nation’s health released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, “Health, United States, 2007,” is a compilation of more than 150 health tables prepared by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. The report also contains a special section focusing on access to care, which shows that nearly 20 percent of adults reported that they needed and did not receive one or more of these services in the past year... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084224 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:00:51 +0100 1084224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082899&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fcougar-phenomen.html I am reading Mark J. Penn's book, Microtrends, when I come across the chapter entitled "Cougars". I know what a wild large cat like a lion looks like which is called a cougar but I didn't know that it is a new slang word for women who date younger men like the coo coocha coo, Mrs. Robinson of days of old. Penn points out that according to U.S. census data in 1997 there were fewer than half a million couples where a woman and man at least 10 years younger than the woman were a couple however in 2003 there was nearly 3 million couples where the man was at least 6 years younger than the woman. So what's going on? It seems that later life divorces, those that occur when couples are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s are more often initiated by women than men. At that age sex is more recreat... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082899 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:19:14 +0100 1082899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082084&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Finstant-runoff.html Instead of having a third spoiler candidate throw elections so that no candidate has majority support, Instant Runoff Voting is gaining increasing support across the United States in local, county, and state elections. With IRV the voter rank orders his/her preferred candidates. If there are four candidates for example, the voter would rank order his/her preferences 1, 2, 3, 4. If no candidate gets a majority of the votes, then the top two candidates advance to an instant runoff, and if the voter's first choice is eliminated then the ballot is counted for whichever one of the top two candidates the voter ranked higher. IRV eliminates the "spoiler" phenomenon and makes third party candidates viable and decreases the corporate influence on two party elections. For more information... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082084 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:43:30 +0100 1082084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082089&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fcongresswoman-b.html How quick we forget the heroic among us. Does anyone remember that there was one lone vote against the Iraq war? The courageous congresswoman who made that vote was Barbara Lee, a Democratic congresswoman from Oakland California. I remember her being ridiculed on Fox News and the hate radio shows, but it turns out almost five years later that she is the only one of all our congresspeople who called it right. She should be given a national award of the highest order. There is a brief interview with Barbara Lee in the Winter, 2007 issue of YES magazine. Here is what Congresswoman Lee said in part of that interview:When I cast the lone vote after September 11 against giving George Bush an unlimited war-making authority—an authority, I might add, that his administration has invoked in invad... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082089 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:56:01 +0100 1082089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1081532&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fcorporate-subve.html It seems unpatriotic to say this but corporations being treated as persons is undemocratic. Corporations are not people and they should not have the same rights as a person. There are values in a democratic society more important than money and corporations only value the bottom line - money. To learn more about this issue click on the link below which will take you to the Reclaim democracy web site. The biggest issue in this upcoming national election is not gay marriage, or abortion as the conservatives would like to distract people to, but rather corporate crime and corporate subversion of our democracy by buying our representives and subverting our democratic processes. Link: Reclaim Democracy! Revoke Corporate Corruption of American Democracy. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081532 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:24:50 +0100 1081532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1081533&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fnew-technology.html On December 3, 2007, the CDC, the Center For Disease Control, put up an interesting web page on technology and youth violence. It is worth taking a look at if you are interested in this topic. I saw a young man today in my office who has been suspended from his high school until March 1 because he became enraged when a hallway monitor asked him to give up his cell phone. I inquired further about the school's policies about the use of cell phones in school. They seem confusing to me. I was told that students can have cell phones in school but they can't use them - they have to be turned off. Then why have them? In many ways, cell phones have become a huge nuisance in our society from people being distracted talking on cell phones while driving their cars to their constant interruption dis... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081533 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:11:46 +0100 1081533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1081534&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Fbald-eagle-save.html The Bald Eagle is back. There were only 417 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles in 1963 and that number is up to 10,000 today because of protection of the Eagle's habitat and a ban on the pesticide DDT. Here's a brief snippet from the National Audubon Website:"The rescue of the bald eagle from the brink of extinction ranks among the greatest victories of American conservation." said John Flicker, President of the National Audubon Society. "Like no other species, the bald eagle showed us all that environmental stewardship has priceless rewards. In every state, parents and grandparents can still point to the sky and share a moment of wonder as a bald eagle soars overhead." Our national symbol has been saved by tree hugging liberals. The conservatives should be greatful. Link: A... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081534 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:01:57 +0100 1081534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1076245&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F12%2Flove-and-aging.html WBUR in Boston has a great radio show called On Point, and on November 30, 2007, Jane Clayson filling in for the usual host, Tom Ashbrook, had a great show on Love And Aging which is well worth listening to. It lasts about 45 or 50 minutes. Here is a brief synopsis from the On Point web page:They say love changes everything. But time changes love.Just how much it can change became front page news last week, when the family of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor revealed that her husband had fallen in love with a fellow Alzheimer's patient.And she was happy for him.What happens to the part of ourselves that loves as the mind ages, and changes?Our culture celebrates young love. But mature love is filled with passion too, even as our memories leave us. Seniors living for the mom... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1076245 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:22:53 +0100 1076245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1048409&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fwage-disparity.html It takes a minimum wage earner 224, 8 hr. days to earn $10,000. It takes the average Standard and Poor's 500 CEO 1.75 hrs. to earn $10,000. Why is America screwed up? This data comes from YES Magazine, Fall, 2007, p. 23 (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1048409 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:50:48 +0100 1048409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1037777&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fus-pays-2000-an.html According to an article in the New York Times on May 9, 2007, the U.S. agreed to pay $2,000.00 to the relatives of Afghans killed by Maries. The U.S. paid an average of 1.7 million to 9/11 victims and victim's families. Are U.S. lives more valuable than Afghan lives?“I stand before you today, deeply, deeply ashamed and terribly sorry that Americans have killed and wounded innocent Afghan people,” Colonel Nicholson said, recounting to reporters the words he had used in the meetings. In a videoconference to reporters at the Pentagon, he added, “We made official apologies on the part of the U.S. government” and paid $2,000 for each death.Link: U.S. Pays and Apologizes to Kin of Afghans Killed by Marines - New York Times. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1037777 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:51:06 +0100 1037777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1037779&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fwe-need-a-no-ju.html In the Fall, 2007 issue of YES magazine there is a brief article entitled "Signs of life: People we love". One of the people mentioned is Rev. Todd Eklof. Rev. Todd saved all his junk mail for one year and then on Earth Day in 2007, he pulled a wagon full of more than 50 lbs. of junk mail four miles from his church to the Louisville, Kentucky post office. Todd wants a "no junk mail" list similar to the "Do Not Call List". I think it is a great idea. I get my mail out of my mailbox and sort it over the garbage can. Usually I throw about 4/5 of my mail away. Here is the brief article about Todd in YES magazine.Rev. Todd Eklof Weighing in on waste On Earth Day 2006, Reverend Todd Eklof had something of an epiphany: it was time to make a statement about the ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1037779 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:19:18 +0100 1037779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1034205&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Ffcc-screwing-am.html On November 16, 2007, Bill Moyers had a signigicant story on how the FCC is screwing the American people, and the people are getting upset. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is trying to railroad a change in regulations which will allow large media corporations to consolidate media outlets even further. The segment is something every American should watch. To go to the Journal video, click on the link below. Link: Bill Moyers Journal . Watch & Listen | PBS. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1034205 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:00:59 +0100 1034205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1034206&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fnational-popula.html Is the electoral college a thing of the past? There are many states, with Maryland being the first,exploring the possibility of passing state laws which would committ its electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote. This would change the voting and campaigning process in our American democracy where "blue states" and "red states" no longer has the disciminatory value that they have had in the past. We would all just be purple. To learn more about this movement, and to find out where your state is on this issue click on the link below. Link: National Popular Vote -- Electoral college reform by direct election of the President. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1034206 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:32:31 +0100 1034206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1034207&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Feven-though-rig.html There is a small article in the Fall, 2007, issue of YES magazine which cites a study done by Campaign For America's Future and Media Matters which finds that the majority of Americans are liberal. You would never know this from the biased reporting we get from the corporate TV stations and newspapers. For example, in 2006, 69% of Americans said that the federal goverment should provide health care for its citizens, up from 59% in 2000. When asked in February, 2007, if they would pay an extra $500.00 a year so that all Americans could have health care, 82% said yes. When asked if homosexuals should have equal rights in the workplace, 89% said yes up from 55% in 1977. You would never know this from listening to TV news or reading newspapers. Here's a brief snippit from the YES magazine ar... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1034207 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:22:40 +0100 1034207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1020014&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fprotecting-our-.html The Republicans hate government. They think the less of it the better. They have turned our great country and our democracy over to the corporations to run. The proper role of government is not only to protect our safety and security from external threats but from internal threats as well. The commons, that is the natural environment that we all share, is being stolen from us by corporations for profit of the few. In the current issue of YES magazine, Fall 2007, there is a neat poster which simply and directly highlights this issue. Click on the link below to learn more. Link: Protecting Our Commons :: YES! Magazine graphic. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1020014 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:24:07 +0100 1020014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1010431&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Freport-abstinen.html AP reported today, 11/07/07, on a report that abstinence only programs do not curb teen sex.Programs that focus exclusively on abstinence have not been shown to affect teenager sexual behavior, although they are eligible for tens of millions of dollars in federal grants, according to a study released by a nonpartisan group that seeks to reduce teen pregnancies. "At present there does not exist any strong evidence that any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens the return to abstinence or reduces the number of sexual partners" among teenagers, the study concluded. The report, which was based on a review of research into teenager sexual behavior, was being released Wednesday by the nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. The study... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1010431 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:46:18 +0100 1010431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1003561&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fan-honorable-ex.html In the Fall, 2007 issue of YES magazine, Poka Laenui describes the most rational, ethical, and probably effective exit strategy from Iraq. Basically, his plan says that the U.S. must apologize for its illegal and immoral war. The United States should not attempt "to win" in its war against Iraq because there is no victory to be had. It should change its strategy to being just. Poka writes in part:The United States should not win in its war against Iraq. It should change its strategy to being just. The United States was wrong to attack Iraq. Possession of weapons of mass destruction is not a justification, moreover Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. Toppling Saddam Hussein is no justification; the imposition by a stronger nation of its political preference for the runnin... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1003561 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:06:54 +0100 1003561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1001005&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F11%2Fthe-highly-priz.html There is a great cover article in the Sept/Oct. 2007 issue of Social Work today on The Highly Prized Child. It is well worth reading and can be read on line.All children need to be prized, need to be loved, need to be cared for, but highly prized children have been treated in a way that is ultimately wounding to them. On the surface, highly prized children are self-absorbed, demanding, and indifferent to other people’s desires and needs. Underneath, however, these children are often depressed, unhappy, and lack self-confidence.Interestingly I have seen more of these kids in my practice. I have had teenagers who refused to go to school unless their parents bought them a car saying that they are too old to ride the school bus. The demands didn't surprise me as much as the parent's serious ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1001005 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:38:02 +0100 1001005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918914&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F10%2Fmale-gays-outnu.html Mark J. Penn in his book, Microtrends, quotes some research which finds roughly that 6 percent of men and 3 percent of women reported a same-sex partner in the last three years. The rates of homosexual orientation in the populaton varies from study to study based on several factors such as how homosexual orientation is defined, how the survery was conducted etc. The interesting thing regardless of the study which seems to hold constant is that the number of male homosexuals as compared to female homosexuals is 2 to 1. For some reason male homosexuality is more prevalent than female. I was not aware of this before and I have never heard of an explanation for the difference in the prevalence rates. Here is what Penn says:"What these studies suggest is that whatever the actual number of... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918914 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:00:05 +0100 918914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=915356&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fsingle-women-be.html Is it time for a female president? It just might be. Women are becoming, increasingly, a majority in American society in a number of social indicators. Consider the following: Women outnumber men in college 57% to 43%, Women outvoted men 54% to 46% in the 2004 Presidential election Women outnumber men in professions life law, public relations, and journalism as well as teaching, social work, nursing. They are increasingly represented in medicine, engineering, accounting and other professions. In 2005, singe women were the second largest group of home buyers after married couples and in 2005 they bought 1.5 million homes, twice as many as single men. The number of single woman has almost doubled in the U.S. from 1970 to 2006. I am reminded of Helen Reddy's song, "I am woman hear ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=915356 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:07:19 +0100 915356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914103&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fthe-chalice-and.html Feminist friends recommended Riane Eisler's book, The Chalice and The Blade, to me way back in the 80s when it first came out and I never got around to reading it. Somewhere I got a copy of the audiobook version and I listened to the book last week. Eisler goes way back in human history and develops a theory of earlier societies which she says were matriarchal and worshiped the feminine goddess instead of the patriarchal dominating god we have today. She juxtaposes what she calls the dominator model of society where brute male force dominates women and people who are weaker with the partnership model where women and men were equals. She creates an attractive scenario and selects information from archeology, anthropology, myth, art, economics and politics to make her case. Her selective in... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914103 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:57:56 +0100 914103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908574&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fmore-than-1-in-.html The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics made note of a distressing phenomenon in its press release last June, 27, 2007. They noted that 1/3 of all prison and jail inmates in the United States are African American which far outstrips the degree of their representation in the general population. More than one in 10 (11%)  African Americans between the ages of 25 - 34 are incarcerated in the United States. What a waste of human energy and talent. What does this say about our society which finally ended slavery, and then ended segregation, and now incarcerates so many of its African American citizens? There is something significantly wrong. Obviously for significant numbers of Americans we are not the land of the free and the home of the brave. Link: Bureau of Justice ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908574 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:42:16 +0100 908574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908575&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Felizabeth-eckfo.html Another one of my favorite podcasts is NPR's Driveway Moments. On September 4, 2007, NPR broadcast a story about Elizabeth Eckford, one of the 9 brave students who became known as the Little Rock 9 were pioneers integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Elizabeth was 15 at the time and is now 65 and still has trouble talking about her experience to this day. At the age of 15 she was vilified, castigated, spat upon, jeered, and harassed. We like to think of ourselves as a wonderful nation, land of the free and home of the brave, etc. but this self concept is more an idealization than a reality. We, Americans, have a long way to go to actualize our ideals. It is important to remember, and pay tribute to the brave citizens who have helped us become a better people. ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908575 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:06:52 +0100 908575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=889616&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fthe-shock-doctr.html There is a brief movie, about 7 minutes, on YouTube giving an overview of Naomi Klein's book, The Shock Doctrine made by Alfonso Cuaron the director of Children Of Men. I recommend it. To watch it on the YouTube web site click on the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kieyjfZDUIc (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=889616 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:32:58 +0100 889616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=888589&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fnaomi-klein-int.html On Monday, September 17,2007, Amy Goodman interviewed Naomi Klein on Democracy Now about Naomi's new book, "The Shock Doctrine". Naomi's observation is that free market capitalists wait until a societal crisis, or create a societal crisis, in order to implement their economic ideas, ideas which free and democratic people would never accept, approve, and implement had there not been a crisis. It is a fascinating thesis and Naomi makes a compelling case. She is a very articulate, and intelligent speaker and I highly recommend listening to her on this program. Below is a description of the show from the Democracy Now web site. Click on the link below to listen on line or download the show.Pinochet's coup in Chile. The massacre in Tiananmen Square. The collapse of the Soviet Union. S... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=888589 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:48:04 +0100 888589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=880186&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2F191-countries-o.html While global warming is still a huge issue which needs immediate attention, it is reassuring to know that we humans can work together to improve the quality of life on our planet when we choose to. 191 countries came together 20 years ago to agree to the Montreal Protocol to discontinue the use of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. It appears that the efforts are making a difference and the ozone hole is healing. A brief blurb from the 09/17/07 article on the sustainablebusiness.com web site says:The Earth's ozone layer is on track to heal, thanks to the work of dozens of countries that signed a landmark international environmental agreement initiated 20 years ago. Known as the "Montreal Protocol," this ambitious treaty requires countries to phase out production and use of... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=880186 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:38:48 +0100 880186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=874942&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F09%2Fconscientious-o.html On September 16, 1939, August Dickmann was the first Conscientious Objector to be executed by the Germans in World War II. Following the execution of the 29 year old Dickmann, the Nazis executed another 270 Conscientious Objector Jehovah Witnesses. A brief artice on the Peace History web site says:August Dickmann, a German and a Jehovah's Witness, became the first conscientious objector (CO) to be executed by the Nazis during World War II. The execution by firing squad took place in Sachsenhausen concentration camp before all prisoners, including 400 Jehovah's Witness inmates. Threatened by Commandant Hermann Baranowsky with the same fate, none of the remaining 400 Witnesses renounced their CO position. Later, the Nazis commonly executed Witnesses by guillotine or hanging, not wanting to ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=874942 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:26:59 +0100 874942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794211&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fus-lags-behind-.html The Associated Press reported on August 11, 2007 that The United States lags behind 41 other countries in the world on life expectancy. Why is the richest most powerful country in the world so poor in its health? There are a number of reasons of which three of the biggest are: lack of health insurance which limits health care to over 45 million of its citizens, the fact that a third of its citizens are obese, and the high infant mortality rates caused by conditions of poverty among African Americans and other poor. It seems ironic to me that while it appears that Americans will spend One Trillion dollars on its war in Iraq, the ignorance of its social problems at home is allowing its citizens to die at younger ages than 41 other countries around the world. Link: U.S. lags behind 41 nat... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794211 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 13:09:28 +0100 794211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788189&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F08%2Fjohn-pilger-on-.html On August 7, 2007, Amy Goodman, on Democracy Now, played a speech given by John Pilger, an Australian documentary film maker and journalist given at the Socialism Conference, 2007, in Chicago, Illinois a couple of weeks ago. Mr. Pilger talks about the role of the media in supporting the American government's quest for Empire. It is an excellent talk and I believe every American should listen to it. You can access the speech by clicking on the link below. Link: Democracy Now! | Freedom Next Time: Filmmaker & Journalist John Pilger on Propaganda, the Press, Censorship and Resisting the American Empire. (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788189 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:26:13 +0100 788189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=748922&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fgovernance-stru.html Predatory priests are not the problem. It is the unaccountable governance structure of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests operate in their own secret world above the law. They often lead a double life preying on the gullible sexually, financially, and theologically. They do not genuinely care for their victims or families but only to preserve their own status, power, and perrogatives. According to the Associated Press, the archdiocese of Los Angeles paid out a record setting clergy abuse civil settlement, 660 million, to prevent Cardinal Mahony from having to testify in court. I wonder why Catholics would continue to financially support a church this corrupt?Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony approved a record clergy abuse payout, opened the files of the Roman Cath... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=748922 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 20:38:54 +0100 748922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=720426&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fsicko-the-film.html released on June 22, 2007 by Michael Moore is a movie every American should see. It depicts the fiasco of the HMO for profit health system and how it is very bad social policy not only for the 50 million Americans without health insurance but for the people With health insurance as well. Michael compares the health care systems of Canada, Great Britain, France, and Cuba with the the system in the United States which is ranked 37th in the world. The politicians get elected because of huge contributions by health care companies and pharmaceutical companies so that they can keep earning their huge profits and pay their executives their huge salaries while health care coverage is denied to patients who often die or suffer needlessly. Of particular note is Moore's interview with Tony Benn, a ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=720426 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 22:27:17 +0100 720426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=714719&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F07%2Fmedicine-is-a-f.html "I, too, think that life is constantly showing us the holy nature of the world. And medicine is a front-row seat on life. You get to see spirit in action, no matter what your religion is. Most doctors recognize this. Few doctors have not experienced what they would call holy moments in their work, moments of awe, moments when they have known themselves to be in the presence of something larger than themselves, be it courage or love or mystery."Dr. Rachel RemenUnfortunately, medicine, the healing arts has been turned into a corporate enterprise, a mercenary business which is about making money rather than bringing comfort to the sick, and healing to suffering and terrified spirits. Many people are called to medicine, to healing and care, because they realize that "somehow the... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=714719 Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:43:27 +0100 714719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=687726&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F06%2Fgod-is-not-grea.html Christopher Hitchens writes in his book, God Is Not Great, "God did not create man in his own image. Evidently, it was the other way about, which is the painless explanantion for the profusion of gods and religions, and the fratricide between and among faiths, that we see all about us and that has so retarded the development of civilization." p. 8 Of course, each adherent claims that his version of religion is special and that he has been especially ordained to bring enlightenment to the rest of humanity. This kind of malignant narcissism has caused death and destruction which is often justified and explained as the "will of God" as if it excuses the criminal behavior of perpetrators. Hitchens writes:"We believe with certainty that an ethical life can be lived wit... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=687726 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:17:00 +0100 687726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=645064&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F05%2Fbeyond_toleranc.html Marco Vissher, the managing editor of Ode Magazine, has a small article in the  June 2007 issue of Ode which is entitled, "Beyond Tolerance: Putting Up With People Is Not The Same As Welcoming Them". Mr. Vissher states, "But the word 'tolerance' implies a hidden ambivalence. It suggests a kind of reluctant acceptance of something we actually want to condemn or give a wide berth." Rather than just "tolerate" diversity, perhaps we should "value" diversity. What would happen if we welcomed the different, the threatening, the other into our life? If you are white, what would it mean to welcome the black, the Hispanic, the Asian? If you are black, what would it mean to welcome the white, the Hispanic, the Asian? If you are Christian what it would i... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=645064 Mon, 28 May 2007 16:58:47 +0100 645064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=592143&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F05%2Fwar_injuries_of.html It is a cliche to say that war is hell. When parents deploy it is difficult on the parent left at home and difficult on the children left behind. When the deployed parent comes home there is a period of readjustment and when that parent is injured the adjustment period especially for the children is often difficult. There is an article in the May 4, 2007 issue of the Psychiatric Times which briefly describes the issue. Americans initially were whole heartedly for this war especially when the shock and awe PR spin made it look like a video game or an adventure movie, but as time drags on and the casualties and injuries mount and the collateral consequences have to be dealt with for generations to come, Americans hopefully will come to a realization that the hubris of its Commander - In - C... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=592143 Sun, 06 May 2007 00:39:22 +0100 592143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=592144&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F05%2Fus_government_k.html 37 years ago yesterday on May 4, 1970 when I was 24 years old, 4 students were shot and killed and 9 wounded at Kent State University in Ohio by National Guardsman when students were protesting the Viet Nam war. It is interesting how the United States government will kill its own citizens when they stand in its way of perpetrating immoral and unjust wars. We continue to see the same today with the war in Iraq. We Americans should be ashamed of what we have done in the world by electing war mongering representatives. In a democracy, the people get a government its deserves, and when the people elect a government that kills people who advocate for peace, it is in serious trouble. The Democrats finally impeached Nixon, but they do not have the courage of their convictions to impeach Bush a... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=592144 Sun, 06 May 2007 00:21:24 +0100 592144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=577067&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F04%2Fis_the_us_on_th.html One of my favorite bumper stickers recently says, "I'm not afraid of terrorists. Don't create a police state on my account." Americans seem ever more willing to give up their civil liberties for the promise of security. The REAL ID act was passed in 2005 requiring all Americans to have a National Identification Card. Eight states have so far passed resolutions opposing this program. Over the last eight years as we watch the fiascos in Iraq, in the management of Katrina, in the horrible governmental management of the immigrant situation, and the governmental corruption of Congressman Duke Cunningham and the firing of 8 U.S. attorneys by the Department of Justice, do you really think the Federal Government can fairly and appropriately manage and utilize a Federal ID program? This... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=577067 Sat, 28 Apr 2007 16:12:15 +0100 577067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=556954&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F04%2Fdrunk_driving_h.html I am preparing a talk I am to give next Thursday, April 26, 2007 dealing with the ripple effects of DWI on communities in conjunction with National Crime Victim's Rights Week. It has been 14 years since Brigd and Ryan were killed on March 10, 1993. Brigid was 5 and Ryan was 8. If they were alive today, Brigid would be 20 and Ryan would be 22. Not a day goes by that I don't think about them. I thought I would post some of the data which I am reviewing for my talk. There will be several articles on my blog over the next few days. 17,000 Americans are killed very year in DWIs in the United States. Since the World Trade Center tragedy in which 2,973 people were killed, 85,833 have been killed in DWI crashes which is 29 times the number killed in the World Trade Center. We are entering prom... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=556954 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:10:07 +0100 556954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=528897&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F04%2Fjohn_lennons_gi.html is as timely, relevant, and meaningful today as it was back in the early 70s. To watch it on YouTube click the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-NRriHlLUk (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=528897 Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:04:37 +0100 528897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552119&cid=t_113301_140_f&fid=35457&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBattling-schizophrenia%2F%7E3%2F106591729%2F By Mansi Aggarwal What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is an incurable mental illness. It is taken to be a psychotic disorder that makes the person unable to link thought, emotion and behavior. This leads to a withdrawal from his personal relationships and reality. In schizophrenia people undergo psychotic episodes. A psychotic episode is the term coined for unnecessary and unusual mood swings, becoming restless and eager without any good reason and being withdrawn. Schizophrenia, thus deeply affects/hampers the functioning of one’s thinking, conduct, social and personal life. When is it Schizophrenia? The diverse symptoms are a clue to the different kinds of schizophrenia. The indicators that are broadly divided into three categories thus vary with the types of schizophrenia. Positive ... Battling-Schizophrenia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552119 Wed, 04 Apr 2007 14:12:44 +0100 552119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=507226&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F03%2Fsalt_lake_city_.html WBUR's On Point with Tom Ashbrook had a very interesting show on Monday, March 26, 2007, during which Tom interviewed Salt Lake City, Utah's mayor, Rocky Anderson, about why he has called for Bush's impeachment. Every America should listen to this show and consider the issues raised. Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson is a making a big noise against the Iraq War and President George Bush from the heart of one of the conservative states in America.Utah is Republican and strongly Mormon. Salt Lake City's mayor is lapsed Mormon and fiery Democrat. Now, from the deep Mountain West, he's calling for an impeachment in Washington and attacking a national "culture of obedience."Bill O'Reilly calls him a kook. Fans call him a hero.Here are a couple of quotes:"I think this president ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=507226 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:41:22 +0100 507226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=500769&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F03%2Fshooter_the_fil.html Shooter, staring Mark Wahlberg, is a military thriller about a Marine sharp shooter who gets called out of retirement to help the government protect the President only to be framed as the assassin, and who then, to save his life, goes on the lam in order to try to clear himself and restore justice in a government gone amuck. It is an entertaining movie if you like this genre, but the more interesting observation is that the lesson of this film is that the United States government is corrupt, unjust, not to be trusted, only interested in money and power, and impotent to bring about any order and justice. What it takes for justice to occur is for a highly skilled, courageous, and morally righteous ex-soldier to take things into own own hands and kill the rogue politicians and government off... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=500769 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 22:05:04 +0100 500769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=500013&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F03%2Fthe_us_vs_john_.html The U.S. vs. John Lennon is a documentary released in 2006 which depicts the movement of John Lennon from his musical career as a Beatle to one of social activist protesting the Viet Nam war and advocating for peace. John had a great vision, an authentic life, and made a great contribution to the world both musically and prophetically. John was harassed by the F.B.I., and President Nixon and his administration who were so threatened by his anti-war activities that they wanted him deported from the United States. The parallels between the 70s and this first decade of the 21st century are striking. This documentary is well worth watching and I highly recommend it. Link: The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006). (Source: Markham's Behavioral Health) Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=500013 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:54:12 +0100 500013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=485782&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F03%2Fbankruptcy_unde.html NPR Religion program had an interesting program on March 11, 2007 describing the bankruptcy underway in the Catholic diocese of San Diego. There have been so many pedophile law suit settlements that they have bankrupted another Catholic diocese. This news has me wondering where the Catholic dioceses get their money to begin with? It is from their parishioners of course. And that has me wondering why parishioners would be financially supporting an institution which harbors, enables, and abets sex abusers and then hypocritically purports to teach people about morality? The God which the Catholic church claims to represent must have one heck of a sense of humor. Either you laugh or cry. Is this an example of bad faith described in the post below? To listen to the show click on the link be... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=485782 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:12:18 +0100 485782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479816&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F03%2Ftime_to_fix_hea.html The Nation magazine has a great editorial in the March 26, 2007 issue entitled "Time To Fix Healthcare". Here is part of what it says,The need to expand access to affordable healthcare is rapidly emerging as the top domestic policy issue in the 2008 presidential race. And no wonder: With the number of uninsured now up to nearly 47 million, and more than one-third of that total consisting of households with family incomes of $40,000 or more, lack of health insurance has become a concern not just of the poor but also of the middle class. Moreover, soaring medical costs--increasing in large part because at least one of every five healthcare dollars goes to administrative costs and insurance company profits--are a worry even to those who have some form of insurance. More than half of... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479816 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:28:12 +0100 479816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479819&cid=t_113301_109_f&fid=34949&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbehavioralhealth.typepad.com%2Fmarkhams_behavioral_healt%2F2007%2F03%2Freligious_belie.html In reflecting on the problems of the Bush Administration, a thoughtful person might ask "What has contributed to the errors in judgment which have lead to this terrible war in Iraq, the huge national deficit, the increasing inequality of the rich and poor, the national shame of the bungling of helping our own citizens in New Orleans after Katrina, the stripping away of civil liberties, the promotion of rendition and torture, the increased divisiveness which has lead to the character assassinations of public servants and discrimination against gays, the corruption of the Department of Justice, the corporate take over of the FCC and our media, the anti-science policies of the FDA and Health and Human Services, the terrible mess created in our educational system by No Child Left Behind, ... Markham's Behavioral Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479819 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:02:35 +0100 479819