Every major election cycle focuses on interesting and controversial topics. The current GOP primary has zeroed in on homosexuality. The crux of the discussion is whether this is a treatable condition. Nearly 42 years ago, a 17 year old homosexual boy was admitted to our hospital in England to change his sexual orientation. I was a first year psychiatry resident at the time and this was my first encounter with a gay individual. His parents hoped that with professional help he would clean up his act. As a freshman in the field, I was curious to know more about homosexuality. We became good friends and I considered him to be a caring, compassionate, talented and bright individual. I honestly didn’t see anything wrong with him physically or mentally. However, neither of us could explain his attraction to men. He confessed that from a young age, he was attracted to boys not girls. He explained that he did not choose to be gay but that he was born that way. I believed him. Since then, I have treated many homosexual men in my office for addictions, phobias and stress management and all of them are sane, sanguine and sensible individuals. They lead productive lives. True homosexuality is determined by genes not by choice. It is not a mental aberration and therefore does not need to be treated. Don’t treat homosexuals as pariahs, instead homosexuality should be understood and respected by priests, politicians and the public.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Stupidity Runs Amuck
On the morning of July 21, 2009 while I was driving to work, a strange news clip on the radio caught my attention. At first, I did not believe what I had heard. Talking to myself, I discounted the news saying nobody in the world would be that stupid. On my way to the hospital, I picked up the New York Times and to my astonishment, the same headline appeared on the front page: "U.S. Withheld Data Showing Driving Risks." Like my fellow Americans, I am on the road to make a living. Any kind of safe driving tips would kindle my interest. Naturally I was curious to learn more about the nature of the risks that the U.S. government was referring to and the reasons why they withheld such important data from the public. Once I scanned the article, I could not contain my laughter at the stupidity of the issue and the politics around it.
Apparently in 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decided not to make public hundreds of pages of research and warnings about the safety risks posed by drivers who talk on their cell phone (both hands-free and hand-held) while driving. This is disturbing on two counts. First, what a waste of our hard earned tax dollars when such valuable research was not utilized to enact laws early enough to save human lives. Secondly, why are tax payer dollars being spent on a matter of common sense? Even a person with a moderate IQ knows that driving while deeply immersed in a conversation is hazardous. A driver distracted from any source - loud music, texting, emailing, eating, drinking or applying make-up poses the greatest threat not only to himself, but also to those in close proximity. If you are a conscientious driver like me, I am sure you will definitely watch out for such drivers on the road.
The stupidity reached its peak when the NHTSA agency in its infinite wisdom decided to withhold the obvious findings of their research for fear of offending or antagonizing law makers in congress, because Congress warned the agency to stay within its mission of gathering safety data but not to lobby states. It is outrageous that political concerns outweigh the safety concerns of the individual. Mr. Clarence Ditlow of the center for auto safety is furious about this cover-up. He rightfully alludes to driving while multi-tasking is as bad as driving while intoxicated. If the research results were made public as early as in 2003, it probably could have saved many lives by enacting appropriate laws to discourage such irresponsible driving habits. We all know that the seat belt law has saved untold number of precious lives. For your information drivers on the cell phone have caused 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents in 2002 alone. Some lawmakers shocked by such statistics, want to educate people about the dangers of distracted driving. Education alone is not enough to make people to change their driving habits for the better. What people need is incentives in the form of substantial discounts on their auto insurance premiums for a good driving record and heavy penalties, like long prison terms for irresponsible drivers.
Unfortunately, I have yet to see the nation as a whole putting the politics and petty prejudices aside. We must galvanize together to protect innocent, law-abiding drivers as well as pedestrians. Therefore, while lawmakers are pondering over the right course of action, researchers are engrossed in collecting data, and irresponsible drivers are still contemplating whether to change their driving habits, the best course of action for all sensible drivers who care for their own and others lives, is to hone-in on their defensive driving skills to reach their destination safely at all times in all conditions, use cell phones only in the case of an emergency or pull over to a safe spot to take the phone call. In the end, common sense must prevail!
