A Step in the Right Direction

A while back, I wrote a post on the possibility that the APA would consider therapists treating those who were distressed by unwanted homosexual attractions as unethical. However, it now appears that patient autonomy and self determination has finally been acknowledged as more important than political correctness by the APA:

New Orleans, August 12, 2006 - Surrounded by President-Elect Sharon Stephens Brehm, CEO Norman Anderson and other prominent members of the American Psychological Association (APA), President Gerald P. Koocher voiced support for the treatment of those distressed by unwanted homosexual attractions.

In a Town Hall Meeting dedicated to open exchange between members and APA leaders, Dr. Koocher fielded a question from NARTH President Joseph Nicolosi about APA's position on the treatment of unwanted homosexuality.

Highlighting the importance of client autonomy and self-determination, Dr. Koocher stated, "APA has no conflict with psychologists who help those distressed by unwanted homosexual attraction."

Dr. Koocher, the APA president, also acknowleged in an article in the APA monitor that some studies showed that women (shockingly!) can be capable of acting out physical aggression in equal numbers to men.

Several studies of domestic violence have suggested that males and females in relationships have an equal likelihood of acting out physical aggression, although differing in tactics and potential for causing injury (e.g., women assailants will more likely throw something, slap, kick, bite, or punch their partner, or hit them with an object, while males will more likely beat up their partners, and choke or strangle them). In addition, data show that that intimate partner violence rates among heterosexual and gay and lesbian teens do not differ significantly.

It's nice to see that the APA is listening to other points of view and is doing the right thing instead of bowing to political correctness.

Post Election Podcast

Our two favorite military analysts, Jim Dunnigan of Strategy Page and Austin Bay of AustinBay.net discuss the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld, what the mid-term election results mean for the war and military tactics as well as the "new direction" of the Democratic party. Listening to these two experts put the elections and the war into perspective from a historical point of view cheered me up and made me feel more positive about the direction of both.

You can listen to the podcast directly here at Pajamas Media by clicking on the gray flash player or for dial-up users, click here. Subscribe via iTunes (you know you want to!) here.

You can see our previous podcast archive here.

This podcast is sponsored by Volvo at Volvocars.us. Buy one today, and tell them we sent you!

Post Election Hangover

I stayed up late last night watching the election returns come in. Okay, late for me, midnight. I even swigged down some wine (half a glass) which for me is a big deal, given the amount of heart drugs I take, which exacerbate the effect of alcohol to the point where half a glass is like four glasses for a normal person.

I was pleased to see the Tennessee elections turned out exactly as I had hoped and all of the candidates I voted for, Corker, Campfield, Duncan and Bredesen won. I am always proud of Tennesseans who do not look to the national media to make up their minds for them and march to the beat of their own drummer. Apparently, so far Corker is the only freshman Republican Senator in the country (Hat Tip: Instapundit). Congrats to him! And how was your election night?

Podcast with Irish TV Reporters

Have you ever wondered what people in other countries think of our politics and how they perceive our upcoming elections? Mark Little and Ken O'shea of the Irish TV program Prime Time--a kind of Irish version of Nightline--were in Knoxville to cover the Ford/Corker race and met up with us at Calhoun's Barbeque. We talk with them about politics, religion, and American society from an outsider's perspective and what they have learned by visting the villes so far, Ashville, Knoxville, and Nashville.

You can listen to the podcast here, if for no other reason than to hear their lovely Irish accents (and they're smart and interesting too!). you can get a lo-fi version suitable for dialup by clicking here and selecting the lo-fi version. Better still, you can subscribe via iTunes by clicking here. If you would like to listen to more of our podcasts, go to our podcast archive at GlennandHelenshow.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Volvo at volvocars.us.