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Putting Georgia politics on the couch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rarely in journalism is one allowed to roll Tom Cruise, Scientology, modern psychiatry and Georgia politics into a single ball of twine.
Such opportunities are meant to be savored. So pardon us if we unwind this knot an inch at a time.
You’ll remember that last year, the couch-jumping actor, who maintains a pew in the Church of Scientology, got into it with NBC anchor Matt Lauer over the topic of psychiatry. Something about Brooke Shields and the use of anti-depressants by women who’ve given birth.
Cruise declared this entire field of medicine to be an out-and-out fraud. “You don’t know the history of psychiatry. I do,” the actor said. His remarks were forgotten before most of us could complain to our shrinks.
But on Monday, an exhibit at CNN Center in downtown Atlanta opened. It details exactly where Cruise got his history. The multi-media presentation is entitled “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death.�
Far from confining itself to your relationship with your mother, psychiatry, the exhibit claims, has engaged in a post-World War II conspiracy to establish a one-world government. Previous, though failed attempts at global domination include American slavery, Adolph Hitler’s program of eugenics, and Soviet gulags.
It is not endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Atlanta chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a California-based organization backed by the Church of Scientology. That’s no surprise.
The ribbon-cutter at the exhibit’s opening was state Sen. Nancy Schaefer (R-Turnerville), a Christian fundamentalist who’s in a tight race to keep her north Georgia seat.
That was the surprise. Mostly for GOP strategists paid to worry about Democrats regaining control of the state Senate in November.
Schaefer said her presence could be explained by her long-time opposition to federal efforts to expand mental health care.
“I have legislation having to do with the mental health screening of children, and they have an exhibit that certainly talks about the mental health screening of children, and ADHD and children on Ritalin and many mind-altering drugs. And so that’s why I was there,â€? Schaefer said Tuesday.
A non-binding, 2005 resolution sponsored by Schaefer, which damned government probes into the minds of our little devils, declared that “it is important to understand that the powerful pharmaceutical lobby is behind this idea because of its eagerness to sell psychotropic drugs to millions of new customers, and federal bureaucrats are just as eager to control our lives.�
The measure went nowhere, but signers included Casey Cagle, now the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor.
Yes, Schaefer knew about the Scientology angle of her Monday gig. “My ideology is entirely different. But their research on this issue is excellent, and their exhibit is very good. I would urge people to go see the exhibit,� she said. “I have great concerns about the fact that 10 million children in America are on all of these drugs.�
The north Georgia senator’s relationship with the group goes beyond a single exhibit.
In an undated speech posted on a CCHR web site, Schaefer attacked the American Psychiatric Association “and its claim to a totalitarian stronghold on all mental health issues of our day that psychiatrists claim are mental health diseases but which in reality merely supports their leftist ideology.�
In fact, the CCHR lists Schaefer as a member of its board of advisors. Schaefer said she was told about this honor on Monday. “I said, well, I need for you to remove my name because I’m not a part of this organization in any way. I’m just a senator from Georgia,â€? Schaefer declared.
Meanwhile, Schaefer’s opponent, Democrat Carol Jackson, has begun follow-up radiation treatments following the removal of a small breast tumor three weeks ago.
Jackson, a former state senator, said some cancers cells were found, but the tumor was classed as stage one, non-agressive — “about the size of an English pea.”
It’s not going to interrupt her campaign, she said.
“We got it very early,” said Jackson, who discovered the tumor in a routine self-examination.
In response, Schaefer said she would suspend all campaign events through the Labor Day weekend, “while Jackson makes sure her health is sound.�
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Noreaster GOP
August 29, 2006 7:18 PM | Link to this
Sorry to hear about Ms. Jackson, but Sen. Schaefer has my full support. I may not be as conservative as she is on every issue, but I admire her guts and her willingness to stand for something, for what she believes.
I wouldn’t go back to the Democrats for any reason and the AJC trying to make fun of Mrs. Shaefer’s conservative views only reafirms my commitment to vote for her.
By Tony
August 29, 2006 8:06 PM | Link to this
Going after psychiatrists is a conservative view? I missed that press release.
By Debbie
August 30, 2006 7:48 AM | Link to this
I don’t have a favorable opinion of the American Psychiatric Association. But disagree with Shaefer aligning herself with the Scientologists.
Not all Psychiatrists are bad.
My nephew was diagnosed by one doctor as having ADD and he advised they put him on Ritalin. My brother and his wife took him to another doctor for a second opinion and found out he had food allergies not ADD.
By Buddy
August 30, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this
When did the American Psychiatric Association and “psychiatry” become bent on a one-world government and global domination? This is a warning call to voters—know who you vote for. In her speech, Schaefer called for the spraying of infestation of educational and psychiatric professionals in society. Sounds like something a totalitarian would say. Who knew education and awareness was so deadly?
By Mad Kow
August 30, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
I wonder if Ms. Schaefer, Christian fundamentalist that she is, would be so deeply in bed with the scientologists if she knew L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the cult, said in one of his lectures “the Man on the cross….there was no Christ”.
By buck
August 30, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
Yeah, a psychiatrist tried to link my friend’s hallucinations to schizophrenia. But a second doctor said it was probably just eczema. Crazy!
By rob enderle
August 30, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Yo, I agree that this country has gone totally off the deep end when it comes to pharmaceutical drugs and that their lobby is very, very powerful and selling drugs which have very dangerous side effects. (and beware if like Ricky Williams, you go from being a poster boy for their products to telling the whole world that you prefer marijuana instead to treat them same ailments. Nothing p** off these people as a weed anyone can grow)
That said, this is the freaking church of Xenu (www.xenu.net for more info), we are talking about. There is TONS of stuff on this mind control cult and of their drug popping prophet (just go to Youtube to hear from the horses mouth what ElRon has to say).
So while the message is worthwhile, having it come from a fringe lunatic group whether it be Scieno or the Jim Jones gang, makes it hard for people not to laugh out loud.
rob
By Mark
August 30, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
Scientology is far more dangerous than psychiatry.
By Melissa
August 30, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
I love it when Nancy Schaefer’s crazy shows in the media.
I hope people will take advantage of seeing into her dark little world and go to www.votecaroljackson.com and make a contribution to this woman who has worked hard for her constituents and representated them in a dignified, mainstream way.
By TruDem
August 30, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
Carol Jackson rocks.
By liberalandproud
August 30, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
I have worked in the mental health industry, and it is flawed. None the less, I personally benefit every day from the wonders of modern psychiatry. The health care system in this country desperately needs reform, and that includes mental health. We cannot throw the baby out with the bath water. Anyone who has spent any time with a person who is truly mentally ill knows that mental illness is real. Are pharmaceutical companies out of control at times? Yes, but I think that sentiment applies as much to the marketing of Cialis & Lunestra as it does to sales of Ritalin and Prozac.
By Mike Parker
August 31, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
You might want to check some more on Schaefer’s bills.
I bet you’ll find she borrows language directly from Scientology.
That is, if her “church” allows her to think or write for herself.
By Joe S
September 1, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this
I am a Scientologist, just to set that point straight. I have been for 10 years, and when I started, I read all the biased sentiment against it. I even spent a year or so in “healthy skeptism”, only to realize that all the detractors never offer any other solution - they only complain. Much like a Jerry Springer episode.
There is, and should be, freedom of speech, and I would die to maintain that right for all. That doesn’t mean you can’t do something irresponsible with that freedom. And I have freedom of speech to say when bigotry is being created. I wouldn’t take away your right to give an opinion, but I’m not gonna give up mine and not tell you how I feel.
Love is a better policy than uninformed hate.
Oh - and as a little comment - if you want to call me brainwashed, I want you to examine the level of jerk you are assigning to yourself with that comment. You are saying, “You no longer have valid thoughts. Not only that, but I have sufficient worldly knowledge and stature to tell you that you aren’t worthy of having thoughts. My thoughts are valid, but yours aren’t, and you don’t even know what you think.” Oh yeah?
My response, for anyone who chooses to say something like that: are you wise, brave, or informed enough to say that to my face - not that I fist-fight people, but I’ll think you’ll find that you are looking another live human being face to face, and you won’t be so pompous and hateful and dispassionate as you are “bravely” being over the anonymous internet. The last girl who insinuated that I was in a cult to my face got the above argument stated in no uncertain terms, and she didn’t even realize what a bigot she was being until I pointed that out to her. And, she kindly and sincerely apologized. I’m actually a pretty likable guy, believe it or not.
Have some love, my peeps. This world is rough enough without bigotry and needless hostility, don’t you think?
By Tom Cruise
September 1, 2006 8:52 AM | Link to this
Couldn’t agree with you more J.S. about mutual respect for everyon’s views. Unfortunately, your poster boy Tom Cruise isn’t helping your cause because he doesn’t feel the same way as you do. Nobody wants his pompous “I’m right and your wrong” attitude jammed down their throat.
By liberalandproud
September 1, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this
J.S., what is your opinion on psychiatry? I realize Scientology has been under attack here, but the original post was about an anti-psychiatry exhibit at CNN Center. I’d like to know what a seemingly rational Scientologist has to say about psychiatry.
By wiseone
September 1, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
Hello, I’m a Scientologist. Have you ever talked with one? Each Scientologist is different and is a separate person. Most Scientologists I know are actually very likeable, moral, responsible, respect other people and genuinely want to help people. As for Tom — well, he is very well liked and respected in our church. I have heard him speak at our church events, and he does not have an “I am right you are wrong” attitude. He is just passionate about helping people. It takes a strong person to stand up to the mainstream media and say, “This is not right.” And the overuse of antidepressants and ADD/ADHD drugs, especially the drugging of our children, is not right. Here’s the number one important thing you need to know — don’t believe everything you hear in the media. I know, you think “how could it be in the newspaper if it’s not true.” Well, I’ve been in Scientology many years and the negative things you read are absolutely not true. If you want to know the truth, go to the source. You can listen to peoples’ opinions (like the “Political Insider”), but you need to go out and look, investigate and think for yourself. That’s what Scientology is all about.
By wiseone
September 1, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
To liberalandproud: I went to see the psychiatry exhibit earlier this week. It is well researched and documented. The exhibit is presented by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights. It covers drugging for profit, the psychiatric drugging of children, fraud, and what’s really behind the Holocaust and the terrorists of today. My mother had electric shock therapy, and she lost her memory and her mind. It caused a lifetime of anguish for me and my family. What’s important to know is that this still goes on today. It takes a lot to confront what is going on. We have been lulled by the media, drugs, TV, and are caught up in dealing with everyday life and its problems. I think it’s time to wake up and do someting about it. That’s what Scientologists are doing.
By Pious Hypocrit Moron
September 2, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Psychiatry in the early 21st century essentially caused the holocaust in the 1930s and 40s? Considering the same logic, does anyone recall the position of Nancy’s Christianity during the holocaust? As I understand, it turned a blind eye to the suffering and death of millions. On this continent, Klansmen were and are Christians. Christians conducted mass slaughter and humiliation of the native people in the Americas. Going back a few centuries, there was this thing called the Inquisition, in which Christians created ingenious devices to sadistically torture anyone assumed to have different beliefs. As for Scientologists, does anyone recall what is done against any person or organization on their enemies list? They despise psychiatry because of psychiatry’s past suggestion Scientologic “treatment” is essentially quackery. As for psychiatry, very few people get it, with maybe a high school health class and maybe a high school biology class, if they made it through high school. Go to any medical library and peruse the volumes of books and journals on neuroscience, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, molecular neurobiology, neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, developmental neurobiology, neuropathology, psychopathology, psychology, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, clinical psychiatry, general medicine, etc, etc. This stuff isn’t L Ron’s science fiction, this stuff comes from decades of clinical observation, medical reasoning, and research. I advise anyone hurling opinions to prove their opinions scientifically. I also advise talking to someone who has had severe depression or anxiety or mania or schizophrenia or ADD or whatever, who has found relief from suffering and an ability to function in life. Take ADD in an adult for example. Before getting help, he or she couldn’t maintain focus and attention, was perpetually distracted so couldn’t complete a task, kept losing things, was viewed as sloppy and disorganized, had 5 car accidents in 2 years, was in trouble at work, was increasingly despised by the spouse and children, and felt “stupid”, demoralized, and self-loathing. With a good response to “poison”, he or she was able to stay focused and complete things, got a promotion and raise, and the spouse decided against filing for divorce. As Nancy would put it, the treatment “strengthened and protected the family”. And, fortunately, he or she didn’t have to pay millions to use an E meter to get any disembodied evil spirits exorcised.
By Terra
September 3, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
Hi Liberalandproud.
I am a Scientologist and I fully agree with the fact that psychiatry has gotten way out of hand.
Did you know that “psyche-” means “soul”?
Somewhere along the way this was altered when it was declared that man is just an animal and so psychiatry has come to mean the contolling of behavior.
I don’t care what religion you are or whether or not people think Tom Cruise is amazing. This is not about Tom Cruise.
This is about millions of children being drugged every year. This is about ruined lives due to electroshock therapy and other torturous methods. I know personally know many people who have been abused by psychiatrists, drugged against their will, misinformed, misdiagnosed, admitted into institutions against their will, shocked against their will, and have lived in utterly terrifing conditions due to psychiatrists. I feel that knowing this gives me the responsibility to see that human rights are restored and these “authorities” are stripped of their power to commit such crimes under the law.
I am confident that there are several psychiatrists in the world who set out in their profession originally to help his fellows, however their means are barbaric and destructive and are all based on the idea that man is nothing more than an animal.
I don’t know about anyone else, Scientologist or not I am willing to fight for the freedom of individuals, the right to free speech, the right to intelligence and your own thoughts, the right to a soul, and no torutre, not to mention religious tolerance. Christians, Scientologists, Buddhists, Jewish, and other philosophers, church-goers, parents, and all human beings alike have it in their best interests to see that these rights are restored, if not for their fellow man, for themselves.
Maybe YOU are the next one they call crazy? Maybe you are the next one they institutionalize, shock and drug you just because you are smarter? Have everyday problems? Or maybe you have “Mathematics Disorder”?
Give me a break everyone. Stop listening to what the “media” says and find out for yourselves.
By liberalandproud
September 4, 2006 3:26 PM | Link to this
As long as we’re talking about personal knowledge here … I have been living under a cloud of clinical depression my entire adult life. I was once fired for crying on the clock. Several relationships have ended because of my emotional handicap. I am one of the lucky ones. I never quite got to the point of standing on a bridge or holding a razor blade to my wrist. My love for my family always won out over my desire to end the pain. I have responded well to fluoxetine, and take it everyday to help me cope. My depression is an illness, not a weakness. I have found that psychiatric/psychopharmaceutical treatment is the best solution for me. Because of psychiatry, I feel empowered to take charge of my own life, not somehow controlled or abused by some grand conspiracy. I never said psychiatry was out of control. I think that the drug companies are the ones that need a little more regulation. My biggest complaint about prozac is the expense. I don’t have health insurance, so I order my generic prozac online. Maybe if the drug companies weren’t spending so much money on advertising, my prescription would be more affordable …
By PHM
September 7, 2006 8:31 AM | Link to this
Terra’s complaints are about medicine in general. Taking medication to lower blood pressure, using insulun to control diabetes, having surgery to remove cancer, getting a root canal for an abcessed tooth, taking medication to control epilepsy, getting a colonoscopy to remove pre-cancerous polyps, taking an antibiotic for pneumonia, getting IV fluids for severe dehydration, etc etc, must then also be barbaric and destructive. Psychiatrists do not “shock and drug” everyday problems, smartness, or “mathematics disorder”. Psychiatrists talk to people about everyday problems. Psychiatrists are pleased someone has smartness. Psychiatrists advise about resources to develop mathematics skills if these are impaired. Psychiatrists can only hospitalize someone involuntarily if someone is at risk of harming or killing themselves or someone else. Put yourself in the place of a psychiatrist, Terra, in the same way you ask others to put themselves in your scientologist place. People come to you in misery. They are severely depressed, or having terrifying panic attacks, or refusing to eat to the extent they are going to die, or stay in bed 24-7 for weeks, or are making everyone around them miserable. You are a doctor and follow this hippocratic oath thing, and you want to help. You know how to talk to people to understand the complicated psychology of how people get into the state this person is in. You know how medications work, the scientific research that proves they work, and have seen many people get their lives back as a result of treatment. What would Terra do? Having a serious axe to grind, Terra would probably throw up the hands and mutter crackpot philosophy and make excuses for why the person committed suicide. Instead of taking responsibility, Terra would point the finger at someone else. My advice: no one should wax opinionated about a subject they know nothing about.