July 21st, 2016 by drcoplan
I was planning on answering some readers’ letters this morning, but this headline demands my attention. A man who identified himself to the police as a behavior therapist, laying on the ground with his hands up, is shot by the police while attempting to get his young adult client with autism out of traffic. And then, after shooting him, the police put him in handcuffs and leave him lying on the ground until an ambulance arrives.
In cellphone video of the event, we hear a conversation between two onlookers:
“Why they shoot the black boy [the therapist] and not the fat boy [the young man with autism, who did not have his hands up, and in fact was engaged in mild verbal aggression]?” the first asks.
“Because the thing with the blacks,” the other onlooker replies.
What the hell is going on?
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July 6th, 2016 by drcoplan
Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there were two cave-men: Og and Gog. For millions of years, their ancestors had dwelt in the jungle canopy, high above the ground. Now, Og and Gog had come down out of the trees, and had begun to explore the novelty walking erect. One day they came to the edge of the forest. Beyond them lay the vast African savannah: an open plain, stretching away to the distant horizon. They had never seen such a thing before, and it took their breath away. After the initial shock had passed, their curiosity (for they were eternally curious) got the better of them, and they ventured forth into the bright sunlight, leaving the dense shade and protection of the jungle behind.
After they had advanced a short distance, their eyes alighted on a gently waving stand of tall grass, about 100 yards ahead. “Uh-Oh!,” exclaimed Og fearfully. “There might be a tiger hiding in there, just waiting to pounce on us. Let’s run back to the trees!” Gog was unimpressed. “Nah. Don’t worry!,” he replied, attempting to calm his worried companion. “It’s just the breeze causing the grass to move. We’ll be fine!” But Og was having none of it. Making a hasty about-face, he ran as fast as his legs would carry him, back to the safety of the jungle, where he promptly hauled himself up into the nearest tree, heart pounding in terror. Gog watched him disappear with mild amusement, then continued his exploratory walk, alone.
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