Photo by Voice of America
A growing debate over presidential mental health
When columnists for the New York Times and the Washington Post called President Trump "obviously mentally ill" and "just plain crazy," nobody took them seriously. Now thousands of psycho-therapists say a "personality disorder" makes him unfit to serve. Will that discredit their profession more than America's elected Chief Executive?
FROM THIS EPISODE
The cost of Trump family's travel and security
6 MIN, 32 SEC
Donald Trump used to criticize President Obama for taxpayer funded getaways to play golf. Now that he's President, the Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security and even the Coast Guard are racking up expenses they've never seen before.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Trump dine at Mar-a-Lago
Investigator reporter Amy Brittain of the Washington Post reports that the Chief Executive — and his family — like to travel.
Guests:
Amy Brittain, Washington Post (@AmyJBrittain)
Is it crazy to diagnose the President?
33 MIN, 18 SEC
Photo: Donald Trump/Facebook
Several thousand psycho-therapists have signed a petition describing President Trump as a "malignant narcissist" — and calling for his removal from office. Others in their profession call that narcissistic — and unethical — based on the false presumption that mental illness can be diagnosed from a distance. It's an issue that hasn't been raised in politics since the 1960's, but Trump's behavior has brought it back into the public arena. Will it help Congress decide if the President's fit to serve — or politicize and discredit a profession — to the detriment of both therapists and their patients?
More:
Gartner's petition on Trump's mental health, removal
NY Times on whether it's fair to analyze Trump from afar
Nichols on constant panic undermining Trump's critics and boosting his base
Thomas M. Nichols
Lessons for activists from a California 'refinery town'
9 MIN, 51 SEC
In his introduction to a new book Refinery Town, Senator Bernie Sanders says, "We need more cities like Richmond, California." He's talking about the adage that All Politics is Local, and Richmond is an example of what can happen when a poor, mostly black and Hispanic community gets political. The subtitle of Refinery Town is "Big Oil, Big Money and the Remaking of an American City." The author is Steve Early, a veteran labor activist who moved to Richmond from the East Coast five years ago.
Guests:
Steve Early, labor journalist and organizer
More:
Our Revolution
Steve Early
CREDITS
Host:
Warren Olney
More From To the Point
To the Point
Rebecca Traister and the Power of Women’s Anger One of America’s leading feminist writers says women have changed history since Ancient Greece. And, she says, they’ll do it again. The backlash to President Trump was just the beginning. Record numbers of women are running for congress, state governorships and local offices. She tells Warren about her latest book,“Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger.”
To the Point
The Kavanaugh Factor and the Midterm Elections Republicans have secured their long-term goal: a right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. There are conflicting expectations for rulings on abortion, immigration, voting rights--and the powers of both the White House and Congress. In this divided nation, public trust in the rule of law is also at stake. How will the bitter battle over Brett Kavanaugh impact next month’s midterm elections?
To the Point
How Russian Cyberwar Elected Trump President Trump has denied Russian interference in the U.S. election. However, carefully gathered evidence shows that Russian hacking and social media made a difference. Especially important: targeting of African Americans, veterans and Christian fundamentalists. News coverage was oblivious to the source of misinformation. Warren talks with one of America’s most credible analysts of campaigns and voting patterns.
To the Point
Voter Suppression and November’s Elections Voting may be the lynchpin of democracy, but it’s not a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The Founding Fathers set the stage for the dirty tricks and legal discrimination we see today. Just weeks before the November elections, two experts update voter suppression strategies and the role played by the US Supreme Court.
LATEST BLOG POSTS
For The Curious Blog
Pandas, frogs and tigers: photographing intimate portraits of endangered species National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has traveled all over the world taking pictures of endangered species in their natural habitats — feeding, playing, and mating. But in 2005, his wife… Read More
