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Common Dreams reports
As President Donald Trump continues to behave bizarrely and erratically--attacking his own attorney general, launching into a political tirade during a speech to Boy Scouts, bringing his 11-year-old son into the burgeoning Russia controversy--a professional association of psychoanalysts is telling its members to drop the so-called Goldwater Rule and comment publicly on the president's state of mind if they find reason to do so.
The Goldwater Rule was formally included in the American Psychiatric Association's "Principles of Medical Ethics" following the 1964 presidential campaign, during which a magazine editor was sued for running an article in which mental health professionals gave their opinions on [Republican] presidential candidate Barry Goldwater's psychiatric state. The rule deems public comments by psychiatrists on the mental health of public officials without consent "unethical".
In a recent email to its 3,500 members, the American Psychoanalytic Association "told its members they should not feel bound by" the Goldwater Rule, which some have characterized as a "gag rule", STAT's Sharon Begley reports.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday July 27 2017, @11:58PM
Lefties stating their political opinions is one thing. A leftist "medical" profession passing judgement on political figures is quite another thing. You know that, and I know that, why do you even try to confuse the issue?
If Joe Blow arrives on the scene of an accident (Yes, our political picture does resemble the scene of a disaster.) and voices random opinions about what should be done, that's cool. But, if Joe claims to be an EMT, a nurse, paramedic, or doctor, he had BETTER know just what the hell he is talking about, because people will take him seriously.
Joe Blow the non-medical passerby may suggest a tourniquet around the neck, and no one takes the damned fool seriousl. Joe Blow the medical professional suggests a tourniquet around the neck, and you can bet your ass that SOMEONE believes Joe, just because he's a doctor. Joe is still a damned fool, but he's a DOCTOR!!
In this specific case, shrinks aren't competent to voice political opinions, so they shouldn't be using their "professional" status to lend weight to their political opinions.