General Articles

Officer’s suicide shines light on complexities of mental health

Austin American-Statesman, August 21, 2016

After 32 years of service, the July 25 death of Travis County Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Craig Hutchinson made suicide real to our community at large. […]

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Life of beloved rescue dog offers hope in dismal times

Austin American-Statesman, June 16, 2016

With Donald Trump at the helm, like the rest of the world I couldn’t resist following the Republican campaign last fall. But rather than watching […]

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Uber: The case of the fox guarding the henhouse

Unpublished, April 28, 2016

[Author update: Uber and Lyft lost Austin’s May 7 election by a margin of 56 to 44 percent, making national news.]  As a casual observer, it […]

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There’s nothing quite like a camping adventure

Austin American-Statesman, April 10, 2016

“That’s it, no more. I’ve had it with air travel, hotels and restaurants. Let’s go back to Big Bend!” I announced to Ian the spouse, […]

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Criticism of women’s health study woefully misplaced

Austin American-Statesman, March 10, 2016

After the Oscar victory for “Spotlight,” let’s shine one on the effects of excluding Planned Parenthood affiliates from the Texas Women’s Health Program and the […]

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Crosses on patrol cars? Let’s try pyramids instead

Austin American-Statesman, January 24, 2016

Last summer, the police department in Childress, a Panhandle community deep in the Bible Belt, placed “In God We Trust” decals on the back of […]

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Politicians need to butt out of medical board investigations

The Dallas Morning News, December 8, 2015

Texas politicians have a nasty habit of interfering with medical board investigations. They need to butt out. The health professions boards exist to protect you […]

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Planned Parenthood attack has nothing to do with women’s health

Austin American-Statesman, October 25, 2015

Now that Texas has officially alerted Planned Parenthood of their intention to yank Medicaid funding, that decision admittedly based on doctored-up videos taken by stealth […]

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There’s something for everyone at the State Fair of Texas

Austin American-Statesman, October 6, 2015

Did any of you get as sick as I did of hearing about the vaunted pork chop on a stick at the Iowa State Fair, […]

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Medicare put an end to segregation in hospitals

Austin American-Statesman, August 16, 2015

I wonder how many folks realize that Medicare brought about the end of racial segregation in hospitals. I didn’t know because I was asleep in […]

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