Author Archive

The 2016 presidential election reflects our country’s cultural shift — and not in a good way

Houston Chronicle, October 16, 2016

With our election for president less than a month away, a discussion of the office of the presidency is in order. The president of the […]

Read more...

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. […]

Read more...

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 […]

Read more...

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Unpublished, April 28, 2016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 […]

Read more...

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, […]

Read more...

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 […]

Read more...

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 […]

Read more...

Newsletter 2015

Unpublished, December 21, 2015

Newsletter 2015

Read more...

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 […]

Read more...

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 […]

Read more...