What the heck is Dr. Phil McGraw doing tagging along on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid? And how was he allowed to ask questions of an arrestee, on camera, while the arrest was happening?
McGraw claims he was on the scene to provide “transparency” about the operation. We all know that must be true, because the Easter Bunny said so. It couldn’t have been to get better ratings, could it?
According to Wikipedia, Dr. Phil holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, but ceased renewing his license in 2006. It’s a good thing he did, because he should have had it revoked outright after the stunt he just pulled.
As a retired clinical psychologist myself, I want to make it as clear as possible that McGraw’s antics represent the exact opposite of the type of ethical behavior that is expected from clinical psychologists. McGraw is a complete disgrace to the profession.
McGraw is riding on the Trump train. For Donald Trump, everything is a “reality TV show,” where spectacle replaces substance. The federal agents conducting these arrests must also be on board the same train; otherwise, why would they allow this civilian TV charlatan and huckster to join them on official business?
Once again: Under Trump, anything goes. As long as it creates a spectacle on TV. Welcome to TrumpWorld 2.0. The circus has just begun.
Robert S. Chimis, Ph.D., Elmwood Park
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Dr. Phil’s presence was ‘abhorrent’
Imagine Chicago cops or any municipal law enforcement agency in America serving warrants or making arrests with celebrities in tow to interrogate the arrestee before or after Miranda rights are read to the arrestee. What a concept! Turning a serious situation into a media circus right before the nation’s eyes.
But wait! TV host Dr. Phil McGraw says his actions during Sunday’s immigration sweeps were for “transparency.” Transparency to be added to a TV special, no doubt coming soon. I can see it now: “Please turn yourself in and a TV celebrity will come to your door, and you’ll soon be famous.”
It’s not exactly Jerry Springer, where a guy marries a pony, but it’s equally abhorrent in my opinion.
Bob Angone, retired Chicago police lieutenant, Austin, Texas
The gaucheness of Mar-a-Lago
Architecture critic Lee Bey gives us fair warning: Donald Trump wants to put an ugly straitjacket on federal architecture. But if you think his idea of architecture is bad, you should see the inside of Mar-a-Lago. Gauche. It would be a compliment to compare it to a French whorehouse.
Dennis Byrne, Jacksonville, Florida
A conservative on Trump
Mona Charen’s recent column (“Worshipping at the altar of Trump”) on Donald Trump and the new president’s self-serving worshipers is spot-on. Trump’s Messiah complex has been on display for decades and has only been emboldened by those that worship at his altar. All his acolytes need do to be rewarded is genuflect at Trump’s feet.
As both a believer in God and a conservative, my disgust for Trump is only exceeded by my distaste for his disciples.
Terry Takash, Western Springs
Ignore President Trump’s DEI order
I am shocked that the new administration has already sent out letters to federal agencies to lay off any diversity, equity and inclusion employees, and that “an unknown number of employees had been asked to leave the Railroad Retirement Board office” and that “adverse consequences” will be made if this is not done. (“Questions loom as Trump’s sweeping DEI cuts hit federal agencies in Chicago”)
I am appalled that the managers of the agencies are obeying these orders. The employees will be put on leave, so what does that mean? What about the work they are doing now, the work that helps those retired railroad employees?
I urge any federal agency that has received these letters to ignore the demands. Please support your federal employees, keep them on the job. They have been working hard for all of us, and their work should not be disrupted, discarded and ignored.
Carmel Callobre, Skokie
Black women are also pro-life
Natalie Y. Moore claims in her recent column that “Black women have been pivotal to movement for reproductive rights.” Whether Ms. Moore intends it or not, she seems to imply that Black women are not supporters of the pro-life, anti-abortion movement. This is untrue.
For example, Dr. Alveda King, niece of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is an outstanding pro-life activist. She recently declared “when you hear me say, life from the womb to the tomb and beyond, it needs to be an excellent quality of life for every human being that God creates.” Black motherhood expresses a sacred story of hope and resilience which must not be untold.
Jesse Prince, retired circuit court judge, Orland Park
Amtrak is no longer a go-to for transportation
With the arrival of extremely cold weather in the Midwest recently, it was amazing how many trains Amtrak canceled. What is more amazing is that Amtrak was using buses for substitute service.
As a former resident in the region in the ’70s and ’80s, and employed in the passenger rail industry at the time, Amtrak did not precancel reams of trains for bad weather. Amtrak can no longer be considered a go-to form of transportation. Wasn’t canceling transportation services geared more to the airlines? I suspect that Amtrak is not confident in its new equipment with all the previous issues and cancellations and breakdowns. Taxpayers have spent billions of dollars and should expect better performance. I do support the cancellations of the Empire Builder, a train that could have faced minus 40 degree temperatures across North Dakota.
With all the money spent on Amtrak equipment, one has to wonder why they are relying on buses?
Robert Ash, Nokomis, Florida