Things Online

For my first “Monday Rant” I want to talk about somebody that bugs me a lot - Dr. Laura. If you haven’t had the joy of listening to Dr. Laura, you can look her up. She has a three hour talk show each weekday where she gives “advice” to callers.

For one thing, this woman presents herself as a therapist, and implies that she has a mental health degree. She misrepresents herself, and I don’t think that’s fair to her listeners or callers. She has a degree in physiology, and I’m sure she would be competent working with something physiology related, but even the license she had as a marital and family counselor has expired.

I find her hate-filled values hypocritical. She basically insults her listeners and callers about their own moral failures, seemingly forgetting some of hers. Years back, it was revealed that there were nude pictures of Dr. Laura circulating. These were taken when she was married, having an affair with a married man.

Yes, I listen to her show for the entertainment value, but it scares me that some people take everything she says and make it the gospel. Not only does she berate the people who claim to love her and her advice, but she’s very rude to them. She assumes what the question of her caller is going to be before they even ask it, but gets furious when they interrupt to correct her on the details.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that this lady endorses tons of products. If you spend twenty minutes listening to her show, you will be able to hear at least one block of commercials, of which she is always the endorser. I wonder if she even knows what she’s endorsing half the time.

Another problem I have with Dr. Laura is that she always talks about how parents need to be so involved with kids for 18 years - then kick them out. Yes, apparently the day your child turns 18 they should be able to pay rent, pay bills, and be able to go to school all at the same time! You don’t need to help them out at all.

Here are some links and resources related to Dr. Laura, either her own sites or ones that are against her. Thanks!

http://www.drlaurablog.co

http://www.sonomacountyfreepress.com/liver/dr-laura.htm

http://www.psychpage.com/family/library/lettertodrlaura.htm

http://www.drlaura.com/main/action_figure.html

http://www.tmz.com/2007/05/31/did-dr-lauras-son-have-a-deathwish/

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_5934072

http://www0.epinions.com/book-review-6B6D-7CB09E3-3918C298-prod3

http://www.stopdrlaura.com/

http://www.drlaura.com/main/

http://www.psychpage.com/family/library/drlaura.htm

http://jezebel.com/343305/dr-laura-blames-whiny-women-defends-her-soldier-son