Dr. Gatell's Two-Cents On Other Issues !

Dr. Gatell's Two-Cents On Other Issues !

The follow materials are just some personal opinions ("my two cents"), I have about the changes in our Society, Culture and Country as a whole. So please do not be insulted if you do not agree with my views and e-mail me with your comments or questions at issues@drgatell.com . I am always eager to learn of others points of view on issues that affect all of us, our families and friends.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gatell

1. On Social and Family Violence toon3.gif (19003 bytes)

Social and Family Violence is very bad news. We hear about it everyday - thanks to our Media. However, not much is done about it.

There is too much adults murdering adults; adults murdering children; children murdering adults; and more recent a new trend of children murdering children while at school !

This general violence cuts across all social-economic, cultural and racial types.

Just today (9/2/99), I heard the radio announcements that a man was cut off on the highway while driving by an elderly women. The man apparently punched-out this old women and he was an Anesthesiologist - a physician ! The violence is everywhere ! Why ?

I think it is a multi-factorial problem. However, the bottom line is that as our Country as a whole has moved away from God, so we have lost our Morals and adherence to basics such as "The Ten Commandments" set down by God. These set of internalized morals (parental guidance, superego, etc) have been lost today by many of us. I think we have been desensitized to violence by the constant teaching of violence by our own society with lack of reverence for God and the consequences e.g. burning in hell for eternity !

Again, like violence, general lack of Morals and adherence to The Ten Commandments ! I just heard today (9/2/99), that a Catholic Priest that was treated at a Family Practice facility that was not charged his insurance co-payment charges, decided to keep the all the money paid by the insurance company that was sent to him to pay the Medical Clinic that was treated him. Immorality is everywhere too !

Nevertheless, families or individuals who mistreat themselves should seek help through their local Church or Temple, or some other counsel (e.g. a close friend, a Psychologist, Social Worker or Psychiatrist), as soon as possible.

Teaching Morals and Religious Spirit is key to healthy living for all, as well as a good Educational System, that allows God in the School again ! Respect for God and Life are so fundamental, yet missing from are new American system. It should not be compromised by a few lost souls - look what it has brought to our society over the last 40 years.

2. On Being Over-Sexed and On Abuses For Profit

I think we are animals of habit and emulation. Just watch how children, teenagers and young adults learn.

Also, as members of the animal kingdom, we have urges to reproduce beginning around puberty. These urges must be very strong as we are a species that most populates this earth - other than the very lower forms of life (insects, parasites, bacteria, viruses, algae, etc.).

As a group of individuals that must live together in harmony, there are basic Laws (see above) that we must follow. And, we first learn from our parents how to be moral and good. Furthermore, our Countries, States and Cities lay down local laws that protect each one of us.

Unfortunately, in our Country, over-protection by our Laws, has allowed the Media (Newspapers, Television, Radio, Cinema, etc.) to constantly bombard us with anti-social materials pertaining sex, violence and drug abuse. Since we are animals of habit and emulation, then guess what ?

There is a time and place for everything - and it should not be abused in public for our young growing-maturing minds to see. What we have now is not protection of "free speech" or "free press", but total anarchy and exploitation, magnified by what seems to be an immoral, out-of-control, Media.

I laugh at the questions that reporter's sometimes ask family members that have just heard their child had died: "So how do you feel about this ?" Gee, maybe we can get us better ratings - if we exploit this bereaved family member !

Even movies made by companies that made children's stories are now producing cinema with subtle sexual and/or vulgar materials just to make a profit. I think there should only be family movies allowed in public. Sexual and violent materials should not be continuously taught to us consciously or unconsciously to control us - for a profit. This is basically destroying the very foundations of our Society, Culture and Country !

I really wish Walt senior were still alive and many giants of Media like him (e.g. Ed Sullivan) ! I think we need to go back to this wholesome family era in our daily Media.

Another recent publicity was a quote made by a rich man of Media who said that "...all Catholics were losers." I guess he is right because he has money and great power.

Another, was the big publicity, with details, surrounding the President's major personal sins - I think many American children (included my own) had a very early Presidential Sex Education (PSE) - whether they were ready for it or not. Again, PSE and the like, are just the signs of our out-of-control and "free" anti-social, anti-God times.

I agree with many that anyone in the "public eye" or serving the public should be particular careful to be Moral and follow the Golden Rules ! This is true of Presidents, other politicians, the clergy, law enforces, doctors, lawyers, nurses, athletes, actors, etc. They owe it to the public to be as close to the ideal descent person as possible. Otherwise, they should be cast out of the public eye with no excuses. Things like murder, violence, and sexual misconduct should be condemned without excuses of popularity or fear of racial tensions - what is wrong should be clearly spelled out to the public to teach us all how to remain Moral Americans.

We have allowed so many public officials a second chance and sacrifice our Morals as a Society ! And you wonder why chidden are killing other children in schools ? What do you think children see in this Society ? Out of control sex, drugs and rock-and-roll ? Think about it.

Finally, I personally do not bother seeing anything beyond PG with or without my children. Even with the PG materials, they slip something in that is marginal at best.

Some religions go to the extreme and avoid all such influences. But, I think just avoiding most of the Media-trash will allow these filthy dogs of Media, and others who habitually emulate what they see, to finally come home again. That is, that I am hopeful that someday Media may become very responsible for the power they have on all of us - particularly the growing and very impressionable minds (children, teenagers and young adults).

The Media does relies on commercial sales of products. So to help change our current state of affairs, we could avoid purchasing the products of their sponsors.

Unfortunately, in business it is "money talks", not obvious social responsibility. I am embarrassed on what our once great Country has become - just a Lawless and Immoral land.

3. On Substance Abuse - What's the Problem Anyway ?

Gee, all you saw growing up was how to be more adult-like by drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Do you wonder why so many kids are still abusing these substances ?

It's good for you ! So, if a little is good, why not some more, and more, and more, etc. Then, I can really be a "grown-up."

Are we really animals of habit and emulation ? Millions of dollars in advertisements for alcohol and tobacco must be there for a reason. Or not ?

Gee. let me think about this one. I wonder how much of our tax dollars are going towards rectifying the end-results of these problems including early disabilities, auto-accidents, family violence and crime ? I wonder how we might prevent these problems from further killing our citizens by the thousands ? Gee, I wonder. Less promotions for the drug abuse life on billboards, radio, cinema, etc. ?

4. On Mass Media Induced Subconscious Suggestions and On My Sarcastic Remarks (my watered-down anger and sadness)

Is there such a thing as "responsible reporting" ? I keep hearing and seeing major exploitations of human tragedies - the more gory the details the better ! Do you wonder why we are seeing the killings in high schools among students ? Is there responsible reporting and Media in general ? Are we animals of habits and emulation, possibly influenced by the Media ? Gee, let me think about this one.

Wait, let's invent something that we can sell to children and teenagers with gory violence. You say someone has invented this already ? Video games with simulations of human carnage ? Too bad.

Wait. We also need some sexually violent songs to sing along to as well. What ? Buy some of the latest Rap or Hard-Rock music ? Gee, I'm there !

Gee, I am sure glad that adults are allowing this stuff on the market for us to hear and worship. The neo-Nazi stuff is great too ! How wonderful it is to have such a "free" Country ! I don't even have to worry about walking around in any park late at night in any city, because people are generally good and so nice these days. Just look at the things they like to buy, see and hear.

Just look at all the great messages we get everyday on how to make bombs; how to murder policemen and students; how to steal from old people - and even get away with it. Who needs old people anyway ?

No, we are not anti-social Society ? The Media has all this neat stuff for us to see and learn about. So how can it be anti-social ? It must be OK ?

Should we suppress the Media ? No. I think though, that responsible citizen-committees should have some say as to standards that should be broadcast in public for the sake of our Society.

We, as Citizens, need to define what is, and what is not "responsible" Media - not those that profit from it. This is because we do not have any secondary motives other then helping our Society to heal again, as it is very sick nowadays.

5. On Love of Life and Work: My Philosophies

God has been very good to me as that I was born to a wonderful and loving family. They taught me well - to be kind, moral and religious. They also supported my dreams in wanting to become a physician.

On my way in becoming a physician, God finally sent me that "Italian wife" that I longed for since age 10, because as I told my parents one day, "I love to eat spaghetti."

God also sent us two wonderful and healthy children. They have their moments - but who doesn't ?

God has also shown me the way in helping people with severe intractable pain. These patients come to me in desperate hopes to relief their pains. Not only do I relieve their physical pains, but I believe God has given me the insight to help patients with their emotional and spiritual pains as well. Through my own experiences, God has shown me how to change the lives of my patients, in order to give the quality of life that they deserve.

6. On Prejudism

I am convinced that everyone carries some form of prejudice in themselves. I think prejudice comes from our need to generalize. Like I may be prejudice against the Media, because of their irresponsible influence on the public. However, I know that there is now some growing awareness that Family values and Moral issues have to be the main topics of discussion - not the slime that is always being displayed now. So, now I am more hopeful and less prejudice.

I think that racial prejudice has led to feelings of deep insecurities in many of us and thus leads to a growing inter-racial marriages as a way to "improve the race" or "join the club." So, in the end, we will find other things to be prejudice about, once we all look like each other.

I think prejudice is just another natural defense mechanism that eventually burns itself out over time. And, usually the only thing that keeps it going is economic fears or fear in loss of power among two separate people.

7. On God and Religion

Everyone should tap into this great aspect of life - God and Religion. It allows you to be free from constant worry and anxiety of everyday life. You learn to believe and visualize the more important things in life. You also become part of a greater Community that shares you basic beliefs. You learn and pass down the basic teaching of God to your children. And, it is only through God, Religion and close Family Relationships, that our Society is able to function smoothly.

As we further degrade these Institutions with our "Freedom of Speech" and allow removal of God and prayer from schools, we will go further into Anarchy.

I am hopeful that our Government will begin believing again "In God We Trust," and support local Communities in bringing God and Religion back into theirs lives. Otherwise, I believe we will continue to see more crime and deterioration of our society.

8. On The American Dream -

The "American Dream" is within everyone's reach. I think the first step is for you to learn to relax and begin thinking positively on your goals. We all have it within us to find creative ways to enhance our health, our incomes and to live well.

Once you have a clear goal(s) in mind, then you must take time everyday to relax and listen to the answers that come to you. It comes to you through prayer and through positive imaging-thinking as to where you want to be.

As Tony Robbins teaches, the next thing to do is to "take action" as soon as possible. Then, observe your results and make any improvements to reset your goals and/or actions.

9. On Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)

This is an ingenius way to understand and help change the way we think. With a combination of techniques using our senses of sight (visual), hearing (auditory) and feelings (kinesthetics), we can change how we perceive and react to our environment by working on our subconscious level. Please visit Dr. Carmine Baffa's website at http://www.carmine.net to find out more about this interesting area of psychology or parapsychology. I think you will find his work very insightful.

10. On Obtaining Success and Happiness

If you do the suggestions I have noted above in items 8 and 9, you are already on your way ! You will find your Success and Happiness ! Many times we unknowingly carry much negative baggage (from our past, present or our perceived future) in our consciousness and unconsciousness that impede what we really want.

Dr. Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis, once said that the highest level of mature functioning was to achieve an ability to work and love. So, let this be the basic goals for all of us - the ability to work and to love. Even the physically or emotionally disabled can find some form of work and love that they can achieve on a daily basis !

I try to have all my patients strive for these basic goals of work and love. My job is to find pain relief so that they can return to their abilities to love and work again. So far, I have been very successful in doing so. And, I thank God for this everyday !

Sincerely,

John A. Gatell. MD