Study This with Dr. Brian

In Kansas news (some people think nothing happens here in “flyover country”), I’m pleased to report the conviction of a man who was accused of becoming enraged in late 2007 upon learning that his ex-girlfriend was with another man, going to her apartment, breaking in, chasing the other man away, strangling the girl unconscious, mutilating her genital region, and dragging her bleeding body into a car before being stopped by police. The defendant actually argued that he had gone to the apartment out of concern that the girl was unsafe with the other man and that she injured herself by falling on a bedpost. The evidence was overwhelming though, and the defendant — make that convict — is headed to prison for at least four-and-a-half years (hopefully longer)!

In other Kansas news, I’m saddened to report that a psychiatrist who used to work for the Veterans Administration health system in which I completed my clinical internship has been indicted on federal charges of writing bogus prescriptions in order to obtain controlled substances for apparent recreational use. It’s the kind of thing I’ve written about in my “Hollywood Health Care” posts involving celebrities, but there are no celebrities involved in this case, just Kansans who counted on the guy to help them. I met him just a couple of times because he only came to my hospital for training, and I’ve reviewed his reports a couple of times since then as an expert witness. Doesn’t look like I’ll be seeing him or his work again anytime soon.

Finally tonight, I had a chance to talk with U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt of Kansas this afternoon about health care and other issues, and it sounded like he understood some of the major flaws in the proposed health care reform bill. Now, if only I could get the rest of Congress to get it!

Dr. Brian Russell is a licensed psychologist, attorney at law and familiar national television pundit on psychological, legal and cultural issues.