Since 1973 psychiatrists have followed the “Goldwater Rule” which basically says they shouldn’t diagnose someone without examining them. But current events and tweets have convinced Dr. Brandy Lee and others of a “duty to warn.” The book pictured above warns us of a mentally ill President. The facts are there for all to see – but our values and beliefs will color how we view them. Do you agree they had a “duty to warn?”

Seattle author and writer Tim Egan has an op-ed piece in the New York Times called “The Trump Fog Machine.” Click on the link to read it if you haven’t. The fog of tweets, name calling and inane assertions have left most of us numb saying, “Did you hear the latest one?”

This fog machine makes us focus on the latest squabble while taking attention from the vastly more serious issues. What was the extent of the Russian attempts at fake news via Face Book and Twitter? How did the Russians manage to hack their way into our elections? Why haven’t we seen Trump’s tax returns? Why has Trump never criticized Putin? Can our revered institutions hold up to the current attacks? Can we become less divided and set better examples for our children?

Our President needs an enemy to belittle, criticize, lock-up or, yes, fire in order to feed his cravings. These behaviors need to stop but they don’t. The swamp has begun to feel like quicksand. Where will it end? Does Congress, the Supreme Court or the American public have the guts to respond? Our best hope seems to be special counsel Robert Mueller. The best news so far is that he has assembled a quality team and that there have been no leaks! I’m very hopeful that the fog machine will eventually lose out to the light of day – but our democracy and civility remain under attack.