Dr. Phil v. Reality

These are comments about today's Dr. Phil show on racism and birth control.

1. Dr. Phil played a portion of the infamous tape released to the media. I have only heard the parts on today's show; I have not listened to the full tape.

The saddest part about the tape was the recognition that Dog knew what he was saying was wrong and that his biggest concern was that the tape would be released to the tabloids. His remarks were clearly wrong, but it upsets me more that he knew what he was saying. If you know what you're saying is wrong, if your defense is that it might ruin your career, then the question becomes - why say it at all?

2. Birth control being offered to middle schoolers in Maine. Reality clearly is not taking hold here. We all say that sex education begins at home. Seriously, how many of us got real sex ed from our parents? I think the problem is that families forget that each member is an individual and not a reflection of our own selves. I still don't like to think that parents had sex, and I know they don't want to think that I have. I think the issue is getting over the "icky factor" and realizing that there is very little about another person, despite close relations, that we can control.

Dr. Phil - Can we have a real talk about this?