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Dr. Phil Issues “Apology”
Prev.Ref: WHISKY TANGO FOXTROT - Dr. Phil: Vets with PTSD Are “Damaged Goods”, “Monsters"
April 26, 2012
By Marcus the Redshirt
Posted in Opinion
Cassy highlighted the gross disservice provided by The Dr. Phil Show to PTS sufferers last week. Ever since we have campaigned for the show to issue an apology. That “apology” came yesterday after thousands of people contacted Dr. Phil, the producers, and the sponsors.
We’ve received a lot of response about last week’s show, “Heroes in Pain,” which focused on the epidemic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that torments so many lives, including soldiers who’ve put their lives on the line serving our country. Some viewers expressed concern, and even disappointment, with the show’s original title, “Heroes to Monsters?” Our intent was to acknowledge the question so often cited in the media, not to make a statement, and to emphasize the severity of the pain and suffering our guests say they experience. In doing so, we unintentionally offended some of our viewers, and have therefore changed the title to more accurately reflect the show’s content.
They should have just said, “Hey guys, we’re just going to change the name, so could you kindly back off? Oh and we’re going to leave that damaged goods voice over bit in the preview.”
“Some” viewers? The response has been completely overwhelming on Cassy’s piece, on our Facebook page, and countless other places across the Internet. A vast majority of those expressing “concern” or “disappointment” responded with raw anger that is not fit for publication on a PG rated website. Those responses were justified.
Many of the responses I’ve seen accused Cassy of not watching the show. She did. I saw her outrage on Facebook while she was watching the show. Many have also said that it wasn’t “all that bad” and justified the actions of the The Dr. Phil Show because “he provided treatment.” So providing help or treatment now excuses the original bad behavior? I don’t think so. And what I’ve mentioned thus far doesn’t even begin to touch the actual issue many of us have with the show. The true disservice performed by The Dr. Phil Show was furthing the stereotype of veterans with PTSD are violent.
Cassy said it best.
Did Dr. Phil ever stop to point out that most veterans with PTSD don’t end up setting their wives on fire or stabbing people repeatedly in the face? Of course not. Indeed, recent research has found that the link between PTSD and violent behavior is actually weak.
How many veterans with PTS have never committed an act of violence. How many haven’t committed a crime? I can tell you that the number of veterans that have not outnumbers those that have by far. How many people saw this show and the numerous reports in the media of bad behavior by those with PTS? How many of those now assume everyone with PTS is dangerous? Far more than anyone knows or is willing to admit. The potential number scares me to even think about.
What Dr. Phil should have written, in my opinion, is this. “We are deeply saddened that we handled this topic so poorly. We regret not inviting additional veterans with PTS that have learned to live with their illness as part of our support and treatment plans for Matt and Mark. We are currently planning a follow up show that will feature veterans that defy the myth and stereotype furthered by our show and many in the media. An overwhelming majority of veterans diagnosed with PTS are not violent, monsters, or damaged goods.”
They should have left off the slimely marketing of The PTSD Breakthrough at the end of the “apology” as well. In case you’re unaware, Dr. Frank Lawlis is the author of The PTSD Breakthrough and is also the chairman of the Dr. Phil Advisory Board. By the way, the show is listed with it’s original title on Dr. Phil’s bio page of Dr. Lawlis.
Continue your efforts for a genuine apology from The Dr. Phil Show. Send them the apology I wrote above and let them know that is what they should have said. Here are the contacts once again….
MORE: WHISKY TANGO sources
Military Life: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/military-life/
Military News: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2012/04/20/dr-phil-vets-with-ptsd-are-
damaged-goods-monsters/
BlackNET Intelligence Channel: http://blacknetintel.blogspot.com/2012/04/whisky-tango-foxtrot-dr-phil-vets-with.html
'Dr.' Putz 'Apology' : http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2012/04/26/dr-phil-issues-apology/
http://drphil.com/plugger/respond/?plugID=9164
Military Life: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/military-life/
Military News: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2012/04/20/dr-phil-vets-with-ptsd-are-
damaged-goods-monsters/
BlackNET Intelligence Channel: http://blacknetintel.blogspot.com/2012/04/whisky-tango-foxtrot-dr-phil-vets-with.html
'Dr.' Putz 'Apology' : http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2012/04/26/dr-phil-issues-apology/
http://drphil.com/plugger/respond/?plugID=9164
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