Monthly Archives: September 2011

Doing Good and Being Good: A Thought from Samuel Adams

Posted on September 30, 2011 by ajb

“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then … Continue reading →

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Morgan Freeman on the Tea Party, Anti-Obama Sentiments, and Racism: How Regrettable

Posted on September 26, 2011 by ajb

In a televised interview with Piers Morgan on CNN, Morgan Freeman characterizes Tea Party members as opposing President Obama because of his skin color. According to Mr. Freeman, they’re “going to do whatever [they] can to get this black man … Continue reading →

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September is National Recovery Month: Alice Miller & John Bradshaw

Posted on September 24, 2011 by ajb

A colleague reminded me today that September is National Recovery Month. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the good work that is being done in Alcoholics Anonymous and Adult Children of Alcoholics groups in many communities throughout … Continue reading →

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Does Welfare Hurt Black People?: A Quotation from Thomas Sowell

Posted on September 21, 2011 by ajb

“The assumption that spending more of the taxpayer’s money will make things better has survived all kinds of evidence that it has made things worse. The black family — which survived slavery, discrimination, poverty, wars and depressions, began to come … Continue reading →

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Hammocks2Catapults: What We Do

Posted on September 19, 2011 by ajb

Public policy, poverty, and mental health are intertwined, and politicians and members of a huge helping industry oftentimes assist those deemed to be in need of help in ways that make things worse. Sometimes this is done with the best … Continue reading →

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Hammocks2Catapults: Notifications of New Postings, etc.

Posted on September 16, 2011 by ajb

If the content of this blog interests you, you can receive notification of any new postings in either of two ways: (1) Go to the “Hammocks2Catapults” Facebook Page and click <like> or (2) go to my “drbillups” Twitter Page and … Continue reading →

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Escape from Poverty: An Achievable Dream

Posted on September 15, 2011 by ajb

One of my favorite examples of “Second Order Change” (i.e., of the “teach a man to fish” variety as opposed to “give a man a fish”) is An Achievable Dream in Newport News, Virginia – currently approaching its 20th year … Continue reading →

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Plato, David Mamet, and Leaving the Cave

Posted on September 13, 2011 by ajb

I am indebted to Dr. Howard Ozmon, of Virginia Commonwealth University, who suggested to my classmates and me that the most important two pages from the most important philosophy book from the most important philosopher is The Allegory of the … Continue reading →

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Public Policy, Mental Health, Poverty, and Behavioral Economics

Posted on September 10, 2011 by ajb

“Years ago, during an earlier stage of my career as a clinical psychologist, I was working as a therapist with a young family, whose adolescent son told me he wanted a computer. Over the next several weeks, we developed a … Continue reading →

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