My 2 Cents: “What Kind of F**kery is This?” (an Excerpt on Tolerance)

 Lots of comments on the original “What Kind of F**kery is This?” blog. I absolutely applaud the ability of an individual to express their views in accordance with the 1^stAmendment!  Whether you like it or not, agree with that or not, Dr. & Army Veteran Newman has every right to her views and to express them in a free society. In many ways, I agree with what was written. Regardless of one’s views, I think we can all agree, healthcare is like an out of control juggernaut. What ought not to be tolerated is the arrogance with which some try to sway an argument with militant discord, insults, rhetoric, propaganda, flawed research, and downright attacks. Moreover, what should be tolerated even less is the purported ‘evidence’ that lacks academic rigor, riddled with bias, flawed methodology, manipulated data, and misinterpreted results that is often used to condemn physicians or convey superiority of other disciplines who aren’t even trained in medicine to practice medicine. What should be sought is truth and fact. Fact is:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

            This is what gives Dr. & Army Veteran Newman the right to write her opinions. Tolerate it or don’t read it. Change the channel if you don’t like it. Better yet, respond rationally without dysphoric emotion. Speaking of tolerance, when did become okay to simply attack, threaten, cause harm, doxing, etc when you share a different point of view?   I mean really, are we in 3^rd grade or educated professionals? Tolerance is something I have written about before. Not for any blog or anything, but just for recreational writing when it was apparent that there is this new societal norm emerging to attack someone who doesn’t share your point of view. It’s sickening. 

In light of all these crazy comments I see from time to time, I for one am proud of being both a Army Veteran and Physician just like Dr. & Army Veteran Newman. I’m even more proud of the path that took me here. I’m a former Psychiatric NP, so I have the perspective of having been a mid-level provider and now an MD.  They are not equal – period! It sickens me that the so-called tolerant members of my former profession and other mid-levels are so intolerant of individuals having an educated opinion and different points of view. Tolerance was summed up very nicely by Dr. Ben Carson, a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon: 

“The way in which we treat others is critical, and we should not make the mistake of thinking that those who believe and behave differently than us are not good people,” and “tolerance should be extended in both directions, it’s not just a one-way street.”

Tolerance is not and therefore should not be extended only to people with the same point of view as your own, as this is inherently intolerant. Tolerance says we have a right to live in harmony in our communities despite our points of view. To even get along and be friends. 

When I was serving in Iraq, I saw blood. No, not from direct Army, but from the sequela of war as a healthcare provider. It didn’t matter what the color, or ethnicity, or political point of view, or point of view on heath care of my fellow soldier, enemy or friendly, we all bled red blood. If I believe that mid-level providers are best served on physician lead health care teams, I have every right to hold my point of view without fear of condemnation or my personal safety. I am an American Citizen, and I fought for this right. So did Dr. & Army Veteran Newman.  Instead of begrudging and demonizing her, me, or any other with a different point of view, instead, ask what they believe and why they believe what they believe without the expectation that they have to change their point of view to your point of view. That’s tolerance my friends. 

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