We Just Don't Get It!
Helping Americans Understand Why We Don't Understand
Going to War with Iraq

We don't get it!  Sure, there are some people who are decidedly FOR or AGAINST war with Iraq, but most of us just aren't sure where we stand.  Yes -- we agree Saddam Hussein is evil.  Yes -- we know the world would be a better place with out him.....

• Why Saddam and not Osama bin Laden?
• Why did we ignore Saddam so long only to resurrect our focus in 2003?
• Why is the US ignoring North Korea?
• Are we going to war to protest our access to oil?
• What about the American economy?
• Is George Bush just trying to ensure reelection?

Our guest today is SaraKay Smullens, a family therapist and author who has been studying emotional abuse and its results for more than 20 years.  She says we don't get it because George Bush doesn't know how to talk to us.  She says he may have been emotionally abused as a child and as a result, he has developed a dictatorial personality.  His communication style is "believe it or else!"

(move to question 1)

1.  What do you mean George Bush was abused as a child?

2.  Describe a dictatorial personality.

3.  How does George Bush as dictator mean we are confused about whether we should go to war with Iraq?

4.  Do you think we should go to war with Iraq?

5.  So how can we get the President to answer our questions?

6.  Is this information in your book?

Ms. Smullens' book is called Setting YourSelf Free:  Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Abuse.  You can buy it online, or you can learn more at her website:

www.sarakaysmullens.com

There may be perfectly valid reasons for going to war, but they aren't being communicated to us in any form we are willing to accept.  We are asking specific questions (see above) but they aren't being answered.  They are being ignored.

Such a communication style is indicative of a dictator.  In this case, the dictator we refer to isn't Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein -- it's George Bush himself.  This "my way or the highway" communication style is indicative of someone who has learned in childhood to beat his chest -- he may have been emotionally abused as a child, and this is the only way he knows to communicate.  Constituents or allies -- we are talked TO and TOLD.  But George Bush isn't listening to our questions.

George Bush emotionally abused?  Yes.

In her new book, Setting YourSelf Free:  Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Abuse, one result of emotional abuse is the development of a dictatorial personality.  Effective, true leadership is born of consensus building and helping partners, followers and supporters understand. Demanding we think one way, when we don't understand, will never be effective.

In World War II, America was attacked.  There was little question we needed to retaliate.  On 9/11, Osama bin Laden and al Quaida attacked us.  Few protested as American troops were deployed to Afghanistan.  The reasons for going to war in Iraq in 2003 are unclear.  And George Bush has done little to help clarify.  "Believe it or else" just won't work.

Ms. Smullens will provide your readers or listeners with an understanding of why THEY can't understand. It is usually a relief -- realizing we can't make up our minds because we feel ignored takes the onus off of us and puts it squarely in the hands of the leadership we elected.  America is a great country because we are not blind followers.

Until George Bush and his team figure out how to provide real answers -- address our real concerns -- they will continue to find us questioning and protesting.

Link here for contact information to book an interview with SaraKay Smullens.