Monday, September 18, 2000
Opinions strong on Dr. Laura
Nobody is lukewarm about Laura Schlessinger. Last week's column drew nearly 80 calls and e-mails from readers. Half agreed with my lament over Dr. Laura's listeners, whom I called “brainless sheep” with a creepy reverence for the shrewish talk-show host.
The other half think I'm the shrewish one. Stay-at-home moms were especially irate over my suggestion that they worship Dr. Laura.
“I find it extremely demeaning the way you refer to stay-at-home moms. Not every stay-at-home mom is pinned to their television or radio, listening to (Dr. Laura). We're out taking care of our children, taking them to school, taking them to soccer, doing all the kinds of things we do every day.” — Melissa Bay, Cincinnati
“Dr. Laura reassures stay-at-home moms that they have made the right choice to put raising their children before a career. She is also trying to convince fathers to do the same. For now, she is the only one with a public forum to do so, and often insecure stay-at-home moms cling to her words for validation. As a 20-year (stay-at-home mom), it's a nice feeling to know somebody thinks you made a good choice.” — Cindy DeHoff, Sharonville
“On Dr. Laura's comments about gays, I was glad to see you point out that she admits to the biological basis for homosexuality. One has to ask why she doesn't take the next logical step — that is, that biology eliminates choice.” — Anne Deidesheimer, Wilder
“Dr. Laura interrupts, calls names and is one of the rudest people in the media — and gets respect from people. It is truly nauseating. — Judy Gaskill, Union
“I am appalled by your vitriolic attack on her and those who listen to her. As a columnist, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but to present it in such a manner is uncalled for and childish.” — Barbara Hurley, Cincinnati
“You cite two callers whose problems you deem unworthy of discussion as proof that stay-at-home moms are a bunch of dribbling buffoons. You may have more glamorous problems in your day-to-day life, but the rest of us are just trying to get through the day and do the right thing while respecting others. Hardly pathetic — I'd call that decent.” — Anne-Marie Farley, Anderson Township
“I have six daughters, four of whom are working mothers. I always hope they are not listening to this nasty woman talk on and on about stay-at-home moms. I can't imagine how she has her radio and television shows, and manages to stay at home with her wonderful son.” — Alice Roesener, Clifton
“Some people need a kick in the seat. If they need to talk to someone, I'd just as soon they talked to Dr. Laura, who will often set them on a straighter moral path than one of my former colleagues, who will ooze empathy over them and not encourage them to grow.” — Lori Krull, former research and counseling psychologist, Erlanger
“The most amazing thing is the callers who have listened to her show and do not already know what she will say about their moral dilemmas. From what I hear, Dr. Laura is so consistent in her ethical advice that regular listeners shouldn't ever have to call in and ask.” — Wally Wood, Mount Lookout
Karen Samples is Kentucky columnist for the Enquirer. She can be reached at (859) 578-5584 or ksamples@enquirer.com
