In January, my friend Sheila and I went to Mexico for our mutual friend Olga’s wedding. We knew a little Spanish, but not much. An hour after our plane landed, we got into a car with two men, strangers we had never met, and began a one-hour journey to our Read more…
If we’re to believe Stephanie Lizon, being a farmer is a dangerous way to make a living. Lizon is at the center of what appears to be one of the worst cases of domestic violence in recent history. The petite brunette looked tired and worn down Friday morning, as she Read more…
When Jerry Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing last Tuesday, I could only think of one good reason: plea deal. Which is one of the worst things that can happen to a case like this. It’s also one of the best. Before I tell you what that is, Read more…
If you happen to be in Bellefonte, Pa., today to show support for the Penn State victims–or for Gerald Sandusky’s preliminary hearing–and you see a blonde woman carting a satchel of books, it’s me. I’m not lukewarm, but am either hot or cold: sometimes I take days or weeks to Read more…
Regardless of the gender used, this applies to both sexes If you’ve had an alcoholic parent, or if you’ve been sexually victimized, you are more vulnerable to feelings of shame and self-doubt, along with the belief that all problems are your fault. These factors can also create a drive to Read more…
If nothing else, I’m thrilled that the Penn State scandal has allowed other victims of child sexual abuse to break their silence. According to NPR, attorneys around the country are fielding phone calls from victims eager to report their abuse. It’s about time. Because breaking their own silence is the Read more…
Monday, June 20 Dear Ms. McIntyre; I deeply appreciate that this is a time of grief and shock for Dr. Payne’s family. However, my sole desire in writing about Rita’s death was to create dialogue and help open minds about the various causes of suicide. Dr. Payne was a public Read more…
Initial news reports indicate Dr. Rita Payne’s death in Austin, Texas, last Friday was a suicide. Every single person I’ve talked to is shocked and wants to believe this couldn’t possibly be the case. That it must have been an accident. That something else happened. That the police will surely Read more…
The thing about working for the media is, you sometimes take all the “glitz” that goes with it for granted: tight security, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, or gaining access when other people can’t. But when you change places, you tend to notice these things. Or at least I did, when Read more…
Two more children dead, another mother on her way to jail. Maybe. Maybe not. But in all likelihood, 29-year-old Shaquan Duley will spend time behind bars. In 1985, if I had followed through with my own plan to drive my car over a hillside, or connect a hose from the Read more…