In 2 intriguing developments…<\/p>\n
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John Rosemond has written a nationally syndicated parental advice column for years.\u00a0 In addition to his column, Rosemond has authored multiple bestsellers, such as Parenting by the Book<\/i> and Making the \u2018Terrible\u2019 Twos Terrific!<\/i>\u00a0 When responding recently to a question of how to handle their \u201chighly spoiled underachiever\u201d son, Rosemond advised the parents to strip the boy\u2019s room down to essentials, take away electronic devices, and suspend privileges until the boy\u2019s grades improved.<\/p>\n
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The State of Kentucky \u2014 specifically, the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology \u2013 then declared that by offering such one-on-one advice, Rosemond is engaging in the \u201cpractice of psychology\u201d \u2013 something he is not entitled to do in the state since he lacks a Kentucky license, as even though he is a nationally syndicated columnist, his North Carolina credentials are not valid in Kentucky.<\/p>\n
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The bottom line:\u00a0 the government says a citizen is not qualified nor allowed to do what he does without the government\u2019s supervision, authorization, and approval.<\/p>\n
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Steve Cooksey, no less, is a blogger from North Carolina.\u00a0 He encourages others, prompted by the passion of his own experience.\u00a0 Listen to Cooksey\u2019s brief bio:<\/p>\n
\u201cTo summarize my story, I was an obese, sedentary, recently diagnosed diabetic\u00a0<\/i>when I began this journey.\u00a0 I was on diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension\u00a0<\/i>drugs as well as taking 4 insulin shots per day.\u00a0 But within days things began to change and within a few months,\u00a0I WAS A NEW PERSON!\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
Cooksey\u2019s health improved drastically due to utilization of the growingly popular, high-protein Paleo Diet.<\/p>\n
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Yet alas, the State of North Carolina \u2014 specifically, the North Carolina Board of Dietetics\/Nutrition \u2014 told Cooksey the advice-like language throughout his blog \u2014 and his offering of personal support to those attempting to transition to a \u201cPaleo\u201d lifestyle \u2014 were illegal.\u00a0 Let me say that again:\u00a0 illegal.<\/i><\/p>\n
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The bottom line:\u00a0 the government says a citizen is not qualified nor allowed to do what he does without the government\u2019s supervision, authorization, and approval.<\/p>\n
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Interestingly, both Rosemond and Cooksey have sued the government on the grounds of free speech and the First Amendment. \u00a0Let me also add that I’m certain there exist aspects in each case that we don’t know. \u00a0My prayer regardless is that their ongoing cases will be heard and directed by wise, fair-minded persons.<\/p>\n
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However, what concerns me is the potential precedent and lingering questions…<\/p>\n
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Is only government able to decide who is qualified?<\/p>\n
Is only government able to decide who is allowed?<\/p>\n
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I wonder… in the future… if not in possession of a state teaching license, will parents be deemed qualified to teach their own children?<\/i>\u00a0 Will they be allowed?<\/i><\/p>\n
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I have no idea whether the words and wisdom of Rosemond and\/or Cooksey are actually wise or not; the potential precedent, however, of the government\u2019s increasingly intrusive, larger role disturbs me.<\/p>\n
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What if the citizens\u2019 words are not wise?\u00a0 Does the government still need to control that?\u00a0 Are only wise words allowed to be shared?\u00a0 And is only the government capable of determining what wisdom is?\u00a0 Must they supervise? … authorize?\u00a0 … and approve? …<\/p>\n
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… Be honest.\u00a0 Be kind.\u00a0 Love people well.\u00a0 Never run from truth.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be afraid of the hard stuff.\u00a0 Be respectful.\u00a0 Be compassionate.\u00a0 Say what you mean and mean what you say.\u00a0 Forgive.\u00a0 Forgive again.\u00a0 Figure the faith thing out.\u00a0 Don\u2019t spend what you don\u2019t have.\u00a0 Exercise.\u00a0 Ponder.\u00a0 Reject hypocrisy.\u00a0 Be humble.\u00a0 Laugh often.\u00a0 Make good friends.\u00a0 Be loyal.\u00a0 Invest.\u00a0 Embrace your family.\u00a0 Love through thick and thin.\u00a0 Enjoy ice cream in the summer.\u00a0 And read the Intramuralist faithfully.<\/i><\/p>\n
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There.\u00a0 There\u2019s my advice for today.\u00a0 It\u2019s free.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have to discern whether or not it\u2019s wise.\u00a0 Actually, that\u2019s our job.<\/p>\n
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Respectfully,<\/p>\n
AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 2 intriguing developments… John Rosemond has written a nationally syndicated parental advice column for years.\u00a0 In addition to his column, Rosemond has authored multiple bestsellers, such as Parenting by the Book and Making the \u2018Terrible\u2019 Twos Terrific!\u00a0 When responding recently to a question of how to handle their \u201chighly spoiled underachiever\u201d son, Rosemond … <\/p>\n