The right wing, for whom Fox News provides a mouthpiece, doesn't believe in "big government" regulations except for lady parts which they are deep into. And that's why Brain Brian Kilmeade just couldn't wrap his brain (such as it is) around the fact that the state of Kentucky wants to block parental advice columnist and psychologist John Rosemond from publishing his nationally syndicated column in their state. The state has ordered a "cease and desist" order on his advice column, in which he describes himself as a psychologist, because he doesn't have a clinician's license and, as such, they assert that he is practicing psychology without a license. Now that he is suing the state, Fox Friends has his back. On this morning's Fox Friends, Brian Kilmeade expressed outrage that states have the audacity to require licensing of mental health professionals because anybody should be able to give advice.
It isn't surprising that Rosemond would be embraced by Fox given that he supports spanking and other "Bible based" methods of dealing with children. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Parents Rights, a right wingnut group that supports a parental rights amendment to the Constitution because the UN is taking away the rights of American parents. True story. Kilmeade didn't mention any of that during his interview.
Kilmeade had some propaganda to push and he didn't waste any time doing so. After the opening graphic for "regulation nation," a place that, according to Kilmeade, is where "the government decides who you can dish advice to," Kilmeade said that this "is the story" of his guest. The chyron framed the Fox agitprop: "Writers Block, Columnist Ordered to Stop Giving Advice." (In 1992 Rosemond advised a parent that their child, who had been sexually abused, wouldn't need therapy because the abuse would be forgotten) Kilmeade provided a glowing description of Rosemond. In introducing him, Kilmeade introduced him as "doctor" Rosemond who DOES NOT HAVE A PhD.
Kilmeade, all truculent, wanted to know why Kentucky has a problem. Rosemond informed Kilmeade that he isn't a doctor. He added that he is licensed in North Carolina but Kentucky doesn't consider him a psychologist. Kilmeade wanted to know if this is because he isn't licensed in that state. Rosemond explained the basis of the state's complaint. Kilmeade asked if Rosemond believed "that this is all a ruse, that they just don't like what you're saying, not your qualifications." Rosemond felt that this might be "part of it" because of his belief that today's problems with children are the result of "bad advice" on the part of mental health community. Kilmeade worked in the requisite agitprop: "And you also think maybe the fact that you're a constitutional rubs people the wrong way."
Kilmeade read a statement from the KY Psychological Board which said that Rosemond can way what he wants as long as he's clear that he's not a psychologist in the state. Rosemond said that the state has a problem with the opinions expressed in his column. He didn't say that the problem isn't in the content but the fact that Rosemond describes himself as a psychologist at the end of his columns and he's not licensed in KY.
Kilmeade sneered that he's "seen columns from mechanics giving you plain advice" (So parents should be getting parenting advice from mechanics?) He brayed that he didn't know if "Dr Abby" was a doctor or not." (And she never said that she was). He continued "But they have a problem with John Rosemond." Kilmeade, not a mental health clinician, described this as "an absolute overreach." The chyron pushed Rosemond's "beef" - "Attack on Advice, Should Advice Be Protected Speech?" As the chyron read "Crime of Advice," Rosemond agreed that it was an overreach because the real issue is "about the consumer's right to choose whom to seek parenting advice from." (Newspaper columns by a guy who says he's a psychologist but isn't recognized as one in the state where the newspaper is published?)
So if you're a mechanic but want to call yourself a psychologist, go for it. After all, it's only giving advice. And if you get hassled by the state, just tell them that Brian Kilmeade says it's OK!
