It may be a taboo topic, one that strikes a nerve, but the season to contemplate politics is once again upon usand not simply because this issue marks Reviews 9th Annual Comanagement Report. Politics has permeated media coverage in recent weeks. Among other issues, big business and government broadcast control is a concern for many citizens. First, we saw Janet Jacksons display at the Super Bowl. Next, we saw Clear Channels suspension of the Howard Stern Show. Crack-downs such as these have led many Americans to fight harder for tougher FCC regulations and others to proclaim that theyre losing the battle for free-speech.
Clear Channel drew a line in the sand today with respect to protecting our listeners from indecent content and Howard Sterns show blew right through it, said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. Stern, of course, disagrees, blaming the religious right and saying, Theres a cultural war going on.
Indeed, there is a cultural war, a line in the sand, and growing division everywhere you look. All this, of course, takes place in the shadow of the presidential race.
Admittedly, were used to the hype, to the mudslinging, to the spin. But for some reason, this time around, its a little different. No matter which party you belong to, the issues seem bigger now, more personally life-altering. In years past, if your party lost, it felt more like being issued a parking ticket as opposed to possible life without parole. Why?
Maybe its because this is the first presidential race after September 11, and were all still a little shaken. Were concerned about what might happen next or where our children might be stationed.
Or maybe its because religion, too, has taken center stage in this ongoing war and political coverage.
Like it or notwhether youre a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent; a Christian, a Jew or a Muslimwe are constantly being encouraged to take sides. I doubt any of us would have predicted it on September 12, 2001, but everywhere you look, you see opposition, with each group fighting hard to win support.
Part of me wants to say, Its a good thing. At least weve woken up from our complacency. But, in reality, we havent. Instead, we developed tunnel vision and redefined the meaning of voting solely along party lines.
Because this is Reviews Comanagement Report, its an issue more politically-charged than most. Kudos to Senior Editor John Murphy for his concise report on VA legislation (see Vets Act is Bad Policy, Say O.D.s), a matter of some confusion that raised questions and concerns for our readers. Lobbyists were so effective in spinning this subject that even some optometrists might have been inclined to support it had they not understood the true meaning of the acts vague wording.
Also, as this months National Panel, Doctors of Optometry survey reveals, patient care is the top priority among comanaging O.D.s, one that overshadows politics and any differences the two groups might typically debate (see Patient Care Tops O.D.s Comanagement Priorities).
Similarly, in this months cover story, youll see optometrist Scott Schecter working side-by-side with an ophthalmologistin the O.R. (see An O.D. in the O.R.).
Despite its flaws, comanagement between optometrists and ophthalmologists is a sign of hope that opposing teams can work together for a common cause, despite political differences. If weve learned anything in the last few years its that things changequicklyand not always for the better. Pay attention. If were going to take sides, its our duty to understand everything about the side were taking. And, even then, its sometimes in our best interest to disregard the line altogether, as you would when comanaging a patient.
