Tag: Charles Krauthammer

Circus Elephants, Eating Meat, and Moral Choices

“One measure of human moral progress-amid and despite the savageries we visit upon each other-is how we treat the innocent in our care. ” Charles Krauthammer

Dr. Krauthammer wrote for The Washington Post and his essays are “a kind of exotic indulgence” to use his own phrase. He uses words the way Andrea Bocelli uses songs, or B.B. King used a guitar- all masters of their craft.

Most of his pieces are serious and somber,  understandable considering that he tackles such dark subjects as terrorism, war, government corruption, and social injustice. But occasionally he takes a lighter approach to subjects which are important on a different level.

(Dr. Krauthammer died in 2018.)

Free Willy!

Such is this piece in which he predicts the demise of meat-eating, most likely for economic reasons. But  medical studies do suggest vegetarian diets are  healthier,  may lower the risk of colon cancer, and may promote  weight loss better than other diets.

fresh vegetables-lettuce, tomatoes, radishes
Will we stop eating meat?

This article may make you laugh, applaud, growl, or  just dismiss the whole thing as irrelevant. But might we all agree on one point?

“One measure of human moral progress-amid and despite the savageries we visit upon each other-is how we treat the innocent in our care. ” 

Dr. Charles Krauthammer
Asian elephants entertaining tourists in Thailand
Asian elephants entertaining tourists in Thailand

 

exploring the HEART of health

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Public Health vs. Individual Privacy

the need to protect the public’s health and the rights of the individual may not always coincide.These arguments could apply to situations other than Ebola infection. They include other infectious diseases as well as tobacco use, alcohol and drug use and abuse, motor vehicle safety, mental health , vaccine avoidance, gun ownership, and sexually transmitted diseases.

updated May 8, 2026

To call the late Dr. Charles Krauthammer an opinion writer is a vast understatement. a Pulitzer Prize winner, he wrote a popular column for the Washington Post . He died from intestinal cancer in 2018.

With wit and wisdom, he addressed a wide variety of headlining topics, as well as those more mundane, including politics, economics, education, relationships and  lifestyle. His previous background as a practicing psychiatrist qualified him to comment on medical issues with insight and experience.

Ebola (and COVID-19) vs. Civil Liberties

In this 2014 article about the Ebola virus epidemic and civil liberties,  he addressed the conflict created by the introduction of the Ebola virus into the United States. He argues that the need to protect the public’s health and the rights of the individual may not always coincide.

These arguments could apply to situations other than Ebola infection. They include other infectious diseases as well as tobacco use, alcohol and drug use and abuse, motor vehicle safety, mental health, vaccine avoidance, gun ownership, and sexually transmitted diseases.

THINGS THAT MATTER : Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes, and Politics

As a physician, I find it fascinating and amazing that Dr. Krauthammer completed medical school and residency after and despite sustaining a spinal cord injury which caused quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down, preventing use of his arms and legs).

He discusses this, and pays tribute to a medical school professor who helped make it possible in his book

Things That Matter by Charles Krauthammer

a both a memoir and a collection of his essays. His success causes one to question how exactly should we define “disability”?

You will find  Dr. Krauthammer on The Washington Post . You may not always agree with him, but I think you will appreciate his creative use of words to express his well-thought-out opinions.

 

 

 

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog and follow me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha