The forever war on terror: Dilemmas and choices

Election year political issues featured prominently at American Psychoanalytic Association Annual Meeting in Atlanta

New York – Senators John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama all presented their plans to fight the "global war on terror" as they campaigned across the U.S. this year. Members of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) will be treated to a psychological perspective of the candidates' views on the fighting terrorism at APsaA's 97th Annual Meeting. Attendees of the Presidential Symposium will hear from Charles B. Strozier, Ph.D., a military father, terrorism expert, and honorary member of APsaA, on the topic of "The Forever War on Terror: Dilemmas and Choices."

Additional programs during the APsaA meeting will focus on other political issues such as patient privacy and capital punishment. The events detailed in this press release are open to the media and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 265 Peachtree Street NE in Atlanta, Georgia. The Presidential Symposium will be presented on Friday, June 20, 2008, from noon – 1:30 p.m.

"A psychological perspective helps articulate a politically appropriate way to respond concretely to the threat of global terrorism," says Dr. Strozier, who is the Director of John Jay College's Center on Terrorism and is in the unique position of having two sons who have served in both Middle East wars. "There is no more significant issue in this campaign than determining how the United States will respond to terrorism."

Dr. Strozier plans to outline the opposing Republican and Democratic visions for fighting terrorism as reflected in the positions of the presidential candidates. He will present ways the apocalyptic mindset that underlies the current war on terror has changed the role of the United States in global politics, altering principles that were established by the framers of the Constitution.

Following Dr. Strozier's speech, members of the media are invited to attend, "Spotlight on Capitol Hill: Protecting Your Patients, Protecting Your Profession." APsaA member Robert Lindsay Pyles, M.D., will focus on crucial healthcare legislation under consideration in Washington, D.C., and its potential impact on psychoanalysts and their patients. This presentation will occur on Friday, June 20th, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Dr. Pyles also co-chairs the association's Committee on Government Relations and Insurance.

Additional sessions open to the press and related to politics and terrorism include:

• "The Psychodynamics of Spirituality: Terror in the Name of God," on Wednesday, June 18th, from 9:00 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m.

• "The Experiences of Psychoanalysts Living in the Age of Terror," on Wednesday, June 18th, from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

• "On Settling the Score: Crime, Punishment, and the Death Penalty," on Thursday, June 19th, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• "A Conversation with Dr. Leo Rangell: His Life and Work," on Thursday, June 19th, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Dr. Rangell is a former Huffington Post blogger and author of The Mind of Watergate: An Exploration of the Compromise of Integrity.

• Film Workshop, "Popular Adulation: When Savior Turns Sadist: A Face in the Crowd," on Saturday, June 21st, from 2:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The complete list of sessions open to the press is available at http://www.apsa.org/Portals/1/docs/Meetings/SessionsOpentoPress97th.pdf

Media must email Dottie Jeffries to obtain a press pass.

The American Psychoanalytic Association is a professional organization of psychoanalysts throughout the United States and is comprised of approximately 3,500 members. The Scientific Meetings of the American Psychoanalytic Association are intended for the continuing education of the members and other registrants. Visit www.apsa.org for more information.