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This week, a video made its way around the Internet of a Texas judge hitting his 16-year-old with a belt. While the video is difficult to watch for some, I feel like it re-ignites an important and ongoing debate in our culture: whether or not we should publicly flog stupid parents.
Now, this debate has many sides. There are some that say that stupid parents should never be flogged, especially in full view of the public, and at the hands of some kind of town disciplinarian. Others say that the children …

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Not long ago, The Hollywood Reporter, which is some kind of online smut magazine, published a story with this headline: “Brad Pitt Uses ‘Moneyball’ Promotional Tour to Criticize Jennifer Aniston“.
About his former marriage to Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt had said this: “I started to get sick of myself sitting on a couch, holding a joint, hiding out. It started feeling pathetic. It became very clear to me that I was intent on trying to find a movie about an interesting life, but I wasn’t living an interesting life myself. I …

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Recently, I was at a small gathering at a friend’s house, and I was talking to a nice young lady for a while. The conversation was going quite well, and I felt like I was making a new friend. But then, folks, she said something that totally turned it around. It’s something that both shocked and dismayed me, and I want to discuss what happened. You see, we were just going along, talking about things that were going on in the world right now, and then, …

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Originally Posted: December 11, 2007
Folks, you might think that I’m a big fan of Christmas, seeing as how all kinds of people are always wanting to give me gifts, especially this time of year. Well, true, the gifts do come my way, and I appreciate the love from my fans, especially in the form of gift certificates or money orders, but here’s the thing: Dr. Matt is not without his hang-ups, and the Christmas season is one of them.

Now, I’m well aware of the benefits of both giving …

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I was in Toronto recently, for a book promotion and a public speaking tour and to just generally be amazing in a new place.  One day, I was on the Toronto public transit system, which is called the TTC, when I noticed a sign that said, “One TTC employee is assaulted every day.  That’s one too many.”  I found it a rather odd message, because it seemed to suggest that while the behavior was wrong, it was an expected daily occurrence.  One might take from that message that if you …

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Dear Dr. Matt
I would like your perpective on use it or lose it, as I am witnessing some rather bizzare behavior out there. I am challenged at times with these humans and your perspective is greatly appreciated. Thank You.

-Human Witness

Dear Mr. Witness,
First of all, I’m not exactly sure what you mean by use it or lose it, but not understanding something has never stopped me from rendering an opinion.  I suppose commonly this phrase has come to mean that when you are gifted with something, like love, or …

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Yesterday, I was sitting on a bench with Brian, a guy that I recently met up with to play racquetball.  The community centre where I played had actually connected us, but so far I wasn’t totally enjoying Brian’s company, and he had a crappy backhand.

Anyway, Brian had been talking on and on about Jennifer, his ex-girlfriend.  I had played Brian enough to know that Jennifer was a favorite topic of his.
“Can you believe it?” Brian said, shaking his head.  ”She breaks up with me, and then she wants to be …

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Hi Dr. Matt,
I really struggle with fashion. By your good looks and extra hairy moustache, I can tell you really have a sense of how to put on a pair of pants. What’s your secret? Where do you find your motivation to strive for such fashion?

Thanks,
Fashion Flaw

Dear Fashion Flaw,
First, thank you for acknowledging my good looks. But, before I get into how to make yourself remotely appealing, why don’t I talk about why fashion is important.  But first I’ll talk about people who hate it. Some …

Folks, let me tell you about an encounter that happened recently at a book signing for my book, “Just Stop Having Problems, Stupid!” A gentleman came up to me and said, “Dr. Matt, you’ve had all this success and greatness, and built this vast empire upon your great successes. How do I do that?”

I responded with something I sometimes say to questions like this. “Who are your friends?” I said.
He frowned, confused. “My friends?”
“Exactly,” I said. “Who are your friends? Are they people who …