February 20, 2007 6:25 AM

Another DUMB@$$ AWARD wiener

Christian pediatrician denies child service because parents are tattooed

DUMB@$$ AWARD wiener #537: Dr. Gary Merrill

BAKERSFIELD - A family is turned away by a local pediatrician, they say because of the way they look. The doctor said he is just following his beliefs, creating a Christian atmosphere for his patients…. The writing is on the wall‚Äö√Ñ√Æliterally: “This is a private office. Appearance and behavior standards apply. For Dr. Gary Merrill of Christian Medical Services, that means no tattoos, body piercings, and a host of other requirements‚Äö√Ñ√Æall standards Merrill has set based upon his Christian faith.

it hardly takes a Ph.D. to understand that Dr. Gary Merrill understands as much about the teachings of Jesus Christ as he does about the teachings of Josef Mengele. As a doctor, Merrill’s responsibility is to TREAT PATIENTS, not create a set of artificial rules so that he may exclude and marginalize those who don’t think, live, and believe as he does. While Merrill is certainly free to his beliefs, as a physician, he is NOT free to withhold treatment from patients because of an arbitrary set of rules. What he did to Tasha Childress’ daughter is simply inexcusable and should not be tolerated from a family practitioner- or anyone who calls themself a doctor.

Memo to Dr. Merrill: you’re a doctor. You’re job is to treat and heal the sick, NOT force them to fit your narrow definition of propriety.

Yes, I understand that the guidelines of the American Medical Association gives Merrill the right to behave in this shoddy manner. Really, though; simple human decency would seem to dictate that Merrill needs to understand and respect that not everyone thinks, lives, and/or believes as he does. That doesn’t make them wrong; it just makes them different. It makes them human.

Merrill isn’t running a convenience store or a restaurant. He’s running a medical practice, and people depend on him for medical care. If he can’t deal with that, then perhaps it’s time for him to find another line of work. It’s a good thing for Dr. Merrill that you don’t have to go to school for 10 years to be a DUMB@$$, eh?

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on February 20, 2007 6:25 AM.

If this man is qualified to be President, then why isn't Barack Obama? was the previous entry in this blog.

So who hates the troops now? is the next entry in this blog.

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