License and Registration, Please

The February 8, 2007 New York Times editorial on Lisa Nowak goes far in recommending that NASA officials reevaluate their psychological screening procedures for astronauts. It notes, however, that after initial screening, "there are no formal psychological evaluations during their years of service thereafter."

Lisa Nowak had no passengers in her 900-mile mad dash to Florida to have it out with her rival. George W. Bush has the entire nation on board as he speeds once again into Baghdad, seemingly without brakes or controls. Most of his passengers are too frightened to tell him to stop. Republican Senators are enjoying the ride and don't want the rest of us to spoil it for them by talking about how dangerous a driver Bush is.

The one job for which psychological screening should be required is that of President of the United States. It has never been so clear before, as it is with this President, that regular psychiatric evaluation is necessary - in this case to determine Bush's capacity to think and his ability to perceive reality. Even his ultra-conservative supporters have begun to question whether or not Bush is "delusional", most pointedly Joe Scarborough on MSNBC. Bush loyalists like Pat Buchanan have expressed similar sentiments.

It's time to pull George W. Bush over, end his destructive journey and test him to assess whether he is mentally fit to continue to serve out his term. I am willing to bet, based on my medical experience treating psychotic patients, that he would be found to be unfit for office.