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Cruise 'War of Worlds' Interview Turns into Showdown on Psychiatry, Scientology
Drudge Report ^ | June 24, 2005

Posted on 06/24/2005 7:12:32 PM PDT by Checkers

NBC 'TODAY SHOW' host Matt Lauer was lectured by star Tom Cruise on the dangers of psychiatry and antidepressant during a promotional interview for WAR OF THE WORLDS.

The exchange aired Friday morning.

LAUER: TOM CRUISE CREATED A FIRESTORM WHEN HE CRITICIZED BROOKE SHIELDS FOR REVEALING THAT SHE WENT INTO THERAPY AND TOOK ANTIDEPRESSANTS TO DEAL WITH HER POST PARTUM DEPRESSION. AS A SCIENTOLGIST, HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN PSYCHIATRIC MEDICINE. I ASKED HIM ABOUT HIS COMMENTS.

CRUISE: i've never agreed with psychiatry, ever. Before I was a Scientologist I never agreed with psychiatry. and when i started studying the history of psychiatry, i understood more and more why i didn't believe in psychology.

//And as far as the Brooke Shields thing is, look. You gotta understand, I really care about Brooke Shields. I-- I think here's a-- a-- a wonderful and talented woman. And-- I wanna see her do well. And I know that-- psychiatry is-- is a pseudo science.

MATT LAUER: But-- but Tom, if she said that this particular thing helped her feel better, whether it was the antidepressant or going to a counselor or psychiatrist, isn't that enough? //

TOM CRUISE: Matt, you have to understand this. Here we are today where I talk out against drugs and psychiatric abuses of electric shocking people (PH), okay, against their will, of drugging children with them not knowing the effects of these drugs. Do you know what Aderol (PH) is? Do you know Ritalin? Do you know now that Ritalin is a street drug? Do you understand that?

MATT LAUER:

The difference is--

(OVERTALK)

TOM CRUISE:

No, no, Matt.

MATT LAUER:

This wasn't against her will, though.

TOM CRUISE:

Matt-- Matt, Matt, Matt--

MATT LAUER:

But this wasn't against her will.

TOM CRUISE:

Matt, I'm-- Matt, I'm asking you a question.

MATT LAUER:

I understand there's abuse of all of these things.

TOM CRUISE:

No, you see. Here's the problem. You don't know the history of psychiatry. I do.//

MATT LAUER:

//aren't there examples, and might not Brooke Shields be an example, of someone who benefited from one of those drugs? TOM CRUISE:

all it does is mask the problem, Matt. And if you understand the history of it, it masks the problem. That's what it does. That's all it does. You're not getting to the reason why. There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.

(OVERTALK)

MATT LAUER:

So, postpartum depression to you is--

TOM CRUISE:

Matt--

MATT LAUER:

--kind of a--

TOM CRUISE:

--don't--

MATT LAUER:

--little psychological gook--

TOM CRUISE:

That--

MATT LAUER:

--googley-gook?

TOM CRUISE:

--no. No. I did not say that.

MATT LAUER:

I'm just asking what you-- what would you call it?

TOM CRUISE:

No. No. Abs-- Matt, that is-- the-- post-- now-- now, you're talking about two different things.

MATT LAUER:

But that's what she went on the--

TOM CRUISE:

No. MATT LAUER:

--antidepressant for.

TOM CRUISE: But what happens, the antidepressant, all it does is mask the problem. There's ways of vitamins and through exercise and various things. I'm not saying that that isn't real. That's not what I'm saying. That's an alteration of what-- what I'm saying. I'm saying that drugs aren't the answer, these drugs are very dangerous. They're mind-altering, anti-psychotic drugs. And there are ways of doing it without that so that we don't end up in a brave new world. // the thing that I'm saying about Brooke is that there's misinformation, okay. And she doesn't understand the history of psychiatry. She-- she doesn't understand in the same way that you don't understand it, Matt.

// MATT LAUER: But a little bit what you're saying Tom is, you say you want people to do well. But you want them do to well by taking the road that you approve of, as opposed to a road that may work for them.

TOM CRUISE: No, no, I'm not.

MATT LAUER: Well, if antidepressants work for Brooke Shields, why isn't that okay?

TOM CRUISE: I-- I disagree with it. And I think that there's a higher and better quality of life. And I think that promoting for me personally, see, you're saying what, I can't discuss what I wanna discuss?

MATT LAUER: No. You absolutely can.

TOM CRUISE: I know. But-- but Matt, you're going in and saying that-- that I can't discuss this.

MATT LAUER: I'm only asking, isn't there a possibility that-- do-- do you examine the possibility that these things do work for some people? That yes, there are abuses. And yes, maybe they've gone too far in certain areas. Maybe there are too many kids on Ritalin. Maybe electric shock--

TOM CRUISE: Too many kids on Ritalin? Matt.

MATT LAUER: I'm just saying. But-- but aren't there--

TOM CRUISE: Matt.

MATT LAUER: --examples where it works?

TOM CRUISE: Matt. Matt, Matt, you don't even-- you're glib. You don't even know what Ritalin is.// //if you start talking about chemical imbalance, you have to evaluate and read the research papers on how they came up with these theories, Matt, okay. That's what I've done. Then you go and you say where's-- where's the medical test? Where's the blood test that says how much Ritalin you're supposed to get?

MATT LAUER: You're-- you're-- it's very impressive to listen to you. Because clearly, you've done the homework. And-- and you know the subject.

TOM CRUISE: And you should.

MATT LAUER: And-- and--

TOM CRUISE: And you should do that also.

MATT LAUER: And--

TOM CRUISE: Because just knowing people who are on Ritalin isn't enough. //you should be a little bit more responsible in knowing really--

MATT LAUER: I'm not prescribing Ritalin, Tom. And I'm not asking--

TOM CRUISE: Well--

MATT LAUER: --anyone else to do it. I'm simply saying--

(OVERTALK)

TOM CRUISE: Well, you are. You're saying--

MATT LAUER: I know some people who seem to have been helped by it.

TOM CRUISE: I-- but you're saying-- but you-- like-- this is a very important issue.

MATT LAUER: I couldn't agree more.

TOM CRUISE: It's very-- and you know what? You're here on the Today Show.

MATT LAUER: Right.

TOM CRUISE: And to talk about it in a way of saying, "Well, isn't it okay," and being reasonable about it when you don't know and I do, I think that you should be a little bit more responsible in knowing what it is.

MATT LAUER: But--

TOM CRUISE: Because you-- you communicate to people.

MATT LAUER: But you're now telling me that your experiences with the people I know, which are zero, are more important than my experiences.

TOM CRUISE: What do you mean by that?

MATT LAUER: You're telling me what's worked for people I know or hasn't worked for people I know. // i'm telling you i've lived with these people and they're better.

TOM CRUISE: So, you're-- you're advocating it.

MATT LAUER: I am not. I'm telling you in their case-- (LAUGHTER)

(OVERTALK)

MATT LAUER: In their individual case, it worked. I am not gonna go out and say--

TOM CRUISE: Matt--

MATT LAUER: --"Get your kids on Ritalin. It's the cure-all--

TOM CRUISE: Matt, Matt.

MATT LAUER: --and the end-all."

TOM CRUISE: Matt, but here's the point. what is the ideal scene for life

TOM CRUISE: Okay. Ideal scene is someone not having to take anti-psychotic drugs.

MATT LAUER: I would agree.

TOM CRUISE: Okay. So, now you look at-- and you go okay. A-- a departure from that ideal scene is someone taking drugs, okay. And then you go, okay. What is the theory and the science behind that, that justifies that?

MATT LAUER: Let me take this more general, 'cause I think you and I can go around in circles on this for awhile. And i respect your opinion ...

MATT LAUER: Do you want more people to understand Scientology? Is that-- would that be a goal of yours?

TOM CRUISE: You know what? I-- absolutely. Of course, you know. And people--

MATT LAUER: How do you go about that?

TOM CRUISE: You just communicate about it. And the important thing is, like you and I talk about it, whether it's-- okay, if I wanna know something, I go and find out. /Because I don't talk about things that I don't understand. I'll say, you know what? I'm not so sure about that. I'll go find more information about it so I can-- I can come to an opinion based on-- on the information that I have.

MATT LAUER: You-- you're so passionate about it. And I'm--

TOM CRUISE: I'm passionate about learning. I'm passionate about life, Matt.

END


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: gayblackmail; jerk; wackjob; xenu; zoltan
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Friggin' nuts.
1 posted on 06/24/2005 7:12:33 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers

I appreciate what he said about ritalin. Its about some parents get a clue about their drugged up kids.


2 posted on 06/24/2005 7:14:40 PM PDT by buckeyesrule (God bless Condi Rice!)
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To: Checkers

3 posted on 06/24/2005 7:16:35 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers

Tom musta stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

2 empty heads rattling at the same time.


4 posted on 06/24/2005 7:20:18 PM PDT by digger48
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To: buckeyesrule

We'll all against abuse.
And I'm not all that hot about doping kids.

But Cruise is against drugs to treat adult depression. I'm not saying Cruise is a fool, but he made Lauer look good. That takes some doin'.


5 posted on 06/24/2005 7:21:56 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers

The Lauer interview is the second time this week Cruise has takin' it...ah...on the chin.


6 posted on 06/24/2005 7:24:37 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers
Completely agree with Cruise on drugging kids with Ritalin. He is right but is too nutty to argue the point.

Pray for W and Our Troops

7 posted on 06/24/2005 7:24:49 PM PDT by bray (Pray for Iraq's Freedom from Mohammad)
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To: Checkers

I saw part of this and Cruise acted like he was hopped up on Ritalin.

Or needed to be.


8 posted on 06/24/2005 7:25:07 PM PDT by unsycophant
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To: digger48

"Tom musta stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

2 empty heads rattling at the same time."

Really makes ya' want to see his movie.../sarcasm//

Way to promote there, Maverick.


9 posted on 06/24/2005 7:26:54 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: digger48

"Tom musta stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

2 empty heads rattling at the same time."

Really makes ya' want to see his movie.../sarcasm//

Way to promote there, Maverick.


10 posted on 06/24/2005 7:26:55 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: digger48

"Tom musta stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

2 empty heads rattling at the same time."

Really makes ya' want to see his movie.../sarcasm//

Way to promote there, Maverick.


11 posted on 06/24/2005 7:26:59 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers

Tom's a tweaker :o) He's waaay too sped up to be Au Naturale.


12 posted on 06/24/2005 7:27:31 PM PDT by misty4jc
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To: Checkers

The dreaded triple post strikes!


13 posted on 06/24/2005 7:27:49 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers

Lauer let himself get bamboozled by Cruise? Are we ever going to have any real journalists ever doing news again?


14 posted on 06/24/2005 7:28:22 PM PDT by popdonnelly
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To: Checkers
Psychiatry is a pseudo-science, yes.

The "diseases" aren't diseases, but mere descriptions of symptoms.

Back in Victorian times, people used to get "consumption". Consumption wasn't a disease, it was a set of symptoms. Symptoms, in fact, of a number of distinct diseases with very different causes and treatments.

Unless and until psychiatry gets beyond describing symptoms and begins identifying causes, it will remain a pseudo-science.

And as for the meds - back in the Middle Ages, the physicians only had a few treatments - bleeding, purgatives, laxatives, etc.

They'd prescribe emetics not because they would help the disease, but because they would do something, and none of the other "medicines" would.

The current psychiatric meds are no different. They don't make patients better, but they do make patients different. And nothing else the shrinks do accomplish anything, so they manage to convince themselves that they are helping.

But for all of that, Scientology is crap of the worst sense.

The shrinks may think they know more than they do, but Hubbard knew perfectly well that he was engaged in a scam.

15 posted on 06/24/2005 7:28:50 PM PDT by jdege
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To: Checkers

I'm in favor of anyone who gives Lauer a hard time.


16 posted on 06/24/2005 7:28:57 PM PDT by somemoreequalthanothers
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To: unsycophant

"I saw part of this and Cruise acted like he was hopped up on Ritalin."

Body Thetans.


17 posted on 06/24/2005 7:29:17 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers
There's a grain of truth in what he says, but his absolute manner leaves a lot unsaid.

Yes there are abuses. People are over prescribed. People are improperly prescribed. Other people are closely monitored for medication use for short periods of time, and they do benefit significantly.

I take my car in to get it fixed. The mechanic screws my car up. I don't swear that all mechanics are frauds and nobody should ever take their car to one of them again. That's what Cruise is doing with Psychiatry IMO.

I think it is a national scandal what is taking place with Ritalin in our nation. I'd like to see a massive investigation and a hell of a lot of people thrown in prison. That doesn't mean that some, a very few kids my have no other way of being helped. Boy do I want that very few documented and twenty workups done before they get it. And they should only get it for a short period of time, or stand another review process.

The problem Cruise has, is he is not a Psychologist. He does not hold a degree. I doubt he's taken more than Psych 101. That leaves him in a very poor position to talk with authority on this matter.

The problem with Scientology, is that it hides behind the misclassification that it is a religion. It's premises couldn't stand a review process. It's gadgetry is more like voodoo, and wholesome religions are tarnished by it's brash chicanery.

Look, even actual religions are subject to charlatans. From time to time they are investigated, actual crimes found and their leaders prosecuted. Jim and Tammy Fay being a couple of them.

I sure wish the hocus pocus parts of Scientology would be outed for the absolute fraud that they are.

What is it with these actors and their adiction to Scientology? Does it really take someone that stupid to buy into it?
18 posted on 06/24/2005 7:31:05 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (US socialist liberalism would be dead without the help of politicians who claim to be conservative.)
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To: misty4jc

"Tom's a tweaker :o) He's waaay too sped up to be Au Naturale."

He needs:

1.) Deprogramming

2.) A pshrink

3.) Meds

4.) All of the above


19 posted on 06/24/2005 7:31:30 PM PDT by Checkers
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To: Checkers

Who cuts his hair, his mother?


20 posted on 06/24/2005 7:32:33 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (US socialist liberalism would be dead without the help of politicians who claim to be conservative.)
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