Would you continue to call a male Dr. Mr.? It's a simple matter of courtesy and respect, and shouldn't require that much thought.

Well, it actually depends on the type of doctor you're talking about. As a rule, PhD's do continue to be referred to as "Mr." or "Ms." (I have this on authority from my father-in-law, who is a college professor with a PhD and advised me on how I should address wedding invitations that went to his colleagues). Addressing someone as "Dr." is a practice traditionally reserved for medical doctors, though it is now acceptable for veterinarians and dentists. At any rate, Rachel Maddow is a PhD, so, according to common practice, she would be referred to as "Ms.," just as a man with a PhD would be addressed as "Mr."

keepintime

I work at a place with a lot of people both male and female with Ph. Ds. They have been referred to by both Dr. and Mr/Ms. They don't seem to mind which is used as long as the respect is there.

As a rule, PhD's do continue to be referred to as "Mr." or "Ms." (I have this on authority from my father-in-law, who is a college professor with a PhD and advised me on how I should address wedding invitations that went to his colleagues)

I respectfully disagree with your father-in-law. I'm also a holder of a PhD degree. When my examining committee had finished torturing me, shunned me from the room and made me anxiously await their decision, they let me know I had passed by saying, "Congratulations, you are now Dr. _______"

All of my college professors were "Dr." I cannot think of one college professor with a PhD who wasn't referred to as "Dr" unless otherwise corrected.

It's hard to find good references on the debate of the origin of the title "Doctor." As I understand it, the origins are more on the academic side, with "doctor" being used to refer to teachers, or those who had mastered a subject. To distinguish medical doctors, the term Physician was used. I think that even surgeons were not called doctors for some time since surgery was viewed as more of a technical skill.

Here's a light blog piece on the matter: http://www.studentsover30.com/columns/editors-bin/should-phds-be-referred-to-as-doctor/

We doctors are the first ones to say, "Please, just call me <by my first name>" But we get a kick out of prefacing our titles by saying, "I'm not that kind of doctor," knowing that most people assume the Dr. title is reserved only for medical doctors. I guess I'd be right in saying, "I'm not a medical doctor. I didn't play one on T.V. I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night. But I got my butt kicked by a cranky old graduate advisory committee for six years of my life that I will never get back and have probably soiled my opinion of academia forever and so, henceforth, thoust shall call me Dr."

Anyway, it's a fun debate. RobDon--good to see you've reformed. I'm sure Dr. Maddow is laughing right now and thinking, "Please, just call me Rachel."

Scratch that. I just noted the time--she's probably prepping for the show.

Truly fun discussion, and informative as always. It's a rare time when I don't learn something useful here from people who are much smarter than I, which is what keeps me coming back. Though I still think a person who has invested more heart and soul than I can even imagine into earning a PhD deserves nothing less than to be addressed as such, I suspect that the ever-gracious and total class act formerly known (by me) as "Ms Maddow" probably still prefers to be called simply Rachel, and shuns "Doctor" as pretentious. Just a guess, though. Maybe she'll weigh in on that personally for us sometime.

See, I'm not the only one confused. And I bet some thought it was just this old conservative's cloudy thinking getting in the way! Thanks all.

I am a Dr. of Love I am the Love Dr.

IOKIYAR. "It's okay if you're a Republican" meme

But on the State/Fed issue, does that mean state law can allow a same-sex married couple to be protected from testifying against their spouse in federal court?

It's open for interpretation, which will eventually be done by Judicial branch. Then Judicial Branch is declared activist depending on a person's stance.

I guess for some people it's selective, though. If it's for "protecting marriage" ahem… then it's OK to intervene in State laws, but if it is regarding civil rights or discrimination, then that is left to each state.

I believe you're correct to ask if DOMA is constitutional and that is why Obama A.G. is not enforcing it.

But then they decide to go after medical marijuana in legalized states. I guess we need an Amendment for that as well. Small fish? Not to those that use marijuana for cancer or AIDS symptoms legally.

One thing for sure, the courts are not going to be idle. Perhaps the jobs are in that field.

What is your constitutional?

This is a big issue for LGBTQ folks. I suppose people are thinking this will be the only topic discussed. But equality for all people is a big plank in the platform of the Democratic party.

Because there are pet issues for some does not take away the big issues like economy.

Romney is not silent on gay marriage.

You know what a big issue is for a married person? Making sure your spouse and family have health insurance. Making sure they get survivor benefits should something happen to you. Being able to be there with them and make difficult decisions regarding healthcare. Being able to go anywhere in this country and be recognized as the married couple that you are.

My economy goes as far as my front door. I love all God's creatures and all that, but my family comes first. If something happened to me or my husband and one of us got seriously ill, our "economy" would be in the tank in a hurry. But we get a little breathing room since we both have health insurance from our jobs and could easily add each other as a dependent. We can do that anywhere we would like to go because we are a heterosexual, married couple.

When my friends have to pull out a map of the States and see where they could live as a family with these same securities that the rest of us take for granted, I get a little P-Oed. Just look at how casual we are with civil liberties and rights in this country. You want to focus on the economy? Well, then start recognizing that gays and lesbians are taxpayers and contribute to this economy just like everyone else.

I think putting Fascists in their place is of great importance. We need to expose these religious zealots for what they are. Not very good interpretors of the Bible. When they go back to working at more suitable means of employment and not that of the government I will be happy. Perhaps they should set up shop or a community where Rush Limbaugh might reside as their new leader. We can give them Texas. Arizona belongs to Our Father.

I think Modern Day Man has kind of thrown marriage under the bus. To each his own. I am married but, I don't wear a ring because I don't want gold seeping into my skin and making me crave for more. Marriage can be fun if you can laugh hysterically together at all the clowns parading before us on TV. I was hysterical when I saw all the Village people standing behind Mitt Romney when he was speaking he had the baker, the butcher and the candlestick maker. I think we should all wear hats I am going to wear my Rooster Cogburn hat today. I think I will be a sexy Momma cowgirl or a nurse I can't make up my mind yet. Everyday is Halloween at Romney Camp.

I was in line to vote, like always. I was donating money and pushing to get out of Iraq. I am not in control of media. Unfortunately there was lower turnout in 2010, (as usual mid term) but I was speaking out. You seem to like to generalize the collective YOU. I get the motivational prodding, but no need to blame gays and gay rights for 2010. The folks on the right rallied their troops against the black man in the white house being a proponent of socialism.

If you are not blaming gays, it sounds like you might be. There are people that approve gay marriage, maybe not in Texas or North Carolina, but if people would get that marriages are legal, civil contracts, not religious we might see that there are plenty of things to stand up for on this instead of pointing fingers at fellow Democrats. Of course we will vote and this issue may bring out just as many or more to vote for Obama again. Not only for gay rights, but to keep the progress in economy and leaving Afghanistan. Somehow, I do not think Romney is going to be much help in that area. The other offices besides CIC might be helped when one looks at the exodus of jobs under Republicans.

Sandy I totally sympathize with the plight of our fellow Americans who identify themselves as Gay. I will struggle with them until this country recognizes that they are entitled to all the rights we all enjoy especially the right to recognize their choice in marriage. Texas is much more progressive than most of the country gives us credit for - in fact Obama has a good chance of winning ths State in November. But progressives here and in other States don't vote in big numbers in all the little elections that give conservatives the upper hand in State Houses and Congress. I don't only blames Gay advocates - I blame the Unions also. Its hillarious that a public school teacher or a Federal Employee would vote Republican. But they do - and in large numbers. Its hillarious that a Policeman or a Firefighter would vote Republican - but they do and in larger numbers. Gay people are the same. Most Gay people are conservatives and they vote Republican. It is an amazing fact in American political life that groups of people find ways to vote against their political interests. Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post has written about this phenomena. The exit polling in 2008 and in 2010 saw an increase in self-identified Gay and Lesbian voters pulling the lever for Republicans. The Atlantic on-line magazine reported a 4% increase in Gays and Lesbians (Self identified) who voted Republican. The Marketing data is even stronger - Gays and Lesbians identify with products that are aimed at conservative Republicans. That is because that is who they are. Conservatives. So it was really rich to watch them scream for "clarity" from President Obama on the issue of Gay Marriage. Rich - and a waste of time.

I should have said more people in Texas and North Carolina are anti gay marriage, I am aware there are progressives everywhere. My error on that. Although the pro gay folks still put aside the LGBT folks and tell them to wait.

I know people in all groups are voting against their self interest. I do feel that people that wish to frame gay rights as political suicide and a waste of time are really not as pro LGBT as they think they are.

I know we share the same views on many things otherwise.

I cannot explain why people vote the way they do, I come up empty when I ask them. They feel something is wrong with the taxation and are convinced if they cut taxes everyone will magically hire people, jobless will find jobs and buy stuff. Fantasy theories.

Enlightenment comes slowly sometimes. But, I am progressing forward this time we just have to. Come what may we can't live "the way we were" I have found my Prince Charming and I will follow him to the end of this Earth.

Thanks for sprinkling us with your input, you are a delight.