The Long View - politics of Barbara Streisand - Brief Article

National Review, May 14, 2001 by Rob Long

PALISADES MENTAL

HEALTH CLINIC

Malibu, California

doctor's notes

patient: Barbra S.

insurance: SAG, AFTRA, DGA, ASCAP, WGA

6/16/00

Patient arrives, elated. Has just raised $2,300,000.00 for a political candidate-A. G. Jr.-and is "convinced" that he'll win in November. In addition, she is donating $400,000 from her personal funds. When questioned about the possibility that her father-worship issues are being transferred to yet another politician, patient becomes angry and upset, and threatens to sing the love theme from "Yentl." Patient explains that this is a crucial time in our nation's history, where the forces of evil are arrayed against the forces of good. When reminded that this was her justification for directing and starring in the ill- fated film "The Mirror Has Two Faces," patient becomes sullen.

12/21/00

After a six-month absence, patient reappears. She is dazed and sluggish. She says she cannot reconcile herself to the outcome of the presidential election. She is convinced it is a plot to somehow, some way, force her to do another concert series.

Patient is distraught that the candidate she preferred has not, in fact, been successful. Patient finds it impossible to accept that the American people chose someone she does not approve of. When reminded, gently, that America is a large country with many people and many points of view, patient responds that "I know the people. The people love me. The people did not elect this man."

When asked to name the date of the patient's most recent encounter with any person not directly in her employ, patient thinks silently for several minutes, finally naming Mr. David Geffen. When asked to name the date of the patient's most recent encounter with any person not directly in her employ whose total annual household income is below $300,000, patient thinks silently for several minutes, then shrugs.

12/22/00

Receive strange message on office voice mail from an unidentified sobbing woman. Convinced it is patient Barbra S. when, after "star 69- ing," an answering machine picks up with a recording of "The Way We Were."

Later, at dinner, receive a frantic page from patient, demanding to know how it is she can be diagnosed as "paranoid" when, in fact, the Supreme Court of the United States is "out to get me." Patient is cautioned once again against interpreting current political events in an entirely personal way. "You don't think this is personal? Doc? Hello? I'm Jewish. This is about Palm Beach. How is it not personal? Hello?"

12/27/00

Patient arrives without appointment and demands that the Palisades Mental Health Clinic, as a professional corporation, purchase a large soup tureen and sterling silver ladle in the Lenox Montclair pattern for newly elected senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. When told that we, as a general policy, do not make political contributions, patient becomes irate. "Are you seriously serious?" she asks, over and over. "What? Are you seriously seriously serious?"

3/24/01

Patient arrives with a printed document she insists be read during her session. It is a political tract of some sort, with a distinct messianic bent. Am concerned that patient is once again slipping into self-delusional state. While patient is a perfectly intelligent and talented person, her political theories seem out of touch and outmoded. Her cocoon-like existence, brought about by her great personal wealth and paranoia, is not conducive to the kind of finger-on-the-pulse, man- in-the-street grassroots connection that the therapist-admittedly, an amateur in these matters-assumes is necessary to make effective political strategy.

Patient responds to these concerns by reminding therapist of her many trips to the White House, and to the very close attention paid to her theories by its recent occupant. Therapist suggests that perhaps the attention paid to her theories by certain political figures had more to do with her generous campaign contributions than to any political savvy she may or may not possess.

Patient then accuses therapist of "Naderism" and continues to read aloud from her tract. Therapist uses this time to catch up on correspondence and update his Quicken file.

Patient insists that the way to success is to "stop being so nice." Therapist wonders (silently) when, exactly, the "being nice" strategy was supposed to have been attempted.

4/23/01

Patient arrives 20 minutes late without apology. After a short song and a quick anecdote, patient claims that this is "absolutely, totally, one-hundred-percent-sure my last session." She exits with a flourish, but is soon back to talk about her mission to "save America." Typical B.S. behavior.

Suggestion of possible switch to group therapy is met with stony silence.