It’s to be expected. When someone like Dr. Joy achieves such success, such world-renown, such heights of acclaim and adulation, others in the ego-bruised wake of her spectacular triumphs will do anything, no matter how ridiculous, unscrupulous or repulsive, to discredit her.
Rumors started oozing out of marginal institutions like Harvard, Yale, University of Michigan, and Columbia University, suggesting there was a strong bond of friendship — even intimacy — between Joy Smothers and the notorious homicidal cult leader Charles Manson. This started right after Dr. Joy’s The Rut Less Traveled scored #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list, and the song inspired by this book of epic scholarship took the #1 position on multiple Billboard Top 100 charts.
This notoriety coupled with her growing success on TV — becoming a staple for talk shows, morning shows, even on MTV — made her a target for growing numbers of jealous, spiteful academics and mainstream media stars.
Here’s what we have to say to these slimy slandering scumbags.
Grow up!
When on August 9, 1969 Manson and his “family” slaughtered actress Sharon Tate and four of her friends, Joy was 13 years old. The summer break had one month to go and young teen Joy was getting ready to attend 8th grade in her home town of Gillett, Wisconsin.
When in January 1972, Manson and his homicidal accomplices were found guilty of murder, Joy was a junior in high school. She was on the cheerleading team.
Are we supposed to believe this sweet young lady flew to California and went to a prom with “Chuck” in the prison where they kept the lunatic locked up?
JEEZ!
There’s no doubt about it. Dr. Joy is a magnet for controversy. But that comes from her incredible contributions to modern psychology, not from hanging out with pathological killers.
Are YOU going get the real story or not? Inform yourself. You’ll be glad you did. We’ll be glad too!
