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H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 09:37 AM Mar 2018

Trump Today

What types of thoughts take place within the dim regions of Donald Trump's mind? I try not to ponder this too often, but have found myself questioning it today. Obviously, this is a man who will never encounter a philosophical thought, nor consider the ethical or moral implications of his behaviors. Thus, it is safe to limit the full range of neurological impulses between his ears to the spectrum of emotional needs. These needs require immediate gratification once they elevate above a remarkably low bar.

It's not as if our nation hasn't endured presidents who were of low character, or who had episodes of mental illness. Trump is distinct from them, in that he combines severe character pathology that results in his being unhinged on a daily basis. More, his thinking demands that his conscious focus be limited to stimulating ideas of how great he is. This includes, of course, his disgusting, compulsive need to try to damage anyone he views as an enemy.

Evidence of his inability to conceive of others as human being, with all that implies, he instead starts by examining if the other person is one of a status and appearance he respects. Unlike any previous president, Trump has never given an intelligent, thought-provoking speech (or response to a reporter's question). Likewise, he is incapable of giving a sincere compliment to anyone that he does not exercise ultimate control over. But he has frequently insulted any one of a wide range of people – including some current and former members of his administration. This reflects his shallow of his core being, and his inability to see others as distinct from a projection of himself, there only to meet his needs.

When one of the people that Trump thinks he controls does anything he considers a challenge to his self-image, he seeks to harm them. This can be by insulting them in public, or firing them. If a person he doesn't control poses a challenge, he starts with insults, and escalates to trying to damage or destroy them. This has included failure to pay people, filing law suits, as well as coordinating with the Russian mafia to “win” an election.

We have witnessed what many have accurately described as the “reality show presidency.” He insults and fires everyone who disagrees with him publicly, while attempting to protect those who not only should never been hired, but should be fired. More, he does this in a way that is harmful to himself, and obviously damaging to the United States.

As the pressure from the Trump-Russian scandal investigation tightens, Trump is increasingly unstable. Add the Stormy Daniels business – there are things he fears being exposed, such as photographs and a film – and that is enough to take the fuzz right off his peach. His self-image of being “greater” in bed than any male porn star could be shattered if that film hits the internet. Then add the anticipated loses in the November elections. Trump's show is at risk of being canceled.

Thus, we can expect the next two weeks to be increasingly out of control. That will be upsetting to normal people. Yet, all of it must come to pass, for his administration to fully implode.

I trust Mr. Mueller and his team. Yet, we need not be spectators. No, we are citizens. So let's get to work. Prepare for the mid-term elections. In some districts and states, that means identifying what Democratic candidate is most likely to win. She/he might be conservative, moderate, liberal, or progressive – one size doesn't fit all. But we can, and must, create a Democratic tidal wave, to wash the rot out of Washington. That is our duty to our nation.

Peace,
H2O Man

48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump Today (Original Post) H2O Man Mar 2018 OP
K&R. n/t ms liberty Mar 2018 #1
Thanks! H2O Man Mar 2018 #2
I called our local mom/pop book store yesterday to see if they had a copy Frustratedlady Mar 2018 #30
Earlier this week I had a very strong sense -- RandomAccess Mar 2018 #3
Yes, you are right. H2O Man Mar 2018 #4
Your post Reminds me of 2 quotes - RandomAccess Mar 2018 #7
Outstanding quotes! H2O Man Mar 2018 #18
Thought you would RandomAccess Mar 2018 #19
Very much appreciated! H2O Man Mar 2018 #22
Love these! coeur_de_lion Mar 2018 #40
Good. Thanks. RandomAccess Mar 2018 #43
I stole the Ghandi quote for FaceBook coeur_de_lion Mar 2018 #45
Not at all -- I put them out there to be borrowed RandomAccess Mar 2018 #48
Yet, all of it must come to pass coeur_de_lion Mar 2018 #5
Thanks. H2O Man Mar 2018 #6
Yes. But this is painful and unlike anything the American public has experienced. Tatiana Mar 2018 #8
Right. H2O Man Mar 2018 #12
We Can't Have It Both Ways - Trump Has Dementia, Mental Problems, Can't Read..... global1 Mar 2018 #9
I think that's easy. H2O Man Mar 2018 #13
The banality of evil. n/t murielm99 Mar 2018 #31
"Thus, it is safe to limit the full range of neurological impulses between his panader0 Mar 2018 #10
Thanks! H2O Man Mar 2018 #15
Kick dalton99a Mar 2018 #11
Thank you, dalton99a! H2O Man Mar 2018 #16
K&R. nt tblue37 Mar 2018 #14
Thank you, tblue37! H2O Man Mar 2018 #17
One of the symptoms of sociopathy... malthaussen Mar 2018 #20
Exactly right! H2O Man Mar 2018 #23
I hate to say this, but I had a family member True Blue American Mar 2018 #29
We have one of those, too. murielm99 Mar 2018 #33
I feel for you True Blue American Mar 2018 #36
KnR Hekate Mar 2018 #21
Thank you! H2O Man Mar 2018 #24
Dowd just said True Blue American Mar 2018 #25
He's a jackass. H2O Man Mar 2018 #26
Kick coeur_de_lion Mar 2018 #42
Unfortunately I cannot share your optimism. Stonepounder Mar 2018 #27
I am concerned about the same thing with the spineless True Blue American Mar 2018 #37
I suspect they see themselves as the US equivalent to the Politburo. Stonepounder Mar 2018 #39
K&R! Awesome post. We shall overcome. KPN Mar 2018 #28
Kicks and recommendations! n/t Different Drummer Mar 2018 #32
Excellent post pandr32 Mar 2018 #34
Trump's show is at risk of being canceled. lunatica Mar 2018 #35
+10000 Demsrule86 Mar 2018 #38
And NONE if this stopped people from thinking Hillary was just as bad a choice. boston bean Mar 2018 #41
K&R... spanone Mar 2018 #44
What a great post WaterMan malaise Mar 2018 #46
Kicking! n/t DemSoc Mar 2018 #47

H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
2. Thanks!
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 10:05 AM
Mar 2018

I'm waiting for my younger son and friend to get here -- we're off on a two-day journey for them to compete in the semi-finald of the NYS Golden Gloves. At least I can take my mind off Trump, if not relax.

People should read Corn & Isikoff's new book.

Frustratedlady

(16,254 posts)
30. I called our local mom/pop book store yesterday to see if they had a copy
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 12:27 PM
Mar 2018

and she said they were on back order as the publisher was having problems keeping up. It will be a couple weeks before I get one.

I think they both are good writers and write in a way to hold your interest and not become bored. My problem will be keeping track of the Russian names and connect the names to the right people.

 

RandomAccess

(5,210 posts)
3. Earlier this week I had a very strong sense --
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 10:17 AM
Mar 2018

and I don't recall that it was pegged to anything in particular though the Tillerson firing and threats of other changes of the "adults" in the room -- that we were off and running, that Trump was going to be increasingly uncontrollable, increasingly bold and aggressive, increasingly isolated probably, increasingly impossible to deal with, increasingly reliant on lies just to have SOMEthing come out of his mouth, on and on and on.

Whatever we've come up against so far has just been the warm-up act.

I fear that if November doesn't get here very, very soon (AND we're able to overpower all election fraud, voter suppression, etc.) or if Mueller doesn't pull the trigger on the whole shebang, we're going to be in very deep trouble. He won't be backing down, back or away.

H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
4. Yes, you are right.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 10:30 AM
Mar 2018

Trump is gearing up to claim the powers of the dictators he most admires. It's real. And we are, exactly as you noted, starting to enter an extremely dangerous zone. It's as bad as people think. Even worse.

But we will not only be okay, we will win. That victory depends upon each one of us. And that gives me confidence.

 

RandomAccess

(5,210 posts)
19. Thought you would
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 11:55 AM
Mar 2018

But I also think you're probably already familiar with at least the Gandhi quote.

Anyway, I love creating and sharing memes like this.

coeur_de_lion

(3,676 posts)
5. Yet, all of it must come to pass
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 10:39 AM
Mar 2018

for his administration to fully implode.

Comforting words. In a very scary time.

It worries me that if Mueller is only now asking for Trump business records we have months more of this shit show before they take him down.

H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
6. Thanks.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 10:44 AM
Mar 2018

The Trump business associates had actually shared a number of their documents with Team Mueller when they were requested. However, Trump's legal team decided that Mr. Mueller was not entitled to some specific ones. Hence, Mr. Mueller subpoenaed these, rather than asking. It's not an issue Trump's team gets to decide on their own -- similar to Nixon not being able to decide if he would share his infamous tapes.

Tatiana

(14,167 posts)
8. Yes. But this is painful and unlike anything the American public has experienced.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 11:00 AM
Mar 2018

We haven’t experienced a Presidency of someone of such low character and filled with such malice.

He is an evil person and all of his enablers are just as culpable.

My only solace is that this really feels like the beginning of the end.

H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
12. Right.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 11:28 AM
Mar 2018

He is the worst. And he brings out the worst in his supporters. Thus, we need to bring out the best in ourselves, to counter him.

global1

(25,226 posts)
9. We Can't Have It Both Ways - Trump Has Dementia, Mental Problems, Can't Read.....
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 11:05 AM
Mar 2018

is stupid, dumb, etc - OR - is Trump an evil genius?

Is he himself making all these calls - like having McCabe fired - OR - is some other body directing the strategies here?

H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
13. I think that's easy.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 11:35 AM
Mar 2018

The only people who call him a genius are himself and family members. Don't even entertain that, for it is foolish.

Trump is a psychopath. Very few psychopaths are highly intelligent, much less geniuses. Most are in the realm of ordinary to dull-witted. With this, Trump also has what it known as a conduct disorder. That is what, for example, the shithead that recently did the school shooting had -- a conduct disorder, not a serious mental illness. An inability to deal with life's frustrations, or take responsibility for himself. A tendency to lash out violently against "enemies."

Most dictators throughout human history were relatively ordinary in terms of intelligence. Some were downright stupid. All have been a curious combination of paranoid and vastly over-confident.

panader0

(25,816 posts)
10. "Thus, it is safe to limit the full range of neurological impulses between his
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 11:11 AM
Mar 2018

ears to the spectrum of emotional needs."
A very good piece today. Thanks.

malthaussen

(17,175 posts)
20. One of the symptoms of sociopathy...
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 11:56 AM
Mar 2018

... is very intense, but transitory, desires for physical gratification, whether it be a chocolate bar or a sexual encounter. Once the desire is gratified, the need recharges quickly, as if it were ADD for physical pleasures.

Mr Trump seems to exhibit a toxic combination of these kinds of desires, coupled with a vindictive nature that never forgets a slight. It is interesting that he can have constant spontaneous urges, while at the same time, harboring such long-term ill-will.

-- Mal

H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
23. Exactly right!
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 12:07 PM
Mar 2018

He planted the seeds of his own destruction with that conduct. It intensifies, as the end approaches.

True Blue American

(17,981 posts)
29. I hate to say this, but I had a family member
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 12:26 PM
Mar 2018

Use the same tactics Trump does. That is why I could see what he was the first minute I saw him.

They use people until they get wise, then turn on them, become very vindictive to that person.trump magnifies that.

That was at the Press Club when Obama made fun of him. Most would have laughed it off. Trump was furious.

murielm99

(30,717 posts)
33. We have one of those, too.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 12:31 PM
Mar 2018

My mother. She gets away with it all too often. She is eighty-nine and will outlive us all.

True Blue American

(17,981 posts)
36. I feel for you
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 01:46 PM
Mar 2018

I think all of us have at least one in every family.

Can you imagine what Trumps family go through behind closed doors?

Notice, Melania is out of sight. I watched Trump grip her hand several times after she brushed him off. He shakes hands in the same way. I have noticed several Leaders do not want to shake his hand.

H2O Man

(73,513 posts)
24. Thank you!
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 12:09 PM
Mar 2018

A good friend suggested I post something, as things seem out of control. At first, I said I didn't have time -- I'm heading out for a couple of days -- but I hurried to write this. I wasn't confident it was okay, but posted it anyway. So I'm both happy and surprised that people like it.

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
27. Unfortunately I cannot share your optimism.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 12:17 PM
Mar 2018

If it were just the Executive I would be angry, but hopeful. Unfortunately the push to destroy our system of government includes not only the Executive, but also the Legislative Branch, with the Republicans gleefully lining up in lockstep with Trump and doing everything in their power to aid and abet his dictatorial ambitions. Then we have Trump and the Congress confirming the worst people to be Judges in the Federal Courts. Additionally Trump and Congress blissfully ignore the fact that Trump is rapidly destroying the structure of Washington by installing totally incompetent heads of Federal agencies, failing appoint diplomats, cutting budgets, etc. Again, with the craven approval of the GOP run Congress.

I am about 60-75% convinced that there will be some sort of 'National Emergency' along about October that we require Martial Law and the 'postponement' of the November Elections, which Congress will happily go along with.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

-MARTIN NIEMÖLLER

True Blue American

(17,981 posts)
37. I am concerned about the same thing with the spineless
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 01:48 PM
Mar 2018

Republicans.

Of course many of them are as deep in hot water as Trump.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
35. Trump's show is at risk of being canceled.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 12:56 PM
Mar 2018

Hammer met nail in that sentence.

His ratings are falling and he simply can’t live with that.

It really is all just a put on. A show.

“Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

boston bean

(36,219 posts)
41. And NONE if this stopped people from thinking Hillary was just as bad a choice.
Sat Mar 17, 2018, 03:40 PM
Mar 2018

I will NEVER forget it.

It was foolhardy navel gazing.

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