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H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
Wed Aug 29, 2018, 02:29 PM Aug 2018

Steele & Broken Glass

“Steel and Glass”
John Lennon

There you stand with your L.A. tan
And your New York walk and your New York talk.....
Well your mouthpiece squawks as he spreads your lies
But you can't pull strings if your hands are tied
Well your teeth are clean but your mind is capped
You leave your smell like an alley cat
Steel and glass
Steel and glass


It was wonderful to learn that Trump spent the weekend “calling people and screaming.” He reportedly “feels boxed in” by recent events, and “sees no way out.” This is a good thing. And it will continue to get better.

Donald Trump is a sociopath. Thus, he has a remarkably limited range of emotions. He gets positive feelings from “winning,” which in his decaying mind, includes striking out at “enemies.” This allows him to feel in control. But when he faces any form of opposition, he becomes frustrated, and strikes out in anger. Hence, we have witnessed literally hundreds of examples of – be he happy or enraged – his corresponding behaviors are the same: lashing out at others.

There is a third emotion that Trump has recently been dealing with: paranoia. While it is true that paranoia has been a feature of his personality throughout his life time, it has recently become elevated. It is important to recognize that the paranoid thinking associated with interpersonal relationships and business dealings is different that that associated with fearing that one's criminal behaviors are being investigated and pursued in the legal system.

In general, when investigators are seeking evidence required to prosecute crimes committed by an organized group, efforts are made to increase the levels of paranoia within the group. This holds particularly true for the group's leadership. Frequently, the target will increase the efforts to both not make a mistake, and to hide evidence of their guilt. Yet, due to the elevated paranoia, they are actually more likely to expose their guilt.

Now, there are obviously serious differences in the power of, for example, a mob boss and a president to try to cover their tracks. While both may attempt to seek assistance from a corrupt person in government – and there are corrupt individuals within all three branches – a president does have the power to fire people. Richard Nixon exercised this power, in a gross example of what is known as “abuse of power.” Nixon also dangled pardons in front of co-conspirators he wanted to keep silent. And he attempted to manipulate two intelligence agencies to cover his tracks.

The best investigators and prosecutors recognize the patterns of behaviors that criminals exhibit. This includes mob bosses as well as presidents. Hence, they prepare well in advance of the elevation of paranoid thinking. Thus, they are able to correctly anticipate what actions their prey will take. And they are able to respond to those actions.

I can say, with zero risk of error, that Mr. Mueller has a far greater understanding of what makes Trump tick, than Trump does of Mr. Mueller. For a sociopath can only view others in the context of themselves, with others being mere objects. Yet Mr. Mueller has taken Trump's measure in a far broader perspective.

Screaming weekend phone calls, renewed threats to fire Sessions and McGahn, and the attack on “Google” are among the expected range of elevated paranoia expressing itself. Attempts to thwart the Mueller investigation will surely increase. But it is too late. Trump will only increase his legal jeopardy between now and the November elections, and it will skyrocket in the days after the election.

Keep on fighting the Good Fight!
H2O Man

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Steele & Broken Glass (Original Post) H2O Man Aug 2018 OP
I like how you think, my dear H20 Man! CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2018 #1
Thanks! H2O Man Aug 2018 #6
I am looking forward so much coeur_de_lion Aug 2018 #12
Mueller understands Trump better than Trump understands Trump. lagomorph777 Aug 2018 #2
Right. H2O Man Aug 2018 #7
C.O.R.R.E.C.T. shraby Aug 2018 #3
Thanks, Buddy! H2O Man Aug 2018 #8
I can't wait to see how this ends for malaise Aug 2018 #4
It ends badly H2O Man Aug 2018 #9
I want to see the end for this villain malaise Aug 2018 #11
Kick and Rec Hekate Aug 2018 #5
Thank you! H2O Man Aug 2018 #10
this is my favorite part of your essay coeur_de_lion Aug 2018 #13
I've Got A Way Out For You, Doofus smb Aug 2018 #14
Things are proceeding apace in re Trump... malthaussen Aug 2018 #15
The paranoia has certainly surfaced. kentuck Aug 2018 #16

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,296 posts)
1. I like how you think, my dear H20 Man!
Wed Aug 29, 2018, 02:47 PM
Aug 2018

Your thinking is very logical and goes right where it should.

May tRump's legal jeopardy only increase!



coeur_de_lion

(3,662 posts)
12. I am looking forward so much
Wed Aug 29, 2018, 07:59 PM
Aug 2018

to gloating as he falls, and falls hard.

Normally I would feel a pang of guilt for gloating but nah not this time.

Burn baby burn.

Most hated man in the world.

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
2. Mueller understands Trump better than Trump understands Trump.
Wed Aug 29, 2018, 02:52 PM
Aug 2018

Trump is Putin's puppet, and he is Mueller's hapless prey. He has no idea that every time he struggles, he is entangled ever more tightly in the web Mueller has woven from Trump's own material.

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
7. Right.
Wed Aug 29, 2018, 05:03 PM
Aug 2018

Mr. Mueller met with Trump in May of 2017, when Trump talked about his "vision" for a post-Comey FBI. Mr. Mueller got an accurate read of Trump's character. Nothing related to the investigation has changed that. And this is high among the reasons Trump refuses to meet with Mr. Mueller to discuss the investigation.

coeur_de_lion

(3,662 posts)
13. this is my favorite part of your essay
Wed Aug 29, 2018, 08:06 PM
Aug 2018
I can say, with zero risk of error, that Mr. Mueller has a far greater understanding of what makes Trump tick, than Trump does of Mr. Mueller. For a sociopath can only view others in the context of themselves, with others being mere objects. Yet Mr. Mueller has taken Trump's measure in a far broader perspective.


Every time fredo tweets the stable genius digs his own grave even deeper.

I know that by now Mueller has the goods and is waiting to tie up loose ends.

Perhaps he will subpoena fredo; not because he really needs his testimony but because he can't let him get away with not talking. Bad precedent.

Whatever Mueller does I'll be happy as long as it involves removing him and Pence from office.

smb

(3,452 posts)
14. I've Got A Way Out For You, Doofus
Thu Aug 30, 2018, 09:54 AM
Aug 2018

1. Take a trip to a country with no extradition treaty with the US.
2. Resign via mail/phone/TV/tweet/whatever.
3. Stay there.

malthaussen

(17,065 posts)
15. Things are proceeding apace in re Trump...
Thu Aug 30, 2018, 11:17 AM
Aug 2018

... but I am of the opinion that Mr Mueller's investigation is suffering from daily bloat: every time he turns over a rock, more slugs scurry from the light. At this point, I am thinking the whole GOP is complicit. But surely, there are one or two uninvolved?

-- Mal

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