The Year of Being Completely Overwhelmed by Trump

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Hey, remember that time Donald Trump revealed classified intelligence from an American ally to the Russian foreign minister in the Oval Office?

You probably don't, and who can blame you? It happened nearly nine months ago, on March 23rd, and nine months is an eternity with this administration. But the amount of time that's passed is not the only reason you've put that incident out of your mind. There is a limit to how much we can focus on at once – and under Trump, the news cycles come at us so quickly and in such quantity that no single issue stays at the forefront for very long. A story about the president mishandling classified information – wasn't he accusing his opponent of that during the election? – and jeopardizing the relationship we have with allied countries is a big deal. It demands attention. Yet now it is just one of a mountain of scandals, mishaps and inanities that have piled up so high that focusing on any single event becomes a challenge.

Trump is like an assembly line that cranks out new feuds, crises and headlines. If it's not classified info, it's Charlottesville. Or North Korea. Or kneeling NFL players. Or trade with China. Or terrorism. Or racist tweets about terrorism. Or the wall. Or Iran. Or repealing Obamacare. Or feuding on Twitter like a hyperactive teenager. Nothing gets the attention it would in calmer times, because every day brings several new "What the hell is happening?" moments.

Though he probably doesn't realize it, Trump benefits from doing so many bizarre and ridiculous things that they steal attention from each other. In many cases, the most egregious things he says are conveniently timed to take attention away from more serious issues – see his recent "Pocahontas" comments overshadowing debate about the tax bill in Congress or the controversy over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Trump has flummoxed academics, journalists and commentators attempting to fit him into the historical context of the presidency. Collectively, we appear unable to decide if Trump is some kind of strategic mastermind or so random and impulsive that even he doesn't know what he will say or do next.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/the-year-of-being-completely-overwhelmed-by-trump-w513802?utm_source=rsnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=121417_16

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. K and R

[hlthe2b]

2. I'm exhausted.. I know we can't give in, but damn....

[teamster633]

3. I'll go along with the premise right up until "strategic mastermind".

[marylandblue]

4. We don't understand how to deal with malignant narcissists

I used to work with one. He could tell four countermanding lies in a single sentence. It's actually quite a talent to pack so much BS into so few words. Trump is the Michaelangelo of nonsense.

[Clarity2]

5. Thank you

for making me feel normal.

I honestly dont know how some people can keep their facts straight. Im at the point that I read an article that I sometimes cant comprehend it...the brain is full to capacity. I’m overwhelmed, and I need summaries. Anxiety has affected my ability to sort out info.

It feels like we’re all cramming for college exams or studying for the bar with the cycle of info everyday.

Thats what they want to do...wear us down. F* that. Mental breaks are essential for those that need it. I admire those that dont.