Fired and Furious

[H2O Man]

“There's danger on the edge of town ….”
Jim Morrison; The End



Michael Wolff's book is being released at a perfect time. It not only creates tensions between the Trump White House and the alt-right, but it makes the administration the world's laughingstock at a time when we all need a good laugh. Despite my previous decision, made 14 months ago, not to have any books on Trump in my presidential library, it will join Malcolm Nance's “The Plot to Hack America” and Bandy Lee's “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” next week.

I have talked to two associates in the past 24 hours. One believes that the book will have little impact overall, and none in the long run. The second told me that it is causing much more of a melt-down in the White House than even the top journalists are reporting. Trump, he said, was already furious because his legal team didn't have good news (or a letter) from their meeting with Mr. Mueller. Add to that the fact that the North Korean Trump had just played him, and Trump is enraged.

The difference between Nixon at his absolute worst and Trump is that Nixon believed the portraits of President Lincoln and others might respond to his requests for sage advice, while Trump tries to convince them that he is the smartest man in the room (or hall).

As humorous as it is, it is important to keep in mind that Trump poses an increased risk of dangerous behaviors now. The Mueller investigation haunts him. The North Korean Trump out-maneuvered him very publicly in terms of relations with South Korea, thus making China a more-recognized “leader” on the global stage. And then this new book, which paints an accurately pathetic picture of Trump and his family.

In Dr. Lee's book, several of the contributors mention my favorite psychologist-sociologist, Erich Fromm. Craig Malkin notes that Fromm coined the term “malignant narcissism” to describe those who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder and psychopathy. (page 58)

John Gartner quotes Fromm's writing that “malignant narcissism” is “the quintessence of evil ….the most severe pathology. The root of the most vicious destructiveness and inhumanity.” (page 94) Fromm was describing the severe dangers associated with individuals of Trump-like personality types obtaining political power.

Now, let's consider an important personality trait that this type is commonly noted for: paranoia. Such a person may believe, for example, that there is a risk of someone poisoning their food. One sees the strangeness of this obsessive fear in Trump's preference for McDonald's meals, rather than anything prepared at the White House. (Speaking of consuming “poison”!) And that's a result of simply the average pressures of the presidency.

The current pressures will continue to increase the level of paranoia that Trump is experiencing. This leads to more and increasingly unhinged tweets on his part. It becomes essential, in his tiny mind, to both claim total greatness and power for himself, and to totally devastate the reputations of his perceived enemies. It frequently involves projection, such as Trump's focus on Hillary Clinton and James Comey.

The synergy of his failure to take the spot light off of himself, the humiliating media reports on the new book, and the increasing pressure from the Mueller investigation, will make the coming two months both fascinating and dangerous. As citizens, we have the responsibility to be active participants at this time. Part of that, of course, means preparing to campaign for Democrats in this year's election, for there has never been a more important time and urgent need to win back the House and Senate. It also includes making frequent contact with elected representatives in DC, and voicing our demand that they release the transcripts of the interviews various committees have conducted regarding money laundering. Making this information public will be a huge step in removing the Trumps from the White House, as it is an essential part of the Trump-Russian scandal.

Peace,
H2O Man

[malaise]

1. Excellent read WaterMan

Lock Them Up!

Happy New Year

[H2O Man]

10. Lock 'em up!!!

And here they thought they'd be a dynasty, occupying the White House for generations!

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Thanks for the post.

Always said that Nance will keep most of the members here on the right trail. This Guy knows the real story and the real Players.

[H2O Man]

11. Mr. Nance is outstanding.

When he speaks, I always listen.

[Wellstone ruled]

13. Obvious he knows the real story.

He called it a Russian Cyber Op alla old time KGB operation. Several months back,Nance used the word Treason,that told the real story.

[H2O Man]

15. Mr. Nance

laid it all out in his book in late 2016. Since then, he has assisted a number of good journalists, pointing out the right direction for their research. I think he is a national treasure.

[Wellstone ruled]

24. Understand he has a new book

about to hit the Book Sellers.

[H2O Man]

29. I believe so.

[Raster]

47. I wholeheartedly concur... Malcolm Nance just FREAKIN' ROCKS!

[BigmanPigman]

3. I called all the GOP reps on the Judiciary Committee

at the end of Aug to release the transcripts of the Fusion GPS 10 hour testimony. Grassley and Hatch said on TV that they had no problem with doing this at the time. Now they have done a 180 and changed their minds and creating BS excuses. We need an Indep. Investigation more than ever. Call every day! Michael Moore had a great list and I saved it from about a year ago. It is a simple list of what we should each do and it IS do-able. Let's make this "The End" of this GOP nightmare. I could do without anymore "weird scenes" from DC for a long, long time.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/do-these-10-things-and-trump-will-be-toast_us_58ac605ae4b07028b704264a

[H2O Man]

16. A huge "thank you"!

I really appreciate your message, and the link. We should have an informal DU:GD group that participates in this type of thing daily. We could target specific representatives, and compare notes.

[coeur_de_lion]

46. I'm in

Seriously we need to be active not just talking about tRump.

That said, the book is delicious and I am enjoying the resulting meltdown in the WH.

[kentuck]

4. Wow! That is some scary shit !

John Gartner quotes Fromm's writing that “malignant narcissism” is “the quintessence of evil ….the most severe pathology. The root of the most vicious destructiveness and inhumanity.”

[H2O Man]

17. Right.

Fromm believed in the basic goodness of humankind. But his experiences in growing up taught him the horrors that a Hitler -- or a Trump, a Putin, etc -- can cause.

[Hekate]

5. Thanks for this, WaterMan. As always.

Happy and peaceful new year.

[H2O Man]

30. Thank you!

Always much appreciated!

And a happy and peaceful year to you and yours!

[blogslut]

6. Yes

Wolff's unauthorized biography-style book may be an interesting horror/hate read but it just illustrates the fact that committee members of our Senate and House have known for a long time just how deranged and corrupt Trump is.

The NYT opinion column by the owners of Fusion GPS fell right off the playlist thanks to Wolff's book. I give it 48 hours before BLOTUS supporters begin to nitpick the details in "Fire and Fury" to the point that they can call it 'fake news'.

We need the transcripts of that Fusion GPS testimony made public. Hell, we need all House and the Senate to do their damned jobs but I'm a dreamer.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. Trumpanzees were calling the book fake news by a libruhl journalist as soon as it broke

But they were and are very confused by the schism between tRump and Bannon.

Some are claiming that tRump and Bannon are pulling a con on the media and laughing together in private. It is part of their theory that tRump plays 4-D chess.

I give Obama credit for ONE thing..the people he surrounded himself with were loyal to him..they would die for him they would NEVER EVER say one bad thing about him..they believed in his agenda, even now..would defend him til their dying breath..the people Trump surrounds himself with(Not all of them but some) would sell Trump out for 5 bucks and a pat on the head..sad but true..they are NOT loyal to him

199 posted on 1/3/2018, 4:18:46 PM by Sarah Barracuda

I read Don Jr’s tweets every day, and I would put up his conservatism against Steve Bannon’s any day of the week.

207 posted on 1/3/2018, 4:22:23 PM by Southnsoul

Bannon calling Trump Jr. “treasonous” is enough in my book. Bannon is dead to me, and if Breitbart stands by Bannon than Breitbart is dead to me. Breitbart needs to choose, Trump or Bannon.

213 posted on 1/3/2018, 4:25:54 PM by heights

so far the President has been 100% correct 100% of the time ...

2 posted on 1/3/2018, 5:23:56 PM by davikkm

The stuff swirling around Brannon seems like Kabuki to me. Go watch his 60 Minutes interview and ask yourself what has changed. Perhaps it’s all real and should be taken at face value, but for now I’m skeptical. POTUS and his cohorts are masters of disinformation and strategic deception. They ran a con with Scaramucci that few have figured out to this day.

I am shocked that the press, Dems, and Never-Trumpers still haven’t caught on to Trump’s modus operandi. I remain confident in A.G. Sessions because I believe they intentionally created the prevailing impression of him as a do-nothing. Trump & Co. are running circles around the Swamp. Once you catch on it’s amazing to watch. I believe this year will be the year of resignations, stunning revelations, investigations, and major indictments. I fully expect to see Hillary indicted. If they don’t indict her this year I believe we will see them working their way toward her. I can’t wait until I.G. Horowitz’s report is issued.

32 posted on 1/3/2018, 6:14:13 PM by .45 Long Colt

[MrPurple]

27. what message board are those delusional posts from?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

28. The FReak Republic

They call themselves the FreeRepublic. They think they are geniuses, but they backed Trump, Palin, Romney, and W. They've turned on the latter two and are silent about Palin these days.

[H2O Man]

32. A cluster of

ignorant and hateful folks, incapable of identifying who their enemy is. Instead, they identify with their enemy.

[H2O Man]

31. Right.

The republican tape worms know about Trump. But they continue to risk other people's well-being and safety, for financial gain. They are disgraceful.

The Fusion GPS testimony is vital. I liked the two gentlemen's recent op-ed. While some journalists recognize the connection between the money-laundering and the election disruption, not enough are reporting on it yet. Perhaps that's another area where some DU:GD members could coordinate efforts -- contacting specific journalists.

[kentuck]

7. A great comparison:

"The difference between Nixon at his absolute worst and Trump is that Nixon believed the portraits of President Lincoln and others might respond to his requests for sage advice, while Trump tries to convince them that he is the smartest man in the room (or hall). "

[H2O Man]

33. Thank you.

I edited some of the harsher things I had to say about Trump & Co. But I thought that one was worth keeping in.

[Lil Missy]

8. later ...

[H2O Man]

34. Thanks!

[panader0]

9. I remember reading Fromm in the 60's--'The Art of Loving'.

A fine intellect. Fromm and you.

[H2O Man]

35. That's a great book.

I still have my copy, along with a shelf of his other works.

And thank you!

[Lucinda]

12. KNR

[H2O Man]

36. Thanks!

[spanone]

14. I truly believe Trump is the most dangerous 'leader' the world has seen in many decades.

given his reality show grasp of life.

given his massive immersion in himself/narcissism.

given his meanness.

given the arsenal at his command.

given his party that has no interest in challenging him in the least bit.

these are the strangest of times.

[kairos12]

18. With his access to thousands of nukes he is potentially the most dangerous man that ever lived.

[H2O Man]

37. Well said.

One of the authors in Dr. Lee's book notes that while Trump isn't Hitler, he is as disturbed an individual as Hitler was. And that is supported by Trump's admiration of brutal dictators. On one hand, I can't understand why republicans aren't actively opposing him. But, on the other hand, I understand it all too well. And while I'm old, and have lived a full life, I question what is going to be the future that younger folks face.

[calimary]

19. Another MOST intriguing read, H2O Man!

Thanks for this. You're certainly correct about the near future of this new year. Get out the popcorn...

[H2O Man]

39. Thanks, calimary!

Even if Bannon backs down -- and willingly sleeps it off in a cell, like his dad Otis did in Mayberry, RFD -- the damage he is capable of right now has been done.

I think it's safe to say that Mr. Mueller will be talking with Bannon soon, if he already hasn't. And I believe another important leak regarding Papadopoulos is going to be made public soon (regarding his conversations with Trump).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. I always enjoy reading what you have to say, my dear H20 Man.

This is an excellent post, even while being scary.

I know you're paying attention and I appreciate that so much.

Thank you!

[eleny]

21. Speaking of paranoia...

One of my favorite podcasts is Spycast at the International Spy Museum in D.C. The Psychology of Espionage aired on 12/26 and is available via iTunes.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/spycast/id201680433?mt=2

A psychologist who works (or worked) at the CIA for many years was interviewed. At one point the host asked her about the symptoms of psychosis. She listed the behaviors and it sounded like she was describing Trump.

I was listening before I drifted off the sleep and that was eye popping.

I mention this because you brought up paranoia – and with good reason. In case you might want to listen to the interview you can find it at url above. Btw, Malcolm Nance was interviewed for the podcast some time ago, too.
https://www.spymuseum.org/multimedia/spycast/episode/defeating-isis-an-interview-with-malcolm-nance/

[H2O Man]

40. Right.

I communicated with a couple of old co-workers this evening, on just this topic. Sometimes I think some of us retired mental health workers should be doing grassroots educational programs for the public. Trump is merely a more successful version of some of the dangerous individuals we dealt with in the past.

Thanks for the links!

[Perseus]

22. Yes, excellent

But we cannot focus so hard on the Trumps that we forget to share some of that focus on Pence, Ryan and McConnell, getting rid of the Trumps will not solve the problems we are having, yes it may prevent a nuclear war, but it will not prevent the dismantling of our government and our democracy, that job is not being executed by Trump, the executioners are Pence, Ryan and McConnell, we must fight hard to get rid of them.

[Gabi Hayes]

38. The most important near-future goal is taking the senate, then

NOT seating ANY judges. We know how that works, thx to the turtle

The damage being done by allowing all these federalist society creeps on the bench will be almost irreversible

[H2O Man]

42. Definitely.

That's huge, exactly as you said.

As much as I despise what is being done to the EPA, I know that we can eventually remedy that. We can create a stronger EPA. But the damage being done to the federal courts is different. The federalist anti-society creeps inflict multi-generation level harm.

[H2O Man]

41. Right, I agree.

That's why we need to be working on the 2018 elections. The outcome will be of most significance.

[zentrum]

25. +10000

[H2O Man]

43. Thanks, zentrum!

[samnsara]

26. i tried reading that while high

[H2O Man]

44. In that case,

[underpants]

45. Funny that a guy so afraid of poisoning would be dealing with the Russians

Those people are still SERIOUS about poisoning

Great morning read.

[zentrum]

48. Excellent point.