Trump on Fire

[H2O Man]

"There has never been a system yet that would not gladly sacrifice one of its own for a moment's peace, no matter how brief. If the system is to be changed, then those who would change it should pinpoint its weak spot, its blockage points, and place all pressure on that one point until the blockage is cleared."
Vine Deloria; We Talk, You Listen; Macmillan; 1970; page 6.


Note: Before I get started, I'd like to say that watching Maya Wiley and Nick Akerman on MSNBC's “The Beat with Ari Melber” was extraordinary yesterday.

Now, on to Trump. One of the things that most people here are aware of is that Trump's brain does not function in a healthy manner. He does not interpret reality in the same manner that rational people do. Add to that the fact that he is ignorant, and he has frequently put his ignorance of the presidency on full display. For example, he believed that individuals and groups, including the Attorney General, the FBI, and the larger intelligence community, worked for him.

He said that the Attorney General was “supposed to protect” him, as he believed Robert Kennedy and Eric Holder had done. He spoke of needing a Roy Cohn, the infamous mob lawyer. Trump believed that being president would make him a powerful mob boss, on par with Vladimir Putin.

In other words, Trump imagines himself to be Tyrannosaurus Rex. And in a sense – beyond his hands – that is accurate. For Trump's behaviors are largely dictated by the reptilian section of his brain, a trait that holds true for sociopaths. Thus, I'd like to engage in some informed speculation on how the sociopath-in-chief and his enablers might behave in the days and weeks to come.

To begin with, let's focus upon some of his recent reactions to current events. Clearly, he feels threatened to an extent that has caused a change in his usual behaviors. The obvious example is his allowing Congress access to documents and individuals from the executive branch, which is distinct from what we have seen with House committees investigating his other crimes.

Initially, the White House and Department of Justice attempted to hide any mention of the whistle-blower and his/her complaint Then the flood gates opened. After telling reporters a few versions of why he withheld funds from Ukraine, none of which had the ring of truth, Trump called Speaker Pelosi to ask if they could make a deal to avoid her upcoming statement on impeachment? After Speaker Pelosi told Trump that he should tell his people to obey the law, he was furious. He told reporters that Ms. Pelosi was no longer the Speaker of the House. One can safely identify this as projection.

Trump also insisted that his poll numbers have gone up since his shit hit the fan. A rational person would recognize that no meaningful poll has been undertaken, completed, and reported upon in the past 48 hours. These polls exist nowhere but between Trump's ears.

It is essential to remember that Trump isn't lying in the usual manner that he does. Sociopaths under extreme pressure frequently experience brief episodes of psychosis. Add to Trump's break from all contact with reality his tendency to invest in conspiracy theories. In this instance, there is reason to believe Rudy first convinced Trump that there was a Biden-Ukraine scandal available to exploit in the 2020 election.

Even under the abnormal circumstances of his presidency, we have seen that Trump fully expects those close to him to fall upon their swords to protect him. There is no one he will not throw under the bus. And this includes Rudy, his long-time bud. See film below:

The president's advisers will tell him to circle the wagons, and send only trustworthy individuals out to try to spin and distract. But Trump will prove incapable of that. He will tweet, and continue to rant to reporters. Some in the administration will refuse to sacrifice themselves on the alter of Trump, while others will carve swastikas in their foreheads if Trump does. Trump will attack those who “betray” him, and throw all others under the bus.

I, for one, do not want this disturbed jackass determining issues such as a possible military strike on Iran. Just my opinion.

[Iterate]

1. A very nice piece, but the headline left me disappointed.

Thanks.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. Yeah, there is one image that leaps to mind

[H2O Man]

19. While I was writing

this, I could feel my energy draining rapidly. I wasn't sure if the last third made sense to anyone but me. I made the headline last, with the image of Trump stewing as he watches the news tonight.

[Iterate]

36. Maybe your last thought, but it works well.

I like the image of that guy stewing in his own private hell (and was having fun with being too literal).

More study needed about what happens when a leader's irrational world view collapses, not just pathology or politics, but the sheer stress of crafting so many lies to replace the failed ones. Worst place on earth must be in his head. No pity, no quarter.

It's worth "Trump on Fire II".

[saidsimplesimon]

3. Thanks for the warning H2O

Nothing I could say will influence a man beyond reason. I operate in my own interests by attempting to protect our nation, greatly wounded by attempts to divide US.

[H2O Man]

20. Thank you!

[spanone]

4. K&R...

[H2O Man]

21. Thanks!

[malaise]

5. This is sooooooooooooo good - great OP!

[H2O Man]

23. Thanks, malaise!

I expect tomorrow to be entertaining, and the weekend even more so.

[coeur_de_lion]

6. I've looked and looked

Can't find Maya Wiley and Nick Akerman from Ari Melber last night. Bummed. I would really like to watch that.

[flibbitygiblets]

9. I can only find the transcript

http://www.msnbc.com/transcripts/msnbc-live-with-ari-melber/2019-09-25

[coeur_de_lion]

16. Thank you for this!

[flibbitygiblets]

17. Welcome couer_de_lion!

[H2O Man]

24. After reading it,

I'm sure you enjoyed how Maya linked Barr's role to the question that Senator Harris asked him. She has a brilliant legal mind. And I've long admired Nick.

[coeur_de_lion]

26. Yes. Did the president ever ask you to investigate anyone?

Barr: No.

Fucking liar.

[Me.]

57. You Got It

[coeur_de_lion]

58. Hello there Me!

[Iterate]

63. Here's the MSNBC Wiley/Akerman/Clift/Melber video clip

https://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari/watch/tipping-point-for-impeaching-trump-as-wh-admits-ukraine-biden-plot-69914181507

The heart of it starts at 5:40 or so.

[coeur_de_lion]

64. Thank you!

[Hekate]

7. Kick

[H2O Man]

29. Thanks!

[nvme]

8. At this point :)

I am so happy i could just pee. I am enjoying watching the TP from the Repubs. I am glad that may be his lawlessness will finally be addressed

[flibbitygiblets]

11. Same here, hardly got any work done today but DAMN it feels good to have hope again

Is there really a possibility this reality-show nightmare will end?

First Fitzmas, then Mueller, now this...please for the love of all that is holy, let the goddamn bad guys get caught and held responsible for once!!!

[H2O Man]

33. I think so.

I think that as this unfolds, enough republicans in the Senate will turn on Trump.

[flibbitygiblets]

35. From your keyboard to the Gods' ears, H20 Man!

[H2O Man]

39. If I understand correctly,

there have been a few "informal" meetings of small groups of republican Senators agreeing that if the Democrats impeach him, they will vote to convict. Not for the best of resons, of course, but they view it in terms of their own re-election prospects. Trump is not popular among Senate republicans. They despise him.

[grantcart]

12. Who knew that "Letting Trump be Trump" would be so much fun?

Apparently Pelosi knew.

[H2O Man]

31. Right.

I'm not sure if she's known this was just below the surface for long, but it would not surprise me. Either way, it has worked out well.

[H2O Man]

30. It's a good day!

We've had a few in a row. I like that!

[Karadeniz]

10. You're right...something definitely amiss with his brain. He rejects reality in order to writhe

In conspiracy theories. He revels in persecution. Even now, he's screaming that the lawlessness of the Bidens must be exposed. It's as if he needs his false reality to justify his own narcissistic behaviors. Truth and facts wouldn't justify his lawlessness, so that reality can't exist. He's a good candidate for amendment 25.

[H2O Man]

40. So much of the

nonsense that comes out of his mouth is projection. There is going to be an investigation, for sure, just not the one he is calling for.

[llmart]

13. "He will tweet, and continue to rant to reporters."

The reason he will continue to rant to reporters is because someone with his malignant narcissism is incapable of trusting anyone other than himself. There is no one who he can "send out to spin and distract" that he deems trustworthy.

I was surprised to see ole' Kelly Ann being interviewed tonight on PBS News Hour. I didn't listen to her - have no desire to put myself through that - but surprised he couldn't find someone else to "defend" his actions. I'd bet my bottom dollar that he doesn't trust her one bit, but he's in desperation mode right now.

A friend who just happens to be a psychologist once told me, when I was trying to figure out the behaviors of a narcissist in my life, "You are trying to put rational thought to irrational behavior and that will never help you to understand the behaviors of a malignant narcissist."

The sooner Trump and his grifting family are gone, the sooner we can begin to right this ship of state as much as possible and save our democracy.

[H2O Man]

41. Your friend

was correct. Rational thought patterns do not translate to the actions of a malignant narcissist. ("Malignant narcissist" was Erich Fromm's description of sociopaths.)

Getting rid of Trump et al will be the firt step in re-establishing our constitutional democracy, as you note. But there is a heck of a lot of hard work to follow, that requires the constant participation of the grass roots.

[Initech]

14. He's going to blow like Lewis Black in Inside Out.

The GOP / Fox / Putin / Trump bubble can only get so big before it's going to burst. And it looks like it has.

[H2O Man]

42. I'm really curious

what other records of conversations with foreign leaders are being hidden in the secret vault. I think it is likely with Putin and the "prince."

[Uncle Joe]

15. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

43. Thank you!

[ms liberty]

18. Do you think he's beginning to devolve? And...

If so, do you think it will start happening at a faster pace now? Events are taking over and how long can he handle it, and what happens when he can't anymore? And the 64 brazillion dollar question is how long before that happens?

[H2O Man]

44. Good question.

When I worked with people suffering from chronic and persistent mental illnesses, there were more easily identified symptoms of when they were cycling .....most often as a result of not taking medication as prescribed. Thus, the goal was to get them back on track before hospitalization was required.

Sociopaths are different. There is no medication, for example. But there are patterns of when they decompensate/ deteriorate. And Trump is displaying those. For example, with so much going on to cause him pressure, he doesn't have an answer for some things, but a pressured response for literally everything. And the pressured responses exhibit a high degree of paranoia.

Those who are loyal to him are trying to convince him to take a few days to cool off. It seems likely that he will refuse to take their advice. And that is another clue -- not uncommon with him at any time, but it will be interesting to listen to him and read his tweets. Let's keep an on-going analysis of this over the weekend!

[Buns_of_Fire]

22. T-Rex: Big mouth, little paws, enormous ass.

T-Rump: Much the same, except sheathed in a cheap suit.

[H2O Man]

45. Right.

[eleny]

25. I worry, too, because I don't think he'll resign

We have him for a long and dreadful haul. Any deal he'd accept would have to be zero sum game in his favor.

Btw, I so agree about Maya and Nick on Melber's program yesterday. They're always so clear.

[H2O Man]

46. My son and I

were debating this last night. He doesn't think Trump will resign. I noted Trump's documented history of backing down in court cases. When Senate republicans inform him that they cannot support him, I'm confident he will quit. But better if he doesn't quit, and is convicted instead.

Maya and Nick are outstanding. I've seen a number of reporters using her thinking per Barr, without giving her credit for nailing it. I'm trying to get Nick to do an interview for DU:GD.

[eleny]

62. The Republicans can't convict him, imo - Here's my reasoning....

The only two presidents ever impeached were Dems, Johnson & Clinton. If Trump is impeached it's bad enough that he's a Repub. But to be a Republican president convicted by a Republican controlled Senate thus being the first president ever removed from office? They couldn't do it. It's a legacy they would never live down.

Besides, if he leaves office voluntarily then he has no chance of keeping himself from being sent up the river by New York State.

[NBachers]

27. "Once Upon a Time in the White House"

[H2O Man]

47. Perfect!

You had me laughing so loud my dog was concerned. I love it! Thank you so much!!!

[NBachers]

55. Riffing on your Manson association; I thought it was appropriate for the times.

[H2O Man]

56. It is perfect!

[Cary]

28. Don't look to me to pee on him to put it out

[H2O Man]

48. Okay.

Perhaps a quart of gasoline?

This should be an interesting weekend. What other conversations with foreign leaders do you think the White House is trying to hide?

[Cary]

65. We shall see H2O Man

You owe me a high 5 when something really good goes down.

[H2O Man]

66. Okay .....

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

32. Like this?

[H2O Man]

49. Exactly!!!!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

34. "does not interpret reality in the same manner"

TrumPutin thought the "transcript" would exonerate him. He still may not see that it incriminates him.

[H2O Man]

50. Isn't that something?

I can't wait to see the real transcript. And I have difficulty identifying what he thought the released version would be helpful with.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

53. the wiring is bad in this one

He seems to be shocked that people didn't accept his manufactured reality. If he says it was a "perfect phone call", then the world, in his mind, must accept that as fact. He may believe that all he had to do was not be explicit in his extortion and that would be enough to shield him. Didn't work for mafia bosses in criminal trials. Won't work for The Dumbest Don in an impeachment.

[H2O Man]

54. Exactly!

"He seems to be shocked that people didn't accept his manufactured reality." And exactly as you say, he believes that people MUST believe him, for he is the president -- and in his distorted view, that means ultimate power. He lacks the capacity to learn from history, because his understanding is at such a low level.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

37. Good morning H2O

Good essay to go with my coffee.

[H2O Man]

51. Thank you!

I'm trying to prepare to complete all the tasks I have around here this afternoon, so that I can focus on this over the weekend. And that includes going to the store to stock up on more coffee. This should be fun!

[coeur_de_lion]

38. I don't know what the outcome will be.

But I see this as an act of total desperation. If he loses the presidency 10 counts of obstruction are waiting for him.

He cannot win unless he cheats.

The Republican Party backed him and when he loses they will too.

They have been desperate and cheating for years. Their party is finished. They know it.

But like you said they will become more and more desperate.

It will get worse before it gets better.

[H2O Man]

52. There's an old story

that Malcolm X used to tell about Omar, who attempted to escape his destiny. Omar was on a path that he realized led to his death. So he began trying to escape his destiny, by taking side-paths that he believed led in the other direction. But at the appointed hour, he came to a crossroad, where his destiny awaited him. Death said, "Omar! I've been expecting you!"

Trump will continue to attempt to avoid his destiny. But the death of his presidency waits, patiently.

[coeur_de_lion]

59. You paint a very nice picture

I wonder which of his partners in crime will be the first to crack?

Any guesses?

[H2O Man]

60. Last night, my cousin

and I were discussing this. I told him to think back to junior high school, when he and a couple friends pulled a prank. I said to remember the kid who, when he felt pressure, tattled on everyone else to save himself. Now, didn't that kid look like Barr? My cousin burst out laughing, and said the kid was the Barr of his class.

[Pluvious]

61. Nothing better underscored his "boss of it all" misperceptions than...

When he made that reference "...when I took over the Country."

We all were just a nation of lackeys to the Donald.

[Aussie105]

67. Capo dei capi

Trump sees himself as the Boss of all Bosses.

His behaviour is indistinguishable from that of a crime boss, Mafia style.

Not working out too good for him though.