April 10, 2023

The Twist

“In order to be profoundly dishonest, a person must have one of two qualities: either he is unscrupulously ambitious, or he is unswervingly egocentric. He must believe that for his ends to be served all things and people can justifiably be shifted about, or that he is the center not only of his own world but of the worlds which others inhabit.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings


I came upon this wonderful quote this morning, and found myself thinking about it in the early afternoon hours as I worked in the garden. So much so that, rather than my usual focus on the teachings of Erich Fromm, I wandered into another row of thought: Jean Piaget's stages od development and cognitive theory.

Since 2015, there have been numerous OP/threads on what is known as narcissistic personality disorder. I've posted a few references to Fromm's "malignant narcissism," which was his term for sociopathy/ psychopathy. But thoughts on egocentrism occupied my head, as I took the dog for a walk so she could take her afternoon trump.

The defendant, of course, is exactly what Fromm had in mind as a malignant narcissist. As we watch the defendant "twisting, slowly, slowly in the wind" (Ehrlichman), and his popularity plummet with every whiny outburst, one might wonder how anyone could possibly support him? Again, Maya Angelou's quote came to mind.

Piaget noted that children, generally between the ages of two and seven, were at a preoperational stage of development. Thus, they are not noted for applying logical thought while attempting to understand the world around them. They do not have the capacity to decentralize -- meaning being able to consider two distinct things at a time. This is found when they are in non-social and social settings.

Now, most of our brain capacities will outgrow this stage. But, in many cases -- too many, in my opinion -- a person does not fully outgrow this, if at all. This is known as egocentrism. It is, as Ms. Angelou described: viewing one's self as the exact center of the universe, and being convinced that everyone else views "reality" exactly as you do. Egocentrism shares many of the features of narcissism, but differs enough to be distinct.

Thus, I ask, what if a group of self-identified maga-types actually thought that the defendant spoke the truth? That the defendant is not a pathological liar, because they lack the capacity to apply logic? What if a flock of bible-thumpers actually believe that, despite imperfections, that the defendant behaved in the spirit of the prophets, and that their loving, forgiving god was going to send non-believers in the defendant to an ever-lasting hell? And what might the synergy of these two modes of concrete thinking look like?

Since forum members are capable of considering two or more things, and applying logic, I will venture that you are likely thinking, "Why, it would look like the republican party of today." It would explain why, for but one example, so many lack the capacity to understand gun control in terms having to with other than the weapons they own. They feel "safe" when armed in public to the extent that they sincerely believe that the answer to school shootings is arming teachers. As Piaget noted, they are incapable of applying logic.

Now let's consider the war on women's rights. And that is what it is, a war. It is rapidly heading to a pre-pregnancy battle ground, known as "birth control." One need not have studied Sigmund Freud to understand that this is rooted in the republican's deeply rooted unhealthy attitude about sex and sexuality. I could speak at length about this -- from origiins to outcomes on the individual to social levels -- but I'll try to limit this.

What might a collection of people, who are convinced that everyone views sex in exactly the same manner they do, look like? Let's add in that before the age of, say, seven, they had rigid, uptight parents who associated sex with sin. Would they not be prone to projecting their feelings of guilt upon others? Would not the very thought of "nasty women" enjoying orgasms -- or worse yet,expecting them -- result in their feeling a need to punish those women? Do you think we are there yet? I do.

I'm not going to venture into a discussion on the advantages of not hating your enemies. As tempting as it certainly is, I know how difficult the defendant and his cult have made it. So instead I'll end with this: start working on electing Democrats at all levels of government in 2024. Otherwise, we will havethose with the cognitive limitations of children making adult decisions for us all.

April 9, 2023

Eiri Amach na Casca

" Theoretic chaos has replaced the idealistic thinking of old--and, unable to reconstitute theoretic order, men have condemned idealism itself."
-- Port Huron Statement
http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/sixties/HTML_docs/Resources/Primary/Manifestos/SDS_Port_Huron.html


I was talking with my younger son yesterday about the social-political environment of today. In my opinion, his thinking is representative of his generation. As such, it is another link in the unbroken chain of American citizens that want to make the United States live up to its potential of becoming a more perfect union.

No two links in this chain are identical. Each is molded in the context of their times. After my son left, and I continued talking to myself, I noted how some of what he said reminded me of Tom Hayden's "Port Huron Statement." That powerful document has become obscure these days, despite it having once been central to the thinking of my generation. Yet even my own generation appears to have relegated it to being a footnote of a long past time.

I can't claim to have known Tom Hayden well. Most of what I knew came from reading. I did communicate with him lat in his life, and we discussed an interview for the Democratic Underground. I was curious the potential differences in thinking of the older Tom Hayden, with experience in holding poliical office, compared to the idealistic young man who wrote the Port Huron Statement. However, health issues kept postponing the interview, and eventually ended his life.

A lot has changed since the Statement came out in 1962. One could reasonably say the past is the past. A lot of changes have been positive -- I note, for example, that I was not forced to get up early this morning to attend Drake's Temple. Yet I remember Faulkner's saying that "the past is never dead. It's not even past."

Has my generation, despite our best efforts -- or what we pretend were our best efforts -- become our parents and grandparents? Confident that the idealism of the younger generations is misplaced and unrealistic? And that's not to say that it isn't, in many cases. Of course it is, or it would be realistic rather than idealistic.

Our generation dared to dream. And, as my late friend Rubin told me in 1974, it is only the fool who attempts the unrealistic who can be the hero who achieves the impossible. I think that spirit needs to rise from the dead.

April 5, 2023

The Defendant

" 'My country, right or wrong,' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, 'My mother, drunk or sober'."
-- G.K. Chesterton, The Defendant


The defendant is known for calling his opponents by insulting nicknames. From Jeb Bush in the 2016 republican primaries, to his recent attempts to come up with one for Ron DeSantis, he tries to belittle others in this way.

Last night, while watching MSNBC, I was delighted to hear retired prosecutors calling him "the defendant." It is more powerful than any of the nicknames he gave to others. I think that Mr. Chesterton would have agreed. (Note: if anyone here can name the title of the unreleased film of Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw, I would invite you to be on my team in any game of Trivial Pursuit.)

There are what appear to be functioning human beings saying, "The defendant, guilty or not guilty." One can only speculate on if their mothers were drunk or sober while pregnant. However, I am confident that we can agree that these people are desperate cases.

I'd like to return to the former prosecutors interviewed on MSNBC. As a group, they are of superior minds than those found on other media sources. Thus, we do well to listen closely to them, as opposed to some of the hand-wringers found elsewhere who question the strength of D.A. Bragg's case.

The defendants' legal team continues to focus on two weak points. First, that Michael Cohen is a convicted liar. While true, this was exclusively when Cohen lied to protect the defendant. Bragg is not going to base his case on what Cohen says, alone. It will include documents that prove what he testifies to. Plus, there is more evidence to prove the case. Much more.

Second, they claim the case is "political." No shit. It involves the crimes a politician committed to further his campaign. It is indeed "political," in the exact same manner as Watergate was "political." It's no coincidence that both Nixon and the defendant had held the office of the president -- which is political.

Based upon the evidence the DA has -- witnesses and documentation -- the defendant will be convicted. The defendants' legal team is aware of this. Their only hope is that an appelate court will interfere. The jury will convict.

Two things that are important. First, the first pre-trial hearing is scheduled to take place months from now. We know the defendant wants to delay as long as possible. Worry not. There will be other indictments between now and then. The synergy of legal problems will knee-cap the defendant's 2024 campaign.

Second, regarding a gag order ..... last night there was an interesting discussion here about exactly what the judge said to the defendant regarding his verbal diarrhea. As I like and respect both of the two, I did not post on that thread. But the most often quoted part of what the judge said indeed applied to the defendant and all of the lawyers involved. It was the less quoted part, just before, where he spoke specifically to the defendant.

Gag order processes in state courts differ from each other, and obviously federal cases. It appears that the judge was making a record that will support a gag order if the defendant continues to splatter.

Things are good. Trust the process, and those on the side of truth and justice.

April 4, 2023

Is Everbody In?

Older DUers familiar with the "Beat Generation" will remember Willam Burroughs. I'm paying tribute to the author of "The Naked Lunch" on Arraigment Day, knowing that few here recall the rebels that followed the Silent Generation, and were known as "beatniks" in their day. With Richard Nixon serving as vice president, they knew something was bery wrong in America.

Today reminds me of when Nixon was forced from the presidency.

Is everybody in? Is everybody in? The fun has begun.

April 2, 2023

April 4th

It was not, of course, "early morning" when the shot was fired. But April 4th has had special meaning since that horrible day in 1968. It is always a day when I think about Martin Luther King, Jr., and the lessons he taught by example.

As it approaches, with Trumo reportedly going to surrender to the Manhattan Sistrict Attorney on that day, I find myself remembering on of my favorite King quotes:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

I am hoping that when made public, the indictment will shed light on the crimes of Donald Trump. It will not be enough to drive the hatred out of the hearts of the maga crowd, but it may be enough to convince some republicans that he is a toxic growth on America. Either way, I will love Tuesday, April 4th, for the first time in fifty-five years.

March 31, 2023

Gag Trump

“The Judge ‘assigned’ to my Witch Hunt Case, a ‘Case’ that has NEVER BEEN CHARGED BEFORE, HATES ME. His name is Juan Manuel Marchan, was hand picked by Bragg & the Prosecutors."
-- Donald Trump


There are two ways to know when Trump writes things, or posts what one of his employees wrote for him. First, the real Donald can't spell very well at all. Perhaps in time he will learn to spell Justice Merchan's name. I wouldn't bet on it.

The second way is when it is within a plattering of other posts that reek of panic. We all remember his behaviors leading up to January 6. Or recent rants about violence if he is indicted. One might be safe in anticipating he will attempt to have a large crowd outside of the DA's office and courthouse next Tuesday. For that is his cowardly nature to try to threat and intimidate -- in effect, saying if he is held responsible, others will inflict violent retribution.

Thus, it is my hope that DA Alvin Bragg and Justice Merchan agree on Tuesday that there should be a gag order on Trump. It's not that I am anti-Amendment 1. It is because I know that Trump would be incapable of following any such order.

Now, generally judges make an effort not to issue a gag order. Issues relating to them have been the stuff of numerous very important cases when they are appealed. But it is pretty well established when -- in criminal or civil cases -- a judge can correctly issue one. Let's look at this:

"A judge might implement a gag order for a multitude of reasons but primarily for the safety of others and the overall outcome of the trial. The judge’s goal, ideally, is to make sure that every party is treated fairly and is held to the same standards under the law. A gag order is used to prevent the scales of justice from being tipped in one direction or another
https://www.stangelawfirm.com/blog/2021/06/violation-of-free-speech-or-necessity/

Immediately, one thinks of Roger Stone's most recent case, including his violations of the gag order. We remember that Roger was eventually pardoned by his friend, so that he could freely assist in organizing the attempted overthrow of the federal government. Again, another attempt to threaten and intimidate.

Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes famously noted that you can't yell fire in a crowded theater. That illustrates the idea of limitations on Amendment 1. What is too often overlooked is that it had to do with a fellow attempting to convince fellow citizens to oppose the draft. He was charged with espionage, in an interesting case.

It is more than evident that Trump is trying to light fires. If there is a gag order issued, he will definitely have a melt-down, ignore his lawyers' advice, and splatter more out of control posts. Then, he will have confirmation that he is in no sense in control of the court.

March 31, 2023

An End

I wouldn't say that we should ignore those saying that the indictment will strengthen Trump, for it will for about two months. Instead, we should be recognizing how this will strengthen our party as 2024 approaches. We should use it to our advantage every day.

Sure, he will get a bump. But Trump has a concrete ceiling in terms of appeal. Consider his last speech in the pre-indictment era: he was whiny to an extent that will continue, and cause his support to fall away like dead skin after the season's first sun burn. He may still become the republican candidate, despite the likelihood of another indictment dropping around Memorial Day.

There are a number of outstanding former federal prosecutors that we benefit from listening -- closely -- to. Over the years here, I've noted that I think Maya Wiley and Nick Akerman are the two I have the greatest respect for. Maya is brilliant and one of the strongest people I've encountered. Nick is a wise Elder, and was the first I'm aware of who started saying that the grand jury was almost certainly considering more crimes than people thought.

More, this evening Andrew Weissmann has made several very important points. Among these, he noted the DA recognized that he would be questioning numerous "hostile witnesses." Yet Alvin Bragg knew exactly make their hostility work to his adbantage. They helped convince the grand jury to indict Trump.

One of two final notes: keep in mind that prosecutors often communicate between themselves. This includes those on the state and federal level. District attornies and Attorneys General. They share things. This reality will become clearer to Donald Trump as summer approaches.

Second: For those anxious for the DOJ to indict: Other than Pence, those Trump people ordered to testify to the grand jury do recognize that Jack Smith isn't playing games. He's not bluffing. They testify honestly, or risk indictment. That is what is happening there.

March 29, 2023

The Sky

"A rumor twice repeated in prison becomes accepted 'fact'."
--- Rubin "Hurricane" Carter; 1974


I found myself thinking of the above quote from one of the letters I got from Rubin almost fifty years ago while reading posts on the internet late last night and today. This was, in part, after reading a response from our good friend "regnaD kciN" on a thread, reading:
"A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth." - Goebbels

Another factor was watching a clip of Tucker Carlson purposely lying to his audience, saying that the Trans community has joined forces with antifa to declare a violent war against christians. To paraphrase Minister Malcolm X, their minds are in prison. For fear and hatred always incarcerates rational thought.

Regarding the Manhattan grand jury's upcoming break, we even find that reports from semi-usually-somewhat reliable sources contain errors. For but one example, let's consider a single line from Erica Orden's 3-29-2023 article on Politico:

"The grand jury largely didn’t hear evidence in the Trump case last week."
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/29/manhattan-trump-grand-jury-set-to-break-for-a-month-00089422
Although memories are short due to the pace of reported news, many here will likely remember that the grand jury absolutely did hear from Robert Costello last Monday, which evidently was last week -- regardless of daylight savings time or any other factor that may have caused Ms. Orden's confusion.

This break was scheduled when the grand jury first started. It is important to understand that this same grand jury is hearing at very least one other case, possibly more. And perhaps more important, DA Alvin Bragg has the ability to call the jury in on unscheduled days.

I have just come inside from walking our dog. Contrary to any reports or posts you may read that quote Chicken Little, the sky is not falling. That is just the way it seems a mar-a-lago right now.

March 28, 2023

Why

"There have not even been 90 days this year and there have been 129 mass shootings. I’d also like to acknowledge that it feels super close to us because it literally was super close to us, but it’s everywhere in the country, it’s super close to somebody. And this that we’re feeling today, somebody else is going to feel it tomorrow, in a different part of the country. Where we’re the only country this happens to. That to me is so bizarre.”
-- Bobby Bones; Nashville radio host; March 27, 2023


"Why?" That's the question that human beings tend to ask when there is news of the latest school shooting, isn't it? For there really is no doubt about "How?" -- for mass shootings are always accomplished with one or more guns.

"When?" and "Where?" are always easily identified, and as the Nashville radio host noted, mass shootings take place daily in the location we know as the United States. Thus "What?" is rather easy to identify as well.

"Who?" Another feature common to school shooters is severe emotional disturbance. There may or may not be a serious and persistent mental illness. But school shooters are not stable, healthy, well-adjusted individuals. In the sub-group of mass shootings known as school shootings, the perpetrator is most frequently a teenaged white male. Within that group, the majority do not have a stable, on-going relationship with a father or father figure/ mentor.

These are categories based upon long-term statistics that place school shooters into categories. Due to the frequency of school shootings by emotionally disturbed white male teens, it could be easy to reach a point where their names and faces change, but it is the same story. Despite their being unique individuals, they fit into a category.

And that is why, upon initially learning of a school shooter who is not of the common species, there is so often an attempt to place the individual into another category. This tends to be a risky shortcut to an informed conclusion, for several reasons. First, initial news reports are often less than fully accurate. They can be rooted in impressions, rather than facts. And second, the vast majority of people have less than an exhaustive set of mental categories that allow them to appreciate the dynamics involved. For example, there are individuals that we passin society that consider Marjorie Taylor Greene to be an intelligent spokesperson for their ignorance.

Let's consider but one example. It has been reported that this shooter left a manifesto. By definition, a manifesto is something the author is intent upon being public. Perhaps the best example was the Unabomber's "Industrial Society and Its Future." He insisted on it being published. It is, of course, possible that this school shooter wrote a manifesto. It is also possible that it is more of a diary or journal. We may find out, or we may not.

At this point, there are a few things that are certain. It is sad that any human being is killed by a school shooter. It is a symptom of a sickness that is infecting our society. Law enforcement responded quickly and appropriately. And those with very few mental categories to understand this infection will attempt to use it to justify their hatred of "others," for that is once again a growing societal disease. It is our duty to not remain silent, thinking that this does not involve us, it wasn't in my community, I'm not an "other."

March 25, 2023

On Character

"They sentenced me to 20 years of boredom
For trying to change the system from within
I'm coming now, I'm coming to reward them
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin"
-- Leonard Cohen


Two days ago, I watched my grandson while my son got his hair cut. As my universe slept in his car seat, I read from an old Erich Fromm book. From the time my son got back in his vehicle, while the three of us were grocery shopping, right through when he dropped me off at home, we were discussing what Fromm wrote about. And we are still "talking" about it today, by internet.

Fromm noted that during the process that led to Hitler rising to power, most Germans opposed the nazi party. He and some associates conducted a study to determine if Germany would be able to defeat nazism. They found that 15% of the population had a democratic character structure, 10% had an authoritarian character structure, and 75% had a mixture of the two. He noted that, "character, as Heraclitus said and Freud demonstrated, is that fate of man. That character structure decides what kind of idea a man will choose and also decides the force of the idea he has chosen."

This applies to his study in that both the 15% and the 10% of Germans had "convictions," while the other 75% had "opinions." Now, keeping in mind that words may translate different somewhat differently -- not only between languages, but over close to a century -- Fromm noted that those with convictions act upon them, while those with opinions are limited to expressing them.

Unlike Germany, we were able to stop Trump from riding the wave of authoritarianism in 2020. Enough individuals acted upon their convictions and enough people expressed their opinions at the voting booth, that democracy won. In 2022, despite losing control of the House, we won more contests than anticipated. But we still are dealing with the damage that Trump did, and that he and his ilk are intent upon inflicting today.

Democracy, as Rubin used to say, requires constant struggle. It is an on-going, ever-ending process, rather than a final destination. This brings us to today, right now at this moment in time, at this point in the process. So let's think about character, opinons, convictions, and the process in which these unfold. We can start with Donald Trump.

Here is a man of toxic character, with no real opinions or values beyond his own momentary self-interest. He is currently under the extreme pressure that goes with being up against not only a couple of district attornies on the state level, but the Department of Justice in the big arena. While those around him are trying to convince the public that Trump is eager for this fight, they know that is a lie. For a man who has the character to withstand great pressure never threatens "death and destruction" upon the audience if he is forced into a contest, be it in court or, say, the boxing ring.

The day I was with my son and grandson was the anniversary of Muhammad Ali's last fight before exhiled from the ring for his refusal to be drafted. After the fight ended,Ali proposed that he fight the two top contenders in the division -- Oscar Bonavena and Joe Frazier -- on the same night, with a half-hour's rest between fights. Translated into the political arena, that would be equal to Trump saying he wanted to fight charges in Georgia and DC at the same ime.

Ali was under great pressure. Elijah Muhammad said it was okay to enter the army, as he would have a comfortable position, and could still fight and make a big income. But Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated for him to have the courage of his convictions. Ali's fight against Uncle Sam, which ended in a USSC decision in his favor, was bigger than sports. Ali won because of his character. Though it was, of course, a long and difficult process, Ali won.

I can sum up Donald Trump's character is a single word: "sociopath." Older forum members might recall the series of three interviews with Dr. Bandy Lee which I shared here, regarding Trump's sociopathy and the type of people who are in his cult. I will focus here on one specific attribute -- sociopaths enjoy excitement, but tend to experience melt-downs under extreme pressure. One might say that they go Wacco.

We all want to see Trump indicted, tried, and convicted. Many hope this will result in his incarceration. I think it is far more likely to lead to "house arrest." I keep in mind that even then, the struggle isn't over. That isn't the final destination. It's part of the on-going process, and certainly a huge step towards healing the damage the MAGA cult has done to this country.