I think attempts to explain Trump's actions generally fail out of the gate because they're not starting from the most grounded and well-established base - he's not "calculating" anything, he's an aging man suffering from a serious personality disorder. Time spent studying characteristics of such unfortunate folks will lead to a more clear understanding of the problems he makes for both himself and the rest of us. All you have to do is simply watch a couple of his press conferences in their entirety, as well read some of his posts in their entirety to understand this is a guy who has very real and serious issues. He's not performing, he's expressing what he's become over the years since his relationship began with his Dad. Perhaps it's somewhat flown under the radar because so many folks have some idea of what depression and psychosis look like, but are completely unfamiliar with personality disorders.
I completely agree. I asked a psychiatrist recently about his experience with personality disorders, and specifically narcissists. He replied he never saw them. Being thick-headed, it took me a moment to realize that was a humorous comment. :-) He had run into a few in acrimonious divorce cases experienced by patients. Oddly, I know a former colleague whose ex-husband (!) was diagnosed with the disorder and actually went into treatment. I imagine he's retired now, but was well-known in his field. I've personally known several folks with BPD. I look at Trump's reported relationships along with what we can see and the characteristic attempts to try to manage him are so obvious. Like you say, mix in cognitive decline and it's hard not to recall that alleged curse of "May you live in interesting times"!
There seems to be an assumption underlying Ferguson’s remark that Trump gives a damn about the defense, or aggrandizement, of the United States. I don’t believe that’s justified.
Would the Madman Theory not imply that it only works when people actually believe Trump might use military force to "secure" Greenland? Affirmations that he only says crazy stuff as a negotiating tactic by all his allies seems like calling his bluff, thus rendering the tactic useless.
Is that correct or might there still be some utility?
Such an embarrassing article can probably be explained by Sir Niall falling in line with with the new insurrectionist president, as so many others have already done. It is time to delete the phrase "home of the brave" in the national anthem.
What about the possibility that Trump isn't "performatively" mad; he really is batshit crazy.
I think attempts to explain Trump's actions generally fail out of the gate because they're not starting from the most grounded and well-established base - he's not "calculating" anything, he's an aging man suffering from a serious personality disorder. Time spent studying characteristics of such unfortunate folks will lead to a more clear understanding of the problems he makes for both himself and the rest of us. All you have to do is simply watch a couple of his press conferences in their entirety, as well read some of his posts in their entirety to understand this is a guy who has very real and serious issues. He's not performing, he's expressing what he's become over the years since his relationship began with his Dad. Perhaps it's somewhat flown under the radar because so many folks have some idea of what depression and psychosis look like, but are completely unfamiliar with personality disorders.
It’s clear that Trump is a malignant narcissist. Now he is showing signs of cognitive decline as well. This is going to be….interesting.
I completely agree. I asked a psychiatrist recently about his experience with personality disorders, and specifically narcissists. He replied he never saw them. Being thick-headed, it took me a moment to realize that was a humorous comment. :-) He had run into a few in acrimonious divorce cases experienced by patients. Oddly, I know a former colleague whose ex-husband (!) was diagnosed with the disorder and actually went into treatment. I imagine he's retired now, but was well-known in his field. I've personally known several folks with BPD. I look at Trump's reported relationships along with what we can see and the characteristic attempts to try to manage him are so obvious. Like you say, mix in cognitive decline and it's hard not to recall that alleged curse of "May you live in interesting times"!
Canada as the 51st state would likely mean two more Democratic senators. That could be a good thing.
Combine Prince Edward Island with Nova Scotia, and the ten provinces become nine new states, each more populous than Wyoming. Eighteen new senators.
Donald will do what he can, the rest of us will do what we must.
I'm too young to remember the Vietnam War, but my understanding is that the "madman" did not win.
There seems to be an assumption underlying Ferguson’s remark that Trump gives a damn about the defense, or aggrandizement, of the United States. I don’t believe that’s justified.
Would the Madman Theory not imply that it only works when people actually believe Trump might use military force to "secure" Greenland? Affirmations that he only says crazy stuff as a negotiating tactic by all his allies seems like calling his bluff, thus rendering the tactic useless.
Is that correct or might there still be some utility?
The visuals at Helsinki show how much Putin feared tDrumpf.
What happens if Canada starts a bomb project?
Many people are telling me that Canada is going to build a wall and make America pay for it.!!!
Such an embarrassing article can probably be explained by Sir Niall falling in line with with the new insurrectionist president, as so many others have already done. It is time to delete the phrase "home of the brave" in the national anthem.
Change always looks crazy.