It reminds me of something I've seen before.
In the 1970's the nation watched in horror as images of Jim Jones, Jonestown were splashed across television screens and the front pages of newspapers. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/jonestown/
Then there were the faces of those who slaughtered many at the behest of Charles Manson.
http://www.biography.com/people/charles-manson-9397912
I'm seeing some disturbing parallels between these men and those who believed in them without reservation and the people I hear professing why they support Donald Trump.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/08/donald-trump-voters/401408/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/27/politics/donald-trump-voters-2016-election/
My unease with the Trump phenomenon is not based on any political bias but more on his ever expanding violent rhetoric and the whipping up of his followers into a frenzy at his rallies.
Is violent the new politically correct?
Is this the way the Silent Majority really wants to be heard?
Psychologists have a name for the temperament Mr. Trump appears to display. Narcissistic Personality Disorder ( NPD ).
Listed below are the traits of this type of personality. See what you think...
1. Has grandiose idea of who they are and what they can
achieve.
2. Is preoccupied with unlimited success and power.
3. Requires excessive admiration from others.
4. Has a sense of entitlement
5. Is arrogant and haughty in behavior and/ or
attitude.
6. Has an exaggerated sense of power allowing them
to bend the rules.
7. Is hypersensitive to how they are seen or perceived by others.
8. Publicly devalues others as being inferior,
incapable or not worthy.
9. Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.
10. Needs to be the center of attention and does
things to distract others to insure that they are being noticed by being late,
over dramatic speech, and making theatrical entrances.
11. Insists on always having the best of everything.
12. Communication is usually one way in the form of
dictates.
13. Behaves as though people are objects to be used,
manipulated or exploited.
14. When criticized tends to lash out in anger
and/or rage.
15. Anyone who criticizes them is labeled an enemy.
( http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-not-long-killed-trump-rally-article-1.2549868 )
( http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-not-long-killed-trump-rally-article-1.2549868 )
16. Acts imperious.
17. Claims to have the answers or solution to all
problems no matter how preposterous or impossible they seem. (we are going to build a wall and Mexico is going to pay for it)
18. Superficially charming.
19. Habitually puts down others as inferior.
20. Treats others with contempt and arrogance.
21. The word " I" dominates their
conversations.
22. Hates to be embarrassed or fail publicly and
lashes out in anger.
23. Doesn't feel guilty for anything they have done
nor do they apologize for their actions.
24. Highly dependent on tribute and adoration.
( from an article by Joe Navarro; https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders )
( from an article by Joe Navarro; https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders )
These traits are found in most cult leaders; i.e.,
Jim Jones, Charles Manson etc.
It's something to think about...
Have a great weekend!
Noodle and crew
We hope the Silent Majority begins to make noise before it's too late ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteWe do enjoy the silent part Noodle and wish they all came with a mute button!
ReplyDeleteI frankly think Trump is doing an amazing acting job and his sycophants aren't going to be happy when they find out. They are scarier than he is.
ReplyDeleteMark (from Mark's Mews) here: I tend to agree with most of your post and a lot of your observation are bullseyes. Trump is not the most psychologically-balanced public figure I've seen in my life (OK, he's in the bottom 25% maybe).
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think he is quite the Jim Jones or Charles Manson type, either. He is more like Mussolini (but not quite Hitler). He is far too rationally self-protective than Jones or Manson, and not as adept at rabble-rousing than Hitler. He's a Mussolini. Not quite as dangerous as Hitler, but more dangerous than George Wallace or Huey Long.
One thing I find very interesting is that so many people think he can't be a fascist because "he is American and speaks American", as if fascists can only be foreigners. I'm sure the Italians thought the same thing about Mussolini ("he was Italian and spoke Italian").
I was amazed to hear him make his audience pleadge their allegience to him the other day. I wonder if he will declare a color of shirt for his supporters to wear in some future speech. Hitler had Brownshirts, Mussolini had Blackshirts; maybe Trump will choose Goldshirts to reflect his hair color, spray-tan, and wealth! ;)
Sometimes, I can't decide whether it would be better for the USA for Trump to lose the Republican nomination and therefore be humiliated or get the nomination and lose in the general election forcing the Republicans to reconsider the the base of their support as it dies off from apoplexy and old age!
MOL...I think you have a point, Noodle. Granny thought he was an actor..MOL :D Pawkisses for a Happy Sunday :) <3
ReplyDeleteBtw You look stunning!
It is very scary to think this man could become president.
ReplyDeleteA GREAT post. I, too wrote my own little rant today, but I enjoy so much your very intelligent take on what is indeed a monster. And yet, and yet, he appeals to so many who clearly do not realize what they are looking at.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Noodle!
ReplyDeleteWell Noodle furst we wanna say just how gawjus you be lookin'. Course we always think you look gawjus. And well...we think most pawloticians, specially those who become president have most of those qualities. Dat's kinda how they get so many peeps to vot fur them. After all our current president thinks he's a king and subject to nopawdy. Fankfully da votin' be up to mommy so we will just keep believin' we rule da world. MOL Have a pawsumly blest day.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
Trump scares us. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned a while ago, mum is a LEGAL immigrant with a Green Card so she cannot vote and therefore does not comment about politics (she feels that if she cannot change anything, she should not complain -- sorta like people who are eligible but don't vote and then complain about the results of an election). Anyway she feels the same way about Trump (always has, !!!
ReplyDeletePeeps wouldn't like him if there wasn't some part of him in themselves. My peeps? The very thought of him disgusts them, more and more, every single day. Purrs, Seville.
ReplyDelete