Kevin Drums asks, we answer: Kevin Drum asks a good question today. Then too, he asks a dumb question.
Drum reviews the crazy behavior in which Donald J. Trump 1) insists that he won an electoral college "landslide," and 2) insists that he won the popular vote, once you eliminate all the illegal voters.
In the face of that craziness, Drum asks a good question. It's also a fairly dumb question:
DRUM (11/29/16): What kind of person is so unhinged that even though he won a presidential election, he goes nuts when he's reminded that he lost the popular vote and (a) demands that all his minions start writing sycophantic tweets about his historic landslide victory, (b) continues stewing about it anyway and fabricates an allegation of massive voter fraud perpetrated by the Democratic Party, (c) flips out at an anodyne segment from a CNN reporter about his lies, and (d) spends his evening hunched over his smartphone rounding up a motley crew of racists, nutbags, and teenagers to assure him that he's right?"What kind of person is so unhinged" that he engages in stuff like that? As you can probably see, Drum's question contains its own answer.
What kind of person does this? And how easy is it to manipulate someone like this? We have a helluva scary four years ahead of us.
That said, we'll give two answers of our own:
First and most obviously, a crazy person does things like that. It's time to acknowledge an obvious fact. At least on the face of things, Trump seems to be diagnosable, something like "crazy." He seems to be something like "mentally ill."
That would be our first answer to Drum's question. A crazy person does things like this, and Donald Trump seems to be crazy. What makes this so hard to see?
That said, we promised two answers to Drum's question. Here's our second answer:
"What kind of person" does stuff like that? The kind who would make himself king of the birthers, as Trump did in 2011 in a highly visible way.
At that time, Trump began acting in ways which were visibly crazy. Unfortunately, his crazy conduct closely resembled a great deal of the conduct which had been journalistically "normalized" in the previous twenty-odd years.
Rather plainly, Trump was making up all kinds of shit back in 2011. He even claimed that he had sent investigators to Hawaii—that they couldn't believe the stuff they were learning about Barack Obama.
Our press corps didn't show any sign of knowing how to react to these fabrications, or even of wanting to. Truth to tell, the press corps had been engaged in similar conduct for several decades at that point. Our press corps had sunk itself in the culture of Trumpism long before Trump came along.
Chris Matthews was Trump before Trump. Because of his standing within the guild, everyone agreed that it was OK. To this day, it's still forbidden to discuss the way the mainstream press corps was Trump before Trump. But when Trump made himself king of the birthers, it was pretty much more of the same.
For ourselves, we had seen enough of this mainstream press culture by 1997. At that time, we started building the current site. Eighteen years later, Drum is asking what kind of person does stupid shit like this.
Our final answer: the kind of person with and for whom Drum works! As a group, they were Trump long before Trump. Trump merely upped their game.
Our gatekeepers are now almost totally gone, in the political realm and in the mainstream press. Party bosses can no longer keep the Trumps out. Cronkite and Brinkley were replaced by crazy people like Matthews (circa 1998-2008) and by the rest of the horrible brood.
Christopher Matthews was Donald J. Trump long before Candidate Trump came along. Drum's colleagues wanted to go on his show, and so they averted their gaze.
(David Remnick averted his gaze on Hardball in February 2000. Sixteen years later, Rachel Maddow says that Remnick's "a genius." For the transcript from February 2000, see THE DAILY HOWLER, 4/19/06. Remnick's cowardice in early 2000 explains where we are today.)
Christopher Matthews was Trump before Trump. Rachel Maddow is almost as bad. As liberals, we're unable to see this. We have almost no game.
At one time, a self-adoring hustler like Maddow wouldn't have been allowed on the air. Now she is allowed on the air, and our side thinks she's great. (Believe it or not, she was playing her "sex tape" again last night. It's why she gets mocked as "The Nun.")
Meanwhile, the craziness of Limbaugh and Matthews has been replaced by the craziness of Alex Jones. The crazy Jones is now the person from whom Trump gets his "ideas."
The gatekeepers saved us from ourselves for all those many years. Those gatekeepers are long gone. We've been left to our own devices. As it turns out, we aren't very bright, and we have no skills at all.
"What kind of person is so unhinged" that he does stuff like Trump is doing? Which part of the accurate word "unhinged" can't Drum make himself understand?
"crazy", "nuts" - yes, but "mentally ill" - I'm not a shrink but I don't think so.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Trump is not psychotic. However, he definitely displays many dysfunctional and sociopathic symptoms. He is corrupt, a con man, he lies constantly, he displays narcissistic personality disorders (exaggerated feelings of self importance, a need for admiration, lack of empathy). Yes, I'd say he is mentally ill.
DeleteNarcissism and psychopathy are not disorders unless they cause the individual or people around him significant distress. Hard to say that is true for Trump.
DeleteHello, I am Theresa Williams After being in relationship with Anderson for years, he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to my friend and she suggested that I should rather contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that never believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I mailed the spell caster, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful spell caster who helped me with my own problem. email: drogunduspellcaster@gmail.com you can email him if you need his assistance in your relationship or any other Case.
Delete1) Love Spells
2) Lost Love Spells
3) Divorce Spells
4) Marriage Spells
5) Binding Spell.
6) Breakup Spells
7) Banish a past Lover
8.) You want to be promoted in your office
9) want to satisfy your lover
Contact this great man if you are having any problem for a lasting solution
through drogunduspellcaster@gmail.com
DeleteI'm Olivia Megan from United State,I'm happy that my husband is back into my life after 2 years of divorce, Dr.AKHERE brought my husband back today and i am so excited. I got DR AKHERE email online when a lady was testifying about the strong spell caster who restored her marriage then I said to myself since he helped her, he can also help me,so i emailed him and told him the pain that I was going through,and he told me what to do and i did it,Then he did an urgent Love spell for me. 48 hours later, my husband came back home and with lots of love and joy,and he apologized for his mistake,and for the pain he caused me. Then from that day,our marriage was now stronger than how it were before, All thanks to DR AKHERE. Our family is complete again. If you are going through Divorce/Broke-up since DR AKHERE helped me, he can also help you..email him at: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com ,Thank you DR AKHERE for saving my broken Marriage and brought my husband back to me.
Email him: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
or
call/whatsapp:+2349057261346
One of the criteria for assessing whether someone is mentally ill or not is their ability to function in the real world. Because Trump lives in such a distorted environment, his behavior is tolerated, even indulged, so behavior that would be dysfunctional in someone else are not a liability for him.
ReplyDeleteA shrink wouldn't diagnose him without meeting with him face-to-face, at length. That isn't going to happen. But I think it is fair to say his behavior is very abnormal because we can observe what he says and does and compare it to what is usual for politicians and former presidents, and other human beings for that matter. You don't have to be a shrink for that.
Note that pretty much all of Trump's "crazy behavior" is only "crazy" words. His actual deeds as President so far: interviewing Cabinet candidates, choosing who to nominate, etc. are ordinary and sane.
ReplyDeleteIt is not sane to appoint people with no experience to responsible positions.
DeleteDavid most of a President's deeds are words. Also he is not yet President. His actions so far may not be a manifestation of mental illness, but clearly show he is crooked.
Deletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/28/opinion/why-corruption-matters.html
Anon 8:52 -- I have cousins who follow leftist publications and put on Facebook lists purporting to show the lack of experience of Trump's nominees. These lists are boloney. They make the nominees look bad by omitting or misrepresenting all the good in their backgrounds. In fact, all his nominees have experience. Perhaps the nominee most attacked for supposed lack of experience is Betsy DeVos, who has never taught. But, she does have experience in education policy.
DeleteAnon 8:52 -- When you look at a President's words, how do you distinguish "crazy" from "ordinary political lies." E.g., are Obama's 3 big ObamaCare lies* "crazy" or "ordinary policical lies"?
*You can keep your insurance. You can keep your doctor. Savings of $2500 per family.
Everything Betsy DeVos knows about education she learned by reading blogs. Having an opinion and using your position and wealth to spread your opinions around is *not* the same as experience. In this case, Bob would be a better nominee.
DeleteExcited and extremely happy, and thankful that my marriage with my husband has been restored. me and my husband have been married of 22 years together 23. After i found him texting a coworker and questioned him, he said they were just friends but 3 wks later he told me he didnt love me anymore that he was in love with her and that i made him feel bad about himself and she didnt. He left home for 2 wks came home and left 2 wks later. Been gone for 3 1/2 months now. Hes been going to bars, calling women, lying like crazy, drinking like a fish and hasnt spoken to the kids the whole time hes been gone. His whole personality has changed. We believe he is going thru some sort of mid life crisis. Its crazy, he is acting like a person that we dont know anymore. Is it possible to get my marriage back. Because I know that he is going thru some crazy thing right now Im finding it very hard to let go. I still love him. How can I save my marriage and family when my husband is in the middle of a mid life crisis and wont listen to my or anyone else. We are so confused. i try to communicate with him but still hang off the phone on me,I love my family. and my husband and i need to keep my marriage save with him from other women so i have to seek for a love spell to keep our marriage stronger and safe so going online one day on facebook, i saw a prayer point, and a website say if you need your ex back, save your marriage, and fight your husband from divorce. i was so very happy a hopeful again that i can get back with my husband after i saw this website so i read this testimony of this website on how he help save his marriage nd i was excited to give a try so i contacted him and give him all the reason why i need his help, and he assured me that with-6 good hours of his spell that my husband will come back home to me so i believe and trust him coz he was like a father to me also a man of his words so today am happy that my husband who has been aways for 3 1/2 months now with his coworker is back home with apology plz you all should help me and thank Dr happy he really save my life and my marriage so email him if you need help also on happylovespell2@gmail.com call +2348133873774 about his service and web site: http://happyspelltemple.webs.com/
ReplyDeleteHello, I am Theresa Williams After being in relationship with Anderson for years, he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to my friend and she suggested that I should rather contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that never believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I mailed the spell caster, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful spell caster who helped me with my own problem. email: drogunduspellcaster@gmail.com you can email him if you need his assistance in your relationship or any other Case.
ReplyDelete1) Love Spells
2) Lost Love Spells
3) Divorce Spells
4) Marriage Spells
5) Binding Spell.
6) Breakup Spells
7) Banish a past Lover
8.) You want to be promoted in your office
9) want to satisfy your lover
Contact this great man if you are having any problem for a lasting solution
through drogunduspellcaster@gmail.com
Hi everyone!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited share this testimony here about how i got my ex husband back after a break up. I'm Clara 28 yr old from USA, Am a woman who love and cherish my husband more than any other thing you can imagine on earth continent. My husband was so lovely and caring after 3 years of marriage he was seriously ill and the doctor confirm and said he has a kidney infection that he needed a kidney donor, that was how I start searching for who can help, doctor has given me a periodic hour that he will live just 24 hours left, that was how I ask the doctor if I can be of help to my husband that was how he carried out the text, the confirming was successful, I was now having this taught that since 3 years now we got married I have not be able to get pregnant can I be able to get bring again? That was the question I ask the doctor, he never answer his response was did you want to lost your husband? I immediately reply no I can't afford to lose him. After the operation my husband came back to live and was healthy I was also OK with the instruction given to me by the doctor, after 3 months my husband came home with another lady telling me, that is our new wife that will give us kids and take care of us, that was how I was confused and started crying all day, that was how my husband ran away with his new wife cleanable. Since then I was confuse don't know what to do that was how I went back to the doctor and tell him everything, he told me that, this is not just an ordinary it must be a spiritual problem that was how he gave me this Email: Ahmedutimate@gmail.com that I should tell he all my problem that he can help that was how i contacted he and I do as instructed. After 28 hours and I have done what he ask me to do, my husband start searching for me and went back to the doctor, that was how we well settle he also told me not to worry that I will get pregnant, this month making it the fifth Month I contacted he am now 3 months pregnant. These great spell cater is a great man,
if you have any kind of problem you can contact him here on his
Email: Ahmedutimate@gmail.com or call him +2348160153829
Save Your Crumbling Relationship
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/130/104/350/
I never knew people still have powers and make things happen. My husband left me for another woman three months ago and ever since then my life have been filled with pains sorrow and heart break because he was my first love whom i have spent my entire life with. A friend of mine told me he saw some testimonies of a spell caster called Dr Henry and he is powerful and that he could bring back my lover within some few days, i laughed it out and said i am not interested but because of the love my friend had for me, she consulted the great priest on my behalf and to my greatest surprise after 3 days my husband called me for the very first time after three months that he is missing me and that he is so sorry for everything he made me went through. He came back to me and now we are happy together. I still can't believe it, because it highly unbelievable. Thank you Dr Henry for bringing back my lover and also to my lovely friend who interceded on my behalf, for anyone who might need the help of this great priest here is the email address: {permanentspellcast@yahoo.com] you can call or WhatsApp the great man on +234810063964 for solutions to PROBLEMS SUCH AS
ReplyDelete1) If you want your ex back.
(2) if you always have bad dreams.
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) If you been scammed and you want to recover your lost money.
(10)if you want to stop your divorce.
(11)if you want to divorce your husband.
(12)if you want your wishes to be granted.
(13) Pregnancy spell to conceive baby
(14)Guarantee you win the troubling court cases & divorce no matter how what stage
(15)Stop your marriage or relationship from breaking apart.
(16) If you want to stop your cheating Husband, Wife, Girlfriend or Boyfriend from cheating.
Once again his website is www.permanentspellcaster.com and his email address is permanentspellcast@yahoo.com
Do you want to be a vampire, are you tired of being human, having talented
ReplyDeletebrain turning to a vampire in a good posture in ten minutes, Do you want to have power and influence over others, To be charming and desirable, To have wealth, health, with out delaying in a good human posture and becoming an immortal ?? If yes, these your chance.
It's a world of vampire where life get easier,we have made so many persons
vampires and have turned them rich,you will assured long life and
prosperity,you shall be made to be very sensitive to mental
alertness,stronger and also very fast,you will not be restricted to walking
at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made
to walk, this is an opportunity to have the human vampire virus to perform
in a good posture.if you are interested contact us on
vampireincantations@gmail.com
After being in relationship with him for seven years,he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to someone online and she suggested that I should rather contact a spell caster lord Adamu that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that never believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I mailed the lord Adamu and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days my ex will come back begging. I thanked him in earnest hoping he will come back to me because I miss him so much.To my very surprise on the 3rd day he came back begging and asking me to accept him back and he will never leave me again. All this would never had been possible but for lord Adamu I will always and forever recommend you to the world lord Adamu This is his contact below: lordadamuspelltemple@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI'm Olivia Megan from United State,I'm happy that my husband is back into my life after 2 years of divorce, Dr.AKHERE brought my husband back today and i am so excited. I got DR AKHERE email online when a lady was testifying about the strong spell caster who restored her marriage then I said to myself since he helped her, he can also help me,so i emailed him and told him the pain that I was going through,and he told me what to do and i did it,Then he did an urgent Love spell for me. 48 hours later, my husband came back home and with lots of love and joy,and he apologized for his mistake,and for the pain he caused me. Then from that day,our marriage was now stronger than how it were before, All thanks to DR AKHERE. Our family is complete again. If you are going through Divorce/Broke-up since DR AKHERE helped me, he can also help you..email him at: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com ,Thank you DR AKHERE for saving my broken Marriage and brought my husband back to me.
Email him: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
or
call/whatsapp:+2349057261346
Welcome to (Real Vampire Kingdom1). Do you want to be a vampire,still in human,having talented brain turning to a vampire in a good posture in ten mines time to a human again, with out delaying in a good human posture. A world of vampire where life get easier,we have made so many persons vampires and have turned them rich,you will assured long life and prosperity,you shall be made to be very sensitive to mental alertness,stronger and also very fast,you will not be restricted to walking at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made to walk, this is an opportunity to have the human vampire virus to perform in a good posture.if you are interested contact us on realvampirekingdom1@gmail.com 0r whatsapp number +18632097910
ReplyDeleteMy Name is Kelly Williams from Canada, i turn to a vampire any time i want to, I become a real vampire because of how people treat me, This world is a wicked world and not fair to any body. At the snack of my finger things are made happened. Am now a powerful vampire and no one step on me without an apology goes free. I turn to human being also at any time i want to. And am one of the most dreaded and respected person in my country. i am now also very famous and rich with the help of the VAMPIRES EMPIRE. i get what ever a want. i become a vampire through the help of my friend who introduce me into a vampire Kingdom by given me their email: templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com, if you want to become a powerful and a real vampire kindly contact the vampire kingdom on their email: templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com for help. it is real. Contact them today. templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWelcome to (Real Vampire Kingdom1). Do you want to be a vampire,still in human,having talented brain turning to a vampire in a good posture in ten mines time to a human again, with out delaying in a good human posture. A world of vampire where life get easier,we have made so many persons vampires and have turned them rich,you will assured long life and prosperity,you shall be made to be very sensitive to mental alertness,stronger and also very fast,you will not be restricted to walking at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made to walk, this is an opportunity to have the human vampire virus to perform in a good posture.if you are interested contact us on realvampirekingdom1@gmail.com 0r whatsapp number +18632097910
I feel so blessed again in my marriage after Robinson Buckler brought back my husband that separated with me for good 6 months. Even if have mouths all over my body, it won’t be enough to thank Robinson Buckler for his help upon my life. My husband separated with me for the 6 months and have been in pains and agony without him. So, i searched for help everywhere but nothing worked out not until i met Robinson Buckler who i contacted online. I explained my situation to him and he promised that my husband will get back to me within 24 to 48 hours as far that my heart still beats for him. I believed in him and he prepared a spell for me and my husband called me exactly when Robinson Buckler said. He pleaded and said he needs me back and now we are living happily again for the past 9 months. Everyone out there reading my article that needs help should contact him… Email. Robinson Buckler via Robinson.Buckler@yahoo.com for more information
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMy Name is Kelly Williams from Canada, i turn to a vampire any time i want to, I become a real vampire because of how people treat me, This world is a wicked world and not fair to any body. At the snack of my finger things are made happened. Am now a powerful vampire and no one step on me without an apology goes free. I turn to human being also at any time i want to. And am one of the most dreaded and respected person in my country. i am now also very famous and rich with the help of the VAMPIRES EMPIRE. i get what ever a want. i become a vampire through the help of my friend who introduce me into a vampire Kingdom by given me their email: templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com, if you want to become a powerful and a real vampire kindly contact the vampire kingdom on their email: templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com for help. it is real. Contact them today. templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com.
Being a vampire is not what it seems like. It’s a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It’s not what you are that counts, but how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity? contact the vampires creed today via email: Richvampirekindom@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWelcome to ( New-World Vampire Kingdom). Do you want to be a vampire,still in human,having talented brain turning to a vampire in a good posture in ten mines time to a human again, with out delaying in a good human posture. A world of vampire where life get easier,we have made so many persons vampires and have turned them rich,you will assured long life and prosperity,you shall be made to be very sensitive to mental alertness,stronger and also very fast,you will not be restricted to walking at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made to walk, this is an opportunity to have the human vampire virus to perform in a good posture.if you are interested contact us on vampireworld777@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy Name is Kelly Williams from Canada, i turn to a vampire any time i want to, I become a real vampire because of how people treat me, This world is a wicked world and not fair to any body. At the snack of my finger things are made happened. Am now a powerful vampire and no one step on me without an apology goes free. I turn to human being also at any time i want to. And am one of the most dreaded and respected person in my country. i am now also very famous and rich with the help of the VAMPIRES EMPIRE. i get what ever a want. i become a vampire through the help of my friend who introduce me into a vampire Kingdom by given me their email: templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com, if you want to become a powerful and a real vampire kindly contact the vampire kingdom on their email: templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com for help. it is real. Contact them today. templeofsuccessandlove1@gmail.com.
ReplyDelete