You're not an "educator who denounces the threats to our freedoms" YOU ARE a threat to our freedoms. The right to bear arms and self defense is a basic right enshrined by the BOR to protect ourselves from tyranny. If you were truly an intellectual or historian you would know that, professor.
State sanctioned violence in its many forms also primes a population to be war-ready, which is another tactic of authoritarians. At some point, in order to maintain power, a strongman must mobilize his nation to fight the threat that he claims has been victimizing him, his people, and his nation. That further justifies his tearing down of checks and balances upon his power, all in the name of protecting his people.
Here in the U.S., the 2nd amendment is being used as our "state sanctioned violence," by making everyone a potential threat, further isolating households from each other, and then feeding the propaganda machine to blame "them" - in our case, radical left leaning "socialists" (who really do not exist).
If true, this is very troubling. What concerns me is the possibility this idea is another conspiracy theory: that Republican awareness and intentionality in fostering gun violence to destabilize democracy and therefore allowing the sacrifice of children and others is a conscious and coordinated strategy. Although the pattern of behavior of the GOP suggests this type of thinking, that behavior does not always imply coordinated or conscious intent. So I would like to understand this: where is the evidence that they are meeting behind closed doors to strategize this demise of democracy? Do we give them too much credit or confer upon them more power than they have and thereby play into their political power plays?
Systemic violence is a part of fascism, so the question becomes, is the Republican Party fascist enough to make this claim about them? Do they have enough of the characteristics of fascsim to extrapolate that they are using violence by design? If we look at the common characteristics, we see a disturbing similarity of the Republican platform and fascism. Characteristics to consider are--- corruption, deception, division, belligerent ultra-nationalism (jingoism), national exceptionalism, far right autocratic rule, belligerent foreign policy, government/business collusion, anti-intellectualism, political bigotry, scapegoating, yearning for the country’s mythical past greatness, a sense of victimhood, anti-Marxism, a cult of machismo, extreme social hierarchy, sadism, a rise in fantastical thinking/wild conspiracies, rejection of modernism, in favor of traditionalism, advocating chaos and the intolerance of dissent. Given the similarities, it is a safe bet that the Republican Party has adopted the fascist template, with sadism and chaos being a part of that.
Perhaps it isn't necessary for the leaders of the GOP to "meet behind closed doors" to deliberately decide to encourage mass shootings as a way to destabilize democracy. Just as birds in flight can coordinate their movements and fly in a definite direction without a need to meet and make a decision, so the far-right Republican leaders share an implicit understanding that the chaos unleashed by mass shootings furthers their authoritarian ambitions. They do not have to confer with one another to draw up this strategy. The idea forms part of their unspoken moral (or 'immoral') ecosystem. Without explicitly articulating the idea, they understand in their guts that, as the country descends into fear and dark dread over the proliferation of random mass shootings, the ensuing sense of lurking insecurity opens the doors ever wider for the forces of the far right to assume control and propel a charismatic leader to the position of unchallengeable autocrat.
Brilliant. The psychological model, my favorite, doesn’t have this one covered. From a medical paradigm check out Frontotemporal Lobar Dementia (FTLD) a non-amnesiac behavior devolution disease happening in ppl as young as 25 - 30. Aggression, acting out, lack of empathy, etc. Largely underdiagnosed since researchers realized they were wrong about Alzheimers pathophysiology the past two decades. Imo this is the best explanation why half the population seems to be devolving and the other half evolving. It explains a lot. Then layer the psychological model of authoritarianism over it which would be the natural choice for the hoarde with this illness. If Ruth Ben-Ghiat worked with a medical researcher we could solve a lot of things.
I hugely appreciate all these thoughtful comments. You all buoy my spirt. These add up to a publication of hope regardless how deeply sad our society has become. Allow me to add another touch of insight via yesterrday's Lincoln Project "We're Speaking" with Lisa Senecal & Maya May who interview Bandy X. Lee. My bias' is obvious. Still, April's TEDx MidAlantic "The Psychology of Dictatorship", any and all places that a mind might be opened is worth the try.
For Jane Hall: in your studies have you found there is a healing plasticity with the amygdala?
Yes, the April 6 TEDx with Bandy X Lee, Steven Hassan, Nick Carmody is excellent …. just so much catnip for those of us into the psychology of the autocratic mind … Carmody’s insights on Putin are vital to hear and understand
What you say rings true yet I am heartsick, for you are talking about premeditated murder. This means that republicans are psychopaths. As an analyst it is hard to believe. But perhaps it is my denial. What you are saying means that half the population are murderers. We must find out where their rage originates. My answer is very early childhood. Using epigenetic theory I think trauma is passed on between generations. I see this in my work and it explains why there has always been war. The traumatized need to cling to their traumatizer. The only hope I see is the plasticity of the brain. If a long term experience that competes with the trauma can be internalized, if it can lay new neural networks in the brain, there is a chance for a person to change. This was illustrated in chapter one or The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge where a stroke victim gained back all functioning after very hard work. An autopsy showed that indeed the damage was clear and that new neural pathways were created. But truthfully, although I do believe change is possible, I fear the worst and that our society will give up on the great experiment of democracy. I am pleased to be nearing the end of my life but so sorry for our children. "Attachment to abuse" is a chapter in one of my books.
I agree implicitly with the thinking of Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Not for one moment can Republicans ever call themselves 'Loyal Americans". The calculated duplicity of Republican thinking is the best example I know which entirely contradicts ever 'Making America Great Again'. Such an objective will always fail for just as long as the wrong sort of Republican continues to corrupt the concept of ethical Government, by utter self interest and greed without any decent scruples whatsoever.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand was on Colbert last night and described their banning of assault weapons within two weeks of the mosque massacres in Christchurch in 2019.,and
understanding that their citizens had legally purchased many of these weapons under prior law, instituted a buy back program and melted them down. “We knew it was the right thing to do,
the responsible thing to do to protect our citizens”.
“It is our obligation as Leaders to make important, impactful decisions as representatives of our people, just as we made the extremely difficult decision to close our borders for over two years for Covid once we knew how quickly it was ravaging our region of the world.” Colbert pointed out that now, as New Zealand is reopening to travelers that a total of 1,000 New Zealanders have died from COVID, in a population of 5 million. That would be 65,000 in the United States vs. The 1,000,000+ we have today. In New Zealand now 95% of the nation is fully vaccinated. It is possible in this world to fashion a functional government when responsible, honorable, and informed people are serving the public.
We can't stop crazy people but we can mitigate the damage they can do. So we can do background checks and use other ways to limit this.
Responsible gun owners should not be made to worry. Nor hunters.
Handguns and machine guns were never covered by the 2nd. There was never the intent for open or concealed carry. Twisting history is again propaganda. Nobody was walking around in Boston, Philadelphia or New York carrying a gun everywhere before or after the Revolution.
Also let's make more mental health resources available.
Lastly our media is to blame. In Canada they will arrest those responsible and that is all that is ever heard. No names. No giving the killers what they want. Noteriety.
It's why these things happen in bunches. We make celebrities out of people that have mental issues.
An effort of some sort. If Sandy Hook didn't change a thing it says a lot about many in our society. That they won't be slightly inconvenienced to protect the lives of others in our communities.
It is always out of site and out of mind. 330 million in the US.
Statistically schools are safe. The fear these events cause makes all of us fear everyday life.
Going to school. Going to the movies. Going to a mall. Going to church.
All are statistically safe but it becomes hard to watch this stuff on TV and not think it could have happened to you.
What do you consider not accurate? I posted no facts for you to say anything isn't accurate.
But to play along.
130000 schools in the US K-12. With 49 million students.
Statistically very safe.
Now you can argue the subjective part of it. Safe? Very safe?
One death is too many.
The fear is what hurts us more. The fear that we don't want to leave our homes or send our kids to school It's irrational.
We can take steps to reduce the risk of such incidents happening.
Again much of the fear is from the media.
A kid is kidnapped somewhere and killed and we no longer let our kids outside to play with other kids.
The odds are never zero. But we hear about it so oftern and see it on TV that we think it happens everywhere.
That the nuts see this and go out and copycat incidents just feeds the media and ratings for them again and again. Like many they will pray for these kids and families while giving the next killer the incentive to do the same.
I appreciate the exchange of thoughts with you. There was always open and concealed carry, guns were rampant around the time of the revolution. Different types, still very lethal........We can always use more Mental Health resources, yet they are useless without laws......... Gun owners and hunters should worry. Guns get stolen, we are part of the problem...... Media is not to blame. That's shifting blame. We are to blame, we allow incitement, settled law........Not all have mental health issues. Some are Fascist White Supremists, and "good christians." Statistically, schools, churches, malls and movies are safe; until your kid is dead. How many do we bury before we don't give a shit about statistics. 330 million guns, way low estimate. More around 500. Folks do not have a handle on this issue. You are the 2nd one who mentions fear and/or despair. Personally, I feel neither. I just hate dead babies...... and their killers. The big picture does not look promising. This country is boxed in. I am sorry if folks don't see it, many do.
Hi Art, Yes there is a long history of gun violence in the US. For statistics on violence in societies I'd recommend Steven Pinker's Enlightenment now. Or other books. I just read this recently year so top of mind. Current events show how Tucker Carlson will for his own profits, other's political reasons, propaganda and racist reasons say how Chicago is so violent today. Looking back to real history the city was much more violtent in the past when Whites controlled Chicago. Could it be better today? Of course. It's not as bad as portrayed and it is to enlicit fear in many that don't even live near Chicago. Blame the liberals, the black mayor and so on. In truth a small town with a few murders is statistically less safe than a large city with 2 million residents that has 700 murders. Also larger cities bear the brunt of caring for those that smaller towns refuse to care for. So my point was not to excuse the horrible events of a few days ago or any of the shootings. Just to show how easily fear is spread. I meant 330 million Americans not guns. Sad we have more guns that actual people. We can limit the types of weapons and we can restrict access to weapons if the person isn't capable of being responsible like the mentally ill. The 2nd is not absolute and there were gun restrictions in the Colonies. That's more propaganda when some insist they are "originalist" yet they ignore what is inconvenient for them. Media does share the blame for the increase in mass shootings. Without the publicity many would not do what they do. The media should not mention the killers name or anything about him.
As to fear and guns the narrative is this. Republicans use the issue to get gun owners to favor them. They falsely claim the "liberals" are communists and want to take their guns so they can take over the US government. They claim that the 2nd allows gun ownership to stop tryanny. Yet no guns in civillian hands can stop a government run by an authoriatian that is back by the army. It's impossible with the tech the army has. If our army will defy authority to back democracy we have a chance. If an authoritarian places his people in places of power and the soldiers "follow orders" America is doomed. No 2nd will save us.
The fear is placed into the minds of the right wing nutters, then they vote for those that made up the false narrative.
Any sensible legislation is defeated by slippery slope arguments. If you give in on crazies then your guns are next.
It's either or thinking and very primitive but that's how voters think or don't think. Many humans are not capable of nuance or reason on issues.
So fear and emotion works.
I'm pro-choice. I'm ok with reasonalbe restrictions but not with total bans.
I'm for no illegal immigration but for more legal immigration if the US so chooses.
I'm ok with guns if used for hunting or for some necessary defense if they have a reason. I'm not ok with open carry or concealed carry for no reason as it endangers our society. Humans carrying around guns leads to more violence not less.
If Sandy Hook didn't change anything this won't. Many Americans don't care. Specifically Americans that own guns and vote for the idiots that won't do a thing to try to stop or limit the violence.
Many feel they can't because the Republicans have made them one issue voters over abortion.
Lot's to politics. Lot's of lying. I can't get people to use Reason because most are not capable of it.
Our system limits voters choices to just the two parties.
If many abandon the Republican Party over their support of Trump they might have to change. If women abandon them over the Pro-Choice then they will have to change.
If voters can't understand that gas prices and inflation are not due to Biden and liberals then it's a failure of the human mind. The stock market dropping isn't his fault either.
Not the Democrats fault for not getting laws passed if our system allows a minority of voters to control more Senate seats from rural states that don't have the gun issues states with larger cities suffer from.
Correlation and Causation is something many can't master. Rational humans have to realize most humans are not Rational.
" Tyrants of countries are like tyrants of households: every fiber of your being has to serve their purposes, not yours. That is why tyrannies cannot tolerate any rights." Bandy X. Lee ,MD, MDiv.
Seen again & again over 20 years of providing psychotherapy. Psychopaths cast a disproportionate wide net. Thus their actions are disproportionly impactful.
The ability for the common citizen to detect a psychopath/sociopath is near zero, so these people hide in plain sight. The result is that they raise hell in society.
I like the discussion Steve, thanks. 74 million DO NOT deny he is a Sociopath, I would say more than 1/2 knew it, applauded it, liked it, believed the propaganda because they wanted to. Trump acted out their sick secret shit. I contend we have about about a 30% population problem, that was exploited by propaganda, while the rest of us stood by in disbelief. We still have not stopped the flow of Russian, Bulgaria, Iranian and Chinese propaganda networks. And, even though it is clear incitement, we have not shut Carlson and crew at FOX down. Gray and Sinclair are even worse; they are quietly feeding the fire........... I have an ex-wife that voted for trump, twice. Highly educated, trauma nurse. She ain't stupid, she knew, and did it anyway. Not deniers Steve, worse, enablers.
Of all the thousands of people on facebook that I have encountered over the past five years, that voted for Trump, not one admitted that Trump was a sociopath. Those are some serious data points.
Just yesterday I wrote about hopefulness and youth. Hopeflness is too late for 19 Texas children. Now the republican babble for putting more guns in schools. Next? Arm 2and, 3rd, 4th graders.?? You go Ted Cruz. To Cancun that is. Yesterday's hopefulness has a dark cloud. Today I'll breath deeply a few more times. AND keep myself hyper-aware psychopaths and their adoring sociopath fans. I'll go back to focusing on the republican iron curtain. Please accept apologies for feeling this sick.
I'm fortunate to have this forum for sad, sad feelings. Thank you.
I read that Cruz and Abbott are speaking at an NRA event this weekend. Unbelievable. And we are having trouble getting the citizenry to connect the dots. It's unfathomable to me that these keep getting elected. It's an industry of guns over people. As with anything, I have to postulate 'who benefits from this?'
You know, I have to say one more thing. I was a counselor for School Based Health Center's (central NY) for a number of years (K-12). Texas, Florida and other states while laser focused and obsessed with the 2nd Amendment are simultaneously burning and banning books, taking away important early educational tools to discuss our history with Indian country (i.e. colonization, Wounded Knee, ICWA), slavery, families that are not same sex, body autonomy, women's and girls health and they are shaming and banning trans kids from participation in activities. Schools can't talk about Black Lives Matter and the targeting of unarmed black men in police shootings. The right wing is overtly suppressing learning and conversation about anything that triggers 'sadness' or 'anger'. This is insane. I just listened to Abbott and Paxton (a criminal himself) talk about the need for prayer, and fortifying schools, oh and we need to focus on MENTAL HEALTH...the RNC's talking point for all Republicans today. MENTAL HEALTH? "Hypocrisy" is a strategy that Republican's have added to their toolkit.) Everyday, people like Ted Cruz blame shift to Democrats exactly what he is signaling Republicans are doing.) That aside. As a counselor what kids have questions about and need to talk about are racism, homophobia, unintended pregnancies, safe sex, gender and sexual identity, bad thoughts and so on. So hypocrisy as a strategy is to also say they care about mental health while restricting the conversations about the things young people need to learn and talk about. Some states want Christian religion to be centered in schools (not other religions or atheism). The Party of Autocracy and Kleptocracy has intertwined all of these issues and as I said earlier is running out the clock until November. Please forgive me if this seems like rambling.
Yes, the Republicans want to ignore history that doesn't suit their beliefs, and promote America as this great, flawless nation. They want to modify our history and use it as propaganda to sell their agenda. This is right out of the fascist toolkit. It's no accident that they are using this technique; it is premeditated guile. Just like under fascism, they want to create belligerent ultra-nationalism in their followers, and they have succeeded.
"The first element of the Hungarian recipe for success: we play by our own rules."--Orban. Sounds criminal to me. And I thought the U.S. was a leader -- and now, according to Fox, we're following a tiny country -- is illogical. That shouldn't stand the test of time.
Orban and his US acolytes all use the same fascist technique of creating paranoia in their followers by saying that they are being besieged by an outside enemy that is a threat to the nation.
We've got to find a way to cut through the panic and conspiracies, and get back to truth-telling and calm living. Maybe panicked people (voters) will tire of being always in a 9-alarm panic mode and begin to look deeper. As I did after the first impeachment hearings, led me to read the Mueller Report and then Strongmen.
I think Rachel Bitecofer's guidance was on-target too that we have to drill down the topics to each voter, rather than too much pie-in-the-sky democracy talk. The fact 19 babies calling themselves to 911 for help & were strategically ignored by police in the hallway -- to parents of school kids, that would enough for me. The Republican Party is basically the NRA. The enemy is inside.
While this is an everybody problem, it’s predominantly a white woman (Christian, suburban, liberal & conservative problem). I’m white. White women, more liberal than conservative get defensive- “I’m not the problem”….(read White Fragility & Caste). This is the 5 alarm fire I see. When I share this concern, everyone freaks out. “Your alienating white women”. Every election is increasingly about the fragility of white rural, Christian women. And, white liberal women often dissolve because they’re not sure how to approach their counterparts. I say, arm yourself with knowledge. Here’s a fact: Black men/women are 13% of the population. Black women vote, are active and vote Democrat 95% of the time. Do you know how many white women in my suburban secular, middle upper class community approach me privately and say, “well if only black women would vote”. ? I’m not chastising. We’re all in different places with our reflection and the majority are well intended. Listen to Representative McMorrow from Michigan when she learned she was being slandered by QAnon. https://youtu.be/ZfYjgvon6a0 I don’t speak for black & brown people…but, I work hard to be an ally/accomplice. If Republicans take the house and the Senate- Jan6 will be erased from history, SCOTUS will double down on suppression & oppression, the environment? To me, the first communities that will be affected will be black & brown. That is again for me the central point- the browning of America. Putin has taunted our diverse & inclusive society as has Orban.
I completely agree on your assessment of the November elections- it's like we have one chance -- and then it's exactly how you've described. I am white woman and I have observed this also. White liberal women dissolve -- because they don't know how to approach other women. It's a whole segment could be dedicated to this topic alone. I can't quite figure it out. It's like treating these women with kid-gloves to breach the topic.
My only personal experience that sometimes cracked the nut (although I don't know how quickly their minds snapped back shut) .. was when I was attending with regularity an Evangelical church and worked the kitchen before the service (circa 2015-2016). These conservative women were Trump-lovers. Which defied the values spoken in the church. They strongly, strongly harshly disliked Hilary Clinton. I believe this was because she was a successful, professional career-type women and they (immaturely) could not relate, nor try. These same women felt threatened by Nancy Pelosi's prominence in the news. In that experience, I just kept listening and respectfully saying this does align with values that we are here for (church), so this is almost illogical. Plus Trump was such a blatant womanizer, it was illogical. I have summarized that these women have personally benefited from a patriarchal system -- and they remain loyal to it, as do many of their daughters.
The Texas shooting incident opens the door to this conversation, gut-wrenching and now to see the lies --- at the cost of children's lives, calling 911 for their own safety, and adults not finding a way in. It should illogical for any woman. That something is grossly wrong.
The woman piece is so complex. A whole day could be spent on it. Today, when I spoke to women, the illogical response to the Texas school shootings is beyond puzzling for most women. One commented: "... even though they were mexican children ..." and I thought I was just going to lose it.
Thank you for all the thoughts, that is where new thoughts and connections can be seen.
I am struck by your comment on the suppression of emotions of 'sadness' and 'anger'. In my experience and reading, these 2 emotions are swept under the rug and are an indication of guilt and shame. When criminality is present, focus is on quick, fast, creating distractions and 'opposites'-- to sow confusion & thus fear. They only look forward because looking backwards, or studying history and patterns or any discussion at all --- might uncover something. They want to avoid sadness because a part of them remembers that they are perhaps participants in causing or benignly allowing an event. They want to avoid the uncomfortable feelings of someone else's anger because it could be, justifiable -- and anger is frightening for anyone. (they can create it, but can't handle it). Sweep it all under the rug. "Now let's just move along." What's under the rug always festers.
Authoritarians use the term of 'prayer' as a distraction. You all pray, while we stuff so&so's pocket. It's misused as an activity to distract, and fortify fear.
Fortifying schools is whipping up more fear. It increases the industrialization of the criminal justice system business and security businesses. It's a opportunity/ ploy for money. It is fear based.
Mental health -- Europe and all countries have mental illness. The difference is the mentally ill person cannot go out that day and buy a gun to solve their problems when they're having a bad day. Other countries do not have this problem, the guns -- as instruments -- are the problem.
Christianity in public schools -- is a control ploy and dismisses other religions and our government was founded on separation of church and state. This discussion of this concept by authoritarians also in back-handed way creates fear, as it reduces plurality of thinking into narrower paths. Institutionalizes an 'us v them'.
Projection -- is their disease. If the results weren't so gut wrenching, it would be comical (their projection). Because they foolishly can't see it, but people are waking up to the concept of projection. And they foolishly continue to blab. I would love to see projection pointed out in the J6 hearings. So all Americans would know the game better and see it. It's so embarrassingly simple.
Hypocrisy and playing the 'opposites game'. Whatever is real, do the opposite thus sowing confusion , then fear. I think our job is to keep building trust, speaking truth and playing the game straight.
Fear is the only strategy they have. Let's lift each other up and not be afraid.
The Republicans won't fund mental health resources. I'd like to see what legislation they have presented that was not passed? Ramble all you want btw. I hate short comments. No thought put into them.
You're not an "educator who denounces the threats to our freedoms" YOU ARE a threat to our freedoms. The right to bear arms and self defense is a basic right enshrined by the BOR to protect ourselves from tyranny. If you were truly an intellectual or historian you would know that, professor.
we need a list of how much each senator and how much each party recieves from the NRA
State sanctioned violence in its many forms also primes a population to be war-ready, which is another tactic of authoritarians. At some point, in order to maintain power, a strongman must mobilize his nation to fight the threat that he claims has been victimizing him, his people, and his nation. That further justifies his tearing down of checks and balances upon his power, all in the name of protecting his people.
Here in the U.S., the 2nd amendment is being used as our "state sanctioned violence," by making everyone a potential threat, further isolating households from each other, and then feeding the propaganda machine to blame "them" - in our case, radical left leaning "socialists" (who really do not exist).
true
If true, this is very troubling. What concerns me is the possibility this idea is another conspiracy theory: that Republican awareness and intentionality in fostering gun violence to destabilize democracy and therefore allowing the sacrifice of children and others is a conscious and coordinated strategy. Although the pattern of behavior of the GOP suggests this type of thinking, that behavior does not always imply coordinated or conscious intent. So I would like to understand this: where is the evidence that they are meeting behind closed doors to strategize this demise of democracy? Do we give them too much credit or confer upon them more power than they have and thereby play into their political power plays?
Systemic violence is a part of fascism, so the question becomes, is the Republican Party fascist enough to make this claim about them? Do they have enough of the characteristics of fascsim to extrapolate that they are using violence by design? If we look at the common characteristics, we see a disturbing similarity of the Republican platform and fascism. Characteristics to consider are--- corruption, deception, division, belligerent ultra-nationalism (jingoism), national exceptionalism, far right autocratic rule, belligerent foreign policy, government/business collusion, anti-intellectualism, political bigotry, scapegoating, yearning for the country’s mythical past greatness, a sense of victimhood, anti-Marxism, a cult of machismo, extreme social hierarchy, sadism, a rise in fantastical thinking/wild conspiracies, rejection of modernism, in favor of traditionalism, advocating chaos and the intolerance of dissent. Given the similarities, it is a safe bet that the Republican Party has adopted the fascist template, with sadism and chaos being a part of that.
Perhaps it isn't necessary for the leaders of the GOP to "meet behind closed doors" to deliberately decide to encourage mass shootings as a way to destabilize democracy. Just as birds in flight can coordinate their movements and fly in a definite direction without a need to meet and make a decision, so the far-right Republican leaders share an implicit understanding that the chaos unleashed by mass shootings furthers their authoritarian ambitions. They do not have to confer with one another to draw up this strategy. The idea forms part of their unspoken moral (or 'immoral') ecosystem. Without explicitly articulating the idea, they understand in their guts that, as the country descends into fear and dark dread over the proliferation of random mass shootings, the ensuing sense of lurking insecurity opens the doors ever wider for the forces of the far right to assume control and propel a charismatic leader to the position of unchallengeable autocrat.
Brilliant. The psychological model, my favorite, doesn’t have this one covered. From a medical paradigm check out Frontotemporal Lobar Dementia (FTLD) a non-amnesiac behavior devolution disease happening in ppl as young as 25 - 30. Aggression, acting out, lack of empathy, etc. Largely underdiagnosed since researchers realized they were wrong about Alzheimers pathophysiology the past two decades. Imo this is the best explanation why half the population seems to be devolving and the other half evolving. It explains a lot. Then layer the psychological model of authoritarianism over it which would be the natural choice for the hoarde with this illness. If Ruth Ben-Ghiat worked with a medical researcher we could solve a lot of things.
I hugely appreciate all these thoughtful comments. You all buoy my spirt. These add up to a publication of hope regardless how deeply sad our society has become. Allow me to add another touch of insight via yesterrday's Lincoln Project "We're Speaking" with Lisa Senecal & Maya May who interview Bandy X. Lee. My bias' is obvious. Still, April's TEDx MidAlantic "The Psychology of Dictatorship", any and all places that a mind might be opened is worth the try.
For Jane Hall: in your studies have you found there is a healing plasticity with the amygdala?
Yes, the April 6 TEDx with Bandy X Lee, Steven Hassan, Nick Carmody is excellent …. just so much catnip for those of us into the psychology of the autocratic mind … Carmody’s insights on Putin are vital to hear and understand
What you say rings true yet I am heartsick, for you are talking about premeditated murder. This means that republicans are psychopaths. As an analyst it is hard to believe. But perhaps it is my denial. What you are saying means that half the population are murderers. We must find out where their rage originates. My answer is very early childhood. Using epigenetic theory I think trauma is passed on between generations. I see this in my work and it explains why there has always been war. The traumatized need to cling to their traumatizer. The only hope I see is the plasticity of the brain. If a long term experience that competes with the trauma can be internalized, if it can lay new neural networks in the brain, there is a chance for a person to change. This was illustrated in chapter one or The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge where a stroke victim gained back all functioning after very hard work. An autopsy showed that indeed the damage was clear and that new neural pathways were created. But truthfully, although I do believe change is possible, I fear the worst and that our society will give up on the great experiment of democracy. I am pleased to be nearing the end of my life but so sorry for our children. "Attachment to abuse" is a chapter in one of my books.
Fascism was invented by a sociopath, so those that embrace fascism have accepted sociopathy.
Thank you connecting the dots for me between gun violence and authoritarianism.
Most gun violence comes from government though
I agree implicitly with the thinking of Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Not for one moment can Republicans ever call themselves 'Loyal Americans". The calculated duplicity of Republican thinking is the best example I know which entirely contradicts ever 'Making America Great Again'. Such an objective will always fail for just as long as the wrong sort of Republican continues to corrupt the concept of ethical Government, by utter self interest and greed without any decent scruples whatsoever.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand was on Colbert last night and described their banning of assault weapons within two weeks of the mosque massacres in Christchurch in 2019.,and
understanding that their citizens had legally purchased many of these weapons under prior law, instituted a buy back program and melted them down. “We knew it was the right thing to do,
the responsible thing to do to protect our citizens”.
“It is our obligation as Leaders to make important, impactful decisions as representatives of our people, just as we made the extremely difficult decision to close our borders for over two years for Covid once we knew how quickly it was ravaging our region of the world.” Colbert pointed out that now, as New Zealand is reopening to travelers that a total of 1,000 New Zealanders have died from COVID, in a population of 5 million. That would be 65,000 in the United States vs. The 1,000,000+ we have today. In New Zealand now 95% of the nation is fully vaccinated. It is possible in this world to fashion a functional government when responsible, honorable, and informed people are serving the public.
I appreciate the update.
Fred Lauck
We can't stop crazy people but we can mitigate the damage they can do. So we can do background checks and use other ways to limit this.
Responsible gun owners should not be made to worry. Nor hunters.
Handguns and machine guns were never covered by the 2nd. There was never the intent for open or concealed carry. Twisting history is again propaganda. Nobody was walking around in Boston, Philadelphia or New York carrying a gun everywhere before or after the Revolution.
Also let's make more mental health resources available.
Lastly our media is to blame. In Canada they will arrest those responsible and that is all that is ever heard. No names. No giving the killers what they want. Noteriety.
It's why these things happen in bunches. We make celebrities out of people that have mental issues.
An effort of some sort. If Sandy Hook didn't change a thing it says a lot about many in our society. That they won't be slightly inconvenienced to protect the lives of others in our communities.
It is always out of site and out of mind. 330 million in the US.
Statistically schools are safe. The fear these events cause makes all of us fear everyday life.
Going to school. Going to the movies. Going to a mall. Going to church.
All are statistically safe but it becomes hard to watch this stuff on TV and not think it could have happened to you.
Please check your facts, many are not accurate.
What do you consider not accurate? I posted no facts for you to say anything isn't accurate.
But to play along.
130000 schools in the US K-12. With 49 million students.
Statistically very safe.
Now you can argue the subjective part of it. Safe? Very safe?
One death is too many.
The fear is what hurts us more. The fear that we don't want to leave our homes or send our kids to school It's irrational.
We can take steps to reduce the risk of such incidents happening.
Again much of the fear is from the media.
A kid is kidnapped somewhere and killed and we no longer let our kids outside to play with other kids.
The odds are never zero. But we hear about it so oftern and see it on TV that we think it happens everywhere.
That the nuts see this and go out and copycat incidents just feeds the media and ratings for them again and again. Like many they will pray for these kids and families while giving the next killer the incentive to do the same.
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I appreciate the exchange of thoughts with you. There was always open and concealed carry, guns were rampant around the time of the revolution. Different types, still very lethal........We can always use more Mental Health resources, yet they are useless without laws......... Gun owners and hunters should worry. Guns get stolen, we are part of the problem...... Media is not to blame. That's shifting blame. We are to blame, we allow incitement, settled law........Not all have mental health issues. Some are Fascist White Supremists, and "good christians." Statistically, schools, churches, malls and movies are safe; until your kid is dead. How many do we bury before we don't give a shit about statistics. 330 million guns, way low estimate. More around 500. Folks do not have a handle on this issue. You are the 2nd one who mentions fear and/or despair. Personally, I feel neither. I just hate dead babies...... and their killers. The big picture does not look promising. This country is boxed in. I am sorry if folks don't see it, many do.
Hi Art, Yes there is a long history of gun violence in the US. For statistics on violence in societies I'd recommend Steven Pinker's Enlightenment now. Or other books. I just read this recently year so top of mind. Current events show how Tucker Carlson will for his own profits, other's political reasons, propaganda and racist reasons say how Chicago is so violent today. Looking back to real history the city was much more violtent in the past when Whites controlled Chicago. Could it be better today? Of course. It's not as bad as portrayed and it is to enlicit fear in many that don't even live near Chicago. Blame the liberals, the black mayor and so on. In truth a small town with a few murders is statistically less safe than a large city with 2 million residents that has 700 murders. Also larger cities bear the brunt of caring for those that smaller towns refuse to care for. So my point was not to excuse the horrible events of a few days ago or any of the shootings. Just to show how easily fear is spread. I meant 330 million Americans not guns. Sad we have more guns that actual people. We can limit the types of weapons and we can restrict access to weapons if the person isn't capable of being responsible like the mentally ill. The 2nd is not absolute and there were gun restrictions in the Colonies. That's more propaganda when some insist they are "originalist" yet they ignore what is inconvenient for them. Media does share the blame for the increase in mass shootings. Without the publicity many would not do what they do. The media should not mention the killers name or anything about him.
As to fear and guns the narrative is this. Republicans use the issue to get gun owners to favor them. They falsely claim the "liberals" are communists and want to take their guns so they can take over the US government. They claim that the 2nd allows gun ownership to stop tryanny. Yet no guns in civillian hands can stop a government run by an authoriatian that is back by the army. It's impossible with the tech the army has. If our army will defy authority to back democracy we have a chance. If an authoritarian places his people in places of power and the soldiers "follow orders" America is doomed. No 2nd will save us.
The fear is placed into the minds of the right wing nutters, then they vote for those that made up the false narrative.
Any sensible legislation is defeated by slippery slope arguments. If you give in on crazies then your guns are next.
It's either or thinking and very primitive but that's how voters think or don't think. Many humans are not capable of nuance or reason on issues.
So fear and emotion works.
I'm pro-choice. I'm ok with reasonalbe restrictions but not with total bans.
I'm for no illegal immigration but for more legal immigration if the US so chooses.
I'm ok with guns if used for hunting or for some necessary defense if they have a reason. I'm not ok with open carry or concealed carry for no reason as it endangers our society. Humans carrying around guns leads to more violence not less.
If Sandy Hook didn't change anything this won't. Many Americans don't care. Specifically Americans that own guns and vote for the idiots that won't do a thing to try to stop or limit the violence.
Many feel they can't because the Republicans have made them one issue voters over abortion.
Lot's to politics. Lot's of lying. I can't get people to use Reason because most are not capable of it.
Our system limits voters choices to just the two parties.
If many abandon the Republican Party over their support of Trump they might have to change. If women abandon them over the Pro-Choice then they will have to change.
If voters can't understand that gas prices and inflation are not due to Biden and liberals then it's a failure of the human mind. The stock market dropping isn't his fault either.
Not the Democrats fault for not getting laws passed if our system allows a minority of voters to control more Senate seats from rural states that don't have the gun issues states with larger cities suffer from.
Correlation and Causation is something many can't master. Rational humans have to realize most humans are not Rational.
change a thing.
Thanks for the response, excellent. This is how we get to know each other, Pedagogy.
" Tyrants of countries are like tyrants of households: every fiber of your being has to serve their purposes, not yours. That is why tyrannies cannot tolerate any rights." Bandy X. Lee ,MD, MDiv.
Seen again & again over 20 years of providing psychotherapy. Psychopaths cast a disproportionate wide net. Thus their actions are disproportionly impactful.
The ability for the common citizen to detect a psychopath/sociopath is near zero, so these people hide in plain sight. The result is that they raise hell in society.
Not true. Most folks know what a scumbag is. They might not know the labels, but people are very in tune. Many, just don't care.
However, 74 million voted for Trump and deny that he is a sociopath.
I like the discussion Steve, thanks. 74 million DO NOT deny he is a Sociopath, I would say more than 1/2 knew it, applauded it, liked it, believed the propaganda because they wanted to. Trump acted out their sick secret shit. I contend we have about about a 30% population problem, that was exploited by propaganda, while the rest of us stood by in disbelief. We still have not stopped the flow of Russian, Bulgaria, Iranian and Chinese propaganda networks. And, even though it is clear incitement, we have not shut Carlson and crew at FOX down. Gray and Sinclair are even worse; they are quietly feeding the fire........... I have an ex-wife that voted for trump, twice. Highly educated, trauma nurse. She ain't stupid, she knew, and did it anyway. Not deniers Steve, worse, enablers.
Of all the thousands of people on facebook that I have encountered over the past five years, that voted for Trump, not one admitted that Trump was a sociopath. Those are some serious data points.
Just yesterday I wrote about hopefulness and youth. Hopeflness is too late for 19 Texas children. Now the republican babble for putting more guns in schools. Next? Arm 2and, 3rd, 4th graders.?? You go Ted Cruz. To Cancun that is. Yesterday's hopefulness has a dark cloud. Today I'll breath deeply a few more times. AND keep myself hyper-aware psychopaths and their adoring sociopath fans. I'll go back to focusing on the republican iron curtain. Please accept apologies for feeling this sick.
I'm fortunate to have this forum for sad, sad feelings. Thank you.
I read that Cruz and Abbott are speaking at an NRA event this weekend. Unbelievable. And we are having trouble getting the citizenry to connect the dots. It's unfathomable to me that these keep getting elected. It's an industry of guns over people. As with anything, I have to postulate 'who benefits from this?'
Many of us feel this way, as we should. We are a nation that supports killing people, including our own children. Our inaction kills children.
You know, I have to say one more thing. I was a counselor for School Based Health Center's (central NY) for a number of years (K-12). Texas, Florida and other states while laser focused and obsessed with the 2nd Amendment are simultaneously burning and banning books, taking away important early educational tools to discuss our history with Indian country (i.e. colonization, Wounded Knee, ICWA), slavery, families that are not same sex, body autonomy, women's and girls health and they are shaming and banning trans kids from participation in activities. Schools can't talk about Black Lives Matter and the targeting of unarmed black men in police shootings. The right wing is overtly suppressing learning and conversation about anything that triggers 'sadness' or 'anger'. This is insane. I just listened to Abbott and Paxton (a criminal himself) talk about the need for prayer, and fortifying schools, oh and we need to focus on MENTAL HEALTH...the RNC's talking point for all Republicans today. MENTAL HEALTH? "Hypocrisy" is a strategy that Republican's have added to their toolkit.) Everyday, people like Ted Cruz blame shift to Democrats exactly what he is signaling Republicans are doing.) That aside. As a counselor what kids have questions about and need to talk about are racism, homophobia, unintended pregnancies, safe sex, gender and sexual identity, bad thoughts and so on. So hypocrisy as a strategy is to also say they care about mental health while restricting the conversations about the things young people need to learn and talk about. Some states want Christian religion to be centered in schools (not other religions or atheism). The Party of Autocracy and Kleptocracy has intertwined all of these issues and as I said earlier is running out the clock until November. Please forgive me if this seems like rambling.
Yes, the Republicans want to ignore history that doesn't suit their beliefs, and promote America as this great, flawless nation. They want to modify our history and use it as propaganda to sell their agenda. This is right out of the fascist toolkit. It's no accident that they are using this technique; it is premeditated guile. Just like under fascism, they want to create belligerent ultra-nationalism in their followers, and they have succeeded.
So well said. Happy, happy memorial day is what they want. Really?
You are right, it is so premeditated. As a former convention attendee, you have to wonder what their breakout session topics are.
Yes. See if you can find Orbán’s speech to CPAC. I mean, Holy Sh*t CPAC goes to Hungary for a ‘TedTalk’ from Orbán! Think about that. https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/cpac-conference-hungary-views-viktor-orbans-nationalism-model-follow
"The first element of the Hungarian recipe for success: we play by our own rules."--Orban. Sounds criminal to me. And I thought the U.S. was a leader -- and now, according to Fox, we're following a tiny country -- is illogical. That shouldn't stand the test of time.
Orban and his US acolytes all use the same fascist technique of creating paranoia in their followers by saying that they are being besieged by an outside enemy that is a threat to the nation.
We've got to find a way to cut through the panic and conspiracies, and get back to truth-telling and calm living. Maybe panicked people (voters) will tire of being always in a 9-alarm panic mode and begin to look deeper. As I did after the first impeachment hearings, led me to read the Mueller Report and then Strongmen.
I think Rachel Bitecofer's guidance was on-target too that we have to drill down the topics to each voter, rather than too much pie-in-the-sky democracy talk. The fact 19 babies calling themselves to 911 for help & were strategically ignored by police in the hallway -- to parents of school kids, that would enough for me. The Republican Party is basically the NRA. The enemy is inside.
While this is an everybody problem, it’s predominantly a white woman (Christian, suburban, liberal & conservative problem). I’m white. White women, more liberal than conservative get defensive- “I’m not the problem”….(read White Fragility & Caste). This is the 5 alarm fire I see. When I share this concern, everyone freaks out. “Your alienating white women”. Every election is increasingly about the fragility of white rural, Christian women. And, white liberal women often dissolve because they’re not sure how to approach their counterparts. I say, arm yourself with knowledge. Here’s a fact: Black men/women are 13% of the population. Black women vote, are active and vote Democrat 95% of the time. Do you know how many white women in my suburban secular, middle upper class community approach me privately and say, “well if only black women would vote”. ? I’m not chastising. We’re all in different places with our reflection and the majority are well intended. Listen to Representative McMorrow from Michigan when she learned she was being slandered by QAnon. https://youtu.be/ZfYjgvon6a0 I don’t speak for black & brown people…but, I work hard to be an ally/accomplice. If Republicans take the house and the Senate- Jan6 will be erased from history, SCOTUS will double down on suppression & oppression, the environment? To me, the first communities that will be affected will be black & brown. That is again for me the central point- the browning of America. Putin has taunted our diverse & inclusive society as has Orban.
I completely agree on your assessment of the November elections- it's like we have one chance -- and then it's exactly how you've described. I am white woman and I have observed this also. White liberal women dissolve -- because they don't know how to approach other women. It's a whole segment could be dedicated to this topic alone. I can't quite figure it out. It's like treating these women with kid-gloves to breach the topic.
My only personal experience that sometimes cracked the nut (although I don't know how quickly their minds snapped back shut) .. was when I was attending with regularity an Evangelical church and worked the kitchen before the service (circa 2015-2016). These conservative women were Trump-lovers. Which defied the values spoken in the church. They strongly, strongly harshly disliked Hilary Clinton. I believe this was because she was a successful, professional career-type women and they (immaturely) could not relate, nor try. These same women felt threatened by Nancy Pelosi's prominence in the news. In that experience, I just kept listening and respectfully saying this does align with values that we are here for (church), so this is almost illogical. Plus Trump was such a blatant womanizer, it was illogical. I have summarized that these women have personally benefited from a patriarchal system -- and they remain loyal to it, as do many of their daughters.
The Texas shooting incident opens the door to this conversation, gut-wrenching and now to see the lies --- at the cost of children's lives, calling 911 for their own safety, and adults not finding a way in. It should illogical for any woman. That something is grossly wrong.
The woman piece is so complex. A whole day could be spent on it. Today, when I spoke to women, the illogical response to the Texas school shootings is beyond puzzling for most women. One commented: "... even though they were mexican children ..." and I thought I was just going to lose it.
5 alarm fire…creating an infrastructure to educate? We have 5 months…the clock is ticking.
You are right. We can't lose track of that tight timeline. Needs more emphasis.
Thank you for all the thoughts, that is where new thoughts and connections can be seen.
I am struck by your comment on the suppression of emotions of 'sadness' and 'anger'. In my experience and reading, these 2 emotions are swept under the rug and are an indication of guilt and shame. When criminality is present, focus is on quick, fast, creating distractions and 'opposites'-- to sow confusion & thus fear. They only look forward because looking backwards, or studying history and patterns or any discussion at all --- might uncover something. They want to avoid sadness because a part of them remembers that they are perhaps participants in causing or benignly allowing an event. They want to avoid the uncomfortable feelings of someone else's anger because it could be, justifiable -- and anger is frightening for anyone. (they can create it, but can't handle it). Sweep it all under the rug. "Now let's just move along." What's under the rug always festers.
Authoritarians use the term of 'prayer' as a distraction. You all pray, while we stuff so&so's pocket. It's misused as an activity to distract, and fortify fear.
Fortifying schools is whipping up more fear. It increases the industrialization of the criminal justice system business and security businesses. It's a opportunity/ ploy for money. It is fear based.
Mental health -- Europe and all countries have mental illness. The difference is the mentally ill person cannot go out that day and buy a gun to solve their problems when they're having a bad day. Other countries do not have this problem, the guns -- as instruments -- are the problem.
Christianity in public schools -- is a control ploy and dismisses other religions and our government was founded on separation of church and state. This discussion of this concept by authoritarians also in back-handed way creates fear, as it reduces plurality of thinking into narrower paths. Institutionalizes an 'us v them'.
Projection -- is their disease. If the results weren't so gut wrenching, it would be comical (their projection). Because they foolishly can't see it, but people are waking up to the concept of projection. And they foolishly continue to blab. I would love to see projection pointed out in the J6 hearings. So all Americans would know the game better and see it. It's so embarrassingly simple.
Hypocrisy and playing the 'opposites game'. Whatever is real, do the opposite thus sowing confusion , then fear. I think our job is to keep building trust, speaking truth and playing the game straight.
Fear is the only strategy they have. Let's lift each other up and not be afraid.
The Republicans won't fund mental health resources. I'd like to see what legislation they have presented that was not passed? Ramble all you want btw. I hate short comments. No thought put into them.