Bush isn't bitter

[muse]

http://nytimes.com/2005/02/21/international/europe/21cnd-prexy.html?hp

From an article in the New York Times about Bush's trip to Europe:

"I don't feel bitter, personally," Mr. Bush told the European newspaper writers on Friday. "And so it's easy to have a conversation with somebody to overcome bitterness if you don't feel bitter."


Moron. Social midget. Of course he doesn't feel bitter. He is the one who purposefully and methodically dismantled our relationships with our European allies.

[LiberalEsto]

1. Liberty fries, anyone?

I swear, I think * is bipolar. One minute he's so pissed at Europe that his gang is shunning French wines and French fries, the next he's reaching out to Europe and saying he's "not bitter."

If anyone should feel bitter, it's the people of France, Germany, and all the other nations that caught flak for not supporting the Iraqi Horror Show.

[kentuck]

2. I don't feel bitter that....

I fucked you over. Huh??

[displacedtexan]

3. Huh?

"I don't feel bitter, personally..." "And so it's easy to have a conversation with somebody to overcome bitterness if you don't feel bitter."

so...

George W. is accusing ALL OF EUROPE of needing to overcome THEIR bitterness?

What a moron!

[robbedvoter]

4. How big of him! reminds me of Biden's speech

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050116...
.....
However, Biden also had blunt advice for European critics: "I have one simple message: Get over it. Get over it. President Bush is our president for the next four years. So get over it and start to act in your interest, Europe.''..........

[whodiedandmadeUSgod]

5. How arrogant!

Isn't he supposed to be there to heal relationships? How about an apology. He reminds me of some men I've dated...they'll hurt your feelings then come crawling back to you only when they need you.

[Bob3]

6. Well we are you toad!

And we have thousands of reasons to be bitter. There are the plies of dead and wounded that are your god damn fault for one. What an utterly sanctimonious ape. Makes me want to break things with a rock.

arggg.

[jen4clark]

7. This explains a lot about the entire Regime...

Could you please give us a professional insight into the mind-set of a
radical conservative?

The driving force is their internal pain from their emotional wounds. The emotional wounds were created by emotional abandonment, verbal physical and/or sexual abuse before age 5.
They are repeating what was done to them, albeit a different scenario--it is like a moth to the flame. If we took a detailed psychological history of each member of Bush & Company and/or the neocons, we would see a common thread among them and a thread back to their childhood experiences. Along with the definition of a sociopath it would be a complete profile of what they are doing...

Profile of a Sociopath

A number of mind-manipulating cult leaders may exhibit many of the
behavioral characteristics of a sociopath--an outstanding ability to charm and seduce followers. Since they appear apparently normal, (notice 'normal' verses 'Healthy') they are not easily recognizable as deviant or disturbed. Normal behavior is what any society has decided is an acceptable range of behavior.

63% of the American society are considered 'normal;' 4% are considered healthy and 33% are considered criminals and crazies. Bush & Company fit the latter.

See M Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled and Eric Berne, What Do You Say After You Say Hello. Although only a trained professional can make a diagnosis, it is important to be able to recognize the personality type in order to avoid further abuse. These traits also apply to a one-on-one cultic relationship--such as Michael Jackson with the young boys he befriends and their families.

Glibness/Superficial Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.

Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving
behaviors permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.

Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality

Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and able to pass lie detector tests.

Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion, it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

Incapacity for Love
While they talk about "God's love" they are unable to give or receive it. Since they do not believe in the genuineness of their followers' love, they are very harsh in testing it from their devotees and expect them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.

Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge, yet testing the beliefs of their followers with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.

Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the follower cannot believe their leader would callously hurt them, they rationalize the behavior as necessary for their (or the group's) own "good" and deny the abuse. When devotees become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "spiritual rape" to
them.

Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. The followers only see them as near perfect.

Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or
indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame their followers or others outside their group. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the followers.

Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Totalist leaders frequently practice promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their followers, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc.

Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the
future. Many groups claim as their goal world-domination or other utopian promises.

Great contrast between the leader's opulent lifestyle and the followers' impoverishment. Support by gifts and donations from the followers who are pressured to give through fear and guilt. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.

Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image and that of the group as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of members. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the group. Can resurface later with a new name, a new front group and a new twist on the scam.

Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them. Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them

Authoritarian

Secretive

Paranoid

Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired

Conventional appearance

Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)

Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life

Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)

Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim (a.k.a. 'Sheeple")

Incapable of real human attachment to another

Unable to feel remorse or guilt

Extreme narcissism and grandiose

May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and
R. Hare. In the 1830's this disorder was called "moral insanity." By 1900 it
was changed to "psychopathic personality." More recently it has been termed "antisocial personality disorder." _Without Conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us" by Robert D. Hare

http://tinyurl.com/4bcfp

[muse]

9. Exellent post

I am forever calling Bush and his band of neocons "sociopaths". I know what I am talking about, but I am not sure everyone else does. Now, I can explain it POINT BY POINT.

[jen4clark]

10. Question is, how do we deal with them?

Thanks muse! I KNOW! When I read this it was like OMG, THIS IS IT!! This is what we're dealing with! Arrrrggggg!!!

The following is from another place I post and is credited to Anthony Pratkanis, a UCSC professor and an expert in political persuasion:

..."there are two possible courses of action one can take in response (to dealing with these types of people).

1. To play the same game and start doing dirty tricks in response.
This then leads to an escalation, and we become little more than
Taliban. Our democracy is lost.

2. People of goodwill -- including Republicans and Independents -- stand up and say: 'This is wrong'! This is what happened in Watergate. In which case our democracy is preserved. This, by the way, was not what happened in Nazi Germany.

I fear deeply that we will not meet this challenge."

-Anthony Pratkanis

I think Prof. Pratkanis is wrong. It's easy to fear that all is lost what with the loss of an unbiased mainstream media, and for whatever reason, too many Dems playing a very cautious, spineless role in standing up to these thugs. But there are so many of us here and all over the Internet who can see what is happening. It is definitely up to us - "we the people" - to keep speaking out every chance we get, through letters, emails, calling in to talk shows and stating "Facts." Calmly and confidently pointing out that we will not stand silent when we see wrong being done.

This is one of the many reasons I so respect General Clark. He has always encouraged us to keep speaking out. Even to listen to the conservative talk shows and call in and give them the "Facts". He said if enough people write a newspaper or call in to a talk show we ARE noticed. Every letter sent to a Senator or Rep IS read, and the same thing - if enough people speak out on any given subject, it IS noticed.

We can not fail. We can not stop. Yesterday on the "I Believe" thread bleever said I must remember - NGU - Never. Give. Up. Best advise I've heard!!

[Inland]

8. Ready to forgive Europe for being right on Iraq

How fucking big of him. He still hates the Americans who warned him.