MAGAThread XIV: All persons born or naturalized ...

[Ifreann]

Apparently Trump is having issues finding a new Chief of Staff.

This will all be resolved if he nominates his horse to be -- owait -- he doesn't have a horse, does he?

Trump did have a horse, Alibi, predictably re-named D.J. Trump. Trump nearly killed him.

[Bombadil]

This will all be resolved if he nominates his horse to be -- owait -- he doesn't have a horse, does he?

Trump did have a horse, Alibi, predictably re-named D.J. Trump. Trump nearly killed him.

Jesus that whole article is like an allegorical tale of his presidency.

[Duhon]

This will all be resolved if he nominates his horse to be -- owait -- he doesn't have a horse, does he?

Trump did have a horse, Alibi, predictably re-named D.J. Trump. Trump nearly killed him.

... I expected Roy fucking Moore, goddammit.

[Corrian]

No one wants to be hired by him. They know he is just going to fire them 3-6 months later.

Loyal men in your political ranks is a good thing (although my pragmatic side would hire literal Nazis if it advanced my political goals and destroyed his credibility).

Jeff Sessions was one of the most loyal since the get go, and even he got let off.

[Western Vale Confederacy]

Loyal men in your political ranks is a good thing (although my pragmatic side would hire literal Nazis if it advanced my political goals and destroyed his credibility).

Jeff Sessions was one of the most loyal since the get go, and even he got let off.

Welp, I guess somebody's gotta run some tests on Trump's mind.

[Duhon]

He's a narcissist. I mean, he has NPD.

He's got all the hallmarks:

People with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are characterized by persistent grandiosity, excessive need for admiration, and a personal disdain and lack of empathy for others.[6][7] As such, the person with NPD usually displays arrogance and a distorted sense of superiority, and they seek to establish abusive power and control over others.[8] Self-confidence (a strong sense of self) is different from narcissistic personality disorder; people with NPD typically value themselves over others to the extent that they openly disregard the feelings and wishes of others, and expect to be treated as superior, regardless of their actual status or achievements.[6][9] Moreover, the person with narcissistic personality disorder usually exhibits a fragile ego (self-concept), intolerance of criticism, and a tendency to belittle others in order to validate their own superiority.[9]

The DSM-5 indicates that persons with NPD usually display some or all of the following symptoms, typically without the commensurate qualities or accomplishments:[6][9]

1. Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from other people

2. Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc.

3. Self-perception of being unique, superior, and associated with high-status people and institutions

4. Needing continual admiration from others

5. Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others

6. Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain

7. Unwilling to empathize with the feelings, wishes, and needs of other people
Intensely envious of others, and the belief that others are equally envious of them

8. Pompous and arrogant demeanor

Narcissistic personality disorder usually develops in adolescence or early adulthood.[6] It is not uncommon for children and adolescents to display traits similar to those of NPD, but such occurrences are usually transient, and below the criteria for a diagnosis of NPD.[9] True symptoms of NPD are pervasive, apparent in varied situations, and rigid, remaining consistent over time. The NPD symptoms must be sufficiently severe that they significantly impair the person's capabilities to develop meaningful human relationships. Generally, the symptoms of NPD also impair the person's psychological abilities to function, either at work, or school, or important social settings. The DSM-5 indicates that the traits manifested by the person must substantially differ from cultural norms, in order to qualify as symptoms of NPD.[6]

People with NPD tend to exaggerate their skills, accomplishments, and their level of intimacy with people they consider high-status. This sense of superiority may cause them to monopolize conversations[9] or to become impatient or disdainful when others talk about themselves.[6] When their own ego is wounded by a real or perceived criticism, their anger can be disproportionate to the situation,[9] but typically, their actions and responses are deliberate and calculated.[6] Despite occasional flare-ups of insecurity, their self-image is primarily stable (i.e., overinflated).[6]

To the extent that people are pathologically narcissistic, they can be controlling, blaming, self-absorbed, intolerant of others' views, unaware of others' needs and the effects of their behavior on others, and insist that others see them as they wish to be seen.[6] Narcissistic individuals use various strategies to protect the self at the expense of others. They tend to devalue, derogate, insult, and blame others, and they often respond to threatening feedback with anger and hostility.[10] Since the fragile ego of individuals with NPD is hypersensitive to perceived criticism or defeat, they are prone to feelings of shame, humiliation, and worthlessness over minor or even imagined incidents.[9] They usually mask these feelings from others with feigned humility or by isolating themselves socially, or they may react with outbursts of rage, defiance, or by seeking revenge.[6][7] The merging of the "inflated self-concept" and the "actual self" is seen in the inherent grandiosity of narcissistic personality disorder. Also inherent in this process are the defense mechanisms of denial, idealization and devaluation.[11]

According to the DSM-5: "Many highly successful individuals display personality traits that might be considered narcissistic. Only when these traits are inflexible, maladaptive, and persisting and cause significant functional impairment or subjective distress do they constitute narcissistic personality disorder."[6] Due to the high-functionality associated with narcissism, some people may not view it as an impairment in their lives.[12] Although overconfidence tends to make individuals with NPD ambitious, it does not necessarily lead to success and high achievement professionally. These individuals may be unwilling to compete or may refuse to take any risks in order to avoid appearing like a failure.[6][7] In addition, their inability to tolerate setbacks, disagreements, or criticism, along with lack of empathy, make it difficult for such individuals to work cooperatively with others or to maintain long-term professional relationships with superiors and colleagues.[13]

[Telconi]

Loyal men in your political ranks is a good thing (although my pragmatic side would hire literal Nazis if it advanced my political goals and destroyed his credibility).

Jeff Sessions was one of the most loyal since the get go, and even he got let off.

But "loyal" means "commit the crimes I tell you to" And Sessions wasn't that sort of loyal.

[Kowani]

Jeff Sessions was one of the most loyal since the get go, and even he got let off.

But "loyal" means "commit the crimes I tell you to" And Sessions wasn't that sort of loyal.

Sessions was more loyal to the Constitution than Trump, and Donnie’s ego couldn’t take it.

[Telconi]

But "loyal" means "commit the crimes I tell you to" And Sessions wasn't that sort of loyal.

Sessions was more loyal to the Constitution than Trump, and Donnie’s ego couldn’t take it.

Pretty much.

[Valrifell]

He's a narcissist. I mean, he has NPD.

He's got all the hallmarks:

-snippy-

I would refrain from making armchair diagnoses, no matter how self-evident it may seem. For one, you're not a trained professional and, even if you were, the APA considers it unethical to diagnose a patient without the proper means to do that and typically frown upon forays into politics.

[Fartsniffage]

Sessions was more loyal to the Constitution than Trump, and Donnie’s ego couldn’t take it.

Pretty much.

You fascinate me. You agree that Trump has no commitment to the US Constitution and has breached it repeatedly, but you prefer him to Hillary who never breached the US Constitution.

[Telconi]

Pretty much.

You fascinate me. You agree that Trump has no commitment to the US Constitution and has breached it repeatedly, but you prefer him to Hillary who never breached the US Constitution.

Human Rights > Constitution

[Fartsniffage]

You fascinate me. You agree that Trump has no commitment to the US Constitution and has breached it repeatedly, but you prefer him to Hillary who never breached the US Constitution.

Human Rights > Constitution

What do you mean?

[Telconi]

Human Rights > Constitution

What do you mean?

I consider human rights abuses to be worse than unconstitutional acts. That the courts do not strike down such abuses does not vindicate them, rather it simply indicates that the courts are flawed.

[Fartsniffage]

What do you mean?

I consider human rights abuses to be worse than unconstitutional acts. That the courts do not strike down such abuses does not vindicate them, rather it simply indicates that the courts are flawed.

The courts can never be perfect.

[Telconi]

I consider human rights abuses to be worse than unconstitutional acts. That the courts do not strike down such abuses does not vindicate them, rather it simply indicates that the courts are flawed.

The courts can never be perfect.

Indeed.

[Bombadil]

I mean.. there's probably some case to be made that the world does need a less conciliatory and a more straightforward President at the helm, trying to be nice to everyone doesn't seem to be working in an increasingly riven world. The global economy is in a very shaky place and it's likely that some hard if not uncomfortable decisions will need to be made. I talk of the breakdown of the post-WW2 consensus whereby good initial intentions have become shrouded in such bullshit talk that little is done to actually address some critical global issues.

However it's all undercut by the fact that Trump is such as massive fucking knobhead.

[Fartsniffage]

The courts can never be perfect.

Indeed.

But they seem to be doing pretty well so far.

[Telconi]

Indeed.

But they seem to be doing pretty well so far.

To you

[Duhon]

I mean.. there's probably some case to be made that the world does need a less conciliatory and a more straightforward President at the helm, trying to be nice to everyone doesn't seem to be working in an increasingly riven world. The global economy is in a very shaky place and it's likely that some hard if not uncomfortable decisions will need to be made. I talk of the breakdown of the post-WW2 consensus whereby good initial intentions have become shrouded in such bullshit talk that little is done to actually address some critical global issues.

However it's all undercut by the fact that Trump is such as massive fucking knobhead.

Given that Trump is responsible for much of that breakdown...

[Corrian]

We have a new nickname, guys.

Welcome "Da Nang Dick" and "The Dick"

[An Alan Smithee Nation]

We have a new nickname, guys.

Welcome "Da Nang Dick" and "The Dick"

He really can't tell the difference between the Vietnam War and dating in the eighties anymore, can he?

[Tarsonis]

We have a new nickname, guys.

Welcome "Da Nang Dick" and "The Dick"

He really can't tell the difference between the Vietnam War and dating in the eighties anymore, can he?

Drugs and hookers everywhere. It's an easy mistake.

[Zurkerx]

Two in three Republicans would rather see a shutdown than compromise on the border wall

I wonder if they realize that Republicans will be blamed more for this? Or, if you're Trump, maybe find a way to sneak money into the defense budget and have the military build the wall

[Tarsonis]

Two in three Republicans would rather see a shutdown than compromise on the border wall

I wonder if they realize that Republicans will be blamed more for this? Or, if you're Trump, maybe find a way to sneak money into the defense budget and have the military build the wall

Republicans are always blamed for it.

Under Obama, Republicans were blamed for refusing to capitulate to the Democratic Majority. Now they'll be blamed because they're not ceding to the minority. A shut down is always the Republicans fault. The beauty of press that's majority Democrat.