Beyond Bewilderment

[NanceGreggs]

Apparently, Trump is watching the J6 hearings and, as a result, he is outraged, frustrated, incensed.

But there is another emotion he is dealing with: bewilderment.

When witnesses talk about choosing loyalty to their country above political advantage, when they talk about relying on the tenets of their faith for guidance, when they talk about things like honesty and integrity - they are speaking a language Trump simply cannot comprehend.

In Trump's world, no one would ever pass up any opportunity for power, and the financial gain that power leads to. No one would even consider letting things like patriotism and principle stand in the way of accumulating political advancement and personal wealth.

Honouring an oath, standing up for what's right - for Trump, these are simply terms you throw around on the campaign trail. But in practice, they have no meaning whatsoever.

We can only imagine how astounded he is to realize that for many people - even politicians - being true to one's own sense of integrity inevitably outweighs all else in the end.

Talk about "unchartered territory" - that's where Donald is right now, trying to understand a world where people have things like "principles", and other qualities he never knew existed in real life.

[Dr. T]

18. You just described

the entire radical right wing conservative movement for the last 30 years. It started when the Fairness Doctrine was repealed, opening the flood gates for the Looney Tunes venue known as Faux News. No offense to Bugs Bunny and friends. They tapped into the froth-mouthed anger that characterizes every right wing nut I've ever know. They like being angry, it's the only thing that makes them happy.

[brooklynite]

28. The Fairness Doctrine had NOTHING to do with Fox News...

Fox News is a CABLE TV channel. The FCC has no jurisdiction over it.

And long before TV came around there were politically skewed newspapers (both Parties) that had no legal obligation to present opposing viewpoints.

In its short life, the Fairness Doctrine had almost no impact in supporting open debate of controversial issues.

[PJMcK]

37. Correct, as usual

The Fairness Doctrine involved broadcasting; cable doesn't use that technology. In fact, even if the Doctrine were still operative, it wouldn't impact cable television.

[Butterflylady]

44. No need to shout, we all understand.

[brooklynite]

45. Apparently we all don't because this canard keeps getting brought up.

[Walleye]

2. He can't begin to understand why people would care about people like Lady Ruby

He doesn’t think of people the way we do. He thinks people are trash to be disposed of

[Seinan Sensei]

30. He loves things and uses people

The very definition of a Sociopath

[Walleye]

39. That's it exactly. Completely upside down morality

[captain queeg]

3. He wouldn't understand, he'd just label anyone with actual principles

as a loser. I don’t think he ever considers what or why other people act.

[NanceGreggs]

8. I think he does consider ...

... how other people act - he's just astounded when they don't act the same way he does.

He thinks things like caring and loyalty are for the losers out there in the small towns and the 'burbs.

But I think he believed that in the world of politics, everyone would be just like him - willing to do anything for power and money, completely willing to cross lines, break laws - whatever it took to that end.

I think it was a very rude awakening when he realized he was wrong.

[Dr. T]

21. There's an original

Star Trek episode like that.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

33. And that mindset is what keeps MAGAts believing Democrats and Republicans are equally corrupt.

They have nothing to base that on except a steady stream of BS from Fox, et al, and the assumption that if their guys are corrupt then everybody must be.

[crud]

53. heard this a long time ago and it stuck with me.

Never trust a man who wears suspenders And a belt, because that is a man that won't even trust his own pants to stay up.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

55. Henry Fonda in Once Upon a Time in the West nt

[samplegirl]

4. Trumpism is

Last edited Wed Jun 22, 2022, 07:45 AM - Edit history (1)

fascism being exposed by republicans testifying.

[gab13by13]

5. The reason he is pissed

is because Republicans turned on him. He believes that all Republicans should kiss his ass/

I will say this, if he decides to run in 2024, it will be a revenge tour, a scorched earth tour. A Narcissist cannot handle criticism.

Go Fani Willis, she is our best bet right now to hold Trump accountable, criminally. Letitia James will bring him down financially.

[hlthe2b]

7. These superstar black women who stand up to Trump have my eternal respect...

Others--across the board-- need to follow their example. Maybe DOJ will take their lead?

[SWBTATTReg]

11. I agree! Heroes if you ask me. NT

[Novara]

15. We should really stop and think: white men cower before him and black women stand up to him

What makes so many white men such cowards?

[usaf-vet]

52. GREED!

[FakeNoose]

35. I believe you're right about this, and it's why he could never win re-election

Sure there will still be some crazy Americans voting for Chump. But no Dem would ever waste their vote on him, and he has pissed off too many GOP members to get their support.

Thanks to these hearings they're realizing they don't have to fear him, and that's the beginning of the end for Chump. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" - says the huge angry face on the big screen. He's just a weak old man who's not very smart, but he's good at playing the grift.

[jonstl08]

47. Not sure on that

I have a lot of friends and family who are trumpers. They believe he did wrong but have told me they will still vote for him in 2024 if he is the nominee because they been brainwashed to think democrats are evil. It is very tense around holidays in my family.

[hlthe2b]

6. Yes, he is always outraged, but I want TORMENTED (but as a malignant narcissist, maybe impossible)

but, there are moments when truth seeps in sufficient to instill fear of consequences, I do believe, so perhaps that is not an absolute...

[alphafemale]

9. Also telling is who the remaining loyal cultists call traitors

They call people standing with law, country and the Constitution traitors if they turn against dumpety.

It is completely mafia/crime syndicate mentality.

[Solomon]

10. He called people that make the ultimate sacrifice losers.

I still don't understand how he got away with that.

[NanceGreggs]

14. I never thought ...

... Republicans would let him get away with vilifying McCain as being a "loser who got caught".

Up until that point, McCain had been an untouchable Republican icon, the man who endured years of torture and survived - the ultimate war hero who no one could say a word against, no less an entitled, draft-dodging coward whose daddy's money kept him safe while others served.

When they allowed Trump to get away with trashing McCain with virtually no push-back, that's when I realized the Republican party was lost and had devolved into being a cult.

To this day, it still amazes me how low the GOP sunk, and how quickly it happened.

[VWolf]

26. Nor did I,

but for me, it started long before that. I assumed his campaign would be sunk the minute he mocked that disabled reported (can't remember his name). The fact that he came out unscathed made me lose faith that the Republican party would ever do the right thing and reject him.

[mobeau69]

29. 🎯

[sarge43]

32. Oh they've been showing how low they've sunk long before Trump

Remember the 2004 Repug convention and the Purple Heart band aids? McCain hugging Bush?

[Wednesdays]

34. I think that was a big part of Rump losing Arizona in 2020

So at least there's that.

[jonstl08]

48. Agree

Some of my family Trumpers who never served think Trump was right to disrespect McCain and he did wonders for the military. I served and told them some things he did for the military were left overs from what Obama and McCain approved. They said since Trump said he did it was all they needed. Told them they are acting like a cult. Needless to say not invited to many family functions now.

[brush]

12. I was hoping he wouldn't run in '24, now I hope he does because...

after what has been revealed by the J6 Committee hearings, IMO his running will split the republican party, and that will help us Dems.

His unscrupulous, unprincipled, seditious, megalomaniacal actions, as revealed by the Committee, have shown that he is unworthy of support by any but the most die-hard magats.

The many republicans who have come forward to testify attest to that, and they worked for trump and are not the never-trumper republicans or the independents who also won't support him now.

I say let him run again as it will be the final denouement, and thus the end of him politcally.

[niyad]

20. With all that the pukes are doing to rig and sabotage our elections?? Are you

kidding??

[brush]

25. No. I'm saying he won't get their nomination.

Last edited Wed Jun 22, 2022, 10:17 AM - Edit history (1)

And the fight for it and the split of the republican base might just help us to pick off some votes, and some may so upset over the party split they just might stay home and not vote.

[The Jungle 1]

13. Someone pushed his mute button.

trump has no voice. I love it.

[Roy Rolling]

16. "Run Government Like a Business"

This is what we get when government is operated under business laws—relative morality.

Whatever is profitable is good under those tenets, oaths of honor are optional.

[NanceGreggs]

17. If Republicans believe ...

... that gov't should be run like a business, they should have elected a "pResident" who didn't have a long list of bankrupt companies on his resume.

[Emile]

19. Bwhaha +1

[The Wizard]

23. Bada Bing

Nance for the win.

[The Wizard]

22. A sociopath

by any other name ------ and a nihilist too. Oh, and a cult leader . Add to the list as appropriate.

[niyad]

24. I am not certain that he is capable of enough self-awareness to even get to

a state of bewilderment. Can he process anything beyond anger and outrage?

[malaise]

27. True but almost all of the people now talking

Enabled this monster monster and more than a few would still vote for him.

[Jon King]

31. I think he could actually win an election.

Its shocking how little many care about the coup. If you read comments on sites populated by even 'moderate' Repugs, or talk to rank and file neighbors, co-workers, etc.....its all about the stock market, go woke go broke, trans swimmers, leftist teachers in schools, inflation, crime, open borders, every single right wing talking point. I'm surprised how many folks I thought were more liberal are fine with an abortion ban except in very rare cases.

I absolutely think he would win an election in 2024 and many would lie to pollsters, family, and friends if needed and go vote for him.

[Wednesdays]

36. 'Tis possible, but unlikely.

He lost by a good margin in 2020, and there isn't room for him to pick up any new recruits, particularly after the Jan. 6 Committee revelations.

[NanceGreggs]

41. Exactly.

I could be wrong, but I'm not seeing anyone who didn't vote for Trump in 2020 saying, "Now that I've seen what the J-6 Committee has uncovered, I'm definitely voting for this lying, corrupt traitor next time around."

[malaise]

42. No

He will soon be a pariah

[Ford_Prefect]

38. DJT is an addict and a sociopath. He has no ability nor desire to understand other people.

His only interest is to generate more attention and money for himself. He will do anything at all to sate these desires.

[PatrickforB]

40. Good post. It does remind me of what Tolkien said about Sauron in Lord of the Rings

At the very end, when Frodo stands on the precipice in Mount Doom and looks at the molten lava below, Sauron perceives what Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel had planned. He is flabbergasted because he never, ever would have thought they would try and destroy the ring. He had been waiting for a leader to emerge, wielding the Ring against him, and here now he sees his immanent demise.

In the movie it was good too. Aragorn and the Men of the West are surrounded by a huge host of orcs and trolls, with Nazgul flying over them screaming terror. Suddenly, Sauron perceives the ring is about to be cast into the flames that will destroy it. His Eye turns quickly away from the battle and his host scatters in confusion, no longer guided by his malice.

But, yeah, I'm sure Trump cannot even imagine eschewing more power or wealth to uphold an oath. He is faithless, corrupt, and an oathbreaker himself - treasonous.

[kentuck]

43. Being able to lie all the time is his default position.

He doesn't have time to think of things like faith, integrity, or principles.

[NanceGreggs]

46. It's not that he doesn't have the time ...

... it's that he doesn't have the intellectual capacity to understand those concepts.

If his much-touted cognitive test included terms like "principled man" or "loving woman", he would have been totally bewildered by what he was being asked.

[wiggs]

49. Yep. According to him, the enlisted are 'suckers and losers'. nt

[Eyeball_Kid]

50. I'm not sure that "principle" is the right word to use.

Trump's worshippers will die in the streets for their own set of "principles". The variables are quite different, however. Trumpers believe in the principle of Trump's omnipotence. What he says gets translated into the principle of America's greatness, whatever that means. Trump's ability to generate "resonance" with his worshippers has the outcome of creating a principle of America First: White Christian Nationalism. But that's not the kind of "principle" that is recognized by non-Trumpers.

It's true that Trump may not understand anyone who acts on the faith that the Constitution is our guiding document. But he surely understands how his worshippers worship HIM while on his own path to untold riches.

[NanceGreggs]

51. I'm not talking here ...

... about what Trump-humpers perceive to be "principles".

I'm talking about the "principles" that in-office Republicans relied on in order to thwart Trump's attempts to bully them into taking part in overturning the election.

[Jade Fox]

54. My guess is that he fits it all into his "I've been betrayed again!" rationalization....

For Trump, it's always all about him.