The Contagion

[H2O Man]

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
– Malcolm X


I was thinking about a couple things this morning, as I was hanging out laundry on the clothes line. As I had fed the birds first, I was reminded of the Iroquois belief that it is the song of the smallest birds that is most pleasing to the Creator. A number of them had gathered in the tree tops, making for one of nature's finest choruses.

Dr. Bandy Lee speaks about how the felon changes some people in “ 'Trump and Vance' the Varieties of 'Trump Contagion' “ :

“A hallmark of what I have been calling, 'Trump Contagion,' is that individuals around us vividly transform—even transmogrify—before our eyes, to the point of being unrecognizable. We have seen this in Lindsay Graham, Ted Cruz, Rudy Giuliani, and Alan Dershowitz. Nevertheless, nowhere has this phenomenon been more striking than in JD Vance. Surely he, like the others, had vulnerabilities and predispositions in the past, but far from explaining away Trump Contagion, these are the very conditions that facilitate it. What is clear is that it would be difficult to imagine that they would be where they are today without Trump Contagion.

“Let us consider Vance‘s transformation: one of his most remarkable metamorphoses is his dramatic shift from a vocal critic of Donald Trump to becoming his running mate—and now vice president. In 2016, Vance described Trump as 'reprehensible' and even speculated that he might be 'America’s Hitler' in private messages. Yet, over time, he convinced himself that Trump was a necessary figure to disrupt what he perceived as a broken political culture. When this ideological pivot propelled him onto the national stage, he was elected to the U.S. Senate by 2022 and selected as Trump’s VP pick by 2024. Now, he even subscribes to the conspiratorial rhetoric he once decried.”

Individuals transform. Malcolm X was a young hoodlum and convict, before undergoing a transformation and becoming a powerful minister. Others go in the opposite direction, as Vance has. When a large number of citizens suddenly become grotesquely amoral and advocates of social violence, the process is known as transmogrify. It is something that has happened at different times in different places around the world.

Just as one can learn the process in which a caterpillar “enters” a cocoon, then comes out a butterfly, one can learn from historic examples how to measure the tides today. Hatred is not innate in human beings – it must be purposefully cultivated. The levels of anger, confusion, and outrage required to get Jared Wise his gig as a senior adviser in the Department of Justice is alarming. The whole administration did not result from happenstance. It has been purposely refined.

Dr. Edwin Fisher wrote about collective psychopathology in in both “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” and “The Much More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump.” One of the factors that stands out would be isolation. This can be a physical isolation, as in Jonestown, but more importantly, a mental isolation. A lack of access to a variety of opinions. A diet of Fox News and rabid right-wing internet sites. Information incels tripping on Q-anon while watching Glenn Beck's hallucinations.

This leads to pointing out individuals and groups that the leader blames for all of the cult members' problems. Add white christian nationalism, and the public enemies expand from non-white human beings to books about history and science. The levels of aggressive ignorance build. We see that the hate in America has left the cocoon, as ICE and the felon's plan to begin federalizing law enforcement are destroying the rule of law.

The next step in the process is to divide and separate groups, to weaken potential opposition. This, of course, is done by appeals to two core emotions, anger and fear, while flattening the “trust” on Plutchik's wheel. “What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening,” the contagious one told his flock on July 24, 2018.

The opposite of the social disintegration that empowers the maga cult is cohesion. That is the way that we defeat the threat to our country. This means that, as Democrats, we have to recognize we are not the majority of registered voters. We need to be able to communicate in a manner that creates a cohesion of values. That doesn't mean we have to agree on everything with those to the left or right of us, so long as we share common values.

We might have differing views on some issues with other good people in the Democratic Party. Some of the time, these are settled in primaries. To not recognize and respect the outcome is to damage the foundation of our party. It is as wrong for any Democrat to donate to or support Andrew Cuomo today as it was to vote for Jill Stein in 2016. Every time we have lost a presidential race since 1968, it was a result of such toxic fractures within the party. There's lots of room for finger-pointing, though that would be a waste of time.

Our opposition knows that we will take back power with the 2026 mid-terms. That's why they are in a panic, looking for ways to cheat. They will seek to spread the new variant of the contagion. We are in a dangerous territory now, for sure, but we have everything we need to turn it around. I'm an old man now. I'm honored to do my best to take part in the struggle for social justice and the rule of law. Let's work to stomp the shit out of the maga threat.

Thank you.

[Saoirse9]

1. I sometimes wonder if

all the hate Biden was getting was an op. Normally sane and reasonable people calling for his resignation.

I believed then and was proven right that Biden was the only one who could beat him — the only one who ever HAS beaten him.

Don’t come for me Biden naysayers I will cut you.

I do understand what you’re saying though. They will be desperate to win in 2026.

I find it encouraging that Democratic governors are willing to fight fire with fire as far as redistricting is concerned. Because if they don’t we can kiss 2026 goodbye right now. IMO.

[H2O Man]

4. What I think it

was is projection. The felon always projects his weaknesses and crimes on others. And that cannot be otherwise, because sociopaths always do that. It is when the contagion has spread -- no different than covid or the common cold -- except this particular variant of strain was created in Steve Bannon's lab.

Those who get contaminated by the contagion create an internal orderly hierarchy of roles within the cult. The cult leader's every projection becomes accepted fact. The felon and his inner circle dose the brain-dead with targets to hate. I'm not sure if average people in America are aware of the increase in threats in America, including to politicians, judges, jurors, and jurors' families. Let's stick with Democrats in the House and Senate, and federal judges. This was purposeful, upon the maga leadership's part.

The outer layer of maga dust spins out of control when the lies and hatred of the felon and Stephen Miller saturates the atmosphere. Threats are the first step for many. Yet we have all witnessed January 6, a date the cult mistakes for a national holiday. The more unstable are becoming at increased risk for violence once again.

I say we slap the shit out of them. Figuratively, of course. Non-violently tear the head off the monster, and shit down its throat. I may need to go hit the heavy bag, so to speak. I'm currently providing grass roots organization & activity for a couple of private groups on the old internets. A hedge school, as you Irish would say.

[Saoirse9]

5. I hope all education

doesn’t have to resort to scoil scairte. At the rate we’re going they may have to.

[H2O Man]

9. Years ago,

when I was relatively new here, I noted that the first level of political office is the local school board. Someone who I became good friends with after getting to know them said I was wrong, and made fun of me for insisting it indeed is. Oh, how wrong they were! Think of the school libraries, and the attempt to pressure colleges and universities to teach a white christian nationalist agenda.

[Uncle Joe]

2. I think this is why Washington was against political parties having too much power. George Washington's Farewell Address

(snip)

All of the ideas presented in Washington's Farewell Address came from Washington; however, Alexander Hamilton wrote most of it.[10]

Washington sought to convince the American people that his service was no longer necessary by telling them, as he had in his first inaugural address, that he truly believed that he was never qualified to be president. If he accomplished anything during his presidency, he said, it was as a result of their support and efforts to help the country survive and prosper. Despite his confidence that the country would survive without his leadership, Washington used the majority of the letter to offer advice as a "parting friend" on what he believed were the greatest threats to the nation.[6]

(snip)

Constitution and political factions

Washington goes on to state his support for the new constitutional government, calling it an improvement upon the nation's original attempt in the Articles of Confederation. He reminds the people that it is the right of the people to alter the government to meet their needs, but it should only be done through constitutional amendments. He reinforces this belief by arguing that violent takeovers of the government should be avoided at all costs and that it is the duty of every member of the republic to follow the Constitution and to submit to the laws of the government until it is constitutionally amended by the majority of the American people.[2]

Washington warns the people that political factions may seek to obstruct the execution of the laws created by the government or to prevent the branches of government from exercising the powers provided to them by the Constitution. Such factions may claim to be trying to answer popular demands or solve pressing problems, but their true intentions are to take the power from the people and place it in the hands of unjust men.[peacock prose][2]

Washington calls the American people to only change the Constitution through amendments, but he then warns them that groups seeking to overthrow the government may strive to pass constitutional amendments to weaken the government to a point where it is unable to defend itself from political factions, enforce its laws, and protect the people's rights and property. As a result, he urges them to give the government time to realize its full potential, and only amend the Constitution after thorough time and thought have proven that it is truly necessary instead of simply making changes based upon opinions and hypotheses of the moment.[2]

Political parties

Washington continues to advance his idea of the dangers of sectionalism and expands his warning to include the dangers of political parties to the country as a whole. These warnings are given in the context of the recent rise of two opposing parties within the government—the Democratic-Republican Party led by Jefferson, and Hamilton's Federalist Party. Washington had striven to remain neutral during a conflict between Britain and France brought about by the French Revolution, while the Democratic-Republicans had made efforts to align with France, and the Federalists had made efforts to ally with Great Britain.

Washington recognizes that it is natural for people to organize and operate within groups such as political parties, but he also argues that every government has recognized political parties as an enemy and has sought to repress them because of their tendency to seek more power than other groups and to take revenge on political opponents.[6] He feels that disagreements between political parties weakened the government.

Moreover, he makes the case that "the alternate domination" of one party over another and coinciding efforts to exact revenge upon their opponents have led to horrible atrocities, and "is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism." From Washington's perspective and judgment, political parties eventually and "gradually incline the minds of men to seek security… in the absolute power of an individual",[2] leading to despotism. He acknowledges the fact that parties are sometimes beneficial in promoting liberty in monarchies, but he argues that political parties must be restrained in a popularly elected government because of their tendency to distract the government from their duties, create unfounded jealousies among groups and regions, raise false alarms among the people, promote riots and insurrection, and provide foreign nations and interests access to the government where they can impose their will upon the country.

(snip)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address

The upshot being that any higher form of universalism can easily be devolved to a non-thinking team sport, that make it easy for any domestic or foreign power (s) to label, demonize, and in turn divide the people just for manipulation purposes.

Every person just doesn't have the same ability or capability and when you devolve actual national or state power to a team sport people mentality, punching down at opposing voters or non-voters becomes the most natural "I told you so" in western civilization. I think even for most people that have never been in sales, logic would dictate not trashing the purchaser in order to sell your product.

Thanks for the thread H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

6. Thank you!

As always, you hit the nail on the head.

One of the things that I think has been going on is an economic warfare, where quite a few at the top level are more interested in their own comfort, than willing to actually confront issues openly and honestly. That's why I have great respect for Bernie, AOC, and Jasmine Crockett. And it's why the maga republicans want to do away with Rep. Crockett's district.

I remember when our party had more leaders of that type.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Likewise, thank you!

[H2O Man]

12. Much appreciated.

I just posted an introduction, and then the first lesson in Politics 101 for a group that is comprised of mainly women. Some of the group has experience, of course, and my goal is to get them to talk about the lessons they have learned. The only way we can will this struggle is with a dedicated grass roots. When we start there, the "leadership" needed rises to the top.

[The Wizard]

3. President Trump Stress Disorder (PTSD)

[H2O Man]

8. Right.

I understand how good people get tired and overwhelmed by the absolute horror today. I appreciate that it can be depressing. And I know that is what our opposition wants, and intends ...... that good people have feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

If you shift from emotions and feelings to where things now stand, while it is an extremely troubled time, we are actually in a position to both weaken maga and strengthen the Democratic Party. Now, I'm intellectually limited, perhaps from my times in the boxing ring. But I am convinced that all of life imitates the great sport.

I know what it is like to be tired, to be hurt, and well behind in a fight. I wasn't the biggest, the fastest, the strongest, or hit the hardest. But with the modesty found exclusively in the Irish race, I knew I was the smartest and the most stubbord. If I'm tired and hurt, I knew the other fellow was, too. And that the most important wins come from victories in the toughest fights, where both fighters come out sore for a good ten days. God, I loved those!

In training both amateur and professional fighters, while I instilled defensive tactics -- hit and don't get hit -- there were times my fighters were in tough, tough fights. And in between rounds -- especially for the last one -- I'd say, "You think you are tired? Look at him. You give me three good minutes here."

I will note that involves the very important minute's rest between rounds. People might benefit from picking up on that.

[AllaN01Bear]

11. it always peaked my couriosity why the other side alwas has engaged in mudslinging or finding dirt and lies in

instead of practical campaign ideas to run the country. they have none .

[H2O Man]

13. Right.

When you have a cult that is fed a steady diet of anger and fear, they will hate those that are the targets of the mud. When logic and rational thought are rejected, and negative emotions the fuel, that cult becomes hate itself. It has long been near the surface, of course, but this cult leader has given the hatred license.

[AllaN01Bear]

10. nice synopsis.:)

no, thank you.

[gademocrat7]

14. K&R

Thank you, H2O Man

[H2O Man]

15. Thanks!