I read the story about the late Dan Johnson (R-Ky)...

[Orange Free State]

....and found it really fascinating. He seemed to be able to say damn near anything, no matter how ridiculous, and people bought it. He never should have been the town dog catcher, let alone a state rep. I will let you read up on his background and be the judge.

Anyway, my question is, what happened to this country and when? I noticed a few years ago that I knew people who believed that the Great Pyramid was built by aliens, but could not believe that one person with a rifle could shoot a President. What happened? Can this country ever get back to the place where it can be trusted to elect its own leaders? It’s almost like you can’t appeal to logic because there is none. I will retire in a few years, and won’t stay in the US. I feel this country is too stupid and violent to live in any more.

[Siwsan]

1. There will always be people attracted to 'Lonesome Rhodes' type characters

They seem to speak to a certain type of primal 'anti social' instincts. The 'basket of deplorables' serves as these sociopath's primary target.

I linked several of the articles about this on Facebook and the comments were interesting. Most were of the 'don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you' response. Some felt sorry for him, because they deemed him to be mentally ill. To them I said that I doubt it was a mental illness that caused him to kill himself. His "illness" was his ideology.

His 'suicide note' was one of the most disturbing things I've ever read. It was a study in pure narcissistic panic.

And, btw, Welcome to DU.

[Orange Free State]

2. Had not thought about Lonesome Rhodes, but...

...he was calculating and did not believe his own BS. (One of the most amazing acting performances I have ever seen btw, by Andy Griffith) I don’t know if Johnson did. Weird thing is he made so many claims that were easily debunked. He was not White House Chaplain. He did not set up a morgue on 9-11. Etc,etc. Why on earth don’t people’s bullshit antennas go up? Do many of us lack them? Is it like a drug to listen to a demagogue speak?

Thanks for the welcome.

[Siwsan]

3. Here's a link for a pretty extensive story about him

I'm going to take the time to read it, today. We were hit by a pretty substantial snowfall, last night, and I have zero desire to be out on the roads until they are all plowed and salted!!

http://longcon.kycir.org/

[lunasun]

4. Too stupid and violent . It seems like the biggest increase has been in the last 20 years IMO

I am pissed this guy added more horror to his victim's life by committing suicide and saying he was innocent plus it was the devil accusing him . My sympathy is with that young lady who now has more crap from him to process

She shared her therapist’s psychosocial assessment, notes and progress reports from their sessions together in the summer following the encounter. The documents outline how an alleged sexual assault pushed an honor roll student and drum major at Louisville Male High School into despair. She had signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The therapist noted Maranda had previously felt safe in the church, trusted the pastor and looked up to him. Now, she was having dreams, seeing visions. Terrified of running into him, she avoided Bardstown Road and Fern Creek.