General Discussion

MineralMan

(151,334 posts)

70. Actually, the concern probably started with FDR.

Mon Nov 28, 2016, 12:16 PM

Nov 2016

The Constitution left a lot of things open. Most of the Amendments just clarify the original document by adding specifics.

Until the 25th Amendment was ratified, there really wasn't any clear succession beyond the VP. That needed to be fixed, and so we have the Amendment. Now, it's part of the Constitution, and can't be changed without another Amendment.

All kinds of unexpected consequences come from any document like our Constitution.

Ronald Reagan almost certainly had Alzheimer's during his second term in office. Others made the decisions for him, I have no doubt and he was propped up in front of a microphone when needed. I clearly remember watching Nancy Reagan whispering in his ear on one occasion, when he suddenly was at a loss for words. I turned to my wife and said, "Reagan has Alzheimer's."

Was he removed from office? Nope. Things just went on as if nothing was wrong with him. A VP and Cabinet are unlikely to ever declare a sitting President as unfit. It's just not going to happen.

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Saying What Must Be Said: The President-Elect is MENTALLY ILL [View all] KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 OP

He is starting at the point Nixon ended exboyfil Nov 2016 #1

One of my favorite high school teachers developed Alzheimers before KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #2

Both grandparents on my dad's side exboyfil Nov 2016 #6

We don't want him to make it to day one. Once he is in office we will end up with Pres Penc Maraya1969 Nov 2016 #172

He's the only thing standing between us and a full on Christian Taliban regime. MadamPresident Nov 2016 #3

This Calculating Nov 2016 #8

No actually MFM008 Nov 2016 #85

I agree, I think Pence is controllable womanofthehills Nov 2016 #97

r u implyng tht kellyann is a smoh taker? pangaia Nov 2016 #145

I don't know if he is "controllable" or not, but if they was an effort to remove trump still_one Nov 2016 #176

My sentiments, exactly... Pence is sane whathehell Nov 2016 #128

I'm not so sure. Pence is a Nazi bigot of the highest order... he scares the living shit out of me! InAbLuEsTaTe Nov 2016 #130

I don't see Pence leading an overtly brutal fascist takeover of the country Fast Walker 52 Nov 2016 #183

The Electoral College can choose to seat whomever it KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #9

They're not going to do that. MadamPresident Nov 2016 #111

the guy is a scumbag... berksdem Nov 2016 #126

...or the US military. roamer65 Nov 2016 #171

You are right, they aren't going to do it. Trump is not an idiot, but he is an evil asshole, and still_one Nov 2016 #177

Welcome to DU, MadamPresident. calimary Nov 2016 #154

Welcome to the Democratic Underground MadamPresident CountAllVotes Nov 2016 #178

But Trump's meanness is hardly new. LisaM Nov 2016 #4

Makes me wonder how the Secret Service exboyfil Nov 2016 #10

George Bush was a "decent guy" who mimicked a woman on Death Row pleading for her life. Nitram Nov 2016 #135

I actually meant exboyfil Nov 2016 #139

Ah. Then I agree. Herbert Walker was in a different league than his son. Nitram Nov 2016 #180

He is definitely not stable. I fear what's going to happen. Initech Nov 2016 #5

I've been suspecting for a long time that Trump has a mild form of schizophrenia. DetlefK Nov 2016 #7

My Mom was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and some of Trump's recent KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #12

I think it's more likely that he's ADHD and narcissistic. Nitram Nov 2016 #136

Adding illiterate, and lacking any compassion, I would agree. lindysalsagal Nov 2016 #149

I'll see your illiteracy and lack of compassion and pass. Nitram Nov 2016 #181

Undiagnosed or hidden for 50 yrs? loyalsister Nov 2016 #150

He is so narsisstic that he Doreen Nov 2016 #173

Oh no. CBS is making too much off the mouthy jackass to ignore or shut him up CousinIT Nov 2016 #11

I woke up this morning to the news and commentary about yesterday's Tweet-storm and KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #16

I felt the same way - like OMG his mental stability is worse than I thought womanofthehills Nov 2016 #117

I have always thought he was more emotionally disturbed than mentally, but I don't know much world wide wally Nov 2016 #13

Nutter works. lonestarnot Nov 2016 #15

Yeah, me neither. And after Bill Frist's remote diagnostic debacle, I am KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #18

That's because he's actually a fictional character... Blanks Nov 2016 #33

"but Trump doesn't have the monopoly on crazy." Perseus Nov 2016 #88

They control the media... Blanks Nov 2016 #101

good post, and good points Fast Walker 52 Nov 2016 #166

It seems there are a combination of things going on. It ranges from childlike to incoherent, to RKP5637 Nov 2016 #37

his refusal to take intelligence briefings or state dept advice mopinko Nov 2016 #14

He gets his intelligence briefings from Russia world wide wally Nov 2016 #21

It's as if he can't process that he IS the government now ToxMarz Nov 2016 #22

yup. mopinko Nov 2016 #81

He Has No Concept RobinA Nov 2016 #109

He has traded on his inherited money and his father's reputation to build a con man's ability... Nitram Nov 2016 #134

No political ideology bdamomma Nov 2016 #157

The DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder are: Little Star Nov 2016 #17

Hmm, that's very interesting. Did the criteria change in any significant way with KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #20

Yes, classic case of narcissism. I'd even say an extreme case Roland99 Nov 2016 #75

A Narcissist cannot have Dementia too? HockeyMom Nov 2016 #90

And remember the debates womanofthehills Nov 2016 #100

You have captured this feeling of discomfiture far better than I could ever hope KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #188

The DSM-5 criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder are even better jmowreader Nov 2016 #119

There's no real way to use this to block his election by the EC. MineralMan Nov 2016 #19

OMG, thank you so much for your gracious annotation. I have now edited KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #25

Mentally ill? Depends on the definition being used. MineralMan Nov 2016 #44

Just out of curiosity, do you happen to remember the specific historical context KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #56

It's fairly complex, and depends on which section you're talking about. MineralMan Nov 2016 #65

I wondered if Eisenhower's medical problems as president had been a motivator. I"m not KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #68

Actually, the concern probably started with FDR. MineralMan Nov 2016 #70

My understanding is that it actually started with Woodrow Wilson. cab67 Nov 2016 #94

His wife Edith took messages in and out of his sickroom to such an extent ... Hekate Nov 2016 #120

Thanks for that information. I had forgotten Wilson. MineralMan Nov 2016 #190

I remember reading somewhere, althogh I'll be damned if I can remember where exactly, that KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #189

FDR was the reason for pres. term limits and Wilson & FDR inspired the disability clause. Yo_Mama Nov 2016 #118

He did. MADem Nov 2016 #162

Why would it be unlikely? treestar Nov 2016 #142

The VP elect and so far all of the Cabinet candidates are also nuts ThoughtCriminal Nov 2016 #127

Nixon thought he was OK because there were enough republicans in congress... Blanks Nov 2016 #39

The Cabinet can remove him. 25th Amendment. Keith Olbermann KittyWampus Nov 2016 #43

The problem is he appointed the cabbinet, and he is their only chance for the job. Nitram Nov 2016 #76

The Cabinet is full of HIS loons. They don't want to vote themselves out of a job. nt MADem Nov 2016 #163

yes, he's either a psychopath or Javaman Nov 2016 #23

Dark Triad sounds about right... good find Fast Walker 52 Nov 2016 #184

oddly, I just found this... Javaman Nov 2016 #187

holy crap, that is creepy as shit Fast Walker 52 Nov 2016 #198

This is so fucking insulting. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #24

Mental illness would explain delusional thinking, not why Trump was and is so hateful. But KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #27

Because neurotypical people are never delusional, right? Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #35

I have a Les Paul knockoff (by Epiphone) but reasonable KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #38

A neurotypical person displays typical neurological development. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #41

Wow Why are you so nasty? classykaren Nov 2016 #51

I think everyone here is a little on edge right now, no matter what they KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #60

Because I don't like being stigmatized. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #98

You are being extremely defensive, and lashing out at someone who is being kind in response. Hekate Nov 2016 #121

No, it's not about me. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #124

This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles Nov 2016 #141

1 progressoid Nov 2016 #30

I agree. Mr.Bill Nov 2016 #31

Agree 100%. But has he exhibibited signs of delusional thinking before KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #34

Perhaps a lifelong asshole... Zoonart Nov 2016 #57

I am so sorry to hear about your father's decline and passing. I have never had any KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #67

THANK YOU Zoonart Nov 2016 #71

Is the very behavior of being a self-absorbed asshole "neurotypical?" MADem Nov 2016 #62

Yes. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #93

But I am not making mental illness "a convenient scapegoat for any and all bad behavior." MADem Nov 2016 #125

Yeah. Wow. That's fascinating. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #131

That's not what I said, but it's obvious that you want to be confrontational with MADem Nov 2016 #137

Not that it really matters, but that's not even Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2016 #169

Indeed--and the facial expression of JS is icing on the Slow Clap cake! nt MADem Nov 2016 #170

I agree a risk to himself and a RISK to others. bdamomma Nov 2016 #158

I wish the Electoral College would take a hard look. The man is not stable. nt MADem Nov 2016 #161

Agree!!! And people wonder why Mental Illness has a stigma... RAFisher Nov 2016 #92

If you read the DSM, Trump is definitely mentally ill - he has them all womanofthehills Nov 2016 #105

The DSM doesn't make you a psychologist any more than WebMD makes you a doctor. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2016 #186

1 BainsBane Nov 2016 #143

I don't think he's mentally ill. Baitball Blogger Nov 2016 #26

A cult and a coup! I think there's an awful lot going on, manipulative, power grabbers, RKP5637 Nov 2016 #40

That's a good point and, if true, gives him credit for being a very crafty KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #52

He did the same thing with the birther issue. Baitball Blogger Nov 2016 #53

Trump has spent his entire life manipulating people for his own purposes radical noodle Nov 2016 #103

manipulation bdamomma Nov 2016 #182

I don't see how anyone can say this guy is not a screaming narcissist womanofthehills Nov 2016 #106

His reactivity is a big sign of a personality disorder womanofthehills Nov 2016 #112

It's no wonder he has to have his kids with him all of the time to help him understand events and to RKP5637 Nov 2016 #28

Those who surround him are following his power but think they can control his madness Hekate Nov 2016 #122

Interesting about the "whispery voice." Bohunk68 Nov 2016 #185

Not until there is a DX loyalsister Nov 2016 #29

Yeah, I debated whether to publish this today, not wishing to add to KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #32

No need to delete anything. Mr.Bill Nov 2016 #42

Thanks for asking, but it's your decision loyalsister Nov 2016 #114

This n/t BREMPRO Nov 2016 #66

Men in White Suits bucolic_frolic Nov 2016 #36

You think? hamsterjill Nov 2016 #45

Yeah, I'm aware that I'm hardly the first person to voice such concerns. Something about KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #191

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be snarky! hamsterjill Nov 2016 #193

The development of a logically flawed argument (the classic false dilemma): Buzz Clik Nov 2016 #46

So you think there really were millions of illegal votes? KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #47

Yes, that is exactly what I said. Buzz Clik Nov 2016 #99

Strictly speaking, he's not mentally ill Boomer Nov 2016 #48

Thank you for that distinction. Not being a professional, I lack a lot of the vocaulary KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #49

Damn right something isn't quite right Boomer Nov 2016 #54

Good Description RobinA Nov 2016 #113

another response to this:Democrats should take off the gag about GOP vote suppression & vote rigging yurbud Nov 2016 #50

he has to be get the red out Nov 2016 #55

Never met Donald Trump and lack the saltpoint Nov 2016 #58

That's pretty astute. Makes one wonder how the Cuban Missile Crisis would KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #63

A frightening scenario -- the Cold War roiling saltpoint Nov 2016 #64

tRump's father had Alzheimer's and suffered for 6 years before he died Thekaspervote Nov 2016 #59

Wow! Now that I did not know before now, which means I've learned KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #61

I wish people would stop diagnosing Trump. PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2016 #69

Yeah, I readily take your point. I hesitated before publishing this and KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #194

Dementia runs in his family. Historic NY Nov 2016 #72

Step 1 - Have a press who doesn't ignore the obvious - It's almost like they Laura PourMeADrink Nov 2016 #73

Well, there's an example of that going on right here on DU. hamsterjill Nov 2016 #80

It's a small distinction - mental illness or personality disorder womanofthehills Nov 2016 #107

My take exactly. Nitram Nov 2016 #74

Understand How He Thinks RobinA Nov 2016 #116

Very true that Trump hates to lose, especially to a girl. Nitram Nov 2016 #132

The Bill Fristian-style over-the-internet diagnoses made by educated experts LanternWaste Nov 2016 #77

Mentally ill or not, he's saying this to counterbalance the clear evidence of election fraud. byronius Nov 2016 #78

I read somewhere about a professor using him as a case study for narcissistic personality disorder. Vinca Nov 2016 #79

He's a narcissist nini Nov 2016 #82

MY wife & I have been saying he's ill since last year.. why it's not absolutely clear to vkkv Nov 2016 #83

i've been saying this for months. barbtries Nov 2016 #84

if it really is alzheimers, as so many suspect, many based on up close knowledge mopinko Nov 2016 #86

You get a full physical and a tox screen to be an E-1 in the military--you'd think the Commander MADem Nov 2016 #138

Coping with Chaos in the White House elleng Nov 2016 #87

Republicans wanted an unfit, ill person in the presidents chair. So easy to dupe a dummy in a bubble Sunlei Nov 2016 #89

There is a method to the madness - artlcle blueseas Nov 2016 #91

I don't buy your armchair diagnosis Politicub Nov 2016 #95

I'm definitely not qualified, other than from family experience, and that's hardly KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #195

Trump's entire campaign has been disquieting Politicub Nov 2016 #196

I can easily see Trump becoming a liability. cab67 Nov 2016 #96

He qualifies bdamomma Nov 2016 #102

I know a lot of people who are intellectually lazy loyalsister Nov 2016 #147

You know, a lot of people have mental illness BainsBane Nov 2016 #104

K&R bdamomma Nov 2016 #108

Trump is very unstable and is not fit to be POTUS Gothmog Nov 2016 #110

Mad King Donald in his golden tower, raving at the "unfairness" of it all.... Hekate Nov 2016 #115

Dr Hahn - she sure describes Trump in her videos womanofthehills Nov 2016 #123

You're correct n/t deek Nov 2016 #129

King Lear Dream Girl Nov 2016 #133

The Candidate: What do I do now?? Angry Dragon Nov 2016 #140

Pence still scares me more than Trump rollin74 Nov 2016 #144

I wish I had a dollar for every time I said that Sugarcoated Nov 2016 #146

You're describing my 80 year old mother: lindysalsagal Nov 2016 #148

Rec #100 malaise Nov 2016 #151

He could have this too. bdamomma Nov 2016 #152

Looks like dementia to me itsrobert Nov 2016 #153

He looks like a chimp. AngryAmish Nov 2016 #155

A diagnosis is besides the point, it is his ACTIONS that matter. Barack_America Nov 2016 #156

He doesn't suffer mental illness Generic Brad Nov 2016 #159

I thought that would be obvious to anyone that wasn't mentally ill doc03 Nov 2016 #160

Trump is a narcissist and most likely a sociopath as well Martin Eden Nov 2016 #164

I feel like Trump did what GW Bush did ... CaptainTruth Nov 2016 #165

Rob Reiner agrees with you DesertRat Nov 2016 #167

Trump's father had Alzheimer's, FYI. Liberty Belle Nov 2016 #168

Agree. But it is probably a personality disorder. McCamy Taylor Nov 2016 #174

Naw kebob Nov 2016 #175

I don't know about mental illness Dorian Gray Nov 2016 #179

So, what do we think about the people that elected him... Stellar Nov 2016 #192

That is a damned good question. I think 1/2 are what Hillary diplomatically KingCharlemagne Nov 2016 #197

Kicking for updates from the past 24 hours - nt KingCharlemagne Jan 2017 #199