Missed this thread from a few days ago—it’s absolutely right. https://t.co/0SvbbDpytF— George Conway (@gtconway3d) April 11, 2020
Fundamentally, he's not. Let us be clear: it's the narcissism, stupid:
There's nothing rational about it; or him.
He literally can't see beyond his own desires:
It's not a strategy, it's a reflex:
Let's just play "compare and contrast," because this story is about actions that are both compassionate and rational, and even selfless:
The rest of us: we're not all that rational, either.
I mean, when a frozen cheesesteak company sounds "presidential," and it's meant as a compliment, the rest of us need consider why we keep focussing on Trump's inability to distinguish a virus from a bacterium.
It’s hard to imagine such impenetrable narcissism. Living in his reality free zone he can’t pat himself on the back enough: 116 Times Trump Congratulated His Own Coronavirus Response https://t.co/OnhMgVItsp— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) April 10, 2020
There's nothing rational about it; or him.
This NYT line neatly captures the many layers of Trump's narcissism:— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) April 10, 2020
"Advisers are torn between knowing that a less abrasive approach would help Trump and their awareness that he can’t tolerate criticism."
But this doesn't go far enough. Here's why:https://t.co/IWm3Gw3yjr pic.twitter.com/MgN69aum8C
He literally can't see beyond his own desires:
“Trump’s advisers are worried that his narcissistic daily virus briefings are hurting his reelection chances. His unshakable faith in his ability to manipulate the news with his magical reality-bending powers is not shared by his data-focused team.” https://t.co/esqZ9G4szI— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) April 10, 2020
It's not a strategy, it's a reflex:
Trump apparently doling our ventilators as political favors. https://t.co/MxZaclsY9r— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) April 11, 2020
Let's just play "compare and contrast," because this story is about actions that are both compassionate and rational, and even selfless:
Trump apparently doling our ventilators as political favors. https://t.co/MxZaclsY9r— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) April 11, 2020
The rest of us: we're not all that rational, either.
America 2020: this frozen cheesesteak company is sounding more presidential with each passing day https://t.co/h2TeLpLQRv— Miss Gender (@girldrawsghosts) April 10, 2020
I mean, when a frozen cheesesteak company sounds "presidential," and it's meant as a compliment, the rest of us need consider why we keep focussing on Trump's inability to distinguish a virus from a bacterium.
Every time Trump talks, he subtracts from the sum total of our knowledge. https://t.co/jSabbU8MSw— Robert Shrum (@BobShrum) April 10, 2020
Yeah, I get that viruses are not bacteria; but isn't the problem that Trump thinks they are both invisible and intelligent? Does he think he's in a B-grade sci fi movie thriller? Are we so determined to find some bit of rational behavior in the President that we, too, deny the obvious?
I mean, I understand the impulse, but this is not the time to be fooling ourselves. We already have one of those in the White House, and look where he's leading us.
Yeah, that's the problem....
I mean, I understand the impulse, but this is not the time to be fooling ourselves. We already have one of those in the White House, and look where he's leading us.
Wow missed this. Did he actually confuse viruses with bacterial infections? https://t.co/33B5iTgFKJ— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) April 11, 2020
Yeah, that's the problem....
I suppose it shouldn't be as shocking as it is that people who got through high school biology or even an Ivy type school wouldn't know the difference between viruses and bacteria. But it amazes me how little that 1950s-60s initiative to push science education made a dent.
ReplyDeleteI'm not expecting this is going to do it, HIV-AIDS didn't lead to people changing their behavior that leads to getting it, especially if they figure it's a "manageable condition". Trump is a symptom of the collapse of morality and education in the modern world. What doesn't surprise me much is that he's a product of "information" technology.