No one likes a bully except other bullies and resentful bigots which makeup an uncomfortable % of the lower end of Americans. In other words: MAGA cultists
A very interesting look at President Trump's behavior. My humble opinion is that many in Mr. Trump's administration display the same behavioral traits, including Vice President Vance, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and Homeland Security Advisor Miller, just to name a few. Just the rambling thoughts of an old hermit. Thank-you very much for your insightful description of Mr. Trump. (Hope I haven't upset anyone. )
You’re so very correct. Trump is Hitler. He’s racist and his brownshirts are killing and abducting American citizens without cause. He’s trying to indict his opposition. He’s territorially expansive.
If the financial markets are anything to judge by, we are entering a new phase in how investors, both domestic and foreign, are behaving.
In the past, President Trump would make some crazy pronunciamento, markets would tank, and investors would run to precious metals or some other safety play. Then, Trump would do a TACO, the markets would be relieved and start rising again, and people would move out of gold, silver, and other stores of value that generally become more attractive when there is geopolitical risk.
Now, we're beginning to get a dual reaction: there is a relief rally on Wall Street, but at the same time, precious metals are continuing to rise to new records.
Trump's bizarre behavior at Davos may have something to do with it. Investors, particularly foreign investors, are increasingly inclined to continue the "Sell America" trade even when Trump does something sensible, since they know his good behavior won't last.
Americans are entering a new and uncertain era, and we are throwing away power, influence, and goodwill with both hands.
Interesting that when you tried to placate them with talks of new elections they weren’t buying it. Undoing all this bullying won’t be easy. Perhaps impossible.
Thank you for this post Mr. McFaul. What I believe I witnessed was strong pushback against a bully. It should be widely accepted now that this is the only way forward. When a bully gets strong pushback they back down. We have a president that knows no bounds, has no understanding of geography or of how diplomacy works. We will see what becomes of this framework but, we the people need to do everything we can to continuously stand up and push back against this blowhard of a president. Meanwhile, Russia continues to invade Ukraine raping women, kidnapping children and killing innocent people. The pretext for all of this BS about "owning" Greenland is to deter Russia (and China). If we are truly against Putin's Russia, we should be pushing them out of Ukraine.
The ray of hope assumes that you still have a free democratic vote on your next president. That is not a given.
The tech billionaire thugs have other plans and they are preparing.
Look who produces and controls the voting machines. Who links the results of the elections across the stars… who bows his knees to the dictator. Sending golden iPhones and bribes to the gang.
History teaches that fashism only goes away after outrageous violence.
Like a man who assaults his wife and then claims he will never do it again, that he loves her and showers her with attention, in the back of her mind (even if she forgives him) remains the question of whether he will do it again.
As easy has it is for me to level judgement at a time like this, Professor, I’m not going to do that in here.
I’ve already done that enough in other places.
Instead, I want to share two things in here:
1. Perspective
2. Hope
1.
President Trump is only the tip of a large iceberg, Professor. For years, Americans have been behaving arrogantly and condescendingly around the world.
But with President Trump, there is no longer any hiding it, denying it, or excusing it. He has revealed a side of America that far too many, in America and around the world, have refused to see, or believe.
But this has been going on for years, Professor McFaul. It did not begin with Trump, nor, I believe, will it end with him. There are millions of other Americans who are, I am sorry to say, woefully ignorant, not only about the world but of America’s history in that world.
This is a fundamental challenge for America, Professor, that will not just change with a new President, or Party.
It will require a change of mindset in America that will require changes at many different levels in America, not just political.
2.
But here, Professor McFaul, is where I want to offer hope. And encouragement.
I still believe Americans can change. Change is in the American DNA, and if there is anyone in this world who can make the deep changes that will be needed to heal with the world, it is America.
America has offered hope to so many people and for so many years. And there are still so many in the world, Professor, who believe in that hope, and who believe in that opportunity.
The changes will not come easy. And they may take a very long time. But I believe they can be done, Professor. And I believe all of us - including all of us who are commenting in here - can be part of that journey.
And…it is ok to ask for help.
Sometimes, it takes your friends to help you remember who you truly are.
I'm guessing you'll never see the "framework agreement" because it likely doesn't exist. Trump makes things up. His mental decline is obvious with his autistic like obsession with Greenland, the 202 election and the Nobel prize.
Part of your Greenland analysis here should shed light on what is already in place: The Truman agreement on Greenland that is established and continues. This was settled in the 1950’s. Trump
Doesn’t read at all, but especially silly not Democratic accomplishments. Obviously his staff either doesn’t either or has no way to deliver that fact in a bullet point.
Incredibly sharp analysis of what happens when coercion replaces cooperation. The point about weaker countries having another superpower to bandwagon with is crucial and often underdiscussed. Ive seen this dynamic play out in trade negotiations where the mere threat of turning to China shifts the whole calculus. Carney's speech at Davos probaly marks a turning point that folks will look back on in a few years.
Actually, children of narcissists (a large % of maga) are groomed to like bullies & many submit.
No one likes a bully except other bullies and resentful bigots which makeup an uncomfortable % of the lower end of Americans. In other words: MAGA cultists
Psychologically speaking, most bullies & bigots don't like anyone including themselves.
A very interesting look at President Trump's behavior. My humble opinion is that many in Mr. Trump's administration display the same behavioral traits, including Vice President Vance, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and Homeland Security Advisor Miller, just to name a few. Just the rambling thoughts of an old hermit. Thank-you very much for your insightful description of Mr. Trump. (Hope I haven't upset anyone. )
You're not rambling. You're 100% 🎯 & here is the psychological proof to back you up.
https://samray.substack.com/p/trumpism-is-narcissism
Thank-you for sharing the link. Very interesting article. I found it to be very accurate.
🙏 Interesting & very accurate are two of the pillars of Counter-Narcissist Intel.
Trump’s capitulation is temporary. He will change his mind and continue to
menace Greenland. He doesn’t honor agreements—even signed agreements.
You’re so very correct. Trump is Hitler. He’s racist and his brownshirts are killing and abducting American citizens without cause. He’s trying to indict his opposition. He’s territorially expansive.
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
YOU NEED TO MAKE LOCAL LAWS ON VOTING RECOUNTS!
YOU NEED TO VOTE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
YOU NEED TO STAND IN LINE!
IF YOUR USING MAIL IN VOTING TAKE TO POST OFFICE PERSONALLY AND HAVE THEM STAMP THE DATE IN FRONT OF YOU!
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
NOW WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE! PLEASE RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES AND READ THE NAMES!
If the financial markets are anything to judge by, we are entering a new phase in how investors, both domestic and foreign, are behaving.
In the past, President Trump would make some crazy pronunciamento, markets would tank, and investors would run to precious metals or some other safety play. Then, Trump would do a TACO, the markets would be relieved and start rising again, and people would move out of gold, silver, and other stores of value that generally become more attractive when there is geopolitical risk.
Now, we're beginning to get a dual reaction: there is a relief rally on Wall Street, but at the same time, precious metals are continuing to rise to new records.
Trump's bizarre behavior at Davos may have something to do with it. Investors, particularly foreign investors, are increasingly inclined to continue the "Sell America" trade even when Trump does something sensible, since they know his good behavior won't last.
Americans are entering a new and uncertain era, and we are throwing away power, influence, and goodwill with both hands.
Interesting that when you tried to placate them with talks of new elections they weren’t buying it. Undoing all this bullying won’t be easy. Perhaps impossible.
Thank you for this post Mr. McFaul. What I believe I witnessed was strong pushback against a bully. It should be widely accepted now that this is the only way forward. When a bully gets strong pushback they back down. We have a president that knows no bounds, has no understanding of geography or of how diplomacy works. We will see what becomes of this framework but, we the people need to do everything we can to continuously stand up and push back against this blowhard of a president. Meanwhile, Russia continues to invade Ukraine raping women, kidnapping children and killing innocent people. The pretext for all of this BS about "owning" Greenland is to deter Russia (and China). If we are truly against Putin's Russia, we should be pushing them out of Ukraine.
The ray of hope assumes that you still have a free democratic vote on your next president. That is not a given.
The tech billionaire thugs have other plans and they are preparing.
Look who produces and controls the voting machines. Who links the results of the elections across the stars… who bows his knees to the dictator. Sending golden iPhones and bribes to the gang.
History teaches that fashism only goes away after outrageous violence.
Like a man who assaults his wife and then claims he will never do it again, that he loves her and showers her with attention, in the back of her mind (even if she forgives him) remains the question of whether he will do it again.
As easy has it is for me to level judgement at a time like this, Professor, I’m not going to do that in here.
I’ve already done that enough in other places.
Instead, I want to share two things in here:
1. Perspective
2. Hope
1.
President Trump is only the tip of a large iceberg, Professor. For years, Americans have been behaving arrogantly and condescendingly around the world.
But with President Trump, there is no longer any hiding it, denying it, or excusing it. He has revealed a side of America that far too many, in America and around the world, have refused to see, or believe.
But this has been going on for years, Professor McFaul. It did not begin with Trump, nor, I believe, will it end with him. There are millions of other Americans who are, I am sorry to say, woefully ignorant, not only about the world but of America’s history in that world.
This is a fundamental challenge for America, Professor, that will not just change with a new President, or Party.
It will require a change of mindset in America that will require changes at many different levels in America, not just political.
2.
But here, Professor McFaul, is where I want to offer hope. And encouragement.
I still believe Americans can change. Change is in the American DNA, and if there is anyone in this world who can make the deep changes that will be needed to heal with the world, it is America.
America has offered hope to so many people and for so many years. And there are still so many in the world, Professor, who believe in that hope, and who believe in that opportunity.
The changes will not come easy. And they may take a very long time. But I believe they can be done, Professor. And I believe all of us - including all of us who are commenting in here - can be part of that journey.
And…it is ok to ask for help.
Sometimes, it takes your friends to help you remember who you truly are.
Aloha 🇺🇸🙏🏼🤙🏼
Isn't D & Vladimir on the same team?? We keep acting like this is a well intentioned effort to secure NATO & Greenland.
I'm guessing you'll never see the "framework agreement" because it likely doesn't exist. Trump makes things up. His mental decline is obvious with his autistic like obsession with Greenland, the 202 election and the Nobel prize.
No one likes a pedophile, except a pedophiles!
Part of your Greenland analysis here should shed light on what is already in place: The Truman agreement on Greenland that is established and continues. This was settled in the 1950’s. Trump
Doesn’t read at all, but especially silly not Democratic accomplishments. Obviously his staff either doesn’t either or has no way to deliver that fact in a bullet point.
Incredibly sharp analysis of what happens when coercion replaces cooperation. The point about weaker countries having another superpower to bandwagon with is crucial and often underdiscussed. Ive seen this dynamic play out in trade negotiations where the mere threat of turning to China shifts the whole calculus. Carney's speech at Davos probaly marks a turning point that folks will look back on in a few years.