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Column: Call Trumpism what it is: a cult


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The comparisons have come hard and fast, at least since 2015. Trump is like Silvio Berlusconi, like Adolf Hitler, like Boris Johnson. A 2018 film called “The Trump Prophecy” took the evangelical route, comparing Trump to Cyrus the Great, the 6th century BC Persian monarch chosen by God to free Jewish captives in Babylon.

But maybe it’s time to stop searching for the exact analogy for Trump, be he Cyrus or Boris, Adolf or a Silvio. What demands analysis is less the arrogant 73-year-old mediocrity in the Oval Office, but the worshipful attitude so many Americans have toward him.

A lot of nut jobs have peddled lies to Americans before, and even styled themselves as messianic. But at no time in history have so many Americans been drawn to what’s looking increasingly like a cult. I don’t use the term recklessly.

When Steven Hassan, an expert in cults and an ex-Moonie (as in the Unification Church, founded by a Korean businessman, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon), published “The Cult of Trump” last spring, some reviewers objected to his use of the cult framework as incendiary and not all that useful.

Indeed, for Trump critics to call his admirers cult members might be just another salvo in our nasty political warfare. It’s similar to the Trump psychologizing over the years that often doubles as name-calling: He’s a baby, a psychopath, a stone-cold narcissist.

The discourse around cults partakes of some woolly theories. “Mind control” and “brainwashing” are shibboleths from the 1950s, when the coinages were used to describe what Chinese Communists did to convert freethinkers to their cause. The implicit suggestion is that unsavory ideas and ideologies can only win adherents using extreme and witchy measures.

All that put me off the notion of Trumpism as a cult. But then in August, Trump looked heavenward and called himself “the chosen one.”

Suddenly, among evangelicals, it wasn’t enough to make comparisons with Cyrus or even King David. He had to be the savior himself. The far-right radio host Wayne Allyn Root called Trump “the second coming of God.” Then former Energy Secretary Rick Perry straight up affirmed Trump’s craziness, telling him, “You are here in this time because God ordained you.”

 

As 2019 drew to a close, my doubts about Trumpism as a cult dissolved. And I’m not alone. 

Republican lawyer George Conway reportedly described his wife, Trump’s presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway, as a member of a cult. Former GOP strategist John Weaver has used the term. Anthony Scaramucci, Trump’s onetime communications director, concurs. Also news vet Dan Rather, conservative political scientist Norman Ornstein, science journalist Steve Silberman, pastor John Pavlovitz and academic and journalist Jared Yates Sexton.

What the cult diagnosis may lack in scholarly rigor, it makes up for in explanatory power. When polled, far too many Republicans come across as having abandoned their commitment to libertarianism, family values or simple logic in favor of Trump worship. They’re lost to paranoia and factually unmoored talking points, just the way Hassan was lost to Sun Myung Moon. 

It can be heartbreaking when loved ones succumb to Trumpism. (It’s a double whammy when your grief is dismissed as liberal tears.) A true believer undergoes a “radical personal change,” as Hassan puts it. The person you once knew seems somehow ... not there.

Journalists Luke O’Neil and Edwin Lyngar, as well as Jen Senko in “The Brainwashing of My Dad,” have compiled stories of Americans who have gone over. O’Neil summarized the transformation this way: “A loved one … sat down in front of Fox News, found some kind of deep, addictive comfort in the anger and paranoia, and became a different person.”

Sounds about right.

Hassan — who remembers, during his Moonie days, shouting, “I don’t care if Moon is like Hitler. I’ve chosen to follow him, and I’ll follow him to the end” — broke free, and became an expert on cults and how to leave them. He has spent his career proving it’s possible. 

To see Trumpism as a cult is not to refuse to engage with its effects, the crimes committed in its name or the way it has awakened and emboldened the cruelest and most destructive beliefs and practices in the American playbook. Instead, the cult framework should relieve the pressure many of us feel to call Trumpites back to themselves, to keep arguing with them. They are stuck in a bad relationship with a controlling figure.

 

Understanding Trump is a fool’s errand. He’s sui generis, and far too erratic and finally insubstantial to reward close attention. Trump zealots are another matter. They are part of the tradition of radical converts in American history who elected to forfeit their authentic personalities and principles rather than refine or strengthen them. We need to stay focused on how so many Americans came to this pass and took this destructive course. The Trump cult will define American politics for decades to come, even after its dear leader is gone.

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-01-10/donald-trump-cult-steven-hassan-moonie

 

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The race and ethnicity of Trump's predecessor likely played a part in the rise of "Trumpism" as well.....certainly not for everybody, but obviously for those who felt an uncontrollable panic as they gleaned their perceived social status as Americans might be changing.  As always, just my unpopular opinion.  Bash at will.  ;) 

 

GO RV, then BV

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Potty Minds.

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

 

What the article and the brainwashed potty minds DO NOT NOTE OR CONSIDER IS Rule Of Law Based On The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights NOT THE MAN OR ANY MAN REPRESENTING Rule Of Law Based On The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights.

 

Rule Of Law Based On The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights exists WITHOUT The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump AND True The United States Of America Patriots.

 

True The United States Of America Patriots ALL adhere to THE OATH:

 

Image result for military oath

 

Unfortunately, THEE Potty Minds ARE THE BRAINWASHED!!!

 

Image result for potty mind

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm..................................................

 

THINKS THE THINKER................................................

 

I am "thinking", "What is in THERE???!!!"!!!

 

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

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Wow - tell me how this is any different than the Hollywood worship or how the young voters cried on youtube until snot ran out of their noses etc. or the media sat there in stunned silence when they realized that HRC lost? She and O were the 2nd coming according to the social set and media.

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On 1/13/2020 at 3:26 PM, Synopsis said:

Potty Minds.

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

 

What the article and the brainwashed potty minds DO NOT NOTE OR CONSIDER IS Rule Of Law Based On The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights NOT THE MAN OR ANY MAN REPRESENTING Rule Of Law Based On The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights.

 

Rule Of Law Based On The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights exists WITHOUT The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump AND True The United States Of America Patriots.

 

True The United States Of America Patriots ALL adhere to THE OATH:

 

Image result for military oath

 

Unfortunately, THEE Potty Minds ARE THE BRAINWASHED!!!

 

Image result for potty mind

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm..................................................

 

THINKS THE THINKER................................................

 

I am "thinking", "What is in THERE???!!!"!!!

 

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

 

My point.........Thanks

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On 1/13/2020 at 2:26 PM, Synopsis said:

Unfortunately, THEE Potty Minds ARE THE BRAINWASHED!!!

 

Image result for potty mind

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm..................................................

 

THINKS THE THINKER................................................

 

I am "thinking", "What is in THERE???!!!"!!!

 

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

 

7 minutes ago, caddieman said:

 

My point.........Thanks

 

So, WHY, pray tell, are YOU, diaper caddieman, BRAINWASHED AND HAVE YOUR, diaper caddieman, "head" IN THEE "toilet"???!!!

 

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

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6 minutes ago, Synopsis said:

 

 

So, WHY, pray tell, are YOU, diaper caddieman, BRAINWASHED AND HAVE YOUR, diaper caddieman, "head" IN THEE "toilet"???!!!

 

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:


Nice retort Synopsis.....You are out there bro.💯%

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1 hour ago, caddieman said:


Nice retort Synopsis.....You are out there bro.💯%

 

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

 

1 hour ago, caddieman said:


 

78FD918F-D61F-4291-A9D1-7B1061027792.jpeg

 

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

 

Common Sense

by Thomas Paine


Thomas Paine

Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain.

 

https://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/

 

June 21, 1788
 
The day the Constitution was ratified. On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The journey to ratification, however, was a long and arduous process.
 
December 15, 1791
 
Articles 3 to 12, ratified December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
 
The Foundation Of THIS Great Nation AND THE ASSOCIATED PRINCIPLES IS NOT A CULT.
 
What the ACTUAL Potty Minds REFUSE to understand is The Foundation Of THIS Great Nation AND THE ASSOCIATED PRINCIPLES IS NOT BASED ON The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump.
 
The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump REPRESENTS Rule Of Law BASED ON The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights AND Associated Principles LIKE Decency, Reason, AND Common Sense.
 
The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump IS NOT AN ICON FOR MYSELF OR OTHER MEMBERS WHO support The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump.
 

icon

 noun

\ ˈī-ˌkän  \

variants: or less commonly ikon

Definition of icon

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a: a graphic symbol on a computer display screen that represents an app, an object (such as a file), or a function (such as the command to save)

b: a sign (such as a word or graphic symbol) whose form suggests its meaning

2: an object of uncritical devotion : IDOL

3: EMBLEM, SYMBOLthe house became an icon of 1960's residential architecture— Paul Goldberger

4[Late Greek eikōn, from Greek] : a conventional religious image typically painted on a small wooden panel and used in the devotions of Eastern Christians

5: a usually pictorial representation : IMAGE

 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icon

 

The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump IS NOT AN OBJECT OF WORSHIP BUT UPHOLDS THE OATH OF OFFICE.

 

The American Presidency. The Oath of Office: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

 

So WHERE, pray tell, HAS The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump NOT OBSERVED THE OATH OF OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA???!!!

 

IF Rule Of Law IS "breached" FOR The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump THEN IT IS BREACHED FOR ALL The United States Of America Citizens INCLUDING THE DOMESTIC ENEMIES LIKE YOURSELF, diaper caddieman, AND ALL THE LIKE ACTUAL CULTISTS.

 

The True The United States Of America Patriots WILL NOT ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE STRIPPED OF Rule Of Law BASED ON The Constitution Of The United States Of America TO INCLUDE The Ratified Bill Of Rights AND Associated Principles LIKE Decency, Reason, AND Common Sense OR THOSE LIKE MINDED.

 

Where We Go One, We Go ALL!!!

 

IF the least among us falls with THEIR six unguarded standing for what is right, THEN, at some point, the greatest among us will no longer be able to stand with THEIR six unguarded SINCE there is NO ONE left to stand WITH AND nothing left to stand FOR.

 

NOT DOWN THE TOILET LIKIE THE POTTY MINDS!!!

 

Harping on The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump as an Icon IS UTTERLY STUPID. I AND The True The United States Of America Patriots HOLD THE LINE TO INCLUDE GETTING THE SIX OF LIKE MINDED PATRIOTS LIKE The True The United States Of America Patriot President Donald J Trump.

Potty Minds - GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THEE TOILET - YUK!!!

 

:facepalm3:   :facepalm3:   :facepalm3:

 

 :shakehead:     :shakehead:     :shakehead:

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The light will soon break through the darkness of all this political and social deception, and I know there will be very very many people extremely surprised at what they are indirectly supporting by not supporting our amazing President. 

Future retrospect will cause many to swell with American pride as they look back on this pivotal moment, knowing that RIGHT was side we were on... while others ... will have no side LEFT to be on.

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Humm, Trump Supporters aren't the one out there breaking storefront windows, setting fire to an Iranian owned limo, blocking traffic and causing death, poking people with poles embedded with nails, attacking Police Officers, planning to kill people and putting it out there on You Tube....So where is the Cult.....On the Left.

 

I will say this, Screw with me, in Real Life and I will Become a Cult of One........

 

Just sayin......You all Liberals wanta be Bad, tippy toe around and bang your Thimbles as Maybe, Just Maybe someone will care.

 

Karsten

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11 hours ago, Karsten said:

Humm, Trump Supporters aren't the one out there breaking storefront windows, setting fire to an Iranian owned limo, blocking traffic and causing death, poking people with poles embedded with nails, attacking Police Officers, planning to kill people and putting it out there on You Tube....So where is the Cult.....On the Left.

 

I will say this, Screw with me, in Real Life and I will Become a Cult of One........

 

Just sayin......You all Liberals wanta be Bad, tippy toe around and bang your Thimbles as Maybe, Just Maybe someone will care.

 

Karsten

 

What was that?

 

Image result for sayoc van

 

Image result for sayoc van

 

Image result for sayoc van

 

GO RV, then BV  :facepalm:

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15 hours ago, ladyGrace'sDaddy said:

How's about we start calling the Democratic Socialists Party and their followers  (ALL OF THEM) What they really are.............

Satanists, Child Pedophiles desiring to bring the end of America. Through this they can create the complete chaos that the Islamic caliphate believes will be the advent of the AntiChrist. 

 

Problem is, HE'S ALREADY HERE. 

I saw you looking in Shabs and Umbertino's way when you said this.

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