Posted by floatingbridge on November 10, 2011, at 13:56:06
In reply to Re: Chris Hedges' column today, posted by Dinah on November 10, 2011, at 9:05:32
> > Sarah Palin and Rick Perry are psychopaths.
>
> That's a pretty serious charge. Has any qualified professional who has personally examined these people ever made that diagnosis?
>Yes, you are right. I do feel pretty seriously about them and what I feel they represent regarding the state of affairs in this country, but I spoke hastily. I would be better saying that
they are not psychopaths and have not been given the opportunity by access to the power that might (might) cause them to behave as psychopaths. I was echoing Chris Hedges assessment, and while I cannot speak for him, I think he likely chose his word carefully, though not as a diagnostician. Personally speaking, my unprofessional appraisal would be narcissists seeking power. Psychopath is too strong, implying the inability to form human attachment. I do not accuse Ms. Palin of not caring for her family. Rick Perry scares me because he seems to be a good old boy based on comments I have heard. Who was it he quipped about coming to Texas so he could show them the Texas treatment? Yikes. That is not funny nor the sort of statement I ever want to hear coming out of a candidates mouth.> I'm not a fan of either of them, myself. But I am not sure I find it supportive of open discourse to try to diagnose the major presidential candidates. (Or noncandidates for that matter. - I don't really understand why Palin is still a topic of interest to so many.)
Major candidates? Is this still true? I hope not. I certainly hope after Rick Perry's major gaff yesterday he will be discredited. Personally, I do not feel either is qualified to hold the presidential office, regardless of political stance.
>
> > It's frightening and sad that god is used as a smokescreen.
>
> In Dr. Laura's book on the ten commandments, she says that the meaning of "Do not take the Lord's name in vain" is
more about using the name of God to further one's own goals than it is about the occasional curse. When I read that, I really understood the importance of that commandment for the first time. But I suppose it's difficult to discern who is using God, and who truly believes what they are saying.I do not pretend to read the minds and hearts of anyone. I do feel that there are those self-interested and savvy enough to use the people around them and their uneven or perhaps unweighed, unexamined beliefs in a higher power to their own ends. Those are the one's that spin god into a smoke screen. It's not the people of the Tea Party that carry signs and walk on Washington. I do not even believe it is a smoke screen to Sarah Palin (though I have my personal suspicions about Rick Perry).
Dinah, it's nice to see you on the politics board :-)
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to clarify some hasty comments.
I dig a pony.
poster:floatingbridge
thread:1001838
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20110926/msgs/1002172.html