I only half agree. Yes, fascists are typically hyper-rational. There's no doubt Trump is a sadist.
But there is *also* something terribly, dangerously wrong with his mind. He can't articulate complete thoughts. He lies *without realizing he's lying.* He forgets things all the time -- or proves incapable of learning them in the first place.
He's not a sadist because he is mentally ill. He is both a sadist *and* mentally ill. His presidency presents a moment-by-moment emergency that could literally end the world.
It's urgent that we say both things, loudly and repeatedly.
The fascist mind has its own 'logic': that some are worthy of pain, abuse, and death. As a quick thought experiment, I try to imagine what certain groups of current Americans would do if they had lived in Nazi Germany. Some of course would have opposed the Nazi regime. But, as so clearly articled by John Stoehr today, we should be completely clear that this oval office occupant and many around him (cough, cough, Miller, cough, Cuccinelli), would have happily shoved Jewish people and other undesirables into the death camps and the ovens.
I only half agree. Yes, fascists are typically hyper-rational. There's no doubt Trump is a sadist.
But there is *also* something terribly, dangerously wrong with his mind. He can't articulate complete thoughts. He lies *without realizing he's lying.* He forgets things all the time -- or proves incapable of learning them in the first place.
He's not a sadist because he is mentally ill. He is both a sadist *and* mentally ill. His presidency presents a moment-by-moment emergency that could literally end the world.
It's urgent that we say both things, loudly and repeatedly.
I tend to agree: the best thing about Trump is his laziness and incapacity. As a sadist, Cheney was more skilled.
The fascist mind has its own 'logic': that some are worthy of pain, abuse, and death. As a quick thought experiment, I try to imagine what certain groups of current Americans would do if they had lived in Nazi Germany. Some of course would have opposed the Nazi regime. But, as so clearly articled by John Stoehr today, we should be completely clear that this oval office occupant and many around him (cough, cough, Miller, cough, Cuccinelli), would have happily shoved Jewish people and other undesirables into the death camps and the ovens.