There are those who like what the President is doing, and those who don’t. But whichever side one takes, arguing about his character or sanity is of only limited use. The problem is, such attacks on the person serve to lead us away from the issues.
Seeing behavior as the acting out of a crazy person diverts us from the behavior itself. Just one example. Wise manipulators know how to lead us into thinking something is acceptable by exposing us first to the unacceptable. So, the first executive order banning immigration led to chaos and – fortunately from my point of view – active resistance. The next one will seem calm and well considered – much “saner” by comparison — moving us in the direction of seeing the idea of the ban itself as closer to normal and acceptable.
And there you have an effective strategy. Like the fictional college letter home, the manipulator starts by exposing a series of terrible events so the request for more money – or whatever – at the end – seems like a minor issue.
Or there’s the horrible image that occurred to me halfway between sleep and waking this morning. The wielder of the knife aims for the wrist, ready to cut off the whole hand. Then changes course and cuts off the little finger instead. Now he’s not so evil as he seems – maybe even generous. Only a finger instead of the hand.
And little by little, the non-normal begins to seem normal.
monagustafsonaffinito 
Wow, so perfectly and cogently stated. And so very scary.
Thanks for the confirmation. May I say, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself,” sort of ….
Reblogged this on Views from the Edge.
Thanks — I consider that a very positive validation
Mona, this is really fine. Just two months ago Standing Rock became a symbol of hope. Today it is begin vacated in favor of the pipeline. The symbol of Standing Rock remains sacred, a witness to the kind of new normal born out of the banality of evil that quietly molds us to accept the loss of the title finger.
And the need to be alert! As, thank goodness, so many people are
Mona, Just replied with common. Wonderful piece.Tx >
You have confirmed or echoed my same thoughts on this. This is truly a psychological trick being enacted upon America.
Oh Ellie, I am so pleased to be affirmed by you …
WOW
Hmm…
A wonderful perspective. But let us not assume he is able to create such complex planning on his own. The people with whom he has surrounded himself seem present equal worry.
That’s basically the point. It’s not about the individual. It’s about the events/behavior
impossible to “like” today – i think you know what mean…so very very scary…i am going to proceed blessing that man en masse – hoping light will reach what’s good in him and shift his balance – thank God there are thousands who do that
Bless your blessings, dear Leelah, and give his advisors these blessings too. Grant power to the light.