This is an excellent summary of the themes and conclusions reached at the recent conference on the dangerousness of a Trump presidency, written by Dr. Sally Jones:
1) Mental fitness is a medical issue, not a political one.
2) The immense powers of the presidency require that any one elected to that office be mentally fit.
3) In a nuclear age the president must understand that there is no security without mutual security.
4) 'Fitness for duty’ and ‘dangerousness’ are different evaluations from diagnosis of mental illness, and they are assessments that mental health experts are obligated to do, as part of their societal and professional responsibility.
5) Donald Trump has demonstrated signs that could make him unsuitable and dangerous for the White House.
These themes are simplified somewhat but it might make it easier to talk to people using these clear premises.
I'm also posting a link to a substack post by Timothy Snyder regarding the small book he published in early 2017 called, On Tyranny. Here he discusses some basic principles, actions and attitudes we can be guided by to resist narcissistic abuse from autocrats:
Bandy, the interview with Andy Ostroy of the podcast, Back Room, is excellent! He asked pertinent questions and let you answer them at length . I was pleased also that he mentioned all your books and seemed to recognize the urgency of the moment we're in, especially Trump Contagion and the similarity to what took place in Germany with Hitler.
For those interested, the link to the podcast can be found at the conclusion of Bandy's post.
Is it possible for all of Dr Lee's supporters to organize a Zoom call and talk about what out next steps should look like? I am sharing Dr Lee's website to everyone. We need mainstream media attention. Can we convene a group of all of us and plan on next steps for getting our voices heard? Do we begin calling our senators, marching in DC? I've actually thought about writing a letter to George Clooney asking him if he'd be willing to write another op Ed about this public health emergency. I want to do more. I am volunteering in phonebanking for VP elect Kamala Harris but somehow we need to do more to get this emergent issue front and center. I am actually very scared right now and feel like I need to do more and would welcome a group of like minded supporters to speak with to discuss what else the concerned citizens of this country can do next to help get Dr Lee and her extraordinary colleagues back in front of mainstream media or connected to other organized groups working towards similar goals. Is Anyone familiar with SURG I just reached out to them to suggest they connect with Dr. LEE.
I am slightly disappointed that Dr Lee is not getting adequate coverage in last days of these elections. I thought Meidas Touch was making Dr Lee's weekly appearance regular until November 5. But no interviews since last 2-3 weeks. Also other media not giving platform to Dr Lee & other experts while Trump's lies, projections, dog whistles and disinformation has greatly expanded in last days of elections and needs to be countered & educated upon expertly. Elon Musk, the so called real life 'Tony Stark' has also jumped on bandwagon of delusions and madness. Twitter/X is now full of disinfo and election lies.
What I hear from Victor Davis Hanson and Trump apologist types... is a lot of justification, spin doctoring, and marginal technical arguments picking apart loopholes in Trump cases. He's like JD Vance, but with age and wisdom. He's like a Mob consigliere, a clean up guy. It's too bad the Mob boss Trump, doesn't listen to any advisors.
What I do NOT hear is Hanson categotically vouching for Trump's integrity, sanity, character, honor, ethics, fitness, or morality. He can't because nobody tests Don Trumpeone. Just because Trump has this power over the GOP, and potentially ALL of America and the world again, does NOT mean he should ever again.
Character still matters. The American people want a President who is not a Celebrity whiner, a criminal, and a bitchy billionaire full of grievances for his own vapid illiterate life.
Hanson sounds more like a paid for advisor to Trump's legal team. Trump would not have all these cases if Trump was competent. He got himself in these cases because he is not intelligent and has no regard for law. His last administration testifies he was like a big orange bull in a Hong Kong China Shop. He even broke laws he didn’t know he broke. Trump is really THAT stupid. But, ignorance is not a license to tresspass.
All these cases would be different if Trump was publicly unassuming. They make these arguments that 2020 protests and riots were "the left"? Well, who's watch was that under? With events like Charlottesville saying they were "fine people" Trump enabled so much hate, rancor, and ripped off America's scars and scabs of old racist ideologies that it created conditions from 2017-2020 that were so unbearable it amounted to more protests.
On Jan 6 when Trump said "Fight Like Hell!!" To a ravenous crowd filled with Proud Boys and the like, and put Mike Pence's life on the line, he meant it... as long as it benefited Trump. He's a malignant narcissist: http://dutytoinform.org there is no counter argument to Trump' mental disorder because every camera he gets in front of he SHOWS us, and hundreds of Psychiatrists are warning us: Don't put that man in public office ever again!
Trump is severely mentally unfit to be a President: http://worldmhc.org Trump speaks with 4th grade vocabulary, he is Arrogant, condescending, belligerent, nasty, rude, self-incriminating, spews bigotry, hatred, racism, and Xenophobia every single day.
What happened to the ideas of Ben Franklin, a man bettering himself by taking an aware tally of his virtues every night? Trump doesn't do that because he IS a sociopath/psychopath with no empathy. It doesn't matter what Harris "calls" it. We KNOW what Trump is capable of: sheer and utter destruction to our system of checks and balances.
Trump's policies are immature and simplistic and favor tax breaks for wealthy, tariffs, mass deportation, crony capitalism, and appeal to white Christian Nationalistic nativism via the New Apostolic Reformation and Catholic cult Opus Dei.
Hanson is another Conservative intellectual like JD Vance who can whip up complex legal gymnastics to cover for the fact that Donald Trump is of HIS golden era 50's and 60s baby boomer generation, and as an aging White male he wants THAT America back. Try as they might, bigots, the original white washers of history cannot stop America from living up to its potential.
But, it does not give Trump nor Baby Boomers the right to drag our country into fascist Authoritarian rule by Donald Trump and his motley crew of racist Mob Loonies: Bannon, Vance, RfK Jr., Musk, Loomer, Leonard Leo, Tulso Gabbard, MTG etc.
Hanson speaks with calmness and a firm conviction because he wants to portray a high brow version of right-wing Conservatism. His methods work for those baby boomers who still want to believe they know better than Millenials or Gen Z.
However, it does not matter how much he rationally advocates for this sick demented man named Trump. Hanson makes good sterile arguments with his nonchalant demeanor and lucid writing.
Guess what people, no matter how much Elon Musk grunts and groans in his "Dark Gothic" MAGA hats, fulfilling his rogue revenge of the nerd fantasies at MAGA hate rallies, its not rocket science! We see through the bullshit! It doesn't matter how much Hoover Institution perfume you spray on bullshit. The difference is this: "It's still bullshit, and we aren't going back!" 🇺🇲Harris/Walz 💙 and Democrats all the way down the ballot for a rebalanced healthy United States!
I'm not from the US, but feel the connection between a person's mind and their behaviours can be overlooked. To hear this message in its stark clarity would, I feel, embolden a leadrer's, and a voter's choice, for sanity, for Harris! Oh how I wish Trump had found love as a child, and wasn't so lost now!
This is an excellent summary of the themes and conclusions reached at the recent conference on the dangerousness of a Trump presidency, written by Dr. Sally Jones:
1) Mental fitness is a medical issue, not a political one.
2) The immense powers of the presidency require that any one elected to that office be mentally fit.
3) In a nuclear age the president must understand that there is no security without mutual security.
4) 'Fitness for duty’ and ‘dangerousness’ are different evaluations from diagnosis of mental illness, and they are assessments that mental health experts are obligated to do, as part of their societal and professional responsibility.
5) Donald Trump has demonstrated signs that could make him unsuitable and dangerous for the White House.
These themes are simplified somewhat but it might make it easier to talk to people using these clear premises.
I'm also posting a link to a substack post by Timothy Snyder regarding the small book he published in early 2017 called, On Tyranny. Here he discusses some basic principles, actions and attitudes we can be guided by to resist narcissistic abuse from autocrats:
https://snyder.substack.com/p/on-tyranny-right-now-audio?utm_source=podcast-email%2Csubstack&publication_id=310897&post_id=150950220&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_medium=email&r=abmc7&triedRedirect=true
Bandy, the interview with Andy Ostroy of the podcast, Back Room, is excellent! He asked pertinent questions and let you answer them at length . I was pleased also that he mentioned all your books and seemed to recognize the urgency of the moment we're in, especially Trump Contagion and the similarity to what took place in Germany with Hitler.
For those interested, the link to the podcast can be found at the conclusion of Bandy's post.
And he has already demonstrated brazen disregard for national security information for his ego, for revenge ....
Is it possible for all of Dr Lee's supporters to organize a Zoom call and talk about what out next steps should look like? I am sharing Dr Lee's website to everyone. We need mainstream media attention. Can we convene a group of all of us and plan on next steps for getting our voices heard? Do we begin calling our senators, marching in DC? I've actually thought about writing a letter to George Clooney asking him if he'd be willing to write another op Ed about this public health emergency. I want to do more. I am volunteering in phonebanking for VP elect Kamala Harris but somehow we need to do more to get this emergent issue front and center. I am actually very scared right now and feel like I need to do more and would welcome a group of like minded supporters to speak with to discuss what else the concerned citizens of this country can do next to help get Dr Lee and her extraordinary colleagues back in front of mainstream media or connected to other organized groups working towards similar goals. Is Anyone familiar with SURG I just reached out to them to suggest they connect with Dr. LEE.
Thank you all.
Anne Marie McLaughlin
I am slightly disappointed that Dr Lee is not getting adequate coverage in last days of these elections. I thought Meidas Touch was making Dr Lee's weekly appearance regular until November 5. But no interviews since last 2-3 weeks. Also other media not giving platform to Dr Lee & other experts while Trump's lies, projections, dog whistles and disinformation has greatly expanded in last days of elections and needs to be countered & educated upon expertly. Elon Musk, the so called real life 'Tony Stark' has also jumped on bandwagon of delusions and madness. Twitter/X is now full of disinfo and election lies.
What I hear from Victor Davis Hanson and Trump apologist types... is a lot of justification, spin doctoring, and marginal technical arguments picking apart loopholes in Trump cases. He's like JD Vance, but with age and wisdom. He's like a Mob consigliere, a clean up guy. It's too bad the Mob boss Trump, doesn't listen to any advisors.
What I do NOT hear is Hanson categotically vouching for Trump's integrity, sanity, character, honor, ethics, fitness, or morality. He can't because nobody tests Don Trumpeone. Just because Trump has this power over the GOP, and potentially ALL of America and the world again, does NOT mean he should ever again.
Character still matters. The American people want a President who is not a Celebrity whiner, a criminal, and a bitchy billionaire full of grievances for his own vapid illiterate life.
Hanson sounds more like a paid for advisor to Trump's legal team. Trump would not have all these cases if Trump was competent. He got himself in these cases because he is not intelligent and has no regard for law. His last administration testifies he was like a big orange bull in a Hong Kong China Shop. He even broke laws he didn’t know he broke. Trump is really THAT stupid. But, ignorance is not a license to tresspass.
All these cases would be different if Trump was publicly unassuming. They make these arguments that 2020 protests and riots were "the left"? Well, who's watch was that under? With events like Charlottesville saying they were "fine people" Trump enabled so much hate, rancor, and ripped off America's scars and scabs of old racist ideologies that it created conditions from 2017-2020 that were so unbearable it amounted to more protests.
On Jan 6 when Trump said "Fight Like Hell!!" To a ravenous crowd filled with Proud Boys and the like, and put Mike Pence's life on the line, he meant it... as long as it benefited Trump. He's a malignant narcissist: http://dutytoinform.org there is no counter argument to Trump' mental disorder because every camera he gets in front of he SHOWS us, and hundreds of Psychiatrists are warning us: Don't put that man in public office ever again!
Trump is severely mentally unfit to be a President: http://worldmhc.org Trump speaks with 4th grade vocabulary, he is Arrogant, condescending, belligerent, nasty, rude, self-incriminating, spews bigotry, hatred, racism, and Xenophobia every single day.
What happened to the ideas of Ben Franklin, a man bettering himself by taking an aware tally of his virtues every night? Trump doesn't do that because he IS a sociopath/psychopath with no empathy. It doesn't matter what Harris "calls" it. We KNOW what Trump is capable of: sheer and utter destruction to our system of checks and balances.
Trump's policies are immature and simplistic and favor tax breaks for wealthy, tariffs, mass deportation, crony capitalism, and appeal to white Christian Nationalistic nativism via the New Apostolic Reformation and Catholic cult Opus Dei.
Hanson is another Conservative intellectual like JD Vance who can whip up complex legal gymnastics to cover for the fact that Donald Trump is of HIS golden era 50's and 60s baby boomer generation, and as an aging White male he wants THAT America back. Try as they might, bigots, the original white washers of history cannot stop America from living up to its potential.
But, it does not give Trump nor Baby Boomers the right to drag our country into fascist Authoritarian rule by Donald Trump and his motley crew of racist Mob Loonies: Bannon, Vance, RfK Jr., Musk, Loomer, Leonard Leo, Tulso Gabbard, MTG etc.
Hanson speaks with calmness and a firm conviction because he wants to portray a high brow version of right-wing Conservatism. His methods work for those baby boomers who still want to believe they know better than Millenials or Gen Z.
However, it does not matter how much he rationally advocates for this sick demented man named Trump. Hanson makes good sterile arguments with his nonchalant demeanor and lucid writing.
Guess what people, no matter how much Elon Musk grunts and groans in his "Dark Gothic" MAGA hats, fulfilling his rogue revenge of the nerd fantasies at MAGA hate rallies, its not rocket science! We see through the bullshit! It doesn't matter how much Hoover Institution perfume you spray on bullshit. The difference is this: "It's still bullshit, and we aren't going back!" 🇺🇲Harris/Walz 💙 and Democrats all the way down the ballot for a rebalanced healthy United States!
Actual consequences of letting Trump win are compellingly spelled out by Sarah Longwell from the Bulwark here: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/speak-out-now-republicans-or-youll?r=4l90lh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email.
I'm not from the US, but feel the connection between a person's mind and their behaviours can be overlooked. To hear this message in its stark clarity would, I feel, embolden a leadrer's, and a voter's choice, for sanity, for Harris! Oh how I wish Trump had found love as a child, and wasn't so lost now!