Coherent individuals should not psychoanalyze a narcissist like President Trump. Sane persons use themselves as frames of reference. Bad idea.
There is one bit of mass insanity available to pry into that twisted mind: Positive thinking.
Tsar Donaldov Vladimirovitch has stated that one of the formative experiences of his life was a sermon by Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, author of the perennial bestseller “The Power of Positive Thinking.” Don’t buy the book or the concept.
Read “Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America” by human rights superstar Barbara Ehrenreich. Her 2009 masterpiece details how psychobabble gaga greased the skids for the still-lingering Great Recession.
Positive thinking was pioneered in the 19th Century by the founders of Christian Science, the faith-healing religion. Peale and a plethora of life coaches merely re-packaged. It has proven a godsend for governments and organizations large and small.
It boils down to “wishing will make it so.” External forces are meaningless. It’s all your attitude. If you get sick, lose your job or go broke, it’s your fault. As actor Strother Martin famously stated before his sadistic “Cool Hand Luke” character applied unfriendly persuasion, “you’ve got to get your mind right.”
Positive thinking has made us a blame-the-victim nation, perfect for the likes of morally obtuse presidents. Bush the Lesser banned bad news from security briefings, according to Condoleeza Rice.
What was Trump’s answer about with whom he would counsel in a crisis? “First, I would consult with myself.”
His mind ain’t right.
MURDER MOST FOUL. For further depression, pick up “Piercing the Lion Heart” by lawyers Andy Boles and Ron Hutcherson. It’s a chilling play-by-play of the 1979 killing of undercover Reno cop James Hoff by some very stupid young thugs.
EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT UPDATE: Supported by all 11 Democrats plus non-partisan Patricia Farley of Las Vegas and Republican Heidi Seevers Gansert of Reno, the ERA passed the senate 13-8 last Tuesday. In two hours(!) of debate, many ancient opposition arguments were unearthed, including that existential threat to the republic (drum roll, please) co-ed restrooms.
With a power assist from Sen. Julia Ratti, D-Sparks, local activists Barbara Stone and Laynette Evans distributed copies of last week’s Barbwire to the senate before the vote. Next step: the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee, 1:30 p.m. March 7. Two Sparks members sit thereon, Democrat Skip Daly and Republican Ira Hansen. E-mail them at <AsmLOE@asm.state.nv.us>
HAIL CESAR. ERA leader Janette Dean addressed last year’s César Chávez Celebration. Equal justice for all will again be on the menu at César XV the evening of March 29 at Circus Circus Reno. Info and reservations at CesarChavezNevada.com/
WE DON’T NEED NO EDUCATION. Last week, the Washoe County School District held another public forum on sex ed. I got a call from a fundamentalist concerned that his children will see dirty pictures and receive contraception instructions. This week, lawmakers are reviewing repeal of religious loopholes allowing employers to ban birth control from company health plans.
The sex hangups of the sexiest state are always entertaining.
Be well. Raise hell. / Esté bien. Haga infierno.
Andrew Barbano is a 48-year Nevadan and editor of NevadaLabor.com. E-mail <<mailto:barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us> Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.
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