The Psychopath in the White House

[IChing]

By David Model,

Sun Oct 23rd, 2005 at 05:44:17 AM EDT :: Bush

Killing Frogs and Iraqis.
Is George W. a Psychopath?

George McGovern, the 1972 Democratic candidate for president was relentlessly criticized for not knowing that his running mate, Thomas Eagleton, had received electroshock therapy for depression. Increasing pressure forced McGovern to ask Eagleton to resign who was then replaced with Sergeant Shriver. The revelation about Eagleton created two problems for McGovern: a man with a history of mental illness was a heartbeat away from the presidency; and McGovern's careless oversight in not thoroughly investigating his running mate's past. So raving lunatics, people suffering from depression, bipolar mood disorder, disassociative identity disorder and psychopaths need not apply as running mate for a presidential candidate. The public understandably demands that people with mental disorders be excluded as candidates or potential candidates from the position of commander-in-chief; the head of, by far, the most potent military machine on the planet who has his finger on the nuclear button.

The alarming irony is that American voters are completely oblivious to the fact that they may have voted men into the highest office of the land who were probably suffering from a very dangerous form of mental illness. Despite the lack of a psychiatric diagnosis, it is still possible to reach a tentative diagnosis for these presidents based on the multiplicity of symptoms clearly indicated by their behaviour.

The basis for this claim is the fact that Presidents since World War II have committed atrocities in a myriad of ways which include but are not limited to bombing innocent civilians and destroying non-military targets, imposing sanctions that inflict unimaginable hardships on people, torturing prisoners, and sending suspected terrorists to Syria, Egypt etc. to be tortured outside the United States, conspiring to assassinate democratically elected leaders and replacing them with brutal dictators who are American-friendly and who then commit atrocities against their own people. It is difficult to comprehend how people responsible for these atrocities live out their lives without any apparent detrimental impact on their emotional and mental health. It is obvious that either they do not have a normal conscience, are skillful at overcoming cognitive dissonance or have a highly cultivated rationalization mechanism. Although these hypotheses are plausible, there has to be a more discursive explanation.
One possible explanation why presidents seem to be immune to the expected self-doubts, pangs of conscience, or deep remorse which would result from causing so much suffering and death is that they have psychopathic tendencies. Notwithstanding the potential for monstrous behaviour, socialized psychopaths appear normal, can be very charming, and seem to function successfully in society.

Characteristics that lead to a positive diagnosis include a remarkable disregard for the truth, the inability to accept blame, lack of remorse, shame or guilt, lack of empathy, lack of conscience, and socially predatory behaviour. Does George W. qualify? A cursory glance at the traits of a psychopath suggests that George W. probably possesses most of the ascribed characteristics.
To answer this question we turn to Dr. Robert D. Hare, one of the foremost specialists in this area, who has designed the classic checklist of traits which characterize psychopaths.>>>>snip


http://forum.truthout.org/blog/story/2005/10/23/54417/948

[marmar]

1. From watching debates, press conferences etc I've concluded...

He ain't right. Something is terribly wrong with that man.

[The Witch]

2. Be that as it may, I'm hesitant to push this meme

as there are so many people with mental illnesses who have been told all their lives they'll never amount to anything and it's just a damn shame that so many people don't have the same american dream as others-- if someone with a mental illness wants to be president he or she should pursue that dream...

in other words, i am very hesitant to push the idea of mental illness = unqualified for office or any other job

[frogmarch]

3. Yes, George W. qualifies

Even before I read the checklist, I knew he was a psychopath.

It'll be interesting to watch him when the indictments come down. Will he flip out and go totally apeshit?

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it!

[Epiphany4z]

4. It wouldn't be the first time

My mom was telling me she read something about Nixon having a few mental problems.

[IChing]

5. This is not a fake picture of his frat boy days but fun.

[Joey Liberal]

6. Bush is nuts

How could anyone have watched the debates and not thought Bush was crazy? Not only is Bush crazy, he's evil.

[kywildcat]

7. Psychopathy

is not a mental illness. It is a personality disorder. Mental illness is treatable. Psychopathy is not. Is is not possible to 'form' a conscience or empathy. In fact, psychopaths do not see anything wrong with them. Also therapy usually makes psychopaths worse; providing new tools in their arsenal to manipulate people.
It is estimated that 4% of the population are psychopaths.

[undeterred]

8. I think the dry drunk/narcissistic personality disorder description

fits better than "psychopath". Bush is arrogant and lacks empathy, he's not insane.

[RC]

9. Psychopath/Sociopath?

Profile of a Sociopath



Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.



Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality



Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and able to pass lie detector tests.



Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

<MORE>
http://home.datawest.net/esn-recovery/artcls/socio.htm


Characteristics of Psychopath
(Sociopath, Anti-social Personality Disorder)

1. Glibness/superficial charm.
2. Grandiose sense of self-worth.
3. Need for stimulation/proneness to boredom
4. Pathological lying
5. Conning/manipulative
6. Lack of remorse or guilt
7. Shallow affect
8. Callous/lack of empathy
9. Parasitic lifestyle
10. Poor behavioral controls
11. Promiscuous sexual behavior
12. Early behavior problems
13. Lack of realistic, long-term plans
14. Impulsivity
15. Irresponsibility
16. Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
17. Many short-term marital relationships
18. Juvenile delinquency
19. Revocation of conditional release
20. Criminal versatility (Hare, 1986)

<MORE>
http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/psychopath.html

Fascinating reading. The second list above fits most every criminal in the White House that bu$h appointed.
722,000 google hits for Sociopath.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Sociopath&btnG=Google+Search