Michael Brown still doesn't get the Trumpite threat.

Will the Trump party sink American democracy? 

The Kraken: What is it and why has Trump's ex-lawyer released it? - BBC News

In an article that's relevant to my last post Christain right-winger Michael Brown explains why he isn't vocal about his politics. But he again fails to justify why he isn't objecting to the clutching tentacles of the Trumpite canker which is gripping parts of the US democratic system, particularly the Republican party.

Below, I reproduce parts of Michael's article with my comments interleaved: 

MICHAEL:  My Loyalty Is to the Lord, Not to a Political Candidate or Party: If you’ve listened regularly to my Line of Fire broadcast or read my articles consistently, you’ll see that I’ve said or written very little about former President Trump for some time now. There are several reasons for that.

MY COMMENT:  Yes, I noticed the absence of comment about Trump - see my previous post. Here are Michael's reasons for this absence:

MICHAEL: First, I have cut way back on political commentary in general in order to avoid getting caught up in election fever, especially since the presidential elections are more than 13 months away and there remains real uncertainty about who the candidates will be.

Second, I generally do not comment much on legal cases (in this case, indictments against Trump or the potential impeachment of President Biden), since these are outside my areas of expertise.

Third, while I have made clear that I would prefer a candidate other than Trump for the GOP in 2024, I am not a Trump basher and I have no desire to needlessly alienate tens of millions of loyal Trump supporters. Instead, my goal is to rally all of us around righteous and godly causes.

MY COMMENT:  Yes, like anyone in a democratic system Michael isn't obliged to come out on one side or the other of a party-political divide even though I think we can guess that he's happier with the GOP than he is with the Democrats. Also, he's probably wise in not commenting on legal cases.

All that would be true under normal constitutional politics, but the situation in US politics at the moment isn't normal constitutional politics: Like a banana "republic" the current political argy-bargy in the US isn't just confined to sharp criticism of policy: Instead, it is awash with accusations of serious corruption and fraud, not least election fraud.  We also hear threats of jailing your opponents, perhaps even killing them. And of course, we are glancing nervously at all those AR15s in the hands of the Trump militias. This is not normal democratic accountable politics. It appears that the US democratic system is no longer trusted by a big slice of its populace, with Donald Trump inciting distrust with his talk of "draining the swamp" and calling the judiciary names. In fact, the situation has become pathological. But Michael Brown is behaving as if it's business as usual and he's failing to comment on the elephant in the room. 

As I have made clear in this blog I trace these problems back to that political pied piper and cuckoo in the evangelical nest Donald J Trump. But it seems Michael Brown is just too scared to alienate Trump's many loyal followers on which his career depends. But Trumpism is hardly a righteous and godly cause. This doesn't mean to say that I would agree with the far-left, but on my assessment the tide of far-left dictatorship is currently further out than the tide of far-right dictatorship, a tide which is getting uncomfortably close!

MICHAEL: That being said, when an issue comes up that is worthy of discussion, and when that issue causes me to differ with Trump’s position, I will do so freely. That’s because my loyalty is to Jesus rather than to a political leader or a political party

These would be my sentiments regardless of who was in the White House. JESUS IS LORD. The rest of us are redeemed dust at best.

When it comes to my voting preferences, beyond the obvious question of the candidate’s character and trustworthiness, I always start with the abortion issue. How strongly pro-life is the candidate? Next, I look at where they stand on moral, family issues, such as same-sex “marriage” and transgender identity. Then, I look at their views on Israel, then on other relevant issues (such as national security, the economy, international relations, etc.). Other voters might start with the economy. Or race issues. Or border control. Or education. Or national security. I respect that, and that is their prerogative.

MY COMMENT: Fair enough, Michael is acting perfectly within his democratic rights to tender these opinions. He's proceeding. however, as if American politics is in a state of normalcy and he's ignoring all those shouts of "corruption" and the promotion of coercion.  But here's a question: Would he sign a pact with a demon, if that demon promised to lobby for Michael's views? 

MICHAEL: But we each have our priorities, and that is what informs our voting. When it came to voting for Trump in 2016, the biggest issue for me was the potential of him appointing pro-life Supreme Court justices, and he delivered on his promises, contributing in a massive, fundamental way to the overturning of Roe v Wade. For that, I am deeply grateful. But when he says that Gov. DeSantis made “a terrible mistake” by signing into law a ban on abortions after 6 weeks, I categorically reject his position. Trump’s whole approach, in which he says that “15 weeks” is a number that everyone seems to like, is misguided, failing to address the injustice of abortion. And he is quite wrong in thinking that both sides will like his pragmatic approach. (From the pro-life side, just ask Lila Rose.)

MY COMMENT:  Does this mean that if Trump signed up to an anti-abortion & anti-gay stance which satisfied Michael, Michael would then vote Trump? I wonder! I have a feeling, however, that in his heart of hearts Michael does understand the Trump threat, but he can't afford to come clean in fear of alienating all those Trump popularists which are his bread and butter. As I have made clear in this blog Trump's concern is first and foremost for Trump Power. Trump is taking what to Michael Brown is a compromised position on abortion because Trump wants to maximize his vote in order to facilitate what looks to me to be a grab for absolute power. 

MICHAEL: What happens when I dare take issue with Trump for his comments? I get comments like this, posted on our YouTube channel in response to the broadcast:

“Shame on you Mr. Brown for not remaining loyal to Trump. Trump was CHEATED and you are looking for ‘better’ candidates? You profess to stand for life but you can't even stand up for the man who overturned abortion & was cheated. REPENT! stop being jealous. Deep down you know Trump is smarter than you and it drives you nuts. REPENT. you think you can do a better job...admit it.. but you can't..he is tougher & smarter...Trump has to get done what is realistic because HE IS INVOLVED IN POLITICS...He is not your pastor...if you Loved TRUTH you would LOVE REALISM...because they are the same.”  `

Putting aside the silly, schoolyard level attacks, the issue is very simple: my loyalty here is to the pro-life cause, and if I believe that Trump’s view is weak – as do many other pro-life leaders who are much more on the front lines than I am – I will say so.

In a separate article, I’ll return to the larger issue of political pragmatism in the abortion debate, something advocated by Republican candidate Nikki Haley.

MY COMMENT:  Through the words of a Trump acolyte, we learn what Trump demands above all - loyalty and probably an unquestioning loyalty at that; to hell with Michael's moral qualms about abortion if it gets in the way of Trump Power! And if you do get in the way of Trump Power, you stand accused of the ulterior motive of envy toward the superior being of Donald Trump and therefore you must repent of your sin of opposition to this demigod. Note also that our Trump acolyte equates Trump-Realism with TRUTH!  In a sinister echo of dictator Putin, disloyalty, a concept closely related to treachery, becomes the unforgivable sin.  Actually, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the above was written by a Putin acolyte interfering in American politics. In Trump's and Putin's eyes the Godfatheresque politics of loyal submission comes first, not moral standards. 

But let's notice once again: Michael is getting carried away with his views on abortion, sexuality & gender and failing to comment on the real issue: the looming ogre of Trump Power. 

MICHAEL:  It’s the same when it comes to LGBTQ activist issues, number two on my list of priorities when voting. I take deep exception to Trump saying last December to a crowd filled with LGBTQ activists and their allies,

“We are fighting for the gay community, and we are fighting and fighting hard.”

He also said at the gala event, held in Mar-a-Lago,

“With the help of many of the people here tonight in recent years, our movement has taken incredible strides, the strides you’ve made here is incredible.”

Sorry, but those sentiments do not get my support, even if Trump opposes the transitioning of children. 

MY COMMENT:  And again, the above is classic Trump: Once again we see the same Trump approach of convenience:  To hell with principled policy and instead maximization of his support base by any means; in particular by telling people what he thinks they want to hear in order to get their support. At least I can give Michael a brownie point or two for standing by his principles in spite of pressure from Trump acolytes. 

MICHAEL: So, when it comes to voting, I have my lines drawn in the sand. Should a candidate move from those lines, I have not abandoned him. He has abandoned me. Where the former president will ultimately land remains to be seen. But my loyalty is to my Lord and the causes I believe are important to Him. All other loyalties are filtered through that lens.

MY COMMENT:  Trump abandons all those who aren't loyal to his Trumpness. The former president has long since landed where in fact where he has been all along: namely, as a steadfast supporter for Trump, Trump, Trump.  Trump is a dictator in waiting who demands submission and to that end he is corrupting the American democratic system. That must be resisted, vocally resisted. But unfortunately, Michael is in a difficult spot: Much of his constituency is found among right-wing Trump support and therefore what comes first for him is this:

I am not a Trump basher and I have no desire to needlessly alienate tens of millions of loyal Trump supporters

Needlessly alienate? My dear Michael, Western freedoms are at stake here! The above quote sums up why Michael can't speak out against Trump; Viz: he'll lose a big slice of his income. He is an economic captive to Trump and that will l no doubt suit Trump down to the ground.  

***

The Republican party should split into two parts: A Trump party and the original GOP. It would likely mean that the GOP would be out of power for some years until they have rebuilt their party. But then that's the cost of hosting the Trump parasite for too long. 

If for the sake of argument we imagine that Trump becomes president in 2024 and a MAGA autocratic dynasty is the result, then my guess is that an alliance with a Putin dynasty would be an outcome, with this alliance setting itself against China. To this end it is likely that Putin is hanging on hoping that Trump gets into power. 

RELEVANT LINKS:

1. On the Threat of Trumpism

Is the fever of Trumpism starting to break? (msn.com)

Taken from the article: 

One day after he [Trump] posted “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING FOR YOU!” a woman called the chambers of the US district judge Tanya Chutkan, who has been assigned to the election fraud case against Trump, and said that if Trump is not reelected next year, “we are coming to kill you”.

A Trump supporter wearing tactical gear and armed with an AR-15 tried to breach the FBI field office in Cincinnati. He failed, fled and later died in a shootout with law enforcement.

2.Threats of violence to those who oppose Trump

Trump’s escalating violent rhetoric is straight out of the autocrat’s playbook (msn.com)

3. Trump's violent threats laying the foundation for autocracy. 

Trump’s violent rhetoric underscores his plans 'for dictatorial rule': DC insider (msn.com)

4. Dismantling democracy:

Why Trump and the GOP are burning the entire system down | Opinion (msn.com)

5. Trump gets ever more extreme and deranged as he demands loyalty. 

Donald Trump Says Republicans 'Eat Their Young' In Rant About Members of His Own Party's 'Lack of Loyalty' (msn.com)

6. Trump and fascism

"The goal of fascism is to turn politics into warfare," said Jennifer Mercieca, a historian of political rhetoric at Texas A&M and author of "Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump." To do this, [fascist leaders] narrate a world of chaos, corruption and hypocrisy. They position their opposition as enemies who cheat, as untrustworthy and determined to undermine and destroy all that's good and noble. If the fascist can convince his followers that there is so much scary chaos and so many enemies, then the fascist rises to power because people want the 'strong arm of the fascist to solve problems."

From: Trump is following 'the fascist playbook to the letter': historian (msn.com)

7. Trump Junior criticizes the FBI

Donald Trump Jr points finger at FBI for Maine mass shooting (msn.com)

As Trump Jr once said, his father hand turned the GOP into "The Trump Party" (God forbid!).  Does this mean that when the Trump Dynasty gets in power the FBI will be replaced by Trump Security? Perhaps even the American Military will be replaced by the AR15 wielding Trump Militias who will be upcycled to become the Trump Military.  If MAGA takes charge, it will be Trump Everything!!!

8. Trump: A mob boss?

Mob boss Trump's threats to mobilize his mob are escalating | Opinion (msn.com)

Well done Mike Pence! But Michael Brown gets a fail.

My second look at Mike Pence and Michael Brown....

Mike Pence under the Shadow of Trump

Michael Brown (left) once spoke out against Trump's "prophets" (Right).

Mike Pence, ex-vice president under Trump, has spoken out against Trump and as a result is now on the receiving end of Trump's insults and lies.....

I did my last post on Pence and Michael Brown here: In that post I applauded Pence for his stand against Trump in favour of the American democratic constitution. I also applauded Brown for being a voice of reason and moderation in the crazy world of Trumpite evangelical dominionism. He also appeared to be attempting to ween his right-wing readership off Trump. 

Since my last article on Pence and Brown, Mike Pence has consolidated his anti-Trump position by default simply by coming out as a potential POTUS candidate; by merely running as a candidate Trump regards Pence as a rival, traitor and enemy. It goes to show that as far as Trump's perception is concerned the presidency isn't about policy, even Republican policy, but it's all about Trump-truth and Trump-power.  For Trump there only two kinds of people in the world: Those who have fealty to him and those he targets as enemies & rivals to be dominated. This man is a would-be-despot and an indicted criminal.  He must be stopped. I wish Pence Godspeed and protection with his campaign. I'd be very happy if he became president.

But since my last post on Pence and Brown, Brown has stayed remarkably mute about Trump. In his newsletters (which I receive) he continues to harp-on about issues he knows are a safe bet with his right-wing constituency and won't alienate them (Viz: attacks on gays, blended gender, abortion, and the far left), but says next to nothing about Trump. The reason for this is undoubtedly because he knows that if he comes over as anti-Trump he would lose a lot of support, support that is his bread and butter.  And yet a candidate like Mike Pence would share many of Brown's views, but Brown knows his career will take a hit if he publicly supports Pence.

A Warning to Michael Brown

It is important to understand that I am not talking here about Christians coming down on the side of either the politics of traditional Democrats or traditional Republicans, where presumably the politics of both parties doesn't threaten the American democratic system. No, what is at issue here is the Trump personality cult which brings to my mind the prophet Samuel's warning against Israel's desire for the potentially despotic rule of an earthly king. This personality cult, egged-on by none other than Trump himself and Vladimir Putin, threatens both Democrat and Republican and above all America's peaceful democracy. It is this which Michael Brown has so conspicuously failed to speak out against.  Moreover, why hasn't he disowned the cranky conspiracy theorists like Marjorie Taylor Green and Mike Huckabee to mention just two of a whole nest of right-wing conspiracy fantasists? This isn't about party politics, it's about an encroaching evil. 

I suppose it's easy for me to criticize Brown as, unlike Brown, I have no audience constituency to keep sweet. Perhaps Brown should retire on a pension and then he can become a real independent prophet and not a crowd pleaser. 

***

The following article on Trump-Pence relations is reproduced below:

'Absolutely False': Donald Trump Slams Ex-VP Mike Pence for Going to the 'Dark Side' and 'Making Up Stories' About Him (msn.com)

Donald Trump isn't very happy with his former vice president.

The embattled ex-prez took to his Truth Social platform to slam Mike Pence for allegedly spreading lies about his actions surrounding the January 6th Capitol riots. 

"For 7 years Mike Pence only spoke well of me. Now he’s decided to go to the 'Dark Side,'" Trump wrote on Wednesday, September 6. "Why didn’t he do this years before, just like why didn’t DOJ and Deranged Jack Smith bring these Fake Indictments three years ago."

"Why did they wait until the middle of my Campaign where I am beating DeSanctimonious and all others badly, and beating Biden in almost every Poll?" he ranted.

Trump continued to trash his ex-VP in a second message, claiming that he'd just watched Pence "make up stories" about him that he insisted were "absolutely false."

"I never said for him to put me before the Constitution — I don’t talk that way, and wouldn’t even think to suggest it," he argued. "Mike failed badly on calling out Voter Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election, and based on the fact that he is at approximately 2 percent in the Polls, with no money or support, he obviously did the wrong thing."

"His advisors have led him down a very bad path!" he concluded

Despite his hesitance to believe the 77-year-old committed a crime, Pence has still repeatedly called out the former POTUS for his behavior on January 6, 2021.

"I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United Sates again," the 64-year-old politician said when launching his own presidential campaign.

On Wednesday, September 6, Pence gave a speech at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, declaring that Republican voters must choose between conservative values and the populist movement within the party.

"When Donald Trump ran for president in 2016, he promised to govern as a conservative. And together, we did just that," he told the crowd. "But it’s important for Republicans to know that he and his imitators in this Republican primary make no such promise today."

Is Donald Trump a Sociopath?

I'm certainly not the first to have the word "sociopath" pop into my head in connection with the observed behavior of Donald Trump. So I thought I'd try a little experiment and ask Bing AI and ChatGPT about the Trump and sociopathy connection. Rightly, the two AI applications cautioned that a firm diagnosis can not and should not be made at this juncture, but nevertheless it is clear that Trump's name has become linked with suspected sociopathy and this doesn't surprise me in the least. See below for the AI results.

Bing AI

My Question: Is Donald Trump a Sociopath?

Bing AI: I’m sorry but I cannot make any diagnosis on someone’s mental health. However, there are articles that discuss this topic. According to an article from The Atlantic, the co-author of Donald Trump’s autobiography said in The New Yorker that if he were writing The Art of the Deal today, it would be a very different book with a very different title: The Sociopath. To title a person’s life story with that label is a serious accusation, and one worth considering. The stakes are high. Tony Schwartz, the writer of the best-selling book, said that he “genuinely believe [s] that if Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes, there is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization.”1

Another article from Alternet states that Mr. Trump meets every diagnostic criterion for the official diagnostic term “Antisocial Personality Disorder.”2

It’s important to note that these are just opinions and not actual diagnoses.

ChatGPT

My question: Is Donald Trump a sociopath?

ChatGPT: I am an AI language model and cannot provide real-time diagnoses or assessments of individuals. Determining whether someone is a sociopath (now more commonly referred to as having antisocial personality disorder) requires a comprehensive evaluation by qualified mental health professionals who have directly interacted with the individual and have access to their medical history and other relevant information.

Public figures like Donald Trump are often subject to a wide range of opinions and interpretations, and discussions about their mental health can be highly polarized. It's important to approach such discussions with caution and respect for the complexity of mental health diagnoses. If you have concerns about someone's mental health, it's best to encourage them to seek professional help from licensed mental health practitioners.

My second question: What opinions have been mooted suggesting he may be a sociopath?

ChatGPT: Various opinions and speculations about Donald Trump's personality traits and mental health have circulated in the media and public discourse. Some individuals and mental health professionals have raised concerns or offered opinions suggesting that certain behaviors and characteristics displayed by Trump might align with traits associated with antisocial personality disorder (sociopathy). These opinions are not based on direct clinical assessments but rather on observations of his public behavior and statements. Some of the behaviors and traits that have been pointed out include:

Lack of Empathy: Critics have pointed to instances where Trump appeared to lack empathy or demonstrated a disregard for the feelings and well-being of others, both in his public statements and actions.

Manipulative Behavior: Some individuals have noted Trump's ability to manipulate and control situations to his advantage, which could be seen as a characteristic of manipulative behavior associated with sociopathy.

Impulsivity: Trump has been known for making impulsive decisions and statements, often without careful consideration of potential consequences.

Superficial Charm: Supporters and critics alike have commented on Trump's charisma and ability to captivate audiences, a trait sometimes associated with sociopathy.

Grandiose Sense of Self: Trump has often portrayed himself as highly successful and talented, sometimes using exaggerated language to describe his achievements.

Pattern of Deception: Critics have highlighted instances where Trump has been accused of providing false information or making misleading statements.

Aggressive Behavior: Some of Trump's confrontational and aggressive behaviors, both in his public speeches and on social media, have led to discussions about his temperament.

It's important to emphasize that these observations are made from a distance and are not equivalent to a comprehensive clinical assessment. Diagnosing a mental health disorder requires a thorough evaluation by a qualified mental health professional who has interacted directly with the individual and has access to relevant information.

Public discussions about the mental health of public figures should be approached with sensitivity, respect for privacy, and an understanding of the limitations of making diagnoses without proper evaluation.

Well, I know what I think and you can probably guess what I'm thinking. Here's an article on sociopathy: 

The Sociopath: Antisocial High Conflict People — High Conflict Institute

Many evangelical Christians have been duped by Trump and that includes Kenneth Ham

Relevant links

1. Another opinion: Trump's dangerously narcissistic personality:

How Donald Trump’s narcissism is now a major threat (msn.com)

2. Trump, Putin and Power

The Trump and Putin show reveals rise of the despot and decline of democracy (msn.com)

3. Trump is the preferred option for Hungarian autocrat

‘Bring Back Trump’: Donald Trump Praises Authoritarian Dictator Who Claims Ex-President is Only Man Who Can Save ‘Human Beings’ (msn.com)

4. Trump and his political opponents

Donald Trump will 'lock up' political enemies if he is re-elected (msn.com)

PS Note reference to Glenn Beck

5. Trump supporter incites the use of violence

Huckabee slammed for 'calling for civil war' and saying elections may be decided by 'bullets' if Trump loses | Opinion (msn.com)

6. Putin Supports Trump

Putin says legal cases against Donald Trump are ‘persecution of a political rival’ (msn.com)

7.  Trump and an epidemic of stupid

A neuroscientist explains why stupidity is an existential threat to America | Opinion (msn.com)

8. Retired General Warns of possible Trump Dictatorship

Army General Makes Chilling Prediction About Trump (msn.com)

"The next time around, if you decapitate the institutions — the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security and put loyalists without a sense of respect fo the law in there, we could be in trouble. There's always an assumption — that couldn't happen here. The 1930s Germany was a civilized nation that descended into autocracy, so we better worry about it. Trump is a leading contender, and this is not a political statement — he's entirely unqualified to be the commander-in-chief. He's a danger to the republic and that's where we stand," 

The Rise of an American Godfather

The cuckoo in the evangelical nest

Many American evangelicals are complicit in 

the rise of Donald Trump

The news:

 America in uncharted territory as Donald Trump charged with conspiracy to defraud the US (msn.com)

Died-in-the-wool Trump supporters claim the American democratic system is corrupt and has Trump in its sights*. These supporters are trying to get the conspiracy theory past us that the American system has been an oppressive "deep state" autocracy all along, but we didn't know it and that Trump, saviour of America, has help reveal the truth and will put it all right. That's just too similar to the kind of line we get from dictatorial Godfathers the world over. And, of course, it's the likely story put about by any would-be-dictator as they sought absolute power, turning elections into personality politics, legal battles and violent fights for survival that border on civil war; in fact, the sort of thing we see in some failed third world states. 

As the article I've linked to says this is uncharted territory for the American constitution: We've never seen the like of it in my lifetime and this farcical game only started when Trump appeared on the scene. Let's hope that the American democratic system will survive the assault from this pied piper of American evangelicalism.

* ...and so it should have, the man's a felon.

Relevant Links:

1. The threatening words of a wannabe dictator:

On the Truth social network Mr Trump wrote "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU!" on Friday afternoon, just a day after he pleaded not guilty to four charges in the alleged election fraud case.

See:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66417168

That's not how a constitutional democracy is supposed to work, Donald!

2. Would Trump opt for a coup if he doesn't get his way?

'What's he got to lose?' Fascism expert says Trump's only option is to 'stage a coup' (msn.com)

3. Threats against Jurors

Georgia investigates threats against Trump jury - BBC News

4. Is Trump's mental health suffering?

Trump is blinded by 'impotent rage' that poses a grave threat to America: mental health expert (msn.com)

5. Evangelicals suckered by Trump

'Wake up': Trump-loving Evangelicals warned they been 'taken in by a hoax' (msn.com)

The Godfathers are scared

 They are scared of the tide of Western liberal memes and above all, scared of one another....

An age old story: Rivalry, tension and distrust between despots: 
(Lukashenko, Prigozhin and Putin) is liable to break out 
into a night of the long knives

I was impressed by the following short article from The Scotsman about Mr. V. Putin, a man who is all but "king" (or "Czar"/"Ceazar") of the Russian federation:

Vladimir Putin's deadly struggle to stay in power shows why democracy is so important – Scotsman comment (msn.com)

The article was a follow up after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's abortive armed rebellion in Russia. In fact, the article is so good I'm going to quote it in its entirety (My emphases): 

The means to peacefully transfer power from one person to another is a vital source of national stability

When the Ancient Greeks invented democracy, one of the ways that Cleisthenes, its champion, sold this revolutionary change to the nobility was by pointing out that it would dramatically reduce the consequences of political defeat. Instead of death or exile for backing the wrong tyrant, life would go on much as before after losing a vote.

For all Athenian democracy’s faults, this wisdom is still relevant some 2,500 years later, as can be seen from events in Russia. After 23 years of corrupting the electoral process, abusing his power and murdering his opponents, Vladimir Putin cannot simply step down, as it could quickly result in his assassination or prosecution for war crimes. That means he must become increasingly authoritarian.

There is also no way to challenge or scrutinise his decisions as dissent cannot be tolerated. When Yevgeny Prigozhin, the vicious leader of the Wagner group’s mercenary army, fell out with the Kremlin, he was almost forced into an armed revolt. Following the abrupt end of his mutiny – reportedly after Russian security services threatened the families of Wagner’s leaders – there is widespread speculation that he will find himself the next dissenting figure to be shot dead, poisoned with polonium or mysteriously fall from a high balcony.

Some in Russia and elsewhere praise dictators for bringing stability. However, while three Prime Ministers in two months did make Britain a laughingstock, the ability to remove people from power peacefully is actually one of the most important ways to achieve this.

In 1947, possibly still smarting from his 1945 general election defeat, Winston Churchill told the Commons that “it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”, but he immediately added: “There is the broad feeling in our country that the people should rule, continuously rule, and that public opinion, expressed by all constitutional means, should shape, guide, and control the actions of ministers who are their servants and not their masters.”

The deadly machinations of Russia’s ruling gangster class are an object lesson in the folly of tyranny.

The tyranny this article speaks of is akin to having Mafia bosses running your country. In fact, it is no surprise that Silvio Berlusconi, a man with links with the Italian Mafia, was one of Putin's friends. In the Book of Samuel Chapter 8 we hear that God was not pleased with Israel's populist demand for a king, and God's warning to Israel sounds very familiar, very relevant and very modern:

10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

....a very familiar story of absolute rulers using the wealth of a country to feather their nests and enhance their power and glory. Despots run states as if the country was their personal property. This was, of course, the form of government in medieval times and its vestige is seen in the UK Monarch's speech to parliament where the King/Queen frequently uses the prefix "My Government". However, the UK monarchy has matured and moved on from those primitive days and now has a very important symbolic & constitutional role of reminding meritorious & over ambitious politicians of not thinking themselves above their station.  It is ironic that today the UK monarchy is a symbolic stand-in for the people whom politicians serve. The monarchy also serves as the focus of the human need to celebrate a personified version of power with the trappings of pomp and ceremony which surround it; the complexities of democratic systems can be too abstract to relate to. 

In medieval times the hereditary system of selecting a monarch, if strictly implemented, would have helped suppress the violent struggles of succession that the above article outlines. That didn't always work, however, but it was probably marginally better than the gangster system in Russia where a thin facade of democratic pretense is a cover for jailing and/or killing the opposition and competitors for the "throne". As the Scotsman article points out violent jostling for power is the name of game as would-be-dictators vie for power. We see the violence that monarchical systems of government promote, particularly at succession, in the OT books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles. But at least the ancients had the excuse of few precedents of any other form of government from which they could derive templates. In contrast, today we have the well-developed forums of democracy, accountability, systems of voting and law. 

Here's another interesting article, this time from the Daily Express:

If Russia collapses we will all perish' warns Lukashenko after Putin hit by Wagner coup (msn.com)

This article quotes Belarussian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko as follows: 

He said: "The threat of a new global conflict has never been as close as it is today. They are once again asking to blow up our country, our entire region, to disorient people. To shake up the situation by any means and to impose their own rules under this noise, to establish their own order. which will no longer be our countries or people. "They are asking us to mislead about the real plans and intentions of the collective West. "Unfortunately, our attempts to settle the situation through peaceful negotiations are now called a 'diplomatic imitation'. The price of this 'imitation' is hundreds of thousands of human lives." Lukashenko went on to criticise NATO, saying the world is seeing a "new wave" of expansion of the military alliance close to the Belarusian borders. He added: "Demonstration after demonstration is a demonstration of strength." During the press conference, Lukashenko added: "Our generation is passing its endurance test. We had the mission to preserve the peace won by millions of lives of heroes, our fathers and grandfathers. This means only one thing - we must be stronger than the threat that again hangs a shadow over our land.  "I won't lie, it was painful to watch the events that took place in the south of Russia. Not only me. Many of our citizens took them to heart. Because the fatherland is one."

The piece I've underlined is clearly a reference to the attack on Russia by Hitler. In the above Lukashenko is speaking as if his country is a democracy threatened by a "Nazi" West, when in fact he himself is a tyrannical dictator. This brazen distortion of the facts is remarkable; does he really believe his own lying spin? When he says "If Russia collapses, we will all perish" what he really means is that a collapse would usher in either anarchy as gangsters compete for power or it would be the end of his ilk and the whole gangster system of rule. "The fatherland is one"? That should read "The Godfatherland is one". The threat isn't to his country and its people but to the ruling criminal class in the face of the creeping cultural memes of Western democracy. The Mafia Godfathers have everything to lose in the face of the struggle for open, accountable and democratic societies. Let's be wary, therefore, and not underestimate how many people these cornered criminals are prepared to kill in order to maintain their power and status. 

And let's not be complacent in the West. American democracy & constitution seemed to be working OK until Donald Trump appeared on scene, when accusations of electoral corruption and news of lawsuits started to saturate the air-waves. Trump's man Micheal Flynn suggested using the army to enforce Trump's rule and I heard one of Trump's followers saying they wanted Trump to set up a dynasty. And then there was that "Golden Trump" statue, the QAnon followers of Trump like Margorie Taylor-Greene who is a Putin sympathizer and the support of popular evangelical religionists..... these people are being duped into acting as kingmakers.

Trump: The cuckoo in the evangelical nest

Relevant Link

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66388422

Quote from the BBC article:

"I was going to get a mortgage this year and buy a flat for our family," Peter tells the BBC. "My wife and I were discussing plans for the future. Now everything is on hold.

"From next January I can be called up to serve and sent to Ukraine. I don't want to join the army, I don't want to take part in this war and die for someone else's goals."

MY COMMENT: The aggressors who are attacking the Russian people are not outside forces, but the Godfathers who despotically rule Russia and treat it as a means  of achieving their personal ambitions of conquest, glory and wealth. (Trump is trying to do the same in America). In the days of aristocratic rule it was axiomatic that one serves the purposes and desires of one's liege lord; in effect one was one's Lord's property. I'm tempted to say that Putin is a throw back, but I don't think the "aristocratic" system of rule ever went away completely, except perhaps in name and today's despotic rulers try to gloss their governance with democratic speak. 

More Notes on Conspiracy Theorism

                                   

  Conspiracy theorism comes in degrees.  (Zoom in to read)

I was recently in an email discussion about African culture with a friend who lives in Africa. The rural African mind sees a very different world of causation to our own, and yet in the final analysis it isn't so very different to the Western mind. See below for an edited extract of my correspondence with my friend

***

And now, a comment on the attraction of conspiracy theorism, an epistemic method used by the politically far-right, far-left, Christian fundamentalists, numerous websites and, may I add, many rural Africans.

As gregarious animals humans have to deal with that most complex of all created objects i.e. other humans. In having to cope with social relations we are constantly called to attempt to read between the lines of human behaviour in order to understand one another. But in contexts where suspicions about sinful motives are rife the mind can get up to all sorts of tricks as it tries to read into the minds of others through a fog of distrust. So, this very sophisticated ability which attempts to decode human behaviour comes with an overhead of side effects, especially when human interests conflict. Viz: it all too easily interpolates imaginary scenarios and is sometimes apt to too readily commit to those imagined scenarios.

***

Stage 1 conspiracy theorism starts with a toxic mix of emotions. emotions which may include fear, distrust, paranoia, confusion, anger, frustration and envy. This mix is fertile ground for stage 2 where there is a desire to justify & explain these emotions rather than accept their causes as due to inexplicably random circumstances. Stage 3 occurs when the fecund human imagination attempts to join the dots of observation with background stories which rationalise, simplify, dignify and make sense of one’s otherwise perplexing experiences; this involves creating a cast of nefarious hidden actors who are thought to be the cause of one’s problems and who then become the focus of one’s blame and anger. Personalising the struggle in this way somehow makes it easier to cope with.  For Africans the dots are joined with witches and spirits. In mid-17^th century England the witch finder general (Matthew Hopkins) blamed crabby women. For American Trumpite “QAnon” Christians it’s those evil “woke” conspiracists who may even be accused of being involved in Satanism. And it’s really gone over the top with the Christian flat earthists (and young earthists) who see the whole secular educational system being involved in a lying conspiracy to defraud us of our central place in God’s creation.

***

The actual causes behind the frustrations & aggravations in the little picture of our lives can be breathtakingly banal, commonplace, random and not down to the direct planned action of nefarious antagonists, whether they be spirits, demons, Satan, or human conspirators. We may like to think of ourselves as heroic figures fighting against those who have got it in for us, but the truth may be far more mundane & vapid. But to see the real struggle we have to step back from our everyday commonplace frustrations and look at the big picture. It is only when we step back and look at the big picture can we see the real causes: Seldom are our problems a result of a direct Satanic attack or an outcome of carefully planned human conspiracies to thwart us. Yes, many of our problems ultimately do trace back to human Sin, human epistemic failings and Satanic evil, but I see the main problem being the impersonal backwash of chaos which bad actors (human & Satanic) leave behind. That is, most of our problems are due to the indirect action of bad actors and the tsunami of chaos that their behaviour triggers.  The ultimate struggle is against the chaos beast: Kaoskampf!

Norwich Churches and Belief Communities: Themed Bible Study: Chaoskampf. (norwichcentralbaptistchurch.blogspot.com)

Quantum Non-Linearity: The Compulsion of Conspiracy Theorism (quantumnonlinearity.blogspot.com)

Carlson: Caught Lying for Trump

Tucker Carlson & Fox News appear to be a trusted source at 

right-wing fundamentalist ministry "Answers in Genesis"

(click to enlarge)

Tucker Carlson, a Fox News liar who has promoted numerous conspiracy theories, particularly about election fraud, has left Fox News.....seemingly because those lies about election rigging have come home to roast roost at Fox News and Fox News needs a scapegoat, not that this scapegoat is innocent: Carlson was undoubtedly the vilest kind of conspiracy liar; in fact given his prominence and influence I would rate him second only to Alex Jones. 

As Carlson was so linked to Donald Trump, maybe his demise will help hold back Trump's bid for the presidency and what looks like the ulterior aim to turn the US into a right-wing dominionist dictatorship. Hopefully it will also hold back the career of authoritarian Qanon conspiracy crackpot and Putin supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene

NOTES: links to far-right  stories

1)  Here's a BBC link

Tucker Carlson leaves Fox News - BBC News

2) An FB friend of mine was criticizing the alt-right on his FB page. I agreed and added this comment:

A pretty standard & historically well tested strategy by the alt-right: Tap into fears, insecurity, bitterness, a sense of injustice, anger and the like, and then create an ogre by demonizing a group of people to pin the blame on. We've seen it so many times before!

 That is true of compromised popularist fundamentalists, Fox News and also the far-left

3)  Here's a Guardian Link:

Trump and Tucker Carlson were codependent. Their venn diagram was one angry white circle (msn.com)

4) A link on Taylor-Greene:

Will Marjorie Taylor Greene be the next Vice President of America? (msn.com)

5) Trump: If he thinks he can grab power without having to engage in a debate and give public account of himself then he will: He's conceited enough to think everyone wants him to be president and those who don't are engaged in an act of betrayal. This is the mind of a wannabe dictator who hates public accountability. 

Trump revives threat of skipping GOP presidential debates (msn.com)

6) Further evidence suggesting Trump is a dictator in waiting:

Donald Trump refuses to say if he wants Ukraine to win war against Russia (msn.com)

7) Trump to end Ukraine support?

How Trump presidency could change Ukraine war - BBC News

8) Trump vs DeSantis: Rightist vs Rightist. 

Donald Trump says ‘disloyal’ Ron DeSantis needs ‘personality transplant’ in rant ahead of campaign launch (msn.com)

9) Boebert vs Greene: Another Rightist vs Rightist squable:

Voices: The unsavory truth behind the Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert drama (msn.com)