March 28, 2016


News Clips For the Day


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-kerry-2016-campaign-trail-rhetoric-on-muslims-is-an-embarrassment/

John Kerry: 2016 campaign trail rhetoric on Muslims is an "embarrassment"
By EMILY SCHULTHEIS FACE THE NATION
March 27, 2016, 10:35 AM


Secretary of State John Kerry said the rhetoric on the 2016 campaign trail about Muslim immigration and torture are an "embarrassment" to the United States.

As world leaders watch the U.S. presidential election, Kerry said, "I think it is fair to say that they're shocked," he said Saturday in an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation." "It upsets people's sense of equilibrium about our steadiness, about our reliability, and to some degree I must say to you, some of the questions the way they're posed to me it's clear to me that what's happening is an embarrassment to our country."

Though he didn't mention anyone by name, Kerry may have been referring to GOP front-runner Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both of whom have called for greater surveillance of Muslim communities in the United States. Trump has also called for a halt on Muslim immigration to the U.S.

Kerry, who just returned from Brussels following the terror attacks there last week, said there's "great urgency" in Europe to fix the gaps in intelligence that helped lead to the bombings at the Brussels airport and the Maelbeek Metro station.

"We've been engaged actually, with the Belgium authorities for some period of time now trying to fill gaps that they're aware exist," he said. "And I think everybody is now geared up to recognize that the fight is not just in Iraq and Syria but the fight is wherever those fighters have come from."

Kerry noted that the fight against ISIS is making "real progress," citing all the territory that's been retaken from the terrorist group as well as the frequency with which Western forces are "taking out" leaders of ISIS.

"What's important for people to understand is, we are making real progress in Iraq and Syria," he said. "And I mean real progress. In 2014 when they began to sweep across Iraq, that is when President Obama ordered the initial bombing that stopped them from moving towards Baghdad. And since then, we have recouped about 40 percent of the territory in Syria which they had captured."

Kerry suggested the attacks in Europe and elsewhere serve a dual purpose for ISIS: to create terror in the West, but also to improve morale among their people in Iraq and Syria and recruit others to the cause.

"I think there are a number of people who believe that their need to reinforce their narrative, that even though they're under pressure there's still this viable force," he said. "It's the only way for them to recruit. It's the only way for them to try to provide some added morale to people that we know are very much having moral problems in Syria and Iraq."

He said he couldn't assess how long it would be until Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is out of power, but that "if Assad is not going to move to the side and cede to the transition, then Iran and Russia and all the other nations in the international security group have called for and supported, if he doesn't do that, there will not be peace in Syria."

Kerry, who spent part of last week in Russia meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders, said the Russians are "not wedded to Assad." Putin has supported Assad, providing military support to his regime, but announced earlier in March that Russian forces would begin to withdraw from Syria.

Has Russia gotten more of a "foothold" in the Middle East because of its involvement in Syria? Kerry called that idea "ridiculous." Still, asked if Russia is an "ally" in Syria, Kerry said no--but that the country is helping the U.S. with other things in the "strategic interest" of the United States.

"Russia has helped bring about the Iran nuclear agreement. Russia helped get the chemical weapons out of Syria," he said. "Russia is now helping with the cessation of hostilities. And if Russia can help us to actually affect this political transition, that is all to the strategic interest of the United States of America."

Kerry also responded to criticism of the president for continuing on his pre-planned foreign trip -- watching a baseball game in Cuba, and dancing the tango in Argentina -- while the world was dealing with the aftermath of the Brussels bombings.

"The president of the United States' schedule is not set by terrorists," he said. "The President of the United States has major diplomatic responsibilities. He has to engage with other countries. That was an important part of trying to build a relationship and achieve some of our goals with respect to human rights, with respect to transformation in Syria - in Cuba and elsewhere."

"Life doesn't stop because one terrible incident takes place in one place," he said. "The president responded to it. He talked to the prime minister of Belgium from Cuba."

Kerry also said that in the wake of Brussels, Americans don't need to "live in fear" while traveling abroad, but at the same time cautioned that Americans can and must be "vigilant."

"Well it's really a matter of common sense, but there are guidelines and the State Department is ready to help anyone understand exactly what that means," he said Saturday, asked to explain how and whether American travelers should adjust their plans after the attacks.



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-security-experts-cast-doubt-on-ted-cruzs-muslim-surveillance-plan/

National security experts slam Ted Cruz on Muslim plan
By EMILY SCHULTHEIS FACE THE NATION
March 27, 2016, 11:39 AM

Play VIDEO -- NYPD Official: Police should reject calls to occupy or intimidate Muslim communities


Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has called for increased surveillance in Muslim communities in the United States in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks in Brussels--and two national security experts, including a Republican member of Congress, were critical of the GOP hopeful's plan.

"To send inflammatory messages could actually have an unintended consequence," said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas).

He added that Muslim communities are situated very differently in Europe, noting that they tend to be more segregated and thus easier for members of those communities to become radicalized. "In Europe it's very segregated, and you have the diasporas in Belgium that I saw," he said. "And they're being radicalized because they're not assimilated with the culture. I don't think we have that same situation in the United States."

John Miller, the deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism for the New York Police Department, also criticized Cruz's plan.

"When you have people campaigning through fear and using that as leverage, and then giving advice to police to be the cudgel of that fear, that's not the direction American policing should be taking in a democracy," he said.

"Listen, we're the proudest country on the planet and that's because we have been a leader on freedom and human rights and everything else," Miller continued. "I think in our history if there are moments of shame it would be Japanese internment, the Red Scare and McCarthyism, torture after 9/11--these are things that on reflection, through history, the American people have rejected."

The two men also addressed the susceptibility of the United States to the kind of terrorist attack that killed dozens in Brussels last week, as well as what officials can do to prevent similar attacks here.

McCaul reassured that the American people are being protected, including additional security at airports and other transit hubs which were the target of the ISIS attacks in Brussels. "We are ramping up security at train stations, at airports, at subway systems using canines and other things both visible and invisible," he said. "I want to give the American people assurances that we are protecting them."

Still, he noted that there are two main concerns for preventing similar attacks in the U.S.: first, Americans already in the country who have been inspired by the attacks; and second, the foreign fighters that left the U.S. to join ISIS and have since come home.

"The idea that there are ISIS followers in the United States talking to ISIS in Raqqa and being influenced by them, and the thing that is the biggest challenge to federal law enforcement is the fact that they're communicating in darkness," he said, referring to encrypted communications. "If you can't see what they're saying in advance, it's hard to stop it."

Still, McCaul said, the U.S. has advantages in dealing with these kinds of threats that Europe doesn't.

"In many ways Europe is in a pre-9/11 posture, they have many intelligence and security gaps," he said. "The phenomena here is a foreign fighter threat, the revolving door from Europe to the region in Iraq and Syria and back through Turkey, back into Europe ... it's one of the greatest threats that Europe has because they're not prepared for it from a security standpoint."

Miller, explaining how the NYPD responds to an international incident of terrorism, said the agency's response is threefold: first, they work to secure potential major targets in New York City, bringing in additional security as soon as the attack happens.

Second, they look for any possible New York connection to "make sure that we don't have a threat that needs to be chased here." At first glance, he added, it's always difficult to tell whether a terrorist attack is an isolated incident or indicative of more to come around the globe.

And third, the NYPD sends officers and detectives to the scene of the attacks to see what American law enforcement can learn from the attacks or the way they were handled locally. "We study, with the local authorities, the attack and the response to see what we can bring back home to sharpen or hone our response," he said.

He noted that many previous attacks have either been inspired or enabled by ISIS, but that Brussels is an example of something even more dangerous: attacks that were actually directed by ISIS.

"That's teams under the command and control of ISIL sent from Syria to western Europe," he said, referring to an alternative acronym for the group.



Kerry -- As world leaders watch the U.S. presidential election, Kerry said, "I think it is fair to say that they're shocked," he said Saturday in an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation." "It upsets people's sense of equilibrium about our steadiness, about our reliability, and to some degree I must say to you, some of the questions the way they're posed to me it's clear to me that what's happening is an embarrassment to our country." Though he didn't mention anyone by name, Kerry may have been referring to GOP front-runner Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both of whom have called for greater surveillance of Muslim communities in the United States. Trump has also called for a halt on Muslim immigration to the U.S. …. He said he couldn't assess how long it would be until Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is out of power, but that "if Assad is not going to move to the side and cede to the transition, then Iran and Russia and all the other nations in the international security group have called for and supported, if he doesn't do that, there will not be peace in Syria." …. Has Russia gotten more of a "foothold" in the Middle East because of its involvement in Syria? Kerry called that idea "ridiculous." Still, asked if Russia is an "ally" in Syria, Kerry said no--but that the country is helping the U.S. with other things in the "strategic interest" of the United States. …. . "The President of the United States has major diplomatic responsibilities. He has to engage with other countries. That was an important part of trying to build a relationship and achieve some of our goals with respect to human rights, with respect to transformation in Syria - in Cuba and elsewhere." …. Kerry also said that in the wake of Brussels, Americans don't need to "live in fear" while traveling abroad, but at the same time cautioned that Americans can and must be "vigilant." "Well it's really a matter of common sense, but there are guidelines and the State Department is ready to help anyone understand exactly what that means …"


National Security/NYPD Experts -- “… and two national security experts, including a Republican member of Congress, were critical of the GOP hopeful's plan. "To send inflammatory messages could actually have an unintended consequence," said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas).” …. “John Miller, the deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism for the New York Police Department, also criticized Cruz's plan. When you have people campaigning through fear and using that as leverage, and then giving advice to police to be the cudgel of that fear, that's not the direction American policing should be taking in a democracy," he said. …. He noted that many previous attacks have either been inspired or enabled by ISIS, but that Brussels is an example of something even more dangerous: attacks that were actually directed by ISIS. "That's teams under the command and control of ISIL sent from Syria to western Europe….”


I am really glad to see Homeland Security, NYPD terrorism expert Miller and a Republican Member of Congress speaking out against the “plans” of Trump and Cruz. If the leader of the NYPD doesn’t want repressive measures set up in our cities because of the hatred and resulting radicalization, we should listen, because they have had problems in the last two years particularly with unjustified shootings or beatings due to the same “broken windows policing” which sounds a great deal like pure intimidation to me, and there is no reason to assume that the same things won’t happen when the residents are “aliens” with a non-Christian religion. I’m afraid people will react more often in a non-intellectual and emotional way, causing bloodshed and hatred to burgeon. Miller’s comment, “that's not the direction American policing should be taking in a democracy," has long been needed. Control on police and government forces should, indeed, come from within. Then we can actually TRUST our police, and benefit fully from their “protection and service.” I think the uncontrolled rampages of Far Right politicians and groups may be on its’ way to being in check. At least it will be if more people who are in positions of authority will take on the responsibility of bringing the Republican Party back to the center. They complain loudly against Sanders, but that’s because their position is so far from being moderate and American.




http://www.cbsnews.com/news/connecticut-easter-egg-hunt-parents-shove-steal-kids-candy/

"Locust" parents shove, steal kids' candy at Easter egg hunt
CBS/AP
March 27, 2016, 10:53 AM

Photograph -- The scene at the Easter egg hunt at Pez headquarters in Orange, Conn., on March 26, 2016. WFSB
Video -- WFSB 3 Connecticut


ORANGE, Conn. - An Easter egg hunt in southern Connecticut turned into a shoving match after pushy parents ignored the rules.

Saturday's event at the Pez Visitor Center in Orange drew hundreds of people, some of whom didn't wait for the starting time, overwhelming Pez employees staffing the event.

Pez General Manager Shawn Peterson told CBS affiliate WFSB-TV that people "rushed the field and took everything."

Event organizers placed more than 9,000 eggs on three fields with the intention of having staggered start times for each age group.

But Pez officials say the crowd moved from field to field without being directed to do so.

Peterson said the crowd was "kind of like locusts."

Pez in a statement apologized for "an unfortunate situation" and said the actions of a few turned the event into "a mess."

"We sincerely tried our best to create a fun, free activity for everyone to enjoy," Pez said.

No injuries were reported. Orange police did not respond to the event, but they did speak with company officials afterward.



Are we just a bunch of lowbrow idiots in this country? Things like this shouldn’t happen! See below a happier and more interesting story about Easter Eggs.


http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-real-story-of-the-easter-bunny/

Sunday Morning
Video – The real story of the Easter Bunny


MARCH 27, 2016, 10:00 AM|The legacy of the Easter Bunny (or Easter Hare) is rich in history. Martha Teichner hops into a history of the furry holiday tradition, and visits with enthusiasts to take raising rabbits to show-stopping extremes. Do watch this video for its informational and entertainment value.



https://www.yahoo.com/politics/bernie-clooney-hillary-clinton-171452613.html

Sanders on Clinton’s Clooney fundraiser: ‘It is obscene’
Dylan Stableford
March 27, 2016

Photograph -- Sanders calls Clinton’s use of people like Clooney “the problem with American politics.” (Elaine Thompson/Jeff Bottari/AP Images)


Bernie Sanders likes George Clooney. But the Vermont senator says Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s use of the actor in a pair of high-priced fundraisers next month is nonetheless “obscene.”

“It is obscene that Secretary Clinton keeps going to big-money people to fund her campaign,” Sanders said in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday.

Clinton is asking donors for $353,400 for two seats at the head table with herself, Clooney and his wife, Amal, at the April 15 event in San Francisco. The next night, the Clooneys will host a $33,400 per person fundraiser for Clinton at the couple’s Los Angeles home.

“I have a lot of respect for George Clooney. He’s a great actor. I like him,” Sanders said. “But this is the problem with American politics … Big money is dominating our political system. And [my supporters and I] are trying to move as far away from that as we can.”

Sanders, whose campaign has been largely funded by small donations, says his events usually cost “$15 or $50” to get into.

“So it’s not a criticism of Clooney,” he said. “It’s a criticism of a corrupt campaign finance system, where big money interests — and it’s not Clooney, it’s the people coming to this event — have undue influence on the political process.”


Throughout the Democratic primary, the self-described democratic socialist has attacked Clinton’s ties to Wall Street. He did so again Sunday.

“It’s not only this Clooney event,” Sanders said. “It is the fact she has now raised well over $15 million from Wall Street for her super-PAC, and millions more from the fossil fuel industry, and from the drug companies.”

Clinton’s Clooney swing comes less than two months before the crucial Democratic primary on June 7 in California, where 475 delegates are at stake.

Sanders, who trails Clinton in the delegate count, believes he can make up the ground.

"We think we do have a path to victory,” he said following his victories in Saturday’s Democratic caucuses in Alaska, Washington and Hawaii. “We’ve won the last five out of six contests, all of them in landslide victories.”

“What we showed yesterday is in fact the momentum is with us,” Sanders said on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “We think we’re going to do well in Wisconsin. We think we got a real shot in New York. And then we go out to California. You go out to Oregon. That’s the most progressive part of America. We think we’re going to do very well there.”

Sanders also believes many of the so-called superdelegates who’ve pledged their support for Clinton will “rethink their position” and come around to him.

“I think when they begin to look at the reality, and that is that we in poll after poll are beating Donald Trump by much larger margins than is Secretary Clinton,” Sanders said on CNN. “I think their people are going to say to them, look, why don’t you support the people of our state, vote Bernie Sanders.”



“Clinton is asking donors for $353,400 for two seats at the head table with herself, Clooney and his wife, Amal, at the April 15 event in San Francisco. The next night, the Clooneys will host a $33,400 per person fundraiser for Clinton at the couple’s Los Angeles home. “I have a lot of respect for George Clooney. He’s a great actor. I like him,” Sanders said. “But this is the problem with American politics … Big money is dominating our political system. And [my supporters and I] are trying to move as far away from that as we can.” Sanders, whose campaign has been largely funded by small donations, says his events usually cost “$15 or $50” to get into. …. . “It’s a criticism of a corrupt campaign finance system, where big money interests — and it’s not Clooney, it’s the people coming to this event — have undue influence on the political process.” …. “It’s not only this Clooney event,” Sanders said. “It is the fact she has now raised well over $15 million from Wall Street for her super-PAC, and millions more from the fossil fuel industry, and from the drug companies.”



I was afraid that the word “Socialist” would scare most of the Democrats away from his side, but he has persisted in articulating his positions in a way that shows he is NOT totalitarian, nor economically so far to the left that the wealthy wouldn’t be able to get rich anymore. How many yachts, precious stones, cars, furs, businesses, entertainments of all kinds and extra houses do you need, anyway? They simply would have to give more to the much less “advantaged” people of all races and types, especially in a way that free college education, $15.00 minimum wage, more jobs that do not require a college degree would be available and “we the people” will be back in a position of influence and even power again. I really wouldn’t ask for more than that. I am grateful to the Bill Gates and Warren Buffetts of the Billionaire class for making moves to achieve that new equilibrium so “po folks” can be a lot less poor and a lot more comfortable in general.



A “shrink” weighs in. Is Trump actually insane?


http://countercurrentnews.com/2016/02/psychologist-explains-trump-is-literally-a-narcissistic-psychopath/

Harvard Psychologist Explains Trump Is ‘Dangerous’ Because He’s Literally a Narcissistic Psychopath
February 27, 2016 1:34 pm·


As his presidential campaign marches on, with seemingly no scandal or gaff harming him in the least, millions of sane Americans have been asking, in the words of Henry Alford of Vanity Fair: “What exactly is wrong with this strange individual?”

Now, science has finally answered that question…

While there is no official clinical diagnosis of psychopathy, the textbook traits of it and related Anti Social Personality disorders like Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Sociopathy, are somewhat easy to spot once you know the signs.

The failure for there to be an official way to diagnose these disorders is due more to the fact that the individuals who have these traits are adept at masking them, or giving the answers to questions that psychologists “want” to hear.

Donald Trump is “remarkably narcissistic,” according developmental psychologist Howard Gardner, a professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

“Textbook narcissistic personality disorder,” clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis explained.

The Mayo Clinic explains “Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”

They add that “a narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life.” The sufferer “may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you’re not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve.”

Clinical psychologist George Simon said that Trump is “so classic that I’m archiving video clips of him to use in workshops because there’s no better example of his characteristics.” He conducts lectures and seminars on manipulative behavior exhibited by narcissists, psychopaths and sociopaths – all related Anti Social Personality Disorders. “Otherwise, I would have had to hire actors and write vignettes. He’s like a dream come true.”

The Raw Story makes the following poignant observations:

Trump’s shortage of empathy can be seen clearly by his stances on topics like immigration. Instead of recognizing that the data shows that most Mexican immigrants are not violent, but instead people simply looking for a place where actual opportunity exists, with a broad brush he claims that they are “criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc.” In a similar vein, Trump has vowed to ban all Muslims from entering the country should he be elected. It appears that his lack of empathy has distorted his mind’s ability to grasp the fact that the refugees he speaks of are actually seeking safety from the same murderous maniacs that he wants to keep out. Perhaps if Trump had relatives in countries like Syria and Iraq, he might understand the constant fear that most live under, and in turn become more willing to welcome them with open arms rather than leaving them to be slaughtered.

But a lack of empathy is just one part of narcissistic personality disorder. Just beneath the surface layer of overwhelming arrogance lies a delicate self-esteem that is easily injured by any form of criticism. We have all seen Trump unjustifiably lash out at a number of people with harsh and often extremely odd personal attacks. When he thought he had been treated unfairly by Fox News host and Republican debate moderator Megyn Kelly, he responded by calling her a “bimbo” and later saying that she had “blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.” In response to the strange, misogynistic comments Kelly said that she “may have overestimated his anger management skills.” If the news host would have pegged him as a bona fide narcissist from the beginning she might have expected such shamelessly flagrant behavior.

Narcissism, Psychopath and Sociopathy used to be lumped together synonymously, under the banner of Anti Social Personality Disorder. But today the disorders are divided in subtle, nuanced, but very similar ways. There is a lot of overlap – in fact more overlap than not.

Carol Caldwell notes, in D.J. Trump, Psychopath, that “it’s been attested to by psychologists and neurobiologists who study psycho- and sociopaths that the deadly syndrome can be seen in their eyes.”

She observes that “the eyes are described as affectless, what we would call cold, or eerily blank in one-on-one or televised exchanges. The sociopath is described as charming, out-going, intelligent, cunning, winning without warmth, but adaptable to whatever human kindness you telegraph to them. As we well know, many of them ascend to top positions in major industries, I might mention Wall Street and banking, heads of Hollywood studios, and members of Congress. On the street levels of everyday life, they work their wiles into all kinds of jobs, by falsifying resumes to fit the careers they are after. One area of human endeavor they seem less adaptable to is refined senses of humor.”

Dr. Robert Klitzman, a professor of psychiatry and the director of the master’s of bioethics program at Columbia University notes that the American Psychiatric Association says that it is unethical for psychiatrists to comment on an someone’s mental state without having examining them personally. But as Alford notes, “you don’t need to have met Donald Trump to feel like you know him; even the smallest exposure can make you feel like you’ve just crossed a large body of water in a small boat with him.”

“He’s very easy to diagnose,” psychotherapist Charlotte Prozan explained. “In the first debate, he talked over people and was domineering. “He’ll do anything to demean others, like tellCarly Fiorina he doesn’t like her looks,” Alford explains.

Trump’s characteristic “You’re fired!” catchphrase highlights his brutal lack of empathy, as does his hyperwillingness to deport immigrants, even though two of his wives have been immigrants.

Mr. Trump’s bullying nature—taunting Senator John McCain for being captured in Vietnam, or saying Jeb Bush has “low energy”—is in keeping with the narcissistic profile. “In the field we use clusters of personality disorders,” Michaelis said. “Narcissism is in cluster B, which means it has similarities with histrionic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. There are similarities between them. Regardless of how you feel about John McCain, the man served—and suffered. Narcissism is an extreme defense against one’s own feelings of worthlessness. To degrade people is really part of a cluster-B personality disorder: it’s antisocial and shows a lack of remorse for other people. The way to make it O.K. to attack someone verbally, psychologically, or physically is to lower them. That’s what he’s doing.”

Wendy Terrie Behary, the author of Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving and Thriving with the Self-Absorbed, says that, “Narcissists are not necessarily liars, but they are notoriously uncomfortable with the truth. The truth means the potential to feel ashamed. If all they have to show the world as a source of feeling acceptable is their success and performance, be it in business or sports or celebrity, then the risk of people seeing them fail or squander their success is so difficult to their self-esteem that they feel ashamed. We call it the narcissistic injury. They’re uncomfortable with their own limitations. It’s not that they’re cut out to lie, it’s just that they can’t handle what’s real.”

Michaelis explains that Trump is “applying for the greatest job in the land, the greatest task of which is to serve, but there’s nothing about the man that is service-oriented. He’s only serving himself.”

Prozan notes that Trump “keeps saying he could negotiate with Putin because he’s good at deals. But diplomacy involves a back and forth between equals.”

Dr. Klitzman added, “I have never met Donald Trump and so cannot comment on his psychological state. However, I think that, in general, many candidates who run for president are driven in large part by ego. I hope that does not preclude their motivation to govern with the best interests of the public as a whole in mind. Yet for some candidates, that may, alas, be a threat.”

Could Trump be helped by clinical treatment?

“I’d be shocked if he walked in my door,” Behary said. “Most narcissists don’t seek treatment unless there’s someone threatening to take something away from them. There’d have to be some kind of meaningful consequence for him to come in.”

Gardner added that “for me, the compelling question is the psychological state of his supporters. They are unable or unwilling to make a connection between the challenges faced by any president and the knowledge and behavior of Donald Trump. In a democracy, that is disastrous.”

With someone who is so clearly a Narcissistic Psychopath holding the reigns of power, there are numerous issues of concern for the American people. Just this week, Trump said that he would make it illegal for the media to harshly criticize him. He has similarly advocated for illegal and unconstitutional “ID badges” for Muslim Americans, as well as banning Muslims from immigrating to the United States.

Having a man like [sic] seize control of the nation’s policies, police, and military is something that endangers us all. Help SPREAD THE WORD because our future, freedom and maybe even lives depend on making sure Donald Trump doesn’t get into office and carry out the fascist policies he has promised to!



“Could Trump be helped by clinical treatment?

“I’d be shocked if he walked in my door,” Behary said. “Most narcissists don’t seek treatment unless there’s someone threatening to take something away from them. There’d have to be some kind of meaningful consequence for him to come in.” .... Clinical psychologist George Simon said that Trump is “so classic that I’m archiving video clips of him to use in workshops because there’s no better example of his characteristics.” He conducts lectures and seminars on manipulative behavior exhibited by narcissists, psychopaths and sociopaths – all related Anti Social Personality Disorders. “Otherwise, I would have had to hire actors and write vignettes. He’s like a dream come true.” …. With someone who is so clearly a Narcissistic Psychopath holding the reigns of power, there are numerous issues of concern for the American people. Just this week, Trump said that he would make it illegal for the media to harshly criticize him. He has similarly advocated for illegal and unconstitutional “ID badges” for Muslim Americans, as well as banning Muslims from immigrating to the United States. …. Mr. Trump’s bullying nature—taunting Senator John McCain for being captured in Vietnam, or saying Jeb Bush has “low energy”—is in keeping with the narcissistic profile. “In the field we use clusters of personality disorders,” Michaelis said. “Narcissism is in cluster B, which means it has similarities with histrionic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. There are similarities between them. Regardless of how you feel about John McCain, the man served—and suffered. Narcissism is an extreme defense against one’s own feelings of worthlessness. To degrade people is really part of a cluster-B personality disorder: it’s antisocial and shows a lack of remorse for other people. The way to make it O.K. to attack someone verbally, psychologically, or physically is to lower them. That’s what he’s doing.” …. Prozan notes that Trump “keeps saying he could negotiate with Putin because he’s good at deals. But diplomacy involves a back and forth between equals.” Dr. Klitzman added, “I have never met Donald Trump and so cannot comment on his psychological state. However, I think that, in general, many candidates who run for president are driven in large part by ego. I hope that does not preclude their motivation to govern with the best interests of the public as a whole in mind. Yet for some candidates, that may, alas, be a threat.”


I have been saying that he is a liar and a bully, but this is the first time I have realized that he is more than a self-serving and overly competitive person. For those things, I despise him, but there are LOTS OF others like him, especially in business, show biz, and politics. As the article points out, many politicians are in this category. He does seem to be an extreme case, though, and as the psychologist Gardner says, “Help SPREAD THE WORD because our future, freedom and maybe even lives depend on making sure Donald Trump doesn’t get into office and carry out the fascist policies he has promised to!” That isn’t merely a severe diagnosis, but a call out to the people of this country, to do everything we can to stop his march toward a dictatorship. I don't believe that is an extreme statement, but a simple fact. I still hope and believe that the truly average and responsible citizen in this country will not vote for this man.



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/georgia-governor-to-veto-religious-freedom-bill/

Georgia governor to veto "religious freedom" bill
CBS/AP
March 28, 2016, 10:27 AM

Photograph -- Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal at the Capitol building on February 11, 2014, in Atlanta, Georgia. DAVIS TURNER/GETTY IMAGES


ATLANTA, Georgia - Gov. Nathan Deal announced his intention to veto the so-called "religious freedom" bill that attracted nationwide attention for what critics called its anti-gay provisions.

The Republican rejected the bill on Monday, saying "I have examined the protections that this bill proposes to provide to the faith based community and I can find no examples of any of those circumstances occurring in our state."

Deal added, "I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia."

Republican majorities passed the bill to broadly protect people acting on their religion. It also would have protected clergy who won't perform gay marriages and people who won't attend a wedding for religious reasons. Churches and affiliated religious groups also could have declined to serve or hire someone based on their faith.

But major companies from Walt Disney to the NFL threatened to pull their business. The bill's opponents said it excused discrimination and could trample local ordinances protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

In response to the veto announcement, a coalition of businesses that had fought the bill applauded the governor.

Deal said he would have signed the bill had it passed in its original form, but he said other versions caused him concern. He said his decision to reject the bill was "about the character of our state and the character of our people. Georgia is a welcoming state; it is full of loving, kind and generous people."

Indiana famously passed a similar bill last year, only to roll back some of the harsher provisions after a sustained public outcry.

North Carolina somehow succeeded in passing a bill that outlawed anti-discrimination protections for LGBT citizens without stirring the same attention beyond a few protestations from large corporations and a Funny or Die video mocking the state.



Governor Deal, a Republican, “… added, "I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia." I am very sorry that my home state of NC hasn’t done as well. Thank goodness this Republican governor is voicing the issue: discrimination is absolutely not supposed to be a part of “religious freedom.” When they do that kind of thing they are stepping all over MY religious freedom! See the sad little video below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU63gAvA3DI

Funny or Die makes North Carolina an anti-gay tourism ad
Funny Or Die By NED EHRBAR
CBS NEWS
March 25, 2016, 4:51 PM

Play Video – By Funny Or Die

New legislation in North Carolina -- outlawing anti-discrimination protections for LGBT citizens -- could mean a new approach to attracting visitors to the state might be called for. Luckily, Funny or Die is here to help.

The comedy website started by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell released a spoof commercial Thursday that offered a "special message from the tourism board of North Carolina, reminding you of all the fun straight things you can do in their beautiful, intolerant state."

Apple, Facebook denounce N.C.'s anti-LGBT law

"Now you can experience the beautiful outdoors, cityscapes and incredible ignorance by hang-gliding backwards in time, racing to the wrong side of history in a kayak, teaching your children to judge others while frolicking in the waves and enjoying our waterfalls without fear of gay people falling on you," a voiceover intoned over pleasant vacation images.