Comments by "" (@DavidJ222) on "The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder"
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A cult leader is also a master of manipulating information, so that his followers will only trust details that come from him. This is what Trump accomplishes every time he cries "fake news" or discredits a reporter as "terrible" or "nasty." He knows that Americans have access to all sorts of information, so he has to make his followers distrust other sources.
A cult environment like "Q" and Trumpism discourages critical thinking, making it hard to voice doubts, when everyone around you is displaying dogmatic faith and obedience to their leader. A process of indoctrination is in use that can be seen as coercive persuasion, or thought reform, commonly called "brainwashing". The resulting internal conflict, known as cognitive dissonance, keeps them trapped, as each compromise makes it more painful to admit that you've been deceived..
Steven Hassan, is an expert in cults and an ex-Moonie cult member (as in the Unification Church, founded by a Korean businessman, Sun Myung Moon), published âThe Cult of Trumpâ last spring. When polled, Trump cultists come across as having abandoned their commitment to libertarianism, family values or simple logic in favor of Trump worship. Theyâre lost to paranoia and farcical talking points, just the way Hassan was lost to Sun Myung Moon.
Hassan remembers, during his Moonie days, shouting, âI donât care if Moon is like Adolf-H. Iâve chosen to follow him, and Iâll follow him to the end." Hassan finally broke free, and became an expert on cults and how to leave them. He has spent his career proving itâs possible.
When they are finally confronted with truth and reality, many cults and their leaders â as we remember from the likes of Jim Jones, David Koresh and the Branch Davidians â come to a catastrophic end.
Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, who taught at Harvard Medical School, wrote a paper titled Cult Formation in the early 1980s. He delineated primary characteristics, which are the most common features shared by destructive cults, destructive cults like Trumpism..
1. A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power. That is a living leader, who has no meaningful accountability and becomes the single most defining element of the group and its source of power and authority.
2. A process of indoctrination or education is in use that can be seen as coercive persuasion or thought reform commonly called "brainwashing".
The culmination of this process can be seen by members of the group often doing things that are not in their own best interest, but consistently in the best interest of its leader.
3. The exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling members.
Here are some warning signs of a potentially unsafe group or leader.
â˘Â Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
â˘Â No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
â˘Â No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget or expenses, such as an independently audited financial statement.
â˘Â Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
â˘Â Former followers are always wrong for leaving, negative or even evil.
â˘Â The group/leader is always right.
â˘Â The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is acceptable or credible.
"This man is a genius at every level! Why can't we all be like him? He must be something special, and we are clearly not. Ergo, let's listen to him since he knows best."
-- Trump supporters
As we've all seen, when it comes to the warning signs and characteristics of a cult, Trump and his followers check most of the boxes..
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Any "deal" that Trump makes is guaranteed to end badly.
The Trump White House agreed to a May 1 troop withdrawal. Biden had to decide whether to honor a deal that included the Taliban, but not the Afghan government.
The question everyone should be asking, is why did Trump make a deal with the Taliban, a designated terrorist organization, and why was the Afghan government left out of the negotiations?
It's almost as if Trump and the Taliban plotted against the Afghan government and the people.
Trump was negotiating with the Taliban about whether or not to remove our troops, and NOT with the Afghan government, which was hosting our troops.
The Republican National Committee has conveniently removed an inconvenient webpage from 2020 in which it praised Trump for signing a "historic peace agreement with the Taliban."
The page had been removed with the web address redirecting to a 404 error page featuring the quip: "It looks like you're as lost as Biden is."
Featured as part of a section titled "President Trump Is Bringing Peace In The Middle East," the page described how Trump had "continued to take the lead in peace talks."
In the now-deleted GOP webpage, it is stated that Trump negotiated a deal for the withdrawals by May 2021 "in exchange for a Taliban agreement to not allow Afghanistan to be used for transnational terrorism."
Abdul Ghani Baradar, the co-founder of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the organization's current political chief, was released from a Pakistani jail at Trumpâs request.
Remember when Trump wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David? I do
The UK's defense minister blamed the chaos in Afghanistan on Trump on Monday.
UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace has pointed the finger at Trump.
He told "BBC Breakfast" on Monday: "The die was cast when the deal was done by Donald Trump, if you want my observation."
"President Biden inherited a momentum, a momentum that had been given to the Taliban because they felt they had now won. He'd also inherited a momentum of troop withdrawal from the international community, the US."
"So I think in that sense, the seeds of what we're seeing today were before President Biden took office. The seeds were a peace deal that was effectively rushed, that wasn't done in collaboration properly with the international community and then a dividend taken out incredibly quickly."
He had previously called Trump's deal "rotten" and said the international community would likely "pay the consequences."
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History will mark Aug. 15, 2021, as the date that the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban retook control over this troubled and war-torn country. But the real date that the Taliban's victory was assured is Feb. 29, 2020, the day the Trump administration signed what it characterized as a "peace" deal with the Taliban. Once this agreement was signed - the tragic collapse we witnessed was inevitable.Â
The agreement was not, and could not possibly have been, a "peace" deal, since one of the parties currently at war - the Afghan government - was not a signatory.
What did the US gain in exchange for this withdrawal? Nothing but vague, unenforceable promises that the Taliban would not engage in hostilities against the departing U.S. troops and would "send a clear message" to al Qaeda that it "had no place" in Afghanistan. So eager was Trump to withdraw, we did not even hold out for a clear, firm commitment that the Taliban would not provide aid, safe harbor or weaponry to al Qaeda and like-minded groups. The agreement contained no enforcement mechanisms and included no penalties on the Taliban for failing to comply with its terms. Â
The fact that Trump entered into negotiations and then an agreement with the Taliban, without even inviting the Afghan government to the table, undercut the power and legitimacy of the government. The citizenry, including those in the national armed services and police, could plainly see that its own government was being ignored, a helpless bystander in critical discussions about the country's future. After we had cut the legs out from under this government and rendered it a paper tiger, it is no wonder that when those serving in the Afghan army and police were asked to fight, most said, "No, thanks."
Once the agreement was signed, the fate of the Afghan government was signed, sealed and delivered - the Taliban had practically won the war. There was no way that the government could possibly survive.Â
A genuine peace deal would have made our withdrawal contingent on the progress of peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. But it did not. Trump agreed unconditionally to bring down U.S. troop levels to 8,600 by mid-July 2020 and totally withdraw by May 2021.Â
In August, Trump voluntarily cut troop levels down to 4,500, even more quickly than required by the agreement, even though negotiations had not even begun. This was a clear signal there would be no linkage between withdrawals and peace. Trump had already announced that there would be only 2,500 troops in Afghanistan by the time he left office.
This only emboldened the Taliban. They started taking even more territory, and more quickly than it had in years. As the Taliban's power increased, it had even less reason to engage in peace negotiations with the Afghan government.
To break the Taliban's momentum on the ground this spring, the Biden administration would have had to not only break the Trump withdrawal agreement, but also deploy more troops and get them more deeply involved in the fighting.
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History will record Aug. 15, 2021, as the date that the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban retook control over that troubled and war-torn country. But the real date that the Taliban's victory was assured is Feb. 29, 2020, the day the Trump administration signed what it characterized as a "peace" deal with the Taliban. Once this agreement was signed - the tragic collapse we witnessed was inevitable.Â
After Trump had cut the legs out from under the Afghan government and rendered it a paper tiger, it is no wonder that when those serving in the Afghan army and police were asked to fight, most said, "No, thanks."
Once the agreement was signed, the fate of the Afghan government was signed, sealed and delivered - the Taliban had practically won the war. There was no way that the government could possibly survive.Â
And why would anyone think that cleaning up a 20 year debacle would be easy or pretty? Especially in a country like Afghanistan, and especially after the deal that Trump made.
Name one thing about Afghanistan that has ever been easy, pretty, or smooth.
So far, the US and it's partners have evacuated about 105,000 people since Aug. 14, the day before the Taliban entered Kabul. That's an outstanding number considering the chaotic situation on the ground there.
Keep it up President Biden.đđ
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History will record Aug. 15, 2021, as the date that the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban retook control over that troubled and war-torn country. But the real date that the Taliban's victory was assured is Feb. 29, 2020, the day the Trump administration signed what it characterized as a "peace" deal with the Taliban. Once this agreement was signed - the tragic collapse we witnessed was inevitable.Â
Imagine that you and a partner have been in a 20 year life or death struggle with a common enemy. A fight where you have both bled together. And then one day, your partner decides to enter into peace talks with your common enemy, but decides to exclude you from the negotiations. Your partner then signs a peace agreement with this terrorist organization, that doesn't include you at all. It doesn't even mention you. That's exactly what Trump did to the Afghan army, the Afghan government, and the Afghan people.
After Trump had cut the legs out from under the Afghan government and rendered it a paper tiger, it is no wonder that when those serving in the Afghan army and police were asked to fight, most said, "No, thanks."
Once the agreement was signed, the fate of the Afghan government was signed, sealed and delivered - the Taliban had practically won the war. There was no way that the government could possibly survive.Â
And why would anyone think that cleaning up a 20 year debacle would be easy or pretty? Especially in a country like Afghanistan, and especially after the deal that Trump made.
Name one thing about Afghanistan that has ever been easy, pretty, or smooth.
So far, the US and it's partners have evacuated about 105,000 people since Aug. 14, the day before the Taliban entered Kabul. That's an outstanding number considering the chaotic situation on the ground there.
Keep it up President Biden.đđ
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"Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them. They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million,â Trump told a crowd at an Alabama rally on Aug. 21, 2015. âAm I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much.âÂ
Saudi Prince Mohammed bragged to confidants and to the Emirati Crown Prince, that he has Jared Kushner in his pocket.
Jared Kushner made an unannounced trip to Riyad in October of last year, catching some intelligence officials off guard. Kushner and Saudi Royal Prince Mohammed are said to have stayed up until nearly 4 a.m. several nights, swapping stories and planning strategy.
After the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed told confidants that he has Kushner in jis pockets, and that Kushner had discussed the names of Saudis disloyal to the crown prince, according to three sources who have been in contact with members of the Saudi and Emirati royal families since crackdown ordered by the Prince Mohammed.
Kushner had access to Trump's daily security briefing, a highly sensitive intelligence update meant to be seen by only the president and his top advisers, before being stripped of his top-secret security clearance.
Before losing that access, Kushner was particularly interested in information about the Middle East, citing several former White House and US government officials.
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Remember when Trump wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David? I do.
Ultimately the "deal" Trump made with the Taliban wasn't just a deal, it was also a double-cross. The double-cross was baked into the deal. Because he betrayed the Afghan government, the Afghan army, and the Afghan people with that deal.
History will record Aug. 15, 2021, as the date that the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban retook control over that troubled and war-torn country. But the real date that the Taliban's victory was assured is Feb. 29, 2020, the day the Trump administration signed what it characterized as a "peace" deal with the Taliban. Once this agreement was signed - the tragic collapse we witnessed was inevitable.Â
Imagine that you and a partner have been in a 20 year life or death struggle with a common enemy. A fight where you have both bled together. And then one day, your partner decides to enter into peace talks with your common enemy, but decides to exclude you from the negotiations. Your partner then signs a peace agreement with this terrorist organization, that doesn't include you at all. It doesn't even mention you. That's exactly what Trump did to the Afghan army, the Afghan government, and the Afghan people.
This only emboldened the Taliban. They started taking even more territory, and more quickly than it had in years. As the Taliban's power increased, it had even less reason to engage in peace negotiations with the Afghan government.
Once the agreement was signed, the fate of the Afghan government was signed, sealed and delivered. There was no way that the government could possibly survive.Â
And why would anyone think that cleaning up the 20 year debacle that is Afghanistan would be easy or pretty? Especially in a country like Afghanistan, and especially after the "deal" that Trump made.
Name one thing about Afghanistan that has ever been easy, pretty, or smooth.
So far, the US and it's partners have done something that's never been done before.
They've evacuated more than 109,000 people by airlift since Aug. 14, the day before the Taliban entered Kabul. That's an historic number, especially considering the chaotic situation on the ground there.
Keep it up President Biden.đđ
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In their never ending quest to "own the libs"
It appears that MAGAs have resorted to ingesting a drug that's used for deworming horses and livestock. You can't make this stuff up folks.
Mississippi health officials are warning residents against using ivermectin, a horse dewormer medication, to treat COVID infections at home amid a spike in poisoningCalls to the MississippiPoison Control Center.
The Mississippi Department of Health sent a letter out to to the MS Health Alert Network on Friday warning health professionals of the spike inPoisonings from individuals digesting ivermectin.Â
Mississippiâs PoisonControl is reporting an alarming uptick in calls from people who took a drug bought at a feed store meant to deworm livestock.
Some believe it will help with COVID, but veterinary experts warn if you buy it at a feed store, it could possibly leave you paralyzed.
âEveryday, everyday, people, phone calls, phone calls, people coming in,â Raina Boudreaux at Double M Feed, Garden & Pet Supply describes.
Boudreaux says it started a month ago.
âIt has been flying off the shelves and as of right now, itâs very hard for us to even get,â Boudreaux said.
Mississippiâs Health Department put out a warning because poison control reports said at least 70% of the recent calls have been related to ingestion of Ivermectin meant for livestock.
Ivermectin gained popularity over social media among anti-vaxxers/anti-maskers, via Fox News, as a COVID cure and preventative treatment, even though the FDA has not approved it for that purpose and explicitly tells people not to take it for COVID.
Louisianaâs PoisonControl says itâs received calls from 18 people who have taken the drug.
Some of the symptoms individuals can experience are rash, nauseaVomiting, abdominal pain, neurologic disorders, and sometimes severe hepatitis.
SWEET!!! That sounds delightful.đ¤Ł
Thanks for tuning into another episode of, Zero Libs Owned. đ¤Ł
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Saudis definitely knew how to turn our own planes into bombs, and fly them into buildings Kamikaze style. Ignorance is strength, is the motto of Trumpism. Trump has been in office 2 years, and he has yet to visit our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, or anywhere for that matter. But he has visited Kim Jung Un in Singapore, where he saluted a NK general. He also visited his muse Putin, in Helsinki, and his 1st trip outside the US, was to Saudi Arabia, where he did the sword dance. Trump and his crime family's pockets are filled with Saudi money, and Russian money as well.
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