The Age of Aggression Part 2

 

An article titled "After Decades of Declining Fatality Rates, Why has Dangerous  Driving Surged Again  in America?"  was found in The New York Times ,  January 14, 2024 edition.  Doctors in emergency medicine, in Nevada, found an increase in motor vehicle and motorcycle injuries and fatalities.  They found that initially safety measures like seatbelts and so forth reduced the number of serious accidents .Then, with the pandemic , numbers have increased dramatically, not only in Nevada but in the country at large.  Primary causes  of accidents were related to speeding, not wearing seatbelts and intoxication.  Once again, these primary causes are related to aggressive human  behavior .  Speeding is impulsive, reckless, aggressive and dangerous to self and others on our crowded streets and highways.  People rationalize about excessive speeds and  speeding  is  reinforced  because there’s an absence  of violations or consequences for that behavior.  People become irritable, angry, for any number of reasons and being at the wheel of the automobile  becomes a weapon.

  Flouting authority by not wearing a seatbelt is not only dangerous towards others, but dangerous to self . Is there any rational reason for not wearing a seatbelt? Then add intoxication when driving . Intoxication affects executive ego functioning and/or judgment.  Speeding,not wearing a seatbelt and intoxication are examples of character flaws that contribute to malignant aggression. Annually, twice the number of people are killed in traffic than were killed in war, crime and terrorism combined.  Also, more than 90% of these accidents are caused by human errors like somebody drinking alcohol and driving ;somebody texting a message while driving ;somebody falling asleep at the wheel ;somebody daydreaming, and so forth. 21% of all crashes involved distracted drivers . Statistically, we have four times the number of deaths from car crashes than Germany.    

More specifically, accidents  are, in part, associated with a passive-aggressive personality. This disorder is characterized by aggressive behavior manifested in passive ways, such as in obstructionism, pouting , procrastination, intentional inefficiency or stubbornness.  The aggression often arises from resentment or disobedience in failing to find gratification in a relationship with an individual or institution upon which the individual is over dependent.  The aggressiveness can also be  civil disobedience, reactive and defensive like a rebellious child with sarcasm, provocative acts, verbal as in argumentativeness, demanding special attention and punitive regardless of what others do .

On January 6, we had a malignant attack on the capital because of  a narcissistic ,sociopathic leader with passive-aggressive tendencies.  He passively and aggressively told his followers to fight like hell.  Was he going to be like Alexander The Great and lead his warriors into battle or  be like the Persian King Darius,  and be  in the background , with his guards and watch the battle ,protected , and from a distance ?  Yes, it's easy to be passive-aggressive in words and not physically. Yes, he can throw his food dish against a wall.His words , his tweets result in a number of impulsive irrational and  passive aggressiveness among his amoral followers.  Mitt Romney favored impeachment and he had to spend an enormous amount of money to protect himself and family from crazy death threats.  More examples of crazy death threats for judges , prosecutors and those in the legal  justice system have occurred . Law and order is for whom?  Yes, it's passive aggressive to send anonymous threatening messages to anyone .

The crazies who attacked the capital police did not only exhibit emotional instability, they also did not control  their hostility. They reacted with verbal threats and destroyed private property. It was not their House. How does one treat their house ?  Of course, one-on-one, they may be outgoing, friendly but in the group they were a mob.  Did these socially sociopathic individuals realize that what they were doing was dangerous , illegal and destructive ?  Did they expect to be pardoned?  Likely, it didn't matter that once in the mob , they were the mob. These  oppositional characters  prepared for battle regardless of the consequences. Of course they claimed for the most part there was nothing wrong with what they did.  It was like fighting for independence in 1776  with slogans. Totally legit and patriotic  were these patriots? Will these people learn from their mistakes?  Perhaps being sentenced and being in jail might modify similar behavior but on the other hand, these antisocial sociopathic criminal types never seem to learn and just repeat the same stupid irrational amoral behavior. These individuals have serious personality disorders.

Symbolically, the January 6 stolen election attempt by Donald Trump is a symptom of the aggressive stance by the elites in the  authoritarian Republican Party for dominance and control by the few.  Their mission is simply to eliminate  liberalism , democracy, and return to the originality of the Constitution and nullify amendments that favor a majority that pertains to Asians, Blacks, LGTB, same-sex marriage, abortion , voting  ,poor and so forth. On the  state-and local level, governors, state legislatures, and school board  Republicans have declared  war against CRT, book banning , school curriculum , liberal colleges , immigration and against anything liberal or progressive.  They are discriminating  and rationalizing with "conservative" ideas and policies that represent white minority control.

 Additionally,there is a statistical rise in hate crimes against Jews and others and the plethora of passive aggressive oppositional chatter on the Internet and TV along with the popularity of aggression seen in movies , novels and video games . 

 Kings , Queens ,Caesars ,emperors ,Alexanders, Napoleon's,  tyrants , fascist Nazi-ism, Pharaohs, monarchies , dictatorships  that have dominated ,discriminated against the populace are well documented in the history of humankind.  Less than 100 years ago, we witnessed the terror of  authoritarian fascism  of Hitler and Mussolini and their  crowd.  Currently, politicians like Romney, Cheney, Kinzinger , judges and prosecutors and others have received death threats because of their opposition to  this authoritarian trajectory per an article titled "Trump Is Playing With Fire."  January 14, 2024.  The New York Times. Misinformation  Infotech, biotech , algorithms ,AI are  the tools ,in the hands of the powerful few, for manipulation to sadistically dominate , manipulate  control ,and  discriminate. The purpose is to retain  wealth and power. George Orwell's 1984 comes to mind . It's not a surprise to witness the  congressional and Supreme Court dysfunction in Washington by those few in power with their passive aggressiveness .Fair taxes ,abortions, elections, rule of law, minority rights, free choices, individualism, diversity, gender equality are under threat  in this age of aggression. And, the GOP addresses the age of violence with legislation, policies of proposing more guns .. May 14, 2023., The New York Times, "A Gun Filled America" article.

PS

Our crisis in mortality rates places our country below countries like Kosovo Albania ,Sri Lanka and Algeria .Statistically, the European Union reported 5,800  overdose deaths in a population of about 440 million . We reported 68,000 in a population of 330 million. We've  also had 22 times as many gun related homicides in our country compared to countries in the European Union..

The major  difference between the age of aggression in our past history that  includes  the founding of our country; our Civil War; the two world wars, and the Korean and Vietnam wars with our current state includes the following: 1.  We have  over 20 plus years ,our longest in duration,  of war  and destruction  taking place in the Middle East  with no resolution in sight.  2.  The Inordinate amount of guns possessed by our  populace.  3.  The excessive amount of hate perpetuated on social media, television and radio.  4.  The political dysfunction at the state and federal level . 5.  The antidemocratic GOP 6.  The authoritarian criminal ex-president again running for office  7.  A  biased right wing Supreme Court supporting  that Trump  is above the rule of law .  

References

Cameron, Norman.  Personality Development and Psychopathology  .  A Dynamic Approach.

Fromm, Erich  .The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness.

Institute of Natural Resources.  Understanding Dementia.

The Age of Aggression

 Human beings have essentially “three” brains.  The functions in the “first” brain include instinctual behavior ,defending territory, keeping safe  and located in the Central Core. Then, in the Limbic system is the Amygdala which is responsible for fear, fight , flight  and danger  responses . Also ,in the “second '' brain  is the Hypothalamus  which is the major controlling organ of the Autonomic Endocrine system . It regulates temperature,hunger, thirst, sexual arousal and  the sleep-wake cycle. These Reptilian and Mammalian   structures in  our brain are primitive and have not evolved like the cortex or our “third” brain with its development and evolution of cognition, advanced tool making , and executive functioning.

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Charles Darwin popularized the Survival of the Fittest  . Sigmund Freud's destructive instinct and his  sadomasochism concept and Carl Jung's collective unconscious and shadow concepts described man's pathological aggressiveness. Erich Fromm's views man as impulsive, irrational and amoral . These pioneers  have assisted us in understanding man's challenges with interacting with others. And about  6000 years ago, the 10 Commandments  initially illustrated man's aggressive, irrational and amoral behaviors toward others with guilt consequences . Currently, our legal justice system  attempts to reduce crimes toward others with consequences  of probation, monetary fines and incarceration.

Irrespective,  we are in  "The Age of Aggression."  Aggression is defined as hostile , violent behavior or attitudes toward another with a  readiness to attack or confront.  Aggression also  serves as a defensive function when there are threats to  survival as with sex, food as well as threats to self-esteem, power, position, status, etc. The reactions  can be rage, attack , fight , fear or flight. Further,  rage, fear and pleasure , areas in the brain , can be aroused or inhibited depending upon  variables.  Additionally, the male sex hormone testosterone promotes the use of protein to build muscle and promotes libido aggressiveness and sexual desire. In other words, aggression can be life saving or malignant .

Aggression can be non hostile but a painful act toward another .Ask a mother about her  sore and painful nipples  when nursing her 6 to 9 month old newborn; watch the young baby  chew, bite or spit while eating  and/or unwilling to share  toys or possession with another .  Other examples of aggression are associated with competition and rivalry with and toward siblings , parents and peers. On the playground , view aggressive interactions while playing games,  or in sports.

Aggression can also be accidental in the sense that it may hurt another person in which there was not an intention to hurt or harm that individual.  Perhaps the firing of a weapon and an innocent bystander getting killed might be an example.  Aggression can also be classified as “playing” when witnessing professional sports.  The intention for these competitive and highly skilled athletes in football, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse ,is not to maim, kill or destroy their opponent, but to dominate and win the game.

 Research suggests there are many variables relating to aggression  that are harmful to others such as anxiety, frustration in child rearing , relationships ,governmental laws and policies . Aggressive behavior can be  malignant. Within the last 25 years or so , we have had the following situational , anxiety and fearful events with negative consequences that includes  9/11 and it’s related wars ;  a financial economic meltdown; obesity , addiction and suicide surges , Covid-19  and virus’ ; more  motor vehicle accidents ; the January 6 capital attack  and Ukrane and Middle East wars as a few illustrations. 

During  9/11, we witnessed the propaganda of lies. deaths, destruction ,creation of terrorist groups and ongoing Middle East conflict.  We killed Bin Laden and Saddam with our massive military might .  We destroyed, we demolished but did not conquer the bad guys irrespective  of  our war machine.  In fact, War Machine, starring Brad Pitt, highlighted and illustrated the craziness and irrationality pertaining to the Afghanistan war.  

Psychologically,  malignant aggression is related to revenge and protecting   economic interests.  Video games, TV, movies ,  documentaries, novels, biographies have provided  many illustrations and models of  “wonderful “ weapons used as agents of destruction and death.  Role models to  imitate have skillfully killed others and have become  heroes . In other words, our government's message is that  malignant violence is necessary and good for our safety and well-being.  Guns, drones and so forth are to be desired. However, on the other side, our wonderfully trained killers with the best weaponry in the world and our passive-aggressive politicians, have created an inordinate amount of brain  trauma , physical disabilities,  suicide and more enemies for what ?  The military-industrial complex  thrives on  malignant aggression for profit. 

Frustration is accompanied by anxiety and anger when the prized and important goal becomes blocked.  Economic security is important in our capitalistic society.  When there is blockage to goal attainment, one can break through the barrier, go around the barrier or become immobilized.  There was an enormous amount of greed that benefited some while most became victims to their predicament. Around 2008 , one could  aggressively obtain that American dream-home mortgage by falsifying information.  They could put borrowed money in their  account for a short period just to qualify for that loan, irrespective of any objective  moral reason or rationale.  It was just a lie .To obtain the goal, even if that goal was unrealistic.  Of course people defaulted  leaving  many frustrated, anxious , depressed and angry individuals.

Our  country's lifespan and physical and psychological health are not good compared to other industrial countries.  We have  major issues with obesity,  heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and rising rates of addiction and suicide.  It is also known that many of our physical health problems are related to behavior, character and personality.  There are many commercials about diet , physical activities and exercise.  What one eats ,the size of portions and frequency suggests an unconscious drive or need fulfillment . Guilt and self-defeating behaviors are seen as aggression turned inward . Regardless of all the information available and opportunities ,these  individuals continue to blame , put down self with  irrational self talk to  mutilate or commit suicide . It's as if they accepted  the consequences of punishment .  For example, depression is self depreciation  as in hating self and that hate is expressed not only in verbal symbols but also in repeated behavior.  

Suicide  and homicide rates among adolescents have increased . Also, it’s estimated that more than 20% of teens have seriously considered suicide.  Not only that, suicide rates have increased during the pandemic.  And, there appears to be a link between prescription opioid misuse and heroin addiction.  About 80% of people who used heroin  first misused prescription opioids.  There is also an alarming trend of school absences that started with the pandemic and  have continued to rise.  Once again, ineffective psychological emotional development of so many of our youth suggests an absence of  productive parenting with  resulting aggressive self defeating oppositional  behavior.

To Be Continued

Calistoga

 

On  February 2nd, Linda and I met with her orthopedic surgeon regarding her hip replacement.  Linda's new hip has healed and she has no restrictions.  Well done Linda and Dr. G.  With that in mind, I planned a trip to Calistoga for our mud bath experience.

Linda was anxious regarding being in the mud.I  was  enthusiastic . Even though everyone she talked to about Calistoga mentioned that it was going to be marvelous,still, Linda remained nervous.  So, on the following Tuesday , we headed for  the Napa  area and arrived around lunchtime.  We stopped at the Calistoga Inn and shared a terrific Reuben sandwich.  Then ,it occurred to me that , in my other life, I had visited that establishment roughly 35 years ago on a motorcycle trip . The old section seemed the same, but  new sections were added.  

After lunch we strolled down Lincoln Avenue window shopping.  Passing a display of clothing garments outside St. Clair Clothing Company, Linda's eye focused on a fashionable coat. They talked.  Within seconds, we were inside the store and Linda was trying on coats of different sizes .  Yes, she purchased a sharp, fashionable coat for the remainder of her stroll.  We then stopped for a mocha so Linda could catch her breath.

We proceeded and stopped at Shawn  Smith's  Art on the Vine Gallery and Studio .  We engaged with Shawn and found out about his  being a farmer, rancher, carpenter, and so forth until he was able to focus on his  love of painting.  His wife , Lisa Marie , is a schoolteacher and they opened up the store on Lincoln over three years ago.  A fashionable set of earrings caught Linda’s eyes and she purchased them .

Then we headed for our treatment.  We parked, registered and checked into our room.  We were told to come back about 2:45 PM, just wearing our bathrobes.  We were given an introduction and details and then proceeded to the coed mudroom area.  Linda was nervous regardless of reassurance and was told that if it wasn't to her liking, she could leave at any time.  The aide gave us instructions and told us that she would be outside the door and we could call her at any time if needed.  Linda and I disrobed and I had some difficulty assisting her into the tub.  She was somewhat resistant and then was able  to let go and then found herself floating in the mud tub. Linda quickly relaxed and said it was wonderful . I then proceeded and found myself in the adjoining  mud tub.  We floated on the top of the mud and had to use our hands to splash mud  over the rest of our  bodies.  Linda quickly became calm and marveled at the experience.  With soothing background music, we just floated in this special and unusual  mud.  

After 20 or 30 minutes or so, the aide entered and we were shown how to get out of the tub .We then took our showers to remove the mud.  Unfortunately, the shower water  never became hot.  So the aide used the mineral water in the hot tub to remove excess mud.  We then immersed ourselves in the mineral water for another 20 minutes or so.  It was a erotic experience for me and Linda was very receptive and loving as well.  Then, we proceeded to the next phase, which was the cooldown with a blanket wrapped around us and 2 cucumber slices on our  eyelids during the cooldown.

After about an hour and ½ , we went back to our room and engaged in more closeness, warmth, tenderness and pleasure.  Much later, we headed out to the Bricco Osteria  and shared a delicious and scrumptious lamb shank over risotto for our dinner meal. After dinner, we then  drove back to our room to resume the evening..

The next morning after showering and so forth we left for Café Sarafornia for breakfast.  I had oatmeal and Linda and scrumptious French toast with lemon and berries.  I helped her clean her plate.  Then we headed home.  On the way, we talked with Bev and Linda's daughter Sidne.  Linda became a cheerleader again and talked about her wonderful experience in Calistoga.  She told them she was initially scared of the mud bath but once in the tub, it was delightful, soothing and relaxing. Before reaching home, we stopped at Barnes & Noble's for a mocha and book purchases and we talked about a revisit .

Grief and Mourning

 

This essay pertains to The New York Times ,December 3, 2023 article titled "It's Okay to Never Get Over  Your Grief" written by a professor of philosophy at the University of Warsaw.  The professor quoted Freud's essay "Mourning and  Melancholia"  and argued for the  continued  maintenance or for maintaining a place for the deceased in our lives and that drawing on these relationships can be a source of strength .

Freud acknowledged there can be  "normal" mournings.  Normal mourning can be described as the ability to love and work.  In other words, morning is normal when it doesn't interfere, obstruct  or incapacitate  healthy functioning.  Melancholia was a term that Freud used. Today , the term is called a Psychotic Depression.

Concisely , Psychotic Depression is a mood disorder in which dejection, self deprecation and self condemnation reach delusional proportions.  It’s when an individual loses effective contact with his human environment as a result of withdrawing. A sense of worthlessness and guilt persists. 

 Precipitating factors in  a Psychotic Depression , is  being vulnerable to psychotic episodes that are related to loss or threatened loss of a major source of gratification and/or  a loss or threatened loss of one's basic security . And a loss of love may result in the form of a death. These  Psychotic depressive reactions typically occur in the form of an attack and the onset may be sudden or gradual. In other words, an individual with a depressive personality type is vulnerable to loss of the significant other. Irrespective of a traditional religious morning practice 

Freud described Psychotic Depression as being very different from a normal morning .  There are many  appropriate  normal morning practices for certain groups  For example, the Golden State Warriors assistant coach  Dejan Milojevic , age 46, recently died  suffering from a heart attack at a private team dinner that occurred despite lifesaving efforts.  He was described by Coach Kerr as being a terrific basketball coach and one of the most positive and beautiful human beings he has ever known.  Someone who brought joy and light to every single day with his passion and energy . and that he would grieve with, and for his wife  Natasa and their children  Nikola and Masa.  The Warrior coach also  received a tribute from NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver.  The NBA postponed NBA games with the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks.  Toronto Raptors head coach paid tribute as did Andre Iguodala . A moment of silence occurred between  the game with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers as players  bowed their heads.  The Toronto  Raptor head coach said the Serbian is a great ambassador to the game as his picture was displayed on  a big screen at the arena. The Warriors are also wearing a memorial tribute on their jersey's during each game for the rest of the season.

The philosopher's suggestion that prolonging  grief is ok is poppycock.  One size ,one religious custom  and ritual is not psychologically healthy for everyone.  For example, an individual that is depressed, and overly dependent on their partner and continues to grieve over an inordinate. duration, is more than likely to  have that loss ,that reliance reinforced  by others . The depressed  and dependent, with their tremendous sense of worthlessness, approval seeking, blaming ,failure  and guilt continues and  persists regardless of what others say.  It's as if there is a construction of a solid barrier or wall that maintains their toxic  negative self-talk  sense of self.  Sympathy ,understanding, and  support are like threats and dissonant  and attack their self system . The threats must be repelled and displaced in order to maintain that  emotional attitude and belief system.  The oppositional ness with a consistent repelling of good deeds and grieving practices of a particular religious societal tradition,become  reinforcing which further solidifies and perpetuates the suffering. They simply can't let go and irrationally hang on, which only works to their disadvantage as they are unable to think about their future  of being alone.  Within this dynamic, the remaining partner often joins their partner in death within the year as the loss of love for the dependent personality is so devastating as they symbolically require that “contact “ to fulfill their unmet dependency needs. So,  extensive grieving only reinforces one's sense of worthlessness ;loss and guilt, irrespective of the input from others. 

Dad passed away 44 years ago and mom 23 years ago.  I have fond memories of dad who reinforced my independence by teaching me to drive his automobile  once I could see over the steering wheel.  One incident occurred when we were returning from cousin Sherman David's and Lorraine's wedding in Chicago.  As I was driving back from Chicago, other drivers passed by and looked over to see if  there was a driver behind the wheel.  Dad  also reinforced my sports activities as he attended practices and games at Denby and the University of Detroit.  My friends called him "Big Ray."  Dad also modeled and reinforced the power of education with his verbal brilliance.  He even met Dr. William Wattenberg, the educational clinical psychology department chairman. At Wayne State University . Mom reinforced independence  ,love , support and assisted me by typing the draft of my dissertation.  She was smart and competitive too.  I would not and could not compete with her over the game of Scrabble.  She destroyed all competition.   She would also  say before my "runs and equestrian events" to not hurt myself.  I'm appreciative of having loving and supportive parents that furthered my  positive sense of self.  I do not continue to grieve their death, but emotionally experience positive ,happy  ongoing memories of our interactions.

Reference

Cameron, Norman.  Personality Development and Psychopathology .  A Dynamic Approach.

Guilt, Lies and Betrayals

 

 This essay pertains to the 2006 movie The Good Shepherd.  Matt Damon (Wilson ) , Angelina Jolie (Wilson's wife) ,Alec Baldwin (FBI )  , others featuring and directed by Robert De Niro (forming OSS and CIA ) tell the story of the  founding of the OSS and the  CIA.  The essay's focus is  on one dominant message expressed in this movie: "don't trust anyone."

Wilson's admiral father was a candidate for Secretary of the Navy.  Young  Edward Wilson attended Yale and became a member of the secret student society Skull and Bones.  The movie began with a contradictory message between a young boy, Wilson and his father.  Wilson's father lectured his son about friendship.  He told his 6 year old   son, never to lie because that destroys friendship between two people.  Edward's also told  that you have to trust and that without trust, you can never be safe.  Edward acknowledged. Later, Edward heard a gunshot  and found his father lying on the floor dead with a suicide note in his hand.  He puts the unread note in his pocket before  mother arrives .  Not only did Wilson's father not say goodbye to his son, he abandoned him  and was no longer there to protect him . The father said one thing about  honesty and friendship and behaviorally did the sadistic and cruel  unthinkable. How did this act affect the young Wilsons sense of trust ?

During a Skull and Bones initiation mud wrestling ceremony, one senior fraternity member, the balcony above, urinated on Wilson.  We find Wilson walking fast away with another fraternity brother telling him, don't take it personally..  Did Wilson express anger  or humiliation appropriately ?  He went along with the humiliation and kept his anger to himself.  In another scene, the recruits were told to tell their most private , guarded  and never told secret to the group. Edward told the group about his father committing suicide and  finding the note.  One brother asked him if he read the note and he said he hadn't.  Edwards was told  to trust the society.  They were all together in secret  and their trust was "loyalty."

In another scene, Edwards meets his Yale advisor in a small seminar group .  An FBI agent , hiding in the dark , told Edward that his advisor was suspected of being a Nazi sympathizer and that he had to "spy" on him.  Edward found documents in his advisor's briefcase and gave his copied notes  to the FBI.  His teacher was fired .  Later on, during the OSS in London, he met with his mentor who would teach him the espionage trade .  The mentor turned out to be his Yale teacher who confronted him with messing up his spying operation at Yale.  Later, Edwards told that his mentor was gay and must be eliminated.  Edward met with his mentor and his mentor understood his fate.  Edward witnessed his mentor being killed.  Notably, there's an absence of any emotion, anger, sadness, grief, embarrassment by Edward.  His emotions were nonexistent and hidden . More messages , in the story, about trust and especially mistrust . His advisor told him to get out of the business and that he's never met anyone that he could trust.

Edward was introduced to a  fraternity brother's sister, Angelina Jolie.  She found him alone at the party and seduced him.  Shortly thereafter, Edward was at the beach with a young female student that he  actually liked.  She told him about her future and told Edward that he's not there emotionally.  He denied the accusation.  A  fraternity brother enters and Edward  accompanies him.  Edwards told that Angelina was pregnant and Edward must do the right thing.  Edward did not return nor say goodbye to  his beach friend. He just left her in the sand .Guilt, lies and betrayal in view .

Edward  was told about the  OSS by the general.  The general  told him that this group had few Catholics, no Jews, and no Blacks.  At the wedding, he’s told that he's been selected and he accepts . His orders were to leave in one week.  Edward left for London.  After the war, Edward was working in Berlin recruiting German scientists away from the Russians.  His female interpreter invited him for dinner.  He agreed and after dinner , said he had to leave.  She asked him if he would like to stay .  He stayed . Next scene we saw her  murdered.  Again, there's an absence of any expressed emotion by Edward.

Edward does express emotion but not when his wife told him about her affair .  They  were having dinner with  another couple .  His wife told the dinner guests , her friends, that William worked for the CIA.  After they left, he  expressed anger and told her she's never to tell anyone  that he worked for the CIA.  He works as  a civil servant for the American Trade Bureau, which is the CIA's cover of this misinformation.  She told him she had no idea of what he does, he's gone night and day, and she and him are miles apart without any sort of relationship.  Their level of trust was ?

Enter Edward Junior who wanted to join the CIA.  Both Edward and his wife are against the idea.  Throughout the movie, there's an investigation of a tape recording taking place in the Congo.  There was a Bay of Pigs leak and the CIA's failed involvement in liberating Cuba  .  They were looking for the leak in the CIA and had this document that they had trouble decoding.  During the movie, Edward was told about the CIA operation in Cuba.  In the next room was Edward  junior.  Edward asked his son if he overheard the conversation, his son  lied and denied that he did.  As it turned out, it was Edward Junior having an affair in the  Congo. Edwards' Russian counterpart, Ulysses, told him that the woman was an agent.  Ulysses played a clear tape recording of the conversation, in which Edward Junior mentioned the intended Bay of Pigs operation .  Ulysses, the Russian, tells Edward that he can protect his son or the agency.  Edward said that the mission failed so there was no need to harm his son.  Ulysses knew of the upcoming wedding and asked Edward if he wanted her in the family.?He also said that he may need a favor at some point .  In another scene, Edward , Edward Junior and mother were at the church waiting for the bride to be.  Meanwhile, she's boarding  a  plane , in her wedding dress, and traveling to her wedding.  In mid-flight, she's thrown out of the plane.  Another scene, Edward tells his son that she's not coming and they hug.  Angelina knows different.  Edward Junior and Angelina expressed emotion. Later, the general told Edward about his inability to trust anyone.

In this  movie, there's an absence of trust.  Instead, there's mistrust,  secrecy ,lies, misinformation, crazy loyalties ,betrayals and an absence of quality interpersonal relationships.  With trust there is a mutuality of  give-and-take with the ability of meeting another person's needs with intimate empathy between two individuals.

The building of  a sense of trust begins very early based on the interpersonal  interactions  providing that the physiological, safety and security ego needs are being met by the caretaker .  Later, the same dynamic occurs , with others, in forming and meeting one's affiliative needs.  With consistency,  a  perceptual predictability becomes formed along with an important  developed expectancy.  If there's a high degree of ego that needs  satisfaction , a mutuality occurs based on the dynamics of both interjection and projection .  An inner feeling of comfort , goodness and well-being forms , an introjection , the foundation for trusting oneself can occur along with projecting that favorability onto others. In other words, when ego needs are being met and gratified, by another,  with consistency , the ability to trust is  formed and  necessary and beneficial for being mentally healthy  and having a sense of well-being.  We have an ego need for companionship and opportunities for facilitating  safety needs  with individuals in which we can confide in and trust . That mutual  empathetic contact with another individual is necessary  and separates us from all other living beings ..

In this movie, Edward was seen as quiet, obedient, evasive, secretive , suspicious and unemotional without a meaningful  trustful interpersonal relationship.  He met up again with that young female he left on the beach  in the audience at a play in Washington.  He meets her , secretly ,on the sly for one encounter. Unknown to him, pictures of them were taken and sent to his wife.  She went ballistic . Later Edward's right-hand man returned the young woman's cross ( Edward had for over 20 years) to her without words or message. How well did Edward  shepherd  his wife, his son and his two affairs ?