Necrophilia

 The state of Israel was established in 1948.  And for the last 75 years, People living in Gaza have had a PLO and Hamas terrorist regime with their nihilistic philosophy , rejection  of morals and life , within  a necrophilia character structure encompassed by social narcissism or group dynamics . Their governing goal is to remain in power. They  have accomplished their political  goal, not by providing social and economic services, but by propagating hate with their necrophilia attitude and ideology of not recognizing the state of Israel and threatening to push the Isralies into the sea - by killing their enemy. They use humanitarian aid and assistance  and major funding from Iran for military weapons  and terrorist training. . This policy has perpetuated a triangular victimization (victim  rescue, persecution ) dynamic, which becomes expressed with the ego need for aggression which is to fight, to attack, to injure or kill another and the ego abasement need which is to submit to external force , to accept injury, blame, criticism, punishment ,to blame, to belittle, to seek and enjoy pain, punishment, illness and misfortune  They initially attack a superior military force which is subsequently followed by their  severe and crushing loss of human life, misery, injury and death. Then, they seek to be rescued, saved, extricated, delivered, emancipated by others so they can , at a later time, persecute, attack with hostility ,seek to torture and kill all over again.  This terrorist government is associated with teaching hate, death and destruction toward Israelis in the schools; within a population  in which 50 %  of the people are under the age of 19 , with an unemployment rate of 40% and a poverty rate of 60%. This is my commentary . 

According to Albert Maslow, man has a hierarchy of needs, beginning with the physiological needs of hunger , thirst, etc. followed by the safety needs with security that occurs in a well ordered, regulated society not seen by wars, diseases , natural catastrophes and so forth. In Erik H. In Erikson's psychosocial theory of development , he postulated  the first ego developmental crisis becomes developing a sense of trust versus sense of mistrust.  Both Maslow and Erickson agree that without optimal interpersonal and external experiences, there are dire consequences that affect  the development of character. Anxiety , fear occurs and other emotional and cognitive factors influence the development of self-esteem , abilities, achievement , productivity, love, identity,  and interpersonal relationships. Further, suspiciousness, paranoia, being susceptible to fake information following false idols, loss of autonomy, inability to be objective  and so forth also occur with mistrust and become precursors for developing a necrophilia character personality .

Is the Hamas governmental regime facilitating , gratifying  physiological and  safety needs  resulting in developing trust, providing security, health, well being and  education  for the population ?  It's obvious that a necrophilia orientation psychologically and nihilism philosophically are currently present. 

All character development orientations are relative with a variation in intensity and degree and are a mixture with other orientations . What  is the dominant behavioral tendency ?  With that being said, pathological necrophilia tendencies are the quintessence of true evil.  Necrophilia represents a syndrome of decay associated with vicious destruction.  The necrophilia character is related to Freud's anal sadistic psychosexual stage and his death instinct.  Slogans like not recognizing the existence of Israel and  sending them to their death are  necrophilia  examples. 

With this syndrome, they are attracted to what is dead ,corpses, decay,  killing, and showing off captives. It's okay to watch the destruction, humiliation , capturing and killing of  the helpless. They dwell in the past and have sentimental feelings for previous attacks of killing Israelis . They are emotionally cold ,distant and death seems to excite and satisfy them.

Having a willingness , the power to transform a living human being into a corpse, suggests the love of force and their greatest achievement is to destroy lives. It becomes their way of life of power , control and force over the powerless as with babies,  children  elderly,  and handicapped,.

Other necrophilia tendencies are  being attracted to darkness , night as in caves and especially tunnels.  They are afraid of the uncertainty and unpredictability of life and death is the only certainty . Of course there are differences, and this orientation varies from person to person  of wishing to kill, worshiping force , attraction to death and sadism . Yet it's a fundamental orientation that suggests the morbidity of what man is capable of as they hide behind their masks. 

Another significant variable characterizing these people living in Gaza is group  or social narcissism. Social narcissism occurs because of man's wanting to survive.  And one way to do that is to become part of a group. The group could be educated, Sunni, Gaza refugee, Hamas,  martyr , family  etc. Membership to a group has to do with  interdependence.  That interdependence, frequent interactions, with the group is based on the following: 1.  Common interests among members ie. killing, revenge, power , death and dying etc.  2.  Does  the group resolve conflict issues i.e. freedom, independence , monetary etc. ?  3.  How ego rewarding or emotionally satisfying  is it to be part of the group ?  4. Are individual goals dependent upon group solidarity  for success?  5. The ability to identify with the group? 6.  Does group membership reduce or increase anxiety ?

Further, the cohesiveness of  the group  relates to the following: 1.  Are members motivated , exhibiting behavior and contributing  to the group's welfare ?  2. Is the behavioral activity directed toward advancing and meeting the objectives and goals of the group?  With that being said, if, within your family, you are young, unemployed, and poor, what is the likelihood of associating with Hamas ?  Does  your family, because of your association with Hamas, reject you and throw you out of the house  ?

With a religious “belief” in God and the righteousness of their cause becomes a cathexis attachment to their group.  In order to do this one has to serve the group, make sacrifices for the group as in the case of fanaticism ,injury and even death . Individuals who hate, and love death and destruction are  malignant narcissists.  What are the group goals ?  Is it achievement, productivity, life, or is it to push the Israelis into the sea and wipe away their existence ? 

Has the authoritarian political power structure been able to adequately provide for the majority of its members or has a large portion of them been dissatisfied and joined an underground ?  Yet paradoxically and rationally, though they are economically, and culturally poor, belonging to this Hamas group provides a sense of satisfaction . It becomes their identity . I'm  somebody,  I’m a hero ,I have meaning in my life .

With the identification , association , affiliation and mingling with group members, the group becomes morally right and Israel the enemy.  Fanatical religious beliefs justify and rationalize that God is okay with killing.  This becomes a racial, religious , nationalistic,  narcissism, pathology of the group.  With this pathology ,group narcissism is like individual narcissism as it lacks objectivity  and rationality of judgment.  Racism, prejudice, hatred, falsehoods, fabrications, becomes rapant and If the narcissism of the group is wounded or  becomes frustrated by defeats, the reaction is rage as with individual narcissism. 

Moreover, if the followers are afraid rather than aware of the fears, they wind up admiring these terrorists .  They become blinded by the sense and enormous quality of this malignant disease and see these terrorists as martyrs or freedom fighters. With difficulty in perceiving reality, they have not been able to form an underground .If they are repelled  by all the inhumanity,, capturing of  Israeli civilians , would they  go along with all the death and destruction ? Death and destruction is  as if everything is mechanical as with all living persons or things.  There is a distortion of feelings and thoughts.  They have memories rather than experiences and have difficulty seeing that those  who are willing to kill ,become  martyr’s or heroes and die for what they call justice are simply stupid and morally flawed.

Hiding behind followers and abductees as shields,  targeting school aged children is consonant with the desire and love of death  and destruction.  Not being able to identify or have empathy  with others is a significant part of their disease.  Their  way of life, goals ,ideals, identity  are related to prejudice, hate , death and destruction.  They are not trustworthy and any “agreement “ can be expected to be violated because they are unable to trust .  The character orientation of necrophilia and malignant group narcissism has been  reinforced over and over again for 75 years as in a circle without an ending.

A two state solution  with continued Iran  terrorist funding, with distressful young , unemployed and poor contingency does not mitigate  nor eradicate necrophilia or malignant social narcissism, it just reinforces  more of the same insane rebellion. Individuals living in Gaza become the enemy just like when the South, during the Civil War, attempted to separate from the union.  The Confederate South became the enemy for the Union army.  The Union army simply destroyed the entire city of Atlanta.  Nazi Germany attacked US shipping vessels, and they became the enemy.  We  retaliated ,bombed and destroyed Berlin and other German cities, regardless of who lived there.  Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the enemy.  We responded and obliterated Nagasaki and Hiroshima, regardless of the population.  It was war with a nation, their military and its people.. After destroying those  enemies, they are now our allies.

Is  God on the side of Hamas?  If so, then killing, murder , and abduction  is legitimate.  Therefore, Hamas doesn't have to be moral, nor does God. As a result, all forms of morality are denied.  And the PLO and Hamas rebellion demands unity of the whole of Gaza. How many of the population were actually born in Palestine over 75 years ago ?  Their tyranny has become a crime against humanity..  Evil must be declared wrong and the people must be recognized as guilty.  The rebellion has gotten out of hand with the annihilation of others  and will end with  their destruction of self. Their rebellion  equates with  only irrationality and immorality.

References

Cartwright , Dorwin and Zander, Alvin.  Group Dynamics.

Fromm, Erich.  The Heart of Man  iIs  genius for good and evil.

Murray, H.  A.  Basic Concepts for a Psychology of Personality.

 Last Tuesday, after my run, Linda and I left for Carmel.  We talked to Paul and he warned us about the traffic.  However, we had no difficulty  on our  journey.  We called Tony and wished him a happy birthday as he reached the youthful 72 years of age.  We also called Gwen around the Dublin area. and made plans to visit her and Bill on our  way back.  Tony and I, years ago, stayed with them before one of our  ultra runs, in the East Bay, likely Fremont or at Lake Chabot.

We passed  Mount  Hamilton, the home of  Dan Barger’s  Mustang Classic, where I met Tony and Jeff and was introduced to Ride and Tie.  After leaving San Jose, we passed Coyote. About 40 years ago, I met Veryl , a Saskatchewan born cowboy , bought my first horse named Nowata,  was introduced to border collies, went on many trail rides and participated in my first round up. Also, In this area was my first Ride and Tie-at Quicksilver.  During those competitions.  I met a number of individuals and formed meaningful relationships with Jerome, Linda, my Western states partner, and Jonathan.  For additional  information consult, It Has Nothing to Do With Age.

Entering the Seaside area, I recalled riding on the beach with my border collie and lab.  Wonderful memories.  We then reached Carmel, unpacked and met our host Philip.  He had a number of suggestions and we told him we were headed for Nepenthe at Big Sur.  He agreed that it was a wise choice.  Reaching that fabulous location, with my Michigan cap,  I met Isah, a fellow Michigan grad , and we talked about the current football season.  Even though the Wolverines are ranked number two in the nation, he was concerned about the upcoming game with Penn State at their  Happy Valley location.  We both agreed that that game would tell us more about the season and the hope for a national championship. We had a spectacular shared salmon dinner and the drive  both ways, along Highway 1 was spectacular, breathtaking and beautiful.

The next morning we shared  breakfast in the warm sun at the Stationary  restaurant in Carmel.  We window shopped and then headed for the sea at the foot of Ocean Blvd.  We found a place to park close to the beach, and took off our socks and shoes .  We met a young man who liked my Corvette . We engaged in conversation .Mark was a nurse and we talked about the hazards and difficulties with our current health insurance system.  We conversed about the abuses and the obstacles that overweight , unhealthy people are facing.  Linda and I then headed toward the Pacific and listened to the pounding waves, blue skies looking for dolphins.  We found some rocks and headed toward them for a place to sit down.  We were joined by two individuals, one a Michigan grad. Once again my Michigan cap  sparked an encounter. That of course led to Michigan football in the Big House.  She intends to take her partner to the Big House and he is ready to go.  We also talked about the 49ers and the Raiders.  We had a delightful interaction with them and enjoyed this spectacular setting.

Then we headed for Pebble Beach and the golf links.  We started at Spyglass and then found our way to the Hay for  a practice round of putting.  Linda was spectacular in her ability to sink those puts. Linda was introduced to a new putter by Mike who told her that this new putter is about 30 years old and designed for more accuracy.  Linda was impressed and wanted to talk to Sean at the Ridge for more information.  After leaving the Seventeen Mile Dr., we headed back to our abode and got ready for dinner.

For dinner, we decided on seafood and found a terrific place in town.   We didn't have reservations but were seated anyway. At the Flying Fish , we shared a wonderful artichoke appetizer and Yin Yang Salmon dinner delightfully arranged on two separate plates.  We thoroughly enjoyed that dinner and intend to visit again.  We did more window shopping after dinner and returned to our nighttime  location.

The next day we headed for our meeting with Gwen and Bill in Dublin.  She served a delicious brunch and we sat outside reminiscing about old times.  We initially met them when they bought a second home In Cool years ago. Gwen became a riding partner for Linda and they went on many trail rides.  We had  numerous dinners together , met family and enjoyed their company.  Bill's parents were missionaries in China and unfortunately this year has been difficult for both Gwen, with her back surgeries, and their daughter who has a bipolar diagnosis and has difficulty staying on her meds.  We met her two-year-old daughter Charity who was playing the guitar.  Bill and I discussed mental health and he thought we needed more therapists and suggested that educational and training requirements might be shortened in order to attract more therapists.  I disagreed and told him that it was important for a therapist to have a broad educational, cultural, and educational background.  I agreed that mental health problems are rising and difficult to treat.  I also told him that this country with all its problems has many crazies and helping people adjust also ,at times, seems insane . 

After leaving our friends, we headed for Ghirardelli  chocolate near Stockton.  Tony and I, after many ultra runs  in the Bay Area, would also have our reward at this location.  Linda and I shared a hot fudge sundae sitting outside enjoying the taste.  Linda bought other chocolates and we headed home after that reward.  We picked up Teddy and made  our way home.

During our stay in Carmel, a quote  by Anne Morrow Lindbergh  from her " Gift from the Sea."  We Americans, with our terrific emphasis on youth, action and material success, certainly tend to belittle the afternoon of life and even pretend it never comes. “ The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence, said Einstein.

A Violent Republic

 

Peacemonger was the title of an article in the September 2, 2023 edition of The New York Times.  The  question is, if wars are the least rational  of human projects , why have there been so many of them all over the world in every era ?  The article traced wars beginning from the Roman Republic to Putin’s involvement in the Ukraine,  the Imperial China, Mongol conquest, feudal Japan ,carnage of European Christian clashes, pre-Columbian , Latin America, the two world wars, colonial incursions, communist conflicts and wars in the Middle East.  Why war is the focus of this essay .  .

According to the writer, wars began with the establishment of fixed agrarian settlements.  Briefly, the following variables for war : 1. Conflict between agriculturalists and pastoralists  2. The view that in the chaotic world, leaders make rational decisions to protect their interests and domestic politics  but often fail to deal with their miscalculations.  3.  Modern civilization is more violent , makes killing is easier, more organized, more legitimate and more efficient  4.  Wars vary widely depending upon differing ecologies, class, ethnicity,  domestic politics, ideologies, emotions with leaders competencies and desires.  5.  Greed status-honor- glory and  enjoyment of domination.  That's a lot of variables for war  .

Do the above 5 variables provide insight and explain the war against Native Americans ?   Native Americans occupied the continental United States, including Alaska prior to the migration of Europeans . The Native Americans established, created their own culture , mores and society and lived off the land and the waters. Then , Europeans and colonists invaded these shores.  These people  sadistically exploited, murdered and took possession  of all the land as if  entitled.  They apparently didn't ask for permission or barter for the use and occupancy of land and taking resources like the killing of game and fish. The colonists were given permission for this invasion by King George , the leaders of the 13 colonies and religious  leaders. Advanced weaponry, supplies , assistance from the Native Americans and  technical skills facilitated their take over .

Furthermore, a few  patriotic songs about God and  war include but are not limited to: 1.  Over There, Star-Spangled Banner, Oh Say Can You See, God bless America, America; 2.  For kids include F Is for Flag, America The Beautiful, Lil'  Navy Sailor .For adults include The Great Patriot's, Don't Tread on Me, The Last of the Mohicans ,Patriot Games 3.  Patriotic movies with John Wayne include The Searchers, The Green Berets, Wagon Train Rio Grande.  The Alamo, The Comancheros, Cheyenne Autumn, etc. Patriotism ,war heroes, and killing  the”enemy” are deeply rooted and play a significant element in our identity and our culture.

As the government developed,  factors such as Jefferson supporting the push westward  , the  exploration by Lewis and Clark; the Louisiana purchase, and with religious Manifest Destiny ideology ,  the occupiers pushed westward for economic opportunities.despite the  inordinate risks, hazards and dangers facing them. With cognitive dissonance, they focused on glory, acquisition, adventure , the benefits of success , and downplayed  Christian morality ,the hardship and other difficulties of reality . They affiliated and became members of  various groups as in wagon trains, in part , because these groups validated their own beliefs and aspirations.  In essence, dependence becomes a major source of attraction for group enterprise.  Also, their personal aspirations were met  and congruent with  the aspirations of the group. With group consensus., they engaged in riskier behaviors than they would have if left to their own accord . And their individual goals were met by group goals. As a consequence, political, religious, military superiority and ideology began to occupy all the land. In the process,  Native Americans were either converted, killed or put on reservations.  Treaties were broken and with the  financial and military power,  possession of land and waterways along with the status of the young republic was  becoming fulfilled.

The advantage and benefits of obtaining land  which means dominance and control over the natives was evident with a favorable outcome because of  superior military and industrial advantages.  The consequences for their acts of murder ,domination  , economics and exploration outweigh  their  human losses .Power, possession and status was extraordinary.  The probability of being successful in war was high , based on the military power and  resources along with the prospect of being rewarded . Military generals  were heroes and  there was admiration for Gen. Custer because he killed many.  Generals were rewarded and even became presidents along with Indian fighters like Kit Carson for  their ability to kill.  After all, they were killing savages, heathens and non-believers .

The motivation for participating in the war of 1812 and World War II are different, as we were attacked first.  So an eye for an eye and revenge are permissible.  World War II was necessary for economic, military, political and moral reasons.  What about the Spanish-American War, Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan ?  Dwight Eisenhower had it right.  Ike described the  influence of the Military Industrial Complex. 

With war, there is a coordination of political, economic, military, and moral rightness.  The enemy is described in unflattering terms as savages, gooks,  slanted eyes etc .  The winners in war seem to benefit with more wealth , increases in military rank and political opportunities.  George Bush after invading Iraq was easily reelected for a second term.

There was no rationality for going to war with Iraq.  We armed Saddam and he assisted in beating up on Iran.  But, he committed the cardinal sin of interfering with oil  supply and rocketing Israel.  The consequences for our actions in Iraq have been creating more enemies, terrorists and empowering Iran. Since World War II, our motivation for entering war has been the Military Industrial Complex with neurotic pursuit of power, possession and prestige .  Follow the money. Ask who's going to benefit; who's expendable  but do not consider nor address consequences.  Our participation in World War II, aside from being attacked by Japan and Germany, was necessary.

In essence, the question of why war is as follows: 1.  Man has ego needs and with excessive neurotic tendencies seeks'' Dominance”. To control one's human environment .To influence or direct the behavior of others by suggestion, seduction, persuasion or command. To dissuade, restrain or prohibit.” Aggression “ To overcome opposition forcefully. To fight . To avenge . To attack, injure or kill another. To oppose forcefully or punish another.  2. To acquire. To hoard .To have control over all. To  “Possess “3.  “Achievement .” To accomplish something difficult. To master,  To manipulate, organize , physical objects, human beings or ideas . To overcome obstacles and attain a high standard 4. For “Status,” reputation, stature , standing   5. “Abasement . “ To submit passively to external force.  To accept injury, blame, criticism, punishment.  To surrender.  To become resigned to fate.  To admit inferiority, error, wrongdoing or defeat.  To confess and atone.  To blame, belittle,. To mutilate the self.  To seek and enjoy pain ,punishment, illness and misfortune.6.  Man  has  weaknesses  , is irrational, along with malignant egoism, egotism or narcissism.  7..  Morality diminishes with an imbalance of the  ego needs 8..  With the Collective Unconscious, man's memory and behavioral history repeats   9.  Within the above, and included are the institutions of politics, economics ,with the military industrial complex  10.  Leaders and advisors make war decisions about others going into battle 11. Man , being a social animal, makes wars inevitable.

References

Cartwright, Dorwin and Zander, Alvin.  Group Dynamics.

Murray, Henry . Explorations in Personality.

Jesus, Albert and Donald

 

Rosh Hashanah began at sundown on September 15 and continued through nightfall to September 17.  Rosh Hashanah , the birthday of the universe, the day God created Adam and Eve,  celebrates  the Jewish year 5784.  The most holy day of the Jewish year , Yom Kippur, begins on Sunday, September 24 and ends Monday, September 25 . This holy day  is about fasting and prayer  and to physically and morally cleanse oneself of  sins so that God can forgive. Also, in this year, we have upcoming trials of a  former president;  debt crisis; natural disasters; political divide;  and an increase in hate crimes against Jews and other minorities  Morality  pertaining to Jesus Christ and Albert Camus is today’s focus .

A  psychological viewpoint related to morality behavior found in Exodus is as follows . The 10 Commandments provided a moral standard of behavior relating to how man should treat fellow man. Starting with the 10th commandment, "Thou shall not covet your neighbor's house; Thou shall not covet your neighbor's wife...... nor anything that is your neighbor's." Covet is related to envy, jealousy, possessiveness, green with envy, to  want something very much especially something that belongs to someone else.  It's an emotion , a positive valence desire ,impulse , positive or negative action associated with anxiety and an underlying ego needs such as loneliness, affiliation,  sex , dominance, status, wealth, exploitation, submission, exhibition,  or deference  In other words, it's psychological , related to character that can be a conscious or unconscious  and a deficit. that one attempts to fulfill. Humans have many ego  needs that require fulfillment.  And with capitalism and advertising  taking advantage of man's ego needs, humans wind up with the accumulation of objects, things, people etc..  One has to keep up with the Joneses, one has to win the championship ,one has to have that special partner, articles  of clothing, boats, residences and the list goes on.  Capitalism would fail miserably without the desire to possess and this desire does not have to be rational or beneficial.  To call a significant  human emotion  fantasy , or imagination that occurs in dreams  a sin is a threat to capitalism and to man's pursuit of "happiness."  In fact, Albert Einstein stated, "imagination is more important than knowledge." 

Thou shall not kill is another commandment based on emotions and actions toward fellow man. Our republic has the most powerful military in the world and spends an enormous amount of our budget although we are unable to  properly audit it.  Our police force has the most updated armory and within their arsenal includes  state of the art military issued killing weapons.  Our police kill many and are even given permission by the Supreme Court to continue to engage in that behavior.  In fact, the former president said he could kill in New York City and not be arrested.  If killing is a sin, then our Republic exhibits evil behavior, but has not yet  been charged with a war crime.  Our republic was founded by, and the “father of our country is whom ?  We experience  many themes of killing found in novels , video games , movies, TV shows and witness frequent killings of helpless victims with the news .

Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor  and Thou shall not steal are other  commandments.  In fact, frequent disturbances of social conduct may reflect psychological problems especially during early middle childhood such as lying and stealing . Sometimes , lying is related to fear of failure in meeting parental or social expectations.  Adults  have permission  to lie based on the freedom of speech amendment.  And Trump's lying behavior is related to his  inadequacy ,disregard for the truth and pathology .On the other hand, this genius may not be aware and knowledgeable of all his lies.  If lying is a sin, Trump is the devil and associated with pure evil . 

 Stealing too may vary in the motivation it expresses. It may simply indicate a rather thoughtless giving in to an impulse of the moment or something more serious. However, it may indicate a serious psychological disturbance .Stealing may be a symbolic substitute for perceived lack of love and attention  and/or as a means of expressing hostility towards parents for violating their standards . By getting caught ,stealing  may serve as an unconscious way to  punish oneself.

Coveting, killing, lying and stealing are frequent behaviors in our society and  are  called sinful by some . Irrespective , they are clearly amoral, hurtful and deadly when applied to other human beings.  These aggressive behaviors require consequences like indictments, and incarceration.  Notably, there are 27 states in our republic that have the death penalty.  Revenge, retribution, an eye for an eye still prevails in this republic .  

 Albert Camus, the brilliant author, existential philosopher described  absurdism , revolt ,murder, suicide , morality and other topics . He might have told Donald something like  the following : it's obvious that you reject all forms of religious , moral , democratic, and scientific principles.  Your inauthentic existence with emphasis on egotistical  lies  , with oppression, injustice , the malady of absurdity regarding a rebellion against democracy for the submission of others will only lead to a justification of  your desire for domination which is your  committed crime. This rebellion will lead to more slavery. And your use of propaganda to manipulate others works  because of their despair and existential anxiety .Your  push for rebellion, like others before you,  could lead to corruption and a totalitarian dictatorship .

 In essence, Donald, your rebellion is not about freedom but really  about the nonexistence of any kind of morality within your terrestrial kingdom with your narcissistic principles of power and desire could result in the apocalypse of the republic. Your universe is insane with your false promises which is actually your desire for immortality and/or is your protest against your death. Yours, is not a rebellion , but a hatred of the creator and you will die simply because you prefer injustice to mutilated justice.

Jesus Christ might have said to Donald, it’s clear that you reject my moral teachings : Blessed are the poor, love thy neighbor,  the Golden Rule and the 10 Commandments, Wealth is not a sign of virtue "And I say again unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,"  and righteousness has nothing to do with those without need.  In spite of your hypocritical  lie  that you're a believer , you are amoral, treat others abominably, disregard laws, mores, humanistic values and a threat to your Republic, I say to you "Father, forgive him for he knows not what he does."  

Psychologically, Donald's malignant narcissistic and masochistic character tendencies within  his sociopathic personality disturbances require  consequences for his actions. He exhibits insane criminal behavior , He is not competent to stand trial , unable to testify at any of  his trials and not able to fully assist  his attorneys in understanding and fully participating in his defense.  Further, he is not a candidate to be able to benefit from  psychotherapy because of the severity of his mental illness.  

In closing, morality is defined as the distinction between right and wrong, or good and bad behavior as related to that society.  Donald, so far, has earned a failing letter grade for moral behavior.  When I was in school, we received a letter grade for citizenship which is related to moral behavior.  Our laws are well represented by the moral standards  found in the 10 Commandments.  With that being said, our Republic's morality will be exhibited during Donald's trials.  Will the jurors in those trials find  his  amoral behaviors  guilty or not guilty?  Their verdict will provide additional  data as to the importance, existence and degree of morality in our Republic.

Reference

Camus, Albert.  The  Rebel.

White Male Power

 Throughout  history, has been characterized as winners and losers; sadists and  masochists; wolf and  sheep, lovers and haters, dominators and submitters  etc. This essay has to do with white male power, possession ,status , the collective unconscious and an authoritarian conscience.

Historical authoritarian  conscience  figures come to mind that include but are not limited to, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar;, Borgias Popes,  King Arthur , Napoleon;Henry VIII; Stalin ; Hitler , Putin and so forth.  These men were sadistic, dominant, exploitative,  arbitrary possessed  and had enormous  unequaled power , possession  and status.  Their position of influence was over many and they had loyal followers that gave up their life  for them irrespective of  consequences.  These historical figures operated according to their own morals , ethics and values.  They created right versus wrong, good versus bad and legal versus illegal .  In essence, their word was law as they were the law.

Take for example ,  King Arthur and his Holy War Crusades.  Money, arms and followers marched across Europe into the Holy Land.  There, they waged war exploitatively , savagely and sadistically killed, murdered women and children for ?  Yes, the 10 Commandments was established in the Holy Land and thou shalt not kill is one  of the 10 .  That commandment did not apply neither  to King Arthur nor his followers.  Another example was the thirty-year religious war between Catholics and Protestants.  These two  shared “religious” ideas , agreed on the same God, Jesus Christ, and the same Bible yet they didn't adhere to the shall not kill commandment . They sadistically brutalized and murdered each other in the name of ?  Henry VIII had many wives that he murdered regardless of the Pope .  There are so many examples of hypocrisy, contradictions, rationalizations of man's inhumanity to man and two sets of morals , ethics, values and rules as in  one for the rulers and the other for the masses.   The  10 Commandments , laws, standards,values and ethics didn't apply to the rulers. 

With the above  being said, Carl Jung, in his analytic theory of personality, postulated the inheritance of biological instincts along with ancestral experiences that he referred to as archetypes within the collective unconscious.  Briefly, according to Jung these concepts are the most powerful influential system of the psyche and in pathological cases overshadow the ego . It's a storehouse of latent memory traces inherited from man's ancestral past that includes not only the racial history of man, but his animal ancestry as well . It’s a residue of evolutionary development that accumulates as a consequence of repeated experiences over generations.  For instance, in our republic ,we have a history of white male  dominance , prejudice, slavery, and minority rule . They were either  chosen  by God or by accident of birth. And ,they acquired and implemented their own set of rules and values of conscience.  In so doing, these individuals exhibited power, prestige and status in which  followers identified. Psychoanalytically speaking, with identification, a followers conscience can become like an authoritarian conscience .

500 years ago our history , in 1619, started on this continent with slavery and the dominance of some over others. 150 years later, a group of white males had "permission" for a rebellion.  They had no trouble getting followers and employed an array of slogans such as, give me liberty or give me death in order  break submission and establish independence  from the dominant yoke of King George .That followed with the writing of the Constitution, primarily credited to the slaveholder Jefferson.  Jefferson's collective unconscious as well as his understanding of classical Greek and Roman history established a spectacular Declaration of Independence that pertained to white males.  Three branches of government, in a republic, were established and a  process of electing the executive  and minority power was put in place with the non democratic electoral college, having 2 senators per state (California ,the 4th largest economy in the world and North Dakota with ?), and lifetime appointments for the Supreme Court etc. Before them,  Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Adam Smith all realized that democracy was dangerous because there were more  have knots and they would take from the haves. Government is control ,not submission. Submission is for the majority. 

There was a Civil War, emancipation and  executive declaration 100 years later. That did not stop the South from creating KKK's and all sorts of rules and regulations to enslave Blacks as well as  making it very difficult  for them to vote with  poll taxes, etc. There was separation , discrimination , prejudice ,and  exploitation between the whites and blacks ,between the haves and have-nots, and again there were two sets of rules, ethics and values regardless of the 10 Commandments , the same Bible, and  teachings of Christ.  Blessed are the poor ?  Really !

Then within the next 100 years, women were allowed to vote.  Martin Luther's nonviolent movement,  Kennedy and Johnson's Great Society legislation continued  the movement. For the have-nots/   Although the Republicans, the party of white males, were still in control, we had acceleration of income inequality  and the power of minority  rule for  white male Republicans preaching conservative  racist principles.  The fact that the  Democrats have won the  presidential popular vote  often and that has terrified white male power.  Republican states have been able to manipulate their control and power with creative redistricting in order to ensure Republicans being elected along with putting voting obstacles in place.  Once again ,it's not about democracy but about retaining white power and control regardless.

Moving to the present, we've witnessed  a criminal authoritarian in the White House.  He was able to procure that position because of the nondemocratic electoral college.  Then, with his authoritarian conscience on exhibition, he disparaged people of color, told lies, criminal acts etc.  His authoritarian  conscience also exhibited itself with his Make America Great ( meant to make him great) ; lying about a” fraudulent” election; stating he could kill someone on Fifth Avenue and not get arrested; making perfect phone calls to the Ukraine government and to state officials in Georgia. etc.  These calls were perfect.  He was impeached  twice and has  91 charges  against him which are all part of the witch hunt “lies.”  All the state and federal prosecutors are out  to get him so the liar says.. 

 Once again, with an authoritarian conscience, there exists two sets of values , ethics, rules and standards  as one for Trump and one for others . It's as if the vector's  behavioral force becomes non-impeded irrespective of the probability of negative consequences . He is  right and entitled.  He held the most powerful position in the world, He  acted as if he were king and his rules and behavior were sanctioned from “above.”  Just remember the  amoral history of other authoritarian rulers.  He's doing nothing irregular but continuing in their place  as the means always justify the ends.  If he was found  guilty,  it would be a travesty of justice in his mind .  US presidents have never been convicted by jury  and found guilty. They have a God-given right , in this white man’s  rule , to be all powerful over his subjects . With his superior knowledge, he knows what's best .

Trump's mind is imbued with absurdity and apparent sterility within his own world.  Anything he experiences , so do  his others.  His own aristocratic morality is entrenched far  above the rest which include his loyal sycophants.  His narcissistic morality  which incorporates his power, prestige, and  possessions , puts him above all the slaves that have to submit to his  unimpeded actions  according to his own implacable or unrelenting rules.  Essentially, because of his authoritarian moral conscience, his behavior tendencies  become subservient to rationality, saneness ,and humanism.

As Trump lives in the world of mistrust , he has to have complete control and domination. Moreover, in his mind, his society is founded on desire and crime  according to his  rules. This ruthless system , this  rebellion , perpetuates non-democracy so that he can subjugate the majority.  In essence, he constructed a citadel of force and hatred and in the process destroyed freedom for everyone else. Even though; he evokes the pleasant  habit of crime, he cannot  thoroughly please  or become satisfied . He exhibits  more like a man's fury while being in shackles.  His enjoyment is temporary and short lived even with his possession and power over others Thus, his  abhorrent actions must  be repeated over and over again.  Moreover, he is governed by the law of power which tends to be unique but solitary within his emotional stoicism  that's derived from vice.  He is unable to live in the world of love and compassion and  is headed for an apocalyptic destruction of self .

In essence, In Trump's “inherited” mind . He logically criminalizes , becomes God and refuses to recognize any other law but his own.  With that being said, the poet Boudelaire wrote "Everything in this world exudes crime and It is man's law of nature.” Furthermore, Trump's moral philosophy consists  of domination and not submission with  powers of defiance, opposition and refusal.  This brings to mind the biblical story of Cain and Abel.  It's obvious that Trump, in his mind, is jealous and envious and  attempts to destroy Democracy and is blasphemous towards our Christian Republic of God.  In doing so, our Legal  Justice system symbolizes God , and does not permit Trump to be killed, but to continue his life in exile with the enduring pain of banishment ,loss of prestige without martyrdom. Or, according to Greek mythology, rebelled like Prometheus  and was  punished by Zeus with eternal torment. 

Reference

Camus, Albert.  The Rebel.

Jung, C.C. Psychology of the Unconscious.

PS

Marcus Aurelius "Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought."

Linda"s 90th

 

Last week, Linda, the birthday girl, celebrated her 90th. We voyaged to the Berkeley Hills for  celebration.  This essay is about the ,one and only, birthday girl.

After my morning run, we were ready to leave for  our Berkeley destination when Linda received a birthday call greeting from Tony and Debbie.  After her chat, we left home.  We got on Highway 80, but didn't look for Paul  this time because he was in Greece.  After a leisurely  2 + hour drive , we reached Berkeley. We climbed and climbed and finally reached our abode, which was very close  to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. We had a spectacular view of the San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate insight.

We unpacked and then headed for the golf links in Tilden Park.  We arrived and headed for the pro shop and talked with the young man at the desk.  He didn't recognize female golf legends from yesteryear.  I had him Google Patty Berg to enlighten him .  As a teenager, Linda was a member of a golf club in Kansas City.  She was a fabulous golfer and joined Babe Didrikson  Zaharias in exhibition. Babe was impressed with Linda's skill on the links.  She even talked about Linda joining her on tour.  That did not happen.  

Babe was a professional golfer and joined the LPGA at the beginning.  She had 48 professional wins ,10 major championships and was a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.  She  set world records, winning two gold medals and one silver medal  in track and field at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.  She competed in basketball and pool as well.  She even pitched a total of four innings in three major league spring training exhibition games.  She gave up one walk and no hits pitching for the Philadelphia Athletics against the Brooklyn Dodgers..

 At the golf shop, Linda grabbed the seven iron and headed to the practice tee where she felt comfortable and familiar.  She made some terrific shots straight down the fairway and talked about hitting golf balls again. 

 Linda is also a water person.  We headed for the Bay for dinner and wound up at Skates on the Bay which was situated in the bay with, once again, a marvelous view.  We ate dinner that included a trio of shrimp, scallops and salmon.  We informed the waiter  that we wanted to share that meal and it arrived with two separate plates equally divided.  The food was terrific as Linda made the right choice.  We both agreed it was one of the best meals we've had in quite some time.  The setting, food, view , service  and company were excellent. 

After dinner we headed for Dreyer’s ice cream parlor in Berkeley.  However, it was  nowhere to be found.  The next stop was Fenton's on Piedmont Avenue.  There, we shared a huge hot fudge sundae to end the evening.  On our way back, the Grizzly Peak Drive was spectacular as we witnessed the gigantic fog headed inland.  It was simply breathtaking.

Next day Linda wanted to visit the Oakland zoo.  We spent the morning and afternoon at this facility . It had  the Wild Australia ,Tropical Rainforest ,African Savanna and California Trail System  locations . At each station, there was a description of animal habitat and specifics regarding extinction, balloon and plastic hazards , lifespan and social structure.  Animals are often found in herds ,packs or groups.  Some like a lion ,sleep a lot and then hunt at night.  In fact, I did not see the lion.  It was sad to see the Tiger playing with a large ball.  The elephant was just standing in one spot throwing dirt on his body.  Yes, the animals live longer  in zoos. But, they are caged and  their nature is being interfered with as they are captives.

Later that evening we headed back to the Bay and had dinner at The Berkeley Boathouse.  That restaurant was located in the  Doubletree Hilton Hotel.  The mahi-mahi  meal was tasty but not as spectacular as the evening before.  We talked with our San Leandro waitress regarding ice cream places . Humphrey's on College Avenue was recommended .  We headed for Humphrey's and found that little hole in the wall and to our surprise, we were delighted by their wide array of  exotic flavors . We enjoyed another   delicious  Sundae .  Humphrey's is now on our  do  it again list.

The next morning we headed home and stopped at her favorite gourmet eating place near The Monster of Massage in Newcastle for a pastrami sandwich.  We arrived home and retrieved Teddy.  

All in all, visiting the Bay Area's special with another memory being Linda's 90th.  Further,  I had forgotten that we had given Linda's golf equipment to Dave.  We retrieved them after putting on  Dave’ s putting green . And  the following day  headed for the links at ALT .  It was wonderful to see my beautiful young looking wife enthusiastically engage again  in the sport that she  once excelled.  Look out Scheffler, McElroy and Tiger as it may not take long for Linda to regain her magic form.

A Derisory Person

 

The 10 Commandments , found in Exodus and Deuteronomy, were the first moral and ethical principles for mankind . The majority , in our country, have a tendency not to commit murder or kill , while others have a tendency to ignore moral and ethical principles . Recently,  a white person murdered three black individuals. Also , I  viewed Dan Buettner's documentary titled Live to 100.  The Secrets of Longevity.  This essay incorporates the above ideas .

Sigmund Freud,  who witnessed World War 1, had to include an instinct of  death to more fully explain man's craziness.  Craziness occurred In Jacksonville , when that  21-year-old male murdered Angela, A.J. and Jerrald .We  heard more about guns  and the fact that he purchased them legally than we did  about  the moral and ethical problems facing this republic . Why does a Christian nation remain silent on  amorality  ?   Have we  become numb to murder and suicide because were living in the age of craziness ?  Perhaps , we are a Christian republic in name only ?

This white person followed Nazi propaganda and had a swastika mark on his gun.  Did his irrational and absurd beliefs and rationalizations  justify murder of self and others as did Hitler ?  Nazisim represented a  hateful dictatorial fascist political party that was intolerant, racist against Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, and against  justice and the rule of law . 

 Did this white Nazi have a rational foundation for murder and suicide ?  If not, he was insane.  Why kill a black individual ?  Yes, in 1619 there were slaves brought to our shores ; yes, they have black pigmentation and a certain amount of melanin; yes, they are exceptional athletes; yes, we've had a black president and yes we  currently have a black female VP.  And the reason to kill a black is because ? If  there was no rational foundation for murder then he was insane. Moreover , those who accept the murder of others suggest that there is no higher value to guide behavior and that thou shall not kill is irrelevant.  If nothing is either true or false, good or bad,  just or unjust.  then we become slaves according to Camus in his book The Rebel . If  murder , in this case is justified , that means that  scruples , conscience  and guilt  are nonoperative and irrelevant   In other words, if murder and suicide are considered the same thing and accepted as such, then the justifications for murder and suicide  mean an indifference to life, which is the definition of nihilism .

This person had no grounds for murder and  his absurdist beliefs cannot defend the existence of acceptance and sacrifice  of the lives of others.  Others have a right  to live .  Was this resentful person rebelling ?      Scheler describes resentment as an evil secretion in a sealed vessel of prolonged impotence, passive, highly colored by envy of what one does not have, which turns into unscrupulous ambition or bitterness which is in wanting to be something other than what one is which means always a resentment against oneself. And, he was rebelling against the will , desire for survival, growth, life , humanism and  the respect  or value of self and for others. What irrational authority gave him permission for this violent crime  ? 

It was reported that he locked his bedroom door while living with his parents.  His identity was based on resentment, hatred and he alone was a lone wolf killer but had a shallow  attachment to “others” on social media, to those expressing malignant beliefs.  He was not developing skills , planning for a career , preparing for a  family,  teaching ,contributing, producing  or helping others . He had no future ,he was  a  narcissist with a necrophiliac attitude and character structure.

This individual with necrophilia  tendencies exhibited  indifference and a hating  of life and humanity with the tremendous capacity to destroy.  He was enamored by force, his power to kill those who lacked this power  as they were defenseless.  He was  in “control.”  Actually, he was fearful of life’s  uncertainty and  was willing to kill and die for some irrational and hateful idea of "justice."  Is he now a martyr ? An example of necrophiliac  was found in the biblical story.  It was a woman who wrongly claimed to be the mother of the child in the story of Solomon's judgment.  This woman would rather have a properly divided dead child than lose a living one . The true mother was willing to give up her child to live as opposed to having him cut in half.

 

Dan Buettner visited a number of countries interviewing many . In fact, one area was located in  Loma Linda, California.   Also, Michael Howard, PhD reviewed approximately two dozen centenarian studies across the world.  He came up with 16 healthy habits and lifestyle factors  that strongly predicted who would live  to 100 years old and  able to live independently.  A brief  review  of their research : 1.  All  centenarians were socially  and face to face connected, and  had reduced their  stress and distress with a purpose in life.  Some cooked healthy foods using appropriate vegan components; some tended their gardens; and some  were religiously connected. The Seventh-day Adventist's ,  from Loma Linda pursued health and  a healthy lifestyle.  2.  None of the centenarians devoted an enormous amount of time on social media.  Instead, they  interacted face to face  3.  They either lived independently , with a significant other or with family   4.  They had a positive humanistic attitude and  were concerned about others.  None exhibited malignant  narcissism and resentment , nor was the same found  in public or government forums   5.  All had a daily and resilient  work life with structure , repetition and meaning .  They all were focused on the present and future. None complained about being bored nor what to do today.  6.  All were physically active by either walking numerous steps in the city,  hills in the mountains; attending to wandering livestock; swimming, playing pickleball , volunteering,  or attending exercise class  7. They valued life and none had dementia, chronic depression , committed  suicide nor were drug  or alcohol dependent .

In summation, our republic appears to be headed in the direction toward an absence of religious ,ethical and moral principles ; excessive  negative physical and mental health  ; Intimacy with crime;  excessive criminal behavior with justice and the rule of law crumbling for some .  Murder has become repetitious and these acts of violence become numbing and more of the same .  Perhaps we need to spill more blood ?  We have excessive solitary loneliness, with plenty of noticeable tyrants on display .  With that being ,  it suggests the importance of how socioeconomic, political, and religious components affect biological and psychological health and longevity.  For instance, with the exception of one  Seventh-day Adventist community in Southern California, the majority of centenarians are found  elsewhere.  These communities are not represented by resentment, crime , murder, injustice, political divide, hate, destruction and discrimination.  However, they are represented by welcoming the aged; providing incentives for face-to-face interaction; self-motivation with  productivity; absence of  governmental and environmental distress; a positive future outlook.with congruent socioeconomic, political and environmental cooperation .  If we are going to have a rebellion, why not  against fascism, authoritarianism, racism, inequality , prejudice, discrimination, loneliness , murder, and suicide ?

PS

Jonathan Swift stated, "No wise man ever wished to be younger .”

Reference

Successful Aging in Men & Women . Institute for Natural Resources.