Macho Man

 

This disquisition pertains to two articles found in the  April 27, 2025 edition of The New York Times.  Maureen Dowd’s article titled Trump's Vicious Sewing Circle and Michelle Goldberg’s article titled MAGA Nationalism Is Doomed to Fail are related to the current macho  ineptitude and prejudice occurring in the White House.

To begin, common stereotypes of  macho male masculinity suggest that males are  portrayed as aggressive in face of attack with authority in legal matters, don’t apologize,are  smart ,strong independent and self-reliant in problematic situations ,are  sexually aggressive , in control of regressive urges and suppress  strong emotions, especially anxiety.  They're not passive, nurturing  or  submissive  . For example,  in my community during the 2016 presidential election.  a neighbor had a poster that had Trump's head on  Rambo’s body.

Maureen Dowd made the following points pertaining to the personification and image of masculinity.  She said Americans see in Trump’s  first hundred days , a chaotic, scary and a paternal reassurance with his cartoonish macho style-heroics and swaggering UFC and wrestling posse.  She went on  pointing out stereotypes regarding women who gossip- cat fight ,back bite and claw each other's eyes out.  She  added that it was entertaining to see the masculinity of this administration  actually reflecting and exhibiting female stereotypical behavior.

She referred to the shouting match  between Musk and Treasury Secretary Bessent  in the West Wing. Apparently the fight was about who should lead the Internal Revenue Service and then about the inefficiency of Musk and his team.  Bessent criticized Musk for overpromising and under delivering.  Musk responded by calling Bessent a Soros agent and accusing him of having a failed hedge fund.  Musk also posted on X that Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks.

Dowd stated that Pete Hegseth was a lightweight weekend warrior from Fox News. And he even ordered a spotty makeup studio next to the Pentagon's briefing room.  Dowd added that he and his top advisers do not have any experience to run that global organization and have no interest in learning.. She also pointed out that during the White House Easter egg roll , he accused reporters of publishing hoaxes and using disgruntled former employees to smear him.  She added that placing a man in charge of a budget of approximately 850 billion seems flighty and shaky with his ineptitude to deal effectively with classified messaging.  She ended with the fact that there's no adult in the Oval Office who can advise the highchair King not to do anything crazy with the military.

Another example of the personification of macho sexism according to Michelle Goldberg  is related to the declining birth rates.  Authoritarian and Fascist Hungry is trying to promote traditional families and raise its lagging birth rate. Fewer children are being born throughout Europe and according to Viktor Orban, immigration is not the answer.  In Hungary they have a seven-point family protection action plan created to encourage marriage and babymaking.  It includes government loans of about $35,000 to women under 40 when they are married, and would be forgiven if they had at least three children.  Families would receive help buying cars, houses and women who had at least four children would be exempt from personal income taxes for life.

VP  Vance said that the Administration is considering  persuading Americans to get married and have more children.  One proposal included baby bonuses for American mothers and a new  Affirmative Action Program that would set aside almost 1/3 of Fulbright scholarships for people who are married or have kids and that there'd be an executive order establishing a national  Medal of Motherhood for women with at least six children.  Goldberg pointed out that Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia   had similar incentives . Did you hear about Trump’s recent tweet about giving a newborn ‘s $1,000 ?.

America’s fertility rate reached a historic low of 1.6 per woman in 2023.  Currently the Nationalist movement is rife with misogyny, white supremacy and eugenics.  The declining fertility reality is likely due to a number of issues but not limited to  stagnant geriatric societies and not enough young working people to maintain or expand Social Security.

Nobel Prize winning Harvard economist Claudia Goldin published  a paper called "Babies and the Macroeconomy."  She compared low and lowest fertility rates in modern societies where women had more economic opportunity, but not much help from their husbands at home.  For example, in Japan., the average woman spends 3.1 more hours a day on domestic work than men compared to a Swedish woman who spends 0.8 more hours than men. 

 Goldin also found that men claimed they wanted to have more children than women  in these  countries, studies suggesting that women would have to shoulder most of the  rearing burden of childcare. If perhaps  fathers and husbands committed to providing more time at home, the differences in fertility desires between the genders might lessen . 

Many women, it appears , don't want to get stuck with all the domestic drudgery that comes with rearing children, and there's little evidence that state subsidies can make traditional social arrangements more appealing. For example, Hungry spends more than 5% of its GDP on its family policies, which is a greater percentage than America spends on defense. The fertility rate there rose a bit but now it has sunk to 1.38

According to a Pew poll last year ,57% of American young men surveyed said they wanted children someday compared to only 45% of young women. And, this  administration is led by an old-fashioned sexist who bragged that he had never changed a diaper. “ I'll supply the funds and  she shall take care of the kids, “ Trump boasted on the radio show .

Goldberg added that antifeminist influencers who form the White House brain trust tell their listeners that spending too much time with one's children is effeminate and the father should be like a superhero . And it's hard to be a  superhero if you're at home every day arguing with your wife about changing diapers, that's not what a man should do.

Macho Men don't eat quiche. They are king , with firearms, drink beer ,swear ,  attend wrestling events and truck rallies with aggression. With  strong muscles, the wrestlers brag, shout and beat up on each other.  They hit each other with chairs and throw each other out of the ring to the delight of many. They model disrespect, contempt , sadistic power and control

 Authoritarian macho men lead and control people,countries and demand loyalty and submission  or expect  harsh punishment. Submission is a virtue and disobedience a sin. They don't apologize, they are never wrong, and they rule with an iron fist.  They don't care  about many and despise the weak and poor.. 

Previously, women attended the University to find a husband.  Now, women attend the University to become economically independent.  Why become a marriage and divorce  statistic?  If you attend the University ,you might be one of 42 million people that hold student loans from the federal government totaling more than 1.6 trillion . Who has time for children while being in so much debt ?  And why commit to someone in debt? 

Also , authoritarian families have a supply of alcohol, guns and an emphasis on control and obedience .In these traditional families are found violence and adult and children victimization. These families have excessive amounts of  fear, terror, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, difficulty with trust, intimacy, sexual difficulties, anxiety, problems with memory, cognitive confusion, depression, anger, irritability, shame and embarrassment.  Individuals in these homes also have physical injuries and medical needs. Look at the authoritarian  “macho” controlling the White House . He models irrationality, fear , terror , economic threats ,coverups  and danger to mental and physical health ...

Briefly, from a historical  psychological perspective, this macho man's ideal type origins go back roughly over  3-4000 B.C.  It's a patriarchal authoritarian social structure with the father being the head as he owns and rules the family. He is the king of his castle .And, within this social dynamic structure, patriarchal love is conditional .Love must be earned with loyalty and submission to that father figure.  Also ,within the society, ruling principles are directed by the state,the  law ,a father figure or the abstract within this framework. The authority of  the  state is supreme and whoever defies  must die .Loyalty ,obedience are virtues and disobedience is a sin  and punishable . ICE is an example.

Our Judeo-christian religion was founded on a patriarchal God and he is depicted as a great authority that we should all obey.  And ,with Freud’s  super ego there is an internalization of paternal commands and prohibitions (authoritarian). For example, eventually the child learns that his father no longer has to tell him "don't do that "  to keep him from doing something that father forbids .That behavioral command  becomes him. Also ,the father’s commands are supreme and to receive his blessings and love,the child  must obey. In other words, commands,obeying  and prohibitions go back to a  paternal authority.  For example,we have that patriarchal authoritarian as president and that 37-year-old mother of three  and  the  VA male nurse "disobeyed" and therefore their  death was warranted and justified as they  did not obey .However , psychologically that was murder and an example of cold sadistic cruelty...

Reference

 American Psychological  Association.  Violence and the Family

Man and/or Machine

 

Roughly 10,000 years ago the Neolithic evolution occurred.  Man was no longer just being a hunter and gatherer. Then, Homo sapiens began to farm , create material goods , become herdsmen, using their brains, imagination and energy to create a more favorable environment for many . The  Industrial Evolution followed  in which machines then  replaced human energy and human thought, Cybernetics, increased production  and machines themselves assumed control of other machines within the production process.  The evolution proceeded and this technology along with AI and other devices is headed in the direction of machines taking control of humans.  Today,the young are faced with many psychological issues including but not limited to loneliness,  boredom,depression, hate , suicide and  low academic achievement .  This essay associates these issues and “causes” with technology.

To begin, the newborn is limited and unable to distinguish between  himself and the outside world.  Freud called this state primary narcissism. Primary narcissism is a condition in which the infant loves himself , with supreme egotism only because he is unaware of any difference between himself and other people or objects in his life space . It is  a state in which there is no relation to objects or people. 

Developmentally , the infant proceeds and becomes able to overcome his magical thinking( omnipotent wish and control) to develop  more of a realistic sense of reality between his own feelings and actions within  his many experiences .And, realizes the limitations, that he is not the master of the universe. That his crying,tantrums and other  noxious behaviors do not always result in gratification . Further, he develops insights and  learns  satisfying behaviors that  crystallize and eventually  he becomes able to meet his ego's need  for Affiliation.  And , with normal development , he is able to cooperate or reciprocate with an allied other, be able to please , win affection of another ,to adhere and remain loyal to a friend.  If successful, that  child proceeds and  develops  a state of secondary narcissism.

Proceeding to a  state of secondary narcissism has extreme implications. To illustrate, as a school-age boy after school ,weekends and during summer vacation, I left the comfort of  home and went to various neighbors to play . Sports were my passion and I had little difficulty taking part in these activities.  In fact,  my  neighbor Henry had a basketball rim  attached to his  parents garage.and whenever I saw he was out shooting baskets, I joined him and  met the  ego need of Play- which is  without purpose, like laughing, making jokes and participating in games,or sports. While playing sports, other ego needs were met, such as Achievement- achieving and mastering something difficult , to be independent, overcome obstacles, attain standards, to excel and deal with rivals,to increase self regard by successful exercise of talent was met and developed during those playful activities.  Also, the ego need of Counteraction was met by overcoming obstacles, difficulties and challenges in maintaining self-respect and pride . Further, the ego need of Deference was met by admiring and praising other exceptional athletes.  Even the ego need of Dominance was met being able to organize and persuade others to participate. The ego  need of Exhibition -making an impression, to be seen and heard,  to entertain, to entice others was also met.  And moreover , the  importance of having interpersonal relationships, friends, unions, children and family was the meeting of the ego need of Affiliation which was necessary for appropriate secondary narcissism and on the road to well-being.   In essence, many ego needs were met in the state of secondary narcissism .

On the other hand, take a hypothetical male today.  This fictitious or  imaginary person has all the latest electronic gadgets and is more  likely to spend time after school ,weekends and summers in a room or basement alone  rather than spending time with others . And,is unable to  develop or experience emotional intimacy. He’s passive and leads a boring life.Yet,his iPhone will be  close as it’s his” security “ blanket, so to speak.  He doesn't leave home without it and takes it to bed with close proximity.  It's his attachment in which he is dependent upon overall even though it doesn't provide  nourishment,warmth , being kissed, or being physically held. Electronic devices  are good for some but not good for him. His luxury items  are evil and make him  more impersonal and vulnerable to manipulation.

The iPhone and video games , for example ,  provide constant and instant reinforcement and  gratification. They do not provide or give the opportunity for the ego to develop the necessary frustration tolerance or appropriate delay of gratification or tolerance . It’s  what I want, I’m entitled . It’s  part of a narcissistic character structure. It's a paradise of  superflicity. And, with addiction, results in  making one passive and lazy .The  device , the  Interaction, is passive in the sense that it does not result in productivity, art , creativity or  the ego need of sex . The repetitive  stimulus response becomes addictive, resulting in more and more of a connection to this inhuman inorganic thing.  Yes, one can achieve and become proficient in playing this game .. However,this inorganic device  doesn't  adequately meet the ego's need for affiliation.

This fictitious individual likely becomes irrationally attached to some social media group.  And, because this loner individual has a  faulty , incomplete ,emotionally toxic relationship with father, it’s  more likely for him to  act out in a rebellious,oppositional,  or antisocial manner. Anti social behaviors like,hate and prejudice are unifications with these  illusive associations . In other words, it's not surprising that this fictitious  character  has  not developed. secondary narcissism-appropriate interpersonal and concrete relationships.thus not meeting what’s necessary for mental health - the ego need of affiliation

As far as education, learning and school is concerned, these electronic devices are terrific for stimulus response learning. “ However, when the material is impersonal and without meaning, that short term  memory is quickly forgotten..For learning to be effective, it takes a form of significant meaning and then that individual can gather information, synthesize, interpret, relate and associate that material for long-term learning  to take place.  For example, there's plenty of online "classes."  Simply put, being on one's computer, iPhone, one can answer questions with having the open book  answers easily at hand.  Its stimulus response  behavior  to  those answers to those questions which  are then quickly forgotten.  The goal is not learning but simply to pass a course of requirements or answers to a test.  In other words, reason, intellectual curiosity, and insightful  inquiries are  not  developed or required.  Short-term reciting of “facts”is quickly forgotten and is not learned . And now,  students are able to  present and submit written material or plagiarism  based on some algorithm.

From a Gestalt -field theory point of view ,learning involves an ongoing, purposive person, interacting with his own perception within his psychological environment or life space.  Need , a hypothetical tension system ,valence ,satiation ,levels of aspiration are  concepts associated with productive learning.  For example, if I wanted to learn about something important to me, a hypothetical  state of tension is created and that learning becomes the goal.  The only way to reduce the  tension is to accomplish that learning goal .  Of course there are barriers in the way and the activity has to have a positive  valence. Or, if the activity becomes  too repetitive, a negative valence  occurs with satiation  and learning stops.. Reading and/or interacting  or listening to someone intelligent,for me ,is an activity with  a positive valence.  However, if or when the material becomes repetitive ,satiation sets in with a negative  valence.   

Surveys have expressed parental displeasure when they purchased various devices for their children. The parents recognize a problem but  seem inept in dealing with their children  Lately some school districts are now  limiting iPhone usage at school. Not to dismiss the pressures for consensus, belonging  and having what all the children have, brings back memories of my dear friend Jonathan and his three boys.  While they were young, Jonathan and his wife, Tara, did their best to reduce the time the boys spent with their electronic devices despite opposition.  I remember Jonathan remarking  about that constant struggle with  the boy's peer group .

Humans can be characterized as either having positive interactions with another; moving aggressively against another and/or withdrawing from others.  Man is born a complex biological organism within a social life space .  The normal process of development of  secondary narcissism produces self-involvement with objects, people, groups, social organizations in the physical and social environment. 

 Residing with significant and various degrees of social isolation results in developing a negative self-concept and a plethora of psychological issues. With this being so, these individuals have difficulty distinguishing right from wrong;have an impaired aesthetic sense ,language impairments ,and are incapable of intelligent abstract thinking while their mental health suffers.  Therefore, only living with a positive  ratio in the “human’-electronic world  results in having a biological organism with a unique type and  emerging  as a  potentially humanistic or “healthy” psychological person.

In summation, from the beginning and proceeding to the end of life,  humans continuously interact and develop through a series of different experiences in behaving, thinking and feeling.  Harry Harlow's research  demonstrated the necessary warmth of a caretaker with his rhesus monkeys during  feeding that resulted in positive emotional experiences . Without that necessary. contact,those monkeys became "neurotic" . The  importances  of being human, of being reared and interacting with another human is emotionally ,intellectually and morally different than primarily with some robotic device.  A few quotes follow.  First, by Epicurus ," While the means which wisdom requires to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is friendship." Einstein "Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school."And,"Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think."   Confucius "The man of virtue is not left to stand alone.  He who practices it will have neighbors."  Marx "Luxury is no less an evil than poverty.”And Stanley Milgram.  "It may be that we are puppets-that's controlled by the strings of  society.  But at least we are puppets with perception with awareness.  And perhaps our awareness is the first step toward liberation." 

PS

Full-page advertisement from Okta ((the world's identity  company) found in the January 4, 2026, The New York Times: “AI agents on the rise? Put chaos on the decline.”

Reference

Bigge, Morris L.  Learning Theories For Teachers.

Murray, Henry A. Explorations in Personality.

Our Republic

 

An article titled "My Love for America Is Unconditional,"  written by David Brooks ,was published in the November 30, 2025 edition of The New York Times. A few definitions follow before my response.  America is defined as a continent of North America, South America, and lands of the Western Hemisphere.  Patriotism is defined as devotion and vigorous support of one's country. Love is defined as an intense feeling of deep affection and can be used as a noun or verb . It's a feeling of deep affection for someone to be in love with, to be infatuated with that arises out of oneself, or personal ties.  And proud, defined as feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities or possessions, or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.

In this article, Brooks wrote that in 2001, 90% of Republicans and 87% of Democrats said they were extremely or very proud to be American.  And today, 92% of Republicans say they are proud to be American, while 36% of Democrats do  according to a recent Gallup survey.  He also pointed out that Gen Z.  Democrats say they feel little or no pride in being American compared  to feeling very proud. For those respondents, proud refers to self, another , both  or something else ?

Brooks goes on to say that his patriotism is more like that of a Republican in that it is unconditional and is based on what America has always been.  He added that his patriotism is rooted in the nation's ability to arouse ambition and energy and goes on to quote, an example  given by a Frenchman involved in the French - Indian war in the 18th century . And he follows with this energy is related to a force that  also produces crassness materialism and from time to time immaturity.  He mentioned Abraham Lincoln  and then states  the "gaudy display of a Donald Trump and the occasional recklessness of an Elon Musk.

 Further, he quoted Walt Whitman  "Americans have an almost maniacal appetite for wealth."  And that Whitman never stopped celebrating the nobility of regular working people.  Additionally, he quotes FDR “happiness lies not in the mere possessions of money, it lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of created effort. “ And finished with  a statement about Ronald Regan’s optimism, patriotism and hope.

First, there is a difference between love, patriotism and being proud.  Love , as a verb, pertains to not only an emotion or feelings, but behavior associated with that object as it is highly inter-personal .Emotions  constantly change , related behavior and thinking also changes.  With this being so,  feelings , thinking, actions and interactions also change in a ratio of positive or negative direction depending upon a multitude of variables  associated with another over time . Also, depending on the degree and severity of another’s  inappropriate , toxic,or  sadistic  character orientation  that’s expressed in words and behavior,  I am unable to love that other who consistently and pathologically lies cheats with threatening and abusive behavior. I do not love thy enemy.

I  am an American and marvel at the perseverance,  outstanding accomplishments, contributions , and the humanism of so many Americans.  Although Benjamin Franklin wasn't mentioned, I recognize his brilliance and moral change when he became an abolitionist.  Abraham Lincoln, was  the most instrumental humanist president of all time, and second to none.  Walt Whitman was a brilliant poet and I applaud FDR's efforts in combating Nazi-ism, but not his political position regarding placing limits on European Jewish refugees.  He was morally wrong in that regard.

I agree with Brooks regarding the people of our republic's ambition and energy but find it limiting.,too narrow and not the full story  of our republic .  Our republic's history is very complex and contradictory and I cannot dismiss Brooks  referring to Trump as only being gaudy. Trump, the convicted felon and pathological liar, betrayed the idea and  peaceful implementation of democracy and the constitution with his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election results and his constant whining and fraudulent claim about the  election. He was and is a pathological  liar.

 Our elections and peaceful  transfer of power, according to the founding fathers, was supposed to be  unique .  What might Lincoln ,Whitman, FDR and Ronald Reagan ( Iran-Conta Affair) say about Trump’s role in the January 6 riot at the capital?  If Brooks' love for Trump is unconditional , that's based on his denial, rationalization, and intellectualization at best.Intellectually, Brooks is no fool?  Keep your head above ground and acknowledge reality .

Our Republic’s policies , not America, to be more precise, have been extraordinary at times; and at other times, inhumane ,discriminatory, sadistic and inappropriate.  Just recently, there was a murder by Ice in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  A 37-year-old mother  of 3 children was shot and killed by a murderer working for the president.  Brooks, how would you describe that action and Trump’s response ?  What about your unconditional love for the Ice, the president and all the sycophants with their lying propaganda ,deceit and fictional stories?  How can you be proud of all the lies, corruption, moral failings, criminal behavior and constitutional disregard by this fascist GOP government in America at this time ?  

Moreover, Benjamin Franklin, in the 1700’s stated four important behavioral ideals t 1.  Be extremely frugal.  2.  Endeavor to speak the truth.  3.  Apply myself industriously.  4 Speak ill of no man.  Brooks, how does  Trump and his followers compare and measure up with Franklin’s ideals ?  Furthermore, Paul Ekman developed a list of 6 primary emotions that include: 1 anger .2 disgust .3 happiness.  4  sadness, 5 fear and 6  surprise.  Pertaining to Trump and his behavior, policies, and statements, I've experienced every emotion except happiness.  And, I take exception to your vague and misuse of the word love.Love is an active  emotional based interactive act resulting in a response.  Your wide range or gross meaning  of the word love has lost the clarity and  essence. 

Reference

Ekman, Paul.  Emotion in the Human Face. 

Discrimination

 First, there is a difference between love, patriotism and being proud.  Love , as a verb, pertains to not only the emotion of feelings, but behavior associated with that object as its highly inter-personal and because feelings change behavior also changes.  With this being so, actions and interactions also change depending upon any number of variables and as far as interpersonal love goes.  I cannot love someone unconditionally.  If they consistently lie, cheat with threatening behavior.

Identify with being an American and acknowledge the perseverance accomplishments in the humanism of many Americans.  Although Benjamin Franklin wasn't mentioned.  I recognize his brilliance and moral change when he became abolitionist.  Abraham Lincoln was perhaps the most instrumental in humanist president of all time, and second to none.  Walt Whitman was a tremendous poet and I applaud FDR's efforts in combating Nazi-ism, but not his position regarding placing limits on European Jewish refugees.  He was wrong in that regard.

I agree with Brooks regarding our republics ambition and energy but find it limiting.  Our republics history is very complex and contradictory and I cannot dismiss Rex's referring to Trump as being gaudy.  Trump, the convicted felon and pathological liar betrayed the idea of democracy with his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election results and his constant whining about a fraudulent election.  Our elections in transfer of power, according to the founding fathers, were supposed to be peaceful.  What might Lincoln Whitman, FDR and Ronald Reagan say about the January 6 riot at the capital?  If Brooks is love for Trump is unconditional,, that's based on his denial, rationalization, and intellectualization at best.

Our Republic, not America, to be more precise, has been extraordinary at times; and in other times, inhumane discriminatory sadistic and inappropriate.  Just recently, there was a murder by Ice in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  A 37-year-old mother was shot and killed by some one working for the president.  Brooks, how would you describe that action?  What About your unconditional love about Ice president and all the sycophants in their lying, deceitful stories..  How can you be proud about all the lies and deceit and criminal behavior by this fascist GOP government?  

Mendacity or Fact

 

 A pertinent article was found in the November 30, 2025 edition of The New York Times.  That article was based on a book written by Joseph J.  Ellis, a Pulitzer winning historian, in his book " The Great Contradiction: The Tragic Side of the American Founding."  This essay points to Washington and Jefferson’s moral character of prejudice and discrimination.

To begin, the importance of this quote can not be understated.. It’s a letter written to George Washington in 1785 from Robert Pleasantis, a fellow tobacco planter. Significantly, Pleasantis, a Quaker, freed his enslaved workers as soon as the  Virginia law allowed him to do so.  "Remember the cause for which thou wert called to the Command of the American army, was the cause of liberty and the Rights of Mankind." “ This Quaker reminded Washington of the irony  that many who had recently fought for freedom were now sitting in this state of ease, this dissipation and extravagance on the labour of Slaves."

In his book, Ellis acknowledged both the institution of slavery and the disposal of Native Americans.  Were these events  a flaw in the character of those in power or were the egalitarian principles founder's achievements, the obstacles they faced in achieving more and the progress the  nation has made more morally and significantly more important and relevant ?What about the morality of those in power?

Ellis acknowledged two unquestionably horrific tragedies the  founders oversaw . The American revolution disrupted slavery's as thousands of enslaved people fled to fight for the British and in Charleston . And, South Carolina patriots refused to arm enslaved men in exchange for their freedom, forcing the city  to surrender to the British in 1780. In essence, these  white ,in power, deprived others of liberty which  mattered more than securing their own. These fools dismissed morality and pursued  power, domination and economics .These greedy  were stupid.

Washington, who had owned people since he was 11 years old, later warned that by imposing new taxes, the British were seeking to make the colonists "as tame, and abject slaves,as the Blacks we rule over with such arbitrary Sway."  And,after the war, Washington was angry when British ships carried off enslaved servants who had fled Mount Vernon.  However,in  1790 Madison called slavery "a moral and political evil,"  but deemed it "improper to push for  abolition “ at that time. Ambivalence and contradictory .

Ellis  believed revolutionary leaders were well-meaning prisoners of circumstance and that they could not have abolished slavery even if they wanted to and that pushing for it would have divided the fragile union.  And, that slavery's rapid expansion stalled any resolution, turning at least some of the founders' hopes that slavery would eventually disappear  after  decades of paralysis broken only by the Civil War. So what ,we continue to have a fragile union. 

Additionally, in a  chapter about the forced expulsion of native peoples from their homelands,  Ellis downplayed Washington's lifelong involvement in the project of settler expansion. Also,  the total destruction and devastation of Iroquois's villages in 1779 goes unmentioned.  He presented Washington as powerless to obstruct the relentless tide of white settlers venturing westward and he also ignored the  American soldiers who waged war  against nations aligned in Northwestern Indian Confederacy across Ohio and Indiana.Yes, the “Father “ of our Republic was a racist who discriminated against his fellow man.

Would  the abolition of slavery have impeded the American revolution?  If so, an argument can be made about the importance of character and economics of our revolutionary heroes.  This means that the orientation of owning another fulfills the ego needs of aggression( to oppose and punish another), counteraction (to maintain self respect and pride on a high level) , dominance (to  direct the behavior of others by command) and  rejection( to exclude,expel  or remain indifferent to an inferior object).  And for Jefferson and others.  affiliation(to please and win affection  of a cathected object),, succorance (to have one’s needs gratified by the sympathetic aid of an allied object) and sex(to have sexual intercourse). And ,economically for profit and for the neurotic tendencies for power ,possession and prestige.

If we had lived in the 18th century, would we have done it any differently?  People with a character orientation like Trump would have pursued similar behavior based on the ego needs previously mentioned. In other words, ego needs, character orientation, within the influences of culture and society result in similar behaviors.per history..  

It's not about what we say or write as we, in various degrees ,lie, omit, rationalize,deny, distort,and  overlook in order to persuade, influence,escape responsibility, reality and to dominate.  It's about  our behavior ,actions -what we do .That’s our story and the rest is simply fiction and illusion.  For example,take  the terrific studio recording by the Beatles  "All you need is love.”.  The words and melody are  wonderful ,pleasing ,soothing, familiar and entertaining  but are  wish fulfillments- a fantasy . The " father" of our country.  Washington was acknowledged for his military brilliance but  was  also greedy, morally suspect, prejudiced and discriminatory . And, the brilliant intellectual Jefferson was greedy, prejudiced, discriminatory, ambivalent and morally inept but met his affiliative and sexual ego needs  with Sally Hemings ,his enslaved object . Essentially, our Republic’s ground floor was oriented and aligned with  prejudice and discrimination which continues today. The  discrimination  and  prejudice of the many  others  were demonstrated clearly every day , every year by their laws, politics,socioeconomics and ,religious acts .Therefore, their  unjust ,prejudicial and discriminatory actions on grounds of ethnicity  were embedded in their orientation of character and personality within the history, culture and society of Homo Sapiens  Freud  and others  have clearly described man and his contradictions , authoritarian conscience ,narcissism, irrationality and sado masochistic actions .The history of  this Republic  is repetitive and based on  the “kaleidoscope" of ego needs , character  orientation within  culture and  a capitalistic society. Discrimination with acts  of dominance, exploiting others for sex ,power , possession, and prestige suggest a  narcissistic quality for  personal gain, survival and define a group of  privileged Americans . .

Reference

Murray, Henry A. Explorations in Personalty

Food For Life

 

The content of this essay  began years ago. For instance, one fall day in  1957, I suggested to my parents that I wanted steak for breakfast, thinking that it would improve my on the field football performance.  Needless to say, my request was not honored.  Back in the day I believed that protein would benefit my strength and endurance. Not being alone is a quote by Bill Pearl, a four-time Mr. Universe, a former Mr. America and Mr. California who  was voted the world's best built man in 1974.  "In the mid-70s.  I often ate lunch at Perry Boys, an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Pasadena.  Bob, a hard-core bodybuilder who worked out in my gym, used to eat there. Bob believed that ingesting huge quantities of protein was necessary for muscle strength and bulk . In one session he would eat 15 minute steaks, 3 to 4 helping platters of chicken, mounds of cottage cheese and a quart of ice cream."........  Also ,"a good friend of mine has been known to eat   32 eggs a day."  Some things don't change as I still run and work out with machines and free weights.  As a result, I'm still interested in food ,nutrition for strength,endurance, and health.Incidentally, Bill became a vegan.

Nutritional balance is the foundation of a healthy diet as these chemical substances supply the body with heat and energy; provide material for growth : repair  body tissues and help regulate body processes.  In concert, the body burns three fuels for energy- proteins, carbohydrates and fats.  Protein is essential for growth and maintenance of all body tissue.  It is a major source of building material for muscle, blood, skin, hair, nails  and internal organs including the heart and brain.  Protein is also needed for the formation of hormones, including testosterone enzymes; substances necessary for basic life functions and for anti-bodies, which help resist foreign substances in the body.

Additionally ,the body needs approximately 22 amino acids to manufacture new protein.  13 of these can be manufactured in the body f\rom almost any source of nitrogen.  The nine that cannot be produced in the body are called essential amino acids.  These come directly from what we eat.  

Complete proteins contain all the essential amino acids . Proteins contained in foods that lack or low in essential amino acids are called incomplete proteins.  Meat and dairy products are complete protein foods . Starches(except soybeans), are vegetables and fruits which are incomplete protein foods.

Not enough proteins may cause poor muscle tone, low energy levels, poor resistance to infection, slow recovery from wounds , weakening of  nails, hair and skin .Protein deficiency also makes it difficult to bounce back from a hard workout.  What counts is not the amount of protein you take, but the type of protein that counts.  When you eat too much protein, excess nitrogen is passed out as (urea) in  urine ( nitrogen) it  is the element that distinguishes protein from carbohydrates and fats.  The rest is broken down for  energy or stored as fat.  The main danger is kidney overload.  So it's important to drink plenty of water to help flush the kidneys.

There is an enormous amount of substantive information and research pertaining to nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.  Also, there are numerous diets that include Pritikin, Dr. Atkins, Mediterranean, Dash Diet , Weight Watchers and others. In addition, there are recommended foods, foods to avoid, low fat versus low carb, caloric restriction ,fasting, intermittent fasting  etc.With that being said, it's no wonder that many of us have difficulty with what and what not to eat. A few questions include : Is  red meat really a killer?  Are dietary supplements and vitamins necessary?  What about energy drinks?  And, what about dark chocolate, coffee and tea? Most and many of these issues are beyond the scope of this essay.

 In 1997 I was introduced to the sport of Ride and Tie.  Once again my interest and desire was awakened to increase strength and endurance.  Also, I  received the reference Stopping The Clock and took  numerous continuing education classes that focused on  Diet ,Longevity  and Cardiovascular Health; Inflammation and Nutrition;and  Evidence-based Nutritional Strategies for the Aging Brain . As a result, I have incorporated an eclectic approach for my health, and endurance from many  of these sources. Also, I  added and subtracted numerous substances over the years and will likely continue that practice. and continue to run and engage in free weights and machines  Further, in order to present the energy source,  I'm presenting my dietary approach today.  I am not recommending my approach.  Anyone interested in diet and so forth should consult their physician first.  

In no particular order, the following is an example of my ingestion of food and dietary supplements  in the morning : 1.  Blueberries , strawberries  and ginger  2. Whole grains  3. Apple, banana and tangerine 3.  Green tea 4. Red and green pepper 5.  MCT Oil 6. Carrots 7. Tomato 8. Broccoli 9.Yogurt 

10. Cinnamon 11.Whey protein 12. Collagen protein .13.Beets 14. Soy beans 15. Raisins .Additionally, vitamin supplements include :  A ;B12;CoQ 10; Calcium ;D3 ; Fish Oil ; Magnesium ;Turmeric and. Zinc

Additionally, there are side effects of eating healthy foods, especially fruits,vitamins and vegetables.  Essentially, which you eat relates to the aspects of your microbiome (bacteria,fungi, viruses ) in your gut This ,in effect, relates to your immune system, skeletal systems,  carbohydrate digestion , the manufacture of certain vitamins and so forth.  If you have an unhealthy gut (dysbiosis ) it puts you at risk of chronic diseases and neurological disorders.  We know that there is a communication system between the brain and the digestive track . And, these messages run along(vagus) nerves which extends from the gut to the brain.  In other words a healthy gut leads to a healthy brain.

Back in 1997 , I switched from eating granola for breakfast to making smoothies.  So , I began my day on a positive note. and I ate healthy for the rest of the day as a rule.  That does not mean that I am rigid as I enjoy fat and sugar.  So, when Linda and I go out for  lunch or dinner, we share pastrami and we split our sandwich in half.  When we attend Michigan football with the alumni, we share French fried potatoes.  And, when we come back on Interstate 5.,we  stop at Ghiradelli’ and share a hot fudge sundae with pleasure ..

My pursuing extreme sports is associated with healthy and productive food choice.  The two factors exercise and nutrition are associated with health span and  I am fortunate to have a supportive partner for the past 25 years.  A few quotes pertinent follow  1…. The cornerstone to your health is diet.   Dr. Willam  Castelli  2.Mark Twain, "when I was younger I can remember anything whether it had happened or not, but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so.  I cannot remember any but the things that never happened."  3.  "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."  Hippocrates. And, whether or not food is a source of survival, nutrition, comfort, symbol of love, recreational pastime ,connection to family and community, and occasionally the ground for potent emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, and depression ,the making of good choices is a difficult decision .

PS

For additional energy, dad provided me with honey during my football workouts.  And, on competitive trail runs.  I would drink Coke at the last  aid station .

Reference

Keep Your Gut Microbime Healthy to Support Brain Health.  Brain and Life. 

Cognition, Diet and Longevity.  Institute for Natural Resources 

Klatz, Ronald and Goldman, Robert.  Stopping The Clock.

Lara, Michael .  The Pharmacy in Your Kitchen: An Overview of Medical and Medicinal Foods’

Pearl, Bill.  Getting Stronger.

An Evil "Mother"

 

Sigmund Freud’s brilliance  provided us with inordinate amounts of insight into the motivation of man.  One  significant concept was the negative implications of the occurrence of an incestuous fixation or attachment to mother or a  mothering person. Psychologically, this begins pre Oedipal and was represented by an extraordinary amount of psychic  energy.  This fixation, according to Freud,not only affected man's capacity to relate to women.but  with this attachment, expressed itself  with an inordinate amount of dependence that interfered with his inability for independent and autonomous thought and behavior . The focus of his essay is  a negative attachment to “mother.”

As a result of genetics, the newborn is totally dependent for his survival on the mother or some other mothering person.  Without mothering, the infant parishes. That helpless infant craves care, nourishment ,warmth, certainty,

protection and satisfaction of its needs unconditionally.  During development, without having to be responsible, it pursues a longing for unconditional love, without any expectation of a loving response on his end.  This dynamic is not unique to adults.  Adults, although in many ways not as helpless , do become so much more aware of the dangers and risks during life's journey-  social forces beyond control ,accidents, unforeseen sickness and death.

During the numerous hazards and obstacles common during life, man's motivation becomes a longing for power or control which provides certainty, protection and love on a different level.  So, it's not surprising that man is driven relentlessly to pursue that previous  “ paradise."

Can  a "mother" be found in order to relieve the risk and the tragedies that occur during life ? What is more desirable and comforting  than to  receive unconditional love, protection and security ?  Initially, it's the personification of the mother.  However, that original mother ,as a person ,is often replaced or assisted by the family ,clan, those that share the same blood and/or have been born on the same soil.  Further, the size of the group increases to race, nation, religion or political powers that have now replaced and become the guarantors of protection and love.  In other words, there can be representations or representatives of the "mother."  So, the transfer of the motherly connection from the real mother  then proceeds psychologically  to the family, clan, nation, race, and so forth.

Factually, everybody's mother is likely to die before her children and therefore the need and requirement  for a mother figure becomes immortal.  Also, the attachment to one personal mother leaves one alone and isolated from others who have different mothers.  However, if the whole clan, nation, race, religion or God can become the common mother , then everybody is on the same page in the praise of the mother , and without rivalries or jealousy . Therefore, the “great “mother can become the cult of nationalism and patriotism.  Further, there is a close correlation between persons with a strong or incestuous fixation to their mothers and those with exceptionally strong ties to a nation, race, soil, and blood.

Additionally, and significantly certain learnings in various degrees affect and influence one's  orientation and personality . For instance, security, being saved, rescued , assisted, dependent, loyalty, obedient ,persuasiveness ,being a victim ,helped with the reduction of anxiety and being entitled become psychological and  behavioral tendencies.  These factors also fall within the province  and fear of losing love, affiliation and affection  Further, because and with  the degree of attachment, the loss of objectivity, reason, morality, truth also occur .In  essence,the  psychic energy for a powerful and emotional need for a powerful “mother “figure can’t be minimized . 

With that being said, turning to politics,  Donald was victorious over  two perceived “weak “ mothers” for the presidency.  Perhaps ,there are additional reasons why Donald captured the presidency.  However, his rhetoric ,persona and behavior was associated with being that  powerful "mother figure." Donald boasted and promised,promised, and  promised .

"From the day I take the oath of office,  we will rapidly drive prices down and make America affordable again" during the summer of 2024.  Did he mean groceries, electricity bills, buying a new car,  housing, inflation, good paying jobs or low  interest rates?  Reality did not matter for the gullible as he  easily misled his voters.  This "mother figure" was believable  and  to be feared.  Tariffs were also going to bring back manufacturing so he said. 

Donald claimed America was under attack from within, and immigrants were poisoning the nation's blood.  He also said we have to fight like hell to get our nation back, suggesting potential civil war and he would restore greatness by making America great again,  In other words, the threats from within came from the Democrats in Washington, fake news attorneys, universities, human rights groups, Blacks and other people of color especially those  across the border.

Trump  spread fear which resulted in a cohesion because  survival depended on following the leader while  eradicating the enemy.  In other words, patriotism becomes persecution, especially the invaders on the left  and of course,he promised and posted to save the Christian soul. It was an existential crisis !

After all,the border was porous with rapists, drugs and murderers coming to harm our citizens.  In fact, he attacked and dictated he would ban  people of color, attempting to migrate to the United States.  These people were vermin ,contributed nothing positive and would  infect and destroy our Republic.  He alone was the only one that could stop the flow and rid the country by deporting these undesirables irrespectively .

Donald asserted he  would also expose the Democratic pedophiles in the release of the Epstein files. Also, comedians, judges and others not loyal to him were the enemy.  Once again, only he alone would and could  protect and save the people.from these non loyal  despicables .

Trump also criticized and posted about  the economic  and health care policy of the evil Biden.  He would reduce the cost of living with the beautiful tariffs.  He would reduce and eliminate fraud, big government,  government handouts and had a health care plan..  He alone would fix the drug problem and make things better .At his rallies, he  also told the crowd that he loved them.

Ukraine, Russia , Israel and  Hamas wars would be eliminated the day he took office.  In other words, people of color, the economy and wars were weakening this Republic.  He would make America great again by being  able to provide economic security, protection and safety from these external threats. And, if opposed ,he would unconditionally retaliate, avenge and punish .

In summation, there's a mutual relationship occurring psychologically and politically.  On one hand, we had that charismatic "mother" politician whose rhetoric and actions perpetuated fear and anxiety  thus furthering  uncertainty, doom and gloom, feeling unsafe, being  vulnerable ,and  without safety, comfort and status .  As a result, many voters consciously and unconsciously expressed tendencies and an orientation for economic relief,and other insecurities  thereby  reinforcing the psychology of human nature .  The "mother" phoenix rose and promised to be the only one  that could  be the rescuer- ,just like the Pied  Piper .  It did not  matter that the “mother” had  no  credible  plan. The voters wanting and seeking to be rescued now became the victims.  This bad "mother "  not only lies, and “rescues” but also punishes his victims with sadistic cruelty.