TDS

[Philo Sofee]

It seems that it requires a somewhat deranged mindset to post - as a fluffy, out-of shape sexual abusing convicted felon - an A.I.-generated pic of oneself decked out with rippling muscles and holding his big red stick. Bonus derangement points for not remembering that red lightsabers were the trademark weapon of the Sith, if I remember correctly.



Yes, this is how Trump and his followers envision themselves.

Between the image itself, the text that accompanied it, and the fact that the leader of a modern country posted it on his official social media account, there’s definitely some derangement happening here.
: D

You know what would be really deranged? Posting an A.I. image of him as the Pope! Now *that* would be something, eh? Wait -- my PM folder is exploding.

The Pope hat needs to be on this farce of a picture however. THAT is how Trump envisions himself in his totally ignorant narcissism.

[Hound of Heaven]

Hey HOH!

I've been on a wild 10 day internet treasure hunt looking for a cure for Trump derangement syndrome! I've chatted with a whole bunch of folks, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and just some good old common sense people. It's been quite the adventure! And sadly, I've reached the conclusion that there's no remedy for Trump derangement syndrome.

If a remedy for TDS exists (and TDS is as real as real gets), I haven't seen it. Worse, is that once individuals have their minds taken captive by TDS, the TDS begins to eat away at any remaining reason, balance, and/or healthy skepticism that may have been present prior to becoming infected by such a debilitating and reason-robbing mental condition. Honestly, I have never seen anything quite like it.

What is the cure? I have no idea. If I had to guess, I would guess that such a cure (if there actually is one) might be found within the individual that is suffering from TDS on a case-by-case basis. Other than that, I can't imagine anyone breaking free from TDS.

It seems like the progressives who are a bit too obsessed with Trump, like Kishkumen, Canpakes, Bishop Schmo, and Molok, are secretly aware that, at this very moment, Trump is the one pulling the strings in the progressive narrative. It's like watching a puppet show where the puppets are convinced they're the stars!

If you think I'm kidding, just take a moment to ponder this. What’s the deal with Trump showing off a picture of himself in a Pope costume? Is he trying to start a new trend in holy fashion or just looking for a divine selfie? It's not that he has aspirations to be Pope; it's just that he knows the progressive crowd will get so riled up that they'll look even crazier discussing his image than he does for actually posting it!

I haven't run into a progressive who gets this super straightforward idea yet. It's like searching for a unicorn in a haystack! Allow me to break it down for all the progressives out there, so you can soak up the brilliance I'm about to share, and let's use the Pope as our shining example, shall we? The thought process behind Trump sharing a picture of himself in a Pope costume is pure brilliance, especially when you grasp the reasoning behind it. First and foremost, folks like you and me, Ceeboo, when we spot that image of Trump in a Pope outfit, sure, it might rub us the wrong way a bit, but let's be real, we probably had a good giggle too because it's downright hilarious, and thankfully, we’re not caught up in TDS, which means we can still appreciate a good laugh. But the mastermind move by Trump in sharing that image of himself dressed as the Pope is that he totally knows the progressives will grab it and try to paint him as a loony, or they'll twist it to claim he thinks he's the ruler of the universe or something equally wild.

The dilemma for the progressives is that this is precisely the reaction Trump is hoping for! He’s just sitting back, popcorn in hand, waiting for them to declare him the next Pope, King, Hitler, or even the world’s savior. And the reason Trump wants them to paint him as a dictator or king or even Hitler is that the progressives do it with all the charm of a wet sock, lacking any humor, humanity, or positivity. They strut around like the sky is falling, convinced that if everyone doesn't catch on fast, they’re the only ones who truly get what’s happening in our country. Trump is turning the progressives into the ultimate party poopers, making them seem so serious and gloomy that folks are starting to avoid them like a bad smell! He's transformed progressivism into a quirky little cult that believes the apocalypse is just a hop, skip, and a jump away if their cult-like beliefs aren't embraced by all.

Trump has hilariously transformed the progressive movement into the person nobody wants to be around at a party because they act like they just walked off a serious documentary set! He's pulling a fast one on the progressives, and they're so furious they can't even see the trickery happening right under their noses!

If no one believes me, just dive into the threads kicked off by the progressives who seem to have caught a serious case of TDS on this board! Some folks are convinced that the apocalypse is just around the corner, all thanks to Trump being in charge! They could use a good laugh! They seem to have misplaced their humanity somewhere between the couch cushions and the last slice of pizza! They can't stand anyone who doesn't hop on the progressive bandwagon! They see anyone who dares to challenge their progressive story as utterly clueless, completely misinformed, and downright silly! And let's be honest, nobody wants to hang out with folks who see the world through such a gloomy lens!

Trump has practically put a big ol' label on the progressive movement, calling them the schoolyard bullies, and he's done it so brilliantly that they’re stuck in a corner. The only way out for them is to admit he’s got the upper hand, but they'd rather eat dirt than say he won!

[Hound of Heaven]

I get it, my last post was a bit of a novel, so let’s break it down for folks like Bishop Schmo and 1st councilor Kishkumen. Here’s the scoop on the mind games Trump is playing with the progressive movement, nice and easy!

This is a piece of cake to grasp, my tiny forward-thinking pals! Folks tend to be more like visual detectives and thinkers, piecing together the puzzle with pictures! So the whole mind game Trump is playing is like a comedy show where he’s the star, always grinning and strutting around like he owns the place, while the progressives are stuck in the audience, looking like they just bit into a lemon, all frowns and no fun because they seem to thrive on the drama of disdain.

People seem to flock to sunshine and rainbows like moths to a flame! If you haven't caught on yet, it really doesn't matter what Trump says or does. The real kicker is that he's serving it all up with a big ol' grin on his face! He's doing it with positivity, It's a timeless trick that scores a victory almost every single time!

[Kishkumen]

It's the needless hyperbole, the overly emotional pleas, tantrums, and the uncalled for hate of those that don't think like some here that lose me.

Shrug. Gotta say, Exiled, I really don’t write here to move you.

The sky isn't falling. Democracy isn't dead.

The frog is definitely close to the boiling point, and he still does nothing.

We are watching an authoritarian government in action, routinely violating the Constitution, and you are chill with it. Sorry, but you are the weird one here.

But, if you're looking to create enemies, keep it up. Just make sure to blame MAGA for your antics, because of course they cause you to act this way, and it'll be fine, until it's not.

I refer you back to canpakes astute and historically informed post. The GOP has been dehumanizing the left for a very long time, and yet you lecture me on “creating enemies” by not playing nice with people who routinely and unapologetically treat their political opponents like feces.

You're being duped into attacking the wrong people. Trump is a symptom of something larger and an interloper. Trump is only here for a few more years and will be gone. The MAGA family and former friends will be here for a while longer. Maybe think of how to persuade them instead of attacking.

I find your blind spot fascinating. I have not changed. You see, what I am doing with Trumpism is not all that different from what I did with Mopologetics. On this board, I always did those things that I would not do in other places. I worked through thoughts, hit pretty hard with my language, etc.

Now that I am doing this on a different topic, one you are personally more sensitive about, you don’t like it, and you lecture me about things I already know (symptom of a bigger problem, etc.). It is as though you just met me and have no earthly clue.

in real life, I am around Trumpers quite a bit. I have lots of Trumper family. We do just fine, Exiled. I am plenty judicious about picking my times, approaches, and battles. But here, as always, I do what I could and would not do elsewhere.

I do think Trumpism as a movement is an authoritarian phenomenon that requires people become inured to stupidity in the Bonhoefferan sense. Convince me otherwise, and thereby heal thyself, o physician!

I am grateful for the way the Trump movement has clarified some things. We often take for granted the goodwill, kindness, wisdom, integrity, and good character of people around us. MAGA has shown me that we really can’t. We can’t be complacent because we never really know. You could be the nicest person anyone would want to interact with, but then you voted for a guy who thought nothing of shipping innocent people to a torture dungeon in El Salvador. When you are called on it, you defend it as though it were obviously the right thing to do.

THAT is the revelation of Trumpism, bringing home in real time the revelations of the book Hitler’s Willing Executioners. Not because Trump is Hitler (derp), but because it shows how people in an authoritarian movement justify atrocities you otherwise wouldn’t have dreamed of them accepting.

[Kishkumen]

I get it, my last post was a bit of a novel, so let’s break it down for folks like Bishop Schmo and 1st councilor Kishkumen. Here’s the scoop on the mind games Trump is playing with the progressive movement, nice and easy!

This is a piece of cake to grasp, my tiny forward-thinking pals! Folks tend to be more like visual detectives and thinkers, piecing together the puzzle with pictures! So the whole mind game Trump is playing is like a comedy show where he’s the star, always grinning and strutting around like he owns the place, while the progressives are stuck in the audience, looking like they just bit into a lemon, all frowns and no fun because they seem to thrive on the drama of disdain.

People seem to flock to sunshine and rainbows like moths to a flame! If you haven't caught on yet, it really doesn't matter what Trump says or does. The real kicker is that he's serving it all up with a big ol' grin on his face! He's doing it with positivity, It's a timeless trick that scores a victory almost every single time!

Well, I have to say, at least you said something substantive this time. You managed to make a point about something most of us have known for decades, but you did it!

Congratulations.

Trump Derangement Syndrome is not falling for a trick.

Thanks.

[Moksha]

Trump supporters are the ones who drank the Kool-Aid laced with Trump's poop.

[canpakes]

Trump Derangement Syndrome is not falling for a trick.

I just enjoy watching Hound write walls of text about your posts, while he rambles on about being baited to respond.
: D

[Kishkumen]

Trump supporters are the ones who drank the Kool-Aid laced with Trump's poop.

Loving Trump is not caring whether he keeps his promises or fulfills his oath.

"When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on day one." Aug 2024

Did not happen.

"On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out." Nov 2024

Maybe the most illegal, but certainly not the most successful.

"They're dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I'll have that done - I'll have that done in 24 hours." May 2023

Did not happen.

Trump told NBC in December he "absolutely" planned to end birthright citizenship on day one: "If somebody sets a foot of just a foot… on our land, congratulations. You are now a citizen of the United States of America. Yes, we're going to end that."

It was a stupid promise, fitting for the dullard who made it, and predictably it was not kept.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Sigh. Now he says he "doesn't know" whether he has to uphold the Constitution. But then those of us who allegedly suffer with TDS already knew that he does not keep his promises or hold anything aside from his narcissism and money sacred.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crlx8w5wdl0o

On the side of promises kept, Trump did put in place the dumbest tariff regime in history, and he pardoned the J6 goons who attacked police and tried to interfere with the election.

So, it may be horrific, but he did do some of the awful dung he said he'd do.

[Kishkumen]

I just enjoy watching Hound write walls of text about your posts, while he rambles on about being baited to respond.
: D

It definitely is something else to see a person/program that bloviates at length only to undermine their own argument in a sentence or two within the wall of text. All one need do is pinpoint that part where she/he/it compromised her/him/itself, and that is sum total of what is worth responding to.

[Hound of Heaven]

It seems like we're playing a game of charades, and you're still stuck on the first clue! Good luck with that!

Trump has managed to paint the progressive movement as a group of whiny, mean-spirited kids who just can’t stand America or white people. The kicker? Many progressives in the media seem to be doing a fantastic job of confirming his claims by behaving like a bunch of angry toddlers. No progressives on TV, podcasts, or any other media seem to have cracked a smile or discovered the joy of happiness! They’re always strutting around like the sky is falling and democracy is on the chopping block, and they do it in such a way that most Americans just roll their eyes. And voilà, that’s how Trump ended up in the big chair while the Republicans took over the house and senate!

Hey Kishkumen, you know how in Mormonism they say a veil was thrown over our eyes when we arrived on this planet, so we wouldn't have a clue about our pre-mortal shenanigans? Progressives also have a veil. Leaving them so foggy that you can't even see why Trump has left the progressive movement in the dust! It's like trying to find your way out of a maze while wearing a blindfold!

Trump has managed to turn the progressive movement into a circus act, where the main attraction is cheering for men in women's sports while trying to sell us on the idea that in a decade, we’ll all be paddling around on DIY rafts because the polar ice caps decided to take a permanent vacation. In other words, Trump has managed to turn the progressive movement into a doomsday cult that seems to have misplaced its sense of humor and forgotten how to crack a smile.

And on top of all that, just like the brethren of the Mormon church want followers to believe Lucifer is the devil and he's working overtime to destroy all of us, the progressive movement is still trying to convince people that Trump is orange Satan hell-bent on destroying America. Even though this strategy has cost the Democrats two presidential elections, they are doubling down on trying to convince people Trump is orange Satan. It's like watching a sitcom where the characters just refuse to learn from their past mistakes!

For folks with a pinch of common sense like yours truly, it's pretty clear when to toss a failed plan out the window and whip up a fresh one! But Trump has really scrambled the brains of progressives so much that they can’t seem to change their way of thinking, like trying to teach a cat to fetch! He's locked the door and thrown away the key! He's scooped up all the good stuff and left them with a big ol' bowl of hatred and disdain for their fellow Americans.

When the progressive movement forgets about joy and happiness, it turns into that annoying friend who always complains. Rational folks start searching for a little sunshine elsewhere, because who wants to hang out with a party pooper?