Men in White Coats

Without looking for it, I stumbled on another summary of the pathological personality (see yesterday’s blog). Some overlaps with the first, some add new characteristics. Once again, our fearless (read clueless) leader scored 6 for 6. Where are the men in the white coats to take him away? We register sex offenders and alert the neighborhoods. Can we do the same with psychopaths?

An article by Dr. William Hirstein in Psychology Today titled “What Is a Psychopath?” lists a number of defining characteristics. Amongst them is:

1. Uncaring: callous, showing a lack of empathy, coldheartedness.

2. Shallow emotions: No shame, guilt or embarrassment.

3.  Irresponsibility: Always blaming others for problems.

4. Insincere speech: From glibness and superficial charm to outright pathological lying, devaluing speech by inflating it toward selfish ends. Conning others for personal profit.

5.  Overconfidence: A grandiose sense of self worth.

6.  Selfishness: A pathological egocentricity.

Remember that the leader in any situation, from the elementary school principal to the President, sets the tone for the community and gives permission for the community members to rise or lower themselves to his or her example. We’ve already seen the crazies leaping out of the woodwork, assaulting people verbally and physically with their racist, sexist, homophobic or xenophobic hatred. A psychopath at the helm of the ship is good for exactly no one.

Writing this, I was hearing the soundtrack in my mind of the 1966 novelty hit song by Jerry Samuels (aka Napoleon XIV), They’re Coming to Take Me Away. Someone once described the song as able to clear out an entire restaurant in three minutes when it came on the jukebox. The chorus is:

And they're coming to take me away ha-haaa

They're coming to take me away ho-ho hee-hee ha-haaa

To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time

And I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats

And they're coming to take me away ha-haaa

Jerry is still with us at 79 years old. It would have been perfect for him to sing at Trump’s inauguration! But it’s not too late. Maybe he can perform at the Impeachment Ceremony.