Quote:When I say that I think President Donald Trump is unfit for office, I want to be precise. I'm keen to distinguish what I mean from stuff I've read earlier this year — the notion that he might be medically unfit or in cognitive decline or have early Alzheimer's. I saw no evidence of that. I found him, as I say in the book, to be of above average intelligence and able to follow conversations. I'm not an expert, but I didn't see any evidence that he's medically or physically unfit for office.

But what did strike me, as I thought about my encounters with him, is that he was somebody without the normal external reference points that a leader has to have. Leaders make hard decisions by drawing upon external reference points, usually a combination of things. Some draw on religious traditions, some draw on logic or philosophy, some on history, some on tradition. Trump’s only reference point appeared to be internal; He is driven by what decision, what course of action will get him the affirmation he so craves. In fact, I've never actually seen in an adult more craving for affirmation.

Anyone who sees moral equivalence in Charlottesville, who speaks about and treats women like pieces of meat, who lies constantly — about small things, big things, medium-sized things — and who insists that everybody else must believe his lies, has no ethical bearings. Together, these various observations led me to a judgment that I never thought I would actually reach about a president.

So what do we do now? The impeachment process is one laid out in our Constitution, and it's one that should be driven entirely by the law and the facts. It involves two different branches of government. I don't know where that'll go, but it should be allowed to work as it's designed in the Constitution.

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/impeaching-trump-won-t-fix-crisis-america-desperately-needs-political-ncna867046

Quote:Trump’s only reference point appeared to be internal; He is driven by what decision, what course of action will get him the affirmation he so craves.

(04-19-2018 09:25 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  Comey's right, you know.

Here's an article that is fairly complimentary to Nikki Haley but points out just one area where his insecurity, pettiness and lack of a world view really hurts our country. If I were a Repub (not in a million years) I would be happy with his SCOTUS nominee but very disheartened by his profound lack of moral compass.
He is, all things considered, a horrible president.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/world/europe/trump-nikki-haley-russia-sanctions.html

(04-19-2018 09:25 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  Here's an article that is fairly complimentary to Nikki Haley but points out just one area where his insecurity, pettiness and lack of a world view really hurts our country. If I were a Repub (not in a million years) I would be happy with his SCOTUS nominee but very disheartened by his profound lack of moral compass.

Quote:He is, all things considered, a horrible president.

(04-19-2018 10:13 AM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  

Quote:Trump’s only reference point appeared to be internal; He is driven by what decision, what course of action will get him the affirmation he so craves.

Not much to disagree with there.

(04-19-2018 10:42 AM)umbluegray Wrote:  Wait a sec... a liar and morally unfit for office?

How does this differ from practically every other politician on the face of the planet?

(04-19-2018 10:19 AM)TechRocks Wrote:  

(04-19-2018 10:13 AM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  

Quote:Trump’s only reference point appeared to be internal; He is driven by what decision, what course of action will get him the affirmation he so craves.

Not much to disagree with there.

I agree with the first part, that Trump's reference point is internal, and I see nothing wrong with that btw.

The second part, that his decisions are driven by what will get him the affirmation he so craves is debateable, but in the end, does it really matter if the outcome is good for America?

For Comey, on the otherhand, getting affirmation certainly applies.

(04-19-2018 11:01 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  

(04-19-2018 10:19 AM)TechRocks Wrote:  

(04-19-2018 10:13 AM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  

Quote:Trump’s only reference point appeared to be internal; He is driven by what decision, what course of action will get him the affirmation he so craves.

Not much to disagree with there.

I agree with the first part, that Trump's reference point is internal, and I see nothing wrong with that btw.

The second part, that his decisions are driven by what will get him the affirmation he so craves is debateable, but in the end, does it really matter if the outcome is good for America?

For Comey, on the otherhand, getting affirmation certainly applies.

An internal reference point, as expressed by some on here, says the tax overhaul is good, because it puts a few dollars in my pocket. An external reference point says the tax overhaul was bad, despite the fact I gained from it, it will increase the national debt by an unacceptable amount, which is bad for the country.
This sums up in one little example what has gone fundamentally wrong with this country and it's people.

We've lost the ability to be externally focused.

(04-19-2018 11:01 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  An internal reference point, as expressed by some on here, says the tax overhaul is good, because it puts a few dollars in my pocket. An external reference point says the tax overhaul was bad, despite the fact I gained from it, it will increase the national debt by an unacceptable amount, which is bad for the country.

Quote:We've lost the ability to be externally focused.