Idiot

[OCD]

Although not with a majority of votes. He led a coalition until he could legislate his own power.

Got a foot in the door. Orchestrated, or took advantage of, a crisis. Cowered all opposition. Enacted extraordinary powers (for the people's safety). Declared himself 'Le Grand Fromage'. Rest is history.

Ps that was one smart idiot.

Ps 2 Worked then, should work now. After all, we're still calling them idiots.

[beensean]

I agree entirely that merely labelling people is unhelpful although it can be a convenient shorthand so long as one does not lose sight of what actions are needed.

I think opportunism, aggression, and a habit of sociopathic manipulation can be confused with high planning. If one might consider it intelligent to avoid massive war and defeat, then old Adolf was not the shining light. A few other people suffered along the way.

Calling someone an idiot assumes a framework or expectations which that person does not match, and that their behaviours will have poor outcomes longer term, obvious to the majority of people. If, purely hypothetically, I were to call some president of some country an idiot, that might be a handy summary of their efforts to manage affairs, having nothing to do with whether I consider them dangerous or the problem manageable. One needs to consider how to outlast or curtail their power.

[OCD]

One needs to consider how to outlast or curtail their power.

Calling them out for what they are, instead of dismissing them as harmless idiots, would be a good start.

Ps focusing on their obsession with hair - the weirder the better (a common trait amongst dictators) only fuels their contempt for us.

[beensean]

OCD, you are the first and only person to use the word “harmless” so with your straw man this discussion ends for me.

[OCD]

OCD, you are the first and only person to use the word “harmless” so with your straw man this discussion ends for me.

beensean, you've got me there. I now see where you've been coming from.

Ps feel free to get the last word in. I know you want to.

[LeroyC]

If anyone thinks Trump must be a genius they need to read ‘The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy’ by Michael Lewis.

[beensean]

beensean, ... I now see where you've been coming from.

No problem.

cheers
b.

[EZCFlair]

If Trump is not an idiot, why does he need a revolving door for his staff?

And not just any staff, key talented people (with years of military and/or diplomatic experience) who have resigned one after the other and are mostly irreplaceable.

[Dimal]

In the way that a weed is a plant in a place that it doesn't belong, an idiot is a person in a place (or position) that he/she doesn't belong...

Mal.

[OCD]

In the way that a weed is a plant in a place that it doesn't belong, an idiot is a person in a place (or position) that he/she doesn't belong...

Mal.

Right on, and the sooner they (the noxious ones at least) go and get themselves plucked, the better.

Ps merry xmas.