Bush's Addiction Rages On

Progressive Daily Beacon ^ | 4/22/05 | Bruce MacKay

[stm]

According to psychiatrist Dr. Justin Frank, writing in his book, "Bush on the Couch: Inside the mind of the President," Dubya not only suffers from a "sadistic streak," and "megalomania" and "grandiosity," but while "his alcoholism [may have] been arrested," it nevertheless remains "untreated." You have to wonder, don't you, if old Dubya hasn't merely swapped one addiction for another - one opiate for the enthralling enamor of God?

Professionals working in the field of recovery have often observed the addicted personality turn towards God as their savior. Typically, though, they, like Dubya, are merely substituting one addiction for another. It's hard to argue that God isn't really better for them than their drug - be it alcohol, or cocaine, or whatever - but individuals usually get hooked on drugs for a reason and by finding God addicts frequently postpone, or oftentimes permanently pass over, the opportunity for truly coming to grips with and resolving their own personality problems. That person then becomes what is known as a "dry drunk:" one who is sober, or straight, but isn't really in recovery. Their problems frequently come back to haunt them in inexplicable ways.

As for Dubya; we know he was a drunk, he's admitted as much on several occasions; we know at least once he was picked up, arrested, and booked for driving under the influence; and although the complete details haven't really been forthcoming, we also know he most likely dabbled in the use of other substances, such as marijuana and cocaine. Let's face it, Dubya was a party animal and while his businesses kept collapsing around him, he was out there having himself a pretty good time. He was also in fairly deep denial, evidently, until his wife laid down the law. Either Dubya had to stop drinking, or she was going to leave him. Much to his credit he managed to get off the booze, but then immediately screwed up again by not taking the path to true recovery, which would have required that he face himself and his numerous shortcomings. Much to the rest of our chagrin, he has now become Leader Maximus, and doubly (or is that Dubyaly) insists upon avoiding self-examination and self-criticism. Neither, apparently, will he allow others to do it for him.

All of that, of course, explains his complete and total lack of sympathy for other human beings. He knows he was a screw-up, but as he has never come to grips with that part of himself, a very substantial part of himself, he proceeds now to, in effect, deny that part ever existed. He hates who and what he was, and the moment he catches a glimpse of such an individual his own defense mechanisms harden, and he instinctively turns away from them, as if in disgust of his own reflection. Hang em, get them out of my sight, show them no mercy, he says as appeal after appeal comes before him for judgement; and rather than judge such instances based upon the merits, he judges based upon his own loathing of the pitiful creature he once was. Otherwise, he might show some sympathy and understanding for those who, like himself, are facing some fairly rough times.

Dubya's escape from his past was to immerse himself in the never-never-land of Christian conversion. He overcompensates and sees himself as some great avatar of God. The conquering hero (which he surely never was) come to save humanity from itself. The only saving that needs done is to save the rest of the planet, including our now hapless selves, from his over-proselytizing zeal. The man has gone gaga over some conception of Jesus or Yahweh that never was. There is no fool like a newly converted fool, however, and Dubya provides the archetypical example! Holier than thou, fire and brimstone, this nut-case now stalks the planet seeking out ways to complete the conversion of the heathen - to bring them liberty, and freedom (which, truth be told, are the last things he wants them to have).

In his evangelical lust, and Draconian self-hatred, he has given license to all sorts of nut cases who now roam America beseeching the faithful to stone the sinners, and purify the weak. Kick out, or - may the gods forbid - murder the liberal judges, and cleanse the temples of all whose faith varies from that of the self-proclaimed righteous. Cast out all images that reflect the wounded and insecure and immature Dubya of his youth (which lasted until he was 40), and, showing no quarter, institute that which is harsh and severe and ruthless lest any remnant remain to remind him of who and what he once represented.

As it now stands, the world is left to behold this paragon of over-simplicity, this puppet of the Sanhedrin, this anti-Christ come lately who now has up to 100,000 murders to his discredit. The legions of Empire rage on, and George Dubya, the ne'er do well alcoholic from Texas, leads from the rear, and from the flight deck of a carrier sequestered somewhere a few miles off the coast of sunny California.

May the gods save us from this bringer of democracy and peace who now strips the land of its treasure, fortifies the well-to-do, and obtusely refuses to take responsibility for his own seething self-hatreds and shortcomings.

[dennisw]

Friday, October 15
		JUSTIN FRANK looks at BUSH ON THE COUCH: INSIDE THE MIND OF THE PRESIDENT. Dr. Justin A. Frank is a well-respected Washington D.C.-based psychoanalyst and professor of psychiatry. Of his new book, Dr. Irv Yalom writes "A penetrating account of the psychological make-up of the most powerful man in the world, it is compelling and persuasive and downright frightening. Most readers will end this book stunned, asking themselves how it has come about that we have chosen a leader so ill-equipped for the job." Using the principles of applied psychoanalysis - the discipline of psychoanalyzing public and historical figures pioneered by Freud - Justin Frank fearlessly sheds new light on the Bush psyche by analyzing historical and behavioral patterns that impact the way he governs. He tackles the ultimate question: Is our president psychologically fit to run the country? His findings are utterly fascinating; his conclusive finding is that the sole treatment option, for Bush's benefit and ours, is to remove him from office. With an eye for the subtleties of human behavior sharpened through thirty years of clinical practice, Dr. Frank traces the development of Bush's character from childhood to present day, identifying and analyzing Bush's patterns of thought, behavior and communication. A thorough and authoritative examination of Bush's public appearances and speeches, along with historical, biographical, and journalistic records, BUSH ON THE COUCH is a compelling portrait, filled with controversial and disturbing revelations. Justin Frank is co-director of the Metropolitan Center for Object Relations in New York, a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at George Washington University Medical Center and a teaching analyst at the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. Note time: 12:30 PM at Telegraph Avenue

[sgtbono2002]

You have to be one sick MF to write tripe like this. and for a paper to publish it is plain crazy.

[Dudoight]

Well, Charles Krauthammer is a psychiatrist with impeccable credentials....His MD is from Harvard, and he attended Oxford in England. I don't think he would be such a supporter of 'W' if this diagnosis were on the mark.

I'd hate to have that obscure, mediocre author/shrink, Justin Frank, responsible for actually treating real patients. Depending on their political stance, he might relegate them to a straight jacket or padded cell.

[Coldwater Creek]

Sorry, but in my book it shows a whole lot of character to be able to have self control. Don't sell yourself short!!!!!!!

[Mad Mammoth]

MacKay, Frank and the fools running this faux 'news site' calling itself "the Progressive Daily Beacon" need to toddle on down to Walgreen's and avail themselves of the 2-for-1 sale on Fleet Enemas.

That is 2-for-1 on a CASE of 'em.

[trebb]

Professionals working in the field of recovery have often observed the addicted personality turn towards God as their savior. Typically, though, they, like Dubya, are merely substituting one addiction for another. It's hard to argue that God isn't really better for them than their drug - be it alcohol, or cocaine, or whatever - but individuals usually get hooked on drugs for a reason and by finding God addicts frequently postpone, or oftentimes permanently pass over, the opportunity for truly coming to grips with and resolving their own personality problems. That person then becomes what is known as a "dry drunk:" one who is sober, or straight, but isn't really in recovery. Their problems frequently come back to haunt them in inexplicable ways.

While it's true that most programs point the addict/alcoholic to God as a source of power to overcome the malady, this twit perverts it by making a statement that can be construed as putting any God-fearing Christian in the "alcoholic/addict" category.

The idiot also puts God into the addictive drug category, which is a backhanded slam at Christians and other believers in God. How convenient to use the opportunity of false premises to slam the President and Christans in general. Of course, the only way to "make it work" is to stay on the very shallowest of concepts and not delve below the first micro-inch, otherwise there is no argument. Typical leftist/atheist drivel.

[DugwayDuke]

"How come this logic was never used in the 90's?"

Well, actually it was. You should read "The Dysfunctional President". Written in 1994, it ripped Clinton a new one for all sorts of psychological issues. Also written by a pyschologist, it was totally ignored by the MSM. It did get some play on some conservative talk shows. G. Gordon did a one hour interview with the author. Pretty good read actually.

[JOE43270]

I AGREE.

[Grateful One]

Gee! I wonder what the writer of this article is addicted to........

How come so many of these "intellectuals" on the left seem to cultivate that "Trotskyite" look?

What could THEY be addicted to?

[Jackknife]

This needed a HUGH barf alert!! This agnostic writer predictably places the worth of 'scientific' phycho-analysis over a spiritual awakening to heal addiction. Having personaly been to both of these, I know the value of faith over psychology.

Now, I need to take some Tums so that I can eat breakfast.

[Route101]

O.K....fair is fair...what would this nutbar say about Hillary when she's on the couch?...she walks on water, maybe?

[bad company]

Sorry, but in my book it shows a whole lot of character to be able to have self control. Don't sell yourself short!!!!!!!

It took a lot of stupid to drink myself into that condition in the first place. First it's about survival. At age 20 I was able to go through a fifth of whiskey in a night. If I didn't stop I was dead. It's also about personal responsibility. I was not only hurting myself, I was also hurting my family and society in general. Addiction is something like an allergy. Not taking the first drink is a doable proposition. Not taking the second drink is impossible. Like a rash, I gotta scratch that itch. Once you scratch it the more it itches.

It's not about self control. What it does take is courage. Going into recovery a person has to throw out so many of "moral shortcuts" they relied on to facilitate their habit (and then permeated the rest of their life), the person coming out the other side is sometimes unrecognizable. You also leave friends and even family behind.

I had to face myself or face death. I chose the easier opponent.

[PGalt]

Thanks for your contribution in the war on terror! Are you still live from Baghdad?

[bad company]

It does have me wondering, though, just what was going on in Clinton's mind when we walked into church carrying a Bible after the Monica Lewinsky revelations.

Is this bible big enough for the cameras over there?

[Millicent_Hornswaggle]

This is garbage.

[Gritty]

"George Dubya" isn't the nutcase here. Bruce MacKay is.

[UltraKonservativen]

the writer of this article never did...

I thought I was reading the deranged Monford from the SF paper or Maureen from the NY times. Both have so much mental baggage and feel so threatened to one day have to face judgement, that any mention of God from GWB send them over the edge of rational thought.
Liberals are pitiful. Poor people.

[Recovering_Democrat]

You have to wonder, don't you, if old Dubya hasn't merely swapped one addiction for another - one opiate for the enthralling enamor of God?

Boy, wouldn't that be painful for "progressives/liberals/socialists/anticapitalists/Democrats" : a President who loves God.

[MikefromOhio]

how about a SUPER MEGA HUGE THERMONUCLEAR AWESOME NARLY BARF ALERT!!

[Reo]

Note to Moderator: This article requires the creation of a new posting catagory titled "Clueless Drivel".