TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME

 

Whenever I have some non-complimentary things to say about Donald, several of my relatives accuse me of having Trump Derangement Syndrome, that Wikipedia defines as thus:

 Trump derangement syndrome (TDS) is a pejorative term, used to describe criticism of or negative reactions to President Donald Trump that are perceived to be irrational and to have little regard for Trump's actual policy positions. The term has mainly been used by Trump supporters to discredit criticism of him, as a way of re-framing the discussion by suggesting that his opponents are incapable of accurately perceiving the world. Some journalists have used the term to call for restraint when judging Trump's statements and actions.

Despite the usage of the term syndrome suggesting a medical condition, TDS is not an official medical diagnosis. A 2021 research study found no evidence to support the existence of TDS among Trump detractors on the left, but instead found bias among his supporters.

 I would like to follow up on the last sentence, and posit the following:

    There are two distinct types of TDS, one that can be labeled TDS-RL for Trump Derangement Syndrome-Radical Left, and a second one labeled TDS-RR for Trump Derangement Syndrome-Radical Right. 

I believe that TDS-RL was a primary reason that Trump won the 2024 Presidential Election.  The Democrats bought into the idea that attacking Trump as the pernicious, narcissistic, misogynistic, felon, faux-Christian, sexual predator con-man that he is would surely convince voters to support Harris.  Obviously this failed.  Voters wanted clear statements on the border, illegal immigration, the economy, on men in women's sports, etc., and they got Harris saying that she couldn't think of anything that she would have done differently during the previous four years.

Similarly, I believe that TDS-RR was also a signficant reason that Trump won.  The avid Trump supporters, who are akin to a cult, support Trump regardless of whatever outlandish lies he tells.  The main thing that they care about is "Trump owning the libs" via his rhetoric, even though his policies are most likely going to have an adverse effect on many of his supporters [excepting of course his buddy billionaires]. Too bad these folks didn't actually read Project 2025.

DEAR GOVERNOR POLIS

 

Governor Polis:

While I support many of your political actions, your endorsement of RFK Jr. to head the nation’s health services is ethically and scientifically reprehensible.  Our chief health officer is an antivaxxer, science-denier, and lying conspiracy advocate who is yet another example of the emergent kakistocracy of school boards, state houses, Congress, and the President and his sycophantic administration members.

Over 2000 years ago, the Chinese understood how to protect their children from the ravages of smallpox.  Over 200 years ago, Jenner described the fundamental efficacy of immunization against the virus.  Because of immunization initiatives, this deadly disease has been eradicated globally.  Many other debilitating and deadly diseases have also been controlled by immunization programs, but we now have health care leaders who have actively promoted the false and dangerous claims that vaccines are unsafe and worse than the diseases.  These misguided actions by Kennedy and like-minded, ill-informed charlatans are enabling the re-emergence of once well-controlled infectious diseases and have made our response to new diseases more difficult.

I invite you to walk with me through the small rural graveyard in my home township to ponder the large number of headstones of young people, many of whom died of now-preventable communicable diseases.  Give some thought regarding how Salk and Sabin altered the dangerous trajectory of the polio virus.  Also please read about the devastation of communities that were not immunized against such diseases, including the Samoans who listened to Kennedy’s anti-MMR vaccine crusade, and subsequently lost 83 members of their small population.

Unfortunately, you poured gasoline on the anti-vaxx fire, and many will be consumed.

Sadly,

Douglas E. Swartzendruber

Professor of Biology, Emeritus

University of Colorado – Colorado Springs

 

Denver, Colorado

MY ADMINISTRATION

Since Trump is making some "amazing" nominations for his administration, I started to think "Who would I have in my Administration?"  Since Trump and I are the same age, I should have also run for President!!

So here is the foundation of my team - if you don't know them, Google is your friend.

Vice President - tough call, Michele Obama or Bernie Sanders or Cher - help me out on this!

Chief of Staff - Dwayne "Rock" Johnson - he will certainly be a great bouncer for the Oval Office!

White House Spokesperson - Jon Stewart

White House Senior Advisors - Pete Buttigieg and Michael Shermer

White House Science Advisor - Jerry Coyne

Chefs - Josefina Garcilazo and Hosea Rosenberg

Artist in Residence - Joy Harjo

Social Directors - Rachel Swartzendruber and Gayle King

 

State - John Oliver

Defense - Lynn Cheney

Interior - Deb Haaland

Education - Sam Harris

Health & Human Services - Francis Collins

Treasury - Jill Schlesinger

Justice - Jack Smith

Agriculture - Kasey Bamberger

Labor - Shawn Fain

HUD - Brandon Scott

Transportation - John Hickenlooper

VA - Tammy Duckworth 

Homeland Security - Michelle Lujan Grisham

EPA - Angela Alsobrooks

UN - Triumph The Insult Comic Dog

In case you think that any of these are just a joke - you are wrong!!! 

 

 

 

MY CANDIDATE

 

MY CANDIDATE

Was not born into a family whose considerable wealth was obtained primarily by real estate profiteering

Was not sent by an excessively stern father to a military boarding school for children of the wealthy

Attended a highly selective university, and does not make the false claim of “graduating number one in my class” without ever being on any honor roll

Does not aggressively hide SAT scores and grades

Did not receive 4 draft deferments, and then after medical examination being declared fit for service, mysteriously develop bone spurs, receiving a 1-Y and then a 4-F total exemption from serving

Did not claim that his greatest contribution to the war effort in Vietnam was “not getting a sexually transmitted disease” for which he claimed to deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor

Did not get “a small loan of a million dollars” [actually $14 million] from his dad to get started in the real estate business

Never stated "I do play with the bankruptcy laws—they're very good for me” nor used bankruptcy court six times to avoid paying contractors, small businesses, bank creditors, and stock and bond holders

Did not have to pay a settlement of $25 million for making false claims and defrauding students

Did not violate state charitable fund-raising laws, resulting in a cease and desist order and distribution of remaining funds

Was not named in a lawsuit, along with Jeffrey Epstein, for repeatedly raping a 13 year old

Never bragged that one could “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”

Has not been accused by at least 25 women of sexual misconduct

Has not paid porn stars and other prostitutes hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep quiet

Is not a serial adulterer who has been unfaithful to each of his three wives

Knows that there are approximately 60,000 Corinthians, and that there are two letters in the Bible dictated by Paul and written by amanuensis Sosthenes to the ancient Corinthians

Has asked God for forgiveness

Respects and supports our allies, and does not praise and support dictatorial adversaries

Has not had any close associates and advisors prosecuted and sent to prison

Does not demand fealty from everyone in his domain and expelling everyone considered disloyal

Does not promote conspiracy theories and false narratives

Does not refuse to release IRS tax forms

Does not mock disabled persons

Does not mock families whose sons have died in service to the USA

Does not mock and bully anyone who happens to have a different perspective or opinion

Does not display classic characteristics of severe narcissistic disorder

Does not live in an alternative reality that is unencumbered by facts and science

Does not listen to only sycophants, ass-kissers and power-hungry self-promoters

Does not claim that he is above the law

Does not claim credit for successes that are not his and blame others for his failures

Does not view the Presidency as a personal piggy bank for himself, family and associates

Does not put himself above the law and direct associates to do the same

Understands the importance of a vital and independent Fourth Estate

Understands why the flu vaccine does not protect a person from coronavirus COVID19

Understands that a President is working in the best interests of all in this country, unlike the current POTUS who considers the 53.9% of USAians who did not vote for him the enemy

Understands that bipartisanship, collaboration and compromise are required to address the nation’s pressing needs regarding health care, immigration, the environment, and other major issues

Understands that the Presidency is not a monarchy

Does not play golf

Actually reads

Tells the truth