from Dr. Paul Minot, a psychiatrist in
Waterville, Maine:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
George Bush's "irrational" consideration of a "surge" in the wake of the
Iraq Study Group report -- which apparently defies all credible counsel
- has begun to generate speculation regarding his sanity.

References to Bush's "delusions" have appeared in the mainstream media
and throughout the blogosphere.

As a psychiatrist, I understandably get concerned when I see clinical
terminology bandied about in political discourse, and thought it might
be of interest to share a professional perspective on this question. I
have a distinct clinical impression that I think explains much of Mr.
Bush's visible pathology.

First and foremost, George W. Bush has a Narcissistic Personality
Disorder. What this means, is that he has rather desperate
insecurities
about himself, and compensates by constructing a grandiose self-image.
Most of his relationships are either mirroring relationships -- people
who
flatter him and reinforce his grandiosity -- or idealized self-objects
--
people that he himself thinks a lot of, and hence feels flattered by his
association with them. Some likely perform both functions. Hence his
weakness for sycophants like Harriet Miers, and powerful personalities
like Dick Cheney.

Even as a narcissist, Bush knows he isn't a great intellect, and
compensates by dismissing the value of intellect altogether. Hence his

disses of Gore's bookishness, and any other intellectual that isn't
flattering him. Bush knows that his greatest personal strength is
projecting personal affability, and tries to utilize it even in the
most inappropriate settings. That's why he gives impromptu backrubs to
the German Chancellor in a diplomatic meeting -- he's insecure
intellectually,
and tries to make everyone into a "buddy" so he can feel more secure.

The most disturbing aspect about narcissists, however, is their
pathological inability to empathize with others, with the exception of
those who either mirror them, or whom they idealize. Hence Bush's
horrifying insensitivity to the Katrina victims, his callous jokes when
visiting grievously injured soldiers, and numerous other instances. He
simply has no capacity to feel for others in that way.

When LBJ was losing Vietnam, he developed a haunted expression that
anybody could recognize as indicative of underlying anguish. For all
his faults, you knew he was losing sleep over it. By the same token,
we know just as well that Bush isn't losing any sleep over dead
American soldiers, to say nothing of dead Iraqis. He didn't exhibit
any sign of significant
concern until his own political popularity was sliding -- because
THAT'S
something he CAN feel.

Which brings us to his recent "delusion." To be blunt, I don't see any
indication that Bush has any sort of psychotic disorder whatsoever. The
lapses in reality-testing that he exhibits are the sort that can be
readily explained by his characterological insensitivity to the
feelings and perceptions of others, due to his persistently
self-centered frame of reference.

Mr. Bush knows that things aren't going his way in Iraq, and he knows
that it is damaging him politically. He also sees that it is likely to
get
worse no matter what he does, and in fact it may be a lost cause.
However,
he recognizes that if he follows the recommendations of the Iraq Study
Group, that Iraq will almost certainly evolve into a puppet state of
Iran and, given his treatment of Iran, he will completely lose control
of the situation -- and he will be politically discredited for this
outcome.

The ONLY chance that he has to avoid this political disaster, and save
his political skin, is to hope against hope for "victory" in Iraq.
Advancing the "surge" idea offers Bush two political advantages over
following the ISG recommendations. One is that if it is implemented,
maybe, just maybe, he can pull out some sort of nominal "victory" out
of the situation. The chances are exceedingly slim, granted, but slim
is better to him than the alternative (none).

Alternately, if the "surge" is politically rejected, he gains some
political cover, so when things inevitably go bad, he can say "I told
you
so" and blame the "surrender monkeys" for the outcome. Most people
probably won't buy it, but some (his core base) will.

Now, I know what many of you are thinking -- is George Bush willing to
risk the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands more American soldiers, on
an
outside chance to save his political skin, in a half-baked plan that
even he knows probably won't work at all? Yes, he is. Because George
Bush is that narcissistic, that desperate and, yes, that sociopathic as
well.

Especially interesting about Mr. Bush, but quite common, Narcissistic
Personality Disorder is frequently associated with alcoholism. The
insufferable "holier than thou" attitude associated with "Dry Drunk
Syndrome" is indicative of underlying narcissism.

Also, the way that Bush embraces Christianity is characteristically
narcissistic. Rather than incorporating the lessons of humility and
empathy modeled by Jesus, Bush uses his Christian faith to reinforce
his
grandiosity. Jesus is his powerful ally, his idealized "buddy" who gives
a rubber stamp to anything he thinks.

Finally -- and this will sound VERY familiar to many readers -- those
persons with NPD are notoriously unable to say they're sorry. Admitting
error is fundamentally incompatible with their precarious efforts to
maintain their sense of order. Anyone having this particular character
flaw almost certainly has NPD.

Dr. Paul L. Minot, MD
A Psychiatrist in Waterville, Maine (ME)

I can say the same thing that the shrink did with a lot less words........ I think. Here goes......

George W. Bush is a total fuck-up.

I think he may be a nut too.

Randi Rhodes had an interesting theme on her AirAmerica show today: what would George Bush be doing now if he wasn't a Bush? Callers were very creative. One was: He'd be a right-wing radio talk-show host.

Next?

Oh come on! he would be working at wal-mart.

Well, that certainly was some interesting lunchtime reading!

Rose

Naah, he'd be managing a Michael's Crafts store! It fits...he'd be making lots of decisions for capricious reasons, about things he cares nothing about and knows nothing about, and could give a rat's ass about the outcome! And if merchandise goes unsold, he can throw it in the dumpster and blame the shrinkage on employee theft, just like one of the managers I had when I worked there...!!

He'd probably be selling used cars or be in rehab for the 9th or 10th time. Or in prison (where he & Dick should be right now). I also thinks it's pretty appropriate that their names are Bush & Dick, considering what they're doing & have done to the country & the world!

Probably a lawyer lol. Didn't he used to be one anyway...

Cheryl, I heard he had trouble passing "the bar" in his earlier days.

Lawyers have to be proficient in the use of language, so I think he would be excluded.

When he didn't "pass the bar", he would go in and order "coke", but for some reason, he put the straw in his nose and not in his mouth.

No, but he has found over the years that he has needed to hire a few...............

With those names the both of them should make porno films....They'll have a gay 'ol time!!

I bet he had trouble passing the bar whenever they had a buy one get one free on the drinks lol...

Thanks for the shrink wrap ! By the way Dr. Minot....how drunk was he when arrested for DUI in Maine in the 1970's ? The son of the current CIA director gets actually arrested, and booked. He must have offered to felate the cop. When does Narcissus reach critical mass and fall into the pool ? I'm waiting....it could be soon....he's bending over.