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Thursday, June 09, 2005

Maybe Bush supporters just need a support group or shelter
Posted by Jill | 9:27 AM

Via a long, convoluted trail through Blogtopia is this observation at Driftglass about the mindset of Bush supporters. It's worth a read, because it alludes strongly to the likelihood that the stubborn insistence of those who still think Bush is the Greatest President Ever is not unlike that of a battered spouse who still thinks that since he promised not to beat her again, this time he really means it, and oh I love him so much and I know he loves me and he really means it he won't it me again.

Because the alternative -- to admit that you've been had by an abuser is just too much to take. It calls into question your judgment, everything you've thought was true. Domestic abuse victims often require months of therapy before they have the strength to leave. They're in thrall to their abusers in a kind of Stockholm Syndrome of the hearth -- much the way Bush supporters are in thrall to the codpiece, to the strut, to the tough talk, to the promises -- completely ignoring the concrete evidence in front of them.

One of the tactics abusers use is to instill in their victims the notion that only he can keep the victim safe from the big bad world. It's part of the tactic of isolating the victim. By painting this picture of the entire Muslim world as being a threat; by painting European allies who don't agree with him as somehow anti-American, or traitorous, Bush isolates Americans further from the reality-based world.

Here are some characteristics of batterers that apply to George Bush:

- low self esteem
- a tradionalist believing in male supremacy and the stereotyped masculine sex role in the family
- blames others for his actions
- presents a dual personality
- have severe stress reactions during which he uses drinking and battering to cope
- not believe his violent behavior should have negative consequences

So for all those who still cling to the notion that George W. Bush is an effective president who's looking out for the interests of ordinary Americans, and who is able to keep us safe from terrorists, take heart...help IS available.
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