"There are so many ways of escaping from that which one fears, and not the least of these is hatred.”
Philip Kerr, Berlin Noir
"The pull of fascist politics is powerful. It simplifies human existence, gives us an object, a 'them' whose supposed laziness highlights our own virtue and discipline, encourages us to identify with a forceful leader who helps us make sense of the world, whose bluntness regarding the 'undeserving' people in the world is refreshing. Fascism thrives under conditions of economic uncertainty, where fear and resentment can be mobilized to set citizens against one another,
When you legitimize yourself entirely by inventing enemies, the truth ceases to matter, normal restraints of civilization and decency cease to matter, the checks and balances of normal politics cease to matter. The dangers of fascist politics come from the particular way in which it dehumanizes segments of the population.
It limits the capacity for empathy among other citizens, leading to the justification of inhumane treatment, from repression of freedom, mass imprisonment, and expulsion to, in extreme cases, mass extermination."
Jason Stanley, How Fascism Works
“When Fascism came into power, most people were unprepared, both theoretically and practically. They were unable to believe that man could exhibit such propensities for evil, such lust for power, such disregard for the rights of the weak, or such yearning for submission. Only a few had been aware of the rumbling of the volcano preceding the outbreak.”
Erich Fromm, Escape from Freedom, 1941
"We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. It is not merely that at present the rule of naked force obtains almost everywhere. Bully-worship, under various disguises, has become a universal religion."
George Orwell, Review of Bertrand Russell's Power, 1939
"Faustus, who embraced evil and shunned righteousness, became the foremost symbol of the misuse of free will, that sublime gift from God with its inherent opportunity to choose virtue and reject iniquity. Faustus had advanced beyond the level of a scarlet sinner — he was a conscious follower of the Prince of Darkness.
The fact he could publicly project an Antichrist image with pride, having no fear of reprisal, and his seeming diabolical art of escaping all punishment when others who were considered heretics had burned at the stake for less, would certainly signal that an unnatural individual walked in their midst.
It is true in many respects he assumed the role of the charlatan, yet how apropos, considering his willingness to follow the Father of Lies and deception.
The lofty mind of man can be imprisoned by the artifices of its own making. If there are damned souls in Hell, it is because men blind themselves.”
E.A. Bucchianeri, Faust: My Soul Be Damned for the World
"Everywhere and always demonic powers lurk in the dark, waiting for the moment when man is weak; when of his own volition he leaves his place in Creation, as founded for him by God in freedom; and when he yields to the forces of evil, he separates himself from the powers of a higher order; after voluntarily taking the first step, he is driven on and on to the next and to the next, at a furiously accelerating rate."
Die Weiße Rose, Fourth Leaflet, Munich, 1942
I am posting this a bit early today because I have somewhere to be shortly after the close.
Stocks managed to gain back their early losses in a gradual afternoon rally.
Gold and silver were under pressure, with both regaining some ground.
VIX continued to wallow in complacency.
The Dollar had a slight decline.
Most leaders are a little vain, and are tempted by power. But that does not make them a narcissist. To stand against the tide, especially for principles, requires some measure of self-assurance which often leans to excess.
A malignant narcissist does not have friends, supporters, principles, or colleagues.
They have people and things that they use for their own selfish and vain desires of the moment.
They will use you, abuse you, and throw you away.
They will take every opportunity to bully the weak, and bring misery to those who do not have the power to stop them.
If you have ever dealt with a true narcissist, either at work, or among acquaintances, or even family, you will understand that there is no way to reason with them, no way to really work together.
You may serve, and it will not be pleasant, but that is the best you would expect.
The best example of the ultimate malignant narcissist I could think of is Satan. And he will not serve.
So, Jesse, what then are we to do?
Most people who realize we are in a tough spot choose to make whatever peace they need to get by, hope to make a great deal of money, and then retreat to some fortress in a distant land.
Even those who are nominally religious pin their hopes on a 'rapture,' to abandon the world and look on with the smugness of membership in the exceptional.
We know what we have been told what to do. We just don't want to hear it, since it is not to our liking.
But that is how things are. And how they have been before, for our parents and grandparents, and their parents, although we like to think that we are special, unique.
Need little, want less, love more. For those who abide in God abide in love, and love in them.
Have a pleasant evening.
