Trump Shits in His Own Kitchen--Violates the "Bandit" Code over Kurds/Turkey

[McCamy Taylor]

If you read my journals, you know that I think the reason why Trump keeps a devoted base is because he is perceived to be the "Bandit King" (think Robin Hood) an outlaw who breaks unfair laws in defense of down trodden mostly rural people. (Read Eric Hobsbawn's "Bandits" for more on the politics of banditry). This is, of course, bull shit. But that does not stop some folks from believing it. And that is why his base gives him a free pass whenever he breaks the law.

Well, don't look now, but he just broke the Bandit Law--big time. Loyalty is the most important "virtue" of a Bandit King. If you cannot trust the bandit King to be loyal, then his lawbreaking ways become a threat--to you.

Trump just betrayed a key political ally in the Middle East--the Kurds. Remember how Saddam was reviled for killing the Kurds? And they were not even Saddam's allies. Trumps has just proven what we in the opposition always knew--he is only loyal to his own financial best interest.

Expect massive defections from the up-until-now Trump alliance.

[yardwork]

1. I've learned to expect little from the brainwashed.

I'm sure that alt-right sites and hate radio are spinning this as a win for Trump.

At some point, when will educated Republicans decide that enough is enough. Is money literally the ONLY thing that matters to them?

[Johnny2X2X]

2. Yes, that they are

Or, like FOX News, they are completely ignoring Trump's role in this.

This is barely a blip if you consume only Right Wing media.

[yardwork]

3. We can all predict the talking points.

The ignorance and racism makes me furious.

[Newest Reality]

4. The defections I expect...

I really do expect defections from those who were swayed by the P.T. Barnum effect. Even though they were suckers, they will get enough cognitive dissonance and bad results, (or none) to change their minds. I think we can count on a lot of independents and swing-voters to change their colors base on what they have seen. People who think and stay political about it will be rational enough to do that even if it is only out of self-interest.

Loyalists go by emotion and some sort of appeal to authority that turns out to be fallacious. The more loyal they are, the less likely anything that happens can sway them. They would be of the type to stay "true" to the end, make any sacrifice and even jump into the fire he sets. That's what loyalty and devotion are about.

With that in mind, the defection will come gradually, (keep in mind the peer pressure of those who's groups are devoted and live in echo chambers/Fox, conspiracies, etc.). It seems that the loyalists are the ones who stand out and make the most noise, but it seems that they are really a minority and that is comforting to know.

[jberryhill]

5. Loyalty to non-white, non-Christians is not required