Author and public speaker Anthony R Candela hits the nail on the head with great precision with the following piece.
Make sure to see Tony’s advert on all his books after the main text.
Drunk With Power
Anthony R. Candela
President Trump does not consume alcohol. Watching his older brother Fred suffer and eventually die from its over-consumption definitely affected him. Also, he says he wants to maintain a keen edge while business competitors dull their senses during business gatherings. It is likely Trump has always known he has an addictive personality. Let’s ask. Why is he not able to drink lightly and maintain control? Why is the keen edge always so important?
Many with addictive personalities find substitutes for that which they find dangerous. For example, hopefully harmless, it is reported that Trump consumes a dozen diet cokes per day. That’s a lot of diet cokes. The fact he is reported to have a red button in his office to call for one at any moment, suggests more than just a moderate compulsion.
Trump has long-exhibited lack of control in other ways. He is a chaos junkie. He loves throwing “hand grenades into any working system that captures his interest. He has proven impossible to keep off the social media, so much so that he may have given hints of the recent operation “Midnight Hammer” B2 bombing runs over Iran. It is possible that diversionary aircraft had to be sent west over the Pacific while the actual bomber “package” proceeded stealthily eastward. In the days since the strike, versions of total destruction of Iran’s nuclear capacity have been blasted forth by Trump and his immediate spokespeople versus more temperate “leaks” by the Pentagon and Israel, and major denials by the Ayatollah. Meanwhile, Trump has attacked the press on its Iran intelligence reporting, making sure he does what he loves to do, remain front-and-center of every story. Quite often, because he says things without consulting with his experts, either over social media or by speaking extemporaneously and off-script, he comes close to sabotaging his own goals. Then, loyal staff members have to fix things.
Why did Trump feel compelled to trumpet total military victory in the recent bombing of Iran when his people probably told him that it would be better to declare success modestly until more data could be gathered? Because people who are drunk on success and power cannot help themselves and must be right all the time.
Trump satisfies his addiction for power by seizing the attention at every turn. Years ago, some in the culture of the 12-step program spoke harshly about his “dry-drunk” characteristics, hooked on “fame, attention, power and money.” He has been this way for a long time, so when he first took office eight years ago and was advised to be “more Presidential,” he couldn’t do it. He only managed to keep a deeper-seated promise to himself: never to change. He understands he is unable to do so. Although his impulses will usually get the better of him, he will continue to believe they work in his service.
By now, Trump has integrated his persona and his power to the point where the man and the State have become inseparable. One analyst says this is not as unique as it seems. Most Presidents engage in this identity struggle, opting for less than solid stances and policies in order to make it look like they are accomplishing their goals. Appearing to succeed in the public eye has occasionally been more important to Presidents than actual and long-lasting accomplishments. However, all this credit-taking without the actual results eventually erodes confidence in the leader.
In his book, The Failed Promise of Presidential Power in a Polarized Age, Kenneth Lowande states that when we look at the kinds of policies that [Presidents] themselves are most directly responsible for, we see inefficiencies, counterproductive policies, and empty policies. This is because such policies are beneficial for them politically. They are more symbolic than real.
An example from the Biden administration was the Gaza Pier which was deemed unfeasible due to the roughness of the Mediterranean. While it failed to deliver more than a small amount of food to the people of Gaza, everyone felt good for a little while.
Will the bombing of Fordo, Iran be similar? Remember, 10 years after using bunker-buster bombs on his caves, Osama Bin Laden was killed face-to-face in his house by a Navy CL using an HK416 rifle.
Trump has joked that he would be a mess if he consumed alcohol. He knows his impulse control is tenuous at best. If our President must be drunk on power, we should thank our lucky stars he is not drunk on alcohol. As we the people eventually vote to re-establish balance, let’s help protect this small blessing. Keep those diet cokes coming!
Saying aloud what should not remain silent.
Books by Tony…
Stand Up Or Sit Out: Memories and Musings Of a Blind Wrestler, Runner, and All-around Regular Guy
A memoir about life lessons learned, especially through sports
Vision Dreams: A Parable
A sci-fi novella about how a dysfunctional society forces people to go to extremes, including four blind people who seek out artificial vision.
What Should Not Remain Silent
A sampling of moments in the author’s life between June 2021 and April 2024 and the essays he felt compelled to write about them. The pieces in this book illustrate his reactions to a wide variety of issues, from disability to diversity and inclusion to war, peace, and politics.
https://www.dldbooks.com/anthonyrcandela/
Or go to Amazon, then Books, then Anthony R. Candela to purchase it.
The book is available in paperback, hardcover, and e–book formats.
Tony Candela has worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor, supervisor, manager consultant and administrator for more than 45 years in the field of blindness and visual impairment. His work currently includes the development of blindness professionals. He is a “retired” athlete, loves movies, sports, reading, writing, and music, including dabbling in guitar.
View his Website here: https://www.anthonyrcandela.com/ and follow him on Facebook for more posts here: https://www.facebook.com/anthonyrcandelaauthor
Thanks for reading and come again.
This post was sponsored by Anthony R Candela. Please read more about him and his books below.
AD: Books by Anthony R. Candela
By Anthony R. Candela
Christian Faith Publishing, 2019
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Vision Dreams: A Parable
This is a sci-fi novella about how a dysfunctional society forces people to go to extremes, including four blind people who seek out artificial vision.
This novella increases our understanding of what it means to live in a society that is supportive of its citizens’ daily happiness and humanity. Perhaps after reading it you will be more on guard against what can happen when nations decide to be hyper-vigilant. As the plot unwinds, you will see the lengths to which people will go to achieve their humanity. In the midst of the subtle kinds of strife that leads many to live lives of quiet desperation, there are heroes willing to take risks.
Stand Up Or Sit Out: Memories and Musings Of a Blind Wrestler, Runner, and All-around Regular Guy
A memoir about life lessons learned, especially through sports.
The story related in these pages will occasionally give you cause to chuckle or even shed tears of sadness or joy. Above all else, it will enlighten you about why things happen the way they do. Ultimately, this memoir increases our understanding of what it means to be truly human. Perhaps after reading it we will be kinder and gentler to each other. Most importantly, perhaps we will be kinder and gentler to ourselves.
About the Author
Tony Candela has worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor, supervisor, manager consultant and administrator for more than 40 years in the field of blindness and visual impairment. His work has included promoting literacy and employment of blind persons and a special interest in enhancing the career preparation of blind persons who wish to work in the computer science field. He is a “retired” athlete, loves movies, sports, reading, writing, and music, including dabbling in guitar.