Calling someone crazy as a way to discredit them is nothing new but it is the latest tactic being used against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Lawyers affiliated with the opposition party Democratic Action are working on a petition, similar to one rejected by the Supreme Court in 2002, that would require Chávez to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.Hugo Chavez's behavior is being labeled as "sociopathic". According to Wikipedia in order for someone to be officially diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder they must fit three or more of the following criteria:
- Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.
- Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
- Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
- Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
- Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
- Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honour financial obligations
- Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.
Some are saying that this most recent call for a head check is a response to a February order warning of sanctions to psychiatrists and media outlets that promote ``the use and abuse of disrespect towards the majesty of the state and our president.'' All this because Chavez said something about life on Mars.
Sources: Miami Herald, Wikipedia
So, hypothetically, what would Chavez or Bush have to do for you to agree that they need to undergo psychiatric evaluation? Clearly you don't think they have crossed the line yet, but you must agree that there is a line somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone should be required to undergo such an evaluation unless of course some criminal activity requires it (which we could debate if either leader is guilty of or not). So yes in that sense there is a line.
ReplyDeletetotally nuts, but elected, so.
ReplyDeleteRecent bizarre and seemingly paranoid statements -- a moment of silence for assassinated FARC leader Raul Reyes, threatening to bomb Bogota and blaming the USG for widespread food shortages -- have caused this expat-in-Caracas to wonder about Chavez' emotional stability... The real question is whether he believes what he's saying or whether he's simply using demagoguery to shore up domestic support.
ReplyDeleteBush a "loco" too?
ReplyDeleteHere is how Sr. Doble-ve Boosh stacks up by the criteria:
1) Acts that are grounds for arrest? Not in the USA. What happens to citizen Bush after retirement will depend on the jurisdiction and the zeal of local magistrates. Perhaps that Spaniard judge who arrested Pinochet in the UK has W on his list. But Texas authorities will never honor Your-oh-peyan writs.
2) Deceitfulness? The prosecution will have to present circumstantial proof to any jury, and the average jury will include 30% who believe that "Iraq done 9/11" and another 30% who "now that we're there, no sense arguing in favor of Osama." Bush will never admit falsehood, unless waterboarding is used to obtain confession, which he insists is not torture. But surely counsel for the defense will cite European prohibitions. Nice to have the cake and eat it too.
3) Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead? Here even many Republicans might agree. W, however, will insist that he is faith-based: gut-believing and gut-fearing. Some of W's critics may insist that he has not been impulsive enough about attacking Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico (the list goes on).
4) Irritability and aggressiveness? Some might insist that VP Cheney is more prone to growl. W has a more laid-back smirk: "we'll see who laughs last."
5) Reckless disregard for safety of self or others? Only half true. He is very careful about personal security. Some of his followers will claim he is also too worried about the lives of Arabs, Eye-raninas, libruls, or evilutionists.
6) Consistent irresponsibility? No, W delivers to his Base. The tax cuts remain in place. More are coming.
7) Lack of remorse? No need for any. W is surrounded by people who reinforce his sense of righteousness. When he prays, the Voice that answers reaffirms and blesses everything. Belief is so soothing, even prettier than a mirror. Isn't a seemless self-esteem necessary for any Decider or Commander Guy? Clearly, it's the Shinhsekis and Fallons of the world who probably wish they bit their tongue. Those two guys will have to live off their pensions. The team players who go along will get their rewards big time, whether on corporate boards or foundations. Petraeus, Odierno, Wolfowitz, and Rice show the way.
On balance, W passes the "sanity" test with flying colors. It's the dissenters who are consigned to clinical dysfunction. Watch, now, as the sane average Americans elect another "sane" guy next November. He plans to carry on a sane war ror another sane 100 years, if necessary. Maybe he will please his sane followers and purge the Caribbean of political leaders with the supposed mental disorders.
As for Sr. Chávez, I leave the subject where it belongs: to the Venezuelans.
Chavez is not crazy. Otherwise he will not be responsible when his clownish government falls. He will be judged and condemned by his compatriots and by history.
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