1/25/2022

JRB,

            What’s your energy level today? In your press conference (PC) last week, you said something about 12-14 hour days to “put things in place.” That’s a long day for a guy your age. My energy level is not what it used to be. I have to ration my time in my garden because if I work as diligently as I used to, I will wear myself out for a week.

Does energy conservation explain why today’s public calendar has nothing on it & the NYT only has only 2 mentions of your activity, including one about your “vulgar” remark yesterday. Speaking of which, thanks for calling Peter Doocy to “clear the air.” I encourage you to assume that the mic is always on to avoid such blunders in the future.

            It’s too bad that just as you are getting “things in place” VVP decided to move his troops to the Ukraine border. Now, instead of jump starting your domestic agenda, you’ve got to spend your time strategizing on how to handle him.

Perhaps the honor culture/dignity culture distinction used by Ryan P Brown (RPB) will be helpful as you try to understand his motivations. I just heard about it on the “Hidden Brain”. Folks who live in honor cultures are sensitive to threat because they face economic insecurity & unreliable law enforcement. This makes personal reputation important because it’s the only thing preventing others from taking advantage. This theory explains Islamic militarism, the MAGA movement & Romeo/Juliet. It’s characterized by avoiding shame & humiliation through aggressive masculinity.

Learning more about the honor/dignity distinction from RPB might help you figure out the psychology of VVP, the Tatmadaw generals & many of my fellow Americans, especially those who are encouraging military action against Russia. Sadly, most citizens don’t even know where Ukraine is & according to a poll in 2014 when VPP invaded the Crimea, the less people knew about its location on a map, the more they wanted the U.S. to intervene militarily. So discouraging!

BYBS,