Freud explains Iraq v2

In response to an article in the NYT entitled "When the Personality Disorder Wears Camouflage" by Benedict Carey that was published on July 9, 2006.

Mr. Carey's intent, no doubt, was not to add to my explanation of terrorism in Iraq and of terrorism generally, but he clarified a key point with a totally different viewpoint and goal in mind. In my mind that validates this particular point I am trying to make. Notice how cleanly Mr. Carey's observations of psychopaths aligns with Freud's analysis of a leadership style that empowers terrorism by offering "individuals .. a new, psychological dispensation?" Here is some of the text of the article:

"These are hallmark traits of what some experts call psychopathy, a potent blend of antisocial instincts and grandiosity....

"...when you have a psychopathic offender, quite often he will manipulate others, he can be a puppet-master type," he said. "Others are attracted to his sense of certainty, his sense of power, to the fact that he can do things others have trouble doing." A person with psychopathic tendencies may appear to others as clearheaded as an elite soldier when under fire, or when on the attack. But the internal psychological reality is much different, research suggests."

This so closely aligns with the earlier Freud article, it could not go un-announced.

Lastly, a very pithy quote that applies to this same issue from David Brooks, a columnist for the NYT - "(These) assaults ... are ginned up by ideological masseurs who salve their followers' psychic wounds by arousing their rage at objects of mutual hate."

Doesn't Mr. Brooks' statement go right to the point of the Freud article and the article on psychopaths in the military? It helps to clearly identify the motivations and methodology of the leaders of the terrorism movement and all their ilk.