As any traditional anywhere in the world will tell you, language has power. Words matter. Definitions of words have meaning. That is why the Tangerine Terrorist is so slap-dash with his salesman patter, and yet specific in his threats. He tries to hide his weakness in and endless drivel of meaningless words. He tries to erode the power of language by lying. He tries to deflect attention by using so many words to say nothing in particular.
Michael Cohen touched on TT’s use of language during his testamony before Congress as well as in his trial and whenever he speaks out in interviews. TT says what he wants in a code. TT’s followers carry out TT’s coded words. Thankfully, it is not a terribly complex code.
As with any good cult leader, TT not-so-subtly changes the definition of the words he uses in his code. Those who carry out TT’s wishes think they are the only ones who can decypher TT’s wishes. They are wrong.
Like a good cult leader, TT encourages his followers to think they are better than non-followers, more special, smarter, because he only uses his special code with them. Unfortunately, TT slings his language out into the world as often and as frequently as possible. He makes no secret about his plans or his goals. He is weak as a cult leader because he relies on violence and the threat of violence. His followers are weak because they are violent and unimaginitive in their attacks. Even their stochastic violence is predictable and can be quelled.
TT’s own language pattern is basic and his vocabulary limited. His salesman patter is meant to overwhelm his non-followers with repetition, his hand movements are meant to mesmerize, to distract, from his meaningless patter. The only time he is not lying is when he is giving directives to his followers.
We all need to help his followers realize that there is nothing magical or supernatural to TT. We need to paraphrase TT’s directives back at his followers to let them know that we know what TT has planned. We need to bring into our language that there is nothing to fear from violence or the threats of violence. We need to remember former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, “No one can make you feel inferior with out your consent.” And, we need to remember Grey Panther activist Maggie Kuhn’s words, “Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.”
The best way to deal with any bully is to point and laugh often at the bully’s bumbling behavior at every turn. Speak calmly and always tell the truth to a bully; remind the bully that while you might be afraid, you are not fearful. Always, at every hour and every day, remind TT that he was elected into his current job and that he is actually the weakest person to ever hold that job. His job is to represent EVERY citizen and if he can’t, he is just showing the entire world how weak a person and how meaningless a president he is. Bring back the huge baby Trump balloons to float nearby wherever he is. And, to our free press, report the truth, show your audiences how to stand up to bullies, even ones in the White House, or we will no longer have a free anything.
As I stated before, power doesn’t need to yell or use violence. Power isn’t only for some. Power is all of us.
Do not obey in advance. Do not give up your power.
Illegimi non carborundum.