Too many people are in the grip of a belated and prolonged teenage rebellion. They have assigned the United States to the role of a strict parent. Whatever the parent does, makes them roll their eyes in exasperation. They get especially angry when they see the symbolic parent assert authority.
Vova Putin is, in their imagination, a bad boy who is daring to defy the strict parent in a way they never managed to do when they actually were teenagers and it was time to do it. They secretly adore Putin and want to be like him. And whenever anybody suggests that their idol is a pathetic little shit, they get upset because they can’t accept that their dream of liberation should be discredited.
And this is the psychological landscape that gives us people whose vision of global politics is, “Big bad US is victimizing everybody [read: the introject of my strict parent is torturing me] and somebody needs to stand up to it [read: I like to fantasize about someone defeating a strict parent figure because I never tried and now I’m forever stunted as a result.]”
People are convinced that they are talking about politics when all they do is reveal their psychological defects. This would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad.
Clarissa's Blog 
Since the teenager was invented sometime in the 1950s the pop music industry has been busy creating emotional templates for them to experience.
This one is He’s a Rebel by the Crystals (psychotic murderer Phil Spector was the producer but it’s still a great record).
lyrics (by Gene Pitney my favorite early 60’s male vocalist, oddly enough)
See the way he walks down the street
Watch the way he shuffles his feet
My, he holds his head up high
When he goes walking by, he’s my guy
When he holds my hand, I’m so proud
‘Cause he’s not just one of the crowd
My baby’s always the one to try the things they’ve never done
And just because of that, they say
He’s a rebel and he’ll never ever be any good
He’s a rebel ’cause he never ever does what he should
But just because he doesn’t do what everybody else does
That’s no reason why I can’t give him all my love
He’s always good to me, always treats me tenderly
‘Cause he’s not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He’s not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
If they don’t like him that way
They won’t like me after today
I’ll be standing right by his side when they say
He’s a rebel and he’ll never ever be any good
He’s a rebel ’cause he never ever does what he should
Just because he doesn’t do what everybody else does
That’s no reason why we can’t share a love
He’s always good to me, good to him, I try to be
‘Cause he’s not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He’s not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
video (audio actually) link:
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Most people are in rebellion against “mummy”, but this rebellion seems linked to how pervasive Christianity is, in the particular society. Mummy is demonized within the Christian matrix, hence her authority is always deemed spurious. Generally Daddy’s authority is still deemed OK.
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And yet I can’t imagine Putin and his glad-handing work with Greece without thinking of Sarah Cracknell’s syrupy vocals on Saint Etienne’s “Join Our Club” …
“Do you believe in magic? Join our club …” 🙂
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