President Obama, if there is any doubt even among his most ardent supporters, is a classic narcissist. So much so, an introductory college textbook could use him as its example. The extreme neuroses, the need for constant reassurance, the ability to transform every event into something affecting him personally, and the constant reminders to others of his own brilliance and prowess are all too familiar.

A good narcissist has a certain detachment to reality, as well, because this really helps when turning a serious event into a great opportunity for the narcissist to turn attention back to himself. Take for example not one but three events at Nelson Mandela’s funeral. Island Dweller points thought Obama has “done it again, but that would imply there had been a break in this behavior, and there hasn’t been. This has been continuous behavior.”

I’ll just say he has managed to illustrate his own approach to governance through being caught in this activity by an enterprising photographer. Here we are at a state funeral, in theory an occasion demanding somber restraint and circumspection, and we are caught snapping a mirthful “selfie” along with the Danish babe and the British PM. This picture so perfectly illustrates the overall narcicissism of Dear Leader and the amateurish approach to serious international politicial activity he and his many advisors possess, with the possible exception of Dean Wormer – er, John Podesta. Contrast this with the famous photograph of the heads of state passing by the grave at the funeral for JFK; in particular a photograph of French President Charles de Gaulle, in uniform, snapping a salute to the coffin – all the more remarkable since he and JFK really didn’t get along. This was a genuine symbol of sorrow and respect.

Yes, of course, you know all this. But Island Dweller hits on a key point here:

It’s just a perfect illustration of the shallow, amateurish, self-indulgent, unmindful, disrespectful, and oafish behavior one has come to expect from this White House. The fact the others – all in the same general age bracket – are joining him on this slide to the bottom just says something similar about them. Just the kind of behavior we need from those representing us on the international stage.

And that is what the Czar wants to mention: that if you subtract all the narcissism from the argument, you are left with the inescapable conclusion that President Obama has no sense of anything. In other words, take him out of the situation, and he suddenly suffers an existential crisis. To put it even simpler, he’s a bit of an idiot.

For example, the famous selfie picture. You have seen it, so there is no point in publicizing it further. Look at the big grin on his face—he loves this; how cool is it that two world leaders want their picture taken with him?

More interestingly, look at the First Lady’s facial expression next to him. Some folks have taken it to be anger or annoyance; rather, the Czar believes it is an appropriate expression of sadness. Look, it’s a funeral, and she knew the guy personally. He was important to Mrs. Obama, and she is not particularly overjoyed to see him go. But take a look at the oaf with the goofy grin next to her: he thinks he’s at another celebration for him. This isn’t just narcissism: it’s dumb.

Second, consider the handshake with Raul Castro. Yes, a huge mistake: even Bill Clinton—when ambushed by Fidel Castro extending his hand from the crowd—insisted that no photographs be taken because President Clinton would not make public any handshake due to its insult to Cuban Americans everywhere. Yes, even Clinton showed good sense there.

But Barack Obama cheerfully shakes the hand of a murderous villain simply because, we are told, he didnt’t know. Again, who knows what underqualifications are necessary to assist Obama these days—he sure seems to be ignorant of a lot of things. And that5’s our point: he’s almost willfully ignorant.

Want a third? No, the White House doesn’t want this one going around, but a photograph exists of President Obama posing with Mohamed Abdulaziz. You probably don’t remember this guy: he’s a terrorist responsible for the death of many innocents in the Western Sahara who decided to make the trip down to the funeral. And just like always, nobody told Obama not to get near the guy.

For a narcissist, the President ought to start worrying about how these sorts of stupid mistakes make him look: like a laughing stock.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.