Why is the Big Orange Cheeto losing it?

 Unless you only watch conservative news outlets, i.e, Fox, Newsmax etc, you have likely seen a proliferation of pieces by liberal pundits, and even a few not so liberal ones, who  point to the Idiot's rapid descent into 'crazy town'.  Every presser that he does now has degenerated into a non-sensical rant.  The latest one, at Mar-a-Lago, was enough to cause my wife and I to look at each other and raise our eyebrows with the unspoken question: "Is he around the bend?"

Well, allow me to offer you some conjecture on what is happening inside his small and shrinking world.  Because of my long background as a competitive shooter in various marksmanship disciplines, I have been in a position to hear high-powered rifle bullets as they go by.  Thank God they weren't fired by someone with hostile intent, like a Vietcong soldier, but I sat on a bench as bullets went by, passing through paper targets above my head. I was there as a young recruit to pull targets for regional matches at Fort Dix NJ.  

The sound barrier is approximately 1100 ft./sec at sea level. When a jet fighter pushes through into Mach 1 plus territory, there is an attendent 'BOOM', capable of shattering windows and pinning observers' ears back.  Likewise, when a rifle bullet travels beyond the sound-barrier it makes a sound not unlike a bullwhip being cracked.  It's not subtle, in fact, it's intimidating and conveys the lethality of it's source very effectively.

So, when a 5.56 mm bullet from an assassin's AR style rifle passed within just a few milimeters of the Idiot's head, he would have heard the sound of his own death...almost. It's a sound one doesn't easily forget.  And, when you  hear it, it means that the bullet is not hitting you--this time--because you are hearing it 'go by'. 

The absence of rallys, press conferences and other activities one would expect of a candidate in a contest for the highest office has been notable. His appearance in front of the Black Journalists Association was an unmitigated disaster.  Now, it appears he's really  hunkered down in his 'safe' place.  And, I have a theory, just an opinion based on my own life experience.  

Donald Trump is terrified.  He now knows what it is like to be standing at a podium with a large-ish crowd of people...some of whom may not harbor kindly sentiments toward you.  This shooter was one more lone-wolf wild card.  Luckily for the Idiot, he couldn't shoot straight.  But, the damage he did was much more than just a 'nick' of the top of Trump's right ear.  

Right after the shadow of death passed over...

Now, every time he stands up there to spew his hatred and lies, he also knows that it's entirely possible that there is someone in the audience, or at least the environs of the gathering, who wishes him dead...and is quite possibly capable of acting on that impulse. This is not something that will leave him alone...ever. It's now an indelible part of his life experience and I am guessing that this kind of background knowledge is corrosive and eats away at your consciousness with inexorable persistence.  If a person is already exhibiting signs of paranoia, this is like pouring gas on the fire.

He has just been accused, by several conservative pundits, of doing something they're referring to as: 'quiet quitting' his campaign.  By declining to appear out on the campaign trail, he is lowering the odds that another assassin is out there, just waiting for him.  When you are up there on the stage, not only are you dominating the entire gathering, but you are also a fine target.  And, in the dim recesses of his tiny brain, the Idiot knows this. 

So, he's staying home.

Over the next few weeks, we will see if Kamala and Walz can maintain the amazing energy that currently has engulfed their campaign.  My bet is that they WILL.  We will also see how the Big Cheeto manages his fears and concern for his own safety.  We've known forever that 'Captain Bone-spurs' is a cowardly bugger.  His version of being at war was fighting to find women who wouldn't give him the clap...or worse. 

Well, now, he's in a situation where a vast amount of anger, hatred and malevolence has become his trademark, And, apparently, more than a few Americans are sick of him. His constant barrage of insults, deprecation, and lies has worn thin...even for some of the Kool-Aids who have been among his most sychophantic MAGA followers.  Yes, there are still plenty of them who would follow him like lemmings off a cliff.  But, the stark contrast provided by the ebullience and sheer JOY of the Kamala-Tim campaign is not lost on a growing percentage of us.

So, we'll see if he can put himself back in the line of fire...literally.  Frankly, I don't think he's got the guts.  

He can still hear that bullet...and, that won't change.