You Decide, the Sequel

Does George Bush exhibit signs of malignant narcissism?

An article on Narcissistic Personality Disorder provides a compelling description. "A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements);

2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love;

3. believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions);

4. requires excessive admiration;

5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations;

6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends;

7. lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others;

8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her;

9. shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes."