Monica Goodling's Shirley Temple Defense(or, was it her Hannibal Lecter defense)

It was so well played that I have to admit I missed this until it was pointed out by Dahlia Lithwick and Emily Bazelon. Monica Goodling played a role during her Congressional testimony. With a trembling voice and the hint of a sob, Goodling performed the part of a helpless little girl to the hilt. She knew nothing of any criminal conduct because (silent sob) she was just so child-like and naive. To listen to her testimony, Goodling was little more than the Justice Department concierge and never had an inkling what those big, nasty men were up to.

The reality is that employment in this administration, and especially in this Justice Department, requires a narrow skill set. They are looking for people with not just a talent for lying, but the practiced arts of a sociopath or a psychopath. The ideal job applicant can weep sensitively about the pain you are suffering while pulling his own the knife from your gut and wiping the blood from the blade. Compare this discription to White House personnel and try to find any discrepancies.

Profile of the Sociopath

• Glibness and superficial charm
• Manipulative and Conning ~ They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible.
  
• Grandiose Sense of Self
  
• Pathological Lying ~ Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis.
• Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
• Callousness/Lack of Empathy
• Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature ~ Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
  
• Irresponsibility/Unreliability ~ Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
  
• Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility ~ Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution.