Or it may have been millions of years of evolution that provided us with our authoritarian leanings. Our relatively recent hunter-gatherer relations had to have had alpha males to lead the band. But those alphas had to realize, on some level, that they couldn't do as Trump has done, and show no empathy or concern for the tribe, lest the long spears come out.

I wonder if Defense Secretary Esper is reading the tea leaves, and thinking, do I really want to forever trash my reputation, my social connections, and eviscerate those future streams of income, for what, a few more months serving this loathsome son-of-a-bitch who will spend an eternity at the bottom of the presidential ladder? And one would hope that others in that circle are feeling similarly and will also make more overt statements of disagreement with dear leader. The odious Jared/Ivanka  have to wonder about their future, and that of their kids. But who knows.

Peter T.