Delusional Ambitions

[DISCLAIMER]

*War Machine spoilers contained herein.

Property of Netflix, fair use

I recently re-watched the satirical war comedy film War Machine (2017) which one suspects was a fictionalized account of the downfall regarding retired United States [U.S.] General Stanley McChrystal. Describing the plot of the movie, one source states:

A general with prior experience is sent to Afghanistan with a mission shrouded in vagueness, nonexistent political support and a lack of confidence from the U.S. government. However, with the team of supporters and aides that surround him, a strategic “battle” plan is set into motion that is questionable by those who already believe there is no hope, and flawless by those that are closest to him.

Per my view, this film highlights the absurdity of U.S. politics while centering on the military-industrial complex. Specifically, it explores consequences which may befall those who fail to use thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason).

One particular scene stands out in this regard. When fictional character General Glen McMahon is questioned by an imagined German politician, the following dialogue unfolds:

Politician: You have been speaking to us now for 45 minutes, and yet in all of that time you have only mentioned al-Qaeda once. Your own vice president has advocated a much smaller and simpler counterterrorism approach to incapacitate what is estimated to be little more than 100 al-Qaeda fighters that still remain in Afghanistan to refocus on what it was that started this war in the first place.

General McMahon: Ah.

Politician: Your analysis of the insurgency there suggests to me there is no monolithic Taliban. You are spread over the entire country. You are fighting 1,000 separate battles with locals whose principal ideological position would seem to be simply that they don’t want foreign soldiers in their village. And that, General, you must know, is a war you will never win.

General McMahon: Ah. Uh…with all due respect, ma’am. Uh…I must beg to differ. I firmly believe, having traveled to all corners of the country, having spoken with many people from many walks of life…that what these people want is the very same thing that you and I want. Hmm? Freedom, security, stability, jobs. Progress is being made. Real Progress. But challenges do remain.

Politician: Yes, I understand all of that, General. And…and, please, let me say quite sincerely that I do not question the goodness of your intent. I have been listening to you here this morning, and, uh…I believe you are a good man. I do. What I question is…your belief in your power to deliver these things that you describe. I question your belief in the power of your ideals. Ah, well…I think what I am trying to say, and I apologize, General, if this is sounding impolite, but I question your sense of self.

General McMahon: No, no, no, that’s all…all right. I, uh, appreciate your, uh, commentary. I do. Um…but I have a job to do.

Politician: Yes, I understand. And I also have a job to do. And I am trying to do mine. As an elected representative of the people of Germany, it is my job to ensure that the personal ambitions of those who serve those people are kept in check. You have devoted your entire life, General, to the fighting of war. And this situation in Afghanistan, for you, it is the culmination of all your years of training, all your years of ambition. This is the great moment of your life. Well…it’s understandable to me that you should have, therefore, a fetish for completion to make your moment glorious. It is my job, however, to ensure that your personal ambitions are not entirely delusional and do not carry with them an unacceptable cost for everybody else.

When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) within my blog, I’m afforded an opportunity unavailable during the limited time I have in sessions with clients. For instance, allow me to illustrate key points from the cited scene.

First, I think that defining terms is necessary. A thought is an individual act or product of thinking. A belief is a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing. Though these terms are used synonymously, they are quite different in practice.

Whereas a thought is merely a fleeting idea, a belief is a thought that one strongly holds as true and that influences one’s perspective and behavior. Essentially, a belief is a thought that has been affirmed and integrated into one’s cognitive framework. It’s considered true, though not perfect.

When the German politician cited evidence for why the U.S. war plans regarding Afghanistan weren’t rational, General McMahon begged to differ while citing belief as the core component that influenced his behavior. Perhaps it’s worth being candid when discussing this matter.

The U.S. invaded and occupied a foreign land in which citizens of that nation didn’t want us. Through the force of weapons of war, many people suffered when U.S. politicians, military members, intelligence operatives, and others wrongfully (in my opinion) clung to rigid beliefs.

When writing about the belief-consequence connection of REBT, I’m able to illustrate rational counterpoints to irrational beliefs in a methodical manner. As an example, I can take time to demonstrate what the U.S. response may be if we encountered foreign invaders and occupiers.

Our government officials are apparently willing to thrust the U.S. further into debt by increasing funds for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (i.e., immigration enforcement) and U.S. Department of Defense (i.e., Golden Dome). Why wouldn’t Afghanis respond similarly?

Although the German politician in War Machine effectively disputed General McMahon’s irrational beliefs, and in a gentle manner (if I do say so), the general stubbornly refused to part from his illogical and unreasonable position. Then, the politician increased her level of dispute.

She made it clear to General McMahon that she wasn’t challenging him, yet she was disputing his beliefs. In specific, she stated, “It is my job, however, to ensure that your personal ambitions are not entirely delusional and do not carry with them an unacceptable cost for everybody else.”

General McMahon’s desire to achieve a particular end was questioned, though the politician didn’t outright tell him how or why his belief-fueled ambition was irrational. This, too, is my approach with clients when I have limited time in our sessions.

In my blog, I can illustrate why irrational beliefs are worthy of dispute by telling readers my rationale. In my client sessions, it’s often best to question the rationale that clients use. Regarding this matter, I found the following YouTube commentary on War Machine interesting:

Commenter one: In hindsight, both characters started right and ended wrong. Gen McMahon’s (Brad Pitt) math equation was correct but he lost sight of what the equation represents, thus susceptible to the “what about Al Qaeda?” question.

As for the German Politician (that’s literally what Tilda Swinton’s character is called), her initial question was relevant and critical but eventually derailed and ended by literally asking the unanswerable “I disagree with you, so tell me why!”

Commenter two: I disagree, because she was trying to get the General to understand that everything he was saying and doing was based on hubris. The only way out is for him is to admit that, not be told it.

Added: while he was ordered to do this and he is locked into a losing situation, he has aligned himself with the hubris even while he didn’t originate it. He became it.

While I appreciate both the perspectives of commenter one and two, I favor the approach of commenter one within my blog while opting for the method of commenter two within my client sessions. Either way, assessment of delusional ambitions is challenging work.

Perhaps you don’t believe me. Well, allow me to include a final example. The U.S. currently continues to fund Israel, which has plausibly engaged in genocidal behavior or ethnic cleansing. We apparently learned nothing after almost 20 years spent in Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, our nation continues meddling in the Middle East. Thus, our irrational behavior reflects that of General McMahon’s hubris (exaggerated pride or self-confidence). It’s a matter of delusional ambition that we continue to support an antagonistic Israeli regime.

Where is a rational German politician when the world needs one, of the likes represented in War Machine? Oh, wait. Calling upon Germany to challenge a government largely comprised of Jewish people may result in ad hominem attacks concerning this post.

Yet, I’m a taxpayer, life coach, and psychotherapist. Therefore, “It is my job, however, to ensure that your personal ambitions are not entirely delusional and do not carry with them an unacceptable cost for everybody else.” Thus, I dispute beliefs underlying delusional ambitions.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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