There Is No War in Ba Sing Se

[DISCLAIMER]

According to one source, “For months, Attorney General Pam Bondi promised the release of documents on the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein that could reveal damaging details, drumming up anticipation over the files, long a source of speculation and conspiracy theories.”

At one time or another, United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Kash Patel, and Deputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino all alluded to potentially more evidence of Epstein’s alleged crimes.

However, many of the Republican, Make America Great Again, America First, or otherwise conservative-leaning voters who placed significant faith in the Trump administration recently self-disturbed with irrational beliefs about a memo from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ):

[A] systematic review revealed no incriminating “client list.” There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties […]

After a thorough investigation, FBI investigators concluded that Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019.

Per my reading of the memo, it’s the official U.S. government position that not only were the suspicious circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death not related to suicide, the late financier allegedly kept no list of people presumed to have engaged in unlawful activity.

Though I have no evidence to refute these claims, I remain suspicious of this admission. If there was no client list regarding alleged perpetrators of sex trafficking and other crimes, then for whom were Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein claimed to have procured victims? Was it no one?

When considering the DOJ memo, I’m reminded of a meme. According to one source:

“There is no war in Ba Sing Se” is a catchphrase from the 2005 American animated television show Avatar: the Last Airbender. The phrase has become a sarcastic expression that implies the aforementioned statement is undoubtedly false […]

The phrase was first mentioned in the 14th episode of the 2nd season of the show, titled “City of Walls and Secrets,” released in 2006. Jet, a drifter and acquaintance of the protagonists, engaged in a brawl in a tea shop, [exhibits] behavior that disrupts the artificially designed peace within the city walls.

He is captured by clandestine Ba Sing Se city officials and is subjected to brainwashing while in captivity under Lake Laogai. During this scene, a hypnotic lamp revolves around a Ba Sing Se official who repeats, “There is no war in Ba Sing Se.”

Photo credit, property of Nickelodeon, fair use

One could argue that the “brainwashing” technique to which Jet was subjected relates to gaslighting (manipulation of someone into questioning their perception of reality). According to one source, brainwashing is described thusly:

Brainwashing is the controversial idea that the human mind can be altered or controlled against a person’s will by manipulative psychological techniques. Brainwashing is said to reduce its subject’s ability to think critically or independently, to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into their minds, as well as to change their attitudes, values, and beliefs.

Personally, brainwashing isn’t an entirely illegitimate concept. Its techniques are worthy of consideration, especially when contemplating the tool of gaslighting. Nevertheless, in a blogpost entitled Gaslighting I stated:

Unfortunately, I’ve observed many people who use the concept of gaslighting as an essential feature of victimhood—the tendency to recognize oneself as a victim of the negative actions of others, and behaving as though this is the cause of suffering even when evidence doesn’t support this conclusion.

Suppose that members of the Trump administration are using techniques of brainwashing or gaslighting in regard to the Epstein case. You may be well aware that an information war is occurring. Yet, they insist that “there is no war in Ba Sing Se.” What can you do about it?

What control or influence do you have in this matter, even if you genuinely are being lied to? In my view, use of the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) technique known as unconditional acceptance (UA) may useful in this instance.

In specific, REBT uses the technique of UA to relieve self-disturbance which is associated with the ABC model. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

Whereas the ABC model is a scientific approach to wellness, UA serves as a philosophical method for un-disturbing yourself. Rather than using rigid self-narratives I could’ve instead considered flexible UA attitudes. Of course, not all REBT practitioners use the same style as I.

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

Since you control only yourself, you have no impact on brainwashing or gaslighting techniques used against you. Yet, you are empowered to control how you react to such tools of manipulation (e.g., forgoing attachment to plausible lies about Epstein’s case). This is USA.

Likewise, you’re likely unable to influence whether or not members of the U.S. government lie to you, though you’re welcome to try to impact such behavior. Still, it may be of more use to focus your influence on matters which you can actually affect (e.g., friends). This is UOA.

Further, you have no tangible control or influence over the past, global networks of elites that abuse people, or the U.S. government – as the latter two elements are basically indistinguishable. Thus, you can direct your attention to your circles of control and influence. This is ULA.

In closing, concerning a scene in “City of Walls and Secrets”, character Sokka expresses bafflement when a government worker manipulates Sokka and his friends. Using UA, character Toph replies, “It’s called being handled. Get used to it.” There is no war in Ba Sing Se /s.

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

References:

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