Okay, before we start, this is just an opinion/theory based on what I’ve read, what I have heard on television interviews, and the overall body language. I am not saying all women are victims and all men are their abusers, this is just my opinion of this family’s dynamics.
Innocent Father or General of Psychological Warfare…….
(IMO) JR gives no outward appearance of being abused as a child. This does not mean it didn’t happen, I just don’t think so. However, he does show signs of disrespect for women. This is shown in the affair he had on his wife and the using of the woman he cheated with. Let’s cover this while we’re here, I don’t think it was just one affair, with just one wife. In fact, I’m of the belief that his long absence on Christmas, was not solely for plane maintenance (I’ll cover this when I get to PR).
JR exhibits classic traits of a successful, powerful and Narcissistic man. Unlike PR, his abusive ways are self taught. I believe he had a God complex, his need to be on top, to be better than and in control of everything and everybody, an ego maniac and a covert- aggressive with an agenda. JR is a manipulator of people without conscience.
Manipulative people have a strong need to be in control. This may derive from underlying feelings of insecurity on their part, although they often compensate for these feelings with a show of strong self-confidence. Even though they may deny it, their motives are self-serving, and they pursue their aims regardless of the cost to other people. They have a strong need to feel superior and powerful in their relationships - and they find people who will validate these feelings by going along with their attempts at manipulation. They see power as finite. If you exert power over them, they will retaliate in order to gain back the control they feel they are losing. They cannot understand the idea that everyone can feel empowered or that everyone can gain. When they are not in control of themselves and over other people - they feel threatened. They have difficulty in showing vulnerable emotions because it might suggest they are not in control.
Here is a list of the Manipulators tools
Covert Intimidation – Aggressors frequently threaten their victims to keep them anxious, apprehensive and in a one-down position. Covert-aggressive, intimidate their victims by making veiled (subtle, indirect or implied) threats. Guilt-tripping and shaming are two of the covert-aggressive favorite weapons. Both are special intimidation tactics.
Lying – It's often hard to tell when a person is lying at the time he's doing it.
Fortunately, there are times when the truth will out because circumstances don't bear out somebody's story. But there are also times when you don't know you've been deceived until it's too late. One way to minimize the chances that someone will put one over on you is to remember that because aggressive personalities of all types will generally stop at nothing to get what they want, you can expect them to lie and cheat. Another thing to remember is that manipulators – covert-aggressive personalities that they are – are prone to lie in subtle, covert ways. Courts are well aware of the many ways that people lie, as they require that court oaths charge that testifiers tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Manipulators often lie by withholding a significant amount of the truth from you or by distorting the truth. They are adept at being vague when you ask them direct questions. This is an especially slick way of lying' omission. Keep this in mind when dealing with a suspected wolf in sheep's clothing. Always seek and obtain specific, confirmable information.
Seduction – Covert-aggressive personalities are adept at charming, praising, flattering or overtly supporting others in order to get them to lower their defenses and surrender their trust and loyalty. Covert-aggressive are also particularly aware that people who are to some extent emotionally needy and dependent want approval, reassurance, and a sense of being valued and needed more than anything. Appearing to be attentive to these needs can be a manipulator's ticket to incredible power over others. Shady "gurus" like Jim Jones and David Koresh seemed to have refined this tactic to an art. In the story of Al and Don, Al is the consummate seducer. He melts any resistance you might have to giving him your loyalty and confidence. He does this by giving you what he knows you need most. He knows you want to feel valued and important. So, he often tells you that you are. You don't find out how unimportant you really are to him until you turn out to be in his way.
Projecting the blame (blaming others) – Aggressive personalities are always looking for a way to shift the blame for their aggressive behavior. Covert-aggressive are not only skilled at finding scapegoats, they're expert at doing so in subtle, hard to detect ways.
Denial – This is when the aggressor refuses to admit that they've done something harmful or hurtful when they clearly have. It's a way they lie (to themselves as well as to others) about their aggressive intentions. This "Who... Me?" tactic is a way of "playing innocent," and invites the victim to feel unjustified in confronting the aggressor about the inappropriateness of a behavior. It's also the way the aggressor gives him/herself permission to keep right on doing what they want to do.
So, now that we know how he ticks, let us explore his psychological warfare against his wife. I believe three things kicked off this war, the death of Beth, PR’s cancer (more specific… her mental condition afterward), and the affairs JR began to have.
In 1996 JR, found himself on the top of the world. He had power, wealth and respect, and a mentally fragile wife, who thought to control “Him,” and she had to go. You might think, he would just divorce her, but no, she would get too much then and too much would be found out about him. He set out, to push her over the edge. This would allow him to keep control and power over the business (her family invested in and helped to build), the money and the children. Heck, absolutely everything and she would be locked away and out of the way.
Psychological Warfare
Mental abuse, psychological abuse or psychological warfare, it all means the same; they are an intentional act of attempting to hurt another person's mental state. The weapons become much more intense and sadly, often involve the children. Some examples are: Manipulating the children into believing that the other partner is no good or does not care about the children (Parental Alienation Syndrome), poisoning the children's minds into believing bad things about the other parent; This is where JB, comes in, but we will cover that when I get to PR profile later today.
The thing about Psychological warfare is that its subtle so subtle that no one including the one being mind freaked, knows it’s happening. One of the most difficult things about identifying and leaving someone who is a psychological and emotional abuser is that the REALLY successful abusers are highly intelligent and hide their abuse incredibly well.
They may have shelves filled with psychology books; many are well-read and very well spoken. They know how to twist and manipulate language and people, they present an exterior of calm, rational self-control.
I think JR worked her bent mind until it snapped, and like Dan Broderick, he didn’t realize just how far he had gone until it was too late… Below is an expert from Betty Broderick Biography.
Was she a woman scorned, a modern day Cruella De Ville or an emotionally pummeled wife dropkicked over the edge of sanity by an emotionally manipulative husband deftly skilled at psychological warfare who antagonized his wife of 16 years into murdering him? I allowed the voices in my head to completely take over,"
There you have it, the three ingredients to the bomb that was PR, her mother, her father and her husband. JB, I believe was the fuse. PR’s profile is next (hopefully today).
