EVIDENCE THAT PETER O’NEILL IS A PSYCHOPATH & THE UNLIKELY PROSPECTS FOR HIS LEAVING POWER WITHOUT THE NEED FOR STRONG ARM TACTICS BY AUTHORITIES

by DARREN K MAPA

1.0 Introduction

Psychopaths often make the best leaders. This is the greatest paradox with Peter O’Neill. Psychopaths can be charming and persuasive, appearing firm and strong in their decisions. Used the right way, such traits can be applied to effective leadership. Mild psychopaths can have combinations of traits that make them effective, while full blown ones are those that can be destructive, including mass murders and destructive national leaders. That is why all traits of a psychopath must be considered together, rather than picking and choosing only certain characteristics to focus in on.

The most famous and destructive psychopath in history was Adolf Hitler (led Germany into destructive World War II and ordered killing of millions of innocent civilians). Josef Mengele was a Nazi concentration camp doctor known as the Angel of Death who was another full blown psychopath. Ivan the Terrible was a cruel psychopath that led Russia during the 1800s. Henry VIII was a bloodthirsty British king with multiple wives, also a full blown psychopath.
One of the most dangerous psychopath traits that when present and intense can lead to great destruction, is the lack of empathy or concern for other people.

A widely used list of traits characteristic of psychopaths come from two psychology researchers Hervey Cleckley (author of The Mask of Sanity) and Robert Hare (author of Without Conscience, Snakes in Suits and The Psychopathy Checklist). These traits are put together as one list below. Each item on the list is accompanied by comments made on how Peter O’Neill is known to exhibit that particular trait, and what its implications might be.

In assessing Mr O’Neill’s behavior against the traits known to occur in psychopaths, it is important to be clear that all traits must be judged as a package, rather than picking out one or another trait to argue why Mr O’Neill should or should not be classified as a psychopath.

2.0 Psychopath traits that can lead to effective leadership

2.1. GLIB AND SUPERFICIAL CHARM - Tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick. Psychopaths are never shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything, but that doesn’t mean they are loud. A psychopath can also appear to be a great listener. Sometimes they do this to simulate empathy. Other times they are listening intently to discover their targets’ dreams and vulnerabilities, in order to be able to manipulate those targets to do what they want them to do.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – Peter O’Neill is not shy, regularly attends social events of all types, and presents himself as a serious, down to earth speaker, but can make social small talk and crack jokes. This is expressed in the ease at which he mixes with people at government social events.

2.2. ABSENCE OF ANXIETY – Psychopaths are never neurotic or paranoid. They always have poise, calmness, and ability to speak reassuringly.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – Mr O’Neill is a straightforward talker. He shows no signs of anxiety even when put into the tightest predicaments of his career. For example, he has displayed an intriguing ability to reassure the PNG public repeatedly about the solid state of the economy, when the truth points the opposite direction. In the slow buildup and public anger to the imminent Vote of No Confidence in Parliament, Mr O’Neill has shown almost no feeling of concern or fear, even to his closest aides.

2.3. ABSENCE OF DELUSIONS – Psychopaths do not show any signs of irrational thinking. That does not mean that they act rationally, but rather, that they think rationally.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – It is easy to confuse Peter O’Neill personal impulsiveness as being signs of irrationality. Listening to him speak without notes at government meetings, there is no sign that he does not understand rationally whatever situation he is confronting. This is true for the various court cases that have stacked up against the Prime Minister. His instructions to lawyers and to appointed government heads, such as the Police Commissioner, demonstrate again this rationality.

3.0 Hidden, Often Self Destructive Traits

3.1. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH, ECO-CENTRIC, TOTAL SELF-CENTRED BEHAVIOUR. All this is taken to the extreme in a psychopath. They lack any true insight into how they might be viewed by others. They exhibit pathological egocentricity. Psychopaths can lack any true insight into themselves and an inability to seeing themselves as others do. They often who a grossly inflated view of their abilities and self-worth. They can be self-assured, opinionated, even cocky and a braggart, although not necessary strongly vocal in making those pronouncements. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings, but the arrogance again does not have to be expressed in a high profile manner to still be labeled a psychopathic tendency.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – All of Mr O’Neill’s actions as Prime Minister seem structured to built an informal cult around him. His employment of Mao Suit dress, and pressuring others of his ministers to dress the same way, portray a man who believes himself up to the level of Mao Zedong, founder of Communist China and its repressive government. Mr O’Neill’s slow but steady dismantling of democratic institutions in PNG confirm his belief that he is the leader for PNG and no one else. A few months back he slipped and told an audience in Oro that anyone who doesn’t like his authority and position as head of PNG had better start getting used to it.

3.2. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS: These traits are expressed as low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – This is a psychopath trait that Mr O’Neill exhibits especially strongly, just like the last one. Over the past few years, many have noticed his conspicuous inability to apologise for any of his actions or to admit fault. He always has an explanation to make every mistake appear to be someone else’s fault.

3.3. PATHOLOGICAL LYING, UNTRUTHFULNESS – A psychopath can exhibit this trait in moderately or intensely. Moderately expressed, a psychopath can be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever. In more extreme expressions, they can be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative and dishonest.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – This is perhaps the most conspicuous of all of Mr O’Neill’s psychopathic traits, and he has been called out so many times on specific lies and deceptions so as to earn nicknames such as “Father of Lies” and “Master of Deceptions”. He has been caught saying exact opposites to the media from one week to the next. One nested series of lies by Mr O’Neill that has particularly inflamed people has been his sequence of explanations for the Paul Paraka payment letter scandal.

3.4. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS: Psychopaths use deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain, sometimes expressed in a ruthless manner.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – Another trait that many have pointed out occurs in Mr O’Neill. His pushing through of the UBS loan would be a classic example. His courting of Christian leaders, both with respect to the King James Bible cargo cult, as well as using Christian abhorrence of gambling to gain a near monopoly with his business associates over PNG’s gaming business, are additional examples of manipulating others to achieve a hidden objective.

3.5. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY - a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has even been arrested or convicted for them. Psychopaths tend to take great personal pride at getting away with crimes or wrongdoings.

As applied to Peter O’Neill - The long string of alleged money stealing activities in Mr O’Neill’s history spans a range of tactics, including outright embezzlement, secret kickbacks, apparent positioning himself as a commission-taking middleman in loans, the use of front people to hide personal assets, and taking control of a variety of financial accounts throughout government and redirecting them towards corrupt purposes. Indications are that Mr O’Neill treats his crimes as games to be won at, and enjoys the thrill of taking the risks. His impulsiveness (see later) prevents him from mentally assessing the consequences of his actions before he does them.

3.6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT; INSINCERITY, CALLOUSNESS, LACK OF EMPATHY, SHALLOW SYMPATHY; Psychopaths show a general absence of deep and lasting emotions. They will not display gratitude for any special considerations, kindness and trust extended to them. They exhibit emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings. Interpersonal coldness is present even though there may be superficial signs of open gregariousness and warmth. Lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of those who the psychopath victimises. There is a general tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted and unempathetic to people in general, which sometimes becomes contemptuous, inconsiderate and tactless.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – Mr O’Neill’s reaction to the shooting of the UPNG students is one of the best examples of his inability to show any empathy. Even when he gave a short news conference regarding the incident, any suggestion that he felt remorseful about the tragedy was made clear by accompanying statements assessing blame rather than focusing on the tragic event itself. Mr O'Neill's callous treatment of, and breaking of commitments to visit the Romanong family of Mendi, who recently buried their son who was murdered at the PNG University of Technology, is another strong example. Mr O'Neill's recent news release about Sir Julius Chan is a classic example of psychopath behavior, where under the pretense of thanking Chan, O’Neill sticks in verbal knives by essentially calling Chan old fashioned and not fit to advise in modern times. O’Neill displayed similar public contempt for Don Polye after he left. This trait of showing lack of remorse or empathy in Mr O’Neill, however, seems to work in his favour in terms of it being misinterpreted by the public as him showing objective rather than emotional leadership.

3.7. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, MANY SHORT-TERM RELATIONSHIPS - Impersonal, trivial, and poorly integrated sex life, incapacity for real love and attachment. Psychopaths often display a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of numerous, multiple relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits and conquests. A lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including in marital and familial bonds.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – The specific type of sexual activity most enjoyed by Mr O’Neill from his mistress, Ni Cragnolini, is an unusual one involving anal contact and only is known because of Mr O’Neill bragging about it while drunk. Mr O’Neill’s marriage from all counts appears superficial. Before his current marriage, he is reported to have been involved in many short term relationships. Since becoming Prime Minister, the number of his sexual partners seems to have considerably declined.

3.8. NEED FOR STIMULATION, PRONENESS TO BOREDOM
— an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.

As applied to Peter O’Neill – This trait is well pronounced and most evidenced in Mr O’Neill’s impulsive traveling here, there and everywhere in PNG to visit communities. In this expression, the trait has a positive aspect in contributing to his popularity amongst rural people.

3.9. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS
- Fantastic and objectionable behavior, after drinking and sometimes even when not drinking. Vulgarity, rudeness, quick mood shifts, quick pranks for personal entertainment: expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.

As applied to Peter O’Neill - When not under the influence of alcohol, these traits do not seem pronounced. However Mr O’Neill’s alcoholism and frequent fights stemming from drunkenness are legendary. This includes the famous fight at the Airways Hotel Bar in which Luciano Cragnolini’s son came at Mr O’Neill for Mr O’Neill’s sexual relationship with his stepmother, Mrs Yumei Ni Cragnolini. Mr O’Neill flew into a rage and nearly beat the young Cragnolini to death. There is also an interesting, obviously uncontrollable quirk of Mr O’Neill whenever he gives speeches that he must feel uncomfortable at doing. You often will see him rubbing the fingers of one hand against each other impatiently and impulsively. He does not seem to be able to control the behavior which is conspicuous and distracting.

3.10. IMPULSIVITY - Unpremeditated behaviours that lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations and momentary urges; a lack of being able to consider the consequences before making a decision; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic and reckless. Sometimes an antisocial behavior that arises from inexplicable impulsiveness.

As applied to Peter O’Neill - The most glaring and famous example is the story of how Mr O’Neill came to sign the K70 million payment authorization to Paul Paraka for legal services not rendered. He was drinking at Sir George’s bar at the Airways Hotel when the letter was brought to him. In attendance were advisors who strongly advised him not to sign the letter. He impulsively signed the letter. Some point to his impulsive signing of the UBS loan with its multiple negative consequences to the PNG economy as being another example. His purchase of the 2 generators from middleman LR Group, bypassing legally required tenders procedures, is yet another possible example of impulsiveness, considering that after the generators arrived in PNG, they could not be utilized for more than 2 years.

3.11. IRRESPONSIBILITY, UNRELIABILITY, DISREGARD FOR OBLIGATIONS - Repeated failure to fulfill or honor commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late, failing to honor contractual agreements. Failure to live in any ordered way (unless it is for destructive purposes or a sham).

As applied to Peter O’Neill - There are some reports by those who know him that he is not a person who can be relied upon to deliver at a promised time on personal commitments, but that he does deliver. His involvement of family and wife seems artificial. Wife Lynda Babao seems to singlehandedly manage the family. Government planning frameworks may mask this trait. For example, the delivery of district grants is not carried out personally by him, but by the government structure.

3.12. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS, DUE IN PART TO FAILURE TO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE = Inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals or have a life plan; nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life. These traits may be masked by other psychopathic traits.

As applied to Peter O’Neill - It is uncertain whether Mr O’Neill’s history of theft and embezzlement incidents reflect a long-term plan or a repetition of the same old tricks. The near collapse of his Peter O’Neill Foundation may suggest his disinterest in sticking with long-term goals.

3.13. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
- Common pre-teen behaviors of a psychopath include lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, alcohol use and running away from home. Behavior problems between the ages of 13-18 can include either crimes or exhibitions of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

As applied to Peter O’Neill = We only know that Mr O’Neill’s early childhood was rough as his expatriate father essentially abandoned him and his mother was a village prostitute.

3.14. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE - an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline and the inability to carry through one’s responsibilities.

As applied to Peter O’Neill - This trait does not seem to occur, or at least, there is no evidence for it.

4.0 Implications for Papua New Guinea

Many national leaders have psychopathic tendencies. In personalities where only a specific few of the full range of psychopath traits are expressed, a psychopath can be an effective, productive leader for a nation.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill displays quite a few traits found in a psychopath personality. This conclusion is based upon an analysis of Mr O’Neill’s known behavior against comprehensive lists of traits now used around the world to identify psychopathic personalities. These lists are used to assess patients in preparation for diagnosis and the recommendation of mental help for those who demonstrate the most extreme expressions.

Many people in PNG, and also including foreigners, are impressed with the man superficially because of the ability of certain psychopath features that Mr O’Neill has successfully used to show strong leadership. This is why he enjoys support by many who are not particularly close to him, but know him better than those who have barely met the man.

Certain of Mr O’Neill’s psychopath traits are expressed very strongly. This includes, most conspicuously, his habitual lying, inability to take responsibility and lack of remorse, conning and manipulativeness, and versatile criminal behaviours. These traits are particularly prone to leading the possessor along a pathway of self destruction.

What Mr O’Neill has delivered through that strong leadership is the source of the PNG uprising against his rule. His 3 year record as Prime Minister, combined with his history dating back to the 1990s, has produced a. growing feeling in the country that Mr O’Neill’s negatives substantially outweigh his positives.

Most attention has focused on how his inability to take responsibility has resulted in numerous actions to obstruct justice. This also indicates a clinging to power at all costs, which is predicted by a psychopath’s grandiose self worth beliefs. This has led to accusations, backed up by concrete evidence, that Mr O’Neill has structured himself into a position of authoritarian power via a Guided Democracy structure that could lead to Mr O’Neill’s life-long rule of Papua New Guinea.

If Mr O’Neill were to remain in power, there is little likelihood that he will have learnt from past mistakes and not continue to attempt criminal behavior. In other words, incidents such as the Paul Paraka cheque authorization could easily be repeated somewhere down the line.

The longer Mr O’Neill remains in power, the more likely that his psychopathic tendencies will put PNG down a pathway of no return, related to a democracy style of governance.

The grandiose self worth of Mr O’Neill, combined with his lack of remorse and inability to take responsibility for his own behavior argues strongly that Mr O’Neill will not step down from the Office of Prime Minister without a massive amount of pressure. It would well be that a type of revolution will ultimately be needed to pull down the Prime Minister to face justice on the numerous allegations against him. This could end up being bloody and a sad chapter to Papua New Guinea’s development as a nation.

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