Ilitch family bag man a classic case of Freud's "projection"

Whenever scrappy Detroit-based casino syndicator Michael J. Malik or his hired guns speak, one must consider filtering what's said with Freud's theory of psychological "projection."

In a story posted 6.26.08 in the Port Huron Times Herald regarding Malik's failure to get congressional approval of his scheme (H.R. 2176) to build an off-reservation Indian casino in Port Huron, Michigan, Mike Connell writes:

Casino developer Mike Malik blamed the setback on "the actions of people who hired Abramoff to stop us originally and who have continued to expand on Abramoff's tactics. They were successful. They did it in ways that someone should investigate."

According to Sigmund Freud, "projection" is a psychological defense mechanism whereby one "projects" one's own undesirable thoughts, motivations, desires, and feelings onto someone else.

Others describe "projection" as:

• "A defense mechanism in which the individual attributes to other people impulses and traits that he himself has but cannot accept. It is especially likely to occur when the person lacks insight into his own impulses and traits."



• "The individual perceives in others the motive he denies having himself. Thus the cheat is sure that everyone else is dishonest."



• "An individual who possesses malicious characteristics, but who is unwilling to perceive himself as an antagonist, convinces himself that his opponent feels and would act the same way."

To bring up Abramoff's name is a mere smokescreen that Malik uses in an attempt to deflect any consideration of his own questionable and tainted actions.

Recall that among other things, Malik was once arrested for beating up the 12-year-old son of a girlfriend, was found guilty in California of violating that state's political reform laws and was denied a license by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Malik is the partner of MotorCity Casino owner Mrs. Marian Ilitch. Malik and Ilitch are pursuing approvals to build Indian casinos off existing reservation lands in California and New York. Marian Ilitch and her family have also backed Malik's failed plans for Port Huron. Some have described Malik as the Ilitch family's "bag man."