Most of my friends and family took the trump train

[Beachnutt]

to maga looney land, some took the one way trip to death during the covid era, some took the train to prison for insurrection and many went batshit crazy but none of them found happiness and prosperity.
Will they come back to reality in 2024 or will they board another fox news trip to hate.
I miss my friends and family but they have been exposed for what they really feel inside and now things will never be the same.
A light has been shined on Good vs Evil in my world and I'm so glad I stood my ground and chose not to board the trump train.

[marble falls]

1. Mine, too. My SiL did tell us a couple of days ago, she's not votingbfor anyone this time around ...

... Good. That means she won't be voting for Senator, Rep, state legislators etc.

Local office don't matter so much: most local offices here will have no Democrats running.

[Beachnutt]

3. I really don't communicate

with most of my friends and family anymore sadly.
I have made up my mind that I won't until I get a call with an apology and some sort of comment condemning the evil doings that they were a part of promoting.
They all know how I feel.
They all hate President Obama and Obamacare but many are using it.
They all said the economy was and will be terrible but it's not and setting records weekly.
They all said covid was a hoax and then they got covid.
They said no to vaccine but now they're getting vaccinated.
They said 5G was a way for democrats to get in their mind but now they all use it.
They said we would be in war but we're not
They said so many untrue things I can't remember them all and all along the way I tried to show them reality to no avail.
They can apologize and concede to truth or never speak to me again, I don't care anymore.
They took the fox news trump train to looneyville not me, I'm still here and hoping for good change.

[moreland01]

23. My trumpy brother

said he won't talk to me until I give him a written apology (for what, I don't know).

I think the entire nation needs an apology, and free treatment for 8 years of severe trauma inflicted on us all by trump. We need national counseling!

[Shermann]

47. Ask him to put his request in writing! nt

[slightlv]

71. I've said for a long time that those not brainwashed

by *rump... IOW... the rest of us... need trauma counseling for PTSD. I feel like I've been living through PTSD since he came down that escalator. Never had blood pressure issues until he was assigned the oval office. I have a short frustration fuse, and I fight panic attacks and night terrors. All this, just since 2015. Yes... we are all in the midst of runaway PTSD... and I'm NOT making light of PTSD. The effects are terrifying.

[TigressDem]

73. I'm sorry you (your brother) chose a crazy wannabe dictator?

Just an idea for an apology letter.

It will feel so good when it quits hurting.




But yeah, that might lead to a brawl.

But you can think it whenever you look at him and it might loosen the knot in your chest for how everything has gone so wrong.

[OMGWTF]

43. My BFF of 36 years dumped me for Trump.

It’s fine because I have a lot of friends who aren’t fascist fidiots.

[TigressDem]

101. Been away for a bit. Sorry to hear this.

But glad you have a larger group of friends that aren't drinking the koolaid.

[SouthernDem4ever]

95. Very sad to see this

I have the same thing happening in some of my family. Long term propaganda is difficult to correct- especially when it's continually blasted from weird media sources.

[TigressDem]

102. I keep wondering if there is subliminal messaging in the ALT media world.

Because they keep saying the exact same phrases.

One co-worker told me I should get some of the vids and slow them down to see if it's fact or fiction, because at this point I am advancing a conspiracy theory. Sigh. He's right, but I don't have that equipment.

[CousinIT]

2. Mine too. All but one who I can't see often.

The rest are idiot MAGAts. Some call themselves "Libertarian" - which are MAGAts who don't want to admit it.

They're all ignorant as hell and willfully so. They believe everything Fox and Bannon tells them and never verify anything or even think about what the facts are. They don't care. They're mad at "the gays", they want women subjected to domestic and reproductive slavery like they "ought" to be (in the MAGA mindset), and men lit up with guns and testosterone like "real men". They hate those dirty black people and believe they're lazy and they don't want immigrants in here taking benefits that they believe ONLY their MAGA selves are entitled to - not those "other" people they hate like pregnant women (aka "sluts" ), non-whites and LGBTQ people and DAMN SURE not those damn "libruls".

[RKP5637]

30. OMG, that must be hard to deal with. The hatefulness and ignorance, willful ignorance is the US is astounding.

[Evolve Dammit]

79. "Some call themselves "Libertarian" - which are MAGAts who don't want to admit it." Nailed it. So true

[Axelrods_Typewriter]

93. Libertarians are like house cats

They're dependent on a system they falsely think they're completely independent of.

[MOMFUDSKI]

4. Several of my husband's sisters got on board

also. He has stopped speaking to them. Also an old friend of mine who showed me who she really was. We all lost out. I don’t know how any of this gets fixed.

[mainer]

5. That is so sad. I hope you've found friends elsewhere.

Or have at least one person you can spill your guts to. My deepest sympathies!
If nothing else, it may help to volunteer at your local democratic party. You'll find lots of cool friends there!

[Emile]

6. My wife lost two of her right wing cousins

to COVID.

[True Blue American]

7. My life long best friend

Is a True Blue Democrat.

So is my Son but he has swallowed a lot of the lies from his in-laws who really miss Rush.

[mountain grammy]

8. In 2016, my husband asked his brother

How he could believe all the lies. His brother hung up on him and that was that. I got him to call his brother on his 70th BD in 2018 but that was the last time he spoke to him. He died in November. One less vote for Trump. Husband has no regrets

[kentuck]

9. It's sad and it hurts...

But life is made of choices.

[jaxexpat]

13. That, my friend, is a profound "mike drop" epitaph for MAGAism.

[Swede]

10. Saying hate is an opinion is like saying arsenic is a flavour.

Saw that on the interwebs.

[multigraincracker]

11. Only have one relative and

he is neither a Dem or a Pub. He lived most of his life in the NYC area, so he hates Stinky. .
I’m kind of old school. I still call those folks “TeaBaggers”, a name they picked and then changed to Tea Party when they found what first one meant. I call all of them TeaBaggers. Some don’t like it, but it just goes over the heads of most.

[Lilaclady]

14. Relatives

My husband and I have experienced the same thing. It gets increasingly difficult to have meaningful conversations with my family members. All are Rs and would never vote for a Democratic. During the 2016 and 2020 elections my daughter said the same thing - she had to hold her nose and vote. After 2016 election she sent me a long message telling me to stop reading about politics and calm down. I am a 76 year old woman and recently she treats me as if I am addled. I guess she thinks I am stupid because I am a liberal.

[not fooled]

41. Welcome Lilaclady

Amazing how the reality-denying Rs think we should calm down and not be upset at the prospect of a red don dictatorship.

[NewHendoLib]

12. I have one cousin that is not only on that train, but deep into the bowels of every web located

conspiracy theory that my annual chat with her was the most surreal yet.

My brother may be on the train, but he tends to blow with the wind of his spouse(s - he's on his third) and his work friends. We just don't go there.

Thankfully the people who mean the most to me - 2 daughters, wife, close garden pals - are on the Biden Express.

[tavernier]

16. Oh I like the Biden Express!

Should be on a bumper sticker

[KS Toronado]

15. Here's some anti-FQX stuff

https://www.democraticunderground.com/11989731

[hay rick]

17. Stick by your values and beliefs without regret.

The Fox News/Trump train was a test. I have abandoned most of my family and long-term friends (and vice versa) by mutual consent. I don't like it but the only other available option has been tolerating the intolerable- ignoring the moral pandemic of pernicious lies, falsehoods, and the false sense of victimization they promote.

As the new year dawns, I am grateful to be alive and healthy and able to choose my own path. I have new friends now- not as many and not as long-standing- but they have all passed the same test that so many failed.

[Beachnutt]

19. Well said

Thank you...

[Paladin]

74. Well put.

The trumpists must be made to realize that there are consequences to their choices---negative consequences, at that. Loss of friendships and family ties should be part of the deal.

[DownriverDem]

18. Who are they?

If they aren't rich, they must be racists, women haters, anti environment, anti health care, pro insurectionists etc.

[bedazzled]

61. Hateful... greedy ... stupid

Or all three!

[Generic Brad]

20. My family was on the Trump train beginning in Bush's 2nd term

I was given an ultimatum in 2007: divorce my wife (she is a naturalized citizen but they were unable to differentiate between legal and illegal), quit my job (I was working at a bank and they thought I was enabling Soros and the globalist agenda), and go to church (my mother was appalled when she realized I did not share her views). That was the last time I spoke with any of them but for a while they emailed me conspiracy theories and left threatening voicemails.

[yardwork]

25. Oh my goodness. I've heard a lot of sad stories but that takes cake.

Your family wanted you to divorce your wife and quit your job?!

As a mother of grown children I really can't wrap my head around that. What job were you supposed to get? Something with that church?

I'm so sorry that happened to you, and good for you for standing strong.

[erronis]

31. Wow - that's quite a liturgy of their problems. Your life must be much simpler now.

[Generic Brad]

66. It is soooo much better

All the unnecessary drama has completely evaporated.

[Joinfortmill]

65. Had to be hard. Glad you have your wife.

[mollie8]

21. That about says it

You have a nice way with words, almost poetic. Both my sisters, in-laws, and children are Trumpers. We still communicate, just avoid anything related to politics. My son may be coming around, he now says they're all bad. I said that may be so, but at least Joe didn't try to steal an election. He had no reply. I do have a great friend, goes all the way back to high school 1962. We talk about what's happening some times, but her son is a Trumper too. Again, thanks for your post, I've read it a couple times and like the way you put words together.

[NJCher]

26. Yes

It was fun to read. Concise.

[Kath2]

22. Awesome.

Good for you. You are on the right side of history.

Peace, love justice and equality in 2024.

[NJCher]

24. This is a whole other reality

For me.

Very small family with no one in that camp, but I think it might make me angry that a worthless slug like trump had gotten in the way of family relationships.

But on the other hand, I most likely would have had nothing to do with these believers anyway, so it’s a moot point.

[bluestarone]

27. Just want to chime in here to say, SAME with my family.

Unexplainable but yea in my case it's RELIGION. SICK SICK SICK!! Just cannot discuss anything with them. THEIR so onto TFG is the chosen one. MY GOD i just feel like some alien has taken over their minds. I swear, i don't get it!!

[musclecar6]

35. The Chosen One

I know every time I hear someone come up with that nonsense about the chosen one. I’m just aghast. As John Kelly said a very very evil person. To me there’s only three reasons the MAGA morons would still vote for this deplorable person. It’s all about their wallet, they are evil or they’re stupid.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

59. That's Funny, about the 'only 3 reasons'.

I said to a couple of them,
If you can not see that Trump is not a good person, then you are either:

1: Not a good person yourself
2. Stupid

And, I know you are not stupid.

Later, I realized that there was a 3rd option,
3. Ignorance (if a person just doesn't read or watch any news or debates, headlines, social media, etc.)

[soldierant]

72. Chosen for what?

If it'd what they think, the critical part of that mission must be soon, because that segment began with arrest and imprisonment. And went from there. But they'll be disappointed when he doesn't return in three days.

[Beachnutt]

37. I'm reading this book and thinking about sending a copy

anonymously to my 3 older "Christian" sisters.

The Kingdom,The Power and The Glory
by Tim Alberta.

[bluestarone]

39. Looks like a good book.

My MAGA's would never touch it. Hell if the book was from God himself, they wouldn't touch it. TFG is THEIR one and only God! Alien brain is my only theory on that!

[mamacita75]

54. I think that your sisters

would know it was from you. I am going to get that book. I have seen many interviews of the author, and Tim Alberta is excellent.
I sent The Power Worshipers by Katherine Stewart, well-researched analysis of that life view to a sister. Never acknowledged but that doesn't matter.

I feel for everyone that has lost relationships and family because of organized religion.

Happy New Year to you and may we all have peace in our hearts.

[eppur_se_muova]

28. I like how you co-opted "Stand Your Ground". Maybe we can make that a librul thing. :) nt

[Kath2]

29. My usual response to the Trump/MAGA types.

I usually just tell them flat out that my two important issues are abortion rights and racial justice and the Biden administration is far better than Trump on both. That usually starts a conversation with the like-minded and shuts everybody else up.

[Basic LA]

32. This is what worries me.

Keep hearing that we lib/Dems are the majority, but sure never looks that way out in the field.

[IbogaProject]

42. Our people are busy making the world better

The MAGA illk are loose in the suburbs and rural areas. We are out there too but who wants to argue with idiots? The breakdown is at worst 40/40/20% swing.

[Basic LA]

57. That breakdown sounds realistic.

Hope that swing portion can be reached.

[karynnj]

53. Liberal Democrats are not a majority, but neither are RW Trump believers

Where a majority does exist, it is on ISSUES. Many of which are on our side.

I keep hearing pundits saying that abortion, which DID get majorities out when it is on the ballot, is NOT on the ballot for 2024. To me, they are taking too literal a meaning of "on the ballot".

I think the way it will be on the ballot is to make the case AFFECTING ALL RACES that the danger is that we could end up with Republicans controlling both houses of Congress. If they also win the Presidency, ABORTION RIGHTS EVEN IN BLUE AND PURPLE STATES could be endangered. This is not a made up fear. Keeping the Senate will be tough. I expect the House and Presidency to go the same way because both depend on who gets the votes out. As to what they would do, Republican legislators have already spoken of bills they want to pass.

Democracy is also a big issue, but may be harder to explain.

I suspect issue groups will make that case.

[Basic LA]

56. You make an excellent case.

Fingers crossed. I'll try to remain hopeful.

[quakerboy]

94. Partially disagree

My experience is that while democrats may not be a majority, people who believe what liberal democrats do on most individual issues are a majority. The republican party is a big ol trick on the vast majority of its members, they get them on one, maybe two issues and hold them with peer pressure and social expectation and a gigantic helping of misinformation

[nuxvomica]

33. The best thing we can do for them is put him in prison

All this talk of, OMG! we can't prevent him from running again or convicting him because it will divide the country! is pure bullshit. America already has a nasty, festering wound and the Republicans keep picking at the scab when what it really needs is a good dose of disinfectant. It's gonna sting really bad at first but it has to be done. We'll all feel better afterwards.

[Traildogbob]

48. The wound

And the MAGAT’s are having a feeding frenzy on that festering round and seem to be multiplying.
Fox et al keep smearing shit in the round and the festering keeps getting worse. Trump ripped the bandages off of the wound and poured his shit directly into it.
If we don’t aggressively apply treatment to heal the wound and at minimum wrap it back in a bandage, the MAGA’s will devour the host, and leave only a skeleton of America. Healing will be painful, but the Momma Queen Fly will keep laying the eggs that produce more MAGAT’s. And RW media will keep feeding them the oozing Festering shit to gorge on.
Swat, electrically Zap or use super glue fly paper to end the Momma Fly. Lock it away, and stomp on the MAGAT’s it left behind. Personally, I get thrills zapping flys with electric current.

[Evolve Dammit]

77. well said

[Traildogbob]

78. 🤜🤛

[Evolve Dammit]

82. I totally agree but question if DOJ and SCOTUS are "equipped" to take it on. If they don't, we are fucked.

[sop]

34. I'm fortunate most of my immediate family identifies as progressive and would never vote for Trump.

Friends, acquaintances and business associates are another matter. I make it a point never to discuss politics, science, religion or any orher hot-button social issue with most of them; I have a low tolerance for casual cruelty, racism, hate, superstition and ignorance, and one never knows what they'll say when certain topics come up. I feel like I'm living behind enemy lines here in Florida.

[Beachnutt]

40. Same here in Texas

Living behind enemy lines

Good discription.

[Joinfortmill]

67. I hear you. I lived in Florida for 4 years. Loved it, but missed my kids/grandkids.

[ananda]

36. I grok.

Many of my Texas family, sooo racist and full of other isms,
have been Republicans for years.

One good friend wient anti-vaxx crazy.

My immediate family, raised by my mother, is liberal,
thank goodness.

We stood our ground, but it still hurts to know so many people
we love did notl

[Kath2]

38. I feel you.

My jacket and shoulder bag are always adorned with peace symbols and pro-choice and pro-LGBT buttons. They all know where my head is at before I even open my big mouth.

[griffi94]

44. My experience has been similar.

My immediate family and inlaws are liberal but both my parents and my sister are Trumpers.
I don't lament that too much. We all disliked each other long before MAGA. Trump empowered them to
bring their true selves out in the open, but they have always been hateful, racist, selfish, and deeply unhappy.

[Joinfortmill]

68. I think that's the hardest part to face, what some folks that we love are really like. Shocking, really.

[Snackshack]

45. 2024

Needs to be the year maga is ended. we cannot continue on like this and the simple fact is the gop its base, ALL who have aligned themselves with that 50% of our government must be treated as we would treat any other group set on our destruction.

It must be recognized that there is no going back for the GOP. Dems need to realize there is NOT going to be some epiphany by GOP or it base of sudden humanity, not gonna happen. We need to meet them with their terms + ours and put a stop to this. Real damage is being done and real Americans are dying.

We need to get aggressive. Stop letting GOP determine the narrative that TFG is some poor misunderstood luddite who really wants to do good but is just misguided in his ways.... phuck that, that asshole lied knowingly, did all he could to stop a response to COVID and let over 1M Americans die. Why this is NOT being screamed by everyone who still has compassion for this country left is confounding. Biden, Schumer, Garland have patted themselves on the back so much with such magnanimity in how they are "letting justice run its course" yet they have actively/consciously run out the clock and allowed tfg to already skate on criminal acts e.g. Obstruction, Emoluments that it is only going to be the voters who will be able to get us out of this tailspin.

William H McRaven 2024. Ive had read "Make Your Bed", "Wisdom of the Bullfrog", and "Sea Stories" if anyone has a firm grip on what humanity means and how to handle any situation that presents with a real "America First" POV it is this man... Harris should absolutely think about this man for VP.

Do not get before me here. Joe Biden IMO opinion is super human. I voted for him and have all the respect in the world for him. The loss of family he has endured takes super human strength and perseverance and that is just 1 event, the man has dealt with many. He has served for decades. He has done more then any one man can be expected but the simple fact is he is getting up there in age and no matter how sharp one is on the inside it what is seen outside that matter and unfortunate in this shallow "entertainment tonight" country we live in this becomes a distraction from the message one wants to get out. The GOP in its traitorous support for tfg has already chewed up ALL of Bidens Presidency with crime after crime and bullshit after bullshit. Bidens admin has not been able to get traction on anything berceuse ALL the for profit media co's show is TFG 24/7. They have managed to obstruct Biden since day one with this.

I will always be a Dem but the one thing GOP does well that Dems do not is pay attention to what they present like. do they come across as being confident, composed or are they disheveled and all over the place. What we present on TV unusually does not help in support of the msg and that needs to change.

[Beachnutt]

49. I will say this in reply to your reply

A lot to think about there.

[Joinfortmill]

69. I hear you. Part of the problem is the corporate media is right leaning and motivated by profits...

Also, the so called Democratic Machine sucks.

I think the media will pay in the end because independent voices using YouTube channels and podcasts, are taking viewers away from them. Even the New York Times (don't get me started on them) are feeling the financial pinch. The most important thing for all of us to do is VOTE. Take care all.

[erronis]

70. You make so many excellent points - thanks! One that I know is true "there is no going back for the GOP"

Even if they wanted to, they can't undo the damage they've done to themselves and others. In their addled brains even they realize it. Whatever germs infected them are part of their selves. They'll continue to destroy decency even if they say they have seen the errors of their ways (which I doubt.)

[Iggo]

46. If I'm ever forced to talk to my maga relatives again (I'm 62, so there's no guarantee)

But all I have for them is three words: Who’s conservative now?

[PortTack]

50. It's sad the way stinkamus divided and ripped our country apart...sorry that happened, you did the right thing

[cutroot]

51. I am still waiting for apologies from a few Nixon supporters I knew long ago

They are hoping that I will forget

[ecstatic]

52. If only they had been told the truth from day one

This is a guy who shits his pants on purpose to control and get a reaction out of people. Link.

I really wish I could see inside his supporters' minds to know what they're really thinking.

I know that it's not all hate and racism, some of it is just an attraction to drama. They are thoroughly entertained but if you want to laugh, go to a comedy club. FFS! You don't elect a clown in the midst of everything we're dealing with right now. Experience matters more than ever right now. We cannot have any cowards, bitter elves, or incompetent self-absorbed narcissists on the job. President Biden is the only safe option for the times we are in.

[COL Mustard]

55. I have family who think x45 is the most persecuted

President in history. He hasn't done anything wrong. It's all those damn Democrats. They know they're right because you know, Fox!

I can't do politics with them anymore and a lot of them I just don't bother to engage.

What concerns me is if he gets re-elected this November. I really don't know what will happen.

[et tu]

58. i don't blame maga

for my family and friends who have been brainwashed- its the media
we need better social and news facts. i'm a progressive, bleeding heart
dem, always have been, always will be and that is how i will be remembered.
i smile because i think trump et al will be remembered for death and hate.
way to go trumpers~

[Skittles]

89. we see the same media but have never fallen for that garbage

it's more than that

[et tu]

91. i don't watch fox news

and the like, many rural households depend on local news much of which is
fox produced. yes it is more than one cultural issue but being brainwashed
is to me, the largest issue~

[moniss]

60. I was reading an article awhile back

by a psychology mag that was talking about the "outrage" drug fed to people by Faux and others. It talked about how it is measurable with people how their "intake" satisfies them and like an addictive drug that builds a tolerance they need more and more to get the same "satisfaction". So some of them feel the outrage needs to get crazier in what is claimed and they feel the need to be "fed" with greater frequency during the day. So just like you get people who use a drug a little or a lot there are also people who will be way more into the crazy than others. So it's sort of like the ones who just watch one show or two like Hannity etc. and then there are the ones who have Faux on all day and night as well as catching Joe Rogan, Crowder and others.

It was interesting to note how when people were taken away from this constant "feed" how they exhibited anxiety, increased emotional response like anger and being argumentative about minor everyday things.

[AllaN01Bear]

62. friend who was my neighbor, moved to live near fam, was slowly drifting to that bs . he was a strong uninist dem . then

started listening to some electric company line men who are mostly conservative. i called him one day and got the dreaded phone answer this number isnt taking calls anymore , a good indicater that he died.

[Smackdown2019]

63. My cousin

My cousin and her brother were among that rode that train. She reminds me of those brainwashed nazi women, whose eyes had the stare of thousands of miles with the smile and her brother took the non-vaccine train, which derailed into his local cemetery.

Its sad, people are gullible and easily followers. Truth or lies, its the show that dazzle them into the hook, line and sinker...

[Joinfortmill]

64. Gotta be hard standing there alone. Take heart, you have courage. The Universe will smile on you.

[TigressDem]

75. After stopping the car and telling my son he could NOT try to school me with ANY MTG thots....

I said, "You will not mention her or her words in my car. She is so unfamiliar with truth and at odds with facts every word out of her mouth is better in the mulch pile than near anyone with a brain." Or something to that effect. I clearly remember the first sentence but went ballistic and don't remember much after that.

We went to a movie. I was trying to be together and not discuss politics. On the way home, I offered to walk when he brought some other thing up. I actually got out of the car until he promised to drop it.

We don't talk much, but when we do it's fairly civil and related to our family and general issues. He still rails on the economy but I give him a warning look or mention that I got gas for under $3 and that eggs were priced high because the two main suppliers were rigging prices and they have been caught and fined for that.

I'm trying to design a Continuum Chart that will put various ideas/opinions on a scale of how far right/left or toward the center they are and higher minded ideas that have facts or benevolent intent will go above the line and ideas that are fear based, anger driven, tied to some kind of vice or illegal process or are part of a strategy to control people will go under the main line, like levels of compost.

So that as I digest information, I can give it some kind of rating and compare various ideas on merit if able or show that one has merit and the other is fertilizer.

MAYBE if I chart enough, I can find ideas on the opposite side that might meet his ideas of what should/can be but in a way that isn't toxic.

But basically, unless there are facts, documents, evidence to support an opinion it isn't anchored in reality and it's all theory as far as I am concerned.

[Evolve Dammit]

81. Where or from whom is he absorbing this crap? It's coming from somewhere.

[TigressDem]

84. He's not a youngun.

He's in his 40's and his FIL has these attitudes so a lot of it comes from there.

My husband was the "stepdad" and though when my son was little they got along great, Hubby is a bit of an introvert and lacks people skills with kids heading for their teen years. A challenging area for many. They had some major disagreements and couldn't work it out completely.

His bio-Dad, my ex was an alcoholic who lived to put them at odds as well. My ex didn't want us to succeed apart from him.

These two dynamics made him easy pickings for a lot of the strong man stuff. He was in a gang for a bit, ran with pot heads and didn't finish school. One of our babysitters was the only person he'd listen to so he stayed with her for a bit. I was still there for him, but it cut down on the daily battles and caused him to be better behaved "at someone else's house" than he was at home where he thought he could spray paint graffiti on the ceiling in his room and hack at the railing to the attic stairs with a machete.

A therapist who worked with our family when he was young said it was like having 3 kids wrapped up in one. I'd make him walk laps with me to get some of his energy out until he'd consent to working through a problem. One time when I made him apologize to the apartment manager for some dumb thing he did that damaged our apartment that I had to pay to get fixed. The manager was impressed with him actually taking responsibility and told him so. On the way back to the apartment he did cartwheels. He was very happy with himself for doing the right thing.

He has a deep sense of honor and wants to do the right thing, but he's been brain washed by the alt media.

I am trying to get up my courage to talk to his FIL because FIL has indicated that he does respect me and would listen. But I don't know where to start. Am afraid of messing it up. But if I can talk with him then I can figure out how to talk with my son too.

[Evolve Dammit]

85. That is a lot. I wish I could suggest something besides therapy with s good counselor for the

Multiple multi year issues. Cartwheels is a good sign. Best wishes.

[TigressDem]

86. We are doing OK with just keeping conversation about family and limiting our time.

He invited me to Christmas Eve and saved us some prime rib and put it in an air fryer to warm it up. I am a horrible person who can't stand prime rib done rare. It was lovely.

He showed me his car. The fancy one he can't afford to drive right now.

My grand daughter showed me some new decor in her room and talked to be about breaking up woes. (She had talked to her dad who took her out to lunch so she had time to get it out.)

My youngest grandson and the 18 year old played darts on a new magnetic board they got and I watched and applauded etc...

I brought ice cream - many kinds - for desert and they enjoyed.

My oldest grandson got woken up just before we left. He'd been working double shifts and was sleeping when we got there. I got a couple of hugs and talked with him a bit.

We shared some tales of my son when he was a cute little guy and he denied every being sweet and cute. (With his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.) I made a joke that got his oldest to say, "Ah, burn, Dad, she got you." So now we have another little family thing.

I gave them money to go out together because I'm too tired to buy for the whole crew and have them all not like anything.

DIL and I got a few minutes together and the 18 year old gave me his new phone number so I can keep in touch.

So things aren't "horrible" but we just can't talk politics.

Guess we have good boundaries.

[Evolve Dammit]

98. A heroic effort on your part IMHO. I commend you for your love and patience.

[TigressDem]

103. I am trying something new as well. Scary but it might help a lot of people if I can get it together.

I love to have conversations with people of different viewpoints in an environment where it's respectful, or reasonably so.

I know that the Congress used to thrive by having the contrasting viewpoints and working to make sure the majority got what was needed and sometimes wanted and the minority didn't get over run, but heard and some adaptions made to accommodate when appropriate. Never to violate the Constitution, but where giving something here or there made sense to keep the peace.

I started wondering how we wound up in this BLACK/WHITE everything is GOOD/BAD and "they" are against "US" fight to the death mentality.

I think that reality is more multicolored and everything is on a spectrum from far right to far left with the facts and truth in the center, but to each side large swaths of potential agreement material that isn't laced with vitriol. Above are the high minded values, investigations that shine the light on problems and potential solutions, below are our negative tendencies that get everyone in trouble as well as misdirection and hidden agendas.

I'd like to make a visual chart to use for hot topics and maybe hook it up with an app so people could put these issues in and see where their ideas, opinions fall and if something is disproved, links to actual documents or facts that show that to be true.

Lots of things people believe may fall left or right but not actually be a lie, just more how they see the world.

Where I think it will help is being able to accept where someone is at without swallowing BS that is known to be debunked already.

I have a few people on the other side of the isle I am going to practice with to get some preliminary charts and then put it out wider to get mega data to work into it, then I will talk to my son.

Because this is how I work, how I think, but I need a way to show my work as they say in school, to verify I'm not cheating and my sources are solid.

[Evolve Dammit]

104. needed on a national scale with visibility. email Rachel or MSNBC CEO?

[TigressDem]

105. Hope to get it together in a few weeks.

Today I have to diagram costs of Long Term Care options with Hospice against current Assisted Living bump up to LTC w/Hospice or two different options for my FIL who is possibly on 1 month to live and MIL who is 90 but doing ok.

Took today off w/o pay to put the numbers together.

My SIL has done a lot of footwork, but suddenly, I am unsure of her motives or whether her grief is clouding her judgement.

She keeps saying that LTC Hospice is only comfort meds and has been talking to FIL for 3 hours a day to convince him to go to a Hospice run by a church, which I don't generally object to but it's small and only takes the FIL which means transporting MIL to see him (below zero weather) and even 1 time a day is going to push her to her limits.

If we have them in a place that does both, she can scoot in her wheelchair over to see him and stay there once he's passed.

The place SIL has picked has a hide a bed if family wants to stay but FIL has a possibly contagious illness that is in remission at the moment, but still the way MIL has avoided it is by having her own space and bathroom to keep them from sharing germs by accident.

BUT YEAH.

Excited about the prospect of making it out to MSNBC and Meidas Touch, maybe Beau of the Fifth Column etc....
Make the chart, collect data, show the process and spread it out to fill many charts on many issues, then bring it back into a database and put it in an app..... CONTINUUM

[Evolve Dammit]

106. That is A LOT on your plate. Pace yourself if possible. I burned out on relative care and end stuff. Best wishes, ED

[Evolve Dammit]

99. Huge challenges for you. I appreciate the persistence and dedication to try to make it work. All the best and keep in

touch with your friends at DU. It is not easy to confront/mend family issues. Hang in there
ED

[dchill]

76. "...now things will never be the same."

I hear that.

[Evolve Dammit]

80. It's a civil war guys. There is no turning back? The violence will come and we all need to be aware of that. Sadly. n/t

[kairos12]

83. The Sunk Cost Fallacy is

huge with the MAGA crowd. Hard to overcome.

[Groundhawg]

87. My family SUCKS!

[Skittles]

88. I often think family is way overrated

but you have us, Beachnutt

[Beachnutt]

90. You're right

And thank you to every one of you.

[samplegirl]

92. My brother full on trumper

And my sister is behind him. We had another Christmas not speaking.

[RocRizzo55]

96. What will they do

When their train gets derailed?
Oh, and did you realize that many of the MAGAts who were convicted can never vote in their state. If they were convicted of felonies, a lot of states will not let them vote

[Baltimike]

97. I hope that ONE DAY, the extent of Cambridge Analytica's game on you

can be recognized.

This is what I say to them.

[The Conductor]

100. Off Track