Agreed!

[mimi85]

I'm in my early 60s (never thought I'd say that - from the don't trust anyone over 30 generation), a middle class white woman living in a horribly conservative area of California with little (and big) pink houses for all. My husband, while still liberal, has gotten more conservative in other areas (think Mr. Wilson), while I'm still the girl with flowers and beads inside.

My oldest grandchild was born when I was 35 - friends were still having babies! The bio dad has never been in the picture - my daughter had this Prince thing going on.

Well, my GS is biracial AND gay (we just learned that part a couple of years ago, wish he'd told us sooner, he knew it wouldn't mean shit to us, so not sure why he didn't tell his mom or us earlier). Anyway he got the hell out of here after being harassed at school and in public, now his friends outside of work and at his job (has a great job) don't give a rat's ass about his color or his sexuality. He's in San Diego, which is still fairly conservative, but at least there are things to do after 7pm and there is some diversity! And the beach.....sigh. Too much dinero for us, sadly enough.

I witnessed what my daughter went through when he was little as they lived with us until he was 4 - the ignorant comments/questions like "is he adopted" or "gee he has a great tan, did you go to Hawaii", etc. Then when he got his DL (I taught him how to drive a stick). he was stopped far too many times for bogus reasons. DWB was the real reason as the cops here are known for that.

He was here with my husband and I on election night 2008. I was a sobbing wreck (from joy and disbelief) and he was def happy, but it wasn't as huge of a deal to him since his generation is so much more tolerant - generalizing, but overall.

Sure, some oldsters just can't handle voting D, but I also firmly believe a majority of it is purely racist sentiment. My father must be spinning. He even wrote on my 21st bday card (voting age in the early 70s) "good, now you can vote Republican." He died during the early Clinton years and would give me grief constantly about my Dem support. He was a good man though and truly judged people by their character, the baggers would have shocked him. My grandmother, who died a couple years before my dad, decided that our GS must be part Mexican - that was more acceptable than black to her. We didn't even try to convince her otherwise - she was in her 90s, figured why bother? A super sweet (and strong) lady though. I miss her and my folks every day.

Sorry about the long post - just really wanted to say that not all "older" people can be lumped together. But in general it's true, I suppose. Take care all, it's past this ole hippie's bedtime!