I just had the oddest encounter with a Republican ever.

[Blue-Jay]

Just got back from the gas station. I pulled in behind an old guy with a Bush/Cheney sticker on his car and we started filling up our tanks, as we were facing each other across the pump. He was wearing a B/C 04 ballcap, and I had my "No W" shirt on. I was gonna make a crack like "Hey, some asshole put a Bush sticker on your car", but I decided against it.

So we stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. (It was probably 5-6 seconds, though). Then we had the following conversation:

Me: Well.... We're not going to change each others' minds, are we?

Him: No. I wouldn't think so.

<another pregnant pause, this one lasting longer with more staring>

Him: You really don't think the president is doing a good job?

Me: No. No I don't.

Him: Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Me: Yeah, that's true enough.

<we both go inside and pay the cashier, and return to our cars>

Him: Well, OK. Good luck in November.

Me: Hmm. OK. You too, I guess.

Then we just drove our seperate directions. I don't know that there's really a moral to this story. I like to engage in "Freeper-Fighting" with the best of them, but they aren't the ones we need to waste our time talking with. At any rate, it was the weirdest encounter that I've had with a total stranger in a long time.

[Fleshdancer]

1. lol, cute story

agree to disagree. very civil.

[Blue-Jay]

3. That's just it. If he'd said something stupid or belligerent,

I'd have gone off on him. I could tell that he was considering the same thing. He was just some older dude who has already made up his mind, and he saw that I was a not-quite-so-old dude who had done the same.

It just wasn't worth the effort.

[Fleshdancer]

5. I only go off on republicans when there are undecided voters in the room

I find that the people who love Bush would support him no matter what. It's some sort of weird cult.

[Blue-Jay]

8. Same here, for the most part.

The only exception is when I goad my older brother into an argument in front of the rest of the family. He's usually the only non-Dem in the room, and ends up looking like an ass.

That's more for fun, though!

[skygazer]

24. I can relate to that

I do that with my father because he has no valid argument, just sound bites and the usual propaganda that's easy to counter. It's so easy to make him look foolish and it's kinda fun. I know I'll never change his mind - he still thinks Goldwater would have made a great President, for crying out loud! I just like to needle him.

The story of the guy at the pump was fun, though. I like the "good luck in November" part. Very civil indeed!

[faithnotgreed]

2. yes. strange. but it was good to read because there is SO much

anger and tension out there that its nice for both sides to hear that it doesnt have to be that way or doesnt play any stereotypes.... im sure he is thinking of this just as you are

thanks for sharing

[NMDemDist2]

4. proves civil exchange may still be possible

or not :smoke:

[LastKnight]

6. woah, never knew such a thing as a civil disagreement existed...

i wish i could run across these guys to have my run-ins with...

-LK

[Blue-Jay]

11. I guess that's my point.

We're die-hards, and we know when we run into die-hards from the "other side". Why waste your breath, when you could be talking to people with no opinion regarding politics? I've met quite a few non-voters, who were appalled when presented with a few choice tidbits. Some of them I managed to register.

The hardcore Pukes? Fuck 'em. They're not worth more than a passing nod, and a perfunctory discussion about the weather.

[Red_Viking]

7. Something similar happened to me in Cortez, Colorado

We were moving from Texas to Oregon in June, and stopped to fill up in Cortez. I went in to pay. The guy behind the register was proudly displaying a photo of his son in his Marines uniform. I was wearing my Howard Dean tee shirt (nope, can't seem to let go!). I silently handed him payment for the gas but was staring at the picture. I asked, "Is that your son?" He said yes with a big smile on his face, then told me he was in Iraq and scheduled to come home in a couple of weeks. He was just 19 years old.

I said, "Tell him thanks for his service to the country. We appreciate it. And I hope he comes home safely to you."

The old guy really didn't know what to say to some redheaded chick with a nose ring wearing a Dean tee shirt. I just smiled and turned to go. When I was almost at the door, he asked me to do him a favor. I asked what that was.

"Vote for George Bush in November."

As I pushed the door open I said, "Sorry, you should understand I can't possibly do that."

It felt really weird.

I'm with Janeane Garofalo--at this point, a vote for Bush is simply a character flaw!

:dem:

RV

[Blue-Jay]

13. Yeah. It was kinda like that.

Although, if he'd asked me to vote for Bush, I'd have probably started laughing uncontrollably.

[Awsi Dooger]

9. For some reason, that reads like a King of the Hill segment

With low key Hank Hill playing the Republican, and eventually conceding to Bush's fishlike handshake if you pressed him.

[Blue-Jay]

12. I can do a dead-on Hank Hill impersonation!

"Bobby. If you weren't my son, I'd hug ya."

[Rowdyboy]

10. Your story made my day...You both showed a lot of class...

Either one of you could have made it unpleasant but you both had enough dignity to represent your candidates well. Thanks!

[Blue-Jay]

14. I don't know if it was "class"

or bemused resignation. Maybe a combination of the two. This year has been brutal for everyone, politically speaking.

[MrScorpio]

15. Believe or not, I don't come across a lot of wingnuts in uniform

A lot us Air Force types are looking forward to a change

[Blue-Jay]

16. No, you guys are doing what you agreed to do.

Rightfully so, I might add.

The true colors rarely surface until later with a lot of military-types, one direction or another. No worries.

[MrScorpio]

17. Actually my biggest fear is what I'll face after I retire next year

In the USAF, politics rarely if ever, affects your employment status.

On the outside, it's little trickier figuring out who you're working for.

[Blue-Jay]

18. You'll be fine, Scorp.

Dems & Repubs alike like to hire vets. They figure that you know how to do what is asked of you. That's not a slam, by the way. You've made a career of surviving, and you're willing to do what is necessary. Employers like that in a person. The fact that you've stayed in long enough to collect retirement benefits speaks volumes about your willingness to commit to a project.

You'll be fine. Not to worry.

[MrScorpio]

19. Thanks, Blue

I needed that

[Blue-Jay]

21. Not to equate the two,

but you're experiencing a similar feeling as people who have completed serving a longish prison term. They've been in for so long, that some are scared to see the end of their time in the joint. There's an overwhelming feeling of "What the hell am I supposed to do now?"

Again, the situation is at polar opposites from yours, but the feeling is the same. It's human nature, nevertheless. It's fine to be a bit confused, and it expected that you will be a little frightened. After all; You are shedding your safety blanket for the first time in what probably seems like forever.

Have fun. People will be turning somersaults to hire you.

[Ron Green]

20. Thanks for your story -

I'm finding that my Disabled Vet license plate gives me some cred when I'm interacting with B-C sticker people. I usually kind of shake my head sadly and say something like, "I'm sorry, but your boy's a moron," or whatever seems to fit the age and socioeconomic status of the driver. If he then wants to discuss issues, I'm more than eager to do that.

[MrScorpio]

22. I was debating on whether I'm going to put a "USAF RETIRED"

license plate cover on my car. I'll do it, Then when I happen to come across any wingnuts, I'll just point at it and say that I've earned the right to tell them to shut the fuck up.

[Ron Green]

23. I think you should, if you want to have your ride make that point about

your service. In my state, the Disabled Vet plate is permanent, means you never have to renew it. Also, of course, it says, "I did my time, and your boy is a poser if I do say so myself."
:dunce: