Serious problem...politics IS DIVIDING MY FAMILY

[midwayer]

I am soooooo fucking pissed off right now....


don't talk to me

don't approach me

don't touch me

IAM ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY PISSED

John Ashcroft is burning books

GW is saying he will harm Americans

The BUSH family has dirt on them that goes back to WW1 - WW2

911 was LIHOP

Die hard REPUBS either don't care or are too STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am just about ready to BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know how mouch more I can take


THIS COUNTRY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Citizen Daryl]

1. Hey, feel free to talk to me.

I've been having the same problem with my mother.

PS: The country is actually quite nice. It's the people you have to worry about.

[cthrumatrix]

55. same here...but sticking to "facts only" has helped and understands why

I feel bush "has not earned my trust".

Quite frankly, I suspect she may vote for Kerry as well.

There are plenty of facts to share.

[childslibrarian]

2. We support you

The truth will prevail... You are among friends...

[midwayer]

15. childslibrarian

what is the latest about the "book burning" issues you hear?

please advise

i'll be here all weekend

thanks

[midwayer]

3. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wife is an employee of a fortune 100 CO

and is ready tyo go with the flow as opposed to ME who is going agianst the grain

we have been married for 23 years!!!!!!!!!!!!

Help!!!!!!!!!!!

[AlCzervik]

5. Thats part of why you come here

some people just dont want to be involved and you can't make them or convince them and thats bad on them. My husband voted in his first election this year and he's 40. Hopefully she'll come around and if not remember it's only one part of her and one part of you.

[midwayer]

17. "people just dont want to be involved"

this frustrates me to NO END ...this is the most difficult thing in my life and they always turn it around on ME as I am tooo negative, yeah

it's all ME.... it's all me THAT IS THE WACKO

I say BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!

"Hopefully she'll come around and if not remember it's only one part of her and one part of you."

This is THE ONLY thing that will hold us together in the long run

Here is to hope

[AlCzervik]

20. i hope she does come around

and it is a sucky fact that many people sit out the politcal process but they do. My husband finally came around when we had to vote in the califonia recall, it piseed him off and he cannot stand Gropenfuher so for him that was his final push, now he's proud that he a registered voter and a little ashamed that it took him so long.

[Eloriel]

43. If they're blaming you for being "too negative,"

that's manipulative behavior, and my guess is that's not the ONLY manipulative behavior going on in your family. (IOW: my guess is politics isn't your only problem with your family.)

Good luck. I'd strongly suggest dipping into some literature about codependence, esp. on the subject of boundaries. It will help you sort out the manipulative behavior when it happens, and side-step or deflect it in possibly healthier ways. Just being able to identify it as it's happening (with practice) gives you a lot more of your own power back.

Like I said, best wishes.

[HuskerDem]

50. Wow, that advice explains alot.

l1l.............

para referencia

[midwayer]

6. I am sooo pissed at people right now

Mabey I just need some sleep

I don't know

I'm pissed

[IdaBriggs]

8. BREATHE!!!

You love her, right? And she loves you, right? This is POLITICS and the fact you have opposing views is challenging, but not unsurmountable. You may have to "agree to disagree" but no reason not to stay married. If you can't talk to each other about this topic, FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT and come to the DU forum to blow off Bush steam. She has a brain, otherwise you wouldn't have married her, so no reason to pick fights over this -- STOP IT ALREADY. And remember, you aren't really going against the grain, so Quit Playing The Martyr.

Now, go apologize for not letting things go, find something to make her laugh and remind her of why she loves you in the first place, and then put some of that energy into a nice, sensual foot massage that may lead to some marital bonding later. :)

(Is this helping?)

Best,
Ida

[midwayer]

14. Ida

:) I understand, you hit the nail on the head I just hope she will understand. It's my negativity that is separating us. She is the TVLAND/ NO WORRY TYPE

I, on the ohterhand am the SERIOUS WORLDLY TYPE

WE have raised two boys 23 years and held together


I love her, I love my boys

but this is getting serious

more serious than it has ever been before

[midwayer]

19. FOOT MASSAGE

oHHH...NICE CONCEPT

well

not sure she will accept after the way I apparently behaved at dinner

It would appear that I am still

THE ASSHOLE

[tlcandie]

40. Well, remember ..

Don't be like * and it be YOUR way or the highway! Respect each other's choices and let people be who they are and where they are. You can't change anyone.

The best we can all do is to walk in the integrity of our heart's and conscious minds and hope/pray that your light will shine enough that others will want to ask or follow what it is that makes you so peaceful, kind, different, etc.

It's hard in these times to do that and no one is perfect, but admitting when you are wrong and sincerely apologizing is the first step at allowing hearts to open up and heal then move forward to a different level.

Best to you!
:hug:

[formernaderite]

61. My wife and I are back to back on the political spectrum...

she's a Libertarian and I'm a Green/progressive. Maybe if she was a Repub, it would be different..but we're of the different strokes mentality. I'm voting for Kerry this time, and she's going with Badnarik. We live in a dem safe state, so that probably also helps..but push comes to shove we agree to disagree and love and respect one another.

[acmavm]

10. You definitely have a dilema going there, that's for sure. I have a 76-

year old mother who has turned into a hardcore repubican in her old age. She says that no one except bush* knows what needs to be done about Iraq, the economy, etc. And SHE'S ON FRIGGING SOCIAL SECURITY FOR GOD'S SAKE.

I don't understand it, she always voted democratic before. When my dad and her first got married, he almost ended it because she voted for Stevenson and my dad voted for Eisenhower. He was mad because he said she cancelled out his vote. Believe me, the hard feelings lasted for years.

I will not talk to her about anything anymore, in fact, I have sort of quit talking to her as much as I used to or as much as I should. Her health is not good, she's 76, and she lives alone. But she just makes me nuts.

When you figure out what to do, tell me because I have no clue. I wish I could just ignore it, but you must know exactly how it feels. The stupid stuff that gets said, the complete denial. Seriously, what can you do?

[midwayer]

23. This is exactly the concept

regarding "what happenned to kansas"

It would seem it will haunt us forever

I gotta tell you folks

It's the "drop the nuke" "blow them all up" "be done with it"

dilemma which faces this country today

SORRY

BUT THIS IS RACIST

IT's not about peace in the world

I'm sorry,

but did you ever think that the arabs want peace too?

Me believes THEY DO

This COUNTRY AND ISREAL AND STRAUSSIAN IDEOLOGY SUCKS

DANGEROUS MIX

YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE????????????????

CONFRONT ME

I'm pissed

[HuskerDem]

47. Your mom is probably unconsciously paying homage to your father

by taking his place in the voting booth, now that he's gone. They get funny that way, the older ladies of generations past. I know because my mom is 72 and my Dad is gone.

They always sat down at the table before elections and figured out how they were going to vote. Meaning my dad TOLD her how they would vote because that's how things were done then. At least he bothered to sit with her and give his reasons instead of just sending her out with a list.

If this doesn't seem plausible to you, what other influences may she have? Does she have lunch at the local senior center with a bunch of bitter pissed off Republican friends? Older folks also have a tendency to follow the company they keep, because the elderly existence in our culture is often a somewhat lonely existence.

Did your dad serve in WWII? Did he have nightmares for the rest of his life? If so, she knows what war is really like. Ask her if it was worth this...........

Sgt. 1st Class Linda Ann Tarango-Griess
Status: Dead Age: 33
Date of death: 7/11/2004
Sutton, Neb. U.S.
Service branch: Army
Service force: National Guard
Unit: 267th Ordnance Company
Svc. unit location: Lincoln, Neb.
Status: Army
Date of incident: 7/11/2004
Details: Tarango-Griess was killed when an explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle.
Location: Samarra, Iraq

or this...........

Nebraska Marine Killed In Iraq
Three killed in security operation
A Marine from Nebraska was among three U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq Wednesday. Nineteen-year-old Kyle Codner graduated from Shelton High School last year. He is the 14th soldier with Nebraska ties to die in Middle East operations. Codner's death was confirmed Thursday by Terry Loschen, funeral director at Livingston-Sonermann Funeral Home in Grand Island.

or this...........

Capt. Travis A. Ford
Status: Dead Age: 30
Date of death: 4/4/2003
Ogallala, Neb. U.S.
Service branch: Marines
Service force: Active duty
Unit: Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-267, Marine Aircraft Group 39
Svc. unit location: Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Status: Marines
Date of incident: 4/4/2003
Details: Crash of AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter during combat operations.
Location: Near Ali Aziziyal
Cause: Action

Here's Captain Ford with the beautiful child who will never know him.



I'll bet you can find a way to approach middle ground. Did she vote for Bob Kerry or Ben Nelson? Does she like John McCain?

Perhaps we could swap "mom tips".


here in Kearney
-Wanda

[Ladyhawk]

60. I honestly believe my family is a lost cause.

Their pattern is much like W's: "We never apologize because we never do anything wrong." :eyes:

My mother (and most of the rest of my family) is a ultra-right-wing fundamentalist. My brother is an Ayn Rand objectivist. I tried talking to him once and he sent me an article about Kerry from Newsmax. You can't argue against willful ignorance. It's just not worth it to my mental health.

I've totally withdrawn emotionally from everyone. It's so much easier this way. I still interact with people, but I don't invest my emotions. I'm much happier spending time in nature ALONE than I am when I'm around people. It's safer.

[StandUpGuy]

48. I know what it's like....

Ask her if she cares enough about going with the flow to actually vote for the flow to continue running.

Ask her if she has a passion for the flow.

I think she really isn't as interested in the issues as you are and can't articulate, nor wants to why she doesn't care what bush does or why he does it.

If it's the later ask her not to vote against something you care so deeply about, and ask her to stay home on November 2nd if she can't vote for Kerry.

[lostnfound]

53. Do you have any spiritual beliefs to help you with this? Like..

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference." - - - Serenity Prayer, Reinhold Niebuhr

or like, a little bit of humility..seriously..this is a hard one, but when I'm feeling like you are -- angry at the people who just won't see -- I remind myself of a few things: I don't know everything, and while I'm certain that the current administration is incredibly bad for America and for the world, there's a realm of possibilities outside my view that are valid..for example:
1) I haven't walked a mile in that person's shoes. Perhaps the burdens that they are carrying around are such that the one extra burden of admitting that your government is (??on the verge of becoming a fascist world-destroying empire??) corrupt would be enough to 'break them'. People sense that if they start listening to the little voice of reason within them, they will soon find themselves falling into the rabbit hole. (Their self-protective instincts are better than ours. ;) Particularly if we happen to feel a bit 'unhinged' living in Bushworld.)
2) Much like #1, we all have our own unique burdens to carry and journey to take.
3) Some things are out of your hands. Don't stop carrying your burden, but do stop trying to carry the weight of the world around. It's ineffective.
4) Your wife is not an object in your environment to be transformed by you. She's a gift (i.e., a friend, a soulmate, a companion sent from the 'Infinite Is'?) to you that has nothing to do with politics. If a transformation is to take place, it has to be her decision.

Her views might have a validity in their own space, with some kernel of truth that she needs to convey to you. That's the humility I'm talking about.

PS.. :grouphug:

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. Guess I am lucky

Both my family and my husband's family are all dems and hate bush* with a passion. I feel for you. :hug:

[depakid]

7. We ought to form a support group

My whole family is full of Southern, flag waving bush-bots.

[Cha]

I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by co-workers and

family who are somewhat aware of what * has done so far to our Country.

And, of course, my message board cyber friends who are fully aware and know even more than they do what we're up against.

At least there is some place to Vent our pent up frustrations.

:grouphug:

[midwayer]

25. I must be surrounded by too many idiots

But you know what, its not even the problem with the uninformed

it'sw the one's who DO KNOW and

DON'T care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have given up thier moral values for the



$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


THIS COUNTRY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[midwayer]

9. My spelling sucks because

I'm soooo

pissed and I've had a couple of beers

BUT

that is not the point!

THEY ARE JUST SOOO STUPID and

SOME

even

HARD HEARTED

HARD HEARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just don't know how much more I can take

[Toots]

11. I think the assault weapons ban is about to expire

That was supposed to be humorous. Don't talk politics anymore. Life is too short. Do some loving and pretend you are on vacation or if you can, actually take a vacation. Spend some quality time and have faith. Everything is going to be all right. The giant is rubbing his eyes.

[midwayer]

26. Ummmm...toots?

am I taking life too seriously?

are you being sarcastic?

I take life extremely seriously

This is

SUPPOSEDLY, according to others

MY DOWNFALL

I'm the

ASSHOLE

[Kipepeo]

12. It's pretty bad for my family right now too

Most of whom are southern Bush-ites.

Those in my immediate family are able to disagree with each other without it coming between us but I think that's because they've (my parents) had a lot of practice with my siblings and me. :)

But my extended family: you can have them. I'm talking aunts and uncles and cousins...sending out ridiculous already de-bunked freeper-mail. Spouting whatever they heard on Rush Limbaugh...telling me they're sorry I'm going to hell. It's kind of funny as long as I stay 3,000 miles away from them.

[Citizen Daryl]

13. My mother drank the Kool-Aid - we used to be able to talk about anything.

Now she just forwards Freeper-mail at me and insults me when I rebut them.

[Kipepeo]

21. Hey Citizen Daryl!

I know your website: www.thisistheshit.org

One of my favorites!

/OT

[midwayer]

28. Your MOTHER???

this is getting unfathomable

[midwayer]

27. Ahhh Geez.. I thought I had it bad

They DON'T UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE

EXTREMISTS

IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!

AM I WRONG OR ARE

WE RIGHT????

[janx]

41. Midwayer--

Up until relatively recently, I was very moderate in my politics.

I am telling you: We Have Extremists in the White House.

[jab105]

49. LOL...I used to be Republican...we have EXTREMISTS in the WH!

I'm working on my family...its hard work when my mom is Southern Baptist, and inundated with Bush is good during church..

[drfemoe]

29. When people

insuiate my future in "hell", I suggest they take it up with the 'god' whom they believe has made the reservation.
Ask 'him', not me.

[Protected]

16. My grandparents are Republicans

and when I'm around them I often point out how horrible our pResident is by bringing up some current news item that backs this up (such as today's lousy job numbers.) They sympathize and mostly agree, but they're Republicans so they think that they must vote for Bush. :shrug: There are still a few months left for me and my mother to smack some sense into them, I guess. I hope.

[midwayer]

30. Wow...i wish my grandparents were still alive

but..then again

knowing

my grandparents, the way i did

I'm afraid...how they would have felt

What they would not have understood is the CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF TODAY

ARE PSEUDOCONSERVATIVES

this is the concept they, most likely, would not have understood.

I miss my Grandfathers, I miss my Grandmothers, My Mother and my Father

I miss thier hopes, I miss thier dreams

and I knew them all

[powergirl]

18. I USED TO HAVE THIS VERY PROBLEM - but no more

My father is one of those Eisenhower Republicans and I would dread every time I would visit with him because we would always argue. My kids love him to death and he's a great dad. I love my dad, he's widowed, and my brother and I are the only family he has left. So, I would meet up with him, stress myself out. I literally would lose 5 pounds every time I saw him. I avoided talking politics with him. It was always out there b/c of 24 news, etc. Then finally, my dad and I were getting into it and he was giving me some crap about Clinton's "immorality," etc. I just stood up and said "Dad, I don't want to talk to you about this. I will never agree with you politically. I suggest you make a list of the 5 things that are important to you in this world and you determine how any political party will help you to reach that end." He apologized and we didn't discuss politics for about 3 years. Finally, in March of this year, my dad, the 65 year old life long Republican, told me that he was going to hold his nose and vote for a Massachusetts liberal because Bush didn't seem to care about the 5 things on his list. The first thing on his list was personal freedom. He said that he was afraid of John Ashcroft and what he is doing to our personal freedom. He has served in the army and doesn't like Bush sending the boys to war for b.s., etc. Anyway, that is how I dealt with it. My dad is by no means a liberal. But it gave him pause when he realized how important it was to me. I hope this helps. :)

[midwayer]

31. Powergirl

I appreciate your insight. I understand sometimes it IS the lesser of two evils and this is the way HE IS LOOKING AT THE ISSUE. No question about it.

My problem is MY NEGATIVITY regardsing the state of this world today.

In her opinion I have no right to express negativity

Negativity is A NONO

remember....it all about Beaver, Andy, and Carribean Islands

that is ALL that matters at the same time she the one making decisions on families livelyhoods

she is a health ins claims auditor for a fortune 100 co

she's NUMB to the system

and this is the way she cuts it off while I fight too survive as a micro enterprise

Just as your nurse sometimes seems numb/incompassionate to your needs

I have a hard time dealing with this

especially when it's a 6 billion or more dollar industry

fortune 100 co's auditing fortune 500 co's

life and death decisions

BTW

Paul Bremer was a Big Wig with the co she works for

MMC

[saracat]

51. Has she seen the news articles of the repugs calling for women to be

muzzled?Does she know about Dole and others saying there isn't a "large enough muzzle for Theresa"? Does she feel that she will keep her job under that POV?Does she realize that her job is one of the most commonly outsourced to India?May be that will give her something to think about.
As far as the negativity goes,apparently that is why the Kerry campaign is stressing optomism. Maybe you should point out the positives that we would have under a Kerry presidency and how she would be ensuring her job!

[IdaBriggs]

56. Too Serious.

You are STILL taking this way too personal. 1) Does she make more money than you? (You mentioned a struggling business.) Do you care? That isn't politics -- that's decisions you and she have made together about family priorities. 2) Are you blaming her for her company's relationships with the powers-that-currently-be? Unless she is on the board of directors, that's unfair. In a hierarchal power structure, if she wants to stay employed/advance in her career, unwritten rules must be obeyed (and if you've rebelled and gone into your own business, you know what I'm talking about, so show some admiration for the fact she is willing to stomach it to benefit all of you). And, 3) after she has politely asked you to stop discussing things that are OPINIONS not facts (because like it or not "Bush is Evil" is an opinion, albeit one shared by a growing majority of sensible people), are you DISRESPECTING her and continuing?

I hope last night's messages were just temporarily stress induced, because I have to tell you -- its not politics that are stressing out your marriage: its the SCORN you are showing your wife that looks like the real problem.

[midwayer]

34. powergirl

your father, your mentor

receive all the wisdom you can get

I miss my father

I miss his hopes and I miss his dreams


It sounds he is wise enough to know the difference

[Zynx]

22. Virtually my whole extended family is voting for Kerry.

My whole nuclear family is. We can't stand Bush.

[midwayer]

35. :) (eom)

[seabeyond]

24. husband a repug voted for bush

he is so ready for this election to be over and kerry win. he is voting kerry. after me doing some yelling about you repugs, and why i take it serious, i have a 6 and 9 year old and we are creating this mess for them, that i take serious. he says, but but but i am voting kerry.

not good enough i say. only republicans can fix there party, i want more for him

over time he is seeing more and more, but often so tired from working ass off, he just cant go here with me, i respect and understand. and my yells, he allows, doesnt take personally

after all the attacking of women and latest teresa, told husband about the pig repug male that cant handle women like me, and the real men, well.........it is the ones that marry the me's. finally in all my charm and hugest of smile told him, come to my side baby, be a dem. he says, voting kerry. nah ed, not this one election, come totally to my side and be one of these manly girlie men, oh please please.

now we do a lot of chuckling with it. but had to go thru a lot of disassembling

[avenueb]

32. sister, parents, grandparents

everyone else in my family - Limbaciles. Why me?

[seabeyond]

38. lol lol father, two brothers, only 3 friends and

in laws repug...........why me. lol lol. but i am tough, i can take em all down and still come back for more, wink

[midwayer]

37. pig repug male that cant handle women like me

There is hope

Here is a little something regarding the women in this world

One of THE BEST THOM HARTMANN radio shows I have ever heard was yesterday.

I LOVE the WOMEN of this COUNTRY and I believe they have a great voice that needs to be heard

Please listen to what Thomm Hartmann had to say on Thursday

The women of this COUNTRY DESERVE THIER VOICE NOW

http://www.whiterosesociety.org/

[Gloria]

33. I commiserate with you....I live with my mother, who has lost her

mind and is RABIDLY freeper; and my brother married a born-again freak and is unreachable. My nephews are liars and manipulators, just like their mother.

Join the club.

[midwayer]

39. It's unbelievable

They are

indeed unreachable

[cmd]

36. Go out and buy Homegrown Democrat by Garrison Keillor

I just finished it and feel totally validated in my beliefs. And hang in there, I' ve been married to my Boosh supporting husband for 32 years. It isn't easy, but it can be done.

[Kukesa]

63. Me, too, CMD.

My husband is also a Repuke and he's actually too smart to be one. He won't listen to me or read the issues and thinks he has to vote Repuke because of "concept" -- whatever that is.

I love the guy, but he sure has a major personality flaw.

[cmd]

67. I think we could start a club

I have two new friends that I met at HQ who would fit right in. By the way, hubby just told me that two Home schoolers for Bush stopped by while I was at the grocery store. They wanted him to volunteer. He told them his wife was already volunteering - for Kerry. Maybe, the pilot light is on, but the burner isn't glowing yet. Hang in there. The majority voted for Gore, not Boooooosh. (That's the common pronunciation here in Northern Appalachia.)

[footinmouth]

42. Gotta love those family political shoutfests

First post here ever ... please be kind

It's tough being the lone Democrat in a sea of Republicans. Downright awful. I just sit there mutely and listen to the drivel being spewed around me. I married into this family 32 years ago and uttered my last political statement in 1972: "I can't believe you're all voting for that crook". They welcomed me to the family by telling me I was an idiot. :-(

I'm now known as the family airhead with no opinion on anything, which is fine with me. Little do they know that I stream CSPAN at my desk at work and I can name all the senators by voice. I can cite bill numbers and roll call votes. I can cut their silly opinions to ribbons because they're based on emotions, not actual facts. But I sit and do nothing. They don't care about facts and they don't listen. It's hopeless.

My husband has retained his membership with the Republican party. He likes being able to vote in the primaries and talk trash to the Republican fundraisers when they call. He tapes a quarter to the fundraising letters he gets and sends them back in the postage paid envelope. His last Republican vote was for Nixon.

First post, long winded and rambling, I know, but I had to get my feet wet sometime.

[GoneOffShore]

44. Welcome to DU

:toast:

Good first post. Better than mine was.

[Kipepeo]

45. Great post!

Welcome to DU!

:toast:

I love that they send out letters to people asking for so much money when the economy is for shit. What boneheads. I saw a writeup of a republican in NH who was pissed that he got invited to a $2,000 a plate Bush fundraiser.: Um, I would come if I weren't unemploed for the past 10 months asshole.

[DemonFighterLives]

58. Welcome to DU

I got a good chuckle out of your post. I'm sure you could cut them to ribbons. :D
I don't know if I would be able to stand around airheaded, but understand that it is easier to clam up when you know you are in the enemy camp.
Also, for Midwayer, I'm glad that things are more positive today. The bright side is that we "still" have one of the best countries on the planet. We just need to do some tweaking. Like get the corrupt unelected administration back to cutting brush in Crawford. Or breaking rocks somewhere.

[newyawker99]

59. Hi footinmouth!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[footinmouth]

65. Thank you all for the warm welcome

Thanks for the welcoming the newbie, I appreciate it. The family strife thread looked like the best place for me to start because I can relate.

Sometimes it's best to just realize you're dealing with a lost cause and move on. On my side of the family I have a very conservative brother/wife/5 kids (homeschooled), another brother who went from being a Viet Nam war protester to just not caring and a sister who has dropped out of the family. My husband is fortunate to have 5 diehard Republican siblings, complete with Republican spouses. Together they have bred more than 15 new soldiers for GW & Co. It's very sad.

I've banned political talk from my house with my side of the family. It was nothing more than a screamfest, complete with name-calling. I've banished anyone who starts one of these conversations to outside behind the bushes where I don't have to listen to it.

After an unfortunate Mother's Day shoutfest with my husband's family, I announced that I would be taking a time-out from all family events until after Election Day. Of course if we are lucky and Kerry wins, my time-out just may last for the next 4 years. Perhaps that's just best for all concerned. If I hear the words "liberal press" one more time, I will surely gag.

If it were possible to actually engage in a meaningful dialog with these people I would try, but sadly, they have their opinions set in stone.

[WLKjr]

46. Here you go, Read This to them

This will give you hope and get you through the day.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2172523&mesg_id=2172523

[bhunt70]

52. remember, family is stronger than politics

[midwayer]

54. Thanks folks

I have read every message here from last night and everyone who responded has some good supportive thoughts

I appreciate everyone's response

Amazing what a good nights sleep will do :)

I was really angry and I think it all just had to come out

I just had to release it and I feel much better for doing so

Now, I move forward and I know things will work out as they always do

The best thing is to redirect the anger into a more positive stance as I do realize too much negativity can defeat the purpose.

Thanks again for everyone's views

[IdaBriggs]

57. Urp.

I just sent you a completely scolding note based on last night's messages (under the "powergirl" subheading) before reading the "good night's sleep" post). I'm sorry if my "Too Serious" post now comes across as too harsh. Apologies offered in advance if I've offended. Best, Ida

[midwayer]

62. Ida

Much of what I experienced last night was indeed temporary stress and a few beers induced. Alcohol clearly intensified my anger and this is why I can't drink.

I clearly used this forum as a place to vent my frustrations and I directed much of my frustration towards my wife and the world.

We kissed and made up :)

One thing that came out of this is she knows now just how passionate I am regarding the political issues and the sorry state of this country.

Where I lose patience is with the ones who just too easily disregard these types of discussion and seem to have been brainwashed into the "I don't care and you can't do anything about it" mode

My patience is wearing thin with that type of attitude.

Thanks, and my apologies to the thread as well.

I appreciate your careing

Mid

[IdaBriggs]

66. I understand.

Sounds like you are handling things well -- bringing stress to the boards and not your marriage seems very sensible! Wish I remembered that more often! Glad you worked things out, including her understanding how important this topic is to you! Best, Ida :)

[SuffragetteSal]

64. Bush has divided this country more than anyone else ever did

it is evident everywhere in America with stories like yours. I don't know how my father stayed married to my Republican mother all those years. She put him through hell. Later when she divorced him her new husband told her she had to be a democrat to sleep in his bed. She converted, but still talks trash when he is not in the room.

And the part about being negative...I agree this is used against us for trying to make point they will never see. Good luck. My republican relatives no longer have my new email address. That is stress I can do without.