My email to my Freeper brother

[Dem Agog]

I'm sorry but I can't talk to you anymore.

I loved the brother I grew up with. You aren't him. I'm sad that I've
lost a brother and a sister.

This is it. In the words of George W. Bush, "You're either with us or
you're against us." You're either with me or you're against me. If you
support the administration of George W. Bush, whose incompetence,
ineptness, and callousness has led to the murder of thousands of
underprivileged people in New Orleans, nearly two thousand more
military men and women in Iraq, and countless thousands of innocent
Iraqi citizens, then you do not support me and I will no longer support
you.

Katrina is a disaster of epic proportions. It's not just a disaster of
nature. It's a disaster of humanity and a disaster of our government.
Inaction has caused the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women,
children and animals in New Orleans. The last time we saw so many
people locked into one place and left to die was in the 1940's during
the Holocaust. George W. Bush's administration's inept and uncaring
policies have brought about a holocaust of this century and I cannot
stand by and pretend to be able to stomach those who still support this
man. If you still support George W. Bush, then I can no longer associate
with you in good conscience.

I understand you might have voted for him because he claimed he would be
a "uniter, not a divider", but this alone, and the undercurrents of rage
flowing through me and half of this country, show how precisely, cleanly
and solidly George W. Bush has divided this nation.

I understand you might have voted for him because he claimed to believe
in a "culture of life". But he does not. He believes in a "culture of
life" for affluent, white people. He and his brother dropped everything
to rush through measures to keep Terri Schiavo's braindead body on life
support, spouting all along about the "culture of life". Where was that
urgency when thousands of poorer people were wading through their own
feces and dying in New Orleans?

I understand that many of you supported George W. Bush because you
believed he'd bring about smaller, more fiscally responsible
government. He has not. The deficit is staggeringly huge, a burden we
didn't have under a Democratic President. And what do we have to show
for it? A government that can't help its own people.

George Bush does not want a smaller government, he wants a
privatized government. Evacuees and homeless victims of Katrina
are being ignored by Michael Brown and FEMA in record numbers. Who is
helping them? Churches, non-religious organizations and individuals. A
government should be extending the helping hand in this time of need,
not faith-based and other organizations. While their help is welcome,
urgently needed and appreciated, your tax dollars are not going to
support these victims. Your donations are. That's right, George
Bush believes you should pay above and beyond to help victims of
natural disasters. The federal government no longer feels such a
responsibility to its citizens is needed.

I can understand all of these reasons. I too, want a uniter, not a
divider in office. I too, support a culture of life, even though I also
support a woman's right to exert control over her own body. I too, want
a smaller government that does not interfere with the private lives of
its citizenry. And I want a fiscally responsible government, one that
will balance its budget, and allocate the hard-earned money that I pay
in taxes fairly and responsibly to everyone as their needs require.

I wanted everything that so many of you claim you want, which is why I
did not vote for George W. Bush and I have never supported him
as President. I ask you now, why did you vote for this man? What do you
believe George W. Bush has promised, that he has delivered. Do you still
believe we went to Iraq because Saddam had weapons of mass destruction,
is that it? Do you still believe that Saddam had a part in 9/11, even
though research has proven otherwise?

Why, I ask you. Why did you vote for this man? And if you support him,
why do you still?

The states that were hit the hardest in this hurricane were all red
states. Solidly red, not even with a purplish tinge. These were die
hard Republicans, so many of these rural, God-fearing, church-going
people. But they've lost their homes, their lives, their pets and their
family members and Halliburton has gained a big fat contract to repair
the damaged pipeline.

I cannot morally support this government, or support anyone who believes
that this is the way our government should act in times of trouble for
its citizenry.

[Roland99]

1. I'm hearing stories of lifelong friendships ruined, family rifts, etc.

in ever-increasing numbers.

This tragedy has fanned what was a burning ember after this admin took office and it's now a full-blown conflagration.

The rise of the far-right and its radical religious clerics driving its hate-filled agenda has finally managed to turn this into the Divided States of America.

[Dem Agog]

2. I've saved it for my mother too...

If she starts freepering on me.

I'll bet she won't like it when her paid Internet access goes away and all the nice gifts I used to get her go away.

She's practically broke and yet she still supports this man. THey just don't get it, do they?

[ronnykmarshall]

6. That's really tough.

I'm sorry you have do through this.

Maybe they might start to "get it".

[ronnykmarshall]

7. That's really tough.

I'm sorry you have do through this.

Maybe they might start to "get it".

[Dem Agog]

10. Yeah, it's hurting me a lot to have to do this...

But I'm getting sick to my stomach over this situation, the one in NO not the one with my family.

I just can't look people who support this in the eyes. And I can't keep up false pretenses either. A therapist once told me that if I have relationships that are damaging to me emotionally, I should cut them out.

I took her advice then and cut my mother out of my life for about two years after she was particularly nasty to me. When I got engaged, everyone said I had to try to "make nice" with her so I would have her at my wedding. So I did.

But that's over now, and this is an ongoing unhappiness with her and my brother. Talk about being a "divider". George sure got his math right on this one. 4 members of my family left after my sister died. My father and I are die-hard Democrats. My mother and my brother are die hard freepers.

[Dem Agog]

3. Duplicate deleted

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. It's hard as hell, and I commend you

You'll get plenty of people responding that you shouldn't let politics get in the way of family. I disagree. These people need tough love. It's the same as if they were addicted to heroin. They are hurting themselves and the people around them by their continued support for this outrageous regime. You're doing the right thing. These people need to feel the consequences of their "opinions." They need to see that opinions have real consequences on the lives of others, and that they don't get to hide behind their personal shields of impunity any more. Cut them off. Cut them out of your life. And tell them why. Stay strong.

[reprehensor]

5. I'm sorry.

Maybe it'll clue him in.

[Darkhawk32]

8. I've ended a friendship that's lasted for 23 years over Bush and his band

of fuckwads.

23 years down the toilet.

[Brewman_Jax]

9. Dealing with my freeper dad

I don't know if he ever voted Democratic. He voted for Reagan (taxes) and Bush (guns). Guess what--both screwed him over! The exemptions he had were removed by Reagan. He has his guns, but he's whining that healthcare is going up. He's not in the best of health (Type II diabetes) and he won't take care of himself. When he starts up, I remind him, "that's what you voted for."

[Dem Agog]

17. Why do people vote against their own best interests?

Your dad does. My brother sure does (he lives in Florida - lost most of his rental properties to hurricanes last year, is now living out of a truck trying to fix them up)... My mother does.

I know Randi Rhodes asks this a lot. Anyone got an answer?

[Brewman_Jax]

23. Haven't figured that out yet

I've had to keep my eye out for freepers I know if I go out. I don't like them right now and they may get a very harsh response. They seem rather embarrassed and quiet--for now.

[glitch]

34. the closest thing to an answer is they are brainwashed cultmembers

they are vulnerable in some way (they tend to be fearful people) and something in their cult gives them the sense of security they need.

Not the actual security they need, but the sense of security they need.

There are professional de-programmers, and de-programming techniques, but sometimes they can only snap themselves out of it.

[lostnfound]

65. Yes!! Professional de-programmers for the Bush cult.

Maybe we need a DU group dedicated to uncovering their techniques.

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

36. I have an answer

Reverse the situation and you can understand.

For many years I voted against my own self interest. After college during the Reagan years I took a job with a defense contractor. Those were booming years in the defense industry, and I made good money. Yet I still voted against Reagan and all the other Republicans before they were Rethuglicans. Reagan was good for my pocketbook, but I opposed trickle-down economics, erosion of women's rights, environmental damage, deficit spending, unraveling the safety net, meddling in Nicaragua, on and on. I put the country's well-being ahead of mine.

Likewise, those freepers living in a clapboard shack working minimum wage at WalMart with no health insurance think they are making a noble sacrifice by voting against "killing babies".

I wish Randi would quit asking that question. By ragging on them, they take it as praise for being such suffering martyrs.

[zalinda]

60. I can't remember who's show this was on, but

a guy was picking up brush and putting it in his truck, cleaning up the street in New Orleans. He proudly said he was a Republican, he works and takes care of things, not like Democrats who just have their hands out. This is one of the reasons.

zalinda

[sickinohio]

62. I don't have an answer of why.

My oldest daughter and my son-in-law are both die-hard bu$hco fans. I'll never understand why, never. I know that I did not raise my daughter to be an uncaring person - and I know that she really isn't uncaring. She just got caught up in the "terra" thing I guess, because her brother-in-law is a die-hard bu$hco, officer in the Army. He corrupted her I think. Anyway, I can't talk to her about this because we were in a huge argument about bu$h once that almost cost us our relationship. I love my daughter very, very much and could never stand to lose our relationship. Someday, I hope that she will actually see these crooks for what they are. In the meantime, we just don't discuss bu$hco. I would love to talk to her about this Katrina disaster and bu$hco's incompetence, but, I'm afraid that's not possible right now. I'll have to wait and see what she brings up about this and take it from there. I am hoping that she has finally seen the light.

[deadparrot]

63. Religion?

I don't know any of the people in question, but I know a lot of poor rural people voted against Democrats because of their perceived hatred of religion (which absolutely isn't true). They vote against their own best interests because they tend to be anti-gay and anti-abortion. In hteir lives, religion trumps education. At least that's been my experience during my time in rural Missouri.

[Johnny_GRMI]

11. Shouldn't happen

My mother votes Republican. She refuses to debate politics or even be in the room when they are discussed.

My mother is the kindest and most honest person I have ever known. Yet she gets most of her information from Rush Limbaugh. For many people its easier to blame this countries problems on the poor and defenseless than to think critically about them.

The followers of this administration are so invested into the big pack of lies that to show any crack at all would bring the whole house of cards down. To admit one flaw in Bush's character would be to recognize the absurdity of the whole thing. It truly is cult like behavior.

This Country has traditionally been the most compassionate in the World, yet these Evil people in charge somehow got much of this "Christian" nation to turn their backs on the Starving and Dying in New Orleans through disemination of lies and propoganda. All we heard was looting and unrest the first 2 critical days. We should have been hearing crisis and emergency.

This is the most disgusted I have ever been with my Country!!! I am truly ashamed of the response that was given in so many people's time of need.

[Rainscents]

12. I'm sorry you had to come to this... However, sometimes, we must

show our friends and or family member the tough love! I did with my son when he needed it. I didn't speak to my son for almost 4 years due to his rude behavior toward me, I cut him off even thou I did not want to. This turn out to be best thing I did, he turn his life around and now, he is a good person and treat me very well!

[Toots]

13. The GOP plan of divide and conquer is doing splendidly

They know America as a whole does not share in their vision of what they believe America should be. In fact every poll shows overwhelmingly that their issues are not favored by the majority but a small minority. so how can such a small minority consistently get their way? Divide and Conquer. Get Americans fighting amongst themselves and they slime their way in. I agree with you in the only way to win back our country is to isolate these right wingers and let them know that their are people, decent people, who will no longer tolerate their hatred and incompetence. It is a shame that this is occuring among family members but that is how it is. America is a dream we just can not let die...

[Dem Agog]

14. Freeper Bro's response - and my last words to him...

Looks like I'll see him at the funerals of our parents, and then that's it. No, I'm not being a drama queen. I've struggled with this man for fifteen years and today I put a stop to that struggle.

Oh the irony - he admits that his diatribes are "clueless" and he has "no understanding". Why does he not see the log in his own eye?

Freeper brother wrote:
"A government should be extending the helping hand in this time of need, not faith-based and other organizations."

It's so obvious you don't have a clue.

That's no different than the person who buys the $100,000 Porsche, then gets pissed off when they take it to the airport and crash it into the fence...because it didn't fly!

Furthermore, don't send me anymore of your letters written to 'groups' of your friends (read; "contacts"), then personally edited and directed to me. I don't have time to sit down and write out clueless diatribes on topics over which I have no understanding, and I damn sure don't care to read them either.

I responded:
Thanks for the response. Thank you for confirming that you're who I
thought you were.

And that wasn't a response to a "group". It was a response written to
you. I know you can"t write at length and still make sense so a lengthy
letter, to the point written directly to just one person might be
foreign to you, but you see - I can.

It has been an interesting experience knowing you. I wish for
you a you a nice life and I sincerely hope that one day you cut through
your rage and hatred and learn to live a life at peace.

Please don't ever contact me again for any reason, and I will afford you the same courtesy.

[callous taoboy]

15. Damn---

You are doing what I am so tempted to do. I am in a cooling off mode with my dad and step-mom. We haven't talked politics since we had a raging bad fight right before Nov. '04. Haven't visited much since then either. I'll probably end up e-mailing dad this weekend, but it will just be personal stuff, job stuff etc. I have cooled it completely with two old friends. But family: Just can't take it to the step you've taken it with your bro. My MEpublican family members have been very thoughtful and generous toward me in the past. I'm wondering if you and your bro were really all that close to begin with.

[Dem Agog]

16. Were we ever close to begin with?

Yes, actually we were. A brief history:

He and my older sister were twins, 4 years older than me. When she and he were 12, and I had just turned 9, she died of Leukemia.

He and I bonded together and grew very close. I have so many fond memories of him, that's the guy I love. He bought me tickets to Jimmy Buffett concerts and we'd go on my birthday. Before I turned 21 he and his police friend would sneak me into bars along with his girlfriend. He married his girlfriend and they got divorced last year, because he's turned this way.

He was always the "good son" and I was the "black sheep". (I'm a woman, by the way...) He was always very protective of me when we were younger. He'd let me help him rebuild cars. We TP'ed his (previous) girlfriend's house together. He never got as enraged or angry over my sister's death as I did. He just kept on trucking with a smile on his face. Solid B's in school, went to Tech.

Then he dropped out. His girlfriend didn't. She became an electrical engineer. They got married. That was an awesome wedding, a kegger on a beach with lots of Buffett and home-cooked food. Best wedding ever.

About 12 years ago he was sick of not making it rich. He always had ideas. So he joined Amway. That's when he got weird. He got very angry at me for not joining up with him. Then he turned super right-wing. Suddenly everyone who is poor is the one at fault. People are only poor because they're lazy and they want to be. Then he went homophobic ... big time.

Our first big falling out was when he asked me to teach him how to Spam Usenet groups for his Amway business. I worked at an ISP as the Usenet admin, fielding responses and complaints about spam and he didn't get why this was wrong.

Since then we've been mildly estranged, still calling on birthdays and Christmas. Making seriously small talk and nothing else. Sending a gift occasionally. I last saw him at my wedding - 3 years ago.

So we've drifted apart, but now it's complete. And it's really hurting me to remember the brother I used to love. But this would be akin to supporting Nazis in my mind, during the holocaust. I just can't support someone who cheers on the destruction of a whole class or race in our society. I just can't.

[callous taoboy]

24. It's so bizarre how people can 180 on you:

Similar case with my two bros- Both long-haired freaks in the 70's. Dropping acid at Frank Zappa shows in Austin at the Armadillo. Very hip young men whom I admired so much. Very much anti-big business, one even "got back to the land." Organic veggies the whole bit. Those were some wonderful times (I was still just a kid/adolescent).
Then one of my bros suddenly went corporate, started hanging out with these two asshole businessmen in the restaurant/bar business. My bro got out of that when one of his bosses arsoned a business that was going under. This boss is now in prison for that and tax evasion. This bro then went on to become a captain at a major airline and is now retired. I remember how my other brother was flabbergasted at our bro's change (we all were, and horrified at what a racist prick he'd become). But now, he too has changed. Hates that he went through any hippy days. Hates pot smoke and smokers. Sells real-estate to hard-core Houston pricks whom he can't stand being around but he wants their money. RAAAAGGHHHHHHH! Makes me crazy. And he voted for the first time last Fall- For that trouser-stain bush.

[DarkTirade]

66. Ah, Amway

That explains it right there.
Amway is a cult. Plain and simple. My parents got sucked into it too, and didn't break out of it until they were so broke that they resorted to doing office work for their upline. After months of looking at his books and seeing that he only made 3% of his income from Amway, the other 97 was from the promotional crap they sold to the people below them, they finally managed to break free of the years of brainwashing.
Of course, it was a bit too little too late. Out of the four of us who've left the house already, only one managed to graduate college because she managed to get enough scholarships and loans to pay her way through. The rest of us have either had to go straight to the job market, or try (and fail) to do both school and work at the same time.
Thankfully we're all hard workers and we're all getting back on our feet and learning useful skills on our own. Even so, I'd guess that I've wasted a good couple of years of my life just because my parents joined Amway.

[Roland99]

18. Sorry, Dem Agog.

Welcome to the Divided States of America.

[GOTV]

19. But won't you see him at your parent's occasionally?

[Dem Agog]

20. Not really - parents are divorced and...

Bro hasn't shown up for any family functions in over 5 years... He's never met my stepsister's daughters, his "step" nieces (I consider them neices, period)...

He invited my mother down to his house one time for the holiday. He owns an ice cream store and uses that as the reason to not show up anymore.

The guy is seriously sick, I think. I think he needs medical treatment for depression, or something. He's not who he used to be.

[noahmijo]

43. Hey man...you can adopt me as your brother anytime

I grew up an only child never had a big brother except for the older friends I made here and there. I'm 23 btw.

It's heart wrenching for me to read this but I can see where you're coming from...just sad and sickening what the bush divide has done to friends and families..

Well anytime you need an ear I'm here for you man.

[Dem Agog]

47. Hey thanks, Noah!

Got any matchbox cars? I always was sneaking off with his. ;-)

[noahmijo]

51. I gave all mine away to my little cousins

I got lots of video games though! there's lots of republicans where I live too. We can go TP their houses :evilgrin:

[smartvoter]

49. Wow. I'm sorry it came to this. I understand it, though. I really do.nt

[titoresque]

21. wow, my stomach seriously went

in knots reading this. I feel for you and your situation!
I'm very lucky I guess to have such a large family. Im the eldest of 8 children and there are 16 of us all together (his/hers/theirs)
Most of us are extreme liberal and very active in the peace/anti-war movement. But I have in-laws...............

Im also a lesbian; married to my wife for 9 years. My in-laws are Bush lov'n Repukes. They call him "commander-in-chief" ......gag!!!!
Anyhow as you can imagine it's been a long rough road in dealing with these people. With the marriage amendment,election.......oh theres too much to list. I could go on and on. We took them to see Fahrenheit 9/11.........it took us 3 weeks to get them to the theatre, (they kept canceling) then my Father-in-law pretended to sleep through the entire film and then had the nerve to attempt to debate with me on our walk to the car after the movie! I told him, "if you ever actually WATCH the film....then maybe we can have a conversation about the FILM and it's contents" He said, my eyes were closed but I heard everything...............grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Anyhow, my wife and I had our annual "Thanksgiving" talk yesterday while running errands. Traditionally we have thanksgiving here at our house and the entire family comes. Her brother (she only has one sibling) just moved into a new home with his wife.....both Repukes, and they get along wonderfully with my in-laws......they have asked that we cancel our thanksgiving and spend the entire day at their house. My wife is feeling the pressure from her parents now too.
So after we danced around the topic and I tried to be as nice and diplomatic as I could and I REALLY tried to compromise......I finally had to say....THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THESE ARE MY MEMORIES TOO AND I WILL NOT WASTE ANOTHER HOLIDAY BEING MISERABLE AT YOUR PARENTS HOUSE OR YOUR BROTHERS HOUSE AND I WILL NOT ASK THE KIDS TO EITHER! (we have 2 kids) So the answer is no! Tell them we will do just like everyone else does and we will make time for them as well we will make time for my family!

But you know what, it wont be good enough......they expect the entire day, it's some sort of sick perversion they have with making our holidays miserable! And I spend the entire time listening to bullshit conversation about everything "fabulous" and nothing of substance.........AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRR!

I'd love to be done with them....once and for all! But it's my wifes parents and she will always love them and so this is my own personal hell. :)

[Dem Agog]

22. Thanks...

I don't know how you stand it. I have one Repuke in-law through my husband... It's his wife's husband. He's the only one. We avoid politics and he knows he's outnumbered so he sure never cheerleads.

My stomach's been in knots over this all day. On the plus side, I could stand to lose a couple of pounds.

[Ninga]

27. Listen dear heart, you will be OK, and who really knows what the

future will bring in terms of you and your brother.

You should stand as an example to each and every one of us who hear and witness injustice and racism and validate it with our silence.

I have taken heart and courage from your "stand up" stance, bless you.

[titoresque]

29. yes

as sad as it is, you're an inspiration! You're in my thoughts. :hug:

[Dem Agog]

37. thank you Ninga and titoresque

I've been obsessing over it all day... It's stressing me out, but I just couldn't not do it...

[jhain]

25. I applaud your bravery

I have simply been avoiding my brothers.... Shunning, actually.

You deserve a medal for this. It is damn tough to do.

The divide in this country is NOT political. You can not 'stay away from politics' and merrily cheer each other on any longer.

The differences are too grossly opposite.

Either you care- or you don't.

Thinking of you...........
-Jude

[babylonsister]

26. That must have been very difficult to send, Dem Agog.

I have two brothers with similar mindsets and sometimes I wish I had the nerve to 'divorce' them.

[yppahemnkm]

28. What triggered you to send this to him?

Did he defend Bush, or something like that?

[Dem Agog]

39. Well yppa... (okay your name's tough to spell) it happened like this...

After seeing all the horrific news of the past week I thought surely my brother had softened at least a little bit. I mean, the animals alone! He's always loved animals and pets, and that part of him's never gone away...

So I sent the Fiore link to him, and my father and stepsister (both liberal). He sent a typical Freeper response back at me... he's not a very good writer and it was something like, "well if you think this is how it is then don't ask my opinion on the whole thing you won't like it!!!"

And I could take no more of it. I've always thought about "divorcing" like this ... making our informal estrangement absolutely formal. This just did it. I can't abide by anyone who condones and stands by while entire groups in our country suffer... and blames them for it.

We may have both done 9 months in the same womb, at different times, but he is not my brother. My brother's gone. I don't know where the hell he went to, but I do miss the guy I grew up with.

[progressoid]

30. Wow

I foresee this happening within my wife's family. We're both progressives and mostly outnumbered on her side.

Her family is still living in the 80's. They have no idea what has happened to their party. Hell, they have no idea that their party has been screwing them for decades. I try to avoid them because I'm afraid I'll just blow up. I used to be a nice easy going guy, but this group makes me sick too.

Poignant letter Dem Agog.

I mourn for my country.

[Johnny_GRMI]

33. Compassion

Whats so sickening is that they've convinced normally good people to see compassion as a sin. When people can just shake off what happened in New Orleans is indicative of Big Trouble. These group of Rush/Hannity/Coulter followers truly have hate in their hearts. they truly hate the poor I believe. They truly hate anyone who tries to give to the poor.

What kind of Sick Human Being would say the things about the Refugees that Barbara Bush has recently said? You have to be the lowest kind of scum to even think what she said.

This is a culture War, and its beginning to Boil over. Every time I try to write about this I just get too upset and have to stop writing.

Not that Violence is ever the answer, but I have no doubt I will beat the shit out of some Repuke this weekend if they try to spew any Bullshit. I won't be able to take it, at all!!! I may lose my job if a co worker says the wrong thing.

This issue is worth it though. Enough is enough. Lets take our country back by any means necessary.

[bunny planet]

31. Great letter. I can't bring myself to write a similar one to my Freeper

mother. She actually said yesterday that she 'felt sorry for the President because everyone was blaming him for a natural disaster that he had no control over.':grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :wow:

[Pacifist Patriot]

32. I would be ripped apart if my sister was a Bush supporter

I can't even imagine your pain, but I certainly share your frustration. I have aunts and uncles I have written out of my life, but we weren't particularly close in the first place. Very touching letter!

[lebkuchen]

35. I've often wondered

how was it that my relatives were vulnerable to all the 6th grade propaganda devices known to man, and I wasn't?

Is it like the difference between those who become methamphetamine addicts and those who don't?

[GreenPartyVoter]

38. *hugs* I am so sorry

------------------------------------------------------
Ditch Bu$h and save the Gulf: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Dem Agog]

40. Thanks... I definitely got screwed in the Sibling Lottery...

With my sister dying young and this with my brother, I've spent most of my adult life feeling like an only child. Only thing is I can't look at family photos of the three of us without feeling tremendously sad.

I have 2 great stepsisters. I love them very much, but I didn't meet them until I was 15, and we didn't grow to respect each other so much until a good 10 years after that. I wish that the siblings I grew up with in childhood weren't so far gone...

[GreenPartyVoter]

42. My bro is cool.. apolitical though.. not as bad as freeper of course, but

still frustrating in that he is still sleepwalking like I was until a few years ago.
------------------------------------------------------
Ditch Bu$h and save the Gulf: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Dem Agog]

45. funny, my husband was apolotical...

until he met me. He didn't like * and he sure never voted for him, but he voted mostly the way his parents did and didn't think much of it. (Thank goodness his very affluent parents are dyed-in-the-wool liberals. I love them so much for that.)

Then I got him to watching THe Daily Show and he started hearing some of my rants, and now, he's as politicized as I am, if not more so. Heck he's started listening to Air America and talk and news and sending me clips.

I'm so proud of him.

I told him what I'd done re: my brother and he nodded his head understandingly. "That's too bad," he said. But nothing more. I'll never forget the first time my (musician - grew up around 'artists' and plenty of gay people and sometimes lumped in with them himself) husband met my brother.

My brother was drinking a heeeeuge 7-11 thing of diet soda. I said, "Geesh your drinking habits are keeping Coke in business all by themselves..."

My brother's response was a bitter, "Hell no, I'm not drinking Coke any more. Not since they started giving health benefits to those damned faggots. Now I only drink Diet Pepsi."

I gave my husband (then boyfriend) a sheepish "I told you so" look and said, "Yup that's my brother honey... Saving the world one soda at a time."

[GreenPartyVoter]

50. *lol* Saving the world one soda at a time...

------------------------------------------------------
Ditch Bu$h and save the Gulf: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Boxerfan]

41. You made the right decision...

There are some bush apologists we HAVE to put up with( Boss's for example) but that is getting tougher every day. But family members,that hurts bad. You know they are basically from the same cloth so it's idealogical issues that are the difference. That removes any excuse for them IMHO especially if they have been provided information.
When I wrote my brother I gave him one last shot across the bow. All the facts with links & an easy out. You were lied to I told him, when someone is lied to you don't blame them you blame the liar.
Didn't sink in, he's being willfully ignorant & I believe it's a defense mechanism. These people have so much invested(emotion,belief etc..) that to be wrong is beyond their comprehension. Hence the divorce themselves from reality & remain republican. Strange but incurable I'm afraid. These people have to hit bottom like an alcoholic.
Stand tall knowing truth is it's own redemption.

[LoZoccolo]

44. OK so like, what's this supposed to do?

Did you think of that?

[Dem Agog]

46. What do you *think* it should do?

Yes I thought of that.

What this is supposed to do is simple: 1) Make a statement to him I won't put up with his support of this cruel regime and 2) I don't speak to him again.

I cut malignant and evil people out of my life. I learned to do that about 10 years ago. I held out hope for this one for way longer than I should have. He's gone. I'm done. I have a life without a brother.

I can sleep better at night with it this way, then knowing I have to bite my tongue and keep off the topic of say... anything... the next time we have an uncomfortable call at Christmas or his birthday.

[LostinVA]

52. If you're brother is "toxic" to you, then do what you have to do

JUST because someone is a relative -- even a close one -- does NOT give them carte blanche to do and say whatever they want to you, or for you to have to make excuses for him. I know some people on here will say, "family is family," or "but he's your brother!" So what? Seriously: so what. If he wounds your soul, it's not good for you.

It's hard. I know. I've done the same thing in my life the past year, although not to a sibling. What can you do? Keep your heart strong, and be brave. Maybe it will work out someday... maybe not.

Take care, man.

[LoZoccolo]

53. I don't know, that's why I'm asking you.

What this is supposed to do is simple: 1) Make a statement to him I won't put up with his support of this cruel regime and 2) I don't speak to him again.

Well I already knew that.

[Dem Agog]

54. Asked and answered... next question?

Seriously, you say you already knew that, then I don't understand why you still felt the need to ask the question.

As for any further "answer", if you don't get it, you don't get it. And frankly, I don't feel any need to explain it to you further.

[LoZoccolo]

55. Then don't, but I still think it's stupid.

And now I know there probably wasn't one other than to make yourself feel good. Your brother is likely to be the exact same person he was yesterday, only know he thinks you have some sort of totalitarian personality or something. I can't say this is the worst futile gesture I've seen, but it's pretty bad.

But hey, enjoy your DU huzzahs I guess...they're pretty much the only thing that's going to come of this.

[Dem Agog]

56. And we've established already that I don't care what you think.

But hey, since you seem intent on trying to troll... welcome to my ignore list...

[LoZoccolo]

57. I'm shocked!

Who could have guessed this was coming?

[0007]

48. Excellent!

[DarkTirade]

58. I'm very glad

that my republican uncle is just a believer in republican ideas, not a rabid dogma/party line follower. I hadn't spoken with him for a while, but when we met at a family gathering recently and politics came up, he had absolutely NOTHING nice to say about Bush.
Unfortunately my sister on the other hand... well, let's just say after how she flipped out when she found out I wasn't christian anymore, I really don't talk to her. Especially after I found out she voted for Bush BOTH times.

[Left Brain]

59. (((((((((Dem Agog)))))))))

That's a huge hug for you from someone who has also had to distance from a family member for the sake of my own sanity and my MORAL values.

Bless you. I hope they wake up.

[northerdar]

61. I have a Freeper brother who would like to shoot me.

I am a dual citizen, American born and Canadian since August 17, 1969.
My brother and I have not talked much at all since 2003. At that time he had accused me of loving Saddam when I objected to the Iraq war and tried to tell him about the lies. I even brought over my DVD = The Iraq War Uncovered. He said he watched it and it was garbage.

Well yesterday he sent me a piece (sent by his friend) dissing the local and gov of NOLA. I responded sentence by sentence how incorrect the thinking was on this article, telling him and his friends he had received the email from that I could provide back up for everything I said.
Regarding his comments on me questioning my dad's patriotism. He uses anything I say about W Bush, the Iraq war, Katrina as un-patriotism and that I am against our deceased father.
I never questioned our father’s patriotism. In fact, I would tell people when I spoke about him that he was trained as a tail gunner for WWII, although he missed the actual war, but was stationed in occupied Italy and Turkey. My Dad was an All American VFW commander. My freeper brother really flipped at my logical cool responses. This is in three parts. His first response I took as violent and told him so. Here is what he has to say to my response to his first email:.
Message 1:
"JUst worry about your own damn country.. stay out of our business.. you actually really think you are a citizen of this country, come down,, i'll take you to a VFW and we'll just see how much any one down here thinks you are a citizen.. stay out of our business.. we don't need any communists down here.. If i ever get questioned buy any FBI or CIA about i;nfiltrators, i will gladly give them your name... just stay the hell out of my country..


2nd Message:
"Isn?t evident that I have given upon you... I don?t care that you think I am a violent person, even though , I don?tknow how the hell the you get out of an e mail.. maybe it is because you drivepeople crazy with your constant criticism and your constant attempt to cramdown someone's throat your belief.. even if no one else believes it..
>??? I am not violentperson, you are a sick person.... you don?t get it.. you may be mysister{something of which i wm not proud of}, but you are not, and i repeat,ARE NOT AN AMERICAN... No one down here would appreciate what you have to say,and they would not really care what you have to say... you are what is known asa CANCER... you love to criticize, but you don know how to solve anythin.
>? thank god, America hasbeen fine without you.. maybe that bothers you..
>??? you dont realizewhat you did your whole life , do you??? You really ruined ourfather's.. he was a proud man...a commander of the VFW.. a B17 tailgunner... iknoiw you werent proud of him , but i was,,, you were too busy bei;ng a flowerchild.. everything was great.. everything was free.."

3rd message.:

> one more thing ,,, you ever question my dad's patriotism, i will shoot you myself.. no coward or traitor is ever going to question father's military record.. you are truly a piece of shit....
*****

So that is one brother. The other two are twins and don't talk to me, this freeper brother or our mother.
My mother is 78 and still looking for a job. She can't survive finanically. She shopped till cows came home with her credit cards while my dad worked his ass off. My dad dropped dead of an heart attack 4 months after my 26 year old son died of a brain tumor. THe first things my mom said when my dad was still alive but was comatose was "If he dies I am only going to have half of his pension". She refuses to believe W Bush is bad. She says she doesn't have time to follow him. You choose your friends, and are stuck with your family. I'm lucky to be 500 and 1000 miles away from them all.

[greekspeak]

64. I have not talked to my father so we will not fight

The man is 70, has Parkinson's (mild type) and can barely afford his meds. He has to work hard for a pitence from a "DEMOCRAT" yes a Democrat, who exploits him. He drives the wheels off trucks driving around working and gets nothing for it. And yet....


Every move Shrub and any and all pukes make are perfect. Rush? God on earth. Lazy n***ers getting free welfare, driving Caddies, fancy gov't housing. Damn these lazy unions. Blah Blah Blah. So, I am just not talking to him for a while until I calm down, and think he will not bait me with taunts about all the lazy bums living the life of Riley in the Astrodome.