Interesting encounter with an unexpected Bush supporter yesterday...

[arbusto_baboso]

I work in a public agency that deals with the unemployed, and part of the service we provide is a self-directed job search center. I work there several hours a week in addition to my usual duties.

Well, yesterday while I'm in the career center, in walks this woman who has visited us before. She's in her late 40's, an "actor" (read: perpetually unemployed) and frankly, she's nuttier than squirrel shit. When you work with the public, you get LOTS of that sort.

Anyway, per our union MOA, we're permitted to wear campaign buttons as long as we don't try to "proselytize" votes for our candidate.

Anyway, back to the story. This woman notices my Kerry button, and says, "I heard that John Kerry's new campaign slogan is 'He isn't afraid to shoot'". I know this is bullshit, but blandly say I've not heard of this. I don't want to be drawn into an argument in my position.

She won't let go. "Yeah", she continues, "Kerry kinda reminds me of Elmer Fudd, don't you agree?"

"I don't see it," i replied.

She won't stop. "Well, maybe Elmer Fudd is wrong. How 'bout Yosemite Sam?"

I couldn't help myself. "Look, Kerry's got to be miles better than what's in office now. Furthermore, ma'am, you being unemployed and voting for Bush is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders. (Thanks, to whoever thought that one up!) If you want to compare the candidates based on the issues and debate that, fine. But choosing to vote based on comparison to cartoon characters is about the most ignorant thing I've ever heard."

The woman storms off in a huff. I figure I'm going to get it big time, but the other 5 folks in the career center all give me nods of approval, and one even stands up and starts clapping!

[gratuitous]

1. Yeah, you're gonna get written up

But from where I sit, it was worth it.

[xchrom]

2. i'm standing and clapping now, bravo!

now that's the way to stand up!
you didn't prosletyse -- you defended yourself from an idiot.

[chaumont58]

3. You know, this scene would make a good Moveon.org commercial

If moveon.org can pay, maybe this unemployed 'actor' will agree to appear.

[Bandit]

4. Funny I always pictured Bush* the Yosemite Sam type.

In fact the entire world looks on him that way.

[Roland99]

6. "Dragons is so stupid."

[coalition_unwilling]

8. Didn't * say "We're going to smoke 'em out"?

[skygazer]

5. She asked for it

It's completely unfair for people to put you on the spot like that in your place of work. In my opinion, from years of working retail, people have a sense of power when they deal with an employee of anywhere, especially one they feel is "beneath" them (it would be quite a stretch for an unemplyed "actor" to feel superior to anyone who has any job but you know how these people are).

At any rate, a lot of them feel it gives them an open forum to be as obnoxious as they want because they know the person can't really fight back without jeopardizing their job.

You called the bluff. Good for you!

[theHandpuppet]

7. On the other hand...

I always thought Dubya bears a striking resemblance to Howdy Doody, with "Buffalo Bob" Cheney pulling the strings. Good thing Howdy was a marionette and not a handpuppet, or I could be even more "to the point". ;)

[Maeve]

9. Now stop that right this instant!

Buffalo Bob and Howdy were decent, NICE and honest characters! How dare you slander them by a comparison to Skelator and the Chimp?!?!

[LittleClarkie]

13. Ahem

[Maeve]

18. There was a MAD song book for elections once...

June, 1972....to the tune of "Try to Remember"

Try to remember this coming November
To vote for Neuman, Vote for Neuman!
Change your direction, don't look for perfection
And vote for Neuman, vote for Neuman!
Alfred E Neuman with brain of albumen,
will win just like Truman did from Missouri...
Back him today so our country can say
"What me worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry..."

Brain of albumen...yep! (Okay that's in the second verse, but I like the line!)

[arbusto_baboso]

10. Update: No repercussions (or small one) from my boss....

I was taken aside and talked to by my immediate supervisor re: this incident. However, since he knows the, uh, mental state of this client, he said that I was just to be more careful in the future.

This didn't even amount to a verbal reprimand or a counseling. I got off scot-free!

[skrunch]

11. Forward her resume to the White House Personnel Office

She seems to meet their criteria.

[faithnotgreed]

14. good one!

[zulchzulu]

12. These are classic attributes of Bush fans I run into

The usual cluelessness to issues is apparent when they start off with teenage punk garbage like "Kerry is a flip-flopper", "yeah, some war hero" or they mimic that they would beat up Kerry if they saw him. Occasionally, like your experience, they pull accusations out of their ass to describe Kerry.

When you want to possibly engage in a discussion, they run off like rats.

These people hopefully are too stupid to vote or forget when Election Day is.

[CitySky]

17. Personally, I wouldn't mess with Kerry!

My hobby is kickboxing, but I wouldn't care to spar him! The man is athletic... and QUITE TALL! :)

[faithnotgreed]

15. fantastic story! what area of the country are you in?

[arbusto_baboso]

20. Southern California. Okay, so the Kerry sentiment is not unexpected...

but the vocal support I got from others was a bit surprising, though.

[Catherine Vincent]

16. That was very good.

You're my kind of DUer!

[Fleshdancer]

19. I'm surprised faux news hasn't hired her yet

I love your response! The idiot was obviously baiting you and had I been there, I would have applauded you too. :)

[Arugula Latte]

21. "nuttier than squirrel shit"

Oh my god, that is hilarious. I'm going to steal that one.

[arbusto_baboso]

22. Feel free. I stole that one from an old Company Commander.