Two days of brainwashing...a.k.a. a trip to my parent's house

[SunDrop23]

I'm counting the hours until I can return home. I have heard nothing but how great Bushco is since I walked through the door.

Why can't they just let Bush run the country and leave him alone? After all he won two elections.

Do you know what kind of national security risk it would have created had Cheney gone to the hospital?

Huntint accidents happen every day.

Hilary gets such a hateful look on her face when she talks about the pResident.

UGH! Calgon take me away.

[mwb970]

1. What a drag.

I guess the chance to study abnormal psychology up close just isn't worth it.

It sounds as if your parents are they type of people that are the subjects of the endless "Why do they support him?" threads on DU and elsewhere. LIke others, I am really curious how the Bushbots are able to ignore the continuous failures of this administration.

BTW, what do they think about having Dubai in charge of our port security? That seems to be bothering some True Believers these days.

[sickinohio]

4. I think that Dubai

should be the talking point for the Dems. Start now, keep repeating it, over and over and over again; keep associating it with the "terra" word; at least until the 2006 elections - and possibly til 2008.

[SunDrop23]

11. Dubai in charge elicits the old standby "9/11 changed everything."

Sure it make no damn sense whatsoever, but it's either "9/11 changed everything" or "We're at war..." followed by some charge of treason.

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. So 9/11 is the reason for bush co to let those who finance terrorists

control our ports? :crazy: I guess 911 really did change everything. It's now acceptable in the name of National Security to let terrorist sponsoring countries control our ports. Do they even realize how insane that sounds?

[NC_Nurse]

2. I feel for you.

I get the same shit from my dad every time I go home. Plus, he runs Fox on the TV ALL the time and is a big O'Reilly fan. I have finally gotten him to leave me alone by refusing to argue with him. It's very trying.



:hug: Hang in there!

[acmejack]

6. I have the opposite situation!

Try as I might, no one (other than those on our side) wants to discuss these current events. It is all I want to discuss, I am probably regarded as one dimensional, indeed, ever since * was appointed President I have become increasingly strident.

The Iraq War was my personal tipping point though, I knew they were going and as a vet I also knew it was a faux pas. The result has become that those of the opposite political persuasion will not associate with me if I will not promise not to discuss politics. I miss no opportunity to turn the knife however, with the barbed remark, it is a gift to consider oneself devilishly clever. It is not necessarily pleasant for those in attendance, but it is always hugely enjoyable for me!

[SunDrop23]

10. Same here, except Mom thinks the sun rises and sets on Hannity. (nfm)

[babylonsister]

3. Are they well-off and benefitting? Can they afford their

heat/meds/mortgage? Do you have any siblings in the military? And no offense, but do they have hearts?:crazy:

[Missy M]

5. Sounds like they have been invaded by the body snatchers....

FOX NEWS.

[SunDrop23]

13. Fox News is one of three channels they watch.

The others are ESPN and ESPN2.

Which means Mom watches Fox News when she's not listening to the druggie from 12-3 Eastern.

[Missy M]

15. I have to admit I have never watched Fox News but sure...

know what it is all about, that is why I won't watch. I also have to admit I have never watched ESPN or ESPN2 so could you please tell me what they are about and who the 12-3 Eastern druggie is.

[Richard Steele]

23. The ESPNs are sports channels.

And I believe the 'Druggie' reference
means that her mom listens to Rush Limbaugh.

[Missy M]

26. Thank you, I wasn't thinking of the radio and Rush.....

I thought there was a druggie on ESPN.

[redstateblues]

7. Fortunately my wingnut in-laws do not bring up politics

when we are together, although I do think they blame me for their daughter librul views. I think deep down they also know how foolish it sounds to try and defend much of Chimpco's agenda, but they would never admit that.

[KharmaTrain]

8. I Don't Mix Words...If They Support This Regime, They Spport Dictatorship

I could care less who I offend...they deserve it...especially if they enabled this regime by voting for it..even if they claim now that they either "voted wrong" or "voted for the lesser of evils". I have no compunction to call these people immoral and lacking of both intelligence and compassion. Damn right it gets 'em pissed...and good. Makes me feel good when these asshats get some truth stuck in their faces.

So many wingnuts are stuck on codewords, talking points and stereotypes...I love blowing those up right in their faces...and this regime has made it so easy. Pick a topic, any topic, I'll show a wingnut how they've been lied to and betrayed.

Cheers...

[SunDrop23]

12. No offense taken (nfm)

[TallahasseeGrannie]

16. That is an attitude

that I can't quite get my head around.

The OP is dealing with his parents. That's a whole different dynamic.

Politics isn't worth breaking up family over, in my opinion.

And the bottom line, to me, is not to prove I'm right and they're wrong..as satisfying as that is, but to win them over so we can get this mess straightened out sooner.

[KharmaTrain]

19. I'm Glad It's An Attitude

I'm fortunate to come from a family of nothing but Democrats, and proud ones at that. My wife's sister-in-law's family are lifelong "country club" suburban Repugnicans...they voted for this regime in 2000 but saw the lies and had enough and voted for Gore in 2004. Yep, it is a dynamic...and between my wife, her sister, her husband and myself, we gently and overwhelmingly showed these people how they had been lied to. Today they join us in a common condemnation of this regime.

No politics isn't worth breaking up a family over, and I avoid making it an issue. In those situations, I'd never start a political discussion, but once one begins, I'll be there in the end. If it offends someone, or even better, makes them wish they never started the discussion in the first place, that's fine with me.

By now, if someone still drinks the kool-aid and spews the talking points and lies of this regime, I have no tolerance. Many of us stood back and tried the "polite" route. For some it worked and there are more of us now than there was a year or two or four years ago, but those who still listen religiously to Rushbo or spew the sexist, racist, ignorant rants of an O'Reilly need to be confronted and at least be put on notice that their shit won't fly around here any longer.

Peace...

[TallahasseeGrannie]

20. Well, the key word I think

in your respone is "spews."

I'm not going to listen to anyone who spews and I won't spew, either. If we can't talk about the issue civilly, then we need to change the subject.

In my family, we just don't discuss politics at all at dinner. One thing we do is buy books and share them and then we respond in email.

I have also discovered that alcohol is a big problem with any discussions. Stone cold sober or not at all.

[KharmaTrain]

25. Well Stated

I don't start the discussion...but if someone does start spewing lies and talking points, it's almost a pavlovian reflex now...I'll gladly help finish the discussion in a hurry and these days they're the ones who change the subject. Fine with me. At least they may think twice the next time when they spew that crap openly and maybe might make them think about what they're spewing.

99% of the time when I get involved in a political discussion it's very civil. For years I did a radio show with a conservative...we had a great time. We'd bash and trash each other on the air, but off the air, while we still disagreed more than agreed, we respected each other's space and position and found we had a lot of other common ground that became the basis for what still is a good friendship.

I can see how alcohol can really rile up families and problems. Fortunately I avoid those kind of situations...taking on someone whose sloshed is unfair competition.

Cheers...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

33. Um.. voted for Kerry in 2004? (your post says Gore)

[KharmaTrain]

34. ooop...my bad...

the fingers spoke before the brain engaged...the senility of turning 50 must be kicking in. LOL.

Cheers...

[EstimatedProphet]

39. why would they vote for Gore in 2004?

On edit: sorry, saw the correction now.

[Oilwellian]

29. It's worse than you think

I'm 50, my father is 80, and he recently told me he doesn't want me visiting anymore as long as I have my Democratic Underground sticker on my car. He thinks we're all a bunch of anarchists and potential terrorists and he doesn't want that message on his property anymore.

Needless to say, I haven't seen him since and don't plan to...I just took my old DU sticker off and put a brand spanking new one on. No one, not even my father, will convince me to become brain-dead bubble heads who fellates the Bush crime family.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

36. Well, I take it all back

once they hit 80, it's no use. I consider that the last 7 or 8 years of my parents' lives are a period that kind of doesn't "count." All their negative attributes bubble to the surface. You're doing well to just sit in the same room.

[Dr.Phool]

9. My rascist, fundy parents called last night

They're coming down here for a visit in a couple of weeks. And I've got to give a speech the night they arrive.

That ought to be a fun week-end.

Whenever I go visit them, faux news is on all the time. I think I'll keep Free Speech TV on the whole time they're here. Or play some of my tivo'ed Moyers speeches.

[SunDrop23]

14. Mom read me the riot act when she spotted a copy of The Nation on my desk.

AT MY HOUSE nonetheless.

[XanaDUer]

18. What'd she say?

I had a RW relative start dictating to me what should and should not be watched ('I'm the guest...'-not a parent, though) and I basically put it in wingnut terms-I pay so I get to say who plays.

[Pryderi]

22. I'd like to know too. :P BTW, can you divorce your parents?

[Coexist]

24. Where are you speaking? n/t

[TallahasseeGrannie]

28. Here's how I look at it

Racism and fundamentalism are abstract concepts but blood is real and forever.

Please don't set out to add to the diviseness. Surely there are things you can discuss you all agree upon. And if they start, just tell them you respect them but it's best you not talk about politics or religion and agree to disagree.

Life is so short. And they will be gone before you know it. You'll be left remembering the connections, not the divisions.

[Retired AF Dem]

37. Thank you

I have known to many people who have cut contact with family members over politics and regretted it greatly after said family members had passed on.

[Twist_U_Up]

32. Video: Loose Change 1 or 2

That should knock theyre socks off

[Pryderi]

21. Tell them they're wrong, and don't want to talk politics.

[BlackVelvet04]

27. I had the same problem with my dad,

and I made iti clear to him that if he wanted to "discuss" politics he had to listen to my side of the discussion.....no more pontificating. We dont' talk politics much anymore because I insist on him showing me the respect of giving me equal time.

I never bring up politics with two of my sisters and my brother all of which are rightwing, fundamentalist, rush limbaugh listeners. I couldn't and still have a relationship with them BUT if they bring up politics, they too, are going to hear my opinion.

[Twist_U_Up]

30. Heres a suggestion

Gather up all the info that you can that is interesting and easy to read. Get a few videos of 9-11 conspiracy, Loose Change 2 is a great one.Dont say a word about anything if they bring something political just try to stay civil and brush it aside.

When you get ready to head out leave it in a neat pile somewhere they will find after you leave.

I guarantee the next visit you have will be a little easier.

speak truth to power.

[theHandpuppet]

31. My elderly mother...

... really thinks that homey backdrop the MSM uses (the one with the dilapidated outbuilding and such) when reporting from "The Crawford Ranch" really *IS* Bush's "ranch" and shows just how much GWB is like regular folks. *sigh*

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

35. They put so much energy into propaganda, because it WORKS....

[WinkyDink]

38. At least one apple fell far from their tree!

Blood is thicker than..., though.

[formernaderite]

40. don't sweat it...people just take their politics very seriously

you ever wonder why polite company praticed the rule...no discussions of money, politics or religion? I have family who "hated" Clinton, and it really bothered me. They also couldn't understand why I felt the need to stick up for him...even after 96, when he had let me down over welfare reform and his own brand of roving wiretap laws. I still stuck up for him...guess what?
We still don't agree on politics, but we've made it a family policy to not discuss it when the group is together. One on one is fine...but not within the group when we all get together. My kids have appreciated the reunions, and they wouldnt have been possible if we didn't adhere to the no politics, no money, no religion... My brother and I happen to also be the lone atheists in the group.

[FreedomAngel82]

41. Aw I'm sorry

:hug: Gee, why didn't they leave Clinton alone? The hypocriacy is amazing.

[Libby2]

42. Are you a Tennessean? nt

[Ksec]

43. My condolences and I admire yer patience

I would hear that stuff for about five minutes before Id go ballistic on someones arse.

I have no patience for stupidity. I really dont. When I see it or hear it I cannot contol myself. I lose it. Usually Im pretty easy going but when someone challenges my politics or makes really ignorant claims that goes out the window and I become Mr Hyde. Its a problem, I know. But I cant control myself in these situations.