I was just walking through ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

the lobby of my job and overheard a middle-aged, white guy talking with his attorney. He said, "... ObamaCare I lost my AHCCCS (Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System-Medicaid Program) because of ObamaCare."

I took a step, then stopped and said to him, "Excuse me. Can I correct something that I just heard?"

Both the lawyer and the man looked at me puzzled, but said, "Sure."

I said, "I thought I heard you say you lost your AHCCCS because of ObamaCare ... Actually, Govenor Brewer refused federal dollars for healthcare when she cut AHCCS to help balance the state budget. And then she sued the Obama Administration to kill the ObamaCare that attempted to expand AHCCCS."

The man looked at me with a "You're Lying" look in his eye, then he looked at his attorney. His attorney was nodding and said, "Yes, that's true. The AHCCCS cuts had nothing to do with ObamaCare and ObamaCare would have expanded AHCCCS. Now it's up to Govenor Brewer to decide if she will accept the ObamaCare money."

[MinneapolisMatt]

1. Excellent.

[fleur-de-lisa]

2. You are . . .

my hero of the day! Maybe even the week!!!

[Marrah_G]

3. Bravo!!

[japple]

4. Thank you for not letting this one get away!

n/t

[Wellstone ruled]

5. This is what happens when

your news source is Fauax. Arizona is just beginning to feel the Tea Bagger effect,all the angry old white people are screaming now that their favorite hypocrite bit the hand that fed them. ALEC at it's best. Going to be interesting when all the snowbirds and Canucks return next month.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

52. It's not just FOX "News"....

...it's all the Right Wing radio too. Some of the "straight news" puts on local politicians who are Republicans to "explain things" rather than look up the facts and report the facts.

The sad thing is this guy thought he was "informed".

[nanabugg]

6. Knowledge is a bitch and ignorance is her pimp!!! Hats off to you. Great job.

[abelenkpe]

7. Brilliant!

Well done

[Cleita]

8. Great that the lawyer had enough integrity to back you up with the facts.

You go!

[1StrongBlackMan]

43. I see this particular attorney ...

on, pretty much, a daily basis. He drives a Prius and has an Obama/Biden sticker, a rainbow sticker (though I have met his wife), a CoExist sticker, and a "Yes I am Mexican/No I'm Not a Criminal sticker."

It's a pretty safe bet that this attorney is well informed.

[SunSeeker]

9. You rock!

[BlueStreak]

10. Well done. We must challenge ignorance at every step

The last two days my email has been flooded with two different right-wing-hysteria-of-the-day waves.

The first one was a flood of emails, all of which said that the government is propping up GM, and we know that because the latest money sales were 79% to the Government. No, that's is simply not true. In fact, anybody who knows anything about our economy knows that would be mathematically impossible. The Government simply couldn't buy enough vehicles to do that. In 10 seconds, I found the genesis of this crap. The July sales results for GM showed that their July sales to government were up BY 79%, but the government sales were still a small slice of the total.

I responded to every one of those posts with a firm, but cordial correction of the facts. Several of these came from people who really, really should have known better, and they are apparently to embarrassed to reply to me. If they are sufficiently embarrassed, then maybe they will take the 10 seconds to research the next one themselves.

Then after that wave, I started getting the hysterical email described here. http://www.snopes.com/rumors/photos/martyr.asp Similar emails came from 3 different people. In one case, I was really surprised because I never thought of this guy as being a racist and a hater. Again, I responded to each of these, including all the strangers I saw on their CC lists. In this case, one of the strangers came back with, "well, one of the 911 terrorists probably changed his name. besides, what pissed me off was the sign. They had no right."

So I responded to this gentleman with, "As far as I know, it is perfectly legal for a retail shop to set their own hours. I don't take offense when a store posts a sign saying they will be closed for Christmas. Why should you take offense when this particular owner decides to give up a day's business in order to observe an event important to his religion? Surely that is allowed in in America, or is "freedom" only for certain people?"

I don't expect I will turn this guy around, as he is clearly a hater. But it is important for these haters to know that we have our eyes on them and we aren't going to let their bullshit go unchallenged.

We can all step up, just as you did. Every little bit helps and collectively it will make a big difference. If we lose a few friends in the process, so be it. Maybe these aren't people we should have as friends in the first place.

[Aeroette]

11. Good job!

[calimary]

32. Welcome to DU!

Glad to have you and we need you to help us do this too!





Now get to work. There's an election to win and bad guys to defeat!

[progressivebydesign]

12. You're awesome! Good for you. n/t

[mac56]

13. Dude, you RAWK!

[rurallib]

14. If we had an award for DUer of the day, you'd have my vote!

way to go!
and a big thumbs down to that lawyer who could have told the truth before you had to step in.

[LoisB]

23. Maybe he heard enough of the conversation to glean the relationship. I'm glad he spoke up.

[1StrongBlackMan]

46. Well ...

one guy was wearing a suit (a local trial court rule); the other was wearing a (dirty) tee-shirt.

One guy was wearing an ID badge that said "Attorney" (a court-house security rule); the other was not.

And, oh yeah ...

I know the attorney.

[meegbear]

16. Ex-cellent!!!

[DrewFlorida]

17. Good job, clarifying people's misunderstandings is the most important job we face.

There is so much misinformation (lies) put out by the republican party, and the more times it gets by without being corrected, the more people believe it as truth. Good job for not missing an opportunity to correct right wing lies, and good job for being informed enough to make the argument!

[StarryNite]

18. Excellent!

So glad you stepped up and corrected the ignorant fool!

[skeewee08]

19. You go!!!!!!

[barbtries]

20. wow.

good on you.
the ignorance out there is staggering. and the guy's got an attorney. i don't know why i would think that would indicate a level of smarts.

[tridim]

21. Did he mention who told him that?

[elleng]

22. Glad to hear that his attorney knew the facts,

and explained them to the guy.

[JohnnyRingo]

24. Where do they get this misinformation?

Oh yeah... I remember.



When will people learn that when they quote things they heard on Fox or the AM radio, others don't say: "My, you certainly seem well informed".

[NashvilleLefty]

25. Truth is their kryptonite.

Sounds like he picked a good lawyer, though!

[EC]

26. Do you think the lawyer

would have corrected him if you hadn't? Or would he have just humored him?

[Care Acutely]

27. The truth is sooo disturbing to Dittoheads.

Nice work!

[madokie]

28. Too cool

You'd get my vote

[Mr Dixon]

29. Awesome

[Jessy169]

30. We need dozens more like you -- thousands!

Way to go!

[calimary]

31. Well, looks like you just ruined some teabagger's day!

EXCELLENT!!! Let him stew in his wrongheadedness - and now start to wonder what else they might be lying to him about.

Although - I found that sometimes made no difference, unfortunately.

During the run-up to the Iraq War, I was having an argument with a friend of mine who was steadily revealing herself to be quite the knuckledragger. When I pointed out that not ONE of the fucking neocons had actually worn their country's uniform and saw combat, and that only rumsfeld had actually served, but BETWEEN wars when there was no hot action, so he never saw combat, either. My friend insisted I was wrong and that "oh YES. They served! cheney served." I said emphatically, "NO he didn't. FIVE deferments because he had 'Other Priorities' during Vietnam, while others less well-connected had to go and shed blood and lose arms and legs and eyesight and parts of their skulls." She remained emphatic in her illusions. Her brother-in-law said so, so it must be true!

But while we were arguing, another woman approached, friend of both of us. She spoke up - "calimary's right. cheney never served. Never." And my friend who was SO certain was stopped in her tracks. This big perplexed frown came over her face and she stammered - "well, I'm getting wrong information. I'm getting wrong information." I said - "YES, I'm afraid you are." And she went away, muttering.

I doubt I really made a dent. But when a SECOND person came up and verified what I'd said, that really threw her for a loop. Her husband was a developer, and the other woman's husband was a trust fund baby and they were all really well-off and they both knew the same people from their country club and they ran in the same circles together - circles I didn't run in, 'cause we weren't in the same peer group. I know it rattled her equilibrium for the rest of that day. Probably didn't change her mind about her support of the Iraq War, since you heard all the same cliches and talking points coming out of her mouth that you'd hear on any Pox Noise or limbaugh broadcast, or from her infernal brother-in-law, whoever the fuck he is.

Sometimes they're more comfortable clinging to their delusions. But when they're confronted like this, there's some uncertainty that starts to work in, blemishing the old image. Sometimes that's the best you can hope for. That they toss and turn a little more at night and are less sure of their footing, even while they still cling to the old lies and delusions. OCCASIONALLY you actually break through on one or two of them, if they're adult enough to be willing to consider another view or a different angle than the one they've been force-fed. So it's worth it to keep spreading the truth and debunking the lies.

[trailmonkee]

33. Governor SCREWER more like..... cus she is screwing her state out of a lot of money...

idjit

[patrice]

34. Now, THAT you did right there, 1StrongBlackMan, is The Revolution. Listen up, Occupy!

[oberliner]

35. Why is it relevant that he was white?

What prompted you to include that detail?

[1StrongBlackMan]

49. I meant to be more descriptive; but ...

forgot to go back.

If I had, my description would have included "white, shaved head, tattoed ... the stereotypic Arizona teapartier."

Sorry ... Didn't mean to offend.

[Moosepoop]

58. It's relevant because middle-aged and older white guys

are Romney's only favorable voting demographic. Enlightening and educating them, in particular, is absolutely key.

[just1voice]

73. Have fun enlightening and educating repukes

I can tell you it's useless, and I'm one strong white guy. It doesn't matter, repukes are hopeless mental cases, selfish and greedy to such a degree that they seriously need mental health help. Plus, I wonder how many middle-aged white guys are voting for Obama, ever think of that?

[NBachers]

76. 63 year old white guy, rabid Democrat, couldn't keep my eyes dry during Obama's speech tonight

Never voted Republican in my life; never will

"Ever think of that?"

[Jackpine Radical]

36. Dude, you done good.

Damn, but you're on top of that stuff. Bravo.

[xxqqqzme]

37. Thank you for that step and

hesitation. Sometimes enough is simply ENOUGH!

[closeupready]

38. Bravo.

K&R

[grantcart]

39. love it

[Tumbulu]

40. Fabulous!!!!!!

You are so much braver than I am. I always WISH I could speak truth in these situations and then feel all fumbly and insecure inside. Now you have given me some courage to speak up.

Thank you for doing it and thanks for sharing it with us here at DU!

[1StrongBlackMan]

51. To para-phrase ...

something a DUer posted in another thread:

"The truth is still the truth, even when spoken by a quivering (and I will add, fumbly and insecure) voice."

[mnhtnbb]

41. Good job!

[freshwest]

42. 1StrongBlackMan, your user name is well-chosen. You are an example to us all.

[malaise]

44. Most excellent

Rec

[hifiguy]

45. You, sir, deserve a high-five

and a six pack of your favorite brew. Outstanding!!

[Dontgetdroppedaz]

47. Contact Me!

1strongblackman,

Please contact me at [e-mail]
Want to talk about reusing your post.

[1StrongBlackMan]

53. Will do ...

AND feel free.

[ailsagirl]

48. Superb!! Thanks for posting!!

[hue]

50. Thank You!! K&R!!

[yardwork]

54. Good for you and I good for that attorney for speaking the truth.

It's so frustrating and sad that the Republicans are blaming Obama for things that they themselves did. It's the Big Lie.

[sakabatou]

55. What face did the white guy have after his arrourney agreed with you?

[1StrongBlackMan]

62. I really couldn't say ...

After the attorney validated my remarks, I thanked the man for listening and bid him a good day.

[sakabatou]

65. Maybe it was like this:

[MadrasT]

56. Well done, nice job!

[glinda]

57. Excellent post!

[deaniac21]

59. Wow, perfect timing again!

[central scrutinizer]

60. must be tough

living in the most bat shit crazy state in the union. Arizona makes even Texas seem rational.

[oldhippydude]

61. thank you 1StrongBlackMan

i have more or less been following your Governor Brewer's colorful career pretty much since she took office.. particularly her various manipulations of Obamacare..

i Remember when Keith Oberman pointed out that she wanted to de-fund organ transplants.. i always thought that Arizonans should have a bumper sticker... "stop the Janacide"

[jillan]

63. This fellow Arizonan is sending you hugs!!!!

Thank you for speaking out the truth about our despicable governor.

[blaze]

64. So well done!

Matter of fact... no hint of I'm smart, you're not... In fact, the "I thought I heard you say..." even gave the guy a way out if he wanted.

Really tactfully and compassionately handled.

Thanks.

[fascisthunter]

66. its sad to see how many people have been fooled

[Gregorian]

67. You're damn good.

I'd feel pretty powerful if I could do that. I just haven't been paying attention to many of the health care issues.

You inspire me.

[eridani]

68. We all need to do more "interventions" like this

Excellent job!

[nradisic]

69. Good for you.

Your buddy is the kind of idiot that constantly votes against his own interest...still drinking cool-aid. Maybe you opened hie eyes.

[ChristianDemocratMom]

81. self interest

no kidding! I'm banging my head on the desk this morning because my "faux news fed, I'm a military wife, blah blah blah" sister in law reposted the old fb/email about the obama admin taking a 1% "user fee" out of social security - you know, the one that one democratic guys keeps putting out there year after year that no one takes seriously. Anyway, my husband called her out on it, and one of her comments was "our parents depend on every penny that they get!" I'm trying to decide how much family equity to burn in pointing out the irony in that statement - not just the dependence on the government that they rail against for everyone else, but also seeing as how she's voting for the man who wants to privatize SS, thus ensuring its demise.

aren't families fun?

[Historic NY]

71. You have to call out the lies and the precieved untruths.

[just1voice]

72. What race was the attorney?

Since race seems to be the important point of this post. Plus, I wonder how many middle-aged white guys are voting for Obama? The answer is most of them since repukes are in the clear minority, not to mention their Stepford wives.

Thanks for pointing out a stupid white guy though, LOL.

[1StrongBlackMan]

83. Race is largely irrelevant to this post ...

other than to identify the man as a likely teapartier/fox"news" misinformed person.

That said: Most white people are not teapartiers/fox"news" misinformed; but most teapartiers/fox"news" misinformed are white people.

Oh ... and the attorney is Mexican.

[Populist_Prole]

74. Bravo! Turning the tide of ignorance is a game of inches, and you must have moved them a whole yard

Granted, this new epiphany may not be liked by that troglodyte, but the seed of cognitive dissonance has been planted. It'll be that much harder for him to be a republican hack.

[lexw]

75. GREAT story!!!!

!

[lonestarnot]

77. Very fucking rich! Thanks for sharing that.

[TeamPooka]

78. a little victory for truth!

n1

[geckosfeet]

79. Good job. Wish I was as responsive in the face of repub talking points and lies.

[oliverrams1]

80. One of My TV stations

In Houston talks about ObamaCare like it's going to make all of our premiums more expensive. Why can't even the media tell the truth about the health benefits?

[AllyCat]

82. You are my hero 1SBM!

That is awesome!