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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOhhh, I need some support...
We had some friends over tonight...The brilliant husband, the Ukrainian spouse. Good champagne...then the husband starts saying capitalism and socialism are polar opposites...well, that started it. I had to point out how true capitalism and socialism were quite compatible ...look at McDonald's and the fire department. The discussion grew bigger. Our spouses grew quieter. (I have taken my contacts out...sorry for any typos). Before the evening was over I found out my friend, the brilliant husband was a birther! I would never have DREAMED it! I completely respect differing opinions but a birther? you gotta be kidding me! He asked me when was the last time I listened to Rush Limbaugh. He really asked me that!! His wife was getting increasingly more upset. OMG! Rush Limbaugh? really? Obama's birth certificate? REALLLLY? My husband was quiet. He knows I'm mean and can hold my own in such discussions. The evening ended up with me making the so-called brilliant man look me in the eye, telling him, "LOOK AT ME!" and then telling him he has thrown his brain into a wood chipper and flushed it down the shitter and HE KNOWS IT! Yes...that's exactly what I said. Now you see why my husband was quiet.
The man tried to charm me out of my anger, trying to hug me but once again I made him look me in the eye and told him if he helped kill our Democracy for our grandchildren I would never forgive him and I refused to hug him. I told him to go away. That's what they did. I have no remorse. I meant every word I said. But I need some hugs.
vercetti2021
(10,150 posts)From one Texan to the other
elleng
(130,126 posts)SharonClark
(10,005 posts)anger. He deserved it.
OAITW r.2.0
(23,810 posts)Native
(5,935 posts)And who knows, maybe something you said tonight will take root and he'll be better for it.
SharonAnn
(13,766 posts)nocoincidences
(2,194 posts)There are wolves in sheep clothing everywhere. You just have to poke and scratch and the truth comes out!
SharonAnn
(13,766 posts)Trueblue Texan
(2,367 posts)I really needed you tonight...
Bayard
(21,801 posts)If he wasn't wearing a mask. Hope you had the convention going on the tube.
Kudos! You go, girl!
3catwoman3
(23,812 posts)I can never come up with a good comeback at the time one is needed.
Well done -
JudyM
(29,122 posts)It has psychologically seduced and zombie-field an enormous segment of the country. Turned their brains to mush. Yet we cant control it?
mucifer
(23,370 posts)Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)Don't have them in your house.
MaryMagdaline
(6,849 posts)hamsterjill
(15,214 posts)Texas is scary right now. He shouldnt be trying to hug anyone.
I understand your anger, but we all need to stay safe to vote in November. Five people I know are dead from COVID and my ex mother-in-law (who I am close to) tested positive today.
We. Must. Stay. Vigilant.
Trueblue Texan
(2,367 posts)..except when we were drinking
hamsterjill
(15,214 posts)Thanks for taking care of yourself.
PS - you did the right thing. Theres no room for unanswered stupidity in the world right now. Glad you kicked his birther ass to the curb.
cayugafalls
(5,629 posts)You did awesome!
Way to go!
Totally Tunsie
(10,885 posts)Last week I had a similar encounter with my BFF for 58 years, and I'm still reeling from it. Mine was over the phone as I called to wish them a happy 55th anniversary, as I do every year having been a bridesmaid in their wedding.
Our conversation turned to COVID, and the tRump crap came spewing forward. I had to tell her that we couldn't discuss anything tRump as I wanted to come away from the call loving her as much as when I went into the call.
The shock is that I had no idea she and her entire family are tRumpers. We live a distance away, haven't been together since their 50th anniversary party in 2015, and never spoke of politics during our calls. I shake my head in disbelief.
not_the_one
(2,227 posts)We are new to our area, so we don't really know anyone yet, and the virus certainly hasn't helped us to get to know people. So I haven't found myself in those situations. But we I do, I am never quick enough to respond spontaneously. I can always think of a ton of things to say after the fact, but that does me no good whatsoever. (I can easily spend 30 minutes on one response comment here on DU. Although it may not appear that I did... )
I do wish I could do as you did. They (those, and their ilk) need to understand that they are painting themselves into a corner. They need to KNOW that they are offending decent people. And they can either keep their mouths shut, or they will find themselves with fewer friends/associates. They need to KNOW why they are no longer included in gatherings. They need to know why fewer and fewer people are inviting them over.
Mucho hugs to you....
blm
(112,919 posts)Atticus
(15,124 posts)gratitude and admiration.
Silver1
(721 posts)Thank you.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)You need a hug? I'm sending you a rolled-up newspaper.
Cha
(295,899 posts)& Thank you!
rufus dog
(8,419 posts)I have noticed a couple sharp guys who are NRA gun nuts, that go off the rails. The propaganda from the NRA is some scary stuff.
skylucy
(3,734 posts)Laffy Kat
(16,354 posts)It would have been great if your hubby had thrown some support your way, although obviously you didn't need it. Keep up the good fight. It also sounded like the guest was patronizing you. Eff him.
Doreen
(11,686 posts)Lots big hugs.
Talitha
(6,476 posts)You done good.
Maybe - just maybe - you made them realize what an ass they are.
Hope they didn't leave any bad vibes in your house.
fierywoman
(7,641 posts)Olafjoy
(937 posts)Got in a HEATED dispute with my fellow board of directors at the charity I support. All are men in their 60s 70s and 80s. They wanted to bestow an honor on disgraced congressman David Schweikert. I WAS NOT HAVING IT. Michelle told me on Monday not to sit there and smile and nod. So I didnt. Aint going to be no David Schweikert while I live and breathe. Let me squeeze in that circle, Trueblue Texan.
Trueblue Texan
(2,367 posts)I decided a while back that instead of being simply polite (read silent),when I hear a line of right-wing bullshit I would speak up and counter it, if I could, with facts. I think they've gotten by with lying for so long, it really shocks them when someone challenges them on their lies now. But we can't just let them get by with it anymore. Our nation is dying. We have to save it, whatever it takes. Those heated disputes are disturbing, but not as much as another 4 years of Republican rule...well, it won't even be 4 years...god only knows what will happen if this nation is still standing after even a single more year. I just hope we make it to January.
yankeepants
(1,979 posts)These are not big wins. They are painful realizations and wounds that may never be healed. These encounters have become increasingly unavoidable as we, the enlightened (I say with true belief), can no longer sit still for the ignorance that is rampant in our lives.
Dan
(3,524 posts)Like you I can figure out what happen to our nation, that fully one-third of the country buys into insanity.
Do these people understand that if Trump is given a second term, not only is our democracy in trouble - but you would have to question how much damage would Trump do. I'm sorry, I can't think, the idea scares me so much.
Hamlette
(15,388 posts)calimary
(80,693 posts)I go through that with my best friend all the time.
I wrestle with telling her I don't want to be friends with her anymore. She doesn't want to talk about trump now, and thinks he's a fool. But she has no regrets about having voted for him. Or none that she's admitted to.
I remember one phone conversation, telling her my conscience was clear - having voted for Hillary. She said "mine is, too." Uh-huh. I guess you need to keep telling yourself that, because you voted for fucking trump!
She's unreachable at this point, but at least she SAYS she'll not be voting for the donald again. Now she's eyeing whoever the Libertarian is. WTF is so horrible about Joe Biden, girlfriend?????
Trueblue Texan
(2,367 posts)..But I guess it's ok because I really don't want to be friends with people who choose willfull ignorance over our nation's future.
Thanks, everyone, for the hugs and support.
calimary
(80,693 posts)He's nothing but a big orange chipper-shredder. In go our institutions. In goes our standing in the world. In goes the value of our word. In go our laws. In go our poor and needy and non-whites. In goes our social safety net - our Social Security and Medicare. In go our decency and self-respect. In go our hopes and dreams - unless what we hope for and dream of is democracy diminished, maybe to the point of utter destruction. If what you want is an autocracy, man are you getting it.
On further edit -
I'd say "if what you THINK you want is an autocracy, man are you getting it. I bet few of the trumpers and other assorted apologists and excuse-niks really understand what that is, and how someone accustomed to a "small-d" democratic system would feel under the rule of an autocracy. Like his pal Putin has, dontchaknow. Veritably appointing himself a kind of "president for life". Um - didn't they have elections? And what happens to whoever is ill-fated enough to run against him?
Zat what you want, trump-lovers? Seriously? What if it starts hitting close to home (you know, the way COVID-19 has for too many of us)?
Duppers
(28,094 posts)Even my overly polite spouse took on a fool-fox-watching neighbor a few months ago, calling out his lies.
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)You're very brave, taking them on so thoroughly. I hope you can still be friends.
I think we need to start talking to one another though, maybe starting with simple truths about patriotism, loving our country, etc. We have to find a way across the divide, or we will never be able to stop the radical, undisciplined, character-mauling lies.