Would YOU wear this T-shirt in a deep red small town in a deep red State? This is what I'm wearing..

[Ghost in the Machine]

... as I go about town today.... but I'm almost 6'3", 218 lbs, long haired with a goatee and moustache and tattooed from my wrists to my shoulders.... and most people around here think I'm crazy anyways, since they saw me walk into the grocery store one day when it was 18 degrees outside, and I was wearing a T-shirt and flip flops



My son got it for me, I'll have to ask him where when I see him later today...


Peace,

Ghost

[csziggy]

1. I wouldn't but my husband might

He's 6'2" 230 lbs. long haired with a goatee and moustache - but no tattoos. He's also the type that is friends with Republicans no matter what kind of biased shit they throw his way.

Me, on the other hand, would pick a fight then fight dirty, even though I am a short obese woman. Since my husband convinced me to be political I have trended more and more left and since 2000 I will not make nice to Republicans.

When you find out where your son got the shirt, please post the info for us!

[safeinOhio]

11. Think I'd get along with him

I wore an Obama shirt to a gun show. Lots of looks and no comments.

[csziggy]

19. Probably - he's a pretty laid back guy n/t

[narnian60]

24. Good for you!

[Ghost in the Machine]

29. I would get along with your husband, too... I have republican and christian friends, we know how

eah other are, and we just talk about other things, like hunting and fishing or hiking. I don't like to fight & argue with people... I had enough of that in my younger days, especially when working as a bouncer in a biker bar.

I live a very laid back, peaceful lifestyle and keep mostly to myself or with my family. My circle of friends is VERY small, though diverse as mentioned above. I figure I can count my REAL friends on both hands, with a few fingers to spare. The rest are just acquaintances that we mostly just nod and/or say hello to in passing at the store or the lake or something.

I just asked my son, but he doesn't remember where he got it, he thinks it was at the flea market though.

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[csziggy]

30. My husband has to be laid back to put up with me

I am NOT laid back, though I try to be. As I've aged, it's gotten easier - most of the time I don't have the energy to work up outrage like I used to.

Most of the Republicans my husband knows, he's known for decades. Unfortunately as the GOP has moved more and more to the right, so have his friends. There is one guy whose calls I will not answer - not since 2008. He no longer calls the house phone and only calls my husband's cell.

On the other hand, my friends have trended more and more left. Go figure.

I would have expected the other way since I was raised conservative and he was raised liberal - his parents were the only white members of the NAACP in his home town and his brother worked for the Eugene McCarthy campaign before he got out of high school and for the Jimmy Carter campaign just after he got out of law school.

I think being raised liberal taught him to be more tolerant. I try but it's just not worth dealing with the BS any more.

[Ghost in the Machine]

90. Sounds like he has his hands full, but in a good way!

I was raised in a strong Democratic, UNION family on my dad's side. His father was a founding member of Local Union 725 in Miami, the Pipefitters, Steamfitters, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Union. At one time, my dad was President of the Local, and served on the Executive Board a few other times. I have 2 uncles who are lifetime members, too, and one who my dad helped get into Local 43 in Chattanooga after we moved up here.

I try to be tolerant and get along with everyone, but I have dropped a few 'acquaintances' due to their blatant racism and willfull ignorance. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity, and think willfull ignorance should be a crime.

I try but it's just not worth dealing with the BS any more.

I know exactly how you feel! I am getting to that point myself as far as political dealings with people go. The "Born & Raised here" people in this town have been too indoctrinated for too many generations to change. I can't say that they are "bad" people, though. Most of them are very nice and will go out of their way to help someone out, and you should see the way they come out as a Community to help the Volunteer Fire Departments, or someone whose house burned down, or when there is a tragic, unexpected loss of someone due to an accident or something.



Peace,

Ghost

[csziggy]

92. As prove by how irritable I've been, he is very good for me

He's been gone half weeks since his Mom's been in care. I'm lucky if I get to be with him two days a week - and that has been since the beginning of the year.

I'm OK alone but I seem to loose my ability to have patience with people. The last couple of weeks I have been very cranky but as soon as my husband gets home and I talk things over with him, I settle down.

In July we will have our 39th anniversary and after all that time, I guess I have become dependent on him!

[7962]

48. A lot of folks here cant understand how thats possible.

I've said the same thing; i have friends that are hard core republicans but they've been friends for years. We get along fine. Even joke about stuff. But they know who I vote for & i know who they vote for. Its kinda like Congress USED to be years ago

[Ghost in the Machine]

91. VERY good post, 7962, thank you for that!

I try to get along with EVERYONE, and the only way that I "judge" anyone is by the content of their character... how they conduct themselves as Human Beings. That just helps me decide whether they are someone that I want to be associated with, as it's not MY job, or place, to "judge" ANYONE, especially with my own "checkered past". I've done some things in my "younger, dumber days" that could have gotten me killed, or landed me in a prison cell for a long time. To this day I still don't know HOW I survived it, or got away with it, but I have turned my life around 180 degrees and have worked hard to atone for my past.

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[7962]

94. You're very welcome.

Glad you got past the earlier "things" you mention. I'm sure we've all got at least a few of those.
And the friends I mention are easy to joke with. They may make an Obama joke, I may make Palin jokes, everybody laughs & then move on to joking about the increasing size of Charlie's belly and the reduction of my hair. But politics aside, we all know that we could call one or the other if we needed a ride (or bail, which has also happened) & we'd get it.

[Ghost in the Machine]

95. That is exactly the way I am with my friends!

I don't understand why everyone can't be like that, but I have seen that some people like to live in "echo chambers", where they all think and act alike, and anyone who doesn't conform isn't welcome. I would feel like a drone if I had to live like that! Diversity makes life much more interesting!



Peace,

Ghost

[Kip Humphrey]

2. Is it kevlar?

[Ghost in the Machine]

31. No, just lightweight cotton... I don't think I'd need kevlar around here, anyways. I actually got

quite a few laughs out of it, from people that I *know* are republicans! I didn't have any bad experiences at all, really. I wound up at the lake for a little while, sitting on the boat dock with my cousin who was there fishing. A bass boat came in with 2 guys in it, and one got out to back the trailer down. We could tell right away that the guy driving the boat didn't know what he was doing, as he couldn't even line the boat up with the trailer to get it on.

After his second attempt, and us hearing him tell his friend "this isn't MY kind of fishing, I'm just going to sell the boat because this is too much work", I noticed that the rear of his boat was floating towards the dock, in shallow water where his prop was about to hit the concrete ramp under the water. I ran over, laid down on the dock and pushed the back of his boat back out towards deeper water. He finally got it in reverse and started backing up, but wasn't watching the FRONT of his boat. I had to push IT away to keep it from hitting the dock.

He finally got it on the trailer, and told his friend to get back in the truck and go ahead and pull him out. That's when I had to remind him to tilt his motor up, or he would be eating his prop up getting pulled out. He trimmed the motor up and finally got the boat out of the water. When he got out of the boat, he came over and thanked me then, and I don't know if was because of the shirt or not, he asked me "Are you Saved?" I just looked at him and said "From what?". He said "Jesus is coming back soon, I can feel it in the air! Look at everything that's going on around the world right now". I told him that I was "Spiritual, but did not subscribe to organized religion".

He started talking about getting rid of his boat again and said "See this boat? I don't even NEED it because Jesus is going to be back soon!" I told him "Well, I just live about 5 miles up the road, if you don't NEED it, you can stop by and just park it in my yard". He said "do you have $5,000?". I said "No, but if you're really sure that Jesus is coming back very soon, you can't take the boat, or the money, with you and someone that is left behind is just going to claim it anyways, along with your truck, your house and everything else that you have, aren't they?"

He got a strange look over his face, like that had really hit home and said "that was something that I had never thought of before" then said "well, we have to get going, good luck to you guys". I said "thank you, and have a Blessed day!" He kind of smiled and drove off. My cousin, who is a church-going christian, looked at me and said "you handled that very nicely, Cuz, I'm proud of you. I really LOVED it when you told him to have a Blessed day!" My cousin used to be an atheist, but as an Engineer for the railroad, he had 7 people in 18 years either jump, or park on the tracks, in front of his train. The last one derailed the train, flipped it on its side, and slid for a long way. He was thrown down in the cabin, and was being crushed by the dirt and gravel coming through. He could barely breathe and was afraid that he was going to die. He said that he started thinking about his wife and kids, and just started to pray out of nowhere.... he didn't even know how to pray. He said that he blacked out a couple of times, but started praying again as soon as he came to. He was fighting just to get small breaths, and was just about to just let go and quit trying when he heard voices, then there was a lot of people there furiously digging him out. He blacked out again, and woke up in the back of an ambulance with an oxygen mask on.

His wife was already a church-goer, and she took the kids every Sunday. When he recovered enough, he started joining them. I do not begrudge him his faith one bit, nor do I begrudge anyone else, as long as they aren't trying to cram it down my throat, which my cousin never does. He is also a staunch Democrat, as his father and mine were in the same Union together. My dad just got his 60 year Pin back in November, his dad will get his 60 year Pin this year.

Sorry for such a long post, but I don't usually reply to everyone when I post because I usually just post news items. I will be answering others though, since I asked a question, and I am just going to refer them to this post number, so I don't have to keep repeating myself.

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[Thespian2]

49. Excellent!

I like the shirt...I also like your long post...Thanks for it...

[Ghost in the Machine]

87. Thank you for taking the time to read it, Thespian2...

Peace,

Ghost

[allan01]

3. haha. made my day. and morning

got woke up by 1 of those stoopid fake irs calls , was a bit crankey, , this made me laugh. i had a shirt that i got from a pirate radio station that was i deep purple and had the radio ship and big letters on the back sayig DONT VOTE REPUBLICAN. i live in a deep red county in ca. i feel for you.

[Ghost in the Machine]

32. Well that makes me feel good, as I try every day to see how many people I can make laugh, smile, or

otherwise feel good about themselves. I would wear a shirt like you had, too! Please see post #31 for how my day went...

Peace!,

Ghost

[Phentex]

4. You should have heard people when I wore a Jesus is a Liberal shirt...

one guy was really pissed. He was SO offended at the grocery store.

Like yours!!

[Victor_c3]

8. I'm not the heaven believing sort of guy

But I always thought that if there was a heaven that Jesus would be hanging out with our founding fathers smoking pot all day on a commune in the sky.

Jesus would most definitely be a liberal.

[Ghost in the Machine]

33. Oh, I KNOW the reaction to that one! I use that all the time... "Jesus was a Liberal Hippie who hung

out with lepers, thieves, prostitutes and the downtrodden and destitute"...

See post #31 about how my day went!

Peace,

Ghost

[Bonx]

5. No. It's confrontational and also an ugly shirt.

But that's just me.

[homegirl]

7. Thank you

for starting my day with a huuuuge laught!

[Ghost in the Machine]

34. Is it any more confrontational than people around here wearing shirts that say "REPENT, or be

DOOMED to HELL"?? But, as you said, that's just you. You are entitled to your opinion, and I can respect that.

Peace,

Ghost

[The Green Manalishi]

6. Right under my openly carried Colt .357

One big assed 6" barrel stainless "Natural Born Killers" piece.

[Ghost in the Machine]

35. I don't feel a need to carry a gun everywhere I go, especially around here. I OWN a couple, but they

rarely ever leave my property. I used to have a Kel-Tech 9mm that I carried in a pocket of my cargo shorts in the summer while I was bush-hogging, because I would take breaks and go for a walk in the woods to sit in some shade for a little while, and I had it for snakes or coyotes or some of the packs of wild dogs that come through our woods. I had to get rid of it though, it was so lightweight that I forgot it was in my pocket and went to town with it a couple of times.

Now, back from the early 80's to early 90's when I lived in Miami, I never went anywhere without a gun.

Peace,

Ghost

[Helen Borg]

9. They may shoot you in the back.

[Ghost in the Machine]

37. No, I don't think I have to worry about that around here...

It's a VERY small town, with more churches than stores or industries, but I don't think people are THAT unhinged!

Please see my post #31 for how my day went...



Peace,

Ghost

[oldandhappy]

10. Fantastic!!!!

[Ghost in the Machine]

38. Thank you, and Peace! n/t

[AlbertCat]

12. Not wearing it...

.... because it's too busy, and the message has too many words.

[Ghost in the Machine]

39. If I wanted your opinion, I'd ask Oh, wait... I did ask! I thought about the length, too,

because so many people have a "Bumper Sticker Mentality"... if it doesn't fit on a bumper sticker, or meme generator, they just don't get it...

Good to see you, AlbertCat!

Peace,

Ghost

[AlbertCat]

46. I'd ask Oh, wait... I did ask!

Guffaw

Anyway... it was all those years I was in advertising that kicked it: Message good.... but needs to be more succinct.

[Brickbat]

13. No, because the typeface is gross and the message doesn't fit my style.

[Ghost in the Machine]

40. Ask an honest question, get an honest answer. I can respect that... Peace! n/t

[Person 2713]

14. New Orleans, Miami, Disney world. All by plane . Wouldn't wear a suit in such a place I'll never go

I get the message and am staying out . There are not many places south of mason Dixon I'd go
Would love to see the land but not while its in deep red shit
Too many scenic places elsewhere and great urban cities to visit and have a good time so no worries
Btw 6'4 220 with dreadlocks and eggplant skin would you still feel your size and crazy style would protect you in your town?
Asking because maybe I have the wrong impression of what people of the majority are like in those areas maybe I shouldn't feel uneasy in the town with that shirt

We live in a diverse mixed blue state, urban area where quite frankly you would not stand out for tats, that shirt , or flip flops at zero,

Although you may get hassled if the only other thing you had on was a Tshirt no pants then yes people would say crazy
It's not perfect at all but I know the issues We have zero westher, and I'd rather be in warm weather just more places like California than red south

No nope not looking for trouble . Wouldn't be in that kind of town to wear it anyway. Sorry I am sure there are great things about where you live peacefully and that you enjoy . I enjoy your posts. This shirt makes me laugh but in answer to your question and why^

[Ghost in the Machine]

41. I was born in Miami and raised there until I was 13, so I had a very diverse set of friends then..

We moved to this small town due to my dad's work, and there is a Nuclear Plant here. I moved back to Miami 6 days after I graduated high school in 1981, and didn't come back here until 2003.

As for your question: "Btw 6'4 220 with dreadlocks and eggplant skin would you still feel your size and crazy style would protect you in your town?", I would say "Yes". This is a very small town, and there are a few openly racist people, but you have that everywhere. 40 years ago it might have been different answer, but the people here have grown and progressed a lot. When I was in high school here, it was 99.98% caucasian, as we only had 2 African Americans, People of Color, or whatever term people are using today (I, personally, just say Human Beings, as I don't judge anyone by anything other than the way they conduct themselves as human beings), in the whole school. There were only 2 or 3 Black families in the whole County.

Today is a different story. There are a lot more AA families, and some of the white girls have bi-racial kids, so the people here are much more accepting now. As stated above, the town has grown a little, yet progressed a LOT. We used to be the smallest County in the State, but now we're the 2nd or 3rd... maybe even 4th (it's been a while since I check the Census stats).

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[daa]

15. You do realize

There was a KKK rally at Stone Mountain last week. Probably a bad idea.

[Ghost in the Machine]

42. The Klan Klowns don't worry me, they are chickenshits who hide behind hoods to spread their hate...

If there are any around here, they wouldn't show their faces because it's a very small town, and they most likely attend one of the 100's of churches. We have more churches than businesses or industries. Besides, Stone Mountain is in Georgia, I'm in East Tennessee!

Peace,

Ghost

[mountain grammy]

16. Great!

[Ghost in the Machine]

43. Thanks! Peace to you, mountain grammy! n/t

[stonecutter357]

17. No i wear this T-shirt and i live in Alabama.

[Ghost in the Machine]

44. Cool! I'd wear that, too. Peace! n/t

[ileus]

18. Why not...

You're still in America, and for the most part folks in the South are polite to everyone.

[Ghost in the Machine]

54. Oh, I know that... I have lived in the South all of my life, except for 8 months in Michigan....

I've lived all over South Florida, from The Keys to Ft. Lauderdale, NC, SC, GA & TN... I spent 2 weeks vaction in Ohio once, and a week in Tom's River, NJ at Thanksgiving once. That was the first time I had ever seen snow at the beach... it was beautiful!

I get a little worked up about some of the broad brush South bashing I've seen on here, and always jump into it in our defense. Most of the finest people I know are from the South, and I have met some totally awesome people from the North, too.

I try to get along with everyone, and have never really met a stranger.

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[jwirr]

20. LOL

[Ghost in the Machine]

55. :-) ... n/t

[GummyBearz]

21. No. Not out of fear, but it is divisive, crude, and arrogant. That isn't what we should be selling

Think about it... this is something Trump would come up with (but in reverse). What a disgusting display.

[Ghost in the Machine]

56. You're entitled to your opinion, and I can respect that... but I'm just the opposite. I think that

we, as Democrats, have been "playing nice" and rolling over for far too long, and *that's* why the repugs think they can just keep bullying us around. I've been saying that we need to start playing some "Smash Mouth Politics" since the '06 elections. Look what "playing nice" did to Bill Clinton, and to President Obama. It got them NOWHERE.

Think back in the year or 2 leading up to the '06 elections. We had Nancy Pelosi, John Conyers, DiFi, Dennis Kucinich and Barbara Boxer all talking about impeachment of Gee DUHbya. John Conyers constantly complaining that the repugs wouldn't even let Democrats in meetings, or use the meeting rooms.... they were making us use the damn BASEMENT, ferchristsakes! Democrats got fired up, banded together and we won BOTH Houses & control of Congress! We got our first female Speaker of the House! What's the first thing she did?? Took impeachment off the table.... and we never heard another peep out of Conyers. MANY of us were left stunned and disillusioned.

I know a lot of Democrats/Liberals are pacifists, and that's okay, but I will ALWAYS stand up to a bully. You are more than welcome to stand behind me as I stand UP for you! I took an oath of non-violence several years ago, but left myself an "out" with the clause "except in cases of self defense, or defense of my family or others". NOBODY will threaten, nor put their hands on, me or my family without swift repercussions.

You have to STAND for something, or you'll FALL for anything...

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[dynamo99]

71. entitled to your opinion

I knowI know a lot of Democrats/Liberals are pacifists, and that's okay, but I will ALWAYS stand up to a bully. a lot of Democrats/Liberals are pacifists, and that's okay, but I will ALWAYS stand up to a bully.

I dunno that I am one these days, but I used to be a pacifist. It doesn't mean you don't stand up to a bully, it means you won't use violence to do so. It sometimes worked (if organized, not just individual) even against the Nazis. Maybe you'll get hurt in the process, but maybe you would get hurt in any event.

These days, of course, we see enough police shootings to wonder whether being nonviolent is the right response.

[GummyBearz]

79. Telling someone else to kiss your ass isn't being defensive

It is pretty much the opposite. Its not about being a pacifist, I had to fight all my youth. I try not to but sometimes you know it is coming. I do agree democratic politicians should play more hard ball. Are you an elected democratic politician?

[Ghost in the Machine]

83. "Are you an elected democratic politician?" No, but I do have the RIGHT of Freedom of Speech and

Expression. If someone can't realize that it's a joke, and a play on words, I can't help that. Just about EVERYONE knows the republican logo is the Elephant, and the Democrats is the Donkey (Ass), but I think that I have identified the problem from your post below, so I will address it there, in the proper place...

Peace,

Ghost

[GummyBearz]

84. You do have that right to free speech

And from that stand point I respect you for exercising that right. We will just have different opinions on that shirt, but that happens sometimes.

Peace to you as well

[cwydro]

74. I agree with you.

I see no need to tell people to kiss my ass.

As a Democrat in the south, if I saw you wearing that, I'd think you were just the flip side of a Trump supporter.

At any rate, too many words on it - who has the time to read everyone's t-shirt?

[GummyBearz]

78. I agree with you. It weirds me out when someone reads my t-shirt and asks what it means

Its just some random ass t-shirt, likely bought for me by my wife or given to me as a xmas present (I happily haven't been clothes shopping in a long time).

[Ghost in the Machine]

85. NOW I see where the problem is...

I agree with you. It weirds me out when someone reads my t-shirt and asks what it means

Its just some random ass t-shirt, likely bought for me by my wife or given to me as a xmas present (I happily haven't been clothes shopping in a long time).

I pick out my own clothes, and have for the past 40 years since I was 13. When I was a teenager, my mom would take me to the store and let me pick out what I wanted, because I would refuse to wear what she bought me, as she had a different style than me, and was also trying to dress me as who SHE wanted me to be, instead of who I felt that I was.

When I buy a shirt with a specific message, or even picture, on it, I EXPECT people to look at it, read it and/or comment on it. MOST people do, or they wouldn't bother to pick it out, they'd just buy plain shirts, wouldn't they? Hell, I had a shirt made that said "My Boss Is An ASSHOLE.... And I'm SELF EMPLOYED!"

My son knows my politics, and he thought of ME when he saw it, and spent his own money getting it for me. I'll wear it with pride, just like the one my daughter got me that says "World's Greatest Dad"....

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[GummyBearz]

88. Hey man, there is no problem

We just disagree on the whether your new shirt is tasteful or not. I strongly believe in the freedom of speech, which says you can wear whatever you want, and I would have your back if the situation came to pass. I just think it is offensive, so I wouldn't wear it.

[Ghost in the Machine]

93. Thank you, GummyBearz...

I can always agree to disagree with someone as long as we can do it in a civil manner. As I've stated to a few others, "I asked an honest question, and got an honest answer, and I can respect that".

Maybe I should have said "situation" instead of "problem", and I apologize if you took offense, I didn't mean it that way.

It was just your comment about being "weirded out" by someone reading, and commenting, on a shirt that you are wearing. We have differences in HOW & WHY we obtain our clothing, and on the message on the shirt my son got me. You find it offensive, I find it funny... you're "weirded out" by people reading YOUR shirts, I EXPECT people to look at, and/or comment, on mine. I can deal with that.... to each his own! I'm wearing one today with a big picture of the Grim Reaper, and it says "Sometimes I just show up to see the look on peoples faces"...

Now that we understand each other better, can we move forward and be "friends" on here? I hope so!

Peace, again, to you and yours...

Ghost

[Blue_Tires]

22. brilliant...!

[Ghost in the Machine]

57. I wish I would have thought it up first & could take credit for it... Peace! n/t

[Botany]

23. No

Why look to start a fight?

[TheBlackAdder]

28. Republican Lummoxes tend to run in size XXXL and holster a penis enlarger for their fears. nt

[Ghost in the Machine]

59. I wasn't looking to start a fight. There's a big difference between not being afraid to speak, or

display, your mind & looking to start a fight. Yeah, some people may think I'm an A-hole, but I *could* think the same thing about people wearing "Rebel Flag" shirts & hats, or shirts with pictures of white, blonde Jesus, Jesus hanging from crosses, or anti-Obama shirts & hats... Freedom of speech & expression trumps my feelings, though, and nobody has the Right to NOT be offended.

I might not like what you have to say, but I'll fight for your Freedom to say it!

Peace,

Ghost

[Throd]

25. Why would I wear that? Seems unneccesarily dickish.

[Ghost in the Machine]

60. No more "dickish" than people wearing confederate flags or anti-Obama shirts & hats...

As I've said to a couple of others.. that's your opinion and you are entitled to it, and I can respect that. I asked an honest question, and got an honest answer.... who am I to argue about it?

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[TheBlackAdder]

26. Personally, I wouldn't wear that just because I don't wear stuff like that. Good luck. Get a will.

[Ghost in the Machine]

61. No "luck" was needed, and my will is up to date, but thank you... everyone has different styles, and

I usually won't wear a shirt of any kind without a pocket, except for tank tops... but tank top weather usually means I'm wearing cargo shorts, so the pocket isn't an issue. I've kicked the habits of alcohol and drugs, but still haven't been able to quit smoking, and I like a shirt pocket for my cigarettes and lighter.

Peace,

Ghost

[TheBlackAdder]

73. Man! You are ballsier than me, by a mile.

[polly7]

27. Oh, hell yeah!!

That's a great shirt. But watch your back!

[Ghost in the Machine]

63. Thank you, but I didn't ever feel a need to watch my back.. the only negative responses I got were,

surprisingly, on here! I got the biggest kick out of my 78 year old father. He is a lifelong Democrat & retired, but still dues paying Union member who just got his 60 year Pin back in November. We call him "old stone face" because he hardly ever laughs or smiles, but when he saw it, he let out a little chuckle and had an ear to ear grin on his face!

Peace!

Ghost

[liberalhistorian]

36. I'm a white gal on an Indian reservation in

South Dakota, and a seminary student. I proudly wear my "Jesus Was A Refugee" shirt I got from the Christian Left. When I'm here on the reservation I have no problems at all. But off of the rez anywhere else in the state, particularly here in the western part of the state known as West River (the most conservative part of this conservative state, where the Black Hills is located), well........totally different reaction. Nasty looks, smirks, rolled eyes. No one says anything, though. It's really kinda funny.

[Ghost in the Machine]

64. Heh! I always tell people that "Jesus was a Liberal, Socialist Hippie who hung out with lepers,

theives, prostitutes and the poor! If he came back today, most of these so-called "christians" wouldn't have anything to do with him and would probably treat him as an outcast, if they didn't want to just outright kill him".

All I know about the Black Hills is that it's some beautiful country, and Sturgis! I went to Sturgis once, but was so drunk and drugged out that I really have no memory of it, other than what people I was with tell me. I would LOVE to visit the area again some time, especially since I'm clean and sober now...

Keep on making them roll those eyes and smirk, it really IS kinda funny to watch them... especially when they are slinking away, probably too scared to say anything to your face...

Peace,

Ghost

[Ghost in the Machine]

45. I am trying to respond to everyone, but I have to leave again for a while, please see post #31....

I don't want anyone to feel left out... I will check back in in a couple of hours...

Peace,

Ghost

[DawgHouse]

47. I wouldn't but I'd be proud that my son got it for me.

[Ghost in the Machine]

65. I respect your choice, and I AM very proud that my son thought of me and got that shirt for me. n/t

[Ghost in the Machine]

66. Thank you, and I understand what you mean. I am very outspoken about my politics, and don't care

if someone doesn't like what I have to say, but I always try to do it in a polite, educational manner. I have learned that people respond better to polite, civil discussion and will actually listen.

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[lancer78]

51. I got

a bunch of Early Cuyler trucker hats. They say things like "I support the flat tax because I am flat broke." "Emergency, dial .357", and my favorite "VPILF" with a caricature of sarah palin.

[Ghost in the Machine]

67. Sounds like a nice collection. Another shirt I have is black, with C.S.I in BIG letters on the front

Under the letters, in much smaller print, it says "Can't. Stand. Idiots." I had a cashier in the grocery store comment on it one day as she was ringing up my purchase. She said "Nice shirt!" then, in a much lower tone, said "I need one of those while working here!" I have another one that says "I don't have an ANGER problem... I have an IDIOT problem!"... which I honestly do. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity, and think that willfull ignorance should be a crime...

Peace,

Ghost

[malaise]

52. It's great

Hehehehehhe

[Ghost in the Machine]

68. Thank you, malaise! For some reason, I just knew that you would be one who got a kick out of it...

Peace,

Ghost

[malaise]

75. LOL

Have a nice day

[quakerboy]

53. No, I would not

Not hugging any of their "elephants", nor leaving them the opportunity to interpret what that might mean.

[Ghost in the Machine]

69. Thanks for your honest reply, I respect it 100%... Peace! n/t

[herding cats]

58. It's cute, and I like it!

But, no, I wouldn't wear it.

I'm a business owner now, and I can't do that anymore. I miss my days of being able to be politically rude, but they're now a happy, yet distant memory. Yeah, it sucks.

I wore some pretty poignant T's during the Bush years, though. Gawd, I miss my youth, and the freedom associated with it!

[Ghost in the Machine]

72. Thank you, and I totally understand where you're coming from. I would have never worn it to work

back when I had my business, as I had many republican customers. I had a restaurant/coffee house, and it was the hang-out for a lot of the retired locals. Some would come in for breakfast, then sit at the counter drinking coffee, reading the paper, and shooting the bull with others until lunch time, then they would have lunch and leave for a while. Many of them would come back for dinner and hang out talking to different people they knew. I had a LOT of regulars who ate there 2 or 3 meals a day, everyone knew everyone by name, and some of them were so consistant with their orders that the cooks and servers could start cooking their meal when they saw them pull in, and have their drinks waiting on them when they walked in. I had such loyal customers that I got to where I would pick one at random each day and tell the server "Their order is on the house today/tonight, just put their ticket in the drawer with their name on it".

I had one elderly couple who ate there 3 times per day, every day. I could always tell towards the end of the month when they were getting low on money because they would start to order a plate to share. I told my servers to tell them to get whatever they wanted and not to worry about the price, I would take care of it, AND give the server their tip out of my pocket. The saddest day EVER was the evening they were headed to dinner, and got hit head-on by a speeding drunk, and it claimed them both. They only lived about a mile away, and the wreck happened right in front of the restaurant. The only comfort we had was knowing that they went together. They had no one else, and had even outlived their kids.

Damn! Typing that just brought a flood of memories back... I only have a few more to respond to, but I think I need to take a break now....

Peace to you and yours,

Ghost

[herding cats]

96. .

This isn't a hollow sentiment, I deeply want you to know that.

I feel you to my core. I've been there myself, and I really do understand.

Peace and love to you. I just wish I could hug you in person.

[fred v]

62. Funny Shirt

But bullets don't care about height or weight.

[Ghost in the Machine]

80. Thank you, fred v,....

I live in a VERY small town, and I never worry about bullets anywhere, except maybe during deer season and I am hunting on public land somewhere. You never know who you're in the woods with then, or if they are the type to shoot at something just because it moves and they *think* it's a deer. That's why I normally just hunt on my own land, and 4 of my neighbors land that I have permission to hunt on. We ALL hunt back there, so usually check with each other the night before to see if anyone else is going to be in the woods, and if so, where, so we don't walk up on them and disturb THEIR hunt. We all have our land posted, but allow each other free usage. A stranger would have to come up our hill and park in one of our yards to access our woods, unless they walked several miles through the woods from somewhere else. That isn't even a factor anymore, really. I think I have been hunting twice in the last 6 years.

I have never even seen anyone in town open carrying, and out here in the sticks where I live, only a couple of store owners who would be easy targets for a stranger passing through for a quick "stop~n~rob"... Though the worst that we've had in several years is "Gas Drive Offs", or shoplifting. I can't remember the last time a store, or person, was robbed at gunpoint. We DO have a problem with the meth heads stealing from barns and sheds, and the occasional break-in while no one is home, but that's about it. I've had stuff stolen from my house, but it was by people I know, and helped out... and I just recently had my vehicle stolen while it was sitting at a friend's house being repaired. I'm pretty sure that it was someone who knew me, and wanted the engine and transmission and rims. It was a '94 Acura Integra LS with a built-out Honda racing engine, hi-pro exhaust, 2 stage competition clutch with a short-shift 5 speed, sitting on a set of $800 17" low profile rims. Think of a "Fast & Furious" car.

Peace,

Ghost

[raven mad]

70. I would, in a heartbeat - Fairbanks, Alaska is VERY red............

but even us super-Blues know how to use a shotgun.

[Ghost in the Machine]

81. Alaska is on my "bucket list" of places that I want to visit, and have thought of moving there...

but right now, it's still just a dream. I'd have to hit the lottery, or some other windfall, before I could do much else.



Peace,

Ghost

[raven mad]

97. Take a cheap car, drive up the Alcan, bring camping equipment -

and ambition, brains, and a work ethic. You'll have to sleep on the floor with the cats. but they keep you warm.

My daughter, Kristi, came back up hitchhiking in 1999. With her two baby girls. She is quite amazing and has since given me a grandson. HITCHHIKING!! I could have killed her for that; dumbass. But she made it home.

[Bad Dog]

76. No I wouldn't.

I would wear this.

[Ghost in the Machine]

82. LOL!! That works for you! Hello from across the pond! Peace! n/t..

[Bad Dog]

89. Hello mate.

[jtuck004]

77. That's funny. Otoh, I hope you dan't have to change your name to Ghost in the Funny T-Shirt. n/t

[Ghost in the Machine]

86. LOL! Thank you... "Ghost in the Funny T-Shirt" <~~~ "Comedy gold, Jerry, comedy GOLD!" Peace! n/t