Bit a hole through my tongue tonight.

[Atman]

We went out to dinner, and just before we were about to leave an old man plunked himself down at the table next to us. He was wearing a t-shirt that said "I'm Deplorable And Damned Proud." I made a comment to my wife, not subtle, I'm sure he could hear. It was intended that he hear. I just don't get these people. Why are you 'damned proud' to be a racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobe? I'm not a spring chicken, but by the looks of him I could gather in what era he used to think America was "great."

[MicaelS]

1. Many older people see

The country changing and they don't like those changes. Furthermore, the know it can't be stopped or reversed. They also resent their losses that go with change. So there only alternative is to be a curmudgeon, and be proud of it.

That shirt is a way of saying "Fuck you all very much, you won't tell me what to do or think."

[HereSince1628]

6. I don't think that sentiment is limited to 'older people'

I took a position teaching undergrad biology in Arkansas in 2002

Intro bio courses tend to be large, and logistically, hard to get to know. "Many", I would say most, students in a class of 100+ students avoid making themselves known as persons and hide out as observers rather than as participants.

To try to understand where they came from, I always asked students in these sections a few questions to try to find a way to be on their wavelength. Teaching is often an exercise in making allusions and comparisons, it requires knowing about the things students related to...

The questions included general things about their interests, possible majors and job interests, as well as what movies and books they had read recently.

In NW Arkansas, for the first time in my career, I ran into students who were proud of never having read a book since early grade school. Proud to proclaim that the didn't intend to ever read -any- books.

How the fuck they intended to earn university degrees with that attitude I didn't know. I did my best to serve them, but beat feet to get the fuck out of that ignorant hell hole as fast as I could.

[MicaelS]

7. God how appalling.

I have gotten so much pleasure throughout my life (59 yo) from reading. It is truly my first love. I can think of nothing worse than to never be able to read again.

[woodsprite]

2. You did well!

We came home tonight to the little farmer down the street putting up two huge-ass 4x6' Trump-Pence signs. Good thing harvest season is pretty much over. I know some people who wouldn't want anyone to see their cars parked in their driveway with those signs.

[Warpy]

4. I need to start biting holes in my tongue

because those people are dangerous and wouldn't hesitate to punch a little old granny lady (me) in the face for an overheard sotto voce "jerk!"

[wncHillsupport]

5. Well, since I have some

redneck relatives I can have some empathy for them. Lack of education= lack of opportunities= poor health care= poor health and no dental care = feeling that "people of color" (my term, not theirs) get free health care and they get sh***y health care. Not saying it is true but if you haven't walked a mile in their shoes with holes in them, it is hard to empathize.

Now, I am speaking to those in poverty, my relatives, but even the ones with money are scared to death they will be in the minority in their lifetime and the small business folks do feel put upon.

I am not taking their side...just feeling bad for them and having some empathy. I can't even talk to some of my relatives about politics, as I have said before, but I do love them as my relatives and for being, on the whole, good people. Uneducated, they have been vulnerable to the fat-cat republicans' line on abortion as bait to them for years.

Also keep in mind that, proportionally speaking, Mississippians give more to charity than any other state. And a majority of them are poor themselves. But they are generous to those who have just a little bit less than them.
My opinion. Not judging yours either.

[mnhtnbb]

9. I had a friend who was a Trump supporter

and she lives in Jersey. Would only see her occasionally when she came to visit her sister who lives about 90 minutes from here in NC.

I had 'hidden' her posts on fb because of her liking of all things Trump. Once in a while I would look at her posts--just to catch up--and about a month ago
I saw her 'like' a statement that was basically being proud to be included in the basket of deplorables. That was it. I unfriended her and her sister AND
another friend who lives in Memphis who had 'liked' her statement that she was proud to be included in the basket of deplorables.

I'm with you. I do not understand how anyone would be proud to be identified as a racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobe. Just don't get it. I thought I knew this woman.
Guess not!