Question about debating older Freepers

[dean_dem]

I'm sure some of the younger DU'ers can relate to this, but I frequently run into freepers who's only defense is to say essentially that I'm too young to know what I'm talking about (I'm 24, BTW). This is especially a problem when I'm talking about Nixon/ Goldwater/ Reagan politics that I know about mainly from my own reading and research (of which I have done a lot of, so I feel pretty confident about talking about it.)
So what do you say to a freeper that just insists that I'm not worth debating simply because I wasn't born when Nixon was President? Usually I just say something to the effect of "I've done my homework on this, if you're not prepared to argue it, fine, but don't condescend to me." I need something a little more clever though, something that will really shut them up. And I'm not worried about offending anyone. So does anyone have any Wilde-esque retorts to use when a freeper makes an idiotic statement like this?

[DS1]

1. Just drop off a change of address form in their name

The sudden lack of pills in the mail will help things progress naturally. :evilgrin:

[eataTREE]

2. "There's no fool like an old fool" usually works for me.

[kick-ass-bob]

5. perfect.

[Shoeempress]

3. "Oh are you experiencing a senior Moment?"

"Suffering from Alzheimer's like your hero Reagan?"


"Afraid to lose to a young Whippersnapper?"

God, no wonder I don't have any friends

[Parche]

4. history

Ask them if they can read


Hell, I wasnt born in 1941-1945, but I know more about Pacific War
then even some historians

[NewJeffCT]

6. I'm not a master debater by any means...

But, try sarcasm - "Boy, Barry Goldwater must be turning over in his grave due to the fiscal insanity of the Bush Administration in the name of conservatism."

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

7. Um

just because they lived at the time doesn't mean they fully understand what happened.

Not only that, but usually we find out more about a time period AFTER the fact, so unless they've really been keeping up with the history of that administration or event, they don't necessarily know any more than you do.

Hell, I was alive during the Clinton years but the 96 campaign and election is a TOTAL blur to me because I had a two year old at the time. I just knew the guy running against him was named Bob Dole and he had a lame hand or something. Seriously, that was the extent of my knowledge.

Call them on it. They are just hiding behind that as an excuse. Tell them to debate it with you or shut the hell up. Scared they are going to be punked out on the facts by someone who wasn't even alive when it happened? LOL!

[Kurovski]

8. Facts and reality likely don't matter to them

so why do they tax their aging brains by making up excuses to do what they're gonna do anyway?

<http://www.pipa.org/OnlineReports/Pres_Election_04/Report10_21_04.pdf>

[dean_dem]

9. Perfect. I'm saving all of these!

[MindPilot]

10. take it from someone who is old enough

to not only have been alive during the Nixon years but old enough to have voted for him.

I would say something like, "doesn't it bother you to be so old and be completely incapable of learning from experience?" "I would've thought you'd be old enough to know better." "Aren't you a little old to be letting other people do your thinking for you?" "Senility has kind of crept up on you hasn't it?" "What is it about advanced age that makes people lose touch with reality?" "Get back to work old man. You need to pay off my student loan."

The trick is to piss him off to the point where he throws an embolism and dies.

[quiet.american]

11. All in the Family

Watch some episodes of All in the Family and see how Michael Stivic handled it. :)

[HuckleB]

12. I wouldn't change your current response.

It fills the bill quite well.