Silencing the "Assasination" Meme (HELP!)

[Clio the Leo]

I swear if I have to hear one more time, "even if Obama wins, they'll shoot him" I'm gonna throw myself to the ground and throw a temper tantrum.

Had to listen to a friend say this today while we were standing in the church parking lot. Best I could come up with was, "well none of us is assured tomorrow." While that may work in the church parking lot on Sunday, that's not exactly the best reply we can give.

Help! How do I shut these people up?

[11 Bravo]

1. Shoot one of them. The rest will get the message.

[Clio the Leo]

2. but I have terrible aim. :-) NT

[TheBigotBasher]

37. If you have seen the new South Park

that may be good as then you may end up hitting them in the balls.

[KathieG]

19. ^^ I approve this message ^^

;-)

[markbark]

24. Besides, its their turn!

JFK, MLK, RFK - Dead
George Wallace, St. Ronnie - winged

It's THEIR turn to lose an icon.
(Not that they HAVE one.....)

--MAB

[Morrisons Ghost]

38. ?

I thought George Wallace was a democrat?

[ieoeja]

44. He was a Conservative. And they kill Liberals in this country. n/t

[markbark]

47. He was a Dixiecrat

A sub-species of dyed in the wool southern racist that split from the Democratic party in 1948.
After the Civil Rights Act of '64 was passed, they ran to the welcoming arms of the Repubs and became the cornerstone of Nixon's "Southern Strategy"

--MAB

on edit... pesky typos

[traveller]

26. Democrats were right to be outraged by violent Repug. comments. Now you

do the same.!!

[11 Bravo]

35. Hang around for more than a week and you'll figure it out.

There is a "sarcasm" smilie, but sentient posters realize when a post is so over the top that it's not needed.

[markbark]

48. Thanks! {grin}

...as a math professor I once had was fond of saying:
"The solution should be intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer."

I shan't forget the :sarcasm: tag in future.

--MAB

[a la izquierda]

46. LOL.

That's pretty sick. I'm glad some people have a sense of humor, for cripes sake.

[CakeGrrl]

3. Ask them if they know something you don't. n/t

[Aloha Spirit]

4. Encourage them to vote on their fears, since that has worked out really well for us the last two

elections.
Make this point using a sarcastic tone, for effect.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Well since you decided to put "assasination" in your thread title,

seems it would be hard to shut people up about it, since you are bringing it up.

Tell them that Barack Obama has thought about that....as has his family. It appears that he decided nearly two years ago that he would chance it. So it appears that the folks who something bad happening would affect the most, are going for it....and we should too.

[Clio the Leo]

9. Frenchiecat, I adore you........

... and you are one of my fav. posters here lemme just make that clear. I agree with you completely with the posts you have made on this matter before. *I* do not fear that he is in any more danger than any other man who has run for president and *I* believe folks are overreacting.

(Truth be told a little part of me thinks the man is simply untouchable, almost like someone or something, take your pick, is watching out for him. That's the only way you can explain how stuff just seems to slide off of his back like a duck out of water.)

But it is a legitimate concern ........ and maybe this is a regional thing since i live in the South. But time and time again, people point this fear out to me(I dont bring politics up, but my bumper stickers, office decor and t-shirts give me away.)

I think it's foolish ....... I'm in greater danger in my car every day than he is walking down the street. But it's a legitimate concern that is KEEPING folks from voting for him. How many times do they point out "he's a socilist!" never ...... how many times do they say, "He has shady friends," never, how many times do they say "he's unexperienced" rarely ...... how many times have I heard "someone will shoot him." ALL THE TIME.

Trust me, I aint bringin' it up ..... but it's costing him votes.

[crankychatter]

12. I need more than anecdotal evidence this issue is "costing him votes"

I don't believe it

[Clio the Leo]

15. Ok then, I bring you the Clio the Leo slightly scientific poll.....

Friend: Clio, I still dont know who I'm gonna vote for.

Clio: Well, what issues are important to you? What do you think about the fact that McCain will tax our health care contributions if he is elected?

Friend: (blank stare) ...... I just dont know, I'm afraid if Obama is elected, something will happen to him.

Clio: Like?

Friend: Well you know, like someone will shoot him. There are a lot of crazy people out there.

Clio: I thought I told you to stop watching Sean Hannity. :)

I have had this conversation over and over and over again. The people I speak with VOLUNTEER this fear to me. Again, I think it's absurd. They are looking for a reason ...... and to THEM he seems like a risk. It's like they dont want to put him in harm's way. Or that their vote would be "wasted."

[Clio the Leo]

17. .... and if you still doubt me......

whip out your favorite electoral map and take notice of how red the south is ...... trust me, folks here are not excited about McCain, they never have been. They WERE excited about the moose shooter, but now even that enthusiam is fading away as they are learning what a nut case she is.

Like I said, folks are using this as an excuse not to vote for him. Breaks my heart.

[crankychatter]

22. you watch

you will be amazed

you know Clio... if it ain't one thing it's another

OR, as Rosanne Rosannadanna used to say

"It just goes to show ya, it's always sumthin."

and it IS...

You live in an environment where racism lives, and it's simple existence intimidates people

But LOOK at the youngsters... after a decade or two of integrated schools... pop culture... the "youtube" generation

Things have changed and will KEEP changing

Frenchie gave you the BEST answer... IF, the folks that are effected the most have made the decision that it's WORTH the risk...

WE, are obliged to stand WITH THEM

thanks for your work and take heart

[Clio the Leo]

25. The person who said it today is 25 years old.....

..... and so are most of those who mention it (not because they are more worried than the older folks, I'm just around young people more.) This is his base ... or at least it's supposed to be.

That's why I'm so concerned.

(but thanks for everything else you said) :hug:

[crankychatter]

29. clio, there are three or four threads on this topic on the main DU:P page right now

I find it frankly, disingenuous

I'm going to quit kicking this crap

edited to add: "OMG OMG, We might lose Mississippi!!!"

[PretzelWarrior]

39. that's a bullsh!t reason not to vote for him

you would rather put another member of the NEO CON DEATH CULT in office?

I suspect one of the many reasons Biden makes sense is that he is a capable person to move the country forward if the worst were to happen.

I say those people are using "potential assassination" as cover for some real reason they aren't voting for him.

[chalky]

34. A friend used this meme on me early in the game. That was the the approach I took.

"Hell, don't you think he's thought about this? HE'S willing to put his life on the line. All you need to do is vote for the man."

[glowing]

6. Tell them that would be a real shame, but the Obama's are willing to take the risk,

the secret service are on security detail, and at least we know neither you or I would do something that sick...

[rucky]

7. NOBODY is more aware of this than Obama!

and he's not sweating it. Why should you?

Plus, McCain is 72, surviving 4 bouts of melanoma. So if you like McCain for his experience, and there's an equal chance of a VP taking over sometime in the term, who is more fit to be VP? Biden or Palin? And the fact that McCain has a good chance of not surviving his term, but still picked Palin - even after describing how we wanted a VP who's an expert on the economy - what does that say about McCain's judgement versus Obama's?

[GreenEyedLefty]

8. I went to lunch with my 'thug BFF and heard the same meme.

She said Obama won't survive his first term in office. I immediately retorted, "neither would McCain."

Yes, I'm still friends with her. Our friendship isn't based on our politics (clearly!).

[colonel odis]

10. if "they" shoot him, which i don't believe "they" will, the violence and destruction

it would create are unfathomable.

however, the violence will be directed at rebublican icons -- mcmansions, republican figures, talk show hosts, talking heads. (i am not condoning or suggesting violence in any form or fashion, by the way.)

in other words, if something were to happen to obama, rush limbaugh would, more than likely, be torn apart, quite literally, limb from limb. sean hannity would probably have a bullseye on him. bill o'reilly would have to go into hiding.

beyond that, it would be doubtful a republican could get elected to any office in this country for a generation.

that said, "they" aren't going to shoot him or anyone else.

[Clio the Leo]

14. Hey from a fellow Tennessean.....

.... btw, the "they" my friend was speaking of were some of our more backwards, hillbilly neighbors. I didn't think quickly enough to tell her that any klan folks in this part of the world that I have had any dealings with didn't even have enough sense to load a rifle, much less point it in the right direction. I'll have to remember that next time.

They also often dont have any teeth ...... but of course President Obama is gonna fix that isn't he ...... giving them good health care I mean. ;)

[ailsagirl]

11. I would hazard to guess it's on many people's minds-- especially

baby boomers. We've seen it too many times to dismiss it. But there is nothing we can do. Nothing. This I tell myself and refuse to bring it up in conversation because... what can you say?? We just have to push on and focus on what IS.

[goodgd_yall]

45. That's where I am on this

I have a friend that also brings up this topic. I don't speak with her that often and she doesn't say it everytime so I've never said anything to her. But I don't get the point of saying it. I'm aware that can happen, but why indulge in thinking about the worst that can happen? We have to, as you say, focus on what is.

[TheKentuckian]

13. This isn't an RFK situation

if they take Obama out then there will be hell to pay. Rather than breaking our backs the would unleash a new level of fury upon themselves.

[PerfectSage]

16. I'd buy a nerf gun and pop a cap in their ass.

Say: "You assume they'll shoot him and every time you assume something you make an ass out of you and assasination meme."

[msallied]

18. My mother was using this as an excuse to not vote for him.

It made my blood absolutely curdle. Once I told her that she was enabling the racists who are trying to keep control of this country, she changed her tune.

[KathieG]

20. I would bring up Bush...if the SS was able to keep that guy safe...

for all these years, they can certainly protect Obama.

[Clio the Leo]

27. very good point ..... and unlike Bush, Barack KNOWS how to properly chew ....

.... a pretzel. CHEW first, THEN swallow.

Which gives me an excuse to post THIS photo that I love so much.....

[RagAss]

21. They'll have to kill a whole bunch of us after that.........Got it?

[Clio the Leo]

31. check my post above about my aim being terrible. :-)

[Donald Ian Rankin]

23. Point out that Biden is preferable to McCain/Palin

It is not likely that Obama will be assassinated if he wins, but it's theoretically possible, and I think it's more likely than not that there will be assassination attempts on him - as there have been on many previous presidents.

But, if - as is not totally inconceivable - one succeeds, then the country will be be run by Joe Biden, who will do a good job of it - far better than McCain or Palin would.

[Overseas]

28. Quick reply to them-- Well I'm glad he chose Joe Biden as VP then.

He was being a very responsible person in these dangerous times to choose someone who could step in at any moment to run our country.

McCain has recurrent malignant melanoma which has returned 4 times, so his future is very uncertain too.

[jenmito]

30. Tell them if he and his family are willing to "chance it" to try to change the country for the

better, so should they.

[Overseas]

32. Other reply -- Cancer can take people away really quickly too.

McLiar has malignant recurring melanoma. It has come back 4 times. Cancer can take people away quickly. My mom was gone in one month.

If he died in office, the country would be left with a fundamentalist Pentecostal Christian in charge.

[BlooInBloo]

33. We went through this with Clinton people before. Not a big deal...

EDIT: It might be worth mentioning that McSenile's chances of dying while in office are FAR greater than Obama's.

Of course, that's not REALLY what they're "concerned" about. It's just their cover.

[no_hypocrisy]

36. You tell'em this.

Obama may be in danger, but he's seriously considered this potential. Therefore he and his campaign have a contingency in place. Joe Biden will pick up the mantle, be elected, and initiate Obama's plans in his place.

And remember, this movement is about us, not Obama. We're choosing him to carry out our wishes, our hopes, our vision. Obama is one man and there are so many of us left to develop the momentum and do the work ourselves.

Remember the last line from Grapes of Wrath spoken by Ma Joad:
Rich fellas come up an' they die, an' their kids ain't no good an' they die out. But we keep a'comin'. We're the people that live. They can't wipe us out; they can't lick us. We'll go on forever, Pa, 'cause we're the people.

[Orangepeel]

40. There are a small number of lunatics who would try, but the Secret Service knows what it is doing

If your friend thinks that there is some sort of intra-government conspiracy then it doesn't matter who's president. Obama is no more likely to be the victim than any other Democrat.

As for the small number of right wing nutcases who could rouse themselves out of their parents' basements long enough to actually try something, they won't succeed. This isn't 40 years ago and the people protecting Obama are ready.

[phleshdef]

41. The Secret Service is a lot more advanced than it was in the 60s or even the 80s.

Tell them you dare someone to even try, they will find themselves full of bullets and Obama completely unscathed. Anyone who would even think of attempting another huge political assassination in this day and age would have to be a total idiot who has no idea what they are dealing with.

[treestar]

43. I bet that's true, too

They'd be the one full of bullets.

I'm still amazed one got close enough to Reagan - but that was back in the 80s.

[treestar]

42. They think McCant won't need Secret Service protection?

Every president does. Every president is considered to be under threat of assassination.

Point out that Obama cares enough about the nation to pick a VP ready and able to be President. McCant doesn't care what happens to us when he's gone. Which is obvious because of the disastrous President he would leave us with.

[Bucky]

50. Yes, but Obama's detail carries guns. McCain's carries defibrilators.

[Bucky]

49. Calmly and politely inform them "Wow, what a sick piece of shit you are."

But remember, say this politely.