Just had a bit of fun...

[The Doctor.]

So I'm running around doing errands, walking around in different stores, and talking to one of my clients, who is also a close friend, on my hands-free.

Now I've always enjoyed people's reactions when apparently 'talking to myself' (something I used to do before it was 'cool'), but this time we were talking about November.

It was great. And here's why;

Out loud, and in different ways, I talked about all the corruption in the GOP, how their biggest fear is John Conyers with subpoena powers, how, because they can't afford to lose the majority, they will stop at nothing to make sure they don't, and how this November will see the most blatant criminal fraud ever.
I talked about the circumvention of the Constitution, the 750 various laws this 'President' has ignored or broken, I talked about the impending invasion of Iran as per the PNAC "Which I can't believe Americans are so absolutely clueless about.", as well as several other issues that will castrate Republicans for years, if not decades, to come.

Most of the time (and I did this for well over an hour and in three different places), people would try to pretend they weren't listening... which is fun to watch because it's generally obvious. Many conversations started all around me... surreptitiously, of course (Yes... I'm sure there were many derisive comments), but by and large it was very entertaining, and knowing that I was shaking up the sheep a little gave me a great sense of satisfaction. Planting the seeds of awareness, whether they may take root or not, feels very encouraging.

The best part was when a 'freeper-type' laughed at one of my comments as he walked by and I smiled and winked.

Now as much as I might advocate using this 'conversation' approach to 'incidentally inform' the public, I should make it clear that I live in a 'deep blue' state and that I have various methods for dealing with contention as it arises. I am also not a very high-profile person at all. But the best possible 'out' that should work in nearly any situation if confronted is to say; "I beg your pardon, but this is a conversation I'm having with someone else and it's not your business to eaves-drop."
Now of course they might tell you that everyone can hear what you are saying, but at this point you should have gone back to speaking with your friend and ignoring the antagonist.
And now, of course, everyone is listening. It is very important that one sticks to the facts as best as possible, but we know that the vast majority of DU'ers opinions are extremely well qualified.

In public places like stores, this is fun. But If anyone does anything like this- it is absolutely critical to consider one's surroundings.

I've always been something of an extrovert, so I can definitely say I had a blast!

I'm sure there are a few around here who have or would do this, and I'd love to hear about it.

[Lars39]

1. I've done that with my kids in different stores.

My dad and I make it a point to hold informative conversations in restaurants, too. :)

[The Doctor.]

6. Brilliant!

I've done that before.

Once, in 1998 I was in a McDonalds with my conservative parents and I managed to drag my father into making disparaging comments about Clinton (We are all Republican in my family, but I have always thought for myself and couldn't understand my father's hatred for Clinton).
A woman at another table turned red and scolded my father right then and there for attacking a man for silly reasons.

Now dad's a smart guy, and if he weren't an introvert he could have probably taken her apart in a debate on Clinton, but instead he just stalked out of the restaurant and waited for us in the car... it was kind of amusing.

I think we all need to get the facts out there, and public conversations like yours are an excellent way to air what is now so vital to the survival of our Democracy.

[Jigarotta]

28. kick

[drm604]

2. Interesting idea.

Perhaps a way to educate people in stores, on trains, in crowds, etc. Maybe it could be done with a pre-written script, which you are listening to and repeating while appearing to talk with a friend. This could be done in an organized manner to get specific messages out across the country. Hmmm...

[The Doctor.]

9. Oh... now that is gold....

"Maybe it could be done with a pre-written script, which you are listening to and repeating while appearing to talk with a friend. This could be done in an organized manner to get specific messages out across the country."

You may really be on to something...

[drm604]

21. Have a number people can call on their cell phone

and repeat what they hear as if they're having a conversation. The messages change depending on what we want to get out. For example:

"Here's what I heard - the voting machine companies are all owned and run by BIG time Bush supporters. ...Yep, uh hu, that's right. ... But remember, Bush is beholden to his Saudi and Dubai masters, so it's almost like foreign powers could be screwin with our elections. ... Yea, I know it sounds crazy at first but think about it, it explains a lot, these damned voting machines are a big mistake..."

[Duer 157099]

3. You know what's cool about that?

You could do it *even* without actually having anyone on the other end of the phone! Great idea!

[hwmnbn]

4. I thought the same thing!! ........

Educating the unwashed masses is cool enough.

Not wasting your anytime minutes..... Priceless :headbang:

[Duer 157099]

7. Right! And I just saw another thread about talking to people

at the gas station... but I'm always too timid to do so, BUT... if I had my cell phone as a prop, I can imagine all sorts of fun!

"WOW, you should see the prices here today!! $3.05!!"

(pause to pretend to hear response)

YEAH, I know! And did you hear how much the oil companies are making in profits?!? and how much they are giving their CEO's?

(etc)

Hmmmm

[hwmnbn]

10. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? .....

We could have 1000s of DUers become real "talking heads for truth"

A grass roots movement like guerrilla marketing. It maybe doesn't have to be a big spiel or production. Maybe just same short phrases that will work subliminally on everyone ........

like you're walking along and you suddenly speak phrases like

......I tell you Bush is spying on EVERYONE!! .... and keep walking

.....That bush is a big liar!! ...... and keep walking

.....And the super rich gets all the tax cuts!! .....and keep walking

.....and that chickenhawk Bush is sending OUR kids to die..... and keep walking




the possibilities are endless. I'm pumped about this idea. Talk me down if you can.

[Duer 157099]

11. Yes, that is exactly what I'm thinking!!

You got it! I ain't talkin' you down, no way no how.

[The Doctor.]

8. LMAO!!!

Yeah... I think I might start doing that more often.

:toast:

[Jigarotta]

26. Wonderful idea.

expose the 'Phonies' with a cell phone. haha

[flamin lib]

5. In the waiting room at my dentist two women were chatting

about how nice it might be to have a woman President. I chimed in and agreed saying that men have screwed it up pretty badly so maybe it's time to give women a chance. Woman #1 says it's too bad that Hillary might be the woman. I say that it doesn't look to bad to me to have 8 years of relative peace and prosperity. Woman #2 says (in a natural German accent) that she knows what living in Hillary world would be like with citizenship papers. So I sez do you know about the universal ID law passed by the Republicans and she sez no. Woman #1 sez at least in this country bleeding heart liberals can speak out and I sez yeah, if you don't mind having your car keyed or you house vandalized--and by the way, I'm not a bleeding heart liberal I'm a flaming angry shouting liberal.

Live in Texas don't ya' know . . .

[gimama]

12. sweeeet!

I heard a rim shot, as I read You were from texas :)..that ALWAYS surprises People, that PLENTY o' texans do NOT support *.KEEP TALKIN'!

[flamin lib]

14. Damn tired of being quiet and polite. Not gonna' do it any more.

Wouldn't be prudent at this juncture. If you don't challenge them they think they are the mainstream and EVERYBODY is just like them.

Hangs 'em up I tell ya'.

[gimama]

15. YOU!!!:) tell me if this gets Your memory goin'..

"THIS nekkid aggression.. WILL NOT STAND!" :eyes:

[flamin lib]

16. Nope, it'll just sit there and wait for Jr to further eff it up. nt

[gimama]

17. YOU are correct!

His daddy said it when saddam went into kuwait.
SEE??? YOU are correct! ;}

[roguevalley]

13. my 75 year old mom does this all the time. :-D

[TheCentepedeShoes]

18. Hee, hee, hee

now at least I know I'm not crazy. I've done it - pretended to be talking on my cell, discussing some issue re Bush*Co with an imaginary friend while standing or walking near other people. Sometimes throw in foreign words or phrases (or just make some up). :hi: I like to mess with people in a subtle way.

[The Doctor.]

19. LOL... and you know what...

The Founding Fathers 'weren't quite right' either.

My seven times great uncle was James Wilson (yeah, DAR all down the maternal line), he was something of a pussy too. He thought these guys were nuts and knew that his signature would be a warrant for his own execution if King George won out...

-But they talkied him into it anyway. LOL!

Those crazy mother-f#ckers!

Stay the way you are and there's always hope.

[lonestarnot]

20. I have a similar tactic with big gas guzzling SUVers.

I break in to hysterical mocking laughter when I see them coming. Especially love this at side-by-side stops. I don't even have to point at them. They get it.

[Tuesday_Morning]

22. My husband and I do this..

at the grocery store or wherever.

It's usually me telling him about the news of the day (thanks DU!) and he'll ask questions and - naturally - be outraged. But we talk alittle louder than we usually do.

[drm604]

23. Kick

:kick:

[The Doctor.]

24. I really do like your idea...

I'll put some thought into it, then maybe we can shuffle it to DU Activist forum.

It's so darn easy there's no reason not to.

[drm604]

27. There are lots of possible twists.

I'd like to be involved. PM me if you move it to the activist forum.

[Hailtothechimp]

25. A John Kerry campaign worker did this on the el in Chicago

Just before the Illinois primary in '04. Had his Kerry button on, and told whoever he was talking to that "John Kerry is rising" loud enough so I could hear it from 12 feet away. I don't know if it was part of a deliberate strategy or not, but I sure remembered it.