dammit I wish I could remember what I learn here

[BlancheSplanchnik]

So I can respond to conservative bullshit.

I was just getting home from work and my neighbor haaaad to talk politics, cuz of the political flyers in my mail.

I said I didn't want to discuss politics, but he kept at it snd I couldn't stick to my statement.

So according to him, they're all the same, Obamacare was shoved down our throats and no one is refused care at hospitals.

I said what I could but I don't watch news, only listen to music radio and don't read the local newspapers. So I don't have the soundbites that stick in your mind.

Acch. Just pisses me off that I couldn't whip out facts, statistics and the other great stuff I learn here. He didn't believe that anyone dies and he also beleives that the homeless and mentalky ill are going to be fined. And that the only people helped are kids who are already covered under their parents' insurance.

Now I remember that it was Obama that passed that legislation to cover kids till they're 26... but see? When I've got someone spewing idiocy at me, I can't bring to mind what I need.

Sigh. Thanks gang....
I just had to vent. Grrrrrr.

[SheilaT]

1. I sympathize. I often find my self incoherent

in the face of conservative crap.

Quite frankly, you don't need soundbites that stick. That's exactly what people like your neighbor have. If possible, you might want to take up listening to Amy Goodman's Democracy Now show. Perhaps you have a public or community radio station that carries it. If not, here's her website: http://www.democracynow.org/

Also, if possible, watch some one of the MSNBC evening news shows. For me it's Rachel Maddow, but there are others. Trust me, inside of two weeks you'll be better informed than you could have imagined, and you'll mostly miss all of the nonsense and non news that's out there.

No matter what you choose to do,

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. maybe hearing and seeing it in Maddow or listening to Amy Goodman

Will stick in my mind better.

I can speak about details (some issues, anyway), but that kind of broad disinformation is too big for me to break down. Then I get upset at the stupidity and at my own loss of words and Bam! I'm sputtering and stuck.


I don't know if watching tv is something I can work into my routine, but if I do, I'll start with Rachel, whom I already respect highly.

[SheilaT]

14. I watch her on the internet.

That way I'm not locked into the broadcast schedule, and I see almost no commercials.

[JHB]

2. How does he like paying for those people not refused by hospitals?

Someone has to pay for the time and resources, and he's one of the people who does through his own policy. And emergency room care is a lot more expensive than regular check-ups and routine care.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

4. I did explain that...but he couldn't hear at all....

Skipped off to the next gripe, about forcing homeless people to pay fines.

I KNOW it's not going to end up doing that but I couldn't cite anything specific.

[JHB]

7. That's the time to sniff the air and check your shoes like you stepped in something

...taking care that you angle them so that he can't see, and then you grimace and excuse yourself.

[Fumesucker]

13. Remember how Biden responded to Ryan's Gish Gallop (spew of BS) in the VP debate?

You might recall that even Obama had a hard time dealing with the same thing from Romney in the first debate.

I'm reminded of that quote by Mark Twain, a lie can travel around the world while the truth is putting its boots on.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

15. that sure puts it in perspective

I feel better about my performance with that perspective....


And thanks for the Mark Twain.

[bemildred]

5. It's often better to ignore it and change the subject.

Conservative Bullshitter: spew, blather, dissemble, mislead, distract, etc.

You: You know, we were trying to decide at work whether Sasha or Malia looks more like Kim Kardashian. You seem to keep up with the news really well and now you've got me wondering what you think? (Sincere grin)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

6. bAAAAA. HAAAAA!!!!

Gooood one! Much better idea than trying to reply to the spewage.

Yeah he was also blaming democrats for not cooperating! (WTF?).....and Mitt Romney...something or other they wouldn't cooperate with him.....

What the hell can you really say to that.....

[bemildred]

8. I see you get the idea.

[stillcool]

9. I'm useless...

It's the lies about everything under the sun take my breath away. It makes it impossible to argue point by point about the most basic issue when even the most basic is mired in bullshit. It's like I end up arguing...ineffectively..about whether water is wet.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

10. yeah, that's what it feels like.

Grrrrr! The stupid.....

[Uncle Joe]

11. Here are a few tips on improving your memory.

http://www.helpguide.org/life/improving_memory.htm

Improving memory tip 3: Keep stress in check
Stress is one of the brain’s worst enemies. Over time, if left unchecked, chronic stress destroys brain cells and damages the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in the formation of new memories and the retrieval of old ones.

(snip)

Memory, like muscular strength, requires you to “use it or lose it.” The more you work out your brain, the better you’ll be able to process and remember information. The best brain exercising activities break your routine and challenge you to use and develop new brain pathways. Activities that require using your hands are a great way to exercise your brain. Playing a musical instrument, juggling, enjoying a game of ping pong (table tennis), making pottery, knitting, or needlework are activities that exercise the brain by challenging hand-eye coordination, spatial-temporal reasoning, and creativity.

(snip)

Use mnemonic devices to make memorization easier
Mnemonics (the initial “m” is silent) are clues of any kind that help us remember something, usually by helping us associate the information we want to remember with a visual image, a sentence, or a word.

Mnemonic device Example

Visual image – Associate a visual image with a word or name to help you remember them better. Positive, pleasant images that are vivid, colorful, and three-dimensional will be easier to remember.

To remember the name Rosa Parks and what she’s known for, picture a woman sitting on a park bench surrounded by roses, waiting as her bus pulls up.

Acrostic (or sentence) - Make up a sentence in which the first letter of each word is part of or represents the initial of what you want to remember.

The sentence “Every good boy does fine” to memorize the lines of the treble clef, representing the notes E, G, B, D, and F.

There is much more on the link.

Thanks for the thread, BlancheSplanchnik.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

16. thanks!

Well, I'm a professional Sign Language Interpreter so that's encouraging.... I get loads of mental stimulation and eye-hand coordination.

Interpreting upper level science, math, business and liberal arts courses is a real workout!!!

[pansypoo53219]

12. down their throats is so fux gnews teevee.

elections have consequences. MOVE ON, WATB.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

17. that's what I thought. even got the "cries like a little baby

when he doesn't get his way"......

So when I said I wasn't going to argue with someone who watches fux spews, he denies that's where he got it from.

Ever notice the fux spewers always deny they watch it? I find that interesting.

[hootinholler]

18. The thing about ERs

Is legally they only have to stabilize you. They will not treat your pneumonia or cold unless it's life threatening. Sure you may get a script for antibiotics, but you won't be getting follow up care. Cancer? You're not going get treated for that at all if you are stable.