Yet another happy conversion after F911, this one my mom in Nebraska

[FATNED]

I went to Lincoln, NE this past weekend to visit my mother. Her birthday is July 4 and she considers herself a very patriotic person. Her yard and house are covered with US flags, banners, pinwheels (yes, red white and blue pinwheels) and plastic Uncle Sam figures every Fourth of July. She's always been pretty apolitical, however, and has never voted. She's probably pretty typically heartland; supports the military, hates taxes, assumes her president is a good guy etc. She does have a few progressive flashes on gay rights, race relations, etc. but overall, she is a typical non-voting american with very little interests in politics. But she does have three raging liberal sons and we gently coaxed her into seeing F911 last Friday night. Now Nebraska is a very red state but the movie is doing as well there as it is everywhere. This showing was sold out with lines out the door and apparently it has been this way for nearly every showing in the first week. My mom watched with rapt attention; much laughter, tears and a few groans. When she saw the scene of the protests during Bush's inauguration, she leaned over to me and whispered, "That wasn't on the world news, was it?" Nope, Mom, it sure wasn't.
Okay so the upshot. I'm back in L.A. today and chatted with her briefly. She told me that she went online and downloaded a Nebraska Voter Registration form and at the age of 57, plans to vote for the first time this November. And though I won't put any pressure on her and would never think to ask her what I consider to be a private question, I know she'll check Democrat on that form and will be voting for Kerry. I can' tell you how proud I am. Bush will surely win Nebraska this year but it will be much closer than one might assume and I know of one vote that scumbag won't be getting in the heartland. I'm a proud native Nebraskan amd an even prouder son.

Please excuse my shit-eating grin...

[GCP]

1. Nice story, Ned

And welcome to DU !!

:toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party::toast: :party:

[proud patriot]

2. Most Excellent

:D you deserve to grin :thumbsup:

[Catch22Dem]

3. Grin away, my man!

You've earned it. What do your brothers think of this? I bet they're thrilled too.

[NC_Nurse]

4. Wonderful!

I still have high hopes for my Repub dad in Atlanta!:)

[Kahuna]

5. Bravo Ned! Welcome to DU. .. My mother will be voting for the ...

first time since Kennedy... :eyes:

:hi:

[DarkPhenyx]

6. You assume she'll choose.

She could register as an Independant you know, which is a better thing in my opinion. Or *gasp of horror* she might register Libertarian or even :scared: A GREEN!

Think you could handle the shame of it all? I mean really, after all you did to try and raise her right. ;-)

[Chili]

7. thank goodness for raging liberal sons!

One down, how-many-millions to go!?!

[Generator]

8. Tears here

great story! (yes I am a rabid foul mouthed sentimental weepy liberal)

[BeatleBoot]

9. Welcome Ned!

Welcome to DU!

:D

[Robbien]

10. Your mom is the exact audience for which Michael Moore made the film

He keeps saying that it is the non-voters he wants to talk to and convince them that their voices are needed.

Such a great story. I am so glad your Mom's voice will now be counted.

[NJCher]

11. Hey Ned

I'm printing out your post to mail to my mother, with whom I had a conversation this afternoon. She's a typical brainwashed Nebraska Republican, too. I hope someday she'll see the light, like your mom did.

Congratulations to you and your brothers. Great work!!


Cher

[susanna]

12. Excellent news!

Good for you (and your mom), and welcome. :-)

[CrispyQ]

13. Your mom ROCKS!

...as do you! Welcome to DU!

[ronnykmarshall]

14. Yeah MOM!!

[Neecy]

15. great story

We'll take back our government one vote at a time - a big cheer to your mom :)

[Logansquare]

16. It goes to show that when Americans are shown the truth

most of them will do the right thing. Michael Moore, despite all of his his gadfly persona, really loves and trusts the American people. He believes in them, and that's why he made his film. Send that story to him, Ned--he deserves to hear it.

[Hamlette]

17. be sure and follow up

make sure she actually registers and call her early on election day and make sure she votes. Remind her of the movie.