Early morning conversation with checkout guy at Trader Joes about Kavenaugh & Ford

[Amaryllis]

I was at Trader Joes this morning - I go often enough that the clerks recognize me, although we don't know each other by name. It was early and not very crowded, so no one was behind me in line. When the checkout guy was ringing me up, he asked how I was doing.

I said I was so happy about the turn of events poiitically yesterday - that was all I said; I didn't even specify what, and he immediately said, "Me too. I'm a survivor."

I said, "Me too."

He said there must be a lot more of us than people have any idea, and that everything coming out since Ford went public has been really triggering for him, but in spite of that, he was really glad it was happening. I said for me too, and I've heard so many other people say that.

He said that even if Kav was not guilty, his demeanor alone should disqualify him; that he was completely unqualified to be on SCOTUS. The woman who was the checker next to him who had a lull in customers to help and had overheard us joined in the conversation at that point and agreed. They talked about the stark contrast between Kavenaugh and Ford; her humility and sincerity, her honesty.

He said he hoped the culture would continue to change around this issue, and I said I think this is a major culture change and it would be impossible to go back.

I tend to be much more political that most people I know and really appreciated this conversation with people I didn't really even know, other than they've checked me out at this store before. THe impact of all this is huge. This is bringing a lot of people together.

[smirkymonkey]

1. Thank you for sharing this story with us.

It's very heartening to hear news like this.

[Amaryllis]

3. You're welcome. I found it heartening as well, which is why I wanted to share it. With this kind of

response, it will be hard to shove this through.

[guillaumeb]

2. Recommended.

One hopes that they are registered to vote, and that they do vote.

[Amaryllis]

4. You can bet they are registered. I live in a very liberal city with a lot of activists.

Also this was TRader Joes, not Safeway! Maybe I am just engaging in stereotypical thinking, but I tend to think on the whole Trader Joes draws a more liberal crowd.

[erronis]

5. I used to shop at that Safeway (and Giant) in Potomac where Judge worked.

There are many people who feel the same way as this customer and clerks.

But the entitled masses up and down River and Falls Roads are incredible for their lack of caring about the real world.

One of the people I used to call a friend climbed on board the Homeland Security bandwagon for the bucks and doesn't want to talk to real people anymore. My neighbor was a self-styled "intelligence expert" (I have had plenty of TS/etc.) and thought that his types ruled the world.

And yet, there are 95% of the DC environs that are real people. They care and would give you help when needed.

Oh, the two examples above were repuglicons. If not initially, then after drinking the kool-aid.

[Demovictory9]

6. since Trump's election, I've had these moments with strangers where they make a comment

about the chaos of the times, and we both know what they are talking about.

something like:

me. 'how are you'
them 'good considering...."

and we both know what they mean. I have never lived through a time like this.

[LibDemAlways]

7. I'm a substitute teacher. When I was checking in

at the office of an elementary school yesterday, the office manager was wearing an " I support Christine Blasey Ford" button. Women are pissed.

[kimbutgar]

10. I'm also a substitute teacher and the kids use the orange maggots name like an insult

I try never to discuss politics but the kids dislike him and say they miss President Obama. Even when I do scholastic magazine with them, rarely is an article about the orange maggot. 2 years ago every week was some story about President Obama. Most teachers I know think the orange maggot is a terrible role model.

[Beartracks]

21. Sure do hope people (incl kids) associate Trump with Republicans...

... because, while certainly based on Trump, the phenomenon we are witnessing flows directly from the Republican Party.

========

[BigmanPigman]

8. I was just wearing my anti-Kavanaugh pin at CVS

and the guy there sees me all the time with my Lock Him Up earrings (I have worn only them for the past two years) and he asked me if I ever saw Animal House the film. I knew right away he was noticing my pin. We started talking about how Kavanaugh was never told "Don't do that" his whole life and our conversation went on from there. Yesterday it happened at my car rental place and also at Trader Joe's afterwards. If you wear your statement you will get into a lot of these conversations and you will also inspire others to vote. Try it!

[Merlot]

9. I like your story better than my TJ story:

Day of the hearings, not to many people in my local Trader Joes. I'm in line behind a guy who looks to be late 20's. Nice looking, tall, athletic. The checker is a younger man, early 20's. At the checkout is a guy in his 50's who is talking about Dr. Fords testimony and how this is history in the making, and he has been rivited by the whole hearing. In fact, he had a headset on. He pays and leaves, and the tall guy says to the checker: "who cares, it doesn't affect MY life" and the younger checker kind of laughs and says "for sure."

I wanted to tell them that if either one of them got a woman pregnant they would be on the hook for 18 years of child support if they didn't want to get married, there would be no other options if kav were seated on the supreme court. I wanted to tell them all the other ways that their lives WILL be affected.

But then the checker at the next island waved me over and I decided to let them live in their entitled world a little longer.

[zentrum]

11. TJ's is a very tolerant work space

I've been to several across the country and they have people with wild rainbow hair, face tattoos, tongue rings, Kaeperick T-shirts. Can't imagine them being hired at Safeway. I think TJ tends to be a fairly liberal place, so not sure if it's a representative cross-section.

??????????

[lunatica]

12. Thanks for telling this story

I really appreciate knowing it makes a difference to so many.

[PatrickforO]

13. Let's just hope all those this is bringing together vote.

And let us hope we all vote blue together.

Yeah, this whole thing is really bad for the Republicans, and potentially really good for survivors.

But...will these feelings last until November, and will they result in more people voting? Rhetorical question...but I've heard only 28% of millennials are planning on voting. We need to find a way to reach this generation. Many were alienated during the primary in '16, but we've got to get them back.

We have to make it cool to be in government. We have to give the government an appealing face. The right wing has made it the enemy with decades of corporate propaganda with the aim of giving people a new 'enemy' so they won't notice the worthless, parasitical billionaires picking their pockets.

[djacq]

14. I got called one sided because I believed Dr. Ford.

This was after My opinion was asked.

I’m glad someone had a much better response.

[2naSalit]

15. Depends on where you are.

Sometimes it's unwise to identify in certain places, but when dialogue can take place, its' a healthy activity.

[True Blue American]

20. When anyone starts

Giving me Republican talking points I look them straight in the face and say,” I am a DEMOCRAT!

No more pussy footing.

BTW, I told the wife of a Democratic candidate about DU! She was knocking on doors. I emailed asking for a sign. She showed up the next day with a sign. You better believe door to door works!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

16. Thank you, very hope-inspiring.

Creating new bonds of friendship, that is wonderful. I think it’s an important sign of change.

[oberliner]

17. Male survivors of sexual assault

Are often a forgotten part of this conversation.

[alfredo]

18. We are afraid to speak out. It's that whole macho thing.

BTW, me too

[Chemisse]

23. That just adds a whole other layer of emotional damage.

Beyond that which women suffer.

Sometimes I marvel (and not in a good way) at what humans beings are capable of doing to others.

[alfredo]

24. And to ourselves

We had to be “good soldiers.”

[True Blue American]

19. My TV technician said,after a really nice

Conversation ,him explaining what he did to my TV,I asked him what he thought,hesitated, I said,I am a Democrat, said his wife was so furious she could not see straight.

I am finding Democrats all over my small Republican neighborhood.

[robbedvoter]

22. I bonded with the checkout woman at CTown

over my "I BELIEVE DR CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD" button. She said "Me too!" I said "I am too angry to even speak" (I heard about the phony investigation just before going for ice cream to the store)