"Look at me!! Look me in the eye!!"

[Roadside Attraction]

Today I had an encounter with a Republican that . . that . . . well, that left me shaking. It's a long story. Here goes.

I live in a red, rural Virginia county. Last week, a deer struck my old Ford Explorer; took it to the local body shop for an estimate. My insurance company approved the work, so, today, I took the SUV to the shop to leave it for the work to be done.

When I arrived at the body shop, there was a lady in the office talking with the owner. I stood inside the door, waiting my turn.

According to what she told him, she had been all over Virginia getting out the vote for Republicans. She was raving about Democrats . . . the usual horseshit.

Last week yard signs started appearing along the roadsides in our county -- pairs of signs that read:
"Resist Socialism; Vote Republican"
"Results not Resistance; Vote Republican"

A pair of these signs was sitting in the body shop office.

She turned and handed me a Republican pamphlet. I quietly refused. Then she fired both barrels at me:

"You must be a Democrat!!"

"Yes, ma'm, I am. Lifelong."

"And you are taking advantage of everything Trump has done but you won't support him."

"Everything Trump has done? And what would that be?"

"Why, this great economy!!!"

"This great economy started in late 2009!!"

She turned to the body shop guy and shouted: "See!!! An angry Democrat!! That's all they are -- angry."

To which I responded: "Ma'm, I am not angry. Not even a little bit. But I am tired. I am tired to the bone. You see, I'm a retired United States Army infantry colonel with three combat tours in Vietnam -- as a platoon leader, a company commander, and as a Special Forces A Team commander. I was wounded four times. Of my 30 years in the Army, I spent 8 months in hospitals recovering from wounds and today, at age 74, I cannot lift my left arm above my shoulder. And yet you Republicans call me 'socialist, communist, Marxist.' Because I am a Democrat, you tell me I hate this country."

By this time, she had turned her back to me. I continued:

"Look at me. Look me in the eye and tell me I'm a communist who hates this country. Look at this scar on the side of my head -- the side of my head where half the ear is missing . . . that's where a North Vietnamese soldier hit me with a machete, trying to kill me. Look at this scar and tell me I hate this country!!"

She continued to look away.

I quietly handed to the body shop guy the key to my Explorer, told him to call me when it's finished.

As I was leaving, I said to her -- with her back still turned: "And, ma'm, you have a nice day."

As God is my witness, I hate these sonsofbitches.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. Thank you for your service.

[olegramps]

39. She is the sad result of those who have gorged themselves on hate propaganda.

Listening to the extremists spew lies 24/7 will have an eventual effect on a persons morality. They have become like the person they worship. A man without a conscience, not a shred of compassion, an empty amoral shell. They have become people who celebrate millions of their fellow citizens being deprived basic medical care. They have been so emptied of compassion that it doesn't bother them that millions of innocent children go to bed hungry to awaken to another hopeless day.

That puts a smile on their faces when their evil party announces massive cuts in assistance programs. They flock to their churches singing hallelujah and rejoicing in that they have guaranteed their salvation. It doesn't matter one shred that they are supporting the very life that their savior condemned and promised would lead to eternal damnation. I confess that I am not religious. But I did take out time to read the Bible from start to finish.

Plowing through a seemly endless list of begets generation after generation. A lot of very interesting tales. But what struck me the was Jesus' compassion for the poor and helpless. He said whoever assists these people are ministering to him and those who turn their back on the suffering will be rewarded by eternal punishment. Now, if I were one of these declared Christians I sure wouldn't be celebrating Trump's handiwork for fear of eternal damnation in the unquenchable fires of hell. Go figure. I sure can't and I am too damn old to try.

This is whats happens when evil reigns supreme throughout the land. Its like a preview of the Apocalypse with the Four Horsemen.

[violetpastille]

57. A great reply. It should be a post.

And a counter to those who say Democrats need to be more like Republicans.

We need be more like them ONLY in the ways that they vote as a bloc and attack us more than they attack each other.

[ArizonaLib]

49. My Dem dad didn't like Vietnam but he still showed his respect

At football games he always stood for anything paying tribute, etc. and he taught me the same. I was taught to vote and how to articulate my opinions respectfully and at appropriate times, and also to show respect for all views, but was not required to to agree with anything I didn't agree with.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

God Bless

[LisaM]

58. I respect the people who served, but I wish they would leave the military out of sporting events.

I love football and baseball, and I'm sick of having to stand for military appreciation and for flyovers which are essentially big recruiting ads. I do stand when asked, because of the people who did service for the country (like the OP, and this was a very fine post), but I just have to make my mini-rant that for once, I'd like to go to a sporting event and not talk about the military!!

[ArizonaLib]

107. Entirely agree

I remember as a youth (Vietnam era), kindergarten, early grade school, the players would stand for anthem with their helmets tucked under their arms. Then as people stopped standing for the anthem and their were fights in the stands, the anthem disappeared. Then after 9/11, and the NFL worked out with the defense department to include all that non football production before the game, and the players started using the NFL's pregame political statement to make their own, the conservatives got all butt hurt. The other night I was picking up my daughter from her friend's and we stopped at a Circle K - I asked the clerk if he was following the baseball score for the night, and this young dip wad with a beard explained he didn't follow any sports because they are too politicized. I will give him he was at least polite, but I regret not asking him if he objected to the national anthem and flyovers pregame, or a handful of players across the country not standing, or the desecration of the flag as it is presented in a horizontal way - the very way the regulations explain it should not be displayed. By the way, the military is entirely volunteer nowadays. The people who serve aren't serving because they were drafted - those Vietnam guys served under draft conditions. My uncle was not drafted, but he enlisted in the Navy because he didn't want to get drafted into infantry. He volunteered to avoid fighting, but the draft was the deciding factor and it does not stop him from parading around in his veteran 'flair' among other veterans from the same era.

Anyhow, I agree with you. Don't forget to vote and make sure all your friends and family do. Carpool to polls, and maybe set up coffee, etc. before or after. This is one of those big ones! Hope, prayers and good thoughts to you and yours!

[trueblue2007]

78. Bless you sir.

[rusty quoin]

2. That is quite a story. She could not look at you.

[RainCaster]

3. Good for you--you have a powerful story to tell

And you found her shame button.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

4. De Opresso Liber, Sir.

As a retired NAVY vet from the same era, I am so tired of these butt-trumpets telling me what I believe, what I think, what I feel, what I deserve/don't deserve, I could puke blood.

Thank you for your post. It made me sit up a little straighter and prouder.

Semper Fortis, Friend.

[renate]

19. It must be so infuriating when people think they can speak for you

I’m glad and impressed that you didn’t fall for their mindless, empty flag-waving. They persuade a lot of people that way, unfortunately.

I honestly believe that the real American patriots are the ones who think for themselves. That’s freedom and independence.

[dalton99a]

5. The world would be a better - and safer - place without their ilk

[C_U_L8R]

6. Thank you !!

[Duppers]

7. I admire your amazing control.

I'm an old 72yo who lost a dear friend in 'Nam. Thank you for your service and for your cool nerve to speak truth to the face of homegrown fascism and ignorance.


Sadly, I would've lost it since I have only two modes: quiet or raving. Hat's off to you.

[Scarsdale]

38. I agree. I get carried away

so I have to control myself. How can people be so dumb, to be taken in by a conman such as tRump? I thank everyone on the board who served in uniform. I wonder if the body shop owner posted the signs? Hopefully, he saw the light when the poster spoke the truth to this "lady".

[charliea]

83. I'm puzzled too

I'm perplexed too, Trump isn't convincing in any way, he doesn't ever have a coherent story line. He can't (apparently) complete a sentence when he adlibs. I can't listen to him but his transcripts are horrifying. Every time I hear him I remember the line I heard: Trump is a poor man's idea of a rich man and stupid man's idea of a smart man. He can only work with crooks because they're the only people he can understand (and the only ones who can stand him).

[GaYellowDawg]

8. You handled that incredibly well

With grace and class. For what you’ve been through, and how you express it, I admire you tremendously.

[iluvtennis]

9. ++++++ a million

[PatSeg]

10. Well done!

[CaptainTruth]

11. Bless you for your service & sacrifice.

This is one thing that really disturbs me. Too many folks on the right think they're the only ones who are "patriotic" or who "love our country."

I've seen those sentiments FAR more strongly in the left (including folks like me) because we believe in them & live them ALWAYS, not just when we can politically gain from them, as folks on the right do.

[True Blue American]

14. That is the only

Way they can try and fill what is missing in them.

[NJCher]

12. she was ashamed of herself

that's why she couldn't look at you.

[True Blue American]

16. Of course

Do not forget the Shop owner heard what was said. The greatest comeuppance ever, said in a mild, normal way.

That will be repeated over and over.

[True Blue American]

13. Thank you

For your Service, your courage for speaking out. I hope that woman remembers your words for as long as she lives! And she will. She may pretend she doesn’t but in her spiteful.little soul she will.

Much like Robert DeNiro who said, “ Every name Trump calls others, loser,etc, he knows good and well he is projecting his own faults on others” !

To you!

[Demovictory9]

15. k&r

[renate]

17. I wish I could give you a year's worth of recs

That was amazing. You were amazing. Thank you for being the kind of person I could only dream of being.

[Separation]

18. I will have to admit

I dont like recognition that I did 20 years myself.. HOWEVER, I love throwing that in their face along with that fact I am disabled as well from injuries sustained while flying.

It at least allows me to see that they are human under those layers of scals. You cant mistake the emotion of humiliation from any other emotion.

Thank you for your service, your generation of military gave me my desire to serve.

[Stonepounder]

20. I spent my college years protesting the war in Vietnam. K & R

But I never once ever even thought of disrespecting the men and women who went to fight there. And your response to a women who couldn't even look you in the eye when she realized that she was talking to a career military man, with four Purple Hearts (and I am willing to give long, long odds that you have a number of other medals as well) to his credit is the kind of grace under pressure that makes the US Military the envy of other nations.

Thank you, sir, for your service and for showing how 'When they go low, we go high'!

[LittleGirl]

22. great response.

I couldn't have said it better. Thank you as well.

Great story to the OP.

[Hulk]

21. 11Bravo...and proud!

I answered the call from my country. I only lasted a few months in the bush before my radioman and I shared a booby trap, and we both came home ... alive.

I salute you and your service. I wanted out as soon as I finished my two year draft service, but I salute ANY and EVERY 11Bravo MOS I meet. These are the men on the front lines...the ones that went down those dirt roads, through those villages, boarded those choppers in the morning and grieved for our brothers who didn’t board them to come home with us in the evening; slept in the dark, mosquito and bug infested jungle at night, and curled up anywhere we could to catch a few minutes of shut eye when safely back in the parimeter.

I never expected to come home alive. We were one...and we fought and died next to brothers who we loved and cared for in that hell on earth. We counted backward the days...and the wake up, until we reached the goal line and came home to an ungrateful country. But we were the lucky ones. 59,000 didn’t come home. Their souls are still crying in the damp, hot steam of a place we were called to serve...a place we were more reviled than even here at home.

I respect ANY serviceman or woman, but I salute those who carried the 11Bravo infantry MOS. What that disgraceful jackass said to you is what millions think about their fellow countrymen today, and I am so ashamed and angry for their arrogant stupidity. They use the word socialism as an insult, but they have no idea what they are even saying.

The way you responded is a medal of your character you wear on your soul. God bless you, and thank you...from this 71 year old soldier.

[TEB]

29. Beautiful post

From a former infantry vet I was lucky 84 to 87 no war thanks friend

[underpants]

31. ✅

19D. Never saw action.

Thank you

[alfredo]

92. 05H20, Ditty Bopper. 3 1/2 years listening to morse code. Nearly deaf from QRN and QRM.

Sat on Top of an extinct volcano in east Africa. Drank bad beer and smoked great weed.

[Tiggeroshii]

65. Hooah!!!

[PatrickforO]

23. Well done!

Who knows, maybe you created enough cognitive dissonance to make her at least doubt some of the bullshit.

[SammyWinstonJack]

24. We ALL hate these willfully ignorant Deplorables.

[blueseas]

73. Yes willfully ignorant

And so much hate. She will die sooner than later.

[pnwmom]

25. Thank you for this inspiring piece, Roadside Attraction. And thank you for your lifelong service. n/

[Tavarious Jackson]

26. Thank you for your service!

I mean, your service then and now. Thank you.

[Lady_Chat]

27. Thank you so much for this post and for your service.

You said everything that needed to be said, and then some! After all you have been through, I really respect how you handled yourself...with dignity, unlike that woman. Thank you, again!

[TEB]

28. Drive on troop

From A former infantry vet

[Achilleaze]

30. Salute

The wholesale republican adoration for a five-time draft-dodging casino hustler, with a long track record of lying and deeply in debt to russian moneygrubbers, continues to baffle honest American citizens.

Thanks for your service, Roady

[underpants]

32. Thanks and Welcome to DU

If I haven't welcomed you before.

19D Cav Scout here. Never saw action.

[onethatcares]

33. Thank you

63G here. They sent me to Alaska for some stupid reason 72-75 USARAL

I can't stand the faux patriotism either

[ravencalling]

34. Thank you so much!!

Great story that cuts right through the cult republican lines these rather uneducated folks like to use. I get tired of their one liners from Fox News and their what-about-isms. Here is my take. If these people live their lives based on these comic book phrases then they are not even scratching the surface of any issue and they are as far away from real life experience as you can get. My dad is Republican, but old school. I grew up debating issues with him. There were times I lost the debate but it was a debate not a shouting match and there was no name calling. It breaks my heart that adults act this way in this Trump Cult because before honestly I wasn't aware that so many people existed that were so.. intellectually and emotionally challenged. I would not let them watch my cats. Silver lining.. now I know.. so in a way I hope they keep shouting to the world exactly who they are. Thank you sir for your service.

[peacebuzzard]

35. ❤️

[NoMoreRepugs]

36. If the Russians are our new besties doesn't that make being a communist a good thing?

[JHB]

51. Commie, shmommie. It's 'Getting marching orders straight from the Kremlin"...

...that's a real thing now, and it's a Republican gig.

[KPN]

37. Thank you so much for putting yourself out

there like that.

[Aristus]

40. Well done. You did what you could.

Welcome to DU.

[The Liberal Lion]

41. I love what you did there!

And as a special note: when backed in the corner and they have nothing left to say and idiot republican will always pull out the "socialism" or "communist" card having not a clue of what they are talking about or just what the hell they mean.

[FakeNoose]

42. I'm sure she wasn't listening to your awesome reply

... but maybe the repair shop owner was listening, and that would have made it worthwhile.
Thanks for your service and may God bless you!

[geardaddy]

43. Thank you for taking on that hateful, ignorant person.

[mountain grammy]

44. We all have to be ready and able to confront the liars

in the same calm, reasonable manner you did. I will practice this over and over.

"I'm not angry... but I am tired." Perfect, except I am angry. More than I've ever been in my life. Everyday anger at the never ending lies.

But I will remain calm.... I'm learning. I'm trying.

[George II]

45. The best way to infuriate these idiots is to calmly talk sense to them...

...demonstrate their hypocrisy with facts, and humiliate them with their own stupidity. Coolly, calmly, and methodically.

Sadly I'll bet what you told her didn't sink in one iota.

[BarbD]

46. Thank you for this powerful truth.

Hopefully it will set our country free.

[pioche4]

47. Thank you for your service and Thank you for speaking truth to the stoked cult member of Trump

[ChiTownDenny]

48. Bless you.

Bless your service. Bless your patience. Bless you.

[Vinca]

50. Wow - you made me tear up. Wish I could have been there to see it.

[jberryhill]

52. Why did you take a wounded deer to a body shop for an estimate?

[orangecrush]

87. ...

[packman]

53. Damn, wish I was there

[lunasun]

54. Hope they don't mess with your car..but thanks for speaking truth to the ignorant out there

Kerry , Cleland , Hagel , and even trump with McCain the latest crap

[CatMor]

55. Thank you, thank you, thank you ...

for your brave service to our country and still fighting for it. You are a real hero.

[dlk]

56. Thank You for Your Service, Your Patriotism and Eloquently Standing Your Ground

[brush]

59. Hats off to you. I love what you did.

[KT2000]

60. Wow and wow!

You really kept it together and gave her something to think about. Well done!

Have you thought of writing a Letter to the Editor responding to the meme of the "angry democrat? We are being demonized horribly and it looks like it is working - at least with idiots like this woman. You've got some real bona fides for that.

[Tiggeroshii]

61. Hooah

So much hooah and so much love. Thank you for what you said to her and your service to our country, Sir.


Sincerely,

A weekend warrior

[CTyankee]

62. Now you are here where other lifelong Democrats "gather."

So you have good friends who appreciate your courage and your service.

[lunatica]

63. She sure picked the wrong person to project her anger onto!

The irony is as thick as her head!

[WeekiWater]

64. You are no Roadside Attraction.

You are the real deal.

[11 Bravo]

66. This old former grunt salutes you!

I have had similar experiences with armchair loud-mouthed Republican "patriots", and I share your contempt for them.

[MLAA]

67. You did so well! I would have been tongue tied because I was so angry.

My hat is off to you. I thank you for all you have personally done to protect us and our democratic principles. I admire you greatly.

[Catherine Vincent]

68. Thank you and bless you!

I loathe these sonsofbitches as well.

[Ohioboy]

69. Thank you. You handled that well.

She tried to apply to you a false narrative, and you politely did not allow it.

[calimary]

70. Welcome to DU, Roadside Attraction.

Your post got me choked up.

HOW DARE that Republi-CON turn her back on you.

HOW DARE she speak to you that way.

And HOW IN THE HELL did you keep your cool like that? I guess anyone who's faced war for real has learned to do so.

Thank you so much for your service and your sacrifice. You stand taller than that little so-'n'-so could - if she stood at the top of Mt. Everest.

[VOX]

71. A crisp salute, colonel, and welcome to DU.

Utmost respect and a heartfelt thank-you for all you have done in service to others.

Glad to have you here.

[CrispyQ]

72. They are the biggest hypocritical pieces of shit to walk the planet.

Fuck her & her like all to hell.

[LonePirate]

76. And that is still an understatement as to how detestable they are. Dare I say deplorable, too?

[Blue_Tires]

74. Which county?

I'm in Va. Beach

[A HERETIC I AM]

75. K&R

I honestly can not remember the last time I typed that cryptic indicator on a subject line, but I wholeheartedly kick and recommend this OP.

[Siwsan]

77. You have reduced me to tears

As one veteran to another, I whole heartedly salute you. You showed far more restraint that I ever could, and for far fewer reasons.

[TNNurse]

79. I am impressed with your level of calm.

I also wish you had an option of another body shop so you could have walked out.

[SpankMe]

80. Balls of steel

I haven't served and sacrificed as you have. So, I woudn't be able to offload on to RW crackpots with the authority that you can. You have the guts to speak up and back it up with a lot. Guys like me generally just have to hold it in and turn the other cheeks.

Thank you for standing up for all of us - in Viet Nam as now.

[Ohiogal]

81. Bravo to you, sir

I don't know what else to say but BRAVO!

And a pox on that shit head you told off.

[catbyte]

82. I so hope she felt shame,

but she probably just called you a liar after you left because you don't fit her hateful, sick, twisted, worldview and that just won't do. I hope others in the shop heard you. Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and continued love for American ideals that are being threatened today. And welcome to DU!

[pansypoo53219]

84. sounds like a severe case of fux gnewz insanity. blame rupert for creating a moron monster.

[roscoeroscoe]

85. Another lifelong Democratic Vet here

Still serving, by the way, over at Ft. Detrick. Way to go Sir - speak truth to crazy. Let me know if I can ever buy you a cup of coffee at Beans in the Belfrey!

[Glorfindel]

86. Well done, Colonel!

As a fellow Vietnam vet, I thank you for your service and for standing up against rePuke hate in that body shop.

[Snake Plissken]

88. There is seriously something wrong with these Right Wingers brains

The way the refer to Trump reminds me so much of unhinged Scientologists ranting about L. Ron Hubbard.

[SallyHemmings]

89. Standing Ovation

[debsy]

90. Trump cultists are the same people who made up the population of the insane asylums years ago.

The Republicans won't support mental health programs because they need their base to be rabid in order to maintain their strangle-hold on power. I am so sorry you had to endure that from that horrible person. Thank you for your service and dedication to our country.

[griloco]

91. Kudos! Methinks you bested a cowardly TrumpMarkPatriot

[Adrahil]

93. Is this YOUR story?

Amazing! Great work, Colonel!

[hostalover]

94. I hate them, too. Just really, really do.

[MrScorpio]

95. Damn skippy, Colonel.

[yardwork]

96. Beautiful. Thank you.

[Cha]

97. Yes, Thank You, for your Service, RA!

You encountered a thoroughly brainwashed idiot and Schooled her.. Thank You for That, too!

[Liberty Belle]

98. Report their conduct to the insurance company --

I would have asked for an alternative shop to handle the repair, and suggested they stop referring business to these people who were so disrespectful to you as a veteran. They had no business insulting someone over their politics, and the insurance company should be told that they did this.

Good for you though for handling the confrontation in a way that may leave her shamed and thinking a bit about her thoughtless words.

[barbtries]

99. good for you.

dollars to donuts you shook her to her core. she turned her back. weak.

[apkhgp]

100. I do not think these people will ever learn

First of all I stand up at attention and salute you proudly Colonel for your service to this country, my birthplace.

Secondly, my father was in the Korean War. As he always said "I was up on the front lines for fourteen months and twelve days" driving a tank ( I think in the battalion started by General Patton, do not quote me on that ). He was discharged at the rank of Corporal. He would not have been able to hold back much of his anger at that woman had he been in your place at that auto shop.

To this day when I see news reports of WW I, WW II, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War I feel a special patriotism. We also need to remember all of those military personnel that we lost in war, as well as supporting those that made it home.

My father died two years ago at the age of 86. MY family will always remember him.

[MarkEzra]

101. Sick America

Our Country is sick.

Sick of fake News.

Sick of False Promises.

Sick. To. Death of Hate.

I am so proud of you, sir

Today, after I mailed in my CA Ballot, I saw our Flag. The Stars and Stripes.

Our Flag, our country, our Constitution.

The cure for what ails America is Action. VOTE

[GETPLANING]

102. They Don't Care

Me ne frego, the slogan of fascists from Italy to Spain to Germany, and now the USA. They. Don't . Care. Fuck them.

[3catwoman3]

103. Your words and actions in that encounter are...

...a study in grace, eloquence, and dignity.

[lordsummerisle]

104. Wonderful post

thanks, k&r...

[MadDAsHell]

105. This is why 2018 politics sucks. Noone is opposition; they're "evil."

No one disagrees about what to do with the country; they “hate” the country.

Politics has always been brutal, but as a younger voter I don’t remember so much literal hate for anyone who dares to hold opposing viewpoints.

[Niagara]

106. Thank you for your service! Excellent response!

Welcome to DU!