Success! Breakthrough with my wife.

[reflection]

My wife has always leaned a little to the right. In 2008, she voted for McCain. She didn't hate Obama or anything, she just felt "safer" with someone with more experience at the helm. She also voted for W in 2000 (I know, I know) and she sat out 2004 as best I can tell.

We have one TV in the house. I'm not much for TV, but she used to like Fox News, and so it stayed on that garbage quite a bit. Toward the middle of Ws second term, the kids were getting older and were able to comprehend what people on TV were saying. It pissed me off when I saw them looking at Fox News.

I played a card I rarely play and just said "No more Fox in this house. I can't stand it anymore. It's not news, it's poison." I told her I would cancel the cable before I'd let my kids watch that nonsense. Surprisingly, she didn't put up much of a fuss. Like I said, she wasn't ridiculously right-wing or anything, she just liked Fox. I guess Fox went down easy, you know what I mean? Simple concepts, pretty people, bright colors.

For about 5 years since then, we've been getting our news from the internet and the newspaper. It's gotten quieter in the house. However, she would still joke with me from time to time about my being so dogmatic that day regarding Fox.

So... she came home from work today and started talking to me about the embassy violence. I told her Romney really stepped in it, and told her what he said about shameful apologies and such. She wasn't aware of what Romney said, only the killing itself, and was horrified that someone would say something so reckless at a delicate time like that. I said, "Let's watch some news about it. You gotta see this."

I turned the TV on MSNBC (I know, it can be Fox in reverse sometimes) and we caught the last part of the Ed Show, some guy was subbing in. He gave a very reasoned account of it and my wife was steadily getting pissed off at Romney. She said "I bet everyone's giving him hell." I replied "yeah, everyone but Fox, I'm sure Hannity will be slurping on him." She said "No way." I laughed and switched it over to Fox.

It was the last few minutes of O'Reilly. They were done talking about Romney and he had Dennis Miller on. They were slut shaming Sandra Fluke and just trashing women in general, laughing, calling her a helpless little girl, all that stuff. My wife was pissed. She saw Fluke at the DNC and really thought a lot of her.

The commercial break came on next and then Hannity started. Sure enough, Ann Coulter comes right out and the two of them launched into the most vitriolic attack of Obama. They also called the embassy's statement shameful and weak. Coulter made a crack that the people in the embassy were concerned they'd "hurt the feeling of the little Muslim darlings" and that they were taking marching orders from Obama. They cackled and laughed and talked Mitt up like he was the greatest thing ever. I watched my wife's face the whole time. She was horrified.

She turned it off and said, quote, "Oh my God, they are such hateful liars. I don't remember it being like that. When did it get that bad on Fox?" I said, "You probably won't believe me hon, but it has ALWAYS been that bad. That shit is like a siren song if you're not on guard. I couldn't let our children listen to that nonsense any longer. You get it now?" She said yes, and I could tell she was a little upset. I'm not sure she believes me completely that it was always that bad, but I do know for certain that she thinks it is now, and she'll never watch that crap again, because she said so.

I think you can get too close to something and get used to it, no matter how odious it is. Like the frog boiling slowly in the pot.. anyway, this story is poorly written, I'm kind of in a hurry, but I had to share that. Life is good at my house! I love little victories!

[Auntie Bush]

1. Thanks for posting that. Good or you and your wife too! nt

[freshwest]

21. +1

[EC]

2. So I wonder if other people would notice the difference if

they were weaned? Your wife may just be super smart. Anyway love the way you showed her the difference between news and propaganda.

[Vietnameravet]

3. I am constantly amazed

at the fact that Coulter is invited on any TV program. Just when you think she cant sink lower..she does..
Its really a testament to the total lack of morals or decency that this hateful bitch is interviewed at all..I cannot express my contempt for her..from attacking Veterans of Vietnam to the widows of 9/11, tops them all..

I swear if I ever see her in person I will call her a name that I would rather not even repeat on this site

But I can almost understand how a demented woman might say what she says but what about the people that buy into that shit??

[reflection]

9. I don't say this about many people

but she needs to hurry up and scurry on over to the afterlife. Horrible, horrible person.

[freshwest]

19. I think she's playing a specific role, just like the rest of them.

[progressoid]

33. She makes the rest look tolerant and mainstream.

[Blecht]

4. I disagree

With the part about the story being "poorly written," that is.

Thanks for sharing!

[RKP5637]

5. Excellent story and sooo true, "Like the frog boiling slowly in the pot." I wonder

how many can recover from Fox News after too many years of it ... they practically need deprogramming. Fox News would make Joseph Goebbels proud. Outfits like Fox News have made these dangerous times.

[young_at_heart]

6. Ezra Klein was the guy subbing for Ed----he's great!

He is an exceptional young man and we watch him whenever he subs on MSNBC. Our hope is that he gets his own show someday. He writes for the Washington Post and has an excellent Facebook page and blog. I'm glad you got through to your wife. I can't help but wonder how many people will not understand what happened and believe the crap Romney told the media. He literally made me sick when I saw the smirk and heard his despicable words!!!

[reflection]

8. Thanks. I had no idea who he was.

I don't watch much TV. Always got my nose in a book or noodling around on my tablet for news.

[CBHagman]

17. Ezra Klein, one of the brighter lights at The Washington Post, is always worth checking out.

Here's a recent post about Obama's jobs plan and how it compares/contrasts with Romney's.

[url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/07/06/comparing-romneys-and-obamas-jobs-plans/[/url]

[reflection]

45. That was a good read.

Thanks for sharing it. Bookmarking.

[mzmolly]

29. Klein is great. And quite a looker

too. Oh, and did I mention, he's brilliant?

[valerief]

87. Love Ezra! nt

[Hamlette]

7. great story, thanks

[Tx4obama]

10. One good thing, if FoxNews has been off for 5 years - she missed all the craziness of Glenn Beck's

brainwashing BS.

[reflection]

16. I only knew Beck from AM radio.

That dude had a show? Great googly moogly.

[hootinholler]

50. If you watched it as comedic performance art it was pretty good.

I loved the blackboards

[Voice for Peace]

57. and the lederhosen

[uwep]

89. Great Picture of Train Wreck

Love this picture of Train Wreck. You couldn't write in words
what this picture says.

[geckosfeet]

11. 110% with you - and your wife on that. FOX === "brain posion".

[Walk away]

12. I give you credit. I would have been in divorce court long ago. Love finds a way! nt

[Malikshah]

13. Not a little victory...and the big victory isn't yours (not that you are claiming it is, IMHO). It

is her victory . Realization on these things will always be hard. Your story is clearly and effectively written as it's too the point and so very heart warming.

[elleng]

14. GOOD story, well written,

and thanks for hanging with her to the happy 'end!'

[eqfan592]

15. Loved the story! Thank you for sharing! (nt)

[Care Acutely]

18. Beautifully expressed, and nicely done! nt

ed__ to spll bedder, lol.

[Shiraz]

20. I know

My mate is the "independent " in our household. He never took a stand one way or the other. I made him vote in 2000 for the first time and he thought that if that is what happens (Gore vs. Bush) than why bother, he voted for who ever in 2004 , not sure but in 2008 he voted Obama. I bought him a subscription to Rolling Stone last year for his birthday and not saying anything to him , he has really changed his leanings. It was a very subtle way to get him to get it. I think someone here suggested it and I say to you , thanks.

[krawhitham]

22. Why are you still married?

She always votes for the republican and likes FOX news but she just leans a little to the right?

[WilliamPitt]

53. .

<------------------

[sir pball]

60. Ever stop to think

That just maybe, possibly, not everybody lives and breathes absolute politics every second of every day, seeing the entire world through that lens? I guess the OP leans just a little to the left, too. Or saw something in his WIFE that was greater than her political beliefs - imagine that.

[Duppers]

67. One's politics speaks to their knowledge

And often their character.



Of course, I left my rethugians friends long ago and cannot imagine finding enough postive things in one that would override all the philosophical differences in order to be married to one.

[dinger130]

23. It Must Be Something In the Air

Because of the recession, my husband is working out of state and called me tonight and brought up Romney and the killings. His family is a big old sloppy Republican family. In fact, his cousin was CEO of a major national newspaper and a huge financial supporter of the Republican Party.

Anyway, my hubbie said that he was done. He couldn't believe Romney was so crass and insensitive. I asked him if he was going to vote Dem and he said he wasn't going to vote at all. But believe me, after almost three decades of being married to him, this was a shocker and to me, progress.

My hubbie was so into the Repub party, he used to send Gingrich money regularly. It's no wonder I had ulcers.

I'm a happy woman tonight.

[marions ghost]

38. yay

Not voting can be progress...

[USMCMustang]

24. Some Guy

Is Ezra Klein of the Washington Post. Watch him. He is very good at what he does. He can dissect any falsehood.

[Kalidurga]

25. I was a centrist a moderate or whatever you like to call it.

I leaned left on most social issues. I leaned right on economic issues(big mistake). My breakthrough in figuring out that Republicans are wrong on everything came with Michele Bachmann declaring that BP would be chumps to agree to pay for all the damage they did with the oil spill. At least that is how I perceived her comments. I wasn't really that far off. I thought she was the biggest nut on the planet. Then I looked at other GOP leaders and found most of them are outright hateful, mostly nuts, and they really don't have good economic plans. They really do just want to punish people for being poor and give even more money to people that are already very rich. Gack, not a solution to economic problems at all. So, I have gone from moderate to fairly liberal in just a few years. BTW, I wasn't more than a casual FOX viewer and quit watching altogether in 2008 or so. Didn't watch the crazies too much, I don't like being yelled at by pundits.

[roscoeroscoe]

84. good job sir!

nice user name~

[gateley]

26. Tomorrow you'll see an Obama 2012 bumper sticker on her car. :-)

[abelenkpe]

27. Please convince my parents to turn fox off too!

It's poisoned their minds.

You are very wise to turn that stuff off around the kids. They don't need that kind of stress. Good job!

[marions ghost]

40. Suggest maybe they'd watch the Ed Show

...helped my MIL. She was once a Repub but it was the Ed Show that has really helped her see the light now. She likes his no-nonsense straight-talking approach. He doesn't pull punches--what Fox watchers are looking for is certainty, strong conviction, an appearance of "caring," delivered in bullet points. So she watches Ed and then she dips into the others, Rachel, Tweety, ODonnell.

Just a thought.

[Cha]

43. Yes, reflection was really wise to put an END to

fox in his house.

[calimary]

28. I love success stories! Especially ones like this, reflection!

THANK YOU for posting!

That said, DO NOT GET COMPLACENT! We don't have this thing won yet. Remember what Mad-Eye Moody always warned Harry Potter: "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!!!!"

[mzmolly]

30. Aside from your controlling remarks about the tele

I applaud you and your wife!

[reflection]

44. I know what you're saying.

Believe me, I'm not one of those guys. But I know how it sounds. That's why I say I don't freak out like that very often. But the kids were starting to hover around it and I just couldn't abide by that. I realize the story sounds kind of bad from that angle.

[Voice for Peace]

58. I unilaterally disconnected the tv when my kids were young.

Actually cut the plug off the cord. It was turning them into
passive morons and sucking all the creativity out of them.
You did the right thing.

[joeglow3]

70. Time to pull out one of my favorites

http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-tel,429/

[mzmolly]

79. Believe me, I know what you're saying as well.

We boycott Faux too, but are in agreement thankfully.

[cynatnite]

77. I'm very controlling as well when it comes to Faux Noise...

It's not allowed at my house.

[mzmolly]

80. I am as well.

But we agree in my home, thankfully. That said, I am controlling about other matters, so I'm not above "controlling" at all.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

31. That's not a "little victory".

It's an epiphany.

Let her know that I know someone who realized what FOX "News" was like on the night we attacked Baghdad.

The people of FOX "News" were going, "Oooo" and "Ahhh" as if it was fireworks as people were dying.

[proud patriot]

32. Well done and hurray for your wife

[DrewFlorida]

34. Great story, I'm happy for you, your dicision may have saved your marriage.

[jamesatemple]

54. And it may have saved the mental health of reflection's kids! n/t

[Populist_Prole]

35. This post gave me pleasure to read it, but much of the credit goes to your wife too

Even tough she leaned right, she was non-partisan and open minded enough not to disregard anything that would run counter to a cognitive bias. That's really big.

The other thing is that with non-partisan people that might "lean" this way or that is to realize that many who watch fox news aren't necessarily conservabots. I've run across people who watch it but aren't really aware of its partisanship because they're not very political. It can shape their views, which is bad, but they're far from the tribal loudmouths who view watching it as an extension of their self respect, and will be able to process factual info with an open mind.

[mick063]

36. This story is strikingly similar

Last edited Thu Sep 13, 2012, 02:45 PM - Edit history (1)

to the conversion of my wife.

Very, very similar.

Now my wife is working on her sister.


We can do this one person at a time and it all begins with FOX. Not until folks are broken from Murdoch's spell, will they come to their senses. FOX is the single greatest threat to America today.

[marions ghost]

42. "Murdoch's spell" --where's Harry Potter

..."Fox is the single biggest threat to America today"

+++++ totally agree

[Samantha]

37. Fox News has been banned in my house since 2000

The only thing I know about it now is what I read here or clips MSNBC shows. I have no problem telling my conservative relatives this.

Sam

[eridani]

39. Minor nitpick--no way in hell is MSNBC the reverse of Fox

If it were, why aren't Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn and such regular commentators? Even they are not nearly as far left as screamers like Hannity and Beck are to the right.

[marions ghost]

46. True

MSNBC is not equivalent to Fox --but what could be, since Fox is all lies?--there IS no equivalent!

MSNBC is doing a great job of educating voters and giving the Fox-addicted some place to go. The viewers need a different perspective, delivered with conviction. The current line-up at MSNBC--Ed, Rachel, Lawrence, C. Hayes and even C. Matthews-- are really bringin' it now, IMO. This Ezra Klein is another good one...and there are more...

This is an election that WILL decide between two poles for the direction of the country...thank God! we have some attempt at providing balance this time, unlike when the Bush family hijacking took place...

[reflection]

49. I'll concede that point somewhat and say they are not as bad.

Perhaps I was being a bit lazy intellectually. It's not like I'm an expert anyway, it's been awhile since I really hunkered down and watched it closely.

[Cha]

41. What a story, reflection! Thanks for sharing it

with us! And, thanks for watching a bit of tripe so we don't have to.

Good to know Dennis Miller is still a stupid asshole.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

47. At a moment like that, hug your wife. Well, not that you should need an excuse and it's not. nt

[porphyrian]

48. . n/t

[tama]

51. This:

"I think you can get too close to something and get used to it, no matter how odious it is. Like the frog boiling slowly in the pot.. anyway, this story is poorly written, I'm kind of in a hurry, but I had to share that. Life is good at my house! I love little victories!"

Is very true. And it's not just Fox or generally just all the corporate propaganda and monetary hypnotism. Some day when more fully awake we can look back and see that the whole destructive capitalist consumerist society has been slowly boiling generations and generations of frogs. And we are waking up, right now as we speak.

[WilliamPitt]

52. This is the part where I'm supposed to accuse you of making that up.

Nah.

I believe you.

[reflection]

56. I was shocked

there wasn't at least one "I call bullshit" comment. Oh well, there's still time.

[Voice for Peace]

55. not poorly written, great story.

you are exactly right about the slow boil.

a few years ago a close relative laughed off my concerns
that she was listening to Limbaugh regularly.. she said "it's
just entertainment.."

It's very cool that your wife was able to see the contrast
and also that you knew when to turn it off in the first place.
Having kids did that for me, too.

[Aristus]

59. Congratulations! I'm happy for both of you.

I'm still working on my wife. She plans to vote for Romney.

I was ---> <--- this close to getting her to vote for Obama in 2008; she voted for McCain even though she despised Sarah Palin.

I've been wearing her down for years. She identifies as a conservative Republican, but I think at heart she's a moderate Democrat. It's an image thing for her. She was raised in a wealthy, evangelical family - voting Repuke is what you do.

I'm hoping she'll come around in this election. She's anti-gun, anti-war, anti-death penalty, pro-gay rights; she's nearly there.

She's anti-choice, though. And that's her one immoveable issue, no matter what irresistable force is applied.

[marions ghost]

69. She can still identify with Republicanism

and sit out this election. That's what some will do. Face-saving, makes a statement.

[BlueToTheBone]

61. Evil is banal. One thinks it will come looking like a monster

but it is the commonplace with a twist...they were first known as witty and up on it all (this is from a right wing colleague from Atlanta in early 2000) and it became darker and darker until is slathering in its evil.

[Rider3]

62. Breakthrough!

Even if it's one person at a time, it's progress! Good job!

[ecstatic]

63. I tuned in to Fox around that time as well

with O'reilly and Miller. I couldn't believe my ears! That was the most sexist, hateful tirade I've seen on TV in a long time!

[southernyankeebelle]

64. well a couple of nights ago I was up at 2:30 am (I couldn't sleep) and I had Current TV on.

The show that was playing was "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism". What an eye openner. They had prior employees on who talked about what was expected of them to say and do. It will be on again at 3:00 pm central time. Please watch it if you can. It may be on Current TV.com. Everyone should watch it.

[Blanks]

65. I'm glad you shared this story.

There are a lot of people out there that just aren't that political, but in the back of their mind they think the right-wing is actually paying more than lip service to a particular issue.

It's hard to hate someone who is pro-life for the right reasons or has a family history of hunting; so they oppose gun control. I think people who live in more rural environments tend to be republican because issues are explained to them using 'common sense' and it appeals to them.

I've been chastised for suggesting that we be friendly to conservatives. I just don't believe all conservatives are informed enough to be part of the problem (except in how they vote).

A lot of them aren't that different from us, and after this election we will have to deal with them every day.

[reflection]

68. Well said, and that answers the question above

as to "why (am I) still married." The answer is right above this post, and also because my loving wife is a great mother and a decent person who just happens to be (in my opinion) politically unaware of some things. She's coming around. I like to think that most of us are defined by more than our politics. Frankly, she's taught me all kinds of things that don't have anything to do with politics. We all learn from each other in some way.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

66. I'm happy for you!!

Wonderful!!

[Mad_Dem_X]

71. It's always good when someone

wakes up to the truth. Congrats to you and your wife.

[JoePhilly]

72. I had a similar event with my sister and brother in law

They aren't very political, but they did tend to watch Fox news at times.

I only get to see them about once a year and when I was there, maybe 2 years ago, my brother in law said something about Obama that I knew was totally false. So I showed him the facts. He said "But I heard this on Fox".

So I said, let's try something ... let's turn on Fox and see how long it takes to catch them lying. It took 2 minutes.

They claimed Obama promised to keep UE under 8% if the stimulus was passed. The easiest way to refute this lie is to look at UE in Feb 2009, which is the month the stimulus passed. The UE for Feb 2009 was 8.4%. The stimulus passed around Feb 21 of that month. And UE in January was already 7.7%.

And so I showed these facts to my brother in law, and even he got it ... why would Obama promise to keep UE under 8 when it was already at 7.7%.

After this, we watched some more ... and every time they lied. I debunked the lie. We did this for about an hour.

They will be voting for Obama in 2012, and anytime they hear some attack on Obama that sounds reasonable, they call or email me for the facts.

They have not turned Fox off completely, but they now no longer trust Fox.

This one on one approach is the only way to turn some away from that news circus.

[crim son]

73. Thank you for posting this great story!

I wish more people recognized that some Conservatives are very much like your wife, good and intelligent people who have simply been sucked in by the garbage media.

[reflection]

75. I should have pointed out

that she is on record as voting for Obama this time. Not that it matters, we live in TN and are drowning in a sea of baggers. Romney will carry this state without breaking a sweat, so this whole story is largely symbolic. I'm just glad that we're both finally on the same page somewhat after 14 years of marriage, and the kids will see a united front from this point moving forward.

[Jennicut]

74. Ezra Klein can do that to people.

Very reasonable and calm. Always liked him. He is only 28, by the way. I forget how young he is sometimes.

I wish my parents could be persuaded more to the left but they are diehards. Good to see you could open your wife's eyes a bit.

[PDJane]

76. This is a very good thing, and a wonderful victory for your wife and for you!

I have a friend who used to live in Texas. She voted Republican all her life, because that was how she was raised. We began talking to one another about fifteen years ago or so, and I went to visit after her father in law died. She and her husband decided to take up long distance driving, as a pair since they had nothing to tie them to one place anymore; big rigs. The change in environment and the change in news began to bring home to her what I had always claimed; she's a progressive in Republican clothing! She changed her party, voted for Obama, and has turned into a supporter of single payer health care.

One person at a time, and that's all anyone can do!

[Pryderi]

78. BRAVO! Now if I could only get MY PARENTS away from Fox! n/t

[xxqqqzme]

81. You are wrong

What happened is not a 'little' victory. You removed the supports holding up a poorly constructed wall. Yesterday the wall fell down and the view was enhanced by its removal.

And your story was not poorly written.

[DocMac]

82. It isn't poorly written. It's quite good. n/t

[BadGimp]

83. Well done

You deserve "special treatment"...

[reflection]

86. Nah, she does.

For being so cool and understanding.

[AikidoSoul]

85. I wish I was able to do the same with some of my right leaning friends

who love FOX.

Actually -- I have less and less to say to these people. They don't want to hear what I have to say anyway. They don't like fact checking either.

[Tigress DEM]

88. She improved her IQ by 10 points in giving up FAUX news!! Good for her! nt

[Kath1]

90. Yay!

Good for you! Sounds like your wife is a reasonable individual. I will sometimes hit the AM button on my car radio on the way home from work to hear Hannity. I'm usually just amused. Bashing Obama constantly, facts be damned. Wish I could have had some of those "little victories" with my ex (sigh). Best of luck!

[Witan00]

91. I'm happy to read this. Hopefully more people will wake up to what Faux Noise truly is n/t