I am so angry right now I want to cry.

[Drunken Irishman]

I was having a good night over at a friend's when, unsolicited, Obama came up. It was clear most in the group - despite being on government housing - didn't like him. It was pretty brutal but I stuck with it so that I didn't ruin the night. Eventually, one person said he wanted the President dead and didn't seem to have any sympathy toward the idea. At that point, I got up and angrily left and they treated me as the bad guy.

I was so angry and disgusted that I almost contacted the authorities. I just see so much hate in this country towared Obama that I feel physically sick.

What the fuck is wrong with America? Dammit all to hell.

[hlthe2b]

1. I experienced similar at the dog park from old gentleman with whom I'd previously had many good

(non-political conversations). He's well educated, had traveled the world (as have I) and we had previously found much to talk about and his wife, though suffering the mid-effects of Alzheimers was always very kindly.

He said something close to what you experienced when there were not any others around and I was horrified. I broke my vow to never speak politics at those kind of social settings and countered him briefly then politely left, still angry.

Since then, he won't look at me nor speak to me, even when others who know us both join in the conversation. I still remain polite and greet him and speak small talk with his wife-- because I don't want others to feel uncomfortable.

I don't want to get into it with anyone else, but unfortunately, upon witnessing his rudeness toward me, someone is eventually going to ask.

I'm not about to deprive my furry baby of her fun at the dog park, so, I'm stuck dealing with this.

It is infuriating that I have become the "bad" guy--merely because I cut off a discussion so out of line it boggles the mind.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. The guy probably is feeling ...

embarrassed or maybe betrayed. He let his guard down and spoke his mind, certain that you would agree because ... you know ... Black.

[lunasun]

69. +1

[nookworld]

2. Why didn't you simply present your point of view

to help balance out the discussion??


running away does nothing....

[Ilsa]

3. Maybe because DI felt bad enough with one person

wanting PBO dead. There were others of similar opinion that he didn't want ganging up on him. Leaving is one way to end it.

[smirkymonkey]

4. Easier said than done.

Trying to speak reason to a pack of rabid Obama haters gets you absolutely nowhere. Sometimes walking away is the sane thing to do.

I have tried with republican members of my family. It doesn't work. They don't want a discussion, they just want to hate.

Take care, DI!

[Dustlawyer]

21. Living in Texas this, unfortunately, all too common for me. People assume I am a tea nut like

them. I respond with questions at first, what has he done that has "ruined the country" (there most common refrain), they can never give even a semi legitimate argument. I follow up with several more questions based on what they have said, then I address each and everyone with facts and end by explaining the corporate psychological methods used by Fox and RW talking heads and explain that they have been brainwashed to feel angry, afraid and stop listening to any other viewpoint, and then it is absolutely time to leave. On the way out I ask them to think about what I said next time they sit to (somehow) enjoy watching the Boob channel!

[VanGoghRocks]

42. Bravo! for the Socratic Method!

[smirkymonkey]

83. Some people are incapable of critical thinking.

There are certain people who can be reasoned with and who are teachable. But when you recognize those who aren't, there is no point in making yourself insane if you have no chance of influencing them in the slightest.

[VanGoghRocks]

84. Every once in awhile, though, when they are mindlessly repeating the

Faux News Koa, the idiocy of what they are saying breaks through if they have to respond to a question (Socratic Method).

But I take your point! We need to pick our battles, that's for sure. Time's too precious to do otherwise.

[awoke_in_2003]

55. Exactly...

I am surrounded by these idiots at work. I won't discuss politics anymore with them. I have a better chance of busting down a brick wall with my head.

[Cha]

5. I can only imagine, DIrish.. If I were surrounded by people like that

in a private setting who were that braindead. Better you should get the hell outta there.

Too many people let themselves get sucked in by brainwashing. They couldn't like their own lives that much so hate is what they get off on.. and who's more handy than President Obama.. who so many make money off of hatin' on him?

[freshwest]

6. It get the most awful feeling around people like that, they're zombies.

Just animated bodies doing what media told to do in their thoughts, their hearts and to others.

[Cha]

8. I know.. it's a whole nother zombie world, fresh. Unfortunately, it

hits close to home.. as I've heard my former husband is a fox truther! Who knew!?!

What a life.. regurgitating fox noise "news", etc etc.. smh They can't think for themselves.

[freshwest]

7. Sorry, DI. It's a like a waking nightmare.

[rurallib]

9. like a pack of rabid wild dogs

all led by a group mentality and only the leader doing any thinking.
It is disgusting. All their hate based on FUX lies.

[heaven05]

10. RW media, radio and television

with their idiotic talking heads have taken the latent systemic and institutionalized racism and hate, that american justice and laws has never eradicated, and used it to agitate the fearful and ignorant to cause some kind of a RW revolution, aka bundy confrontation, continuous shootings and beatings of minority men and women and just general hate the"brown tyrant" in the house at 1600. The RW media is what the fuck is wrong with america. Our voices have been drowned out by RW money(koch bros) and RW ownership of the means of disseminating lies and BS. I see this country in the early throes of a romeish downfall, personally. Nixon's southern strategy, as a reactive force against all those brown people who fought, along with decent white comrades, viola luizzo and the mississipi three come to mind, for their human rights, started this slide into fascism and bush and cheney just sped it up. Now america is at a crossroads. nuff said.

[Cosmocat]

18. Well stated, 95% agreed

The virus is right wing media and it has spread to infect the every fiber of the country by the bastardization of the media at large.

The one thing I would disagree with a bit is the primary foundation being racial. They absolutely race bait, but it has become more amplified by BHO being the POTUS.

Honest, it would be the same thing relative to women if Hillary had been elected.

The root is $$$.

THAT is the constant, that is what it all comes down to, monied interests 1) Doing all that they can to pillage the tax payer's coffers 2) Doing all that they can to avoid paying into the tax payers coffers 3) Doing all that they can to have the unfettered capacity to steal as much as they can from us.

Racism, bigotry, gay bashing ... All tools to them, a hodge podge of traits where we are human beings are vulnerable to negative passions that they use to foment discord and infighting between us to distract from their having pretty much bought and paid for our government at this point.

In my 50 years it has only gotten worse, and amazing it EXPONENTIALLY worse the last half decade.

The big liberal hope was that the internet and social media would bring the truth to light, but instead it simply has become a needle into the veins of people that even more directly plugs right wing bullshit into weak minds.

I see no way that it is going to get better.

I was mystified at how mean and cutthroat the Rs were in the 90s, just did not get it.

They are 10 times worse now, they have truly come to believe their own bullshit and don't even care to try to package it in the constitution or whatever other crap they used to package it in. And, the media has given up the pretense of being impartial, they gleefully just advance whatever shit the republicans are throwing.

[mehrrh]

25. couldn't agree more!!

Good summary of what I have observed as well.

[bbgrunt]

51. well stated. I really didn't think it could get much

worse than the 90's, but it has become almost incomprehensible. I feel like I'm living in Germany in the 30's.

[heaven05]

64. No disagreement from me

[nikto]

75. Very eloquently expressed.

[handmade34]

11. "What the fuck is wrong with America?"

sorry for your bad night... we seem to be going backwards at this time... makes me very sad

[HipChick]

12. Sorry Irish, but

there were times, I'd wish Bush has choked on more than a Pretzel..

[Ineeda]

14. I often wish the same, but then

I remember that Heartless Dick was next in line. Hard to blelieve, but that's much scarier.

[freshwest]

81. That's why every week one of our protest signs always said 'Impeach Cheney First!'

Of course you know who we wanted to impeach after Darth...

[get the red out]

13. I hate situations like that

Otherwise normal people can morph into appearing demon-possessed in their hatred of the President. I believe it comes from RW media and racism. I can deal with Republicans who talk about policies they disagree with; but those are becoming few and far between with Limbaugh and Fox News working to destroy the country.

Never underestimate the power of brain-washing. It probably helped cave-man groups to have the cohesion necessary to survive (IMO) but limits human use of critical thinking skills now.

[Martin Eden]

15. What is the basis of their hatred for Obama?

What did they say?

[mehrrh]

17. Obama's trouble

I have found myself in similar situations and like you, I am furious, and have expressed it.
What is it that people expect from this man -- no matter what he does, they find fault.
If he does nothing, they find fault.
No matter what he says, they find fault.
Have they forgotten how we got into the mess we see today and how impossible it is to straighten?
Worst of all, are those who are most vulnerable and needy, yet they can't see that he is on their side, working for them.
I am blaming most of the anger in this country on the media -- the "regular" media does not remind people of background, nor do they rely on facts: they prefer he said/she said yelling matches and call it news.
The media is also taken over by corporate interests and the news reporting is skewed to the owners' bias.
Journalists have been removed from important international sites and foreign offices have been closed -- for ostensibly economic reasons.
I also believe firmly that the ubiquitous Fox news, is the greatest offender and betrayer of journalism. Their channels are free and they are everywhere -- no matter, urban, suburban or rural -- Fox is there. Not so for other networks. We all know the poisonous and deliberate misinformation emanating from Fox, yet few have challenged them and held them accountable.
People are ignorant of truth, media is negligent, and there is a general undertone of anger across the country, in every arena, from neighborhoods to corporations.

[yellowwoodII]

19. Fox

You can bet that these are Fox watchers. Someone (otherwise smart) told me again the other day that Obama was born in Kenya. I said, "You watch Fox, don't you?" He admitted that he did. I told him that it's a propaganda machine.

[betsuni]

20. I completely understand.

SERENITY NOW! It is difficult.

[DesertFaux]

22. I have learned not to argue with their "Facts"

I instead point to the source of their belief system - FoxNews, Limbaugh, Hannity, the usual suspects - as simply using them for ratings.

Do this:

1) point out that what is presented by these talking heads as "fact" is simply assumption, assertion, innuendo, conclusion, plain gutter-sniping - inserted into their heads - all for ratings - they are being manipulated and don't know it.

2) point out that this artificial controversy makes them sound as if they know what they are talking about, an 'authority figure', which takes away your sense of disbelief (we become followers)

3) ask them if they ever take a "fact" once presented and ever check it from any other source (do their homework)

4) ask them to trade places with these talking heads and simply lie about one particular subject for years (could they do it if paid millions)

These political criers simply draw the conclusion for their listeners, invoking fear and anger to solidify the conclusion - you can't argue with it - but you can systematically cut the head off the snake that is manipulating them. Millions of listeners are needed for the money they make, not only for themselves but for the corporate-state they represent.

How can you tell if you are uninformed and manipulated:

1) Dems and Repubs are all the same
2) They never think Rush Limbaugh would manipulate them for ratings
3) They never think a repub would manipulate them for votes
4) know where think-tank money comes from
5) know where talking points come from
6) do they think they are impervious to propaganda techniques
7) have they ever been exposed to propaganda techniques

I always point out that a true conservative wants to to preserve what works in society for us and our children, that this is not what is happening with todays conservatives - social security, medicare, taxes, voting rights, womens health care, middle class.

Todays conservatives are simply using our democracy for themselves, not you! How can you tell - gerrymandering and the bribes they get from corporations.

Usually they don't feel their belief system is directly attacked and you can raise a serious concern about where their "politics" is coming from.

Good Luck

[ReRe]

23. What's wrong DI,

is you found yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. I know you was pissed (as I would have been), but you should have demurely said you forgot to take your meds and needed to go, or something such as that. I wouldn't have let them know I was mad. I would have looked at whoever met my eye and winked at them. THEN, mentioned I need to run as I forgot my meds. Their loss, your gain, DI. High-tail it out of there and never go back. And forget about it. Life is too short to let some old biddies/dudes get you so upset.

Here's another comeback you could have used "Oh, you watch Fox?"

Basically, when I get around folks who like to run down other people, I get away from them. They give me the willies and make me wonder what they are saying about me when I'm not there.

I have a dear brother who unfortunately is a right winger. We agreed to not talk politics when we get together.

[Volaris]

24. That's because this President represents the possibility of everything they have been told to fear..

Most notably, useful Government. It's not that he's black, or a Democrat, or (even slightly by some people's standards) a Liberal.
It's that he doesn't have an obvious INC. after his name.

[BlueCaliDem]

78. I believe that's exactly what the problem is.

Of course there are the badly uninformed in this country who don't like the color of his skin, but I believe that the entire reason for this rabid hatred of this president has to do with the fact that we're already a corporatist country (even if we choose to keep denying this sad and scary truth) and when a president - or anyone else in power - doesn't conform to the pro-corporate agenda, the incorporated media that have replaced our 4th estate, ensure that s/he gets the worst coverage they can get away with in order to punish them.

When a Pew Research study shows that this president got the most negative media coverage of all presidential candidates in 2012 (except for Newt Gingrich who actually got the most negative) and Rick Perry got the most positive, that tells you all you need to know about how well the media conglomerates have been able to control the messaging and controlled the populace.

President Obama is loved by the people of just about every country in the world (not necessarily their politicians, though), yet he can't get any love from the majority of the people in his own country.

I've always contended, that he who holds the bullhorn gets heard. The Pew Research study proves it.

[mikeysnot]

26. Divide and conquer.

[SmittynMo]

27. The media is brainwashing these people

The idiots are out on the far right. I too, have run into similar situations since Obama was in the White house. You can't get away from them. They listen to FAUX, are close minded, and are convinced that Obama is the enemy. He was born in Kenya and is a Muslim, to which they hate with all their soul. And then of course, he's black. That's a big "no no" to them. They completely ignore all the good Obama has done for this country, and are fixed on taking him down. After my first confrontation with a right wing nut a few years back, I have decided to avoid them at all costs. This way I keep my sanity. These people are no good for society, and the country as a whole. You'll never change them, so ignorance is bliss.

[lpbk2713]

28. RW AM Hatemonger radio has made that kind of festering bullshit acceptable.

You probably did well by leaving. They wouldn't have listened to you anyway.

[Gore1FL]

29. Similar thing happened to me once.

Later I realized these are the people that elect the Sharron Angles, the Christine O'Donnells, the Todd Akins, and the Richard Mourdocks. These types are doing me huge favors by clearing the way for Democrats using the very same ignorance that pissed me off. Then I smiled.

[marble falls]

30. Having a lot of the moments in the last three years. Its pretty much gutted my catering buisness....

I know a lot of people who other than their irrational hatred for the President seem like nice people. The worst part is that their hatred is out of proportion to their reasons for it -reasons that a lot of the time are based on untruth or misunderstanding, usually based on a Fox lie or some or blog mistruth. Most of these can usually be exposed with a simple fact checking. But they hold to the lie.

[ancianita]

31. Racism is a sickness. Many react like kids to the medicine of exposure, and see their cure as worse

than their disease, rather than taking a good look at the 'condition' they're comfortable with. Sick people congregate to validate each other. I'm glad you reminded them that there's a bigger world of human out there.

You don't need friends like these. I've had similar experiences and sympathize.

[madokie]

32. 24/7 of hate being spewed on the tv and radio

is a lot of the problem and what that doesn't cover the mans ethnic background takes care of the rest. I honestly thought we were on a path of reconciliation with our black and brown brothers and sisters until we elected our first black President. A president I'm proud to say I voted for three times, once in the primary and twice for the oval office. I think he has been good even though there is some things I'd like to have seen he do differently but I'm not the throw out the kid with the wash water kind.
I love my President, thank you!

If I'd have been in your situation I'd have done the same thing, maybe even sooner as I'm old enough now that people realize I do have an opinion and not necessarily the same as theirs and I'm not afraid to lock horns about it.

Thank you for coming here and getting this off your chest, so to say, so that it won't ruin your day.
Have a great day DI
Some posters here stand out from the rest and you are one of them

[femmocrat]

33. I quickly and quietly exit such tirades.

I don't have the stomach for it. I'm not a forceful debater and get all upset which doesn't help my "side". I see a lot of such talk in rural PA, too. I chalk it up to "low-information" and Faux viewing. Or sometimes, just plain willful ignorance.

Sorry you had such a disturbing experience with "friends"--- guess you won't be spending time with those people anymore.

[Cosmocat]

34. It is so unforunate - let me share a story

Barack Obama has been a good president.

Not OK.

GOOD.

But, our media has completely sold out and merrily gobbles up every big of the rabid sedition the republican party has put forward since BEFORE he took office.

8 years of "you may not like him, but you gotta respect his doing it his way" bullshit positive framing of Bush II while he and his ran the country into the ground, the guy cleaning up his mess has gets run into the ground mercilessly.

Let me share my experience.

I have a LOT of republican friends. GOOD people, truly good people with big hearts, who would do anything for me and who have done A LOT for our community. But, dyed in the wool republicans who hate this president like nothing else.

I am in a service club, and the day after they got Usama Bin Laden, I did a happy dollar about it. The room did not even want to acknowledge it. Had dipshit made good on wanted dead or alive, they would have crowed about it for months.

They know my politics, I am respectful of their opinions and we share some opinions. I get the sense that they know I am a pretty smart guy and that I am probably right about most of the issues, but that I don't try to convince them to think otherwise allows us to remain friends and do our work together.

NOW, I have other republican assholes that I have no time talking too, selfish, me, me stupid asses..

But, lots of REALLY, REALLY good people, I just don't get it, it does not fit what I know of them as people, but lots of really good people who are republicans and think like that ...

[abelenkpe]

35. Your friends are fed a steady stream of lies from an irresponsible

Media. FCC will fine a station for a wardrobe malfunction but do nothing when "news" shows and pundits spread outright lies.

[JNelson6563]

36. I hear ya Irishman.

[rock]

37. Wishing Obama dead is a sign his moorings are lose

I never did wish w or DICK (little w, Big Dick) death, instead I wanted justice! I.e. both tried for war crimes by the Hague. Not just a good idea. It's the law!

[panader0]

38. Hey Irish--I hear you

Many of my friends (yes, friends), are not anywhere as liberal as I am. Obama, gay marriage, gunz, health care, warfare, you name it.
I have had countless arguments with them, and I am vehement about my views. No "N" word around me, no put downs of "socialism", as I explain about roads, and firefighters and schools etc. It's a tough thing because I work with these guys, play music with them. But I have made a difference. I have made them rethink their ideas. Hang in there, counter their bull with facts. Be a teacher.

[YvonneCa]

54. "Be a teacher"...

...your words offer great advice. I agree and do the same.

From 'a teacher'...

[ellie]

39. I have been in

similar situations before (not about Obama) but abut opinions that are so far afield as to be ridiculous. I have mocked the person by saying, "You are crazy and that is insane." Sure they won't be your friend anymore but after airing such opinions, would they be anyway? No.

[leftyladyfrommo]

40. You know what? I just am who I am.

Just about everyone I interact with is pretty far to the right - this is the Bible belt. I have heard people say some pretty awful things about Obama - and the whole Left.

I make no bones about the fact that I am a Democrat - that I am one of those awful people on the Left. And I am always nice to everybody. I don't talk politics or religion.

I don't know how Obama stands it. I would have folded after the first 10 minutes. But is just can't tell you how much I admire that man. He just shoulders on trying to do the right thing in spite of everything .

[treestar]

41. They are unthinking

The media is working hard on Obama right now. Saying he's unpopular, doing whatever they can to make it so, knowing there are many unthinking people out there.

The type of person who parrots the media's latest as if they are in the know somehow. Not realizing they are just parroting what they were told. They think they watched the news and it means they are informed because they can say back what the news told them.

[fadedrose]

43. I'd put him as the best President we ever had

mainly because of his honesty, sincerity, and his efforts to keep us out of war. His fight for health care was just the first step. It'll be improved as time goes on, but getting a bill was miraculous.

I can't remember a president coming into office with so so many problems caused by the former administration.

Ah, and his speeches - among the greatest and best delivered. Tears every time.

[TheKentuckian]

46. You seriously think say Lincoln had less on his plate?

[Peregrine Took]

44. Part of America is horrid - recall the smiling faces at lynchings? n/t

[heaven05]

68. I have that photo blown up into

a large poster that I had hung up on my wall. For the last 15 years that poster always put perspective on 'land of the free, home of the brave'. I finally took it down and rolled it up, because of the negativity implicit in the hate generated in that smiling and laughing crowd of amerikkkans at the lynching of those young black men, for no other reason than they were black. Trayvon who did absolutely nothing to deserve a bullet from zimpig, to micheal who did not deserve to die for his alleged crime that that cop knew nothing about while shooting 7 bullets into that kids unarmed body.....incomprehensible and unexcusable. I'm about ready, with this era of modern day lynchings to put that poster on every telephone pole and flat surface I can find, along with photos of a dead martin and brown. I just read an article in 'theRoot', with 20 stories of unarmed young black males being killed by the police, recently, and maybe, just maybe people can see the connection to the bitter fruit hanging in the trees of another era and the black males laying dead in the street for four hours for no other reason than he may have mouthed off at massa.

This is a tragic era for young black males.

[butterfly77]

82. And..

http://newsone.com/3042992/john-crawford-ohio-police-walmart/

There are also some AA who believe this garbage due to their preacher/clergy they believe he is the anti christ or hate him because he is being fair to gays,among other things.

[heaven05]

85. yeah, true

no doubt.

[PasadenaTrudy]

45. Find some new friends! n/t

[CJCRANE]

47. Just tell them to think for themselves

instead of being led by the nose by an Australian/British/American billionaire and his millionaire lackeys.

[maced666]

48. These were mostly public housing tenants?

Ugh. Maybe it was the alcohol.

[LWolf]

49. I don't like Obama.

I've never made any secret of that.

That said, it is the politician I don't like, not the man, not the human being. I don't wish death on human beings I don't like. If someone told me he wanted the President dead, I'd stay and defend him. Not politically. I'd defend the man. If I thought it was anything more than an ignorant rant from a couch-bound revolutionary, I'd report it, too.

The hate? It's political hate, it's cultural hate, and, yes, in some cases, it's racial hatred. All hatred makes me feel physically sick. What's wrong with America is the decades of unregulated propaganda encouraging hatred, encouraging aggression, and repressing empathy. The disease is much larger than the POTUS.

The only way I know to deal with it is to refuse it. I won't be a part. I won't feed the disease by joining in the hate. A wiser man once said something about "being the change." In this case, that means I'm not going to hate anybody. ANYBODY. I'm not going to engage in personal attacks, name calling, or anything like that. When I have a viscerally negative reaction to someone, I will focus on the words and actions that sparked my reaction, and address those, rather than the person.

There are many levels and kinds of love, and of respect. I'll offer some unconditional love and respect to every living thing, including people I don't like, including people I am vehemently opposed to. While I'm going after the issues, not the personalities.

That's how we heal America and the planet. One person at a time until there are enough to effect shift.

[YvonneCa]

53. Great post, LWolf, and I really like President ...

...Obama. I really like what you said about hate and our world.

[Paladin]

50. I believe you did the correct thing, Irishman.

No point in associating with people who spew that sort of hatred. Congrats for maintaining your principles.

[riseabove]

52. I want off ths planet too... my sympathies Drunken Irishman, time for some new drinking buddies.

I'm in NY!

[Rex]

56. Wow, you hang out with friends that want to kill Obama?

That is crazy, you need some new friends imo! I don't know what is wrong with America, seems like there is more hatred then when I was a kid!

The way people dismiss our POTUS because of his skin color, makes me sick to my stomach.

I guess I lie to myself, thinking America is moving into a more progressive state.

[Drunken Irishman]

57. He's not my friend.

He was a friend of a friend. I knew my one friend, who supported Obama, became disenchanted ... but whatever. This guy, though, I've only met a handful of times and never discussed politics with him. Won't again.

[Rex]

58. Smart I would not either, no telling how unstable he is.

I don't blame you for wanting to call 9/11. I would be tempted to myself, sorry about your disenchanted friend. He needs to stop hanging around losers like his unstable friend imo.

[flamingdem]

59. In solidarity

[joanbarnes]

60. I don't know DI, yet say a bad thing about GWB, (who deserved animosity) and they freak!

[TNNurse]

61. When things are tough,

Employment is hard to find, expenses are out of control and there are a lot of scary things going on, people are getting scared. When you are vulnerable, scared and hopeless, you are easily brainwashed. There are people with lots of money who are spending time and money brainwashing people. It is working.

It is treason, it is heartless, it is criminal and it is very well-funded.

[airplaneman]

62. I have a saying

Find yourself a couple of good friends and call yourself lucky. Life is too short to spend too much time around others that could care less about your values. I would move on and find some real friends to spend my time with.
-Airplane

[kairos12]

63. I deal with that crap weekly. I live in the AZ.

[savalez]

65. Looks like you "got up and angrily left" this thread too!

Just joking but I'd like to hear your answers on some of the questions asked.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

66. Let me guess,...all white.

[KauaiK]

67. It's not just Obama; its black men, females, immigrants, the poor, the unemployed...

...veterans (if they need medical care)...who else? They hate everyone but themselves. They need an enemy to fuel their fire.

[markpkessinger]

70. Believe it or not, I've experienced this in my own family . . .

I have three sisters and one brother. The eldest, a sister, and I are the liberals in the family (I am the youngest). Second sister has gone over the cliff into Tea Party madness, third sister is conservative but not crazy, and brother, a small businessman, is fairly conservative but also not crazy (his biggest interest in any issue is how it will affect his bottom line). For the most part, we maintain peace in the family by avoiding discussions of politics. But I've noticed an interesting pattern: the three more conservative siblings actualy talk about whatever they like. It's only when my eldest sister or I disagree that it becomes "politics," and of course, we are the ones then blamed for "getting into politics." Very frustrating at times.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

71. Race matters. Sorry, DI. You need new friends...

...and a hug.

[Vattel]

72. Better to focus on not spreading hate yourself

than to focus on the hatred of others.

[MrMickeysMom]

73. I noticed that a person will back off if you give em a one to one conversation, often they STFU….

I've actually paused a few seconds after hearing (less threatening statements against Barak Obama, mind you) shit like this and very calmly pointed out one example to the bigger issues that we are all faced with. I usually end with how these situations were created and never quite understanding why people aren't as mad at all the bail out Americans have been dealt with over banks "too big" to fail. The blabbermouths have absolutely no come back, and it gets the message to them that they haven't really talked with anyone about the real problems not created by BO. So, now… "what would you do?" is what I ask.

I'm quite critical of where we are now, people here know this includes the president, but I'll be damned if I ever let someone get away with a statement like that. Don't back down. You're feeling bad because you did.

I wasn't sure how many people were at your friends home, in fairness.

Guts include persons in social situations. Oh, and there's a whole lot wrong with America and Americans, starting with their preferred gutless disinterest in anything beyond their own dwellings and every day work situation, or their kids.

[elzenmahn]

74. I know EXACTLY of how you feel...

...and what's more, as much as I (and millions of others) absolutely DESPISED the Shrub, I don't recall any type of language in the media that stated that people wanted HIM dead. Certainly not to the same level as this.

We can thank our MSM for a lot of this, especially Foxymoron News and the AM Radio Talkers. They cultivate this attitude 24/7.

[nikto]

76. If Conservatives were at least a little bit honest, they would PRAISE Obama

Conservatives should LIKE many things Obama has done:

1--Privatizing those evil Public Schools vis Race-To-The-Top and Arnie Duncan's ongoing campaign.
2--Enshrining CORPORATE PROFIT$ in our healthcare system, instead of having that evil,
"commie" Single-Payer or a Public Option.
3--NOT jailing ANY big US Bankers or Wall St investors for their financial malfeasance, because
Conservatives idolize money/Busine$$/Corporations. Also, for having dependable Wall St protector
Tim Geithner in charge of much financial policy, instead of some "socialist-reformer".
4--Drone killings of hundreds of evil, dark-skinned terrorists, including US Citizens like Awlaki,
who hate us for our freedoms, blah blah blah.
5--NSA meta-spying under Obama's watch----Nothing like spying and surveillance to guard our freedoms---Conservatives
LOVE that crap, always have.
6--We're getting back into Iraq, great news for the righties, because Conservatives love it when the US
takes the aggressive approach to killing our dark-skinned enemies,
who hate our freedoms, blah blah blah.
7--Conservatives LOVE LOVE LOVE big international trade deals like TPP and others, which Obama pushes, HARD.
8--Conservatives should LOVE Obama's signing of the Monsanto Protection Act, which protects Monsanto from having to
use socialistic/"commie" labels on their GMO foods. To Conservatives, that's "freedom".


I'm sure there's more, but
I grow fatigued.

[albino65]

77. I will tell you

a drunken Irishman or anyone for that matter can come to my house and you will not hear that shit. You need to hang around with a better crowd.

[defacto7]

79. Mind poison seems to be the drink of choice among many.

It poisons the mind, the heart, the intellect....

I understand DI, I am surrounded by these passive aggressive sorts.

Be careful who you drink with.

[ErikJ]

80. Ask them why they worship Reagan then, who TRIPLED the national debt and

raised the debt limit 18 times.
And he was for gun control
and raised taxes 11 times.
And he had the most corrupt administration in US history with 140 indictemnts and 33 convictions.