Interesting visit with an old friend from Tennessee.

[madfloridian]

We had been neighbors for years before they moved there in 1998, and we never talked politics. I never even knew or cared about their party affiliation.

Once when he called from TN to talk, the topic of the Iraq war came and of course...Bush. It was just as the invasion was starting, the bombing and all. I remember he said they deserved it for attacking us....and I said but they did not attack us.

That sent him into a tailspin, and he took up the line of the president was chosen by God and knows best. We tried a few times after that to talk, but there was nothing left really. There was no trust and confidence in them anymore, and they thought we were unpatriotic.

Well, today he popped in to visit just out of the blue. We did not never really expect to see him again. I was very good and stayed away from politics. However, he did bring up the subject, and he said we were wrong to be in Iraq. We agreed and let it go at that.

He then mentioned that he did not know who to vote for in TN. He thought they were all crooks. I said as far as I know only one running for senate is in trouble and that's Corker. He said so Ford's not a crook? I said no, of course not. He said maybe he'll vote for him.

I really wanted to yell at him for the years we had lost of our friendship for his idiotic trust in Bush...but I did not. I feel the same way about my Republican family. They are coming around, we sense it, but only one son has the guts to say it.

I guess I will have to be content with that.

[Flirtus]

1. You've done well. Thank you.

It is hard for Tennesseeans to wrap their heads around the idea that Harold Ford isn't just another scion of a political family. He is squeaky clean, fairly moderate in a Tennessee way (which means I disagree with him on one or two things!) but Way Way better than Mr. Opportunity Bestowed on Us by Frist.

My goal is to get out the early vote and enter enough doubt in my (R)elative's minds that they might just hesitate long enough to THINK!

[DeSwiss]

2. Madfloridian great job of hanging in there. And yeah, I agree Flirtus...

...I had the same concerns on some of Harold Jr's positions, in particular regarding gay Americans having their full rights. But that's a fight for another day in TN. The gay marriage constitutional amendment ban is also likely pass. I'm planning on early voting so I'll have my paper ballot and then come home I'll sleep early and hopefully wake up the next morning with some chance of getting our rights back.

~DeSwiss
(Nashville)

[madfloridian]

3. The friend called us back after he left.

He said to tell him again the names of the two candidates, he had forgotten the names. They were leaving town to go back home, and he wanted to write them down.

I told him, reminded him of the Corker problems. He seemed to take our word on it, which surprised me. He was never much for doing that.

Said he was glad to know who to vote for.

[seabeyond]

4. hey, madfloridian, i hear ya. after the election my husband told

my brothers and father we wont talk politics in our house. so we started NOT talking because i was so pissed bush stole, wink, the election and hubby knew hell would be paid if anyone brought it up. but now, we dont talk it because they dont want to. we were at the table a couple weeks ago, and my father had asked about the dem running for gov in texas. cant stand the woman and hates perry, so is going to vote bell the dem. anyway, i wouldnt let my boys leave the table, wanted their company and my youngest says, you are torturing us..... i couldnt help it.... i said, but it is legal now.... me, my boys and my dem friend busting up laughing and father was so bothered, i think, i couldnt look at him. and they kept throwing out one liners. i had to reel it in fast.

we use to always talk politics. just feels odd not knowing what is going on with them in this area.

[madfloridian]

5. That is so funny, and so sad at the same time.

It is so hard not to talk to family in a meaningful way. I never ceased to be amazed at how much of the right wing stuff they swallowed. They are all educated, mostly military or retired...not dumb people.

They simply can not admit they were wrong. And I am so angry it drains me to be around people who won't let me talk about things we have to talk about in this country.

[seabeyond]

6. i know

i respect my father so much. he has always been a conervative republican, with integrity and honesty. ran corporations and employees loved him. he was fair and just and believed in pay so an employee could take care of family. he is smart,...

i have always repsected him, about everywhere in life.

i agree. it is just the oddest

there are times i want to say, so.... think bush is an ass , yet??? repugs fuck up enough, yet???

it is weird

but your point, these are good people.

[madfloridian]

7. One of our relatives is coming for several days soon.

They are coming around to the Democratic side, have given some indications, but they don't want to talk about it. We keep our XM radio tuned to AAR most of the day, we switch around the news sites on TV.

I hate to change routine, but I guess we will have to. I hate to say I dread it, but I hate not being able to talk about things that are important.

[Clark2008]

8. What part of TN does your friend live in.

I'd like to contact him further - I don't have to say you put me up to it. Just call like any other call regarding the Ford campaign.

Or maybe send him a nice note.

PM me.

[madfloridian]

9. Thanks..

I contacted a couple near there I know who are going to give his name to someone. They said they would be cautious and not push too hard.

He is one of those people who were very combative about their love for Bush and support of the war....so he will not take well to anyone pushing too hard.

I am surprised I kept my mouth shut while he was here. He usually brings out the worst in me. He always did, even when they were neighbors. He is just one of those people who are so totally right and talk over you.

I still can't figure why he came by, I guess to see how we reacted since we had so many words over the phone. I guess we did ok.

I don't think I can keep my mouth shut for several days though while our relatives visit. That is just too much to ask.