I've been brave lately and speaking out more.....

[FreedomAngel82]

and now I'm in a discussion with a family friend about various things. At my church with the college class an Email mailing list was put together and one of the leaders sends out various Emails from updates to fun stuff to read. He sent me the poem from Roy Moore called "America" and I replied to him saying to please not send me conservative Emails and I despise everything Moore is about. Well, after that he replied back and said he respected me for speaking up and letting him know how I feel and we've been talking back and forth through EMail on various issues from founding principals to current events. He talked about how Christian's are "persecuted" in this country and he brought up the "Merry Christmas/Happy Easter" deal and I told him that was false and how my uncle works at WalMart and during Christmas my brother asked my aunt if he could say "Merry Christmas" and my aunt (who is a conservative) was very quick to say "oh yes!" and I told him I'm taking a US History class now and we talked about how in the beginning of our country if a person didn't follow the Church they got beheaded, jailed or outcasted and how I've been more "persecuted" for being a liberal than I have for being a Christian. I even discussed 9/11 with him and PNAC and offered to give him a copy of "Loose Change" if he's interested in seeing it. So far it's been a pretty good conversation and I can't wait to see what he says about PNAC and 9/11. But the whole point is to not be afraid to stand up and discuss issues with people even if they are long time family friends. You might educate them and debunk a thought they had before. I was afraid before of speaking up but lately I've been filled with more bravery. Why now? :shrug: But take this opportunity now with the ports deal to educate your friends and family and coworkers. At least make them think and want to dig into everything.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

1. You're doing great!

:thumbsup:

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Democrats and liberals have been too quiet for too long,

in terms of standing up to bullies and/or simply speaking their truth, and THE truth, when necessary.

Just imagine what the senate and house would be like if our dem leaders would at least grow a backbone and say "This is wrong!" and whatnot.

Congratulations to you for speaking up - and I'm especially glad that your speaking up has actually resulted in dialogue! That's exciting!

[FreedomAngel82]

6. Yep

He's asking and making legitimate question's and points but some stuff I recognize as "talking points" but I don't think he does. I don't think he's very political or anything like that since he has a job and two little kids (one is in kindergarten and does a lot of outside activities). He's actually discussing and talking about things. And maybe I've made him think about somethings. I hope anyways. :) I'll be sure to let you know what he says about my offer of the "Loose Change" documentary. He's definitley not a bully of the sort (very much the opposite) but I've been too shy in the past for not speaking up when I had the chance. I used to get nervous but now that seems to be gone. :shrug:

[lakeguy]

talking with people is the only way to get the truth out.

the media sure doesn't do the job of informing people. one of my wife's friends thought saddam was behind 911 up until last year. she's a liberal but had no idea that there was no link.

[Betsy Ross]

3. Good for you.

There is nothing we can lose by speaking up that they wouldn't try to take from us anyway. Consider yourself a front-line patriot fighting for our country.

[EFerrari]

4. Sounds good! One caution: often pros like this gent will

patiently listen to you until he runs all the way down the list of his talking points.

And at that point, he will become grumpy with you for not converting on schedule.

Just an fyi. :)

[FreedomAngel82]

7. So far he hasn't been

He's been asking legit question's I think anyways and just discussing and challenging me and me him. So far we're both pretty calm. I know I'm going to try to becareful because I don't want anybody to get mad.

[EFerrari]

9. Careful is best but if someone gets mad, there are remedies.

Good for you, FreedomAngel. :)

[Hello_Kitty]

5. Great point

And also, as this is a problem for me, don't think you have to be perfectly articulate and know absolutely every facet of a particular issue. If they throw some dittohead curveball at you and you don't know what it is there's nothing wrong with saying you'll get back to them when you've done some research on it. (Then log on to DU to get the real story!) If you start getting agitated, take a deep breath and speak more slowly. It makes you seem more thoughtful to the people around you.

The cool thing about emails is you can avoid all that face to face stuff and collect your thoughts for presentation. Rule number one: Don't hit SEND after typing while pissed-off! ;)

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Thanks for the reminder

In the past when debating or just talking with people I would get mad and type something angry and later wish I didn't, so now days I'm very sure I don't do that. :) I don't want anybody to be mad.