People Can Be So Dumb

[Syrinx]

I went to the supermarket wearing my Bush shirt. (It's about worn out by now.)

My cashier, a young white female, about seventeen by my guess, smiled and says she loves and agrees with the message on my shirt. "He really is the worst president ever. All he wants is war, war, war. I'm so sick of all that," she said to me.

Her comment inspired some hope, and I smiled. I asked who she wants to become president, expecting to hear the name of a Democrat.

"McCain" was her reply.

I've since kicked myself for not trying to educate her, that McCain may be even "Bushier" than Bush, when it comes to war and American imperialism. But I've got to admit the abject stupidity of her comment left me speechless.

And we weren't even done yet.

She said "Who are you voting for?"

I said "I'm for __________________ all the way. I think (s)he is exactly what our country needs right now."

The verb is accurate, I assure you: She shrieked "Oh no! I heard (s)he is the anti-Christ!"

Jokingly (I guess), I inserted, "No, that would be Cheney."

Then another girl, bagging my groceries, about the same age as my cashier, but African-American, spoke up, and with a seemingly frightened and disgusted sneer, said "I heard her/his middle name is 'Rodham/Hussein,' like a terrorist."

I failed the cause. I failed in my chance to educate. I merely ambled to my car, dumbfounded, muttering about how stupid some people can be, and wondering if there is any hope at all for our country.

[Echo In Light]

1. Yrs back I was in the exact same situation ... funny, scary

I was wearing my Orwell/Bush 666 evil empire shirt, and the young woman working the check out register commented on how I must not "like" the president {those brainwashed by U.S. propaganda often use the "like/dislike" ideal as the high water mark/litmus test for who they back, which is based on how mass media 'sells' these personas playing a role - has nothing to do with substantive issues, which is exactly how they want it} ...and so I offered a brief overview of why the admin was bad, bad news for humanity, and she came back with this: "Yeah. But the bible says there will be wars sometimes." :yoiks:

When I attempted to explain separation of church/state, and pointed out how our nation of laws {supposedly} goes by the Constitution, not the bible, she was reduced to the proverbial deer in the headlights. Apparently her parents hadn't clued her into any of that "whining liberal" nonsense...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. In early 2003 at a peace demonstration

I had one come up and tell me Bush was the Second Coming of Christ.

[SpiralHawk]

6. Wrong. That would be republicon darling & funder, Rev. Moon

Who is, of course, intimate with the whole Bush Family of Skull & Boner spiritual cripples...

Rev. Moon has declared himself to be the Second Coming of Christ, and many republicons have bowed down before his vaults to worship...

[Frank Cannon]

2. Don't worry about it. Instead, kick back with a Brawndo.

It's got electrolytes! What plants crave!

[madokie]

3. hell I'm dumbfounded just reading about it

a perfect example of not being able to see the forest for looking at the trees. Sad cause all the while our country is going to shit in a handbasket. Early on in bushco world I thought maybe we were rudderless but I now see it as what it is, being driven to destroy.

[bdamomma]

10. or try being on the outside looking in, as an ex pat.

the country is in the dumps unless the American people rise up. Sorry I just had to say it.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Some folks won't listen

I know that there are preachers out there who are telling their flocks that Obama is a Muslim. I know my boss has bought into the lies hook, line, and sinker. When I told him facts, he refused to listen. Now he won't talk politics in front of me, but I hear him talking to people who drop by--he takes them out of the office.

Next time you see those girls, tell them McCain wants to stay in Iraq 100 years. Since the one said she was sick of war, it might dissuade her from voting for him. Find out about and talk up the third party candidates to these two. They might not vote Dem, but if they vote third party it will help us.

[bdamomma]

11. or they find themselves fighting in one of McCain's many illegal

wars.

[rosesaylavee]

7. Sometimes with people at that age, lecturing does nothing

but make them dig their heels in more. You did the right thing. But continue to go back and if you can, engage them in conversation. I was 'off track' at that age and it took a few disconnects with people out in the world before I started questioning what I had been told.

And, as liberal and smart as I think I am now, I am STILL uncovering the disconnects and rethinking things I had been told by my loving parents at a very early age. Take my sig line for instance. Here I am approaching the half century mark and just recently realized by watching American Masters that Pete Seeger wasn't the boogey man I had been told he was when quite young.

So. Don't give up. Truth will out and if you are willing to be just a part of re-educating those kids, they will do just fine if they are listening on any level. It may take them another 10 or 20 years to hear what you are saying but they will hear it. You never know. They may be future peace activists that need to hear what you have to say today. :)

[Maggie_May]

8. If you want more of the same vote for McCain

Thats the T-shirt you need to wear next time you are in the store.

[bdamomma]

9. ignorance will be mankinds downfall.

:shrug: