tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post6303667139845508149..comments2023-10-05T12:07:47.544-04:00Comments on A blog by a politically left leaning mom of 2 boys: Seeing Red: A Tale of HostilityIlinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517198461895887916noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-84153881741130834192008-10-10T02:01:00.000-04:002008-10-10T02:01:00.000-04:00I live in a liberal oasis. My town is often called...I live in a liberal oasis. My town is often called "The people's republic of..." but in a funny way it makes me acutely aware of what it might be like to be a conservative here. So I don't flaunt my liberal leanings too broadly.<BR/><BR/>Although I will say - though I've been a democrat my entire adult lie, for the first time in my entire life I actually have a political bumper sticker on my car. That's how positive I am about Obama.Glennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03681336164718681936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-20648669168576455902008-10-08T20:20:00.000-04:002008-10-08T20:20:00.000-04:00Ack! That's horrible. What an ass. I have my mo...Ack! That's horrible. What an ass. I have my moments of accidental rudeness, but I go out of my way to be polite and friendly while wearing my buttons and driving my car with my Obama magnets. Like you, I think of myself as a representative of the campaign and the Democratic party. It's too bad not everyone treats others with the same respect.Lawyer Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06819273107327846943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-87703456781424728322008-10-06T10:35:00.000-04:002008-10-06T10:35:00.000-04:00When ignorance is bliss, hatred reigns supremeWhen ignorance is bliss, hatred reigns supremeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-72732182112661021682008-10-06T10:23:00.000-04:002008-10-06T10:23:00.000-04:00When ignorance is bliss, hatred reigns supremeWhen ignorance is bliss, hatred reigns supremeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-31276361490573275352008-10-05T15:19:00.000-04:002008-10-05T15:19:00.000-04:00OMG I think I talked to that guy on the phone. Bei...OMG I think I talked to that guy on the phone. Being we are calling for Obama we also do not get hot-headed or start back at people, but when the guy finally said to me "You don't have a clue about the issues at all." Well let me tell you that did it, but I was real nice, I said "I beg your pardon sir but I am a Republican and I know my issues that is why I am volunteering for the Obama campaign." He shut up and I hung up :~)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-50310214521337017982008-10-03T14:00:00.000-04:002008-10-03T14:00:00.000-04:00Unspeakable but hardly unheard of. The book "True...Unspeakable but hardly unheard of. The book "True Enough" gives a small explanation of why the right seems somewhat more subject to this fiercely rigid world view. I disagree with the poster who said that Newt Gingrich started this, though. I certainly think he made things much worse, but to me it looks like something that goes back at least as far as Nixon.<BR/><BR/>I think Nixon supporters, so frustrated by the universal disgust heaped on their champion, were thrilled by the emergence of Reagan -- moreover, they were right when they perceived only scorn from the left towards Reagan. We on the left treated Reagan like a retarded child, and from my perspective, it was during the Reagan years that politics shifted so far towards "you lose!" as well as "I win." Certainly the Clintonites sneered when we finally had a chance in 1992, and that probably helped crush any chance at bipartisan health care reform and helped launch the Gingrich movement in 1994.<BR/><BR/>So everybody's plenty mean because everybody feels like they've been abused for the last 30 years. That's one of the things I like so much about Obama and Biden: they don't just talk about decency, they live it. It was one of the things I liked about the whole campaign until Palin entered: there was so little of this business of looking down on those who disagree. Palin, regrettably, appears as smug and certain as Bush does, and if there were ever a country that needed less certainty it's ours right now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-66624306982233680202008-10-02T22:36:00.000-04:002008-10-02T22:36:00.000-04:00Holy sh*t girlfriend! That sadly only adds fuel to...Holy sh*t girlfriend! That sadly only adds fuel to the fires of my republican / conservative christian stereotypes. Ayiyi.<BR/><BR/>KateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-67062438022764183232008-10-02T21:01:00.000-04:002008-10-02T21:01:00.000-04:00I think I've lost some friends over the candidates...I think I've lost some friends over the candidates and who I an supporting. It disturbs me that people are willing to give up friendships because of all of it! I mean sure we don't agree 100% of the time, but who wants to be around people who they agree with 100% of the time! Hence my search for liberal military wives, and I have found a few so I'm happy. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-65754194221830489632008-10-02T16:43:00.000-04:002008-10-02T16:43:00.000-04:00Wow. Someone came into my office today and asked m...Wow. Someone came into my office today and asked me why I thought McCain refused to look Obama in the eye in the last debate. My take is that he is deeply ashamed of his campaign. He should also be ashamed of some of the people voting for him, but that's the kind of campaign he's run. It's come from the TOP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-32224287552643606952008-10-02T16:13:00.000-04:002008-10-02T16:13:00.000-04:00Reminds me of a story which I found rather humorou...Reminds me of a story which I found rather humorous that happened to me awhile back.<BR/><BR/>One day I was driving behind a car proudly displaying the bumper sticker, "Honk if you love Jesus!!"<BR/><BR/>When the single lane road opened to a double lane, I whipped around to pass the vehicle, and being in a somewhat playful mood I honked twice and waved while passing. <BR/><BR/>The gentleman behind the wheel turned my way and promptly flipped me off..*L* <BR/><BR/>I must have caught him on a bad day.Bubbahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02570399897826950453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-36827446480138947222008-10-02T16:10:00.000-04:002008-10-02T16:10:00.000-04:00Like everyone else, we find this reprehensible and...Like everyone else, we find this reprehensible and abhorrent behavior. Clearly the man is not well. We generally think behavior like this is founded in fear, not making it any more excusable as nothing would excuse. Nothing.<BR/><BR/>We haven't made up our minds yet, but are really just aghast at the irrationality of it all. <BR/>tpWhat Kate Worehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10261712731770567440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-54521101619255833172008-10-02T15:54:00.000-04:002008-10-02T15:54:00.000-04:00Wow! I'm totally amazed and dismayed at the behavi...Wow! I'm totally amazed and dismayed at the behavior of some people. No matter who you are voting for, behaving like that in any context is NOT OK. <BR/><BR/>Sounds to me like you handled the nasty situation as best you could! Sheesh! <BR/><BR/>(I'm new to your blog - via twitter - and enjoying your writing!)Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06191587599115454722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-47964394367503240112008-10-02T15:33:00.000-04:002008-10-02T15:33:00.000-04:00It is peeps like that that make me shed a tear for...It is peeps like that that make me shed a tear for my beloved state. It also makes me want even more to come home and do some good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-73115897534075360152008-10-02T14:52:00.000-04:002008-10-02T14:52:00.000-04:00That kind of anger is scary. I'm glad you are sti...That kind of anger is scary. I'm glad you are still able to laugh about it. My father is a conservative Christian Republican. He kept sending my teenager the most hateful, racist and sexist candidate jokes and photo-shopped pictures. I asked him to stop. He proceeded to tell me why Obama is a Muslim and not an American citizen. I listened to him and then I started to tell him why I like Obama. He immediately cut me off and said I was blind to the truth. Then, he told my Mother that he isn't speaking to me any more. Ever. My mother called me and told me to stop upsetting my father and vote McCain for my father. Umm, no. I'm over 40, not 12.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-10091413228467298402008-10-02T14:51:00.000-04:002008-10-02T14:51:00.000-04:00I'm not surprised by this guy. He is sadly an exam...I'm not surprised by this guy. He is sadly an example of the many Ignorant-Americans who have been blindly electing Republicans for years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-11625730756959543702008-10-02T09:53:00.000-04:002008-10-02T09:53:00.000-04:00Isn't it truly amazing that the people who profess...Isn't it truly amazing that the people who profess their faith are the rudest individuals. <BR/><BR/>It is always the contractor with the fish on his card or truck who we have issues with. <BR/><BR/>Sorry he is part of the Rebuplican party. <BR/><BR/>On a funny note I woke up to a Obama sign in my front yard, and glad to see that my neighbors still want to have fun with the election. He will be receiving a Women and families for McCain yard sign later tonight. <BR/><BR/>What a fun time!Scothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07915288837651115580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-12215169835360878962008-10-02T08:24:00.000-04:002008-10-02T08:24:00.000-04:00Thanks to all of you who have left messages. I tru...Thanks to all of you who have left messages. I trust that Mr. Right does not represent his brethren. It is a shame we cannot just exist in peace with mutual respect. Like I said, I'm betting McCain would abhor this man's behavior. <BR/><BR/>I have not heard any stories of an Obama supporter behaving like this to someone who supports McCain. How about you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-31816142790614499862008-10-01T22:44:00.000-04:002008-10-01T22:44:00.000-04:00You forgot to mention "scared" when describing him...You forgot to mention "scared" when describing him. I'm admittedly not the best judge of character (you've seen who I've dated) but in my experience the angry bully's who lash out at people are quivering little kids inside. Oh, and they also have small pee-pees.<BR/><BR/>Sorry about your car AND your day. Keep being open-minded, but I'll bet a quick scan of driveways with PRAYNOW parked in it could yield a fun night planting Obama posters all over his lawn...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-83027241244369453332008-10-01T22:42:00.000-04:002008-10-01T22:42:00.000-04:00I work at an office where most people are pretty c...I work at an office where most people are pretty conservative. Enough so that they call me a hippie, even though I'm far from it. My boss and I joke about our political differences, but I've refrained from putting an Obama sticker on my car because I'm afraid there would be some sort of backlash. <BR/><BR/>You definitely handled the situation perfectly.The Tutugirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13415256236507647235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-83534768818440872752008-10-01T21:31:00.000-04:002008-10-01T21:31:00.000-04:00Speaking as someone who is voting for McCain, I PR...Speaking as someone who is voting for McCain, I PROFUSELY apologize for this mans behavior. I would never treat someone that way, either... I stay out of politics (especially with people I don't know) and other than all-in-good-fun teasing with my democrat friends (which they can give just as good as they get!), I keep my mouth shut. <BR/>It was not only rude what happened to you, it was totally uncalled for. And what someone did to you while you were driving in your car WITH YOUR KIDS was dangerous and they could have killed someone. <BR/>I don't have anything against Obama, and not all of us Republicans are like that... really.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-1766003618600243842008-10-01T21:24:00.000-04:002008-10-01T21:24:00.000-04:00My god, such vitriol (I mean Mr. PRAYNOW, of cours...My god, such vitriol (I mean Mr. PRAYNOW, of course). It's so unnecessary and counterproductive.<BR/><BR/>I haven't experienced this but I confess--I am nervous about putting up an Obama yard sign, and when I blogged about it several commenters said they felt the same way.Mayberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14342826784650208124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-25205655414546256612008-10-01T21:14:00.000-04:002008-10-01T21:14:00.000-04:00Wow. I'm stunned, but I have definitely heard of ...Wow. I'm stunned, but I have definitely heard of this happening before. I haven't encountered anything like that here in Canada, and I live in Ottawa which is the capital, so I'm in the middle of a lot of politics. But then again, sadly there isn't a lot of passion in our politics, even though we're having an election at the same time as you. (And I watch more American coverage, too, b/c it's just more interesting.)<BR/><BR/>That's just brutal, ignorant behaviour. I'm impressed you didn't drive him off the road or follow him and slash his tires :-)A Crafty Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08530128828277207683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-9518503702050716812008-10-01T21:11:00.000-04:002008-10-01T21:11:00.000-04:00Wow, thats pretty spectacularly horrible. I am rea...Wow, thats pretty spectacularly horrible. I am really shocked, I can't believe its getting to this point. What happens after the election, you know?Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06066995811409390360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-63425010238351951912008-10-01T21:08:00.000-04:002008-10-01T21:08:00.000-04:00thanks for pointing me here. (Well, sort of. I'm k...thanks for pointing me here. (Well, sort of. I'm kind of steamed now.)<BR/><BR/>I will say and yeah, it's partisan, that Newt Gingrich created this heinous divisive culture in this country. Congressmen on opposite sides of the aisle used to hash it out at work then go out for drinks together. No more. It's a huge destructive force in our country and I really do think that Obama's the guy to change it.<BR/><BR/>Your observation that we have a responsibility to the brand that we represent when we wear a button is utterly brilliant. I never thought about it that way.<BR/><BR/>I had a healthy(ish) debate today with an old friend who turns out to be a rabid, left-hating republican. We parted still friends. He may think a little less of me and I of him in some ways, but I need to get past it.<BR/><BR/>But any guy who thinks it's okay to flip off a woman, let alone run her off the road...that's more than politics. That's someone who needs to be bitchslapped by his own mama for growing up to be an utter and complete asshat.<BR/><BR/>I'm truly sorry you've experienced these things. Come to NYC! We love Obama buttons here!Mom101https://www.blogger.com/profile/15468524489744839899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091965591527056142.post-52585694728504644372008-10-01T21:05:00.000-04:002008-10-01T21:05:00.000-04:00You handeled the whole situation like a perfect la...You handeled the whole situation like a perfect lady! Good for you. I'm not sure I would have done the same thing. Politcally, I don't know who I like; thankfully, I'm not voting this year (1 more year!). The whole partisan politics thing is awful though. People and candidates need to work together as a country in order to solve the nations problems. I'm not sure I believe in the "all for all" message Obama is sending (he is sending this hint to me @least) and the whole "Robin Hood" philosophy; hard-work will get you what you want, yet that's how I've been raised. Be philanthropic if you can, but don't be foreced to take out your wealth if you don't want to. <BR/><BR/>You are an incredibly courageous woman. Keep up the good work. <BR/>-Kelly (or Kelleexo on twitter)Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04895655847315326391noreply@blogger.com