I'm stunned, stunned, I tell you!

[CrispyQ]

My mother voted for Bush -- two times. Last summer we could not even discuss politics. Well, now, thanks to the Terry Shiavo brouhaha she is starting to turn. She is very PO'd that the zealots are pushing their religion on everyone else. She also commented that I-25 is "awful -- just awful! And it's an interstate highway!" I pointed out that we are spending 5 billion a month in Iraq & that that money would go a long way to rebuilding our infrastructure -- roads, schools, bridges, better protection of our water & power plants. She agreed.

So we have finally begun to cautiously discuss politics. She really wants me to read a Bill O'Reilly book, but I cannot bring myself to even pick it up off the library shelf, much less check it out. (I wouldn't want homeland security to think I read that trash!) I told her that one our best progressive voices was Thom Hartmann & asked her to check him out.

Well, wonder of wonders, today she wrote & said that she listened to Thom's show twice this week & agrees with much of what he says & also that he is very reasonable.

I am shocked & thrilled. :bounce:



BTW, does this mean I have to read O'Reilly's drivel? Cuz I'm not gonna!

[knowbody0]

1. baby steps

careful, enlightenment could turn her into an anarchist!

[ComerPerro]

2. I'd reccomend reading it, for several reasons

One, it would show a gesture of good faith. Otherwise, you are just giving her stuff to read but aren't felixible on your end.

Two, if you notice bullshit in OReallys book (odds are good that you will) then you can point it out and discuss your thoughts on it with your mother. It might help her realize all the crap that the right spews, and she may have a new appreciation for your opinions if she is already starting to turn.

[JuniperLea]

7. bravo!

great advice!

when you start picking o'lielly apart, piece by piece, little lights should start going off all over momma's head;)

and you should report back on it so we can all bask in the glory of light being seen... and hopefully some enlightenment of our own on just how * & crew get all those people to drink the tainted kool aid in the first place!

[drm604]

3. Yep, that's what it means!

And you gotta say that you "agree with much of what he says & also that he is very reasonable" because fair is fair after all. :evilgrin:

[calimary]

4. Tell her you'll read that one if she'll read Al Franken's "Lies and the

Lying Liars Who Tell Them." And either keep your fingers crossed behind your back when you say that, or thumb through o'reilly's book for a few moments. Like maybe you can speed read or some such thing. You already know what he has to say. She is only beginning to get the barest hints of what someone like Franken offers.

[cynatnite]

11. Franken's book is really good

There is a lot of humor and facts to go along with it. I think she'd enjoy it.

I would read an O'Lielly book if it meant my rw mom would read Franken's.

[annabanana]

5. that's wonderful...

What a relief to get your family back after that kind of a rift...

[ThomWV]

6. I'm Hoping My StepFather Sees The Light Before He Dies

I would very much like the chance to speak to him again before he dies (cancer) but it won't happen unless he renounces Bush.

[catnhatnh]

15. Jesus....take a chill pill....

...read your post,it SOUNDS horrible...

[Independent_Liberal]

8. Amazing, isn't it?

Like I said earlier, we are making a difference. One step at a time.

[Sydnie]

9. Tell her someone spoiled the ending for you

That you know it ends with a white man, an intern and a loofah in the shower. Once you know the ending, it just doesn't make sense to read the whole book. :rofl:

Seriously, find a way to explain, with examples, how much the man lies. If she begins to see through the man, perhaps she will see through the propganda that he publishes too.

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. With all due respect for your Mom, that is what finally got the two of you

discussing politics peacefully? I hate that the religious nut jobs are pushing their crap views down our throats as well, however, there was so many other reason NOT to vote for bu$h**. I wouldn't read or listen to anything that sleaze ball Oliely has to say. Not in a million years!

[eleny]

12. Thom was a great choice

I like the strident voices on the left. But Thom is never threatening and always sounds sensible - even when I don't agree with him myself.

Nice that you and mom can now discuss politics. And btw, I agree with her about I-25. I avoid it like the plague.

[MrScorpio]

13. I'd take that challenge

Take that book and slice it up like a Christmas ham.

Shoe Mom, point-by-point, why O'Lielly is so full of shit.

[donco6]

14. At least she didn't recommend Ann the Man Coulter

O'Reilly I can get through; Ann - no frickin' way.

[seabeyond]

16. you really have to read it. adn mark it

and then sit with your mother and show her how he only gives part of the truth. that he may sound reasonable, but if you know the whole story, he merely sounds like a liar

my father said to me one evening. are you telling me the news i am reading is wrong. yes i told him oh so gently. but i see how the media gives only partial, or they spin it. how can he know they are lying unless he backs away from the story and sees the rest of the worlds perspective. he is thinking he is dutifully being informed. he just doesnt realize how bad news has become

[cornermouse]

17. Yes.

If she will listen to Thom Hartman, its only right that you read O'Reilly. Take a big deep breath and get a pillow to punch while you're reading O'Reilly's drivel...or maybe a poster of O'Reilly to put on a dart board.

[WillyT]

18. You Can Tell Her You Read O'Reilly...

John Boyle O'Reilly!!!

"Too late we learn, a man must hold his friend, Unjudged, accepted, trusted to the end."

Link: http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/john_boyle_o'reilly/

See... ya just did!

:shrug:

[Gold Metal Flake]

19. Suggest she read Hartmann's What Would Jefferson Do.

Al's book would also be good. Mr. Scorpio's suggestion is also good. Read and rebut the O'Lielly book (like you have the spare time :-) ).