I haven't met anyone willing to call me unAmerican in person until now.

[More Than A Feeling]

I told this guy that things in Iraq are worse now than they were under Saddam, and he thought I was saying that the troops were worse than Saddam. He also said, with a straight face, that I hate America, and that I am one level below the terrorists. I have never met anyone so completely drunk on the kool-aid, and I told him that.
It was so frustrating, and it went on for a half hour. Then I was telling the story to my friend at dinner, and this other numbnuts has to chime in, so I ended up shouting at him.

I have much empathy for those of you who face these unhinged people every day.

[castiron]

1. Unfortunately, your story doesn't surprise me at all.

Fox and Rush have been teaching these people this language for 20 years and it just pops out of them now, befitting their reactionary politics.

[More Than A Feeling]

2. I am not hardened to it yet though

I read about people who run into these guys all the time here, but it was so surprising to run into a person like this now, with all the crap Bush is drowning in.

Oh well, now I know what its like. I wasn't expecting that kind of rhetoric this time, but I will in the future, and I will be ready.

[Jacobin]

3. Some said the same kinds of things during VietNam

And some are still saying it....that 'we should have stayed, blah blah blah.

They are just in denial

[More Than A Feeling]

5. Well, it'll be interesting when I give my withdraw now speech

That's how this came up, I was talking about how I planned to give a pro-withdraw now speech to my communications class for an assignment. It's going to start with pictures of the phosphorus-burned Iraqis.

[Cleita]

4. So many people are in denial right now, especially the

war hawks who bought the propaganda that Saddam was responsible for 911 hook, line and sinker. Admitting they were duped is going to be hard for them. Also, many ex-military can't believe this military is different from the one they served in.

I don't think you should let them call you unAmerican though. Those are libelous accusations in my mind.

[Aimah]

6. Have you notice that they only spit out talking points..

They can never debate with any hard facts that the war in Iraq was justified.

[Demaholic]

7. quite the contrary...

...I believe anyone who doesn't stand up for truth in America is un-American...

Keep shouting, it seems we're going to have to move mountains for them to see the error in their ways, but it WILL happen.

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Remember what Teddy Roosevelt said

He basically said it's like treason if you don't critize the president when it's needed.

[FreedomAngel82]

8. People like that are crazy

Truly. :eyes:

Remember these quotes next time you run into them about when Clinton went into Kosovo:

"You can support the troops but not the president."
---Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)
If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy."
---Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of George W Bush

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
-Governor George W Bush (R-TX)

[B Calm]

10. I remind them that this country was founded on dissent and they

are the ones who are being unAmerican!

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. I have, hell I met the thought police the other day at Campus

these days I smile and offer to take them to the recruiter, usually they run for the hills... also they never expect to be actually confronted and for you to open up with borh barrels...

[misternormal]

12. What the neo-cons can't stand is...

...that most liberals believe in the premise that it is our sworn duty as american citizens and taxpayers, to keep at least one eye on those that use our hard earned tax money to "run" this country. To NOT scrutinize, point out and report inconsistencies and down right mis-handling of money and power IS un-american, in my view.

I for one keep an eye on both sides, as we all know there are those on all sides that will try and screw the taxpayers and citizens whenever they get the chance.

[Bouncy Ball]

13. I don't.

I studiously avoid politics with anyone for whom I don't know their leanings.

If I know they are bushites, I studiously avoid THEM.

[More Than A Feeling]

14. I enjoy arguments with people who are nice and respectful

I don't enjoy arguments with people who think I'm a traitor.

[Ravenseye]

15. Just remember you are right

My grandmother lives in Baghdad. She lived through the Iran/Iraq War, Saddam, both Gulf Wars, the Sanctions...she never wanted out till now.

[LisaLynne]

16. Ugh. I'm sorry you had to meet one of these people face to face.

I really hate nonsensical confrontations, which is about all you can get with Bushies these days. For what it's worth (and I know you already know this), it's this guy's problem. He's probably having a really hard time keeping all the truth out of his brain and that tends to make people grumpy. :)

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[StellaBlue]

18. Welcome to my life in East Texas

:(

[The River]

19. Try a Little Empathy

They know the shite has hit the fan and are very
reluctant to admit it. Tell them you understand how
they feel about the war and *re-frame* it in terms
that tell them they are not alone. No one wants to admit they are
the only fool in the room. Remind them how the *bush bunch fooled
most members of Congress. Governors, editors, clergy, etc.
Don't tell them how YOU feel, tell them how other "real"
Republicans are finally seeing the truth. Have some quotes handy.
Quote the last great Republican Prez; (I Like Ike) on the danger
of the military-industrial (media) complex and how *bush IS what Ike warned us about.
I think of it as sort of "empathetic Judo" that uses the force of their anger against them. A mental hip toss and they see who the real enemys of Democracy are. It works better for me than telling-yelling. Being a big mean looking, much decorated vet helps ;-)

[mmonk]

20. They are the ones that are unAmerican

and its damn time we told them instead of hearing it from them. They are nothing more these days than "good Germans" (in reference to people in Germany in the 30's through WWII). There isn't much "American" with this administration or the neocons.

[newspeak]

21. what?

you mean you're not a good "German"? Not lockstepping to our glorious leader? Perish the thought.

[lies and propaganda]

22. YOU are a level below killers?

Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

[PDJane]

23. Hey, at least

You weren't called a communist.......that's what I got the last time I told a Texan that I was a Canadian........