Okay I finally had the courage to stand up at least through e-mail

[Liberalynn]

to my right wing cousin. My father always said never discuss politics or religon with friends and family because it may end up costing you some of both.

Its been hard over the years given my strong convictions but for the sake of family unity, I have bit my tounge an awful lot and had my BP shoot into the stratosphere, while keeping my thoughts and emotions stuffed deeply inside, at remarks others have made.

Well both my parents are gone now, God rest their souls and I finally had enough of being silent.
My cousin kept sending me these forwarded e-mails about "welfare dogs, i.e. blantantly racist" and "all the dipsticks" in Washington D.C. who didn't want to drill for oil offshore, etc, etc. It was all basically moronic RW tea partier, brain dead crap," disguised as dog photos, Garfield cartoons, and Maxine cartoons and I finally had enough. My sister said just delete them as she does, but that felt like the cowards way out, and I don't want that trash to keep coming.

So, I sent her a reply with link to the Garth Brooks "We Shall Be Free," video on Google videos, and said look it here is what I believe in a nutshell. Its not just a political viewpoint for me, it is what I beleive in my heart and soul. Then I concluded with that while I respected her right to her point of view, I simply asked the same in return, and that she no longer forward any e-mail of a non personal nature to me, because I did not find those type of jokes to be humorous but highly offensive.

Hey she even sent a racist Italian joke and our own grandparents were Italian. What a redneck she is. :grr: If she gets pissed at me screw her, because I am pissed at her.

Sorry to my late parents but I am sick of the respect being a one way street.

[Kerrytravelers]

1. We've been there with my in-laws.

It wasn't pleasant, but after sending us hate mail for voting for Kerry, they finally discovered that if they want to see their son, they had better watch their step.

Sometimes, you just can't stay silent.

[Liberalynn]

4. That had to be hard on your husband and you!

:hug:

Its good they finally got the message. I hope my cousin will get mine too.

Our Moms were very close so it was hard to say something, but in my heart I know I did the right thing. I just told myself there is no use saying I have principles unless I stand up for them.

[Kerrytravelers]

11. It wasn't pleasant, but it had to be done.

In the end, it was worth it.

[The Wielding Truth]

2. An ethnic joke is hurtful and racism is ignorant cruelty. I appreciate the Garth song.

Thanks for posting. I listened to it, and I love the sentiment. I join you in believing in my heart and soul that we have the power,and duty to share this world in a kind and loving way.

Garth-Brooks/We-Shall-Be-Free/ Lyrics:

This ain't comin' From no prophet
Just an ordinary man
When I close my eyes I see the way
This world shall be When we all walk Hand in hand

When the last child
Cries for a crust of bread
When the last man dies
For just words that he said
When there's shelter
Over the poorest head
We shall be free

When the last thing
We notice is The colour of skin
And the first thing We look for is The beauty within
When the skies and The oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free

We shall be free We shall be free
Stand straight, Walk proud 'Cause we shall be free
When we're free to Love anyone we choose
When this world's big enough
For all different views When we all can worship
From our own kind of pew
Then we shall be free

We shall be free We shall be free
Have a little faith
Hold out 'Cause we shall be free
And when money talks For the very last time
And nobody walks A step behind
When there's only one race
And that's mankind Then we shall be free

We shall be free We shall be free
Stand straight, Walk proud,
Have a little faith,Hold out
We shall be free

We shall be free We shall be free
Stand straight, Have a little faith We shall be free «

[Liberalynn]

5. Thank you for posting the lyrics here.

:hug:

It helps me to keep the "faith" too~

[calimary]

6. Don't know the song, but the words read like sheer poetry.

Pretty much sums up how I feel about things too.

Garth does good.

[jillan]

3. I love that Garth Brooks song! That's great you stood up to your cousin.

I think most of us have a relative or two that makes us want to scream. It's frustrating.

[Liberalynn]

9. The song says it all really

so very eloquently. I also admire the "Change" song Brooks wrote after the Oklahoma City bombing too. I loved the chourus: " They keep on saying you'll never change things, and no matter what you do its still the same thing, but its not the world that I am changing, I do this so, this world we know never changes me!"

Thats why I had to stand up to my cousin today. I probably am not going to change her, but I am just letting her know she isn't going to change me.

Thank you for the support! :hug:

[jillan]

13. That video brings tears to my eyes, as does The River.

I'm such a sap :)

[safeinOhio]

7. I always hit reply all

and make sure everyone on their mail list see what their friend thinks.

[Liberalynn]

10. LOL

I like that! :rofl:

[Iggo]

8. That's one of the reasons I'm never getting on FaceBook.

They'll find me. I don't want them to.

[Liberalynn]

12. I am sorry I did join Facebook!

I see one of my best friends from my highschool days lists herself as a fan of Glen Beck! And now she is asking me to come to the Highschool reunion. I don't want to go. I want to :hide: I haven't answered.

She can just think I am rude. :rofl:

[lunasun]

14. no need to be sorry

Your right wing cousin did what your father always said never to do - discuss politics or religion with family. Your parents already told you they think her behavior is not correct. Give it to her sister!

[Liberalynn]

16. Thank you!

:hug: Your right my cousin is the one who violated the rules not me. She didn't respond back to my reply, but at least I haven't gotten any more forwarded e-mail from her, so it seems as if she got my message. So that's a good thing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. I am proud to send you to the Greatest Page!

:yourock:

[Liberalynn]

17. Thank you for your vote!

:hug: