I am soooo Depressed. I have a whole RW family piling on me now

[leftchick]

This sucks! I am at my parent's home out of state helping them out in their twilight years. I have been subjected to faux news 24/7 and the worst is O'Lielly, on right now!

My nephew, sister mother and father all just piled on me about how "bush was right on target with Katrina, it was the Governor's fault for not letting the NG in and those buses sat there and that was the mayor's fault"! My mother also said how much bush is the only president with the guts to be front line in an emergency! :wow:

I did get in "Yeah like when he went to Vietnam, right Mom?"

My nephew also went on and ON about what is happening in Iraq is a success and the right thing for the country. He would go and send his son if asked as well. He also said On to Syria and Iran and where ever else the terrorists are!!

And my Mother agreed!!!

OMG I want to crawl under a rock and cry myself to sleep... :cry:

[Roland99]

1. Drive your nephew over to the recruiting office tomorrow. The Army missed

its recruiting goal by quite a bit.

[deadparrot]

2. Print out some enlistment papers,

and bring them to your next family gathering.

Those soldiers going to Syria and Iran don't just spring from the ground.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. *hugs* Hey, maybe those indictments are coming tomorrow. You can have

fun rubbing that in. Also, stream the Daily show on the computer REALLY LOUDLY!!!!! *g*

:hug:

[Tennessee Gal]

4. They are sadly misinformed.

How long do you have to stay?

[leftchick]

14. I leave Thursday AM

sadly my Dad is the only one making a little sense and he is the very sick one who I am here to see.

:(

[FreedomAngel82]

20. I'm sorry your dad is sick

Just try to spend as much time with him as you can since he's sick. :hug: Don't worry about them.

[leftchick]

28. We take two walks every day

This morning we were talking about how they only ones making out in wars are the bankers and defense contractors. He preached that stuff to me thirty years ago. I have no idea what happened to my family except for faux and rush piping in 24/7 to them.

:(

[faithnotgreed]

64. as im sure you are

hold on to those times and those talks

as others have said this is the important stuff and the rest is loud background noise
im glad you have this time together and certainly he is too

all our best leftchick
this cannot be easy but you are most certainly doing the beautiful thing spending time with him

and venting here is important too
glad youre here

[stevedeshazer]

5. Laugh. Laugh OUT LOUD.

Because a year from now...

Oh, nevermind. :)

[Bernardo de La Paz]

48. Yes. But also point out the lack of logic. Make few points, but good ones.

And remember, you have friends here.

[leftchick]

60. Thank God For DU

or I would be a mess right now.

I could not make a point. I had three people doing their best Hannity imitations on me.

:(

[mzteris]

6. bide your time

indictments are coming.

You don't even have to say anything. Just SMILE.

:)

[leftchick]

38. that is my hope

they never mention a thing when the CIA Leak pops up on TV. Not a thing.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

53. I suspect they dont' talk when DeLay or Abramoff scamp popup on TV too.

[leftchick]

65. I have been subjected to faux all day

and not a PEEP about those two! I am sure my folks have no idea what is going on with them.

[mmonk]

7. Just tell them to wait for the final act

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Find someway to get the truth to them

Maybe get them to listen to some radio stations that you like to hear while you're there. Two weekends ago I was visiting my dad's side of the family for my grandma's birthday and a few people were Bush apologist's, but I got in a few points and stuff. :) I was proud of myself. :)

[msongs]

9. maybe they dont really need your help? they can get help from

bushco.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Ladyhawk]

10. O'Lielly was on a physical therapy. Faux is ALWAYS on there.

California Peggy had a great idea. I listened to my own music the whole time I was there. Maybe you need to develop an obsession with music?

I can commiserate about family. My whole family are RW. I just avoid them as much as possible. :(

LH

[LeftyMom]

11. SO ask your nephew to go

Show him the recruiting numbers and ask when it would be most convenient for you to drive him to the recruiters office.

:evilgrin:

No really, that sucks and I'm sorry you're dealing with it. I have enough fun with one right wing relative, I can't imagine having a whole family full.

[leftchick]

22. The sad one is my sister

she is the one I was the closest with and we never talked politics before because I did not want to know if she was a winger. She is!

:cry:

[Laelth]

57. How old is she?

These things can change.

Kennedy just barely won the election of 1960. Many said he had to cheat to win it (though this theory has been debunked). After Kennedy was assassinated, some 80% of Americans said they voted for him.

Public opinion is fickle, and people do "grow up" sometimes.

-Laelth

[leftchick]

63. 44 yrs old

These are small town folks who think fox is the ONLY news channel. I believe it is hopeless.

[leftchick]

71. omg and she said she can not wait for R v W to be

overturned! :scared:

[Laelth]

78. You may be right.

Personalities are pretty-well formed by the time one reaches 44.

And as for Roe v. Wade, it makes me ill to hear Repukes cry out for protecting the unborn when they simultaneously endorse the slaughter of 100,000 people in Iraq.

Hypocrites! :puke:

-Laelth

[FreedomAngel82]

26. That would be a good idea

Than when he cowards out call him on it and find out why he doesn't want to go.

[achtung_circus]

12. Thank God

or chance or talent or whatever that you grew a heart and a brain and the will to use them.

[cwydro]

13. oh fuck

I feel for you. And I agree with the past two posts!! let 'em put their money where their mouth is...betcha they backtrack in a hurry!

[TheCowsCameHome]

15. You've got the satisfaction of knowing you're right. (That's something)

[libnnc]

16. it'll be okay...

This will be a very, very interesting week -- not even Faux Snooze can ignore the Fall of the "White" House of Usher.

Stay strong, Leftchick. Stay strong. :hi:

[leftchick]

42. Thank you lib!

I am trying!

:hi:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

17. Recommend lots of drugs...

For everyone involved.

Sounds like a day at my office (but without faux news)

Poor baby.

[leftchick]

47. I am having wine now

A LOT!

:toast:

and THANK HEAVEN for DU!!!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

50. I'll have a glass of Chiraz with you!

:toast:

[leftchick]

66. Pinot Grigio here

and not much left! <hick>

:)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

79. grzzshnx, gibble gibble boomtiggle...

:)

[HeeBGBz]

18. Be at peace

Your heart is in the right place.

[TrueAmerican]

19. What you should do is

bring a guest (from DU) and have someone to help you out with the facts. Change up the guest everyday. Don't bring everyone over at once as they will see through your tactic. Just tell them it's a friend you know from whatever.

[byronius]

21. Better to feel like you feel

than to feel like what they feel, inside. I'd rather be the one man that sees clearly than the thousand that are: Ignorant. Lied to. Fools. Know Nothings. Shortsighted. Immoral by Inaction. Anti-Jesus (adhering to the false prophets). Anti-Human. Carefully, Logically, Suicidal.

Feel Lucky.

[DancingBear]

23. Ask if a few of your friends can come over

Since we have no (relative) dog in the fight we can tell them they're all full of shit!

Then you, like Codpiece George, can stay "above the fray."

Will they feed us if we stay late?? :)

[Ksec]

24. Threaten them

Tell them that youll hurt them if they dont stop with the insanity.

[krkaufman]

25. Very sorry to hear of your situation. Here's a sound bite for them...

The only "front" Bush is getting anywhere near, is his front porch in Crawford.

He stayed on vacation 4 days into the Katrina crisis, and that was commendable compared to others in HIS adminstration.

[leftchick]

33. I said that

they are so very faux brainwashed they believe he called Blanco the Thursday before Katrina hit and said he would offer anything and she refused!!!

[krkaufman]

90. Wow. You know, you could probably raise some good $$$ for Katrina relief

... by offering paid tours of your relatives. Personally, I can't imagine how you're able to maintain.

Stay strong. And patient.

[RedEarth]

27. It sounds hopeless....

you might want to suggest watching the cartoon channel instead of fox....something just to get off the subject of politcs. My in-laws are the same as your parents, so to maintain some peace, we don't discuss politics.

[klebean]

29. same here, only I'm hundreds of miles from all my RW relatives

When I left my family's faith, it took decades for us to get over the rift.
I'm find our political differences are just as much, if not more heated.
sux.

[EST]

56. My father's dying words to me were about how he

forgave me for being such a dork and abandoning the faith as well as caring about people and smoking weed. I was forty six years old.

[ClassWarrior]

30. Do they live in Louisiana? If not, what do they care...

...about that's state's governor's response? It's Bush**'s response that they need to worry about. And if you'd like enlistment forms for your nephew, PM me. I have PDFs.

NGU.

[leftchick]

68. cool !

can you send then to my PM? I will mail them to him when I get home! :)

[cornermouse]

31. Tell you that you love them but you just can't stay.

Your sister is there to take care of your parents. Give your nephew an application for the military and say "Why wait to send your child when you can send yourself."

If they're making life so miserable that you're ready to cry its time to put some distance between them and you.

[fight4my3sons]

32. I had the same experience last week!!

I went out of state for a visit to my mom's house. She kept defending *. To make matters worse she is from Texas and goes on and on about him and what a wonderful family he comes from. We lived in Midland when I was younger. I keep telling her he was not born in Texas and they are not FROM Texas, but it is like talking to a wall. My visit with my father was just as bad. He sits in front of the television watching Faux news like it is the word of God. My only salvation was a visit with my aunt for a quick lunch!
I feel for you and know where you are at! Hang in there! I couldnt' have made it more than a week. At least I got an hour of Olberman in one night before they noticed what happened.

[leftchick]

72. your visit sounds very much like mine

I am glad more than a few folks here can relate and give comfort! We all need to stick together!

Peace and a warm welcome to DU fight4my3sons!

:toast:

[fight4my3sons]

85. Thanks for the welcome! n/t

[PassingFair]

101. Send or leave them a copy of Kitty Kelly's

book on the "Family". They will love the gossipy tone, and there's a LOT of dirt in there. The cannot resist!

[Berserker]

34. This is good

He would go and send his son if asked as well.
Why does he have to be asked?
If he believes that strongly in this administration why don't they go and sign up tomorrow. Tell them you don't see and anchor on their asses.

Print this for them http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/19_03/military_enlistment.pdf

[CHIMO]

35. A Secret

That I have in those situations is that "I Jump The Shark" or "Catapult The Propaganda".

It usually ends up with the righties saying something like "Oh come on now. Let's be reasonable."

Seems to work every time. They don't usually want to discuss those things with me, because it takes them to places that they haven't thought about. And I think that some of them think, that I really believe those things.

Try it. You might enjoy it. Especially if the only thing you get now is an ulcer.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

58. Example?

[leftchick]

70. yes indeed! we need a pertinent example here!

please?

[CHIMO]

82. Well

For instance. I have said why do I have to pay taxes for kids going to school when we know that there are jobs that don't require reading and writing. Usual response is, well of course everyone should know how to read and write. You are an idiot to have that kind of an idea.

One step beyond, which I have not done, is since abortion is murder, I think that anyone that spills a seed should be placed in the same area as it is a potential life. Therefore I think that some type of monitoring should be established, what with all these types of electronics, so that it can be detected when it happens and appropriate action may be taken.

Have to stop now. Don't want to get too far out.

[pschoeb]

83. I agree, I've used the "modest proposal" tactic before

It works great often, I usually start off with saying I have a modest proposal, but most don't even get the reference and so think I'm serious.

Mine for abortion issues, is that if we had mandatory vasectomies for men at birth (and rape charges for any man who doesn't comply and procreates without a doctor), there would be neither abortions or unwanted pregnancies, or overpopulation problems. Pregnancies could still be had by going to a Doctor and having the sperm extracted from the epididimus(sure maybe somewhat painfull, but giving birth ain't no picnic) when both parties agree on having a child. Usually everyone is pissed off about controlling a man's body that way, and then I say "oh, I thought we weren't concerned about controlling other people's bodies, sorry my error".

[stop the bleeding]

36. Really, march your nephew's ass down to the recruiting station

with your whole family and make him put his signature where his mouth is.

:banghead::grr:

[Postman]

37. Were they all wearing white gowns with pads on the walls and ceiling?

sounds like an insane asylum you went to..

[leftchick]

41. lol!

thanks I needed that. If only....

[hiley]

39. I am so sorry!

:hug:

[salinen]

40. We must be related

Not my entire family, but a huge chunk. Remember how you felt when Bill was being impeached for bjgate? Well that's how they will feel next week. Only worse because these crimes are real, anti-american crimes.

O'rielly, Limbaugh, and the Hannitys of the world created those people. Liquid hate flows through their veins.

On edit: Say to them "God I'm glad I don't back a prez with a below 40% approval rating"

[MrSlayer]

43. You really should just be laughing at them.

Screw running away and crying, just mock them. Laugh in the face of their idiocy. You can't do anything to help these people, they just do not want to know. You can at least let them entertain you.

[leftchick]

73. I did laugh at first

until it became not funny and ugly.

[MrSlayer]

80. Well that's sick and sad.

That family would become threatening or violent over a bunch of shit you really can't do much about anyway. It's amazing what RW hate radio and divisive personal politics have done in this country. Maybe you should just leave.

[Ksec]

44. The only way you win is to laugh

smile at them. They win when you get pissed.

Use humor. Keep them from getting the best of you by lightening up and not letting things you cannot change get the best of you.

So laugh it up. Seriously. My prior post was meant to do that for you

[H2O Man]

45. It has to be

a scarey time for people who believe in the Bush mythology. But they are your family, so perhaps it's best to accept them for who they are, with all their faults. You know the difference between the fake universe they inhabit -- indeed, your nephew must realize the president has asked for volunteers, though it's better he talks big but doesn't act on it -- and while you are not part of that, it's the only place you can visit them. They can't step into your world.

[leftchick]

55. Thank you H2O Man

Sadly this is my whole family. My father is the only one with a little grasp of what is really going on and he still loves O'Reilly! Go figure.

Once my folks are gone I can see I won't be associating with my siblings any longer. I can not see how as there is a wall there.

I appreciate your words of wisdom.

peace,
lc

[Ladyhawk]

92. It's my whole family, too, leftchick. :(

I'm the only one who changed and it isn't okay with them. Being the only is very lonely.

[leftchick]

105. very lonely Ladyhawk

:hug:

[Ladyhawk]

108. Yes, it does.

:hug: :pals: :hug:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

46. Yeah, I've got the same stuff with half of my family.

We've had it out more than once, and finally agreed to not talk politics out of love and respect for each other. You might want to ask them for this consideration, or let them know that if they don't stop making you uncomfortable, you may be less likely to return as often.

This is how far the "great uniter" has taken this country, including many families. Pitiful.

[Ksec]

52. I do too and I laugh at them

That REALLY pisses em off.

I mock them and make fun of them. I dont care. If they wanna be stupid, Ill make fun of them for it.

[madrchsod]

49. i will say a prayer tonight

that they will be delivered from evil...

[leftchick]

74. me too.

thanks :)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

51. I'm sorry you're having to go through that

I know how hard it can be to endure and not feel like you're going to lose your mind our die from a broken heart.

I took in several of in former in-laws when hurricane Rita hit Texas. I didn't even know some of them very well, that changed fast. They were vile bigots who were out to rip off the system (and anyone else they could) while they were crying foul on the victims of Katrina.

It was a very tense several days since I didn't spare them my feelings on what kind of people they were.

The point is, I lived to tell the tale and so shall you. I'm sorry that you have to go through this while your father is ill, though. This should be quality time between the two of you. Try and make the best of it and enjoy your dad.

:hug:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

54. I'm sorry your father is so ill.

Be the bigger person and shrug it off. You can't change their thinking any more than they can change yours. But you still love each other...right?

Just a little advice from someone who still cringes at the memories of giving short shrift to loved ones who are now long gone.

:hug:

[leftchick]

59. thank you

My Mother and Father are my priority. It was weird to have so many of my relatives come in at once and gang up on the non-resident pacifist. I was overwhelmed and saddened.

I will try and keep a close relationship with my folks as long as they are here.

[Big Kahuna]

61. Think positively.

Maybe they'll suddenly get raptured, and you'll have the whole place to yourself :)

[Mnemosyne]

62. Sorry leftchick!

:hug:

[laureloak]

67. Best response to a Republican rant.....

"I'll pray for you."

Or bring up Nixon. Funny thing, I've never met anyone who admitted voting for Nixon.

[tlsmith1963]

69. I'm the Only Democrat...

...in my family, so I know how you feel. Luckily, I no longer live with my Bush-fanatic sister, so it's not as bad as it was. My mother & stepfather are more moderate. They don't even watch FOX News.

Tammy

[dweller]

75. take a break, head outside

look up, see those stars? That's the universe you are fighting for.

Then, when you go back in and see the Fauxnews, remember that's the universe they revolve around.



you are on the correct path, if that is some consolation.
dp

[montana500]

76. tell them to turn that crap off while your there or you wont help anymore

tell them you dont want politics to get in the way of your relationship. Stick to non-political discussions.

[AlCzervik]

77. Honestly if i were you i'd always have on my ipod.

they won't change so it's not worth the battle, my BIL is like your family and i finally told him one day "Look we are going to have to agree to disagree and not discuss politics" Sometimes he still tries when he calls but i just tell him "Not interested, how how are the kids?"

[really annoyed]

81. Sounds like my mom!!

Bush is such a great hero to her, even though she "disagrees" with his plans in Iraq.

She has Fox News on ALL the time!

My dad thinks Iraq is just wonderful and Bush is so great too!

I know how you are feeling at the moment.

But it's so good of you to stick by your family. :)

[baron j]

84. Ask them what good Dumbya's admin has done these years,

if ever.

If they have done good works, wingnutters should be dancing in the streets every day. They can't blame the economy, the handling of Katrina, poverty, unemployment, outsourcing, the Iraq War, Cafta, Bankruptcy Bill, etc. on the Left. Especially since they control all the branches.

[shance]

86. That is not a fun place to be LC*** I understand.

Minority status in families is not alot of fun.

Im sorry they cannot confront honestly what is happening.

Sounds like they are too resistent to seeing how duped they are being. Their own denial and refusal to accept the truth will leave them vulnerable to this Administration and government as well, just like all of us. Yet they are too unwilling to look at any of the facts right now. Perhaps they will wake up at some point and see the truth is empowering to them and not nearly as frightening as not knowing what is going on.

I hope you have some friends and/or kindred spirits you can talk to, and you have a lot of sympathetic, understanding individuals here.

Take care of yourself.

[legin]

87. Perhaps William Shirer’s Berlin Diary might be worth a read

"Berlin, August 25, 1934—Tomorrow begins a new chapter for me...

So began William Shirer’s journal entry upon his arrival in the capital of Hitler’s Third Reich. Shirer had left a rather mediocre post with the New York Herald in Paris to become the Universal News Service’s Berlin correspondent. Returning to Berlin for the first time since its decadent Weimarer Republik days, he was struck by what seemed a complete transformation of the place. While he previously had sat up long nights with German friends in bars, cafes and their studios discussing politics, art and literature, sex, music, the meaning of existence and other provocative topics, he found many of the same people—most of whom had been liberals, artists, students, socialists or communists—now infected with Nazism.

Shirer’s former friends mostly praised the rebirth of the German Vaterland under National Socialism and the firm guidance of the Fuehrer. As good Germans they valued the return of respect for authority and the honoring of basic Teutonic traditions. Glad to see a recovery from the nation’s shameful humiliation at Versailles, they seemed for the most part to tolerate shortages of some consumer goods, censorship and the enforced lack of general freedom in exchange for a reinvigorated German spirit. Shirer found these people exceptionally depressing. Those who disapproved of the “New Germany,” however, distrustfully watched what they said out of fear of being silenced—like so many others already had been—and subsequently remained invisible."

a bit from :
http://www.traces.org/williamshirer.html

[Lindsay]

88. leftchick, how about I adopt you as a sister?

My family is all progressives except for one cousin that I rarely see. (And yes, I know how very lucky I am.)

[flygal]

89. Oh leftchick I hear ya!

Only with me it's my freeper in-laws and all their freeper friends telling racist jokes. My family is all super cool liberal. But, those two times a year I have to see my in-laws are HELL!!!

[Ferret Annica]

91. Sorry about your family

I am notorious for non-violent dissent surrounding forest defense and urban tree defense (locally). My Mother died two years ago and was cold to the end about the "black sheep liberal" in her family.

She was a life long conservative - and smoker - who died of cancer at age 67.

Needless to say, I had to be patient at her funeral with family members who wanted me to know what a "loser" my political efficacy made me.

Have strength, if others give blame out of their ignorance, look past it. It ain't worth losing sleep over, and what happened happened, and what will happen will happen.

Your political beliefs are important, if others use family crisis to try to rock them, tell them to budget their time better, and that now is not the time or place.

I survived my family's emotional sabotage and land mines, and yo can too. Good luck.

[G_j]

93. deepest sympathy

lets hope that in short time, the house of cards will fall.

[Jose Diablo]

94. Mercy killing, it's the only way.

Not really. But I know what you mean.

When my idiot sons come over, I foam at the mouth, my eyes bug out and I pace back and forth over these republicans. Then my sons patronize me. At least the granddaughters have a chance, they aren't corrupted yet. So there is hope.

[Arkana]

95. Ignore it.

Just ignore it. Don't bother with them. If they're that stupid and you must do something, present your nephew with enlistment forms.

[FVZA_Colonel]

96. " He would go and send his son if asked as well"

Seems to be a common belief among pro-war parents. I wonder if they've ever actually asked their sons their opinion on the matter.

[burythehatchet]

97. I never fly to visit my family anymore, I drive so I can leave when

I need to...usually at about the 36 hour mark.

[SammyWinstonJack]

98. Geez, so sorry! Do you have a porch to sit on? A place to get away?

I am assuming that they know your political leanings, right? Why would they do this to you , when you are trying to help them out? I am so lucky in that my family are mostly all Dems and we mostly all loathe Pinhead. It's a kick to get together and bash repubs! :bounce: Again, I am so sorry for what you are being put through. Do you have access to Air America radio? Hang in there, leftchick! :hug:

[USA_1]

99. ? gung-ho ?

If these people are so gung-ho about the war, why not have them enlist?

Show them this board and have them read about the pitiful example they are setting.

[No Exit]

100. Please install a carbon monoxide detector in that house immediately!

And you--the sane one--you be SURE you sit next to the window and keep breathing that fresh air, hear?

Hang in there! Your day is coming!

[neebob]

102. I feel your pain

The same thing would be happening to me if I was staying at my mom's house, except it would just be her and Fox News around the clock.

[PatriotGames]

103. Wow. I feel really bad for you! Keep your chin up.

[Missy Vixen]

104. FEMA ordered no use of school buses, BTW

School buses have no air conditioning, so they were deemed "unacceptable for use" by FEMA. It's true. Google will yield links.

In the meantime, it's up to you, and I'm sure you're a nice person for helping out elderly parents. At the same time, there is nothing preventing you from packing your bags and leaving. Let the RW nephew help them out for awhile.

Cold, but effective...

Julie

[leftchick]

106. thank you for the school bus info

it does not matter though. If it ain't faux it ain't true!(redneck Rationale!)

My Dad is dying. That is the only reason I put up with this shit. For now.

:(

[onenote]

107. maybe we can take up a collection and buy them tickets to Iraq

If they think its so wonderful there, I'm sure they would want to sit it up close and personal.

onenote

[NuttyFluffers]

109. Print out CRO report and WH declaration of emergency.

Print out LA dec. of emergency, white house declaration of emergency, and the congressional reporting office report requested by conyers.

then tell them if they dare contradict what you are saying about NOLA they are contradicting the president's own declaration, the white house, the (republican) congress' best scholars from the library of congress, etc. then drop the entire block of paper on the table and stare them all down. i have no problem being a prick if i'm right, even in people's darker moments - in fact, that's when they often need the ruthless reality of truth the most.

i've learned to slam people with unassailable facts with genuine documents and wholly dismiss out of hand their rumormongering stupidity. yes, you're right, i'm not the kindest most politest person when it comes to an argument. but i will not let lies about such crucial issues go unfought. and neither should anyone else.

and if they say they won't read, respond thus: "then you have actively chosen ignorance and lies instead of truth and knowledge. you have committed a grave sin in the eyes of god, obedience to lies, the first, last, and eternal tool of evil, instead of truth, and have condemned yourself because of it. do not speak to me again until you acknowledge the magnitude of your sin." go ahead, get biblical, sometimes that's all some people will ever understand.

ps: and yes, i get along stupendously with most of my relatives. those that i don't i find no great loss. but they know lord help them if they support the wrong decision and cannot and will not defend their view with facts. i lose great amounts of respect for those who cling to stupidity and stubborness. everyone has a right to an opinion, as worthless as they are; no one has a right to dismiss truth and reality.