General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOne year since the coup. My hatred and anger have not subsided, in fact I'm a ball of rage now
In the interest of my blood pressure and sanity, I have removed myself from contact with as many Trumpistani Nationals as I can but I can't avoid them all.
I work with the Federal Government - as a contracted employee, not GS - and oddly enough an amazing number of "small government conservatives" are nursing at the Government tit.
With Trumpsters I have to work with, I am blandly professional in our daily interactions and immediately dismissive when they try to convince me that the toupee wearing balloon full of cheezwiz is anything but a worthless hack.
Those attempts are happening less often recently. Huh, that's odd.
Professional, educated middle class to affluent white folks - they voted for 45. Fuck 'em
I have a Cousin who still works in the mines, and he KNOWS it's a dying industry. Voted for 45 anyway.
I have an Aunt that taught school for her whole adult life and now has a chronic condition requiring very expensive care - any cuts in Medicare would bankrupt her. Voted for Orange.
Because the same people who convinced them that Democrats are evil told them that Donald Fucking Goat Fucking Trump would make everything better again.
I rarely talk to my relatives now - but that is not much of a loss. I've lived here on the prairie coming on 19 years and I've been visited by one uncle one time and my brother twice. Not shocked at all of course, after I married a Japanese woman in the mid 80s, not only did no one attend, but no one acknowledged our existence for several years.
I've tried and my wife has tried these last 30 years to bridge the gap but all that ended 366 days ago. Fuck those people.
I had friends in the service, with whom I thought I'd have a life long connection, turn into deranged drooling fuck knuckles - They have no role in my life now. They voted for Trump. Fuck those guys
I moved my VFW membership to a post that is predominantly AA so that I can drink beer and shoot pool with Democrats. (Bonus benefit - No Toby Keith or Hank Williams Jr. on the jukebox.)
that's it - sorry for the swears - I'm done.
Peace
Duppers
(28,134 posts)❤ your attitude!
SeattlePop
(256 posts)I love trying to show my Trumper friend the light. We have great debates. He knows Trumps an idot but still supports him. God knows why. We both agree our government is corrupted by the billionaires.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)Tavarious Jackson
(1,595 posts)I disowned even my brother who spent 22 years in the military and now is a contracted employee at Ft Hood. GOOD RIDDANCE even if he is my brother
calimary
(81,608 posts)The one who cursed President Obama every time she came over if she had bad traffic on the way.
The one who hissed - "babykillers!" in my kitchen when we were talking politics and I said something positive about Planned Parenthood.
The one who texted me about Hillary, calling her Hilldebeast, and then later denying she'd said that when I confronted her.
The one who hissed under her breath "BITCH!" when Hillary's name came up in conversation.
The one who also rattled off that "adorable" cliche when HRC is mentioned "oh, I want a woman president. Just not THAT woman."
The one who, when she still lived locally here, when I'd go to a party at her house, I invariably found myself in a group of her friends who were nonstop badmouthing both Clintons, referring to Hillary as a "bitch" and Bill as "Slick Willie".
The one who, in a room full of people the morning after Hillary's brilliant 11-hour testimony at the Benghazi committee, I overheard telling another woman there "of course she LIED the whole time!" I couldn't help myself - I blurted out loudly enough for anyone in the room to hear "NO SHE DIDN'T!" And she turned to me abruptly with a look of complete shock on her face!
She lives in a red state now, but comes back out to SoCal to visit from time to time. Claims she watches everything, not exclusively Pox Noise.
When I confronted her about the "bitch" part, she was so startled that she actually, physically, jumped! Her eyes grew great big and she gaped at me! I half-yelled at her, telling her in NO uncertain terms: "you will NOT call Hillary Clinton a 'bitch' in MY house." She wasn't expecting that at all, but I gotta tell ya - I'd had ENOUGH by that moment. Her reaction told me that she clearly was NOT used to being corrected on that. I surmised that she must spend a lot of time, back at home, referring to Hillary Clinton NONSTOP as a "bitch" without being challenged or checked on that by anyone. I suspected that when she's back home in that red state, she's surrounded by lots of people who think Hillary Clinton really is a "bitch" and don't hesitate to say so, out loud, as often as possible (with no one around to correct that). She probably lives in an area where all they watch is Pox Noise, and all they listen to is limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, that-guy-whose-name-rhymes-with-Vanity, and Alex Jones. I bet, in that environment, she freely disses us Dems, liberals, progressives, Hillary voters, and all Democratic politicians especially Hillary, Nancy Pelosi, President Obama and all those other good guys the Pox Noise-loving crowd loves to hate. I bet there's NO ONE in her circle of friends back there who's a Democrat, much less one who'd speak out or correct the record or nail any of 'em for lying and distorting and furthering the "alternative facts" they like a lot more than the reality around them. Maybe, if there are a few Democrats in that crowd, they're probably too nice to say anything, and maybe it's because they recognize how outnumbered they are, there. Well, I'm NOT. And I'm NOT outnumbered out here! And I'm tired of not saying anything because I'm too nice. I'm just sick of that, tired of that, fed up with that, and DONE with that.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)That they interact with.
They may have that one Aunt who was a "Women's Libber" in the 70s and perhaps a black colleague - that they will invariably call "my friend" even though they never see them outside of work that are Democrats.
I often get a startled look, and occasionally dudes think it's a joke...
But seriously screw these people - We have been so polite as to have become invisible.
Tell Republicans to kiss your as every day. They need to hear it
Grins
(7,263 posts)Yes. And add, "You VOTED for this - OWN IT!"
Abouttime
(675 posts)Since you're "inside" please keep tabs on who stays on the right side of history. Sooner rather than later this tRump nightmare will be over and we will need to rid the government of tRump loyalists. I hate to use this word but there likely will be some form of tribunals followed by a truth and reconciliation process. Our country is broken and it's going to take real work to make things right again and punish those who betrayed us.
Duppers
(28,134 posts)You could copy and paste it into a reply to him and delete this one. Otherwise he may not reread the whole thread and therefore may not see it.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Trumpists are their own undoing.
AJT
(5,240 posts)But I can't stand dealing with them either. I just wish that trump-humpers would get everything they deserve and there would be no collateral damage.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)vlyons
(10,252 posts)It's tuff not having family connections and support. My family is mostly dead; I'm 70 years old. The thing about hanging onto anger is that it is poison. You seem to be managing your exposure to people and situations that enrage you. I hope that you make some great friends with the AA vets.
Cheers
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)My wife is trying to get me to be a better person.
But I can't pray for the happiness of those who hate me - She'll have to carry that burden
Thanks for the reply. Cheers back to you
HipChick
(25,485 posts)Glaisne
(517 posts)no doubt about it. But it is poison. Your relatives probably don't care about your hate. They're living their lives and you should live yours. You are lucky to have a wonderful wife. Surround yourself with good people and forget the mean jerks. Remember Nature heals! Get out there and enjoy the natural world with your wife and let go of the hate. Be well, do good work, and keep in touch (https://writersalmanac.org/).
http://mwkworks.com/desiderata.html
sprinkleeninow
(20,270 posts)I blow off steam now and then.
Have to coach myself when I feel reaching the brink.
Toxicity damages all compartments of one's being.
I'll be dammed if I fall to allowing 'them' to wreck me.
Have no remaining parents, mine or husband's. No family, just couple of close people that 'understand' us.
We got 'one' next door. She's kinda mild, so I don't go heavy on her.
All other rabid ones are 'mysteriously' quiet lately. 😤
I will not engage with those on the dark side. The Spirit/spirit must.
Peace be unto you and yours,
~sprink
💓?💪🗽
vlyons
(10,252 posts)Not so much to change them, but to cleanse your own mind of those toxic negative feelings and thoughts. They probably don't actually hate you. Rather, they nurture hate in their minds and project it onto you. No doubt they project hatred onto others also. I guarantee you that people, who nurture hatred are not happy people. You have to try and see them as ignorant of how they harm themselves with their hatred. It drives people away, just as they have driven you away. Remember, you can pick your friends, but you cannot pick your family.
I'm a Buddhist, and I'll share with you a Buddhist prayer that I say several times a day. It's called the "Four Immeasurables."
May all sentient beings be free of suffering
and free of the causes and conditions of suffering.
May all sentient beings be happy
and have the causes and conditions of happiness.
May all sentient beings know the joy
of appreciating the success, happiness, and well being of others.
May all sentient beings rest peacefully in the equanimity
of no more craving, attachment, or aversion.
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)Not to pray for their happiness, but for their awakening (which may not be exactly "happy" , and as a way to release my own negativity.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)Va Lefty
(6,252 posts)Its really stunning what Fox News is able to accomplish: build a completely different reality, littered with hypocrisy and contradictions and yet still be deeply effective. Its pretty scary what you can convince people of when you either destroy or distort all historical context. The fact that Sinclair Broadcasting (an ultra right-wing news company) wants to control 70% of all American local news coverage keeps me up at night.
diva77
(7,684 posts)to ask them where/how they get their information -- just happened on PBS news hour this evening. They sound like such morons and yet the interviewers let them spew the toxic talking points without followup questions.
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)Join the crowd, ramshackle though it may be, regardless of the language, lewd or erudite, we are unified.
Fuck them and feed them by dumping a killing abundance of bs into the pond.
Initech
(100,149 posts)But it's still pretty shitty. What the GOP did was completely unforgivable. They committed an act of treason against the United States by colluding with Russia and putting that dangerous lunatic in the Oval Office. They must pay for what they did.
And Trump is enabling and emboldening the absolute worst of us - the racists, sexists, misogynists, and white supremacists. I hope that Tuesday was a sign things will get better. I want to believe that.
UTUSN
(70,793 posts)Every word in your post struck a chord with my experience. Deleted a webring of my Vietnam ship's crew because they were all wingnuts attacking KERRY. Have a couple of retired co-workers I thought were close, who came out as raging wingnuts after retirement. Gone.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)AA is internet short hand for African American.
Like most areas with a large veteran population there are 2 posts within 10 miles of each other. I transferred my membership to the black post.
Thanks for the reply Comrade.
And yes, the swiftboat episode should have opened veterans' eyes...
gordianot
(15,259 posts)Donnie replaced Fred when Dad got called out for his fraud. So the seed money for the Trump fortune was our tax money. Add Grandpas gains from prostitution and other crimes the modern Trumps have not changed their MO. After Donald collapsed the family fortune he managed to refloat with money laundering for the Russian mob (Russian tax money). Now Donald has managed via an election to return bilking the United States tax payer. The Trump crime family has been well understood the Government swamp for decades and been allowed to exist. My theory is that due to being mentally ill there is alarm and regret this Trump is allowed to walk the streets.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)BoneyardDem
(1,202 posts)The isolation and the anger. I joined here to co mingle with others who would understand. Thanks.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)I hope the camaraderie helps you muddle through.
There are a lot of squabbles, but there are also groups for just about any interest.
Peace
BoneyardDem
(1,202 posts)I've looked around a little and mostly agree with what is going on and the analysis of posters.
sheshe2
(84,070 posts)I know how you feel... though I am lucky not to be around dotard supporters.
MFM008
(19,837 posts)salutes your rage!
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)Thanks for the reply
MFM008
(19,837 posts)My dad passed in 2000. You have one for him.
ismnotwasm
(42,028 posts)I am deft at deflecting political argument because Im a nurseand Im not about to get into arguments with patients. I see all kinds. See Fox News on TVs. Hear the coded racism white people like to use to convince themselves they arent racist. (If someone is overtly racist and is not delirious, we report them, and dont allow any person of color to be subjected to it. Cant kick em out)
I was talking to a friend. Shes half Latino. We know a lot of people in common. She was expressing shock there are so many people who arent who I thought they were and has also purged her RL friends list. There is nothing else to do.
You either stand for something or you dont.
Two of my children, are ex-military and especially my oldest daughter turned out conservative, or, more conservative that I would like I should say, but none would consider voting for Trump. I would consider that a complete parenting failureand I have enough of those. My children are good people, who want to give to their communities, and are not racist shitheads.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)Democrats.
Non racist and at least a little aware.
Last year my son had a gig on the far side of St. Louis, back when the cops were clamping down "to prevent violence" (yeah that turned out well in retrospect) my wife was concerned our boy would be stopped and "Checked out"
His answer? "don't worry mom, I look white enough"
ismnotwasm
(42,028 posts)My oldest daughter is very Catholic and very pro-Immigration and pro-immigration reform. She lives way out on the Olympic peninsula, in Trump country. Aside from the Native American population, its quite white. AND economically in dire straits. I noted to her that the hotel room cleaners in Forks seemed to all be Hispanic
LuckyLib
(6,822 posts)single person who voted for the Idiot. (Rarified atmosphere, I know.) I can only imagine how hard it is to let go of family and friends. You have the support of lots of DUers - as we get older we just have to make our path smoother. Peace!
Liberalagogo
(1,770 posts)Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)I can't forgive them. I'm sorry for their ignorance, but I can't forgive them.
Pepsidog
(6,254 posts)Girard442
(6,088 posts)In a lot of ways, she's a better person than I am. She says if politics is a problem then don't discuss politics. I'd be on board with that, but some of them are very political. I don't know if they can get through the day without dropping some T-bombs into the discussion. I have the self-control not to engage them, but then I'd just end up glancing at my watch every few seconds wondering when's a good time to bolt for the door.
I just have better things to do with my life.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)But all the while these fucking Trumpster brain donors crowed and celebrated and preened to each other.
Then I asked myself "why the fuck should I have to hold my tongue? They're the ones who suck"
That went about as well as you'd expect.
So I've been at "fuck these idiots" for a while now
Girard442
(6,088 posts)...everybody else is a tree-hugging lefty-liberal just like me. I'd love to see them try to explain their politics to an audience that's just staring at them in wide-eyed disbelief.
Still working on the logistics for that.
Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)down....well like Judas Priest said.....YOU GOT ANOTHER THING COMING.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)I'm already SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)and we here at DU will be here for you
IronLionZion
(45,667 posts)I don't. I avoid bigots but am still in contact with many Trumpers. I've had a slightly different experience that's been less hostile, mainly because I've grown up with these people and knew them before they became bitter and hateful.
We on the left are still thinking about it on policy. The Trumpers don't give two shits about policy. They like the idea of an asshole who breaks the rules and angers certain people and demonizes liberals as the enemy.
Things get really crazy when you start talking with women and minority Trumpers. Some of them also don't care about policy, or even tax cuts, or even Trump himself. They know he's a repulsive asshole with bigoted supporters. They just felt like our side provides more of the same and Trump represents a major shakeup of everything.
Sometimes American voters want radical change. It would be sweet if it was liberal.
7962
(11,841 posts)Hayduke Bomgarte
(1,965 posts)Military, I'm on the same page with you. I avoid drumpftsters like the plague, family, friends and co-workers alike. Fuck 'em! When I am forced to interact with one of these mongoloids I am short as possible and treat with with what I intend to come across as sheer disdain and overwhelming disgust.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)Never doubt for a minute that disdain and disgust are what I feel tho...
I like to pay my bills on time because the world treats you so much better when you do - so yeah can't display my feelings like that.
I'm Mr. Polite Polack, right to the point and no small talk, in the cube farm.
No sports discussions, no office gossip.
This is my day - Polite greeting. Business is discussed. Discussion ends. I leave. I send summary email of discussion to all parties to preclude misunderstanding. Work on agreed course of action. Repeat as needed. Go home.
Sometimes, there is a "Stop for a shot and beer" step in there as well
Hayduke Bomgarte
(1,965 posts)Being on early retirement, because of severe medical issues, I'm not bound by the restrictions you face. The worst I have to fear is that none of them will ever speak to me again, which is what I wish anyway.
niyad
(113,963 posts)(I have maintained for decades that there are a great many advantages to no family. Never more true than since 11/9)
you needn't apologize for the swears. you know you are amoung understanding friends here.
War Pigs
(252 posts)Having a hard time with the hypocrisy of so many trumpistas in my orbit. 10 family members including me served on active duty going back to the Korean War. I don't engage the dolt45 idiots as much now but my anger and desire to push forward and see these criminals taken down and their enablers in congress booted out WILL NEVER FADE AWAY!!! Viva la Mueller!!
barbtries
(28,824 posts)not by a long shot. i vent on twitter.
we need to stay outraged to effect real change going forward
mdbl
(4,976 posts)Same situation with my relatives. We'll be your relatives.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)u
sandensea
(21,720 posts)Today's GOP will lie, cheat, and steal to get its way. It's just a fact of political life in modern-day America.
But by the same token, they have no loyalty - not even to their bankrollers. That'll be the Rethugs' undoing.
byronius
(7,413 posts)I had my first conversation with a Trump voter, posted about it -- the major challenge of the moment was not simply calling him a treasonous traitorous hatemonger, which is what he is. Flat out.
We're over thirty percent Benedict Arnolds. It's just the truth.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)"I am fine with treason and it's cool that the treasury is being looted by wealthy thieves who wouldn't piss on me if I was afire - Because brown people are hurting and libtards are upset. MAGA"
Everything else is just camouflage and cover stories
byronius
(7,413 posts)brer cat
(24,662 posts)I am not understanding and I am not forgiving. Great rant, MSgt.
IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,078 posts)... retired/disabled from USPS, one uncle came to our wedding when I married into a, "snob hill family". The rest is pretty much verbatim for what I would write.
Sigh...
PS: Mom says, "don't worry about the peons".
Enoki33
(1,589 posts)l immediately started looking at them and their circle of friends in a different ligh. l found out the common thread that seemed to hold them together was an amazing selfishness that even extended to their own children. They are angered by POC who dare to make more money than they do and whose kids are focused on education. The mind boggling thing is they are not prepared to make similar sacrifices necessary to make the next generation more successful. A fancy new car, boat and house to enjoy are more important. They have a very loose interpretation of facts while boosting their own self importance at every opportunity. I now stay the hell away from them. Just saying this is cathartic.
doodsaq
(120 posts)They mistake their shallow, selfish lives for the great American myth of "rugged individualism."
The best example of that is the gigantic SUV with a huge add-on front grille guard (aka battering ram) which pretty much guarantees instant death for any unfortunate pedestrian who happens to get hit. The fuck you me first attitude goes quite well with those SUVs.
Doreen
(11,686 posts)The most sickening thing about how much I hate trump is if I were going to be forced to choose between spending an afternoon with my father ( who abused me in every way a father can ) or with trump I would choose my father. My father is also a sociopath.
samnsara
(17,665 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,075 posts)Heartstrings
(7,349 posts)Well stated and echoed with many of our fellow du'ers unfortunately....
Midterms, Midterms, Midterm!
raven mad
(4,940 posts)And thank you even more.
betsuni
(25,815 posts)BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)I do not believe that I will ever get over my rage at the 2016 results. Ever!
As an expat who - together with other expats as well as Swiss and other European nationals who were watching with us - watched appalled and in disbelief as the results came in. Frankly, I didn't ever want to return to the US - I could not believe that my country could have done such a thing.
Well, we now know a LOT about how that happened and it was NOT our Dem candidates for President and VP who were the problem. Anyone on this site who STILL posits anything like that goes straight to my Full Iggy list ASAP.
Well, I did return to the US to visit family. While there, I participated in the January Women's March in Washington, together with other family members. I was tremendously inspired by the turnout, by the speakers, and by EVERYONE I met there from all over the US. Those people represented what I consider to be the best of America and reassured me that in spite of Trump and the current band or terrorist Republicans, we who are caring and sane ARE in the majority.
Many who participated in that march and its sister marches across the country actually signed up to run for office and MANY were successful on Tuesday - to my absolute delight! Hillary inspired women to run for office in a way that no other person has managed to do, although I certainly appreciate all who inspire any good candidates to run.
Even though I am in my so-called "sunset years" and prefer to spend them as an expat, I still pay federal, state and local taxes in the US as well as those in my adoptive residence. Thus, I am still able to participate in all election levels in my state (MD) and I do. When I am in the US, I work with my local Dem chapter and here I am an active member of the local chapter of Dems Abroad. I will remain politically active until I am no longer able to function.
Those who voted for Trump or anyone other than Hillary - and who STILL have not seen the light - are dead to me, family members, erstwhile "friends" or not. Life is just too short.
The Polack MSgt
(13,208 posts)Deep in the heart of deep red Trump land 20+K people saying hell no this is not acceptable.
Thanx for your reply
BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)Even in Helena, MT, the Women's March was a success! MT is my birth state and still has a lot of good people there, in spite of the outrageous election results generally, in many cases due to a steady influx of well-off evangelical carpetbaggers like the truly awful Gianforte.
But MT re-elected its Dem Governor, has a good Senator in Jon Tester (MT's ONLY decent person in the US Congress!), and Helena just elected an AA mayor on Tuesday. Although that office is officially non-partisan, the previous mayor had been a Republican while he was in the state legislature, so I personally consider it a Dem victory.
All is NOT lost, even with the most horrible, awful, really evil man who is currently occupying the WH. Even MT IS "flippable" at the state and local levels, especially since the GOPers currently in the majority in the state legislature have demonstrated themselves to be incorrigible nutcases.
But it will take a LOT of time and effort.
Kind of Blue
(8,709 posts)Ligyron
(7,645 posts)I have only one Trumpster in my family and she never mentions him or anything political at all really. I think she knows better.
She's hosting Thanksgiving this year and I always cook the turkey (on the BBQ grill) wherever we all are. I don't anticipate any political drama that day, but I know a lot of people here have to put up with listening to or confronting RW family members, remaining silent or just not having Thanksgiving with them altogether and that's sad.
I'm in my early 60's and I cannot remember a time when the country was this divided, even in the 60's and 70's which I remember fondly as a hopeful time in spite of whatever confrontations occurred.
We may have to look back to the Civil War to find a situation similar to this one in terms of hate and polarization.