Gave Dad Franken book! We shall overcome! GOpers can change!

I have a small story ...

Last night I celebrated with my mom and dad Dad's 76th birthday.

I grew up in the type of family where you didn't talk about religion or government. My dad served in the Nixon administration, in the order of Presidential secession. A currently prominent Republican was the MC at his retirement dinner. Anyway, I gave him an early golf gift certificate b-day present, but today gave him Lies and the Lying Liars. As "da folks" are depression era I explained while handing it to him that it was only kinda a second gift as I wanted to read it too.

I was completely apolitical until the late 90's when I started my small business; I adhered to the view "voting only encourages them." When working at home, I listened to the radio a lot ... Rush Limbaugh got me interested in politics ... he inspired me to read ... and low and behold, once I started paying attention, I realized Rush was wrong about almost everything.

After reading about our country, I decided Rush was at best wrong about most things and misguided about the things he was right about ... I decided I was a Libertarian. After reading a year or so of news, I realized that my pie-in-the-sky Libertarian political views were idealistic and that voting for a Democrat in national posts was the only reasonable choice.

But this is about my mom and dad ... the first time I seriously discussed politics with my dad, I can't remember. I've asked him when his political temperament started to change. The answer was "Somewhere in the Reagan years."

Another answer to a question which I've forgetten was, "The Republicans have gone way too far Right." I've seen his opposition to the Repubs grow in leaps and bounds over the last few years. This summer, when all three of my mom's brothers (and their wives, and some of their offspring) were gathered at our table, he pulled out a card from his wallet. He started, "Being that we're talking about George Bush's war in Iraq, I thought I'd read a quote" ... and then read a quote about how old men send young men to war.

All present but two of of my three maternal uncles remained silent. But I'd bet my bottom dollar my dad's maneuver influenced the pillow talk for all that evening.

Anyway. I have dinner with my folks about once a week. We now usually bitch and gripe about the Bush administration for over a third of the time.

Last night was special, as we did it at Red Lobster (for some reason they had my dad's problematic heart set on deep-fried shrimp - I didn't object as it was his birthday). But we came home for cake and ice cream. That's when I gave him Franken's book. A few minutes later, I recalled that Franken's talk on MPR was going to be replayed on MPR at 9 PM. We all sat enthralled, listening, laughing and exchanging comments as we passed "Lies and the Lying Liars" amongst ourselves.

It was absolutely amazing - one of the best experiences of my life.

We all tended to tear up each time Franken's voice broke when speaking of Wellstone. Heaven on Earth. One time I choaked out, "Every time he mentions Wellstone, he chokes up." They nodded with teary eyes. When he said something like, "Presidents can lie about their sex life and it's bad, but it's different when they lie about the reasons for going to war," I felt me and my folks looking at each other briefly, then looking down in our Midwestern way.

People can change. My mom and dad didn't change entirely on their own. Everybody needs to make it happen. My Dad, a Nixon administration veteran, has told me of conversations with their neighbor while taking down the flag in front of their houses.

.... this is a woman I took a picture of in March:



I'd like to think I played a small role in informing my mom and dad's politics. I'd also like to think the same is true for the anonymous strangers I handed out fliers to on Lake and Hennepin the evenings I spent alone distributing fliers ... one side having a picture of Iraqis smiling before the invasion ... the other side having pictures of Baghdad exploding, selected quotes and the address of my State senators.

Sometimes, I think I spend time on the web that would be better spent on the street ...

because you show everyone, especially those here, that Americans can change. I personally don't believe that everyone who listens to Rush or is a Republican blindly agrees with what Bush is doing. I think a lot of people are realizing that Bush has taken the country way too far right, and I think these same people will be in the election booths next November.

You made me cry...Paul Wellstone was such a wonderful man. I loved that man and everything he stood for. I always wished he was MY Senator....your state was lucky to have him. I still miss him.

Bless your parents! I admire them for seeing the difference between right and wrong in todays politics. What Clinton did doesn't even come close to all the people Bush has killed and how he has destroyed our country. Your parents are smart people and it's nice to know that Bush hasn't pulled the wool over their eyes....and YOU had a hand in doing that. one, two people at a time...We have to trust in the hearts of the American people to see the republicans for what they really are and vote accordingly....some brain transplants may be required though! :7

...then we have California and Arnold! Look at what those people did. <sigh>

yay!

They have the same brain and the same working synapses as you and me. Obviously, there are the freeper types who don't have two brain cells to rub together, but they are a diminishing minority. It's too bad that our once great nation has come to such a pass, but since it has, there's no reason not to take advantage of it.

Anyone can see what sort of damage is being done to the country by this corrupt administration. But we don't need to turn everyone into rabid DUers -- there's plenty of folks here as it is, though we can always use more donations (wink). All we want is their vote when Election Day rolls around.

We have a skosh more than 12 months, people. Hand out flyers, talk (gently) to your friends and relatives. Point out the shortcomings of this train wreck of an administration. Lead people right up to the edge of the basin; they'll drink.

...and Dad voted Republican every year that I can remember (Nixon, 1960) until 2000 when he voted for Gore. He was totally appalled by the methods used by the Bushies to gain power and has been quite verbal about it ever since.

He has recently stated that the U. S. has become the very thing that he fought against in WWII, and he suspects that we will have a revolution sometime in the very near future. He said that it will all depend on which way the military decides to go...to restore democracy, or to protect those that have taken power.

Dad REALLY gets angry when I tell him the latest information on the relationship between the Bush family and the Nazis. I wish he and the folks with whom he went to WWII were 50 years younger...we wouldn't just be TALKING about stopping Bush, we'd be in the streets shooting it out.

:toast:

inspiring me on a dark night...

:kick: