Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

I snapped at my Freeper brother in law last night at dinner

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
chrisesq Donating Member (238 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-03 11:37 PM
Original message
I snapped at my Freeper brother in law last night at dinner
This anecdote requires a little background.

A few years ago when I was in law school, one of my co-students was accepted to clerk for a US Supreme court judge (It was O'Connor, you never turn down that opportunity despite the judge) Anyway, I was working at a sweatshop firm in Philadelphia over the summer and decided to take a week off to go down to see her. This trip gave me the opportunity to go inside the Supreme Court building since I had never seen it before. I had heard that the 10 commandments were in the building and I was curious to see what context they were placed.

To cut to the chase, there is no actual "10 commandments" that I saw, there is an engraving on a door that has tablets on it (somewhat similar to the shape that you may have seen in movies), but no commandments and there was a depiction of Moses holding blank (read: no actual commandments) tablets next to other various historical law makers. (don't ask me who they are, I don't know)

So we are at dinner and he brings up the whole Alabama thing, and my response is that I really don't see this as an issue of the commandments, but moreso an issue of a judge who swore to uphold the law thumbing his nose at it for political gain. That is where I see the problem. What we have is a judge who is supposed to uphold the law, essentially breaking it.

He says "Well, if it's good enough to be in the Supreme Court, it's good enough to be in the Alabama court." (This is no doubt Rush lies, and I know for a fact that he listens to Rush everyday)To which I respond with the story above. He then says, "well, I've never been there, so I haven't seen it myself to really know."

Well, that sets me off. I say, "let me get this straight, you were so willing to believe a self-admitted drug addict without question and repeat his lies, but as soon as I point out that Rush was incorrect, well now you just have to go see it for yourself rather than take the word of someone who has actually been there."

Of course he had no response.

Sorry so longwinded, just had to rant.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
arwalden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-03 11:40 PM
Response to Original message
1. Welcome To DU!
I have freeper-like relatives too. It's a pain.

-- Allen
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LeftCoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-03 11:41 PM
Response to Original message
2. Loved your story!
Glad you let him have it!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
scarlet_owl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-03 11:42 PM
Response to Original message
3. Welcome!
Glad you're here! Way to fight the right!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CanuckAmok Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-19-03 11:50 PM
Response to Original message
4. Go get 'em, Chrisesq! Keep it up!
and welcome from your Northern Neighbour! :donut: :cheers:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
chrisesq Donating Member (238 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:03 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. Thanks for the welcome scarlet_owl and CanuckAmok
Ive been here for a few months, I'm just not one to post(hence the low post count), more of a reader.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
caledesi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:11 AM
Response to Original message
6. Good story and a warm welcome!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
flamingyouth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:22 AM
Response to Original message
7. Great story - and let me add to the chorus of welcomes!
:-)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BattyDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:25 AM
Response to Original message
8. LOL!
Thanks for sharing a great story. Glad to have you here.



Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Catshrink Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:32 AM
Response to Original message
9. I let my sister have it too
Got tired of her ranting... when she visits she stays with my parents. Dad watched O'Really all the freaking time and she loves the lying braggart, too. Well, she started in again and I told her that I didn't share her opinions and unless she wanted to get into a heated battle with me while she was here, she might want to keep her mouth shut.

She was pissed, but it worked. She hasn't said a word about politics.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
proud patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:32 AM
Response to Original message
10. I love that story
It does boils down to believing the lies from the media
or your neighbors ..
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
JackSwift Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:34 AM
Response to Original message
11. That's a standard technique of the nazis
if they ever get caught not knowing a fact that you do, they have all been instructed to say that they don't know that for themselves: i.e.: you are a liberal and a liar and that nothing you say can be trusted. Now in order to be polite that these "family" style gatherings, they know you won't call them on it, by asking if they are calling you a liar, 'cuz that is really too ugly. Here's what I do: "I agree that we shouldn't accept as truth anything we don't know for ourselves told to us by someone on the other side. I don't believe your daughter is doing well in school and going to go to a fine college, 'cuz I haven't seen it for myself. For all I know, she could be ... well, you know the sorts of things the children of conservatives do... I mean, I really can't be sure that anyone I meet isn't a criminal, drug addict or whore, or whatever, unless I personally verify it." Or, you can throw up your arms in victory and exclaim: "yes!"
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
chrisesq Donating Member (238 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:38 AM
Response to Reply #11
12. That's an amazing comeback.
Edited on Mon Oct-20-03 12:38 AM by chrisesq
Can I use that, or do you have it copyrighted?

J/K
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
JackSwift Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 02:20 AM
Response to Reply #12
15. I've tried both
the long blabbity blah is a bit too rude, but the arms thrown up is a true winner that causes blushing and stammering. Yes, you may use it, although it is a JackSwift trademark (void where prohibited and at Thanksgiving meals unless at the children's table).

Also recommended, a fist pump and a Bush style "feels good".

What I really want to do is a waist high double fist pump inward with "oh yeah, you're my bitch"
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
JackSwift Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 02:27 AM
Response to Reply #12
16. My relatives split between righties and lefties
and we all actually like each other more than politics, so we do have fun. But the lefties are divided among traditional Dems and the communists now calling themselves "Greens". I love to yank all their chains, but the Greenies are especially fun. One of them is 55 and has an identical twin brother (my own brother is another). I get the name wrong, lean in and say snidely "sorry, I can't tell the difference." The Greenies hate, hate, hate any variation of "can't tell the difference".

Me: "Can I get you any food or drink while I'm up?"

Green: "Yeah, get me..."

Me: "It doesn't matter what, none of us can tell the difference."

Green: "I'm not contributing to your next campaign!"

Me: "That'll give me many a sleepless night."
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Seneca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:42 AM
Response to Original message
13. Welcome to DU!
It isn't easy arguing with dittoheads, but I commend you. :toast:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
speckledgator Donating Member (232 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 10:45 AM
Response to Reply #13
18. hard to argue with insanity, isn't it?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
chrisesq Donating Member (238 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:15 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. Normally, we don't "argue" he's usually trying to yell over any rebuttal
Edited on Mon Oct-20-03 12:16 PM by chrisesq
that I have.

This instance was funny though, no yelling, but he wouldn't look at me when he said it. He kept his face near his plate and said it quite softly. Its almost as though he knew that he was going to get buried by that response, but he had to say it anyway in order to defend his exalted mouthpiece. If he knew how to argue, he should have realized that it was better to remain silent rather than voice that softball argument.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MissMarple Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:49 AM
Response to Original message
14. Way to go, sweetheart! It sounds like you are in the right profession.
:bounce:

We need a few more just like you.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
WoodrowFan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 09:55 AM
Response to Original message
17. nice job
we're not worthy!!!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AntiCoup2K4 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-20-03 12:27 PM
Response to Original message
20. Reminds me of the Freeper state senator here....
...who was trying to pass an "English as the official state language" bill. His rationalization for the bill?

If English was good enough for JESUS CHRIST, it's good enough for me

No, I am not making this up. I only wish I could remember exactly which bozo said it :crazy:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Mon May 13th 2024, 06:01 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC