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October 23, 2010 at 6:46 PM #623044October 23, 2010 at 7:34 PM #621978eavesdropperParticipant
[quote=afx114]Great post eaves. You’ve been able to elegantly summarize what I’ve been wanting to say but been unable to articulate in response to the barrage of daily emails I get from wingnut family members. I’ve pretty much given up on them, because even if I was able to articulate what you have above, they’d refuse to even consider it.[/quote]
I can empathize, afx. I have four siblings, and they’ve all gone over to Electric Crazyland, taking their spouses and kids with them. My in-laws were already there, waiting for them. I have the same problem that you’re experiencing: when I ask them why they believe someone, or support a particular candidate, or why they’re dragging someone’s name through the mud, they start to let loose with the Tea Party-approved sound bites. When I short-circuit the feed after 8 or 9 seconds with some carefully aimed – oh, what are they called? Oh, yeah – FACTS, and ask them to craft their responses around those, they immediately get flustered, and then comes the inevitable “I don’t want to talk about it any more.” Of course, I can’t resist asking them why the fuck they brought it up in the first place.
I’ve told them that it’s not their beliefs to which I object, but the misinformation and the flawed logic and the out-and-out lies that they propagate in order to spread their message. IMHO, if you believe in your message to such a degree that you are trying to convert others, then you should take the time to craft a comprehensive coherent and cohesive argument to persuade them to do so, instead of simply scaring the hell out of them.
I watched all of them get significantly poorer during the last ten years, but they’ve managed to convince themselves that Obama is responsible for every bit of it. And there’s no way that I’m going to be able to convince them otherwise. You know, I’m not always against denial as a way of coping (at least temporarily). But it’s particularly frustrating and heartbreaking to watch when people continue to dial up the denial while allowing themselves to be used by the very people who are screwing them. I’d go nuts if I had to respond to every one of their emails that has another “breaking” 10 year-old story (that was never true in the first place), or incriminating evidence, or really weak political “humor”.
October 23, 2010 at 7:34 PM #622062eavesdropperParticipant[quote=afx114]Great post eaves. You’ve been able to elegantly summarize what I’ve been wanting to say but been unable to articulate in response to the barrage of daily emails I get from wingnut family members. I’ve pretty much given up on them, because even if I was able to articulate what you have above, they’d refuse to even consider it.[/quote]
I can empathize, afx. I have four siblings, and they’ve all gone over to Electric Crazyland, taking their spouses and kids with them. My in-laws were already there, waiting for them. I have the same problem that you’re experiencing: when I ask them why they believe someone, or support a particular candidate, or why they’re dragging someone’s name through the mud, they start to let loose with the Tea Party-approved sound bites. When I short-circuit the feed after 8 or 9 seconds with some carefully aimed – oh, what are they called? Oh, yeah – FACTS, and ask them to craft their responses around those, they immediately get flustered, and then comes the inevitable “I don’t want to talk about it any more.” Of course, I can’t resist asking them why the fuck they brought it up in the first place.
I’ve told them that it’s not their beliefs to which I object, but the misinformation and the flawed logic and the out-and-out lies that they propagate in order to spread their message. IMHO, if you believe in your message to such a degree that you are trying to convert others, then you should take the time to craft a comprehensive coherent and cohesive argument to persuade them to do so, instead of simply scaring the hell out of them.
I watched all of them get significantly poorer during the last ten years, but they’ve managed to convince themselves that Obama is responsible for every bit of it. And there’s no way that I’m going to be able to convince them otherwise. You know, I’m not always against denial as a way of coping (at least temporarily). But it’s particularly frustrating and heartbreaking to watch when people continue to dial up the denial while allowing themselves to be used by the very people who are screwing them. I’d go nuts if I had to respond to every one of their emails that has another “breaking” 10 year-old story (that was never true in the first place), or incriminating evidence, or really weak political “humor”.
October 23, 2010 at 7:34 PM #622622eavesdropperParticipant[quote=afx114]Great post eaves. You’ve been able to elegantly summarize what I’ve been wanting to say but been unable to articulate in response to the barrage of daily emails I get from wingnut family members. I’ve pretty much given up on them, because even if I was able to articulate what you have above, they’d refuse to even consider it.[/quote]
I can empathize, afx. I have four siblings, and they’ve all gone over to Electric Crazyland, taking their spouses and kids with them. My in-laws were already there, waiting for them. I have the same problem that you’re experiencing: when I ask them why they believe someone, or support a particular candidate, or why they’re dragging someone’s name through the mud, they start to let loose with the Tea Party-approved sound bites. When I short-circuit the feed after 8 or 9 seconds with some carefully aimed – oh, what are they called? Oh, yeah – FACTS, and ask them to craft their responses around those, they immediately get flustered, and then comes the inevitable “I don’t want to talk about it any more.” Of course, I can’t resist asking them why the fuck they brought it up in the first place.
I’ve told them that it’s not their beliefs to which I object, but the misinformation and the flawed logic and the out-and-out lies that they propagate in order to spread their message. IMHO, if you believe in your message to such a degree that you are trying to convert others, then you should take the time to craft a comprehensive coherent and cohesive argument to persuade them to do so, instead of simply scaring the hell out of them.
I watched all of them get significantly poorer during the last ten years, but they’ve managed to convince themselves that Obama is responsible for every bit of it. And there’s no way that I’m going to be able to convince them otherwise. You know, I’m not always against denial as a way of coping (at least temporarily). But it’s particularly frustrating and heartbreaking to watch when people continue to dial up the denial while allowing themselves to be used by the very people who are screwing them. I’d go nuts if I had to respond to every one of their emails that has another “breaking” 10 year-old story (that was never true in the first place), or incriminating evidence, or really weak political “humor”.
October 23, 2010 at 7:34 PM #622746eavesdropperParticipant[quote=afx114]Great post eaves. You’ve been able to elegantly summarize what I’ve been wanting to say but been unable to articulate in response to the barrage of daily emails I get from wingnut family members. I’ve pretty much given up on them, because even if I was able to articulate what you have above, they’d refuse to even consider it.[/quote]
I can empathize, afx. I have four siblings, and they’ve all gone over to Electric Crazyland, taking their spouses and kids with them. My in-laws were already there, waiting for them. I have the same problem that you’re experiencing: when I ask them why they believe someone, or support a particular candidate, or why they’re dragging someone’s name through the mud, they start to let loose with the Tea Party-approved sound bites. When I short-circuit the feed after 8 or 9 seconds with some carefully aimed – oh, what are they called? Oh, yeah – FACTS, and ask them to craft their responses around those, they immediately get flustered, and then comes the inevitable “I don’t want to talk about it any more.” Of course, I can’t resist asking them why the fuck they brought it up in the first place.
I’ve told them that it’s not their beliefs to which I object, but the misinformation and the flawed logic and the out-and-out lies that they propagate in order to spread their message. IMHO, if you believe in your message to such a degree that you are trying to convert others, then you should take the time to craft a comprehensive coherent and cohesive argument to persuade them to do so, instead of simply scaring the hell out of them.
I watched all of them get significantly poorer during the last ten years, but they’ve managed to convince themselves that Obama is responsible for every bit of it. And there’s no way that I’m going to be able to convince them otherwise. You know, I’m not always against denial as a way of coping (at least temporarily). But it’s particularly frustrating and heartbreaking to watch when people continue to dial up the denial while allowing themselves to be used by the very people who are screwing them. I’d go nuts if I had to respond to every one of their emails that has another “breaking” 10 year-old story (that was never true in the first place), or incriminating evidence, or really weak political “humor”.
October 23, 2010 at 7:34 PM #623064eavesdropperParticipant[quote=afx114]Great post eaves. You’ve been able to elegantly summarize what I’ve been wanting to say but been unable to articulate in response to the barrage of daily emails I get from wingnut family members. I’ve pretty much given up on them, because even if I was able to articulate what you have above, they’d refuse to even consider it.[/quote]
I can empathize, afx. I have four siblings, and they’ve all gone over to Electric Crazyland, taking their spouses and kids with them. My in-laws were already there, waiting for them. I have the same problem that you’re experiencing: when I ask them why they believe someone, or support a particular candidate, or why they’re dragging someone’s name through the mud, they start to let loose with the Tea Party-approved sound bites. When I short-circuit the feed after 8 or 9 seconds with some carefully aimed – oh, what are they called? Oh, yeah – FACTS, and ask them to craft their responses around those, they immediately get flustered, and then comes the inevitable “I don’t want to talk about it any more.” Of course, I can’t resist asking them why the fuck they brought it up in the first place.
I’ve told them that it’s not their beliefs to which I object, but the misinformation and the flawed logic and the out-and-out lies that they propagate in order to spread their message. IMHO, if you believe in your message to such a degree that you are trying to convert others, then you should take the time to craft a comprehensive coherent and cohesive argument to persuade them to do so, instead of simply scaring the hell out of them.
I watched all of them get significantly poorer during the last ten years, but they’ve managed to convince themselves that Obama is responsible for every bit of it. And there’s no way that I’m going to be able to convince them otherwise. You know, I’m not always against denial as a way of coping (at least temporarily). But it’s particularly frustrating and heartbreaking to watch when people continue to dial up the denial while allowing themselves to be used by the very people who are screwing them. I’d go nuts if I had to respond to every one of their emails that has another “breaking” 10 year-old story (that was never true in the first place), or incriminating evidence, or really weak political “humor”.
October 23, 2010 at 7:45 PM #621983eavesdropperParticipant[quote=urbanrealtor][quote=afx114][quote=urbanrealtor]Eavesdropper, I would totally bite your shark.[/quote]
[/quote]
You did it again.I am now confused.
I suspect I am likely to be embarrassed.
Edit:
I see.He is like nuking the fridge.
I still like sharks better.
More pointy bits.[/quote]
You know, I think that we should shift the focus of this thread from Christine O’Donnell to Indiana Jones, specifically why this “action” figure is so lame in its execution. Rather than appearing strong and invincible, Indy looks like he used some hemorrhoid cream that was past its date of effectiveness. He appears to be saying, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” What would make this figure better is if Indy could clap his hands twice, and the refrigerator light would turn on.
I think it’s time for the last film in the series: “Indiana Jones and the Death Panel of Obama”
This figure is a travesty, and totally unworthy of its predecessors. I welcome the opinions of other lovers of art.
October 23, 2010 at 7:45 PM #622067eavesdropperParticipant[quote=urbanrealtor][quote=afx114][quote=urbanrealtor]Eavesdropper, I would totally bite your shark.[/quote]
[/quote]
You did it again.I am now confused.
I suspect I am likely to be embarrassed.
Edit:
I see.He is like nuking the fridge.
I still like sharks better.
More pointy bits.[/quote]
You know, I think that we should shift the focus of this thread from Christine O’Donnell to Indiana Jones, specifically why this “action” figure is so lame in its execution. Rather than appearing strong and invincible, Indy looks like he used some hemorrhoid cream that was past its date of effectiveness. He appears to be saying, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” What would make this figure better is if Indy could clap his hands twice, and the refrigerator light would turn on.
I think it’s time for the last film in the series: “Indiana Jones and the Death Panel of Obama”
This figure is a travesty, and totally unworthy of its predecessors. I welcome the opinions of other lovers of art.
October 23, 2010 at 7:45 PM #622627eavesdropperParticipant[quote=urbanrealtor][quote=afx114][quote=urbanrealtor]Eavesdropper, I would totally bite your shark.[/quote]
[/quote]
You did it again.I am now confused.
I suspect I am likely to be embarrassed.
Edit:
I see.He is like nuking the fridge.
I still like sharks better.
More pointy bits.[/quote]
You know, I think that we should shift the focus of this thread from Christine O’Donnell to Indiana Jones, specifically why this “action” figure is so lame in its execution. Rather than appearing strong and invincible, Indy looks like he used some hemorrhoid cream that was past its date of effectiveness. He appears to be saying, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” What would make this figure better is if Indy could clap his hands twice, and the refrigerator light would turn on.
I think it’s time for the last film in the series: “Indiana Jones and the Death Panel of Obama”
This figure is a travesty, and totally unworthy of its predecessors. I welcome the opinions of other lovers of art.
October 23, 2010 at 7:45 PM #622751eavesdropperParticipant[quote=urbanrealtor][quote=afx114][quote=urbanrealtor]Eavesdropper, I would totally bite your shark.[/quote]
[/quote]
You did it again.I am now confused.
I suspect I am likely to be embarrassed.
Edit:
I see.He is like nuking the fridge.
I still like sharks better.
More pointy bits.[/quote]
You know, I think that we should shift the focus of this thread from Christine O’Donnell to Indiana Jones, specifically why this “action” figure is so lame in its execution. Rather than appearing strong and invincible, Indy looks like he used some hemorrhoid cream that was past its date of effectiveness. He appears to be saying, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” What would make this figure better is if Indy could clap his hands twice, and the refrigerator light would turn on.
I think it’s time for the last film in the series: “Indiana Jones and the Death Panel of Obama”
This figure is a travesty, and totally unworthy of its predecessors. I welcome the opinions of other lovers of art.
October 23, 2010 at 7:45 PM #623069eavesdropperParticipant[quote=urbanrealtor][quote=afx114][quote=urbanrealtor]Eavesdropper, I would totally bite your shark.[/quote]
[/quote]
You did it again.I am now confused.
I suspect I am likely to be embarrassed.
Edit:
I see.He is like nuking the fridge.
I still like sharks better.
More pointy bits.[/quote]
You know, I think that we should shift the focus of this thread from Christine O’Donnell to Indiana Jones, specifically why this “action” figure is so lame in its execution. Rather than appearing strong and invincible, Indy looks like he used some hemorrhoid cream that was past its date of effectiveness. He appears to be saying, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” What would make this figure better is if Indy could clap his hands twice, and the refrigerator light would turn on.
I think it’s time for the last film in the series: “Indiana Jones and the Death Panel of Obama”
This figure is a travesty, and totally unworthy of its predecessors. I welcome the opinions of other lovers of art.
October 23, 2010 at 7:54 PM #621988ShadowfaxParticipantAnd unfortunately, there goes the whole point of intelligent discourse. When people can’t converse and exchange ideas–ideas that may be different from those that you initially believe in–how will we ever learn anything new? So the “believers” go around with their own small minds, hedged in by fear, looking for confirmation of what they already know. There’s no hope of ever talking any sense into them.
By contrast, I find a small kernel of the “tea party agenda” interesting but have issues with it’s implementation (well, I have lots of issues with their beliefs, but trying to throw them a bone here). I personally am open to any intelligent argument and have often changed how I think about things if I hear the ring of truth, reasonableness, logic and sanity. I’m a free thinker like that.
So, anyone going to the Stewart/Colbert rally in DC?
October 23, 2010 at 7:54 PM #622072ShadowfaxParticipantAnd unfortunately, there goes the whole point of intelligent discourse. When people can’t converse and exchange ideas–ideas that may be different from those that you initially believe in–how will we ever learn anything new? So the “believers” go around with their own small minds, hedged in by fear, looking for confirmation of what they already know. There’s no hope of ever talking any sense into them.
By contrast, I find a small kernel of the “tea party agenda” interesting but have issues with it’s implementation (well, I have lots of issues with their beliefs, but trying to throw them a bone here). I personally am open to any intelligent argument and have often changed how I think about things if I hear the ring of truth, reasonableness, logic and sanity. I’m a free thinker like that.
So, anyone going to the Stewart/Colbert rally in DC?
October 23, 2010 at 7:54 PM #622632ShadowfaxParticipantAnd unfortunately, there goes the whole point of intelligent discourse. When people can’t converse and exchange ideas–ideas that may be different from those that you initially believe in–how will we ever learn anything new? So the “believers” go around with their own small minds, hedged in by fear, looking for confirmation of what they already know. There’s no hope of ever talking any sense into them.
By contrast, I find a small kernel of the “tea party agenda” interesting but have issues with it’s implementation (well, I have lots of issues with their beliefs, but trying to throw them a bone here). I personally am open to any intelligent argument and have often changed how I think about things if I hear the ring of truth, reasonableness, logic and sanity. I’m a free thinker like that.
So, anyone going to the Stewart/Colbert rally in DC?
October 23, 2010 at 7:54 PM #622756ShadowfaxParticipantAnd unfortunately, there goes the whole point of intelligent discourse. When people can’t converse and exchange ideas–ideas that may be different from those that you initially believe in–how will we ever learn anything new? So the “believers” go around with their own small minds, hedged in by fear, looking for confirmation of what they already know. There’s no hope of ever talking any sense into them.
By contrast, I find a small kernel of the “tea party agenda” interesting but have issues with it’s implementation (well, I have lots of issues with their beliefs, but trying to throw them a bone here). I personally am open to any intelligent argument and have often changed how I think about things if I hear the ring of truth, reasonableness, logic and sanity. I’m a free thinker like that.
So, anyone going to the Stewart/Colbert rally in DC?
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