How My Father-in-Law Inspired Me To Try To Change The World

[IdaBriggs]

This is my e-mail to him:

Dear Dad,

I love you very much, and I have to tell you how sad it made me to realize you were supporting George W. Bush this year. You see, you are someone I really admire and respect, and I know you are also a Teamster Union guy, and I didn't know you didn't like gay people. (That one really shook me, as I just always assumed you were a loving and non-judgmental person in the "mow your lawn/pay your taxes/marry a turtle/just leave me out of it" camp with Bob and I!)

And then I realized you've been listening to "right wing talk radio" for a long time. It doesn't matter that they are being paid a lot of money to mislead people; I guess they are people you trust from spending so much time with them while you are on the road. They've been lying about a lot of things for years now, which is what they get paid for -- they even talk about how they are "opinion" people, as opposed to "fair minded" journalists (and boy, do I have some opinions about "journalists" who mix their opinions in with my facts!). Its interesting that "infomercial" guys are able to wield such influence in our culture, but I guess thats just the way it is right now. :(

Like I said, it was upsetting, but what can I do? I don't actually think anything I can say or do is going to convince you to change your mind because you've been listening to "the other side" for a while now, without investigating whether or not they are telling the truth (which they aren't). What can I do?

You inspired me. So, I put together a website --- www.invisibleida.com -- filled with "links" to all of the facts and reasons I have for not voting for George W. Bush this year. It might not change your mind, but I'm hoping it will help others. I'm getting messages from people that it is helping them sway "Undecided" and "Republican" voters, which is really making me feel good about doing my part to "save America" from a guy I see as a disaster. It was A LOT of work -- and if I didn't love you so much, I probably wouldn't have actually sat down to it.

I hope you take a look at it -- you were my inspiration!!!

Love, Ida
(Your Pain-in-the-Behind Favorite Daughter-in-Law)

[Kanary]

1. What a loving message, Ida! I hope it is received in the spirit in which

it was offered!

I looked at your site, and it is well-organized, and contains great info. Great work!

May I make one suggestion? At the bottom, it says "Stupid, Uninformed, Pro-Corruption Americans".
I would suggest that the word "stupid" is self-defeating at that point. Calling names doesn't usually sway anyone. You're obviously working really hard to keep the lines of communication open, and turning people off with that one word is unfortunate.

Other than that, it's a very comprehensive and good website, and I commend you for your efforts!

Sounds like you have a good relationship with your father-in-law, and I envy you that.

Kanary

[IdaBriggs]

2. Thank you! When I first did it, I decided to go for a different approach.

The heading of "Please Ignore Reality" is supposed to directly tie into the "Stupid, Uninformed, Pro-Corruption Americans" and make people say, "well, that's not what I am" so they start associating themselves with the INFORMATION instead of the candidate. I want the negative association with BUSH to be HAMMERED. I hope it works....:)

[Kanary]

3. Well, I disagree with ever using name-calling, but then, I'm of a

different generation.

Good luck.

Kanary, who turns away from anything that gets into name-calling. It's a deal-breaker for most in my generation.

[IdaBriggs]

4. I understand what you are saying.

I hope you are right -- if so, calling Kerry a "flip-flopper" should get everyone's votes in your generation, right?

:evilgrin:

Seriously, I was listening to some Tony Robbins information not that long ago, where he talked about the different ways people become "convinced" of things. I remember him saying (me paraphrasing) "some people don't like conflict, so they will automatically agree with you, others will ALWAYS take the opposite view, some need to hear things only once and are offended by repetition, while others need repetition for clarity." He also talked about people who are Visual ("I see what you mean.") vs Auditory ("I hear you!") vs Kinestic ("I really feel this way.") -- and each one TALKS AT A DIFFERENT SPEED!

Then there are the "emotional" vs. "logical" arguments.... Trying to get "everyone" to react the same way to information is impossible -- THANK GOODNESS!!! The part that got most interesting was where he said, "look, we're ALL of these things, but we have our 'preferences' in how we like information." Turns out I'm mainly Auditory, while my husband is a Visual; its really helped with a bunch of frustrating moments! ("You aren't LISTENING to me!" / "Can't you SEE what I mean?") :)

[Kanary]

5. It's your website, your decision.

I just gave you my opinion, and I don't want to get into some harrangue or name-calling here.

My opinion is that shame-based communication is *ALWAYS* destructive.

It's up to you, and no use beating it up here.

Kanary

[IdaBriggs]

6. I am so sorry! I wasn't trying to beat up on you!

You are one of my favorite posters on this site -- please accept my apologies if I came across as rude or anything!!! I thought you could tell I was trying to be mean to the Bush camp with the "evil grin" icon, but if it came across as less than respectful TO YOU, I apologize!!!

What's the icon for "I'm really sorry if I said it wrong?"