I have a wingnut acquaintance.

[Cyrano]

In general, he's not a bad guy, but he actually believes that Iraq is responsible for 9/11 and is still hiding their WMDs, that Bush is one of the greatest presidents we've ever had, and that we're "winning the war on terror."

Please note that, unlike Al Franken, who calls his dittohead buddy a friend, I used the term "acquaintance." But in truth, I don't know what goes on in this man's head, or, for that matter, why I tolerate his distorted view of the world. (Are we liberals TOO tolerant???)

He seems rational, and is even amiable when the topic is not politics. But the second subjects such as Bush, Iraq, GOP nut jobs, poverty, taxes, abortion, stem-cell research, and dozens of other topics come up, he turns into a foaming-at-the-mouth candidate for a straight jacket.

I know that trying to awaken this person into the 21st century would be useless. (Maybe we should name this "The Matrix" syndrome.) But it's saddening and sickening to see an otherwise sane person behaving in such an insane manner.

Basically, this person is a living, breathing example of what we're up against in trying to restore sanity to this country. There's a vast difference between our feelings of political impotence and anger, and the irrational rage of a Taliban-like fanatic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. He is a true believer

just as Al's ditto head, there is no discussing anything with true believers

[orwell]

9. ...on any "side." n/t

[maveric]

2. I know a guy that also believes that Saddam was behind 9/11

He would say "Why else would we invade Iraq?" Then my head would explode!

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Just out of curiosity...how old is he?

There's a big chunk of the voting population that, for whatever reason, does not remember the experience of the Nixon years. People just did not want to believe their government could betray and lie to them. Until they saw it with their own eyes in sworn testimony.

[Cyrano]

5. He's old enough to remember the Nixon years. He still believes that

the whole Watergate thing was a plot by "Northeastern, liberal establishment commies" to bring Nixon down.

Let's face it. At least he's consistent.

[hippiegranny]

4. Walk away.

He's insane and there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it. In fact, just being in the general vicinity when he launches into a kool-aid induced rant makes you look bad too.

:kick:

[gratuitous]

6. A good introductory question

On virtually any subject, if you ask, "Why do you think that?" will elicit some useful information about how this guy forms his opinions. After pointing out to him the untrustworthy nature of his sources (Rush, Faux News, etc.), it's good to have some facts of your own.

"Why do you think George W. Bush is one of the greatest presidents we've ever had?"

Then be ready with some facts on jobs, the economy, pollution levels, administration corruption to answer his assertion. You don't have to beat him down, just give him some more information to work with. Keep at it, and start developing what is clearly an underdeveloped part of his brain connected with critical thinking.

Who knows? He might actually switch his brain on and begin thinking rather than simply being a propaganda sponge.

[Cyrano]

7. I wish it were so, but go back to my analogy of "The Matrix."

If you've never seen the movie, it's well worth renting. If you have seen it, you know that there are those who are dependent on "the system" and will never ever let go of it.

Would you be capable of admitting that you'd been living a lie your entire life?

[gratuitous]

8. True enough

But if he's ever going to get to the point where he even dimly realizes his life is a lie, it may be up to you (though not only you) to get him walking on a different path. The worst that will happen is losing an acquaintance you don't much like anyway, and you will sharpen your own skills in the process. Let go of the result, and you're left with nothing but a winning proposition.