Today in the store

[quakerboy]

I overheard the most magic conversation in the line behind me.

Context: going to visit my sister, who Just moved into the heart of the Confederacy (unfortunately and oddly, this is found in Oregon, of all places). Stopped at a supermarket to pick up the obligatory beer for the new place. at the side of the checkout, insert one fako rag with title reading, approximately: Obama "destroy the whites"

Conversation as follows:

Husband: Mutter(point at mag) Mutter Mutter(sheepish look)

Wife: stop.

Wife: I think he's very racial, though.

Husband: My cousin told me he is Muslim

Wife: Yeah. But I will never vote for Hillary.

Husband: me either

Wife: I will never vote for a woman in this lifetime.


At this point I became distracted by the everyday work of commerce via store club card, credit card, signature, etc.


I could go for some sort of deep meta analysis at this point, but it would be rather wasted here, and only contribute to more anger, I am sure.

So instead, I will settle for asking one simple question: What life strategies do you implement to avoid punching stupid people in the head?

[cali]

1. Yikes.

I live in the back of beyond in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom but I haven't heard anything like that. In fact, my little town of loggers, small store owners and commute to the mill workers, went strongly for Obama.

[dana_b]

14. Lord, give me the strength to change the things that I can....

haha... actually, just a big deep breath and some really good, loud rock song does it for me!!

[alphafemale]

2. Well, this 40ish white woman wears her Obama button everywhere.

I'm amazed at the positive responses I get. And this is in the heart of south GA.

Even one dentally challenged convenience store clerk said she was voting for Obama. I tell you, this woman was about as stereo-typically redneck as you can get.

I've never had a negative comment, and I've been wearing the buttons for months now.

Every other button I've worn for a candidate would always draw some negative comments.

Especially Dean.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the guy.

But wearing his button?

People would glance at it and recoil. Then they would look at you like you had leprosy or something.

[Diana Prince]

16. Mamas for Obama

That's my t-shirt in James Dobson country. My 2 yr old wears one that says Obama Time For A Change.

[FrenchieCat]

3. How was that conversation "magic"?

:shrug:

[quakerboy]

4. Magic in a sarcastic tone

Sorry. I don't do Emoticons.

[sandnsea]

5. I moved

There isn't enough money in the world to force me to live amongst a bunch of wingers.

[quakerboy]

6. Unfortunantly

My sis is rather... not wealthy. And her rent in the new place is free.

[sandnsea]

7. I'm not wealthy either

I just decided to choose where to be poor at, that's all. There's only a few places in Oregon I actually couldn't tolerate. KFalls is one, Pendleton area is another. Dumb people don't really bother me anyway. Smart people who believe lies drive me right around the bend.

[quakerboy]

9. I suggest

Adding MT Hood and the surrounding area to your list. More confederate flags up there than any sane human would ever want to see.

[sandnsea]

10. I'll keep that in mind

I was planning a trip to the Gorge and Mt Hood some time this spring, when the first fruits come in. I will be sure and get myself all Obama'd up, scare the locals back under their rocks for a day or two. :hi:

[EFerrari]

8. If I heard that conversation at my local Safeway

I'd probably laugh out loud and have to apologize.

But, I'd still have had the pleasure of laughing. :evilgrin:

[RichardRay]

11. Life strategies...

OK, if you ask..., but if you didn't really want input just skip this :-)

<preachymode>

One of the foundation principles I use to look at stuff like that is:

People make the best decisions they can with the resources they currently have available.

If I want them to make different decisions I need to provide them with some different resources. If there are no better resources then the ones they have, then I need to look to my own bases for decision. If I can't find a way to provide more resources then I disengage; that's the best decision I can make with the resources I currently have available. If the issue is important enough to me that I would prefer to be able to make a difference in the same situation if it were to recur, then I gather some more resources of my own.

It's taken daily practice for about 30 years to be able to apply that principle in a useful number of cases, and it's still not automatic. Sometimes I get pissed off too fast and just nuke'em, but I also know that that's the best decision I have the resources to make in that situation. Then I know why I did it, I know that I'm not guilty for having done it (although certainly accountable) and I know how to do better next time.

</preachymode>

[WinkyDink]

12. Yep, women make lousy leaders. I'd heard that about Queen Elizabeth I.

[democrattotheend]

13. I( have an educated bigot staying in my apartment right now

My roommate's mother thinks Obama is a Muslim and trying to "infiltrate the government". I tried to correct her and tried to give her an article to read, but she won't hear it. She just wants to believe what she wants to believe, and it's really frustrating.

[quakerboy]

17. I read your OP

I am sorry. I wish you luck and patience.

[bhikkhu]

15. Incremental education, and confidence in the next generation

People everywhere will always have limitations based upon the relatively closed community of peers they grow up with. Some people "get out", travel a bit or go away to college, and expand their views but many remain comfortable with whatever nonsense they grew up with. Television was a big influence opening up my generation's experience, and the next generation will be much more influenced by the internet. So there is hope for the future.

I live in a small town in Oregon and haven't heard anything as bad as that, but when I hear similar things I mostly laugh rather than get offended, and counter with some bit of information shedding some humorous light on the statement. For instance, I have been told several times that Obama is a Muslim, by serious and angry people. A laugh and "just don't tell his pastor!" usually puts that to rest.