My neighbor woman used to send me

[Skidmore]

pro-life e-mail spam circulated by members of her church. I never really said anything to her about that specific issue since we need to share part of a driveway with her and her spouse and I'm not anxious to spend the rest of my life indoors. We have over the years discussed many other political issues and on many of these I believed her to be firmly rightwing in her sensibilities.

Anyway, she quit sending me those e-mails last summer and I saw her and her husband at the Democratic Party caucus in our state. They had not voted in years and the last time they voted it had been for the Republican ticket headed by Reagan. Suddenly they were precinct captains for Hillary. I think she was sincere in her support but her husband I strongly suspect to be one of Limbaugh's Operation Chaos minions (I have good reason to suspect the husband's motives (given some things I have seen and heard from him). Earlier this week she brought me the National Enquirer with the Palin scandals article in it. She is pretty disgusted with Palin. Anyway, I was out in the front this morning working on the front flower bed and she came over to talk to me and wanted to talk about pro-life vs. pro-choice. I dreaded this conversation, but was quickly surprised at the turn it took. She articulated a much more nuanced and understanding of choice than she has ever done before, and indicated that she understood that sometimes abortion is the only reasonable alternative for women with health problems or is a merciful and compassionate alternative for victims of rape and incest. It was quite an eye opener.

She knows we are strong supporters of Obama and has talked to me about his positions on various issues in the past. I understand that her husband is not a supporter and will likely not vote for him at all. In fact, I don't think he will vote this election. I told her I have an extra Obama campaign button I got for her and she was very happy. She will be joining me for the county Democratic Party participation in the Octoberfest Parade and will start going in to volunteer for the campaign too the next time I go.

Don't give up. One person at a time is how change comes to America.

[writes3000]

1. I love stories like this. It really motivates me to talk to people. nt

[Forkboy]

2. What's interesting is that, on the surface at least,

your neighbor sounds like just the type of person the Palin pick was supposed to cement. I suspected Palin had turned off a lot of leaners, religious or not, and even though this is just anecdotal evidence I doubt this is an isolated thing by any stretch.

[AtomicKitten]

3. That's exactly right ..... one by one.

K&R

[codjh9]

4. Great! If I'm lucky I'll have a few of those in NM in Oct. ...

[grantcart]

5. Yesterday in AZ I flipped a Republican who never liked McCain but

is pro life. He needed a little help and now he is an Obamican

[Jokinomx]

6. I love reading personal stories like this....

Thanks for sharing. It helps all of us realize the world does change one person at a time.

:toast:

[Cha]

7. Sweet story, Skidmore..

thanks! I'm happy for your neighbor:)