My first verbal altercation with a Freeper....

[Kang Colby]

So….the other day (Saturday morning) I was out running errands. I stopped by the bank and then I realized that I was all out of OJ. This was something that needed to be remedied ASAP, as I was preparing a brunch for some friends and family later that day. My plan was to prepare some cantaloupe slices, eggs, bacon, toast, English muffin pizzas, and a small pot of oyster stew. No problem there, all of the essentials were waiting to be prepared @ home. I was just slam out of OJ.

So off to the grocery store I went. I swear, my plan was only to grab OJ. Well, I hadn’t yet eaten breakfast…so you can only imagine how that went, lol. Before long my cart was full of multi grain Fig Newtons, whole grain chips, almond milk, habaneras, and a ton of organic frozen stuff from Amy’s (my all time fav.) While I was in the cereal aisle there were two parents (presumably mom and dad) and their 2 kids…probably about 4 or 5 years of age. The kid’s were clearly getting on their parent’s last nerve. Screaming, throwing stuff from the cart, etc.,etc. You could tell mom and dad were at their wit’s end. I felt bad for the couple, obviously young and in-experienced. The mom had an Obama ’08 hoodie on as well – so I gave them the benefit of the doubt.

While the parent’s were busy attending to their youngsters; they were too busy to notice that their two grocery carts were blocking my access (and several others) to the stuff on the shelves. “No biggie”, I thought to myself. I just decided to patiently wait. Well, along comes this blue haired old freeper and she jerks the parents cart away from the shelf and grabs some oatmeal. The mother of the children, apologized to the old bagger repeatedly once she noticed she was obstructing access to the shelves. The old freeper looked at her with a grimace, let out a groan and was on her way down the aisle. Clearly, she wanted to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
As she gets to the end of the cereal aisle, she begins to tell other customers, “don’t bother trying to shop, two kids are throwing a fit up that aisle! Those kids need some stern discipline! I’m sure their mother would rather have the State take care of rearing her children.” Then I heard her mutter the usual about food stamps, socialism, and Obama.

While reading some of the posts on DU, you’d think that this sort of thing was more common – but I can count on one hand how often I’ve seen freeperisms in public. To say I was shocked would be the least. The customers she was yelling towards were mostly silent, a few let out some uneasy chuckles.

A few minutes later as I was headed towards the cashier, who did I see picking up her prescriptions at the pharmacy? None other than the blue haired limbo-ette. Before paying for her medicine, I noticed she pulled a card from her wallet – clearly labeled “Part D”. As I walked past her, she noticed me and said, “ I feel sorry for their children, there is clearly no-parenting in that household”. Deciding to be witty, I pointed to her medicine and said, “ I feel sorry for you, forced to enjoy the fruits of socialism and all. The hypocrisy must be difficult to deal with.”…..She didn’t say a word as I headed towards the check-out.

Thanks to DU! I’m proud to report that I am 1-0 against the Freepers.

on edit: Has anyone else been emboldened by DU to speak truth to power when faced with a Freeper?

[cleanhippie]

1. Yeah, you told her!

[Kang Colby]

9. I hope so!

I did it with a smile on my face, and a half joking tone....does that mean I score extra points? She looked as if she had the wind knocked out of her....perfect timing it was.

[MedicalAdmin]

75. Honestly, I keep trying but with some of them. ...

Like the fossilized blue haired haridan that you talked to, it is likely that the grey cells in her head don't exactly rub together and spark anymore.

If she looked like she had the wind knocked out of her, it was likely that she was trying to figure out what you said and then trying to figure out which talking point to reply with.

I always try to ask a question and then wait for an answer. It seems to bug the shit out of them. Good job. We must confront evil whereever we find it.

[happygoluckytoyou]

92. had to shut down a skinhead at the doctors office... they should have a special place to watch FOX

[CurtEastPoint]

2. Zing! YOU GO! n/t

[MineralMan]

3. It's always good to point out the socialistic nature of Medicare

and Social Security to older freepers. It's amazing how few of them realize what they're getting through a socialistic program and how much they rely on that.

I converted my mother-in-law with that discussion. She had simply never thought of it that way.

[Kang Colby]

14. Hmmmm.....maybe

it falls under the "it's not socialism if I do it" clause. I'll remember how effective this strategy was for future use. :D

[treestar]

4. Good for you!

That was pretty civil, too. Just pointing out the facts to her.

[Kang Colby]

18. Thanks.

Typically, I'm not one to discuss politics with strangers but this lady was asking for it. If you show any emotion whatsoever in discussions with a bagger, if you show them they are getting to you - then that's all they need to declare victory.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. OMG, your first?!

A freeper-altercation virgin. You done good. ;)

I feel that's all I do anymore, is engage the Freepers, Beckheads, Palinites, Dittoheads, etc. They're all the same obviously.

Even within my own family. :(

It gets exhausting, so use your energy wisely.

:hi:

[Kang Colby]

39. Thanks.

I don't plan to make a habit of it....but it sure was fun.

[The Doctor.]

109. You'll find it's great sport!

Do always consider your surroundings, however. Make sure you're in a 'safe' place. These sorts of people, especially males 25-60, will sometimes resort to aggression. They're basically animals pretending to be people so they can reap the benefits of society. Most are not at all civilized.

Yours was a very smooth, very sharp point... and very well delivered. Keep up with stuff around here and you'll never have to suffer the fools for more than a minute at a time.

Well done. :hi:

(And Welcome to DU)

[Dinger]

6. Very Nice. K & R

:)

[yellerpup]

7. Nicely done!

But, I bet she didn't thank you, did she? Your brunch sounds terrific and I'm sure it was a big success. :kick:

[Kang Colby]

16. Sadly,

she did not show her appreciation towards my wit. In fact, she didn't say a word.

Thanks. The brunch went off without a hitch. I'm looking forward to the rest of oyster season, the stew adds a great balance to any brunch.

[lunatica]

29. The fact that you got the last word means you won hands down

That woman is one of those who puts others down in public. She's used to having the last nasty word. The fact that she didn't say, "Fuck you bitch" shows you hit the bulls eye. Of course in her retelling of the story she'll have a very different ending. I've seen too many people like her. Deep down though, she knows who won.

[yellerpup]

34. Good that you didn't let her get away with her bullying

remarks. I'm sure she's unaccustomed to being called on her bad behavior. SOME people have an idea that everyone agrees and approves of a particularly nasty point of view until some brave soul stands up and tells them to their teeth that they are wrong. You did good kid. The oyster stew sounds like a real treat. :hi:

[socialist_n_TN]

115. BINGO!!!!!! And that idea that the RWer have.........

that EVERYONE agrees with them is what needs to be put down at every opportunity. Not to try and change THEIR minds (that's usually impossible), but for the benefit of anybody else who might be listening. Some people are SO unpolitical that they need to have an alternative SHOWN to them or they just go along with whatever they see as the most popular position. WE'VE got to show them the alternative to that ignorance.

[yellerpup]

121. Sounds like you're cut out for such sport!

I agree wholeheartedly, and if you can make your point and make people laugh at them while agreeing with you, I believe it makes an even greater impact. I got my training young. My dad had the same right-wing POV and if anyone ever just 'let him talk' he would never stop spouting hate. It's not always easy to stand up, but once you get used to it, it feels like an excellent workout. All you have to do is exercise your right to free speech. Nice to meet you. Good luck tomorrow in TN! :hi:

[AmerVoicesUnited]

8. NICE!!! You rock!

I'll have to remember that one if I ever encounter same type of situation.

[Quantess]

10. I think experiences like your are not unusual, but not exactly everyday, either.

Your story sounds completely believable.

Sometimes I wonder about the truth of the more dramatic stories. I think some people weave their stories with at least half-part fiction.

[donco6]

11. Ha!

You know, the teabaggers are a cranky lot. Was she buying blood pressure medicine?

[obxhead]

12. Bet you even had one of those big I gotcha grins on your face

as you parted ways too.

:yourock:

[felix_numinous]

13. K+R

:applause: virtual applause, you scored.

[and-justice-for-all]

15. I was going to say, I bet the blue haired shrew was on some

sort of socialized assistence; along with her Medicaid part D, I am sure she is getting here Social Security check every month. Their hypocrisy is cuddled by their ignorance and self inforced delusions.

[Kang Colby]

17. That's an excellent point. nt

[Raine]

19. Two BIG thumbs up

you deserve them! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :applause:

[maryellen99]

20. On one of my cousins facebook pages(who is a dem I think).

one of her "friends" claimed that President Obama and Michelle burned the flag..I'm sorry but when one believes crap like that, you can't get through to them

[Kang Colby]

25. Wow.

I wouldn't touch that level of nuttery with a ten foot pole. I'll at least need some more practice before I make such an attempt. :rofl:

[MedicalAdmin]

76. Sure you can. Just don't expect any thought to stick around too long.

Just start sending them email forwards and other BS crap and you too can get them to believe anything. Seriously.

But they will only be able to hold the thought in their heads until the next email which they will repeat and forward quickly to the rest of the parrots.

[maryellen99]

91. I don't know the woman who wrote that on her wall nt

[newspeak]

128. someone burns the flag to make a statement-someone

turns the flag upside down, to make a statement. Hitler enacted a law against desecrating the flag. What I find offensive is using the flag as a commercial prop--now to me, that is dishonoring the flag. And, I see it all the time.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Good for you!!

You're no longer a freeper virgin:)

[Kang Colby]

31. Thanks proud2BlibKansan!

Your bumper sticker would've come in handy yesterday, lol.

[pinboy3niner]

22. Oh, SNAP!

Good comeback!

I've had several exchanges with teabaggers, but the most striking one happened back in May.

At a volunteer event in a city park, I overheard one guy spouting off about Glenn Beck and telling his very uncomfortable-looking captive audience of one that "it's time to take up arms and take our country back." I pointed out that, according to the Constitution, to "take up arms" against the duly-elected government of the United States is TREASON.

The guy looked like he wanted to kill me on the spot, but just then we were called to assemble for a briefing. Later, the 'captive audience' came over to me to thank me for challenging what the Beck fan was saying. To me, it just seemed like a no-brainer to counter a no-brainer spouting such nonsense.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

23. Like most teabaggers, she probably had no idea what your were talking about

Ignorant morons.

[Skittles]

40. it's socialism and government help only when it's for, you know, THOSE PEOPLE

fucking hypocrites, all of them

[Kang Colby]

24. Here's a thought...

let's all hope that Tuesday evening will be salt in this wound for her! hehe:fistbump:

[Taverner]

26. AWESOME!!!

Love it!

[HockeyMom]

27. Some people when they get OLD

want nothing more to do with young families and children. They want to shut themselves away in their closed Senior communities away from everyone else.

I know many people like this in my age group (62). My sister and brother-in-law are like this. They want to "retire" to Floreduh to live in the sunshine in a gated community with the rest of the old folks. Yes, that is their choice and right, but please don't lump all of us in this boat.

As I said, I am a Senior too. I work in the schools with disabled Pre-K kids. This is MY choice. If I had to live and associate with nobody both "old farts", like my in-laws, I would lose my mind. Actually, it is a mayor reason why I hate living in Florida. As my daughters say, "TOO MANY old people". Young people and children are our hope for the future and keep you YOUNG. Who wants to live in the PAST? Who wants a constant reminder that our time is long gone and death is knocking on our doorsteps by being among nothing but other old people doing nothing but talking about how much better the "old days" were. Not ME. And I happen to think many things in today's world are actually BETTER than they were back then.

To the OP, IGNORE people like this. Let them live in their misery.

[lunatica]

30. I'm 62 also and I love working in UC Berkeley because of the students

They're the future. Especially in Universities. They are our hope, and our salvation and our future. I love that part of my job.

[proud patriot]

28. woo hoo Way To Go !

:hi:

[ThatsMyBarack]

32. Rec #50!

:woohoo:

[NNN0LHI]

33. Unless they are harming themselves or others if I find an adult acting irrationally I avoid them

Thats my policy.

Don

[Kang Colby]

35. I agree.

But in fairness, one could argue that she had an impact on the parents' emotional well being. Dealing with those rowdy children was enough stress for them I'm sure.

[laundry_queen]

36. Good for you

I find those types take silence as some sort of overt approval of their rants. Always better to counter them. Even if just to say, "Well, I don't agree." and leave it at that.

[Obamanaut]

37. Another encounter with an elderly person. Obviously elderly - "...blue

haired old freeper...", and later a card w/ "Part D."

Does anyone accost people who are not old, or women w/ children, or otherwise infirm? Will we ever get to read of a confrontation with 'two burly guys with tattoos and 17" biceps in the checkout line'?

[Kang Colby]

38. Well...

maybe folks w/ 17" biceps and tattoos don't feel it necessary to bully others regarding their political persuasion? However, I've read many posts here outlining confrontations with law enforcement and powerful business people. Insinuating that I "accosted" this lady is wanton hyperbole. I simply pointed out her hypocrisy in a non-hostile comedic manner.

Nothing personal Obamanaut, just some food for thought.

[ejpoeta]

51. and you didn't say anything until the person made that comment about the family.

it's not like you just went up to them and said you're an asshole. how is it 'accosting' someone when you are replying to their comment? and you didn't call them an asshole either which i probably would have done and would not have been useful. just pointed out the hypocrisy this person may not have themselves recongnized. and i can only hope the silent lack of response meant they got a message.

[Obamanaut]

53. More food for thought. Can a senior with blue hair and a Part D card

effectively bully anyone?

My earlier question merely asked if anyone ever accosts folks other than the elderly (there was a nice thread recently about putting some seniors at McDonald's "in their place") or a couple of women in the check out line.

Post 44 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9428582&mesg_id=9431253 explains why burly guys, lumberjacks, etc don't appear in these "So I overheard in the checkout line..." narratives.

"I simply pointed out her hypocrisy in a non-hostile comedic manner." And then posted (and the story of the brunch preparations was fascinating) so you could bask in the virtual pats on the back for your verbal wit and victory over a senior.

[socialist_n_TN]

116. Why was this story "accosting" the woman?............

I don't see it that way at all. The old lady was being an obvious bitch and spouting off political bullshit and she NEEDED to be called on it.


If you DID read about someone standing up to a younger RWer, what would you say about it anyway? There was one post I read on here about an actual PHYSICAL altercation that was later proven to be true and a lot of the first reactions were that it was a made up situation. "Internet tough guy" was used a lot.

I'm a "real life tough guy" if I want to be and I WOULD stand up to bullshit no matter WHO was spouting it.

[Obamanaut]

118. See post 80

post 80 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9428582&mesg_id=9433097

[quakerboy]

123. Very clearly yes, they can

Ive seen it happen many many times.

[petronius]

44. Good question. I guess the story just doesn't sound as good if the

last line is "...and then I had to run for my life!" :)

[seabeyond]

61. your definition of "accost"? because i am not seeing a lot of "accosting" going on. and yes

i have had conversation with the burly mans man, often. generally the ones that chose to get in my face, even without encouragement because they think they can, seeing how manly man they are and i, a mere woman, would submit and cower

now what?

[Obamanaut]

77. Note the subject line of my earlier response, pasted here for you:

Another encounter with an elderly person. Obviously elderly

Notice the word 'encounter'

Then, there is the question re does anyone accost...

Two separate sentences, two separate thoughts.

Now what?

[seabeyond]

79. wtf? you said op accosted. it is bullshit. whatever to the rest you are going on about. nt

[Obamanaut]

83. No, the response did not say OP accosted. Here it is to refresh your

memory:

"Another encounter with an elderly person. Obviously elderly - "...blue haired old freeper...", and later a card w/ "Part D."

Does anyone accost people who are not old, or women w/ children, or otherwise infirm? Will we ever get to read of a confrontation with 'two burly guys with tattoos and 17" biceps in the checkout line'?"

Two separate sentences. Two separate thoughts.

Can't stay any longer. Going outside to practice trimming limbs.

[seabeyond]

86. Does anyone accost people who are not old, ... you implied OP "accosted" old lady

that simple.

and ridiculous.

enjoy the tree trimming

[Obamanaut]

111. Nothing was implied. You inferred. Refer back to the subject line

of the OP: altercation. Some say that an altercation is a noisy quarrel or dispute.

[seabeyond]

113. right right right,,,, nt

[ecstatic]

95. The problem is, some elderly people think they have

license to say anything to anyone, no matter how offensive and we should all just let it go because they're old. I usually just let their comments slide (like the one time when on vacation, I was walking back to my room when an old woman gave me instructions on how to clean her room). I thought OP's comments were much more reasonable than the comments the freeper was making towards that couple.

[Xenotime]

41. It's time to get in their faces...

The next few days is going to be crazy.

[Heddi]

42. --

[Morning Dew]

65. +1

[petronius]

117. I absolutely cannot look at that picture without cracking a smile

It's gotten to where I go into threads that I might otherwise skip just in hopes of running across that dude... :rofl:

[sfwriter]

43. woo hoo!

[pasto76]

45. First of all, it's not truth to "power" when confronting Freepers

and yes, I do that too. I guess I still believe that to actually have a community, you have to participate in it, and sometimes drag people kicking and screaming into it.

I had a bunch of freepers running the sar team I was on, and there is one that works mornings at the store I go to. The freepers on sar kind of actually kicked me off the team, and the grocery store guy leaves the front end when I come in.

[bergie321]

46. It's not socialism...

If it benefits them...

[Historic NY]

47. Game, set & match.

[Tanelorn]

48. I wonder

If after encountering the 'Obama hoodie' family and them you
at the checkout the freeper thought she may outnumbered.

Given the numbers at the DC rally I hope all right wingnuts
think they are outnumbered and that after Tuesday's election
it will be confirmed.

Good luck in your election Australia is watching with
interest.

[tpsbmam]

87. Thanks, Tanelorn. I'm watching with something closer to anxiety & nausea.....

but glad to know there are people pulling worldwide for the good guys. And probably marveling again at how fucked up America can be!

[Enthusiast]

49. Good for you...nt

[ejpoeta]

50. as someone who has been in that situation the parents were with kids who

were acting up in the store, i thank you for your patience with the family. I know what THAT's like and i have endured the stares. of course they must be on welfare i guess. yech. and your reply to that jerk was the best thing you could have done. And I hope it gave him pause though I doubt it. People like that can always find a way to justify why THEY have something they are bitching about others having. but your response was the best thing you could have done.

[truth2power]

52. Excellent! And regarding Socailism...

If anyone here missed it, here's a concise explanation of socialism, posted by DUer, Time for Change a couple days ago...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=9418319

Fourth paragraph lays it out clearly.

"Any time a government taxes private individuals and then uses the collected money to provide goods or services to its citizens, that government is practicing socialism. Social Security and Medicare therefore are prime examples of socialism. So is our public school system. So is our national highway system. So are police forces and our military. Our nation’s economic system does now and always has consisted of aspects of socialism, along with aspects of capitalism. Anyone who is willing to acknowledge that Medicare or Social Security or our military “have a place” in our nation is thereby admitting that socialism has a place in our nation. They should think about that before they attempt to stigmatize something merely by attaching the word “socialism” to it."

thanks to Time for Change.

[Mason Dixon]

54. I'm sorry, but I can't agree

with beating up on a little old lady who's probably widowed, obviously on a fixed income has little help from her family.

You sure were able to deduce a lot with out thinking to much and at the same time completely miss what was most obvious. That when people struggle all day every day with no help they tend to get a little cynical. I mean really have you never heard of "the mean little old lady." For crum sake, take the high road and just shut up when she makes a snide remark.

Did you happen to make fun of her when you noticed her taking the bus. Probably on a senior discount or did you already have your SUV down the block loaded with a trunk full of impulse shopping.

[DiverDave]

55. Did you even read the OP?

She didn't beat up on anyone.
She just pointed out to a bigmouth jerk that she was using a socialist program after complaining, snidely, that the kids needed discipline and that the parents wanted the state to do everything...

So, maybe read the OP (Original Post) again and see if you see what you posted.

[Mason Dixon]

56. Lets break it down

Point 1

"While I was in the cereal aisle there were two parents (presumably mom and dad) and their 2 kids…probably about 4 or 5 years of age. The kid’s were clearly getting on their parent’s last nerve. Screaming, throwing stuff from the cart, etc.,etc. You could tell mom and dad were at their wit’s end. I felt bad for the couple, obviously young and in-experienced."

--How inexperienced can be they be if they have two kids already four or five years old. two kids worth of diapers, late night feedings, "gettings ready," carting, cleaning and chasing

Point 2

"I’m sure their mother would rather have the State take care of rearing her children"

--Inference 1 is the old lady could believe that the state would do a better job

--Inference 2 is the old lady first thought of the ability of the state's care first and singularly to that of day care, a sitter or other family

Point 3

Then I heard her mutter the usual about food stamps, socialism, and Obama

--I'm sorry but this is the most suspect line of the post. Exactly where was our author when she was "muttering" these phrases. I don't understand how the old lady could have connected food stamps to the family. I don't understand how socialism could even made its way into the dialogue. As for Obama, obviously the old lady read the sweat shirt and perhaps she was anti-Obama and then made references to socialism and perhaps our author just recanted in a reverse order to underscore effect.

Point 4

"who did I see picking up her prescriptions"

--Too bad our eagle eyed author who could read the print of a medicare insurance card clutched in hand, while passing by could not scan the types of medicine the old lady was receiving. Was it more than one? What kinds were they. Perhaps they might give us some insight to the state of mind we seem to understand so well.

Point 5

"As I walked past her, she noticed me and said, “ I feel sorry for their children, there is clearly no-parenting in that household”

--Seems to me that the old lady and the author are guilty of the same practice; that they both made judgements with clearly no knowledge of each others history that created the confrontation

Point 6

--At least the two parents with rowdy kids"screaming, throwing stuff from the cart, etc.,etc." had the good sense to take the high road and understand that other people in this world have problems too and set a good example for their children by just showing a little compassion and resolve to a woman who is obviously struggling

That's all I'm saying. I'm not defending the woman I have a small child too who can cry as loud as brass band, but we are not supposed to beat up on those who may be defenseless or are just plane weaker than us.

Bottom line - take the high road and if you have too - pick on someone your own size

[Jester Messiah]

60. "Pick on someone your own size?"

Are you implying that the elderly are not able to debate effectively? The only "beating up" here was in verbal debate, something many seniors can still do with vigor. It's not as if the OP balled up a fist and punched the old fascist.

[pipi_k]

102. The problem is...

it wasn't a "verbal debate".

It was one person making a snarky remark to another. An old person who, according to the OP, muttered and snarled and acted rather cranky.

Granted, not all elderly people are one step away from dementia, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which ones are poor targets for ego-building snarkfests from people who think they've just outwitted a Master Politician.

[Obamanaut]

81. +1 also nt

[Mason Dixon]

58. And to add...

We are debating the actions of one woman who is elderly, shopping for herself, pickup up her medicines and somehow carrying herself home and another woman who's crisis of the day was she had no OJ

I mean come on!

[seabeyond]

63. ridiculous. like stewart comment.. lets all get along as long as the rw can say whatever, whenever

and the left submits and nods head in agreement.

ridiculous post

[obietiger]

67. What????

I'm a little old lady, a widow, do my own shopping, pick up my own meds, get myself home just fine by myself, thank you very much, and never have the urge to say anything nasty to anyone else. If the young couple heard her, it is unforgivable. But if she only said it to other folks, they formed their own opinion of her.

[seabeyond]

68. and little old lady.... as i am approaching the same, i bet if someone responded to a comment you

made, you would nto curl up in a ball and feel beat up or accosted. saying, how dare the poster suggest a little old lady is so fuckin fagile, she cannot handle someone making a comment to them. if i ever get so old, i cannot handle anothers opinion, even if it differs.... shoot me.

[Obamanaut]

78. According to profile, the OP is male. That sorta makes it worse. nt

[Kang Colby]

59. Thanks.

Exactly.

[seabeyond]

64. absurd. nt

[Kang Colby]

127. Thanks.....

for helping to clarify.

[seabeyond]

62. beat up? response to a person is beating up? really? so, it is required to agree?

wtf is this. per the story, all things true and exact, the little old lady gave her rant then later addressed the op adn the op responded. how is that "beating up". and does that mean that op needed to agree? or just keep mouth shut?

[lonestarnot]

57. Didn't need DU for that!

:P

[bongbong]

66. I had one a few months ago

I do volunteer work, and one of the other guys working with me one day mentioned that Obama wasn't born here. I laughed, and told him how there was not just one, but two birth announcements in the Hawaii papers back in 1961. He said "I hadn't heard that". I told him he could look it up on the Internet on non-kooky websites if he wanted. The whole exchange was so low-key (I have to work with him in the future) that it hardly rates as a confrontation. Maybe I changed some part of his hatred for Obama, but I doubt it, he seems like a pretty taciturn fellow.

However, as the OP did, at least I did something more than just acquiescence to the common-mostly-in-the-USA idea of "don't discuss politics!".

[pipi_k]

69. Well, I wouldn't call it an "altercation"...

as much as a verbal slap on the hand.

Was it deserved? Who knows?

I do think, though, that it's better to just ignore the rants of the elderly, as annoying as they might be.

Really...what's to be accomplished there except making us feel better about having "put someone in his or her place"? An elderly person, no less.

And yes, I realize that there will be some who see even the elderly as being fair game and try to defend verbal smackdowns of people who may lack the ability to recognize their own hypocrisy. IMO, it's like trying to justify verbal smackdowns of children...or even people with certain mental disabilities.

:shrug:

[Richardo]

70. Verbally slamming a Medicare recipient is hardly "speaking truth to power"

Which is, by the way, one of the Top 10 stupid phrases of all time IMO.

The mom had on an Obama '08 hoodie - which made you inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt as regards their kids' inappropriate behavior. What would your reaction have been if she had a 'Palin 2012' hoodie? Not quite as generous, I'm guessing.

Filtering every social interaction through some kind of political-acceptance lens seems to me an unchallenging and ultimately unrewarding way to go through life. :shrug:

[Baalath]

71. well said.

I read this and honestly thought something similiar, but didn't want to speak up because I am new here.
Just a little much when the the object of the hatred is a little old lady. Dang maybe she groaned because it hurts her to move the cart. Maybe she mumbled something else and the teller of this incident misunderstood her, being she was at the end of the aisle when the mumbling occured.


:hi:

[pipi_k]

85. I hear ya...

Sometimes it's scary to give an honest opinion even when one has been here a number of years.


But anyway, it never ceases to amaze me when people get all puffed up and proud after they've had a verbal "altercation" with the elderly.

IMO, it's comparable to someone putting up a billboard along the highway to announce that he's just killed a housefly.

[Obamanaut]

80. Nicely put. +1 nt

[pipi_k]

84. And that is the root of it, you know...

Identifying and labeling peoples' motives and actions through the filter of political ideology.

Prejudice, to put it bluntly.

Take a specific situation and have one role played out by the RWer, the other by the LWer, and the RWer will be wrong.

Take the same situation and reverse the roles, and the RWer will still be wrong and the LWer will still be right.


What that clearly says...to me, anyway...is that there isn't always a clear "right" or "wrong".

Which is one reason why it's pointless to try and argue with people we run across in the course of the day. Especially an elderly person, who is, as you so aptly pointed out, NOT a source of Power which needs to be spoken to with "truth".

[cordelia]

122. Well said.

[deaniac21]

72. Nothing better than a made up story!

[Phentex]

82. The post just tries too hard...

too many stereotypes to make it believable. Plus a FULL description of brunch which adds zero to the overall effect IMO. :o

[AngryOldDem]

89. You too, huh?

Sorry, but when I read this earlier this morning, I didn't believe it. Just too much extraneous detail to make a point, for starters.

Just doesn't pass the smell test for me.

[pipi_k]

100. Well, to be fair...

there are conditions that cause people to overdo it on sharing details of a true story.

Mr Pip shares almost no details at all when telling about something that happened.

I perhaps share too many. That doesn't mean the story I'm telling is a lie. It only means that I'm trying to paint a mental picture for my listeners because I tend to see things that way. I often have to stop myself from doing it when people start to look bored.


In any event, I'm not saying the story is true or false. Just that sharing details isn't always a sign of falsehoods.

:shrug:

[NoGOPZone]

101. What gave it away? The multigrain Fig Newtons or the habaneras? nt

[deaniac21]

110. When a bunch of kids are out of control I've never seen anyone

start talking about politics. I have often heard people tell parents to please get control of their kids.

[Binka]

125. Read The OP's Profile

It tells you everything you need to know. If you ever have the unfortunate experience to read Conservative Cave you'll see they really hate the homeless and impoverished. This OP stinks to high heaven and beyond.

[haifa lootin]

120. Fundies call them Parables

;-)

[superduperfarleft]

73. Cool story, bro. n/t

[Swagman]

74. hey breakfast sounds good..how about an invite !

:hippie:

[Iwillnevergiveup]

88. Well done

I'm convinced that tea hags are very, very unhappy folks. Projecting is an art form for them.

:shrug:

[Turbineguy]

90. Dive Bomb!

:yourock:

[Tippy]

93. K&R...CONTRATULATIONS ...on a job well done....

[ecstatic]

94. Good job, but I'm not sure freepers even know the government

is involved with Medicare. "Keep your government hands off my Medicare!!"-- real quote from a freeper at a town hall.

[eyeofdelphi]

96. awesome!

i can't ever think of anything to say at the moment. but then later at like 3 in the morning i sit bolt upright with a brilliant comment. oh well.

[Naturyl]

97. Hehe, you nailed her

These people are shameless. Bitching about "socialism" and whipping out a Medicare card. Classic.

I feel sorry for her because her heart is full of bitterness and judgement - but then again, rest assured that she deserves herself.

[Daemonaquila]

98. "Truth to power?" Oh, please!

Look, we're all glad you found the fortitude to smack down a jackass, but that's hardly "speaking truth to power." She has no power. That's why she is a bitter, nasty rethug. The only "power" she has is that too few people are willing to fly straight up her nose when she starts spouting hate.

I've been doing it LONG before finding DU, as have many other people. So welcome to the posse, and do keep up the good work. Try a few more challenging targets, however. Politicians are good. TSA is fun.

[crim son]

99. NICE!

I hope you made her think, though it's unlikely.

[boycottfaux]

103. A baby step . .

Next time stick your tongue out at the ole lady . .

[Boudica the Lyoness]

104. Right on

I'm very bold and say what I think but my problem is I hate them so much I can't stay civil.
You did great! :toast:

I will remember to use that.

[Catherine Vincent]

105. Good for you!

It's just too bad there wasn't a crowd around to hear what you told the woman.

[roguevalley]

106. you are my new hero, Kang Colby. (My nephew is named colby) :)

You have to speak truth wherever you can. By the way, I want to eat at your house. :-D

[Yavapai]

107. I love it. "Keep your government hands off my Medicare".

My story comes from about 18 months ago.

Was in a pizza place, that makes pizza that you take home and bake yourself. I had noticed that they had Chicago style
double thick pizza, I quipped, when they were taking my order, that I would have a double pepperoni Obama Special. As
the people behind the counter laughed a very bleached blond woman, with troweled on make-up, put her face about 10 inches
from mine. She had this very distorted expression and demanded to know why Obama had just received the Nobel Prize. All
I could think to say was "because he isn't a total idiot like Dubya, and offers the world hope that the insanity in America
is over!" In answer to that, she spit in my face and stormed out of the place (without her pizza that she had already paid for.)

I was very relieved to find my pick-up truck NOT keyed when I left the place (but was considering going to the doctor and getting rabbies shots!)

[ckimmy57]

108. Clap clap clap

Good for you, bravo. My oldest son and hubby also told one off. They were in a deli and a couple of elderly "gentlemen" were spouting off about Obama and all the "free" programs for those lazy free loaders etc. My son asked if they received Medicare and when they replied "yes" in a huffy tone my son advised them they should return their checks to the government because Medicare is one of those "dirty Democrat programs" and walked away.

[Obamanaut]

112. The response in #70 fits here nicely ->link in message block

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9428582&mesg_id=9432633

[NotThisTime]

114. Wow!!! I wouldn't have been able to come up with it... Good for you!

[B Calm]

119. Do you think she understood what you said? It's really hard to

communicate with these dumb bastards.

[WillParkinson]

124. I'm greatly disappointed...

I wasn't in time to rec this! Congrats to you and welcome to DU.

[Kang Colby]

126. Thanks everyone......

I'm glad you enjoyed the anecdote. An angry Freeper + a little wit = LOL for us all.