rant to my mother -- am i going insane

[oddtext]

perhaps this will provide some voyeuristic enjoyment, or perhaps i shouldn't post this, but i can't believe my rage!

my mom wrote me:
**********
Is K back from her trip? Hopefully you two will have a fun holiday weekend. Great weather up here. You feel guilty getting ready for a nice long weekend and then look at what those people are going through in New Orleans. We certainly aren't ready for any disaster to strike or terroist attack. And where are all the countries that we have always helped out -- are they coming to our aide. I don't think so. It is awful.

Have a good weekend and I will call soon. Love MOM
************

i then have spent the last 45 minutes spewing the following statement:

************
No, you "feel" guilty. I feel scared. it's clear to me that our "government" will leave us to die in an emergency. there isn't even a need for the government to *appear* concerned about death until it's long past time to do something.

MANY MANY MANY COUNTRIES HAVE OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO THIS NATION OF ASSHOLES AND THERE HAS BEEN NO ZERO NOTHING ZIP IN WAY OF RESPONSE FROM THESE FUCKING ASSHOLES THAT RUN OUR GOVERNMENT! THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE, NO ACCEPTANCE OF HELP FROM OUR ASSHOLE LEADERS.

you are misinformed. Venezuela offered free oil! Canada and most major countries in Europe have offered assistance -- even France.

they've let people die in the streets for 5 days -- what do we pay taxes for? is this sick entertainment? 5 years of planes hijacked for two hours flying all over hell and gone and into our largest buildings, "no one could forsee that", the pentagon taken out, "no one could forsee that", the terrorist in charge goes uncaptured for 4 years "no one could forsee that", iraq is a disaster that never ends "no one could forsee that", it was supposed to pay for itself, "no one could forsee that it wouldn't", we create these (apparently ridiculous) departments of homeland security so that we could respond to this kind of things, and they can't do shit, "no one could forsee that", people starving and dehydrating in a major city's streets, "no one could forsee that". but now i can forsee all of this and a whole lot more.

but i'm sure in your "republican" mind it's "their" fault, or whatever. no it's your fault for being an uninformed uninterested uncaring citizen who supports an uninformed uninterested uncaring (probably criminal) president who allows people to die in the streets and our nation's 35th largest city dies and blames blames blames whoever whatever it may be that makes it easier to not "feel guilty"! is that ridiculous, or what? i guess that's compassionate conservativism to say "you feel guilty". well here's what i think: you feel guilty, because you ARE!

i can't deal with this attitude, all it takes is one moronic uninformed "republican" statement to set me off.

don't be smug and say i've gone off the deepend, no, you have along with your political party, fundamentalist whacko morons (who could move heaven in an instant for terri schiavo) and your "president". You know that you are not any more safe than the people of NOLA.

have a lovely labor day.
******************


i haven't sent this. what do you think? am i losing it?

[spooked911]

1. No, send it. Your mom needs to get a clue.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. You are not losing it *hugs* You are sane as can be. Let us know

if your mom gives you trouble over this. We'll back you up.

-----------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[madmax]

3. Of course, you're right but

maybe you should edit it just a tad. ;)

[Maple]

4. Give it an hour or so

Relax, cool down...and then edit before sending.

[Frances]

7. Good advice

I am the emotional sort and if I wrote that kind of letter, I would want to cool down before I sent it. And I would edit it, not for the points you are making, but for the way you are making them.

Many years ago, I spoke the way you wrote to my parents about segregation. They were wrong and I was right, but I wish I had waited till I was calmer to talk with them. I would have been more persuasive if I had.

[stevans_41902]

10. Your moms statements about how nobody ever helps the USA made

me mad- Australia and Germany gave TWICE as much as our governemnt did to the Tsunami victims. Typical Freeper statement, though:grr: I dont think you should let her get away with saying stuff like this - PLEASE TELL HER HOW YOU FEEL! But, I agree that it would be a good idea to calm down a bit and maybe edit it so she doesnt just stop reading halfway through.

[oddtext]

13. i'm not sending it . . . now

you're right. i know it. what trips me out is how enraged that little asshole statement has made me -- they won't help.

:banghead:

thank you everyone for being so kind as to read this for me and give me some perspective and release.

[SmokingJacket]

16. I agree...

Trim it down and be sure to point out how Bush has turned down all the offers of help...

[Splatter Phoenix]

5. Hmmm...

Acidic, but I'd be much, much worse--keep in mind it is your mother...

"but i'm sure in your "republican" mind it's "their" fault, or whatever. no it's your fault for being an uninformed uninterested uncaring citizen who supports an uninformed uninterested uncaring (probably criminal) president who allows people to die in the streets and our nation's 35th largest city dies and blames blames blames whoever whatever it may be that makes it easier to not "feel guilty"! is that ridiculous, or what? i guess that's compassionate conservativism to say "you feel guilty". well here's what i think: you feel guilty, because you ARE!"

That part I felt was a little strong...to loosely paraphrase Churchill's statement, to hit a point with a sledgehammer over and over is good...but...if you insult her you close her mind further, like poking a snail's eyeball. ._. it goes back into its shell.

[Arugula Latte]

6. Send it.

People need to see reality for what it is. NOW.

[rzemanfl]

8. After seeing the latest from NOLA at lunch today I came back

to the office and totally lost it with a co-worker over a petty irritation, she is a now converted Republican who voted for * in 2000 and I guess I still resent that but she did not deserve my yelling at her (just because she did something a little dumb). I now regret it. So think it over, maybe send it Monday night.

[MO_Dem]

9. "These are the times that try men's souls".....

and women's, too. Hang in there. I think I'm losing it sometimes. If it were not for DU, I know I'd be a "goner" by now.

[cynatnite]

11. Send it

I started a thread about my rant to my RW mother. I know exactly how you feel.

Me...I'd send it.

[Carolab]

12. Send it. They are YOUR feelings and your mom should know.

OWN your position. State what you feel and what you believe.

That's what Howard Dean is talking about! STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN!!!

[graywarrior]

14. I refuse to protect my repug family from the wrath I feel over this

and my rage about Bush. If I could write as well as you, I'd be sending out copies to everyone in my family.

[mzmolly]

15. Your not insane, your rightfully angry.

Recommended.

[Rainscents]

17. Send it! My mother or not, if someone sented that type of email,

I would do the same and send it!

[oddtext]

18. here's what i sent:

if i hear more crap, i'll take the gloves off!

***************
i'm glad that you feel guilty. i feel a lot more shock and fear. many
countries have offered to help. venezuela offered free oil. canada has
offered help including the finest urban search and rescue service they have,
all major countries in Europe have offered to assist. even France. you're
not getting the news. what's truly shocking is that there has been no
acceptance of the help offered. it's not like we were able to provide the
assistance in any effective way on our own. it makes you think that maybe
we may not be safe.

duh.

good to hear that you're having nice weather. K is still in montana. i
was going to atlanta, but we have gas rationing and fuel is $4 here and $6
in atlanta, so i think i'll stay here and be with K's kitties who are
doing very well.

have a nice weekend. T

[progressivebydesign]

26. I think that's a much better approach.

My mother in law, whom I love, is a staunch republican. She was talking about how no one should be blaming anyone right now in the crisis... and.. as with most of her republican musings, I listen, I interject some facts, and I let it go. It's hard, but what would I accomplish by going off on her? Wouldn't change her mind... but by interjecting casual facts, I can perhaps make her think.

I'm so glad you didn't sent the other one... her email sounded clueless rather than mean.

[oddtext]

27. clueless,

exactly. it's the republican way. it's what's SO maddening!

[Matariki]

19. you know what

i think it's time we all STOP biting our tounge around friends, family, co-workers, etc out of politeness. THEY have no problem speaking their 'minds'.

i think you should cool off, edit it and send it. make sure you use that line about her being misinformed though. and let her know also that Castro offered to send doctors ;-)

[LSK]

20. I am so sorry you have a mother who doesnt get it

I just spent 45 minutes on the phone with mine and she is in 100% agreement and sees things on her own that we talk about on DU. I hope your mother wakes up.

[winga222]

21. You put it very well

but I agree with those who recommend you wait a few hours, edit it a bit, and then send it. If you really want to open her mind, she still needs to be reading at the end. Good luck! :hi:

[PatriotGames]

22. Send it. No question at all.

[titoresque]

23. I think you should wait an hour

and then maybe tame it down a little and call her on the phone. Either way you're right about what you've said.....so decide, so you want to really get through to her, or do you want to just unload on her? If you want to get through to her with your feelings, you should do it over the phone in an hour or so when you cool off alittle.

I could be totallly wrong.....and I probably am :)

[progressivebydesign]

24. Don't hit that send button yet...

It's a great rant... just not exactly word for word what you'd like to send to someone you love (I'm assuming you love your Mom). If you take out some of the more personal attack vibes then it's okay to send. I would really hurt my Mom's feelings deeply if I sent something like that, even if we disagreed vehemently, and people do tend to stop listening or "hearing" you once you've hurt them.

take a breath.. reread.. and edit a bit and you're fine.

[oddtext]

25. thank you all.

i sent #18

[antigone382]

28. "no one could forsee that"

they've let people die in the streets for 5 days -- what do we pay taxes for? is this sick entertainment? 5 years of planes hijacked for two hours flying all over hell and gone and into our largest buildings, "no one could forsee that", the pentagon taken out, "no one could forsee that", the terrorist in charge goes uncaptured for 4 years "no one could forsee that", iraq is a disaster that never ends "no one could forsee that", it was supposed to pay for itself, "no one could forsee that it wouldn't", we create these (apparently ridiculous) departments of homeland security so that we could respond to this kind of things, and they can't do shit, "no one could forsee that", people starving and dehydrating in a major city's streets, "no one could forsee that". but now i can forsee all of this and a whole lot more.

I found this part especially powerful...I would have sent it in the letter, but what you sent her was polite and informative...and as they say, you attract more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.