Anyone else been encountering silence from your Republican relatives?

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

Was visiting the relatives. Usually they bring up politics and praise Bush and all things Republican, but this time, there was total silence. Not one person brought the subject of politics up! I tried to ask one person a couple of questions about what they thought about the Iraq war, but he didn't want to discuss it. They have been uncharacteristically silent about this topic for several months now.

Has anyone else encountered this? I wonder what it means?

[Khephra]

1. Yeah

a bit.

But my Uncle has also mentioned that he might vote for Howard Dean, as he's a social liberal/fiscal conservative himself. That on its own is a massive change from how things were a few months ago.

[Sagan]

2. It means they'll vote for *

But that they don't want to think about what they're doing.

It's deep denial.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

14. Unfortunately, I think you are right

I used to think a long time ago that they were moderate Republicans because only a couple of them are Fundamentalist Christians. But now I think they are mostly dittoheads and will never vote for a Democrat no matter what. They may not like Bush or the Republicans much, but they hate the Democrats because they listen to the propaganda.

[zonmoy]

50. My family

being right wing evangelicals have their church merely blame every problem on not being able to push their religion on everybody in the country. They see that as the only problem.

[Solomon]

62. Hallelujah zonmoy. Thank you. That is so well put. It describes

perfectly the problem that my family has. You're a genius. Thank you. Says it in a nut shell.

[Mari333]

3. Denial...my whole family wont talk about it

they feel incredible guilt, but wont admit it..they know they voted for a war criminal and the blood is on their hands...very similar to the behaviour of the Germans who backed Hitler and then were confronted with the death chambers of Auschwitz...denial.

[madfloridian]

4. Yes, big time.

They avoid addressing the lies, they just clam up.

[ShimokitaJer]

5. I'd call it shame at their past cheerleading

My family is the same way. I received all kinds of forwards about evidence for WMDs, the bad behavior of peace protestors, the evils of the Hussein government, etc. back in spring, but I haven't heard a word since. I really believe they are ashamed of their championing of a war that has proven so misguided.

I haven't resisted saying "I told you so," and haven't brought the subject up either, mainly because I'm waiting for the general election season. There's no way I could convince them to register as Dems for the primary, but there just might be wiggle room on the general election. Even if everything from the economy to WMD to Osama and Saddam all come together for Bush in the next six months, I don't see how he can recover. Reagan succeeded because he made Republicans feel proud to be Americans. Bush inspires nothing but shame.

[Mz Pip]

6. I'm going to visit

them in Phoenix for a long weekend. It should be interesting.

Before the war I had a lengthy e-mail debate with my RW cousin and in the end he conceded that going to war just to protect your self interests was not a good thing.

He hasn't sent me anything but jokes since.

MzPip
:dem:

[tabasco]

7. Yes, I have observed a similar situation.

My republican cousins do not want to talk about Bush. I think they realize what an idiot he is, and hopefully will not vote for him. Either that, or they know that discussing Bush will only anger the rest of us.

[1songbird]

8. My in-laws aren't silent anymore

They are loudly proclaiming that they will not vote for Bush next year. YEAH!!!!! I've been working on them for years.

[On the Road]

9. It Means Some of Them Won't Vote Next November

and that's a very good sign.

[Endangered Specie]

10. now is the time to start praising the works

of democrates. Foward all sorts of goodies to your family.


Payback is a bitch

[rucky]

13. I agree about shifting to a positive message

Everybody's had the Bush arguements ad nauseum. They're still important, but our focus should now be on the next election, and the 9 great candidates who will stand up for workers, support healthcare, and restore our longtime alliances, etc. etc.

[Endangered Specie]

11. now is the time to start praising the works

of democrates. Foward all sorts of goodies to your family.


Payback is a bitch

[rucky]

12. I Wish

I was at a wedding last weekend. My freeper cousin last week was the groom. Here he is at the reception talking about how Dennis Kucinich bankrupted Cleveland. On his own wedding night...jeez.

My gift to him was to hold my tongue (minus an offhanded comment about looting the treasury). I don't think I'll be getting a thank-you note for that one, tho.

[zbdent]

15. Never was sure about my brother, but my brother-in-law is a hunter

and I wasn't sure about him either. Seemed he ran to the right, and my sister works their gun shows, so I would lump them as right.

My brother loved to send me stuff from his "joke" e-mail list (probably the same place he started picking up virii.). Every now and then, you would get those ones which try to tell you that only REPUBLICANS LOVE THEIR COUNTRY.

Most of those, I gave him a few facts and sent him on his merry way to Snopes.

One time last year, though, I got really pissed off and went on a rant. At the end of it, I asked him if he was planning on sending his 2.5 year old daughter to a private school, since he seemed to endorse a lot of these right-wing views by spreading the crap without checking for any facts' existence within it.

Haven't heard an e-mail peep from him since. He's also pointed out that his computer is screwed up.

[Solomon]

16. With me its a strange situation. My folks are democrats but

they left our church and joined a fundie church. The minister had early on been preaching that Bush was the equivalent of David when God told David to smite the elamites or whatever. When my parents had their 50th wedding anniversary last November, they read a letter of congratulations from Bush. I was nonplussed about it until I found out about the new fundie church.

Well, I can barely talk to them anymore, but I noticed the bloom is off the rose as far as Bush is concerned. But strangely enough, because they are fundies, even though they don't like Bush anymore, they still think the Lord is guiding his hand, i.e., "God's in charge". It makes me want to puke. They are hoping for the end of the world so they won't have to die; they will be taken up by Jesus Christ. Bush plays into this by fucking with the Middle East so much which is where all the fundies think armagedon is about to happen. They can hardly wait for armagedon to begin so convinced arde they that they are "saved."

[creativelcro]

18. it's not different

from any of the wacky cults leading to mass suicide...

[JM]

17. My grandfather...

...decided not to be silent. He just changed his registration to Democrat instead B-)

Later,
JM

[TXvote]

19. The GOP has been hijacked

The most profound silence I have heard is when I told some Gop stalwarts that as far as Icould tell, the Gop had been hijacked by a small band of very determined criminals. And if thier party was an airplane, the Republicans I know would be too righteous to stay in their seats.

Could have heard a pin drop.

[aldian159]

21. Absolutly

The New England Republican is a dying breed.

The GOP is being commandered by southern conservatives, so moderate GOPers are being forced out.

[bpilgrim]

23. wow

great story, we MUST encourage republicans to take their party back :bounce:

welcome to DU :hi:

peace

[Minstrel Boy]

32. what a great image

and you're absolutely correct.

The denial is great about what the GOP has become, and it runs deepest within the old guard of the party.

[newyawker99]

35. Hi TXvote!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[proud patriot]

37. Indeed Teddy Roosevelt would be leading the fight against these bozo's

My grandparents have shown an intrest in Dean .
They are true blue old money Conservatives (who
voted no on vouchers because they didn't want
middle class and poor kids in the private schools :eyes:)

They also voted for Perot in 92 , they really
don't like they bush family . My grandfather
fought against Imperialism , and fassism in WWII.

I'd hate to know how it must feel for them to see
everything they had left us fututre generations
being dismantled by the band of criminals at the
helm .

For the first time , my grandfather is listening to me
with earnest appreciation , and an open mind .
This is a man who graduated first in his class at Harvard
Business School .He's so smart he can get me twisted
and looking like fool toot sweet , but seems to
recognize some of what I see and respect it .

[eissa]

20. I envy all of you!

Geez, my repug family hasn't changed a bit. In fact, if anything, they feel even more vindicated, highlighting the recent repug wins for governerships nationwide, the "improving" economy, and the "war on terra." They think all we are is the "party of homos." Politics is just a taboo subject in my family as it ends up getting really personal and feelings have been hurt in the past. Yeah, my family is pretty vicious! :(

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

28. I made an accidental discovery

Well, actually I was snooping a little bit, but one of the Rush listening relatives that was formerly heard to say prejudiced things about those "homos" has an interesting secret. I won't tell any of the relatives about it, but isn't it just the typical hypocricy!

[rucky]

31. Send Him Some Lincoln Logs for X-Mas

heh, heh.

[proud patriot]

52. Snort

:evilgrin:

[elfin]

22. A little quieter - but not quiet enough... yet

Just saw some recently and they bragged about going to Crawford and buying a cookbook, birdhouse etc. I just said I hope they aren't for me, because I will burn them with the Yule Log. They laughed.

Then they remarked wasn't it good news that the new plan for Iraq would be to have them govern by June? I replied it had less to do with Iraqi self governance and more to do with our election to try to make GW look good. Then they shut up.

[Upfront]

24. Oh Ya.

They have clamed up but still back AWOL.

[Loonman]

25. Oh yeah!!!

With their mouth's shut, it's easier for me so say:


I TOLD YOU SO!!!! I TOLD YOU SO!!!!! I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!

[Brotherjohn]

26. My dad's not hardcore, but mostly just hated Clinton.

But he was pretty pro-Bush initially. He tried to suck me into conversations early on after 9-11. Lately, though, not a peep.

The last time I spoke politics with him was after Jeb won the governorship here in Fla. he brought that up and said something like "I still think we should keep supporting Bush, as long as nothing else bad happens." He hasn't brought up politics since then. That was before the Iraq War. I think "something bad" has happened.

I'm still not sure if he avoids politics lately b/c he knows I won't agree and understands I'd like to keep things amiable, or b/c he's just not that "enthusiastic" about Bush anymore. But I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up voting Dem in 2004. Especially a Clark or a Kerry, b/c of their military backgrounds. That would really appeal to him, I think.

[shanti]

27. i'm encountering silence

about *ush from many conservatives on other message boards. when confronted with the cold hard FACTS, they continue to fall back on clinton, but never address the actual issues. pretty telling...

[fishnfla]

29. Not really, I keep riding herd on them

last month I decided that anyone who still supports Bush is responsible for the KIA in Iraq.Blood on hands. I have been berating them without mercy. If they didn't have to talk to me they surely wouldn't. They are angry, at me, but at least the war is making them angry too.
Dems Will Win draft info put a bit of quiet in them, for sure.

[opihimoimoi]

30. Its called THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

LOL :o)

[rasputin1952]

44. Good one Opi...

LOL.

:evilgrin: :hi:

[Solomon]

63. Yeah. You made me grin real good.

:evilgrin:

[MoonAndSun]

33. I've noticed the silence coming from repuke co-workers.

they would love to bash me when I would say that bush* was going into Iraq only for political purposes, and there were no WMD. Now they never bring up bush* or Iraq, I always initiate and they have no comebacks for me. They know they were lied to but they will never admit it out loud.

most of my relatives are Dems!!

[Nay]

48. Same here with my repub co-workers. They don't even want

to talk about it. I love the analogy above about the GOP plane being hijacked by criminals, and no decent repub would stay in his seat. I think I will use that.

I suspect some will still vote repub, but there are some that won't be able to. I don't know if they'll go as far as voting Dem, but they may stay home.

[TXvote]

58. Play Jeopardy Instead

I have found it useful to approach the conservatives in my sphere as if we are playing a game of Jeopardy. I precurse the conversation with "Maybe you can help me. The Republicans I know are dedicated to sensible spending etc. I'm a little confused by the GOP today..." And then you ask questions about,say,the unprecedented deficit or expansion of government.

No matter what they answer I just nod and pay attention.

See, people learn by asking questions. And if they ask themselves questions they are likely to break the spell of blind faith the GOP has cast upon America. It is very hard not to yell at them sometimes, but I sure do learn a lot letting them answer those questions. MOst of them come back for more.

Peace,
Teresa

[Tyler Durden]

34. American Politics has become Hatfields vs McCoys.

The parties live by the feud, and it is a blood feud.

They won't settle for winning (legally or illegally), they want us the social equivalent of DEAD.

No compromise is possible with them, as it is eternally "My way or the HIGHWAY," and if it's all the same to us, they'd prefer we took the highway, as they consider us traitors and worse.

This is the continuation of a war that started with Ronald Reagan, and continues to this day. To support the opponents of the Neoconservative Ideal is Heresy, and they don't take converts; they purify with the flame.

I never EVER talk politics with my conservative relatives, as to hold an opinion even differing from theirs is to be WRONG. There is no middle ground with the committed Neoconservative. The Inquisition is re-igniting, and the flames will touch the sky.

In the words of Larry Niven: "Some things are just so terrible that the only solution is to be somewhere else when they happen."

We cannot win because in their eyes to lose is not to be endured. If they can't have the whole thing, then they will burn it down, figuratively or literally.

[dreissig]

41. Conservatives are LOSING

Conservatives aren't winning; it's all they can do to hold on to territory that they already claim. The way they avoid ridicule is to avoid political discussions entirely.

The Bush administration has led Republicans into so many cul-de-sacs that they don't have any mobility anymore. They can't call themselves the party of personal morality, when they go starting unnecessary wars based on lies. Republicans are wrong on nearly every issue. For example, Bush used to promote his compassion but it's obvious that he doesn't have any.

[havocmom]

43. The quiet is a sign that some of them are actually thinking for a change

and that is a good sign. And there are rumblings among the republican ranks where I live. It is almost entirely GOP here and I keep a low profile with the general population... get more info that way. I do like to ask questions and/or mention something 'curious' that I found on a 'different source for news that I stumbled on on the internet'. Thank you, evil DUers for helping me guide some of my neighbors to the light!

Happy to report, that when they think only other traditional republicans are present, there is a bit of testing the water for remarks against current policies. When the tests don't get any harsh response, the critisms get bolder and others start nodding in agreement.

We have a lot of chaps going overseas very soon from out tiny population. Already have some members of the community serving in Iraq and the locals have been getting requests for basic necessities, so they are getting eyes opened about who is really 'supporting the troops" and who is all jingo and no substance.

Oh, and all the flags are off the pickup trucks here in Tiny Town. No more of that hollow flag waving crap around here. The sheep are beginnign to grumble and rumble and I think that in the privacy of the voting booth, there will be a different result from the 82% pro-bush* vote of 2000. And we use pencils to vote here... not so easy to program those for the results Rove wants!

[ElementaryPenguin]

36. My Repuke in-laws were silent - now they say they HATE Bush!!

And have pledged to vote for ANY Dem to defeat him! This is one of the ways I KNOW that the Chimp is toast and any polls that say otherwise are total bullshit! These people are Ohio Repukes who dislike Dems - but are willing to vote for them now to rid the country of this lunatic administration!!

[lumpy]

38. Thank heavens I don't have too many repub relatives.

One stands out tho', a nephew who claims to ne a repub and thinks bush is doing right by the world. I try not to discuss politics, tho'. He's the one who was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war. Seems he lost his religioso/peacenik way.

[dreissig]

39. We've Been Here Before

Nixon was re-elected handily by people who had reason to suspect he wasn't all he claimed to be. When it became obvious that Nixon was a sneak and a criminal, all the people who voted for him got strangely, even eerily, quiet.

The Republicans in my family are usually as vocal about politics as they are about sports. Lately, however, you can hear a pin drop. Bush has really screwed up, and they know it. He inherited peace and prosperity and gave us the agony of a difficult, unnecessary war; and gave away the treasury to the rich. There's really no way to defend an administration that has failed the way Bush has failed.

Since Bush took office illegitimately, I've avoided political discussions inside the family. However, I made sure to publicize my opposition to the war, lest anyone accuse me of having been silent about it. I suspect that people who hold true Republican values are ashamed of George Bush and what the Republican party has endorsed in his administration.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

60. "No way to defend an administration that has failed the way Bush failed"

no kidding!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

40. oh yes and it's deafening...i have relatives in houston tx....they use to

be bible thumping bush lovers...now ...nada...and i was just with them last week...a death in the family brought us together...some even said they will NOT vote for bush again

[NormanConquest]

42. My parents just told me

They were NEVER voting for Bush again. Good news, but the next thing they mentioned was the "Mondale Democrats" running for president :puke: so it looks like I have some more work to do.

[BuelahWitch]

45. No Republican relatives (still living, that is)..

..but an ex-boyfriend used to call at least once a month and try and praise Bush to the heavens. He doesn't call me anymore...

[Jacobin]

46. Yep. Very Very Quite among my Repuke BushWoshipping Friends.

[demigoddess]

47. my repub relatives are not discussing the subject

But they have lots of grandsons who are soon to be draft age. If the news would talk about upcoming draft, we would have them.
One relative used to send those thinly veiled propaganda things that the RW used to spread til I told him to knock it off and keep it to himself. Recently I have been sending emails with Dean logo and Smart women vote democratic and havent heard a peep. Thought it might make a difference to the undecided.

[ComerPerro]

49. It means they are shutting the fuck up

And I don't have to explain to them why I hate America.

That's really good enough for me. I don't so much hate seeing family members now, since they don't gloat as much.

But, to answer your question, yes, I am noticing this.

[mlawson]

51. I don't have any Repuke relatives.

I have never met anyone who likes bush, much less voted for him.

[submerged99]

56. No repub relatives either

I dont have any republican relatives, at least none that I know about, so the only praise I hear for Bush comes from the media and the odd overheard conversation. None of my friends are republicans either.

A couple of months back, I was at my cousins house and one of his coworkers came over to watch a boxing match. People were drinking and he said that he supported the war in Iraq which led to an argument. The guy left because he sensed that he was about to get beaten up by a bunch of guys who had just finished watching a boxing match. It was pretty funny and I actually felt bad for him and helped him carry some of his leftover food to the car.

[quaker bill]

53. Yes, and republican friends and associates as well

I number of folks I work are either rep's or voted for Bush*. Some got in my face as they knew of my involvement with local Quakers protesting against the war. They really fired up when my wife was quoted in the paper as a spokesperson for the movement with the photo of my family and friends praying for peace in front of City Hall. There were a couple of ugly bits.

They are all real quiet now. One even came to me a apologised stating 'I cannot vote for Bush* again, he is a liar'. I told her on election day 2000 that she had made a horrible choice and that if Bush* wins we would soon be at war. We are now debating more progressive ideas. She will be a progressive before I am done.

[Malva Zebrina]

54. my bloviating neighbor who has been a complete idiot Bush supporter

came here today and had no rebuttal to my cries about Bush, AARP, medical care for seniors, the war and the deaths of 420 of our people--he is usually disgustingly bloviating, loud and assumes an attitude of supercillious, superiority--he really learned that in his corporate job where image was more important than intelligence and IQ-but intuitively I have known that I am really smarter than he is- He had nothing to say==no defense. He still hangs the flag out in front of his house but I think that he is sort of tucking his tail.

[BeyondLeftist]

55. Republican relatives silent...

I was horrified to receive an email from a relative that was a reply to the quote of Bush Sr., about why he bailed from Iraq in the first war. "But,Bush Jr is a greater president and has taken action", was this one's reply sent to me and many others. I am sick of the total anti-life, suicidal/homicidal mentality PERIOD. I whipped this out and sent it to everyone my relative sent his email reply to. I am sorry that the photos did not copy out for this but we have all seen them I am sure, but a lot of people haven't. So, yes after sending out this letter of mine to the people who have and do back this monstrosity of an agenda up, I have heard a lot of sweet silence.BeyondLeftist


I am not silly enough to forget that,of course, Bush has not done any of these actions himself, remember he was the guy who went AWOL from the guard...a little too bizzy for Vietnam, oh yeah that was Cheney's or Rush's line.

This message to you is from my heart. May my child and I be divinely guided and protected. We fear no man nor his evil for we are divinely guided and protected by God almighty. In Jesus' blessed name.Amen

(INSERTED PICTURE OF LITTLE ALI, WHO,"SUFFERED MORE PAIN THAN A MOUNTAIN COULD BARE...)

When I first saw this picture of Ali, his face reminded me of my handsome nephew Sammy, who looks most like Uncle Bill. The boys are about the same age. I can tell he is, like Sam, a very good and strong boy, wonder if he was a fishing fool like Sam too. That, of course, is not his mother's hand wiping his face. She is dead with the rest of his family. Dead while they slept, his brothers, father, and pregnant mother. 'the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air..." His arms were burnt off, like burnt matches. Truly a miracle he survived...I will never forget him.

(INSERTED PICTURE OF DEAD IRAQI GIRL, WHOSE HEAD WAS LIBERATED INTO A SACK)

Now this little one is about Sher's age. I feel this mother's pain, I hope she,too, is dead. My heart would die if this were my kid, it aches with sadness for the suffering.

(INSERTED WAR PICTURE OF GRANDPA HOLDING LITTLE BLOWN UP GIRL WITH THE PRETTY PINK SWEATER)
This was someone's well tended little darlin...Imagine this grandpa living through this, anyone who thinks of this as 'collateral damage' or is proud of Bush's 'actions' is one heartless mother effer...One of the many anti-life forces ruling the world. I hope this never happens here, there would be no Grandpa to carry and lay us out so nice and neat. Come drink the water poisoned with perchlorate throughout the defense industry land of CA with your grandson. Breathe the most polluted air in the country, bring your inhaler...the pollution czar just reduced the standards for industry. Can't let the people or helpless ones interfere with commerce or industry-got to be tough lunged around here. Thanks to our strong family genes we are fine & healthy, but I predict we'll be the last generation that lives a long time. The DU warheads are really toxic to the world.
(INSERTED PICTURE OF LITTLE IRAQI GIRL WITH THE SWELLED UP EYE)
poor baby in shock

Please remember, this is the antique cradle of civilization, I have heard that the people in the Middle East wail that they are unfortunate enough to have oil under the ancient land they love.Oh how they have suffered for the few that profit. I always wanted to visit this land of UR and Sumer. The Mesopotamians had an impressive history. Incredible art that survived all this time. oh well-sigh
(INSERTED PICTURE OF WAR SCENE IN BAGHDAD)

I hope you dwell on this recent history re-visited, I don't support any of this killing. It is wrong, there are no pluses to this type of behavior, only negatives & it damages all souls who partake.

All who are proud of and identify with this anti-life 'action', please continue to proclaim yourselves, put it on your vehicles, identify yourselves openly-you have taken the mark of the beast-with your own free choice, just like the Bible say...but you will be allowed to buy and sell. The Lord works in mysterious ways. Love to all that love on this world - shun all those who have taken the mark for they hate those who haven't and won't-BeyondLeftist

[alcuno]

57. Wow! Welcome to DU, BeyondLeftist. What a treasure!

I don't ever want to raise your ire. My favorite is the call to continue to "identify yourselves openly-you have taken the mark of the beast..." Some poor slob was probably out in his garage all night trying to get the Bush/Cheney bumper sticker off his car.

I have found that the teachings of Jesus give me peace and power in dealing with the thankfully small number of * supporters with whom I come into contact.

[Brewman_Jax]

59. The Bush* cheerleaders have been quiet

Same in the workplace and at happy hour. The people who couldn't stop talking about Bush* are very quiet. I don't bring up the topic, but I stand ready to unload on them. My dad is a freeper, but even he can't defend Bush* when I pile on the info (thanks, DU :thumbsup: ). He just says, "Well, it's the Republicans' turn in office," and drinks another glass of wine.

As for the wine, that's another story.

[Wapsie B]

68. Same here.

There's not a word about chimpy at all. Not one. But they'll just talk about those evil environmentalists and government regulators.

[ScotTissue]

61. Can I come to Thanksgiving at YOUR HOUSE??

My Red State relatives (the majority, unfortunately) won't shut up about "terrorism" and the "burden of real leadership."

:{

[rasputin1952]

64. The only GOP supporter in mjy family, that I know of...

is my mom. But she has come to the conclusion that this is not the party of Eisenhower anymore. She has elected to remain silent whenever bush is mentioned.

As for those in NE, they have all been silenced, and that silence is deafening! My Next door neighbor, a big time pug, has taken to avoiding me, even though I would debate him, I would do it respectfully; now he is ashamed to see me outside. He'll still vote for bush, but you won't see him dancing in the streets like the last election.

Those that said that "God put bush in the WH", are now questioning themselves. Funny how I never hear that anymore.

The RW is pissed, and bush is going down.

:kiock:

[BootinUp]

65. My relatives

Must be politiked out or something. I can't get a rise out of em. They all live in California. My parents, and sisters are Democrat as far as I know. Not sure about my bros.

I've been e-mailing them stuff about Clark and not had much response. Maybe they turned repuke?!

naaaa!

[JohnKleeb]

66. What republican relatives?

:shrug: Such a thing doesnt exist :D.

[arewethereyet]

67. nope, same old same old no worries in their universe

market is up, alls right with the world