Why are Right-Wingers So 'Effing RUDE?

[FloridaJudy]

We Progressives tend to keep our traps shut when we know that expressing our opinions in the faces of those who disagree with us will lead to nothing but hostility. I do not foist Pagan literature on my relatives and co-workers who are die-hard Christians. They - on the other hand - have no qualms about sending me E-Mail or sticking pamphlets on my wind-shield that inform me that I am going to Hell (I know many ardent Christians who are wonderful, compassionate people; the boors that I have to work with give them a bad name).

Likewise, I do not press Kuchinich for President literature or E-Mails on those who are staunch Bushites; I only offer it to folks who have expressed values similar to mine, remarking "I think you'll find his platform sympathetic: check it out".

But the 'effing Freepers have NO qualms about denouncing those of us who don't share their narrow values loudly and obnoxiously. Today I had to work with two of them. In the span of thirty minutes I had to listen to:

1) How every Democratic politician since Woodrow Wilson is a baby-raping, goat-molesting degenerate.

2) That Jews, Moslems, Agnostics and others of our ilk are slime who don't deserve rights. "The first admendment was designed to protect AMERICANS, not weirdos".

3) That all homosexuals were digusting perverts who lurked about Day Care Centers looking for kids to molest.

I eventually had to withdraw from tbe room, remarking "Excuse me, ladies, but I've got to lock myself in the bathroom and scream now..."

How *does* one deal with these people without loosing one's composure?

[Kamika]

1. No idea but i agree

Now dont get me wrong im 99% sure democrats can be rude too, towards freepers but in my hmm 3 years experience of chatting or debating for real it always struck me just how rude freepers were, they will not hesitate calling you a communist, nazi, feminazi, rack down on fat ppl, say how much nobody likes them etc etc etc, its like they dont even have a desire for real debate just to flame.

[lazarus]

2. Well

I usually respond in kind. They're so used to liberals being quiet and not fighting back, it shocks the hell out of them when one of us lets loose with some tasty rhetoric.

Then again, I'm a really big guy, so that helps the intimidation process some. :evilgrin:

[Skittles]

4. YUP

I'm THROUGH with civility; these f***ing creeps are ruining my country. I AM IN THEIR FACE. My profile says my hobby is tormenting conservatives - I MEAN IT: I AIN'T JUST BEING CUTE. Here in North Texas I SLAM those f***ers when they talk their nonsense or send me their lying e-mails. F*** 'EM - I'VE HAD ENOUGH.

[WillParkinson]

3. I think your way...

Was just perfect.

[DrWeird]

5. Ohh, I know! I hate rude people!

They are so not cool.

[Demobrat]

6. You bide your time. They always give you an opening.

A Repuke friend of mine was bitching the other day about her drive-through delivery. I just nicely reminded her that she of all people should understand that health care is a business the purpose of which is profits. My zinger was: "Surely you don't begrudge the hospital their right to make money off you?" She was pissed, but we're still friends (I think). Just wait, they or somebody close to them will get laid off, or sent to Iraq, or find themselves unable to work due to illness, or something. Just don't be too nice to exploit the opening. Liberals tend to have a problem with that.

[Disandra]

7. I respond to them...

...by being polite. I keep calm, point out the flaws in their argument and it drives them nuts! First, it dispels the stereotype that we are wimps; second, their rude behavior is only magnified by the other person being polite; third, it is quite difficult to argue with facts.

I am a Pagan myself, and I handle the Fundy Christians this way: I would love to have a theological debate with you. I'm Pagan, and here is how I feel about this.... Or, when they start on the (what I call) their "Jesus Kick" (there is only one God, Jesus is his son, etc.) I simply (and, again, polite) compare it to similiar mythologies in the ancient world.

For some reason, after about half an hour of these types of people turning red in the face and getting upset, they don't want to talk to me anymore. Freepers talk with other freepers and I actually heard one lady say that she (meaning me) is hopeless and their is no use giving me the "Grand Old Puke" line, Fundy Christian literature, etc.

[markbark]

13. Is it just me?

...or have you noticed that the folks who want to talk to you about THEIR religion rarely want to hear about YOURS?

Why is that?

--MAB

[Disandra]

16. *smiles*

I was thinking the same thing right after I posted my response.

Great minds think alike, no?

:yourock:

[markbark]

17. Hey! I have a fan!

...I think :crazy:

Tanx!

--MAB

[Disandra]

23. Yup!

;-)

[arwalden]

20. Ego. Arrogance. Myopia. Paranoia. Bigotry. Hypocrisy.

All the above. (Just guessing. What do you think?)

-- Allen

[dofus]

8. Most of the stupid

freeper emails you receive can be debunked at www.snopes.com. If you're not already familiar with the site, check it out. I generally do a reply all when I got that crap, and it has stopped almost all of it.

[kainah]

9. You're absolutely right

They are totally willing to push their views at any point. I believe it is because we have been too silent for too long and now they expect that everyone agrees with them.

I was driving back from Sundance, Wyoming over Memorial Day and went crazy noticing all the "rah-rah, war" bumperstickers. I came home, ordered a "NO WAR," "There is no way to peace, peace is the way" and "Wage Peace" bumperstickers to fight back.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. What I did

when an old lady at the Senior Center where I volunteered told me I had no right to vote "or breed", I simply quit volunteering. I ignore her emails, but send her every email about how the military has been shafted. She's actually written back in a sane manner, so maybe there's hope.

[rock]

11. They are a failed party

It's embarassing. Striking back is a natural reaction (cf Bill O'Reilly).

[ThoughtCriminal]

12. chicken or egg?

Republicanism provides and ideology for sociopaths.

[Breezy du Nord]

14. I wouldn't say all lefties are nice and polite.

I love my dad to death but sometime I wish he would SHUT UP.

I live in a fairly conservative community my dad will just get into really bad heated, well, not arguments per se, he just talks a lot. I mean, he's right in what he's saying, but I really like to save my political tongue for a debate class.

[radwriter0555]

15. Apparently they're just how their mother's raised them....

I tend to point that out, when someone is particularly nasty.

I simply state that it's obvious their mother(s) raised them the best they could.

Shuts em up in a big hurry....

[HEyHEY]

18. It's the "Don't fuck with me attitude" that comes with having no soul

[flama]

19. Florida Indoor Clean Air Act?

Maybe it should include verbal pollution, not just smoke. ;-)

The First Amendment is one of my favorite pieces of classic literature. I hope it doesn't go the way of so many of the rights in our Constitution - left on paper but stripped from our lives.

I generally try to ignore the insane ramblings of near strangers with whom I'm forced to share space. They should know better than to indulge in rantings of the "three things one never discusses in polite company," namely politics, religion, and sex. Your co-workers hit them all - and in the span of half an hour!

The other day, though, another temp was ranting about the employment situation of her family (she's temping and her husband was out of work). In nearly the same breath, she said something bordering on worship of the Resident. I just had to say something. Oh, I could have asked her how she thought the employment situation got into such a mess, but that would have flown at least six feet over her head. And it might have furthered her right-wing fantasies. Instead, I just remarked that the * administration was trying to do away with overtime pay. That worked. She limped off in silence like a wounded animal and hasn't talked about politics since (at least not when I'm around).

Oh BTW, Judy, please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Judy and I live in Florida, too! That means we should know each other, right? B-)

[Christian73]

21. I thinik depending on the situation

i.e., not dealing wtih your boss or landlord, etc. it behooves us to be as in their faces as they are in ours.

One gay activist recounts a story about being on a talk show with a religious conservative and after the cameras stopped, the conservative tried to strike up a conversation. The gay activist basically told him to "shove it;" that he was trying to disenfranchise the gay activist and his loved ones and the gay activist would not pretend civility with someone who was out to get him. The conservative was shocked and couldn't understand why they couldn't be friends, JUST because they disagree about politics!

[qb]

22. In our school system, manners were taught on the same day as common sense.

Apparently, it is the same everywhere, and the right-wingers were all sick on that day.

[kodi]

24. only 1 way to deal with the Borg, right back at them.

.