I snapped at my Freeper brother in law last night at dinner

[chrisesq]

This anecdote requires a little background.

A few years ago when I was in law school, one of my co-students was accepted to clerk for a US Supreme court judge (It was O'Connor, you never turn down that opportunity despite the judge) Anyway, I was working at a sweatshop firm in Philadelphia over the summer and decided to take a week off to go down to see her. This trip gave me the opportunity to go inside the Supreme Court building since I had never seen it before. I had heard that the 10 commandments were in the building and I was curious to see what context they were placed.

To cut to the chase, there is no actual "10 commandments" that I saw, there is an engraving on a door that has tablets on it (somewhat similar to the shape that you may have seen in movies), but no commandments and there was a depiction of Moses holding blank (read: no actual commandments) tablets next to other various historical law makers. (don't ask me who they are, I don't know)

So we are at dinner and he brings up the whole Alabama thing, and my response is that I really don't see this as an issue of the commandments, but moreso an issue of a judge who swore to uphold the law thumbing his nose at it for political gain. That is where I see the problem. What we have is a judge who is supposed to uphold the law, essentially breaking it.

He says "Well, if it's good enough to be in the Supreme Court, it's good enough to be in the Alabama court." (This is no doubt Rush lies, and I know for a fact that he listens to Rush everyday)To which I respond with the story above. He then says, "well, I've never been there, so I haven't seen it myself to really know."

Well, that sets me off. I say, "let me get this straight, you were so willing to believe a self-admitted drug addict without question and repeat his lies, but as soon as I point out that Rush was incorrect, well now you just have to go see it for yourself rather than take the word of someone who has actually been there."

Of course he had no response.

Sorry so longwinded, just had to rant.

[arwalden]

1. Welcome To DU!

I have freeper-like relatives too. It's a pain.

-- Allen

[LeftCoast]

2. Loved your story!

Glad you let him have it!

[scarlet_owl]

3. Welcome!

Glad you're here! Way to fight the right!

[CanuckAmok]

4. Go get 'em, Chrisesq! Keep it up!

and welcome from your Northern Neighbour! :donut: :cheers:

[chrisesq]

5. Thanks for the welcome scarlet_owl and CanuckAmok

Ive been here for a few months, I'm just not one to post(hence the low post count), more of a reader.

[caledesi]

6. Good story and a warm welcome!

[flamingyouth]

7. Great story - and let me add to the chorus of welcomes!

:-)

[BattyDem]

8. LOL!

Thanks for sharing a great story. Glad to have you here.

[Catshrink]

9. I let my sister have it too

Got tired of her ranting... when she visits she stays with my parents. Dad watched O'Really all the freaking time and she loves the lying braggart, too. Well, she started in again and I told her that I didn't share her opinions and unless she wanted to get into a heated battle with me while she was here, she might want to keep her mouth shut.

She was pissed, but it worked. She hasn't said a word about politics.

[proud patriot]

10. I love that story

It does boils down to believing the lies from the media
or your neighbors ..

[JackSwift]

11. That's a standard technique of the nazis

if they ever get caught not knowing a fact that you do, they have all been instructed to say that they don't know that for themselves: i.e.: you are a liberal and a liar and that nothing you say can be trusted. Now in order to be polite that these "family" style gatherings, they know you won't call them on it, by asking if they are calling you a liar, 'cuz that is really too ugly. Here's what I do: "I agree that we shouldn't accept as truth anything we don't know for ourselves told to us by someone on the other side. I don't believe your daughter is doing well in school and going to go to a fine college, 'cuz I haven't seen it for myself. For all I know, she could be ... well, you know the sorts of things the children of conservatives do... I mean, I really can't be sure that anyone I meet isn't a criminal, drug addict or whore, or whatever, unless I personally verify it." Or, you can throw up your arms in victory and exclaim: "yes!"

[chrisesq]

12. That's an amazing comeback.

Can I use that, or do you have it copyrighted?

J/K

[JackSwift]

15. I've tried both

the long blabbity blah is a bit too rude, but the arms thrown up is a true winner that causes blushing and stammering. Yes, you may use it, although it is a JackSwift trademark (void where prohibited and at Thanksgiving meals unless at the children's table).

Also recommended, a fist pump and a Bush style "feels good".

What I really want to do is a waist high double fist pump inward with "oh yeah, you're my bitch"

[JackSwift]

16. My relatives split between righties and lefties

and we all actually like each other more than politics, so we do have fun. But the lefties are divided among traditional Dems and the communists now calling themselves "Greens". I love to yank all their chains, but the Greenies are especially fun. One of them is 55 and has an identical twin brother (my own brother is another). I get the name wrong, lean in and say snidely "sorry, I can't tell the difference." The Greenies hate, hate, hate any variation of "can't tell the difference".

Me: "Can I get you any food or drink while I'm up?"

Green: "Yeah, get me..."

Me: "It doesn't matter what, none of us can tell the difference."

Green: "I'm not contributing to your next campaign!"

Me: "That'll give me many a sleepless night."

[Seneca]

13. Welcome to DU!

It isn't easy arguing with dittoheads, but I commend you. :toast:

[speckledgator]

18. hard to argue with insanity, isn't it?

[chrisesq]

19. Normally, we don't "argue" he's usually trying to yell over any rebuttal

that I have.

This instance was funny though, no yelling, but he wouldn't look at me when he said it. He kept his face near his plate and said it quite softly. Its almost as though he knew that he was going to get buried by that response, but he had to say it anyway in order to defend his exalted mouthpiece. If he knew how to argue, he should have realized that it was better to remain silent rather than voice that softball argument.

[MissMarple]

14. Way to go, sweetheart! It sounds like you are in the right profession.

:bounce:

We need a few more just like you.

[WoodrowFan]

17. nice job

we're not worthy!!!

[AntiCoup2K4]

20. Reminds me of the Freeper state senator here....

...who was trying to pass an "English as the official state language" bill. His rationalization for the bill?

If English was good enough for JESUS CHRIST, it's good enough for me

No, I am not making this up. I only wish I could remember exactly which bozo said it :crazy: