We had dinner last weekend with some Republican friends, nevermore?

[Omaha Steve]

We have known them for over 25 years. We may just let the relationship drift. When CBS broke the story in 2004 about W and the letters about him not serving, it started an argument in the middle of the upscale restaurant. We got over it. Last week at their place we bit our tongues as they told us there is no global warming. Then they told us how Gore's company is making big money off a carbon neutral program. First we had heard that. Any idea what they were talking about? We figured it was just more disinformation.

[fasttense]

1. When bush lovers' mouths move, they lie. n/t

[theoldman]

2. I quit biting my tongue years ago. Why should I feel bad just

because some idiot across the table is spouting a bunch of BS.

[Pharaoh]

3. These people are Idiots

They are brainwashed, there is a battle between light and darkness for control of the Earth plane. People have already made up their minds and chosen sides. Let them go, they are lost, only they can change the way they see things.

At least that's my way of looking at these idiots. I don't even waste my energy trying to talk to them anymore. They are just self righteous hypocrites and should be left to wallow in their ignorance.

[saltpoint]

4. Adopt a blue dinners only policy, Omaha Steve.

You deserve better company.

[Warpy]

16. .....and less indigestion

Politics is NOT polite dinner conversation and they were mannerless clods if they brought it up.

I've had it with people like this. I will politely inform them that they don't know what they think they know and excuse myself. Then I walk out.

Anyone who is still clinging to fantasy at this late date is beyond our reach. They are locked into a belief system, impervious to facts.

Colbert said it right, they're backwash.

If anyone is still capable of recognizing facts, s/he will. Change has to come from within. It's not my job, it's her/his job.

[MLFerrell]

5. I don't know about you...

But I do not, and never will, consider ANY Republican my friend. Ex-Republican? Sure! Everyone makes mistakes. But to continue a relationship of any sort with someone who refuses to acknowledge the truth? No thanks...

I know that it isn't this cut and dry for most people, but it is for me!

[Vickers]

6. The majority of Americans disagree with the Bush criminal gang.

Find some new, better friends. There are plenty of people out there who think just like you and me.

And yes, I have taken my own advice. Life is too short to spend it with Faux News-brainwashed assholes.

[liberal N proud]

7. I quit going to family events because of the crap the republicans sell

I have two brothers who were brainwashed and think that everything bu$h is doing is the greatest thing in history.

After my younger brother came across the table after me for exposing some of the lies, I quit attending any event these two will be at.

[Trajan]

29. Get your family back .... DO something that REALLY works ...

It isnt politics that drives you apart : It is DISCUSSING politics that is the problem ....

SOLUTION: 'NO POLITICAL TALK rule' ....

That's right : NO political talk at family get-togethers ....

None ... nada ... zilch .....

You break the rule ? ..... OUTSIDE you go ....

We travel too many miles to visit family, and we DONT want to waste our time arguing over stuff that WONT change any minds, no matter how passionate anyone gets .... That is a zero sum game ....

So, we started the 'no political talk' rule at all family gatherings, and though some get frustrated by it, it has been a sturdy lifesaver for the rest of our families ....

Holidays should be enjoyed .... NOT tension filled explosions of emotion ....

Adopt the rule - You will be glad you did ...

[qwlauren35]

34. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love your priorities.

And I agree. It takes so much time, energy and effort on the parts of so many people to unite our family, the last thing we need is to argue to the point where the time together is ruined.

[job777]

36. different take

I decided a long time ago not to talk politics with family. It only cause stress and anger. I just walk away if it comes to these discussions. I love my family and there not worth losing. Opinions are like A$$holes every body has one.

[DUgosh]

8. I have the same dilemma

Walking away would be so much easier on my health. I think I'll take the advise your getting. For now.

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

9. "Republican Friends"

I think not. I don't have any. I refuse to spend my valuable free time with people so delusional and self centered. Their ignorance and/or narcissism is more than I am willing to take.

[Merlot]

10. How can they tell you there is no global warming?

I mean, they may have an opinion on global warming, but they are certainly not respecting your opinions to tell you flat out that they are right.

As for the Gore thing about him making a lot of money, I've heard that one before. How he makes so much money doing his lecture, and that Clinton (gasp!) made 9 miillion last year on the lecture circut. Like somehow Clinton making that much money implies that Gore is also making that much money. To which I replied, if Gore wanted to make money on the lecture circut, don'tcha think he'd pick a less controversial subject and avoid all the slander and harrasment that comes with this one? That seemed to shut them down.

Anyhow, your "friends" unfortunatly don't have the good manners necessary to maintain a dinner conversation without turning it into a political slap down.

[Cha]

13. And how much does rudy the ghoul

guiliani make on his "talks"? Ask your republicon friends that, Steve.

Ask them how much they listen to that lyin' druggie rush limbaugh.

Tell them bush and his henchmen and women lied to get us into the War On Iraq and Soldiers and Iraqis have actually DIED because of bushitlies.

How does that compare to worrying their brainwashed littleheads about Gore and Clinton?

[Maat]

19. Yes, and if Gore makes any money ..

he certainly deserves it.

I've got a business plan for making a living being a full-time activist, and I'm not ashamed about it (it involves a software-related company).

[sarge43]

11. They're projecting

They literally can't conceive that anyone would do anything except when motivated by greed. That's one of the reasons they're still Republicans.

Let them go, Omaha. They really aren't your friends.

[DogPoundPup]

12. Why'd they feel the need to discuss Gore?

Bushies innumerable crimes against humanity too overwhelming for them?


:crazy:

[Broadslidin]

14. Here Is the L.L.P referred to by your dinner hosts. Al Gore, Chairman

http://www.generationim.com

For narcissist paranoid cases,
"Carbon Neutral" is a life style reference.

[alfredo]

25. You can make money and be carbon neutral. When you are not

carbon neutral you are wasting resources. Waste in costly.

[donsu]

15. why do you bite your tongues? can't you stand up for america?

nt

[qwlauren35]

33. It depends on your priorities.

For example, I put family ahead of politics. I'm lucky because most of my family are politically aligned. But I know that some aren't, and we find other things to talk about.

For those who love to argue, it becomes unavoidable, but for those who like the harmony of loving family, then yes, you can set these things aside.

For example, I don't think funerals are the place to argue about global warming or whether Bush should be impeached.

I was raised to believe that there are times when biting your tongue is appropriate.

[zulchzulu]

17. Why is it that you have to bite your tongue when you know they are wrong

I do that all the time with mostly family members who are Republican KoolAid drinkers. I've gone to battle before in restaurants and frankly, it's never worth it. They won't change their minds, even if you gave them facts printed out with sources and such.

Instead, it seems better to bite your tongue when they come out with either a racist/homophobic/sexist remark or some Faux Snooze talking point. You know they want to engage you in some political fodder, but you don't take the bait.

Why show a blind man a great painting? Why ask a deaf woman to listen to a song? Why ask a Republican to face facts?

[Bryn]

31. Hey, I am deaf

It's not nice to compare us to a bunch of Repug morons. It's entirely different. I don't have a narrow mind and don't drink Kool-aid neither. I think for myself.

By the way, lots of deaf people do enjoy music and they do love reading songs and sing by signing and many deaf people are excellent dancers.


Thanks :hi:

[Honeycombe8]

18. That argument is called smoke and mirrors.

I'm familiar with the carbon neutral program. But my response to such arguments is this: That may, or may not, be true. But that has nothing to do with whether global warming exists. The fact is that virtually every scientist in the world in this area of expertise states that there is 100% certainty that global warming exists, and that there is 99% certainty that human activities contribute. Over 20,000 scientists in the world have agreed to those two statements.

A carbon neutral program is a separate issue, such as whether recycling does any good. These programs have nothing to do with whether global warming exists.

This is a common ploy by right wing extremists to confuse and befuddle others. First your friends say there is no global warming. Then they talk about the carbon neutral program...the implication being that the carbon program proves something about global warming. There is no causation factor there at all. Those are two separate issues.

[cassiepriam]

20. I have stopped biting my tongue. I tell the truth, and stand up for what is right.

Then let the chips fall where they may.

I choose not to associate with people who are responsible
for the murder, torture, and rape of innocent men, women and children.
And who support the ruthless dictatorship in America.

And why is it that the repugs can steal billions and billions
of dollars from everyone, but if a Dem makes an honest buck it is a scandal?
As usual one set of rules for the repugs and another set for Dems.

[applegrove]

21. One would hope ethical investors are now investing their money in green things.

That is the one way solutions come to issues. Why wouldn't a person buying stocks buy green too?

[xxqqqzme]

22. Whats the name of Gore's 'company'?

edit to add:

oops, thanks Broadslidin for the link.

After looking over their mission statement and perusing the site, I would think buying & selling carbon neutral points would be significantly below their corporate vision. I worked for a small refinery once, manufactured asphalt, and we frequently bought points because the air quality upgrades hadn't been completed. But it wasn't through a broker. That was back in the late 80's & early 90's, when air quality standards were enforced here in SoCal.

[IChing]

23. This is the story that they are talking about

Al Gore Jr. received more than $500,000 in royalties from the owners of zinc mines who held mineral leases on his farm near Carthage, Tenn. Now the mines have a new owner and are scheduled to reopen later this year.
Before the mines closed in 2003, they emitted thousands of pounds of toxic substances and several times, the water discharged from the mines into nearby rivers had levels of toxins above what was legal.>>>>>snip



State environmental officials say the mine has had a good environmental record and there is no evidence of unusual health problems in the area

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070317/NEWS01/70316070


BTW, I haven't researched this yet but this is the story the right wing is talking about on other boards

[DuaneBidoux]

38. True or not what the hell does this have to do with global warming?

[mnhtnbb]

24. I can empathize, having lived in Lincoln for 6 years. You're surrounded.

If you enjoy the company of these people for other reasons--I'd be honest.
Either stand up for your point of view or suggest that maybe you ought to agree to disagree about politics. But do not go quietly. Let them know that if you can't agree to have a discussion where each party listens to what the other party has to say, or agree to have certain topics off-limits, you're going
to have to say good-bye. But don't let yourself be bullied and don't slink away.

[Colobo]

26. Try not to talk about politics with them.

True friendships go beyond ideological disagreements.

[lpbk2713]

27. It's just amazing .....

how they, like many others, can go through life with a full set of blinders on.

I'll bet you any amount of money they are loyal OxyRush listeners.

[Omaha Steve]

28. I don't know about Rush, but.....

Fox news is on the bedroom TV there 24 hours a day.

[Arugula Latte]

30. Life is short. Why waste your valuable time with nitwits? nt

[qwlauren35]

32. If they truly are your friends...

then you need to have a ban on politics and current events at the dinner table. Talk about family, friends, personal dreams & disasters.

Of course, if they are just acquaintances, then the drift won't kill you. But if we're talking about people who stood next to you at your wedding, held your first born, lent you money to get through college, attended funerals with you... then you need to set politics aside.

[Apollo11]

35. Don't back down -- fight back !!!

I agree in some situations you don't want to be the person to bring-up a controversial topic. But if someone else brings it up there are some things you cannot and should not ignore.

Racist remarks, sexist comments and other hate speech -- for example.

Back in 2004 -- if someone said Kerry didn't deserve his medals -- would you just bite your tongue ????

My basic rule is to keep calm and stick to the facts - not opinions.

Don't be afraid to come at questions from a different angle. Like "I can't believe that with 6 billion people in the world, human activity would have zero impact on the environment."

Or "I saw on the Discovery Channel about how polar bears can't hunt for seals because there's not enough ice for them to walk on. So they have to swim instead and a lot of them drown."

Then try this: "There are lots of good reasons to save energy and use more renewable energy sources. Our oil supplies won't last forever. Demand is increasing and supply is limited. Market economics tells us that as we start to run out of oil, prices will keep going up. So it makes sense now to invest in improving energy efficiency and developing other sources of energy that are less-polluting. Then we won't have to rely so much on importing our energy from unstable parts of the world like the Middle East."

If you are physically attacked by another family member, by all means you can refuse to attend events where they will be at. But you should ask for an apology and let your whole family know what happened. Otherwise they will think that you are staying home because you are the outsider who won't "fit in".

That's how I see it anyways ...

[ClassWarrior]

37. Ask them if they're communists...

And what do they have against the free enterprise system anyway??

:evilgrin:

NGU.