I need help with a problem.

[RevCheesehead]

My family gathered at my parent's apartment over New Year's for a Christmas/New Year's celebration (New Year's Day is also my birthday).
My brother has become a Republican, and his wife is practically a Freeper. I found out she spends a lot of time on Drudge, etc. We have had political arguments in the past, but throughout this visit, we seemed to put all differences aside, in order to enjoy a good visit together (my parents are elderly, and you never know if this will be the last Christmas together or not...)

Anyways, she was really a good sport. She rode in my car, and laughed at my "Christians for Kerry" bumpersticker, but that was it. Until last night (we all returned to our homes today).

She goes on the computer, and begins asking me for my address, e-mail, and whatever. Then she comes in the room with a computer printout, telling me that she has signed me up for a year-long subscription to the Rush Report. That's right - 12 months of the Windbag himself!

I told her I really didn't want it, but she said "you really should get another point of view." I just looked at my brother, and said, "if you have any suggestions on what to do, I'd appreciate it. Can we cash this in, and donate the money to the Tsunami victims instead?"

I checked my e-mail when I got home tonight. Sure enough, Rush is there, with a "click to begin your subscription."

How should I handle this situation???

[Frogtutor]

1. Oooooh, I would be livid!

Once, my fundie sister-in-law and her husband changed my homepage to Rush's as a "joke", but luckily I found out about it from my niece before stumbling upon it accidentally. Even so, I was very perturbed. I'm definitely a non-confrontational person, but this is one thing I can't stand. It was bad enough that it was Rush, but what bothered me the most was that they were monkeying with my computer! To me, not only is it an invasion of privacy, it's like going over to someone's house and rearranging their furniture while they're gone. They changed it back before I saw it; I think they knew I was upset. Another time, out of the blue I got an e-mail from some ultra-conservative website welcoming me. I immediately e-mailed them back stating that I do not share the views expressed on their website, and someone had apparently signed me up without my knowledge; please take me off your list! Never did find out who did that, but I can make a pretty good guess...

Anyway, in regard to your problem, first of all, I would check the website and see it there's some way to cancel the subscription and get a refund. Or cancel it even if you CAN'T get a refund (after all, it's her money, so who cares?) Then you can tell her something like, "I appreciate your concern, but I am already familiar with the "other" point of view, and buying me a subscription is a waste of your time and money because I will not use it." (except maybe to line the bird cage, use for kindling, etc.)

OR, you could retaliate and buy her a subscription to some ultra-liberal publication...

Good luck!

[melnjones]

2. cancel it...

especially if you're like me and will just get angry every time you see it. I've realized that it's better to just block out that stuff than get angry all the time. It's all part of picking and choosing your battles:-)

[Cheswick2.0]

3. cancel it and get the money if you can

Then donate it to the Tsunami victims. Tell her you did it and be very clear about why. You don't have to attack her to let her know in no uncertain terms what you think of Rush. Then you might suggest some other more reasonable conservative mags she can read. Tell her you read all sorts of sorces and don't need the rantings of a drug addicted hate monger infotainer to know what was going on in the world.

[tanyev]

4. Does she "get another point of view?"

Tell her you'll accept it if she will read some things you send her. You can always instantly delete Rushbo when it comes in.

A lot depends on the relationship you want to maintain with her. I would probably refuse it on principle and not care what kind of trouble it would stir up.

[hickman1937]

5. Print them here.

Give the thread a name, and we'll find the verses in the gospels that point out that he belongs to a hate based faith, which as a minister of Jesus, you really can't participate in without denying Christ. How often do these hate screeds come? If it's daily, then pick one a week. Buy a yellow marker, some envelopes and stamps, and for the life of this subscription, let's see what we can do. It would a good opportunity.

[Cuban_Liberal]

6. Accept graciously, then use it for fish wrap.

:)

[Southpaw Bookworm]

7. Sign her up

For subscriptions to Utne Reader and The Nation. 'Cause she needs another point of view as well.

:evilgrin:

[primavera]

8. Not good enough

Utne Reader and The Nation are respectable mainstream publications - Rush's Rabid Rightwing Rot isn't analogous. We need to think of something really out there on the extreme left fringe to adequately return the favor...

[Southpaw Bookworm]

9. But to "them" they are Satan's tools

Because they talk about other religions as if they should be respected, foreigners as if they're human, and war and war crimes as if it's a bad thing.

So, yeah, I think those two could be applicable.

:loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

10. Well, I DO have an extra copy of Fahrenheit 9/11...

and I could put her on Michael Moore's e-mail list. At least his list is free!