A Milestone Day, my first ever rebuttal to a political email

[Vox Acerbus]

I have a confession to make: I do not like to talk politics with acquaintances at all. I have even forbidden RW family members from sending me political emails, informing them that if they do not stop, then all emails from them will be junked.

I don't like to talk politics with neighbors and acquaintances because I am so fed up and infurianted by the Bush Administration that if I find out someone likes these clowns, I truly feel like I cannot be friends with them. I don't even want to open the door to political discourse for fear that I will find that someone I liked previously is now someone that I can't even interact with without thinking, "scum sucking Bush lover".

It's already happened. Perfectly nice people like my next door neighbor indicate they're die-hard Bushies. Now, although we are casual acquaintances, I don't ever feel like I can get close to her as a friend.

I know, I should be shouting the truth for all to hear and learn from, but in truth, I get so worked up that it's a social tightrope I don't feel comfortable walking.

Today though, I took a tentative step out onto it. One of my favorite neighbors forwarded on an anti-Hillary email claiming Hillary wouldn't meet Gold Star Mothers for Peace activists. After my heart broke a little (please, oh please favorite neighbor of mine, don't make me find out your political views will piss me off) I went to Snopes and pasted in the link that thoroughly debunked the claim, and replied to "all" with it, not getting into a discussion about it, just stating that the claim had been proven false and to follow the link for more details...

I was on pins & needles that said favorite neighbor would hate me, but instead she wrote back and said, "Cool site, I'd never heard of it! Thanks for the link!"

Phew. I'm relieved. And hey! I actually rebutted someone's political email!

Yes, I'm a total wuss. I know.

[helderheid]

1. You done good! Recommended!

[Hobarticus]

2. "Reply All" is your friend...

Especially if you're debunking their nonsense with facts and sources. No one likes to look stupid.

I kept asking my dad to knock off his right-wing e-mail campaign, and he wouldn't let up. So I started debunking his e-mails, with links, and "replied all" to everyone else he had sent the e-mail to. That stopped, in a hurry.

[Lasher]

14. Many rightwingers are sending only to BCC recipients

In those cases 'undisclosed recipients' or something like that is the only thing in the 'To:' field. But sometimes they forget and put all recipents in the 'To:' field. I have gone back to old messages like that to get their addressee lists, which I include in my reply - in the 'BCC:' field, of course.

:evilgrin:

[Goblinmonger]

3. kind of ironic

that you see yourself as a wimp given your name.

What you did is generally what I do. Just give them the link and don't get all bitchy about it. It usually works better when they are social friends.

[Vox Acerbus]

10. Heh

Online I am much less wimpy. I think that's more my alter-ego, who I can only WISH I were (and deep down inside, I am!) :-)

[monarch]

4. Add my congratulations too. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Hillary did delay meeting with GSFP

I don't think she put them off deliberately, but it did take awhile to get that scheduled.

But yes, she DID meet with them. So it is false to claim she did not.

[zbdent]

13. Actually, she wasn't in ... and the GSMs came unannounced ...

Gee, I wonder if I can just walk up to George W. Bush without an appointment ... lemme check with Jeff Gannon ...

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. They frequently come unannounced

[ClassWarrior]

6. All journeys begin with a first step.

You've taken yours. And you handled it elegantly. Great job.

Never Give Up.

[theoldman]

7. I had a similar problem many years ago on religion.

I decided that if I were going to have to defend myself I would have to become more knowledgeable. Now I enjoy getting into a discussion on religion or politics. I think I could give Bill O,Reilly a run for his money.

[blondie58]

8. way to go, Vox A!

I'm with you. Politics is such a devisive subject and to me, how you feel about it describes you personality and outlook on life.

I tend to view righties as self serving and not concerned at all about the environment or people that need their governments help. People that will support a companies right to rape the land and make outrageous profits, at whatever cost.

I had been doing some online dating and met a nice guy, or so I thought. I let it slip how my views were and I received a response that was straight from the RW talking points. If it wasn't so hurtful, it would have been humorous! He even threw in the alleged 'War on Christmas'. Oh, well, nice to have found out in advance! I'm with a really nice guy now, who I am politically connected with, as he is just a genuine nice guy, loving and caring.

You handled 'your problem' with grace and style. And perhaps this woman will come around and stop believing everything that they tell her and start thinking for herself.

And you're a wuss (like me) because you probably value peace and harmony above everything!

[tk2kewl]

9. It's really is hard for me to interact with bush lovers too

Many of them are good solid people in many other respects, but to still support this insanity boggles the mind.

[wryter2000]

11. I know what you mean

I used to talk politics to anyone who engaged me in discussion. Lately, I can't do it without screaming. I even scream when I'm agreeing with another liberal.

My coworker is one of the best people in the world, but she spouts Faux talking points. For example, she was horrified by what happened to the people of NOLA, but she believed our government couldn't do more to help. I find myself hollering at her, and I'm trying to avoid any political discussions with her because I love her.

(I might add that I'm waiting for her to pick me up to take me to the hospital for knee surgery right now. The minute I discovered I needed it, she pledged herself and her entire family to help me.)

[ComerPerro]

12. My RW relatives started spamming me with BCC, so i can't reply all anymore to their BS

they honestly got tired of their RW emails, riddled with lies, being debunked. They even told me it was rude.

[lady lib]

15. You're not a wuss.

Everyone has different tolerance levels for stress. You handled the situation extremely well!