Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Monkeyleg on December 25, 2008, 12:25:10 PM
-
My 90 year-old mother is recently widowed, and I didn't want her to be sitting in her assisted living facility on Christmas Eve, so I suggested that my wife and I take her to my wife's family gathering.
Our brother-in-law (wife's sister's husband) is a level-headed conservative, and he's brought my sister-in-law a long way from the unthinking liberalism of her family. (I've done the same with my wife).
I didn't want the conversation to get political, but somebody started it by praising God that Obama was elected. I played along for a bit, and then said that I'd read that a lot of Obama voters were angry that he'd reversed himself on issues like troop drawdowns in Iraq. I then sat back and listened to the venom as they ticked off pretty much every issue that Obama crossed them on. One was especially peeved that Hillary will be secretary of state; I explained to him that Obama was keeping his friends close, but his enemies closer. He didn't get the Vito Corleone joke, but instead agreed with me.
After talking about God (the real one and the elected one), the talk turned to the other major tenet of liberal religion: global warming. There was talk of the melting polar ice caps and entire coastal cities being under water.
"Las Vegas had five inches of snow last week," I said flatly. "Malibu California had snow as well. This year Milwaukee has had the heaviest snowfall since 1947."
That comment got one of them really excited. "You see? You see? That's what I'm talking about!"
Many of my wife's family members are into things mystic. One has crystals hanging from her car mirror (a colorful complement to the "Free Tibet" bumper sticker on her car). She's a nice enough person, but does things I consider bizarre. For example, when I was scheduled for surgery three years ago, she gave me a small cloth bag with some smooth stones in it that were somehow supposed to help me. How, I don't know. She said there are some things in life that you simply don't question (a philosophy that seems to be shared by many liberals).
Someone got a book as a present that described personality traits based upon the time of year a person was born.
"Astrology?" I asked, but got a scornful look. "No," the gift-giver said,"this is based upon the alignment of the stars and the day a person is born."
It sounded a lot like astrology to me, so I persisted to antagonize. "My mother, Debbie's mother (my mother-in-law), and Suzie (my wife's sister) have birthdays in the same week, yet they are all as different as can be. My mother grew up during the Great Depression and has been ultra-frugal all her life; Suzie didn't suffer austerity while growing up, and sometimes spends a lot of money on things. Do you think those life experiences have more to do with their personalities than the alignment of stars?"
An Astrology True Believer spoke up. "It's more complicated than that. It has to do with the time of day a person was born, not just the alignment of the stars and the day of birth."
"OK," I said. "John (my BIL) is enormously successful with his business. I'm sure that, out of the tens of thousands of people in the ghetto in Milwaukee, there are at least some who were born at the same time and under the same alignment of stars. How do you explain the fact that they're lying around on welfare and he's working seven days a week, and that he's well-off and they're not?"
"There's exceptions," the True Believer said curtly.
"You mean there's exceptions for black people? What about poor white people? And what about Obama? He's half black and half white. Does the exception for black people explain why he said one thing during the campaign but is now doing exactly the opposite?"
The icy stares told me it was time to drop the subject, but they kept saying things that begged to be responded to.
One was all aflutter about a small park that was built last summer in her neighborhood. "It has walkways into the woods, and you can get up really close and see the birds. And the city paid for it!"
"Who is 'the city'?" I asked. "Is it a private corporation, or is your city funded by taxes?" She didn't know the answer, so I just suggested she look at her tax bill.
Not long after, the Astrology True Believer talked about her drive down from the northern part of the state in a heavy snowfall. "But I have four-wheel drive," she said. "I passed people who were just crawling along." (Yes, I know there are conservatives who drive like idiots as well, but it was the tone of superiority in her voice that got to me).
"Four wheel drive is good for getting started in snow, but brakes just like two-wheel drive vehicles," I said.
"No," she snapped. "My four wheel drive goes through anything."
At this point, my brother-in-law gave me the "okay, that's enough" look, so I just suggested to Cousin Patricia that she give the True Believer some crystals and a bag of rocks for the drive home.
This afternoon there's a family gathering at my niece's new house. Her husband is a lawyer, and she's a doctor, as well as a Wealth Redistribution True Believer. I'm not sure I can stand that much liberal nonsense in a 24-hour period. It must have something to do with the alignment of the stars.
-
It must have something to do with the alignment of the stars.
Currently, Saturn is aligned with Uranus.
-
Ummm... Dick? You want me, Broken Paw, and Rev Disk to give you some pointers on dealing with the fluffy-bunnies you have in your family? All three of us have some good recipes... ;)
-
Ummm... dick? You want me, Broken Paw, and Rev Disk to give you some pointers on dealing with the fluffy-bunnies you have in your family? All three of us have some good recipes... ;)
I feel compelled to point out that "recipes" might not have been the best word to use. :rolleyes: =D
-BP
-
I feel compelled to point out that "recipes" might not have been the best word to use. :rolleyes: =D
-BP
And here I always thought humble pie was best served with diced fluffy bunny... :laugh:
-
"There's exceptions," the True Believer said curtly.
The leftist approach to reality in the famous "nut shell."
-
I'm happy that there are very few liberals in the family.
Sounds like you handled it well. I love to see sanctimonious know-it-alls put on the spot by a well reasoned, sound argument or observation.
I'm not sure I can stand that much liberal nonsense in a 24-hour period.
I tend to get extremely sarcastic when I'm aggravated. Hang in there. =)
-
Currently, Saturn is aligned with Uranus.
Currently, Saturn is about to go out of business.
-
I'm happy that there are very few liberals in the family.
I have the opposite problem; everyone in my family is conservative, but some of them have no idea why. I can't stand blind faith in any belief system, even if it's one I happen to agree with.
-BP
-
I can't wait for this evening's Christmas gathering at my uncle's house. I love my family, and I love getting together with them, but many of them are liberals, and even more are / have been union workers.
The state of the American auto industry will inevitably be brought up, and I will voice my opinion about how the negotiations for the government bailout loan would have been a great opportunity to snap the UAW's neck.
Though I'll remain completely calm, sparks will fly, the earth will shake, and the conversation will be cut off after about two minutes. =D
-
>I feel compelled to point out that "recipes" might not have been the best word to use.<
I stand by my choice of words. Cooked up properly, you can get at least SOME use out of them (giving a Christmas dinner to some homeless folks, maybe?)...
Sorry, but I get irritated enough to cook folks when they insist on shoving their beliefs down my throat (regardless of what those beliefs are)...
-
Declaration Day, it sounds like you're heading for a brawl, not an argument. Please let us all know how the UAW members justify their $73 an hour. My niece/Wealth Redistribution True Believer doctor doesn't make that much money as a pediatrician.
Strings, by any chance does your recipe contain mushrooms used by certain indian tribes in the southwest?
-
"Four wheel drive is good for getting started in snow, but brakes just like two-wheel drive vehicles," I said.
Not strictly true. Locking a 4wd vehicle in 4wd forces the front driveshaft speed to be the same as the rear driveshaft speed, thus one axle cannot lock up without the other. This also makes engine braking effect both the front and back instead of just the drive axle. On trucks with light rear axles that constantly lock up before the front, using 4wd can improve braking tremendously.
Not to mention that in 4wd, the automatic transmission 'parking pawl' with engage both axles, instead of just the back. I had my Blazer slide backwards down an icy driveway when I wasn't in it, because ONE of the back tires was in an icy wheel track. The differential let that wheel spin backwards while my truck slid right into someones fence. If it was in 4wd, the front driveshaft would also have been in 'park'.
-
Astrology isn't just BS that liberals believe in. Just ask the Reagans ... Besides, I've met lots of conservatives who believe in silly superstitions. Still, funny stuff.
-
Astrology isn't just BS that liberals believe in. Just ask the Reagans ... Besides, I've met lots of conservatives who believe in silly superstitions. Still, funny stuff.
It's not unreasonable to think that astrology (in the sense that the time of year you were born could have an effect on your personality) might actually had some basis in truth, at least back in the times when people's diet was very much tied to the seasons.
If your mother was pregnant with you in the summer, she would have had access to different foods than if she were pregnant in the winter. The foods that she ate determined the balance of nutrients in her blood, and therefore what the foetus hat to draw on. I don't see anything unreasonable at all in the idea that differences in mothers' blood chemistry brought on my seasonal food changes could lead to a correlation in detectable personality traits in their children.
Such things, of course, would have only been traceable within one particular culture and lifestyle at a time, and the likelihood of correlation now, with people's diets being much more homogeneous during the year, is far less.
But don't discount out of hand the results of the things the ancients believed, simply because they had the wrong reasons behind those results; people used to believe that malaria (Literally mal aria, "Bad Air") was caused by the gases near swamps, and by avoiding swamps, people could avoid malaria. They were right about the effect, and about the proper course of action, though not about the cause (it was the mosquitoes in the swamp, not the bad air).
-BP
-
I had Christmas dinner with a mixed bag of rednecks and Puerto Ricans.
My niece in law took a step up when she married Harry, a Puerto Rican. My nephew, her ex husband, is just a scumbag.
Her parents are just the epitome of Pennsylvania rednecks. His family is the epitome of the hot blooded Puerto Rican.
No politics talked, kids EVERYWHERE, and some of the most incredible food I've ever had.
And, I got to play Guitar Hero for the first time. As I suspected, I suck. :D
-
Her parents are just the epitome of Pennsylvania rednecks.
Are those the Joe Biden type of PA rednecks, or the Obama bitter clinging type?
Also, how many rednecks and Puerto Ricans fit into a bag?
-
Pennsylvania rednecks
In other words, really great people ? ;)
I wonder what the difference between Pennsylvania rednecks and Montana rednecks is ???
-
No Dick, no "magic mushrooms" (although I have one somewhere that includes portobellas). Most of them include generous amounts of Italian Seasoning though! :P
-
I feel compelled to point out that "recipes" might not have been the best word to use. :rolleyes: =D
-BP
Na, it's the best word. For many reasons.
Her parents are just the epitome of Pennsylvania rednecks.
Please tell me they're from Perry County!
-
I wonder what the difference between Pennsylvania rednecks and Montana rednecks is ???
Where they live and (probably) their accent.
I'm a native Georgian and the reddest neck I've ever encountered, the kind of redneck who gives rednecks a bad name, was a man from upstate New York.
-
An Astrology True Believer spoke up. "It's more complicated than that.
It has to do with the time of day a person was born, not just the alignment of the stars and the day of birth."
Liberals and new agers are sets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_theory) of people that may intersect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersection_(set_theory)) but are not necessarily a union (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_(set_theory)).
Astrologers believe that the gravitational attraction of billions of distant stars at birth are more influential on one's life than the person who catches said person upon birth, even given the inverse square law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse_square_law). They are more ... um, intellectually challenged than any liberal (or conservative, libertarian, green ...).
Furthermore, astrology is based upon Ptolemy's model of the universe, which fell from scientific grace at the hands of Copernicus in 1530. That belief system is riddled with more logical fallacies (http://skepdic.com/astrolgy.html) than those who still argue that the Earth is flat or that evolution doesn't happen.
Some people take longer to grasp scientific reality than others.
Of course, the same could be said of those who deny the reality of global warming (http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=16812.msg314725#msg314725).
-
I'm a native Georgian and the reddest neck I've ever encountered, the kind of redneck who gives rednecks a bad name, was a man from upstate New York.
Those people give real rednecks a bad reputation. Sorta like the 99% of lawyers screwing it up for the rest of them.
-
Nematocyst: do you post on THR as Nematocyst 870? I remember your excellent posts on lever actions. Welcome aboard!
That being said, it's generally considered trolling to post that people who take a different position than you on controversial issues like religion v. evolution or global warming are reality denying flat earth idiots.
As for the OP..... Why are you spending time with these idiots? "They're family" seems like a fairly bad reason to me: of course, I chose my current state largely on the basis that it's a couple thousand miles away from my family......
-
this is why i am glad my job gets me out of thanksgiving with my dad's brothers (and most importantly, his sister in law)
-
Balog, they're likable idiots. ;)
-
Balog, thanks for the warm welcome. =)
I was once Nematocyst 870, but no longer own the 870, so am now just Nematocyst, both here, both versions of THR, and on Marlin Owner's Forum. (A couple of others also, but rarely visit them.)
I go by "Nem" to save key strokes.
... it's generally considered trolling to post that people who take a different position than you
on controversial issues like religion v. evolution or global warming are reality denying flat earth idiots.
I accept your criticism to a point. I explicitly did not use the word "idiots" (that's your word, and doesn't reflect my meaning). I was, however, challenging our thread host Monkeyleg a bit because even though we share a disapproval of ... certain new age practices (for good reason), we ostensibly differ on certain other issues in contemporary science, notably the "warming" issue.
If we are going to apply logic and reason to one, we should do the same for both.
Just seemed like a bit of double standard there. I admit I could have done a better job of expressing that.
It was the end of my day, after a year and a half of no days off (yes, you read that correctly),
and just too tired to express it well, yada yada, no excuses.
__________
Also, I'm just wandering back into APS after several years of being absent. I left after a very brief stay about two years ago because of some fairly negative experiences. I'll confess that I unfairly drug in with me expectations based on those experiences.
Clearly, the staff have done an excellent job in taming the negative tones that were here in the past.
And, OK, OK, what can I say: I'm a late blooming punk who does his best to keep it in check. :rolleyes:
I'll work on it, and try to do better. :cool:
-
Not strictly true. Locking a 4wd vehicle in 4wd forces the front driveshaft speed to be the same as the rear driveshaft speed, thus one axle cannot lock up without the other. This also makes engine braking effect both the front and back instead of just the drive axle. On trucks with light rear axles that constantly lock up before the front, using 4wd can improve braking tremendously.
Let me quote to you from a conversation the other day.
"When you go down an icy hill, you should downshift and use engine braking, not use the brakes."
"Oh, I can't, I have, an automatic."
"That's what the 1 and 2 are on your automatic. D4 is all gears, D3 and 2 and 1 will limit it to those gears for more torque."
"Whatever, I don't know how to use that."
-
Very well, Nem then. :)
Thanks for the well spoken reply. I acknowledge your intentions, although I think it's a bit disingenous to say comparing someone to a flat earther isn't an insult roughly comparable to calling them an idiot. However, I can understand the way previous bad experiences can colour the perceptions. And it's easy to get a bit carried away about a subject you feel strongly about. But we've had a lot of people who come into a thread about something totally mundane like house repairs or car selection and take potshots at Bush or whatever their pet "axe to grind" is, an action which inevitably derails a good and useful thread into pointless arguments and acrimony. These are our previous bad experiences that colour our perceptions. To be very honest if I didn't have such a strong regard for you from THR I'd have been actively trying to get a ban issued over that little jibe. I hope my admonition won't be taken wrong: we strongly believe in community policing here, and I certainly mean no disrespect. This is a unique and somewhat insular community, and it's easy for newcomers to step on toes without knowing or intending to. I merely wish to inform you of our customs so we can avoid some needless friction.
-
I thank you, also, Balog, for your well-written response.
I think we've almost resolved this, but just to be sure, respectfully, please let me address one of your statements.
... I think it's a bit disingenous to say comparing someone to a flat earther isn't an insult roughly comparable to calling them an idiot.
I'll quote what I wrote, then point out several things about it, just for clarity.
(For those who don't care, just ignore this post.)
(Please forgive me for picking these points, but if we're going to avoid conflict, then IMO we need to acknowledge word meanings carefully, lest we talk past one another. It's the teacher in that asserts the importance of being clear in both expression and interpretation, writing and reading very carefully, not reading into someone's words something that isn't there, which has often caused fights or wars.)
Furthermore, astrology is based upon Ptolemy's model of the universe, which fell from scientific grace at the hands of Copernicus in 1530.
That belief system is riddled with more logical fallacies than those who still argue that the Earth is flat or that evolution doesn't happen.
Some people take longer to grasp scientific reality than others.
Of course, the same could be said of those who deny the reality of global warming.
Four points.
1) Let's be clear about who I was calling "flat Earthers". If one reads carefully, it's clear that I was referring to astrologers whose views are "riddled with more logical fallacies" than flat Earthers. Note that I refer explicitly to "that belief system". After all, the model upon which astrology is based was discredited almost 500 years ago with the work of Copernicus. Why does that not rank with those who claim Earth is flat? (Not a rhetorical question.)
[Added by edit: 1B) They are free to believe anything they wish. That's a 1A right, and I'll fight for that right. I even know some folks that are into it. No "close friends", but friends of friends, and well meaning people. But when they start claiming that belief system is grounded in science (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science), then, then debate begins.]
2) Again, the word "idiot (http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=idiot)" (= a person of subnormal intelligence) - does not appear in my statement. People who are above normal intelligence sometimes simply don't pay attention to new evidence and new models. It doesn't make them an "idiot", simply ignorant of new data. I think you can recognize that "ignorant" (= a state resulting from ignoring something) does not equal "idiot" (an inability to grasp something even if one does not ignore it).
3) The statement, "Some people take longer to grasp scientific reality than others" is independent of (does not follow from or depend upon) the previous statements. It stands on its own. (Imagine a line between that statement and the one above it.) Even so, taking longer to grasp scientific reality does not imply idiocy, merely the fact that not all are paying close enough attention to the latest evidence or changes in the models. It leaves open the very real (and likely) possibility that once they perceive the evidence, their view will change (ostensibly unlike the astrologers).
4) It is the latter characterization - not paying attention - that I suggest applies to those who are denying global warming. The large majority - including, I trust, members of APS - are simply not necessarily paying attention to the evidence, and do not deserve to be labeled as below normal intelligence. They are not idiots. Quite soon, the evidence will be overwhelming and they will "get it".
After all, many super intelligent people are involved in automobile accidents because they are not paying close attention to some issue. Perhaps the baby is sick in the back seat, they got a cell phone call, or took a bite of the burger while changing lanes, whatever. That doesn't make them idiots. It means they weren't paying attention. It can happen to anyone. I've done my fair share of oops.
Regardless of the short comings of my expression, that was the meaning I intended to convey.
I offer an apology to you, Monkeyleg or others who were offended by my expression.
____________
Added by edit:
I'm really appreciating the vibe over here.
It's night/day different from two years ago.
Nice job, guys. Very nice job.
The idea of "community policing" is cool. :cool:
Also, Monkeyleg, it just clicked for me who you are.
I knew I recognized your user name. But there so many
user names to keep track of for people we've never met.
I haven't heard from you in a while on THR.
Now, I know where you've been.
Sorry to make waves.
Interesting thread.
And for the record,
I've got more than a few
... strange relatives, also.
Be well.
Nem
Write, edit, write, edit more, post, edit,
then edit some more 'til we get it right.
-
"That's what the 1 and 2 are on your automatic. D4 is all gears, D3 and 2 and 1 will limit it to those gears for more torque."
With the caveat that "2" generally limits it to just second, rather than first and second. This can be a bit disconcerting when trying to start off in overweight, underpowered vehicles.
"Whatever, I don't know how to use that."
This is one of those comments that just makes me want to slap people. Learning is what life is all about. When you refuse to continue learning, you don't deserve to continue wasting resources.
-
It's not unreasonable to think that astrology (in the sense that the time of year you were born could have an effect on your personality) might actually had some basis in truth, at least back in the times when people's diet was very much tied to the seasons.
<snip>
-BP
Interesting stuff. It still doesn't change the fact that astrology is a bunch of superstitious bushwa, but interesting nonetheless.
-
Man, the talk on Christmas Eve was less rancorous than this. ;)
Nematocyst, thanks for the little tidbit of history of astrology. I'll be sure to use Ptolemy and Copernicus the next time the subject comes up at a family gathering.
-
Interesting stuff. It still doesn't change the fact that astrology is a bunch of superstitious bushwa, but interesting nonetheless.
The point I was trying to make is that it's entirely possible that astrology had its origins in mathematically-significant statistical results (not saying it does for sure, just saying that it's not unreasonable). At which point, that much of it would not be bushwa, for the time and place. All of the modern your-life-calculated-to-three-decimal-places nonsense came about as astrologers competed with one another for business, or for ascendancy, or what-have-you. I could name other belief systems similarly constructed.
How many other belief systems do we know about that started out as a relatively simple premise, that grew into a whole bunch of very precise and specific rules that are based (often pretty tenuously) upon someone's interpretation of one line in the Sacred Texts? To the point where someone from that religion at the time would have no idea what a modern practitioner of that religion was on about?
An example that comes to mind (with apologies to Mormons) is the caffeine prohibition in their belief system. As I recall, their scripture proscribes "hot drinks", which historically speaking, probably refers to coffee and tea, both of which contain caffeine, so the interpretation is not that the hotness of the drink is bad, but that the caffeinated nature of the drink is bad. Thus caffeinated cold drinks are banned, and (again, if I understand correctly) hot herbal tea (which has no caffeine) may very well be allowed. (Mormons among you, please feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong...this is just an example that sprang to mind from my studies of LDS theology nearly 20 years ago)
For another example, take a look at all of the dozens and dozens of Christian denominations that have sprung up around varied and different interpretations of a message that is, at the core of it, very very simple: "Everyone's a sinner. Sinners go to Hell. In order not to go to Hell, sinners need a Savior. That would be Me." And yet, we have, what, probably over a hundred factions, sects, denominations, some of whom are quite rabid about the others being wrong.
Sometimes the old ways are just old: age does not grant wisdom; instead it grants the opportunity to build wisdom, and often that opportunity is squandered, and the ancient beliefs are (as you say) bushwa. But do not discount an idea simply because it came from people who had other ideas that were foolish. Do you think that the herbalist-witches of old knew why willowbark tea was good for minor pains? No, they did not. But they knew it worked, and so they used it, despite their erroneous beliefs as to why. And we still use that same basic chemical for pain relief to this day.
Do not be so quick to dismiss the foundational idea of something, simply because later generations have built a house of cards upon it.
-BP
-
I can get along with almost everybody as long as they don't crack their eggs on the wrong end :laugh:
-
Monkeyleg, you're very welcome. =)
For even more "fun facts to know and tell about the rubbish that is astrology", click on that link in my first post above. It's an essay on Skeptic's Dictionary that will provide one with much fodder for hours of endless argument with astrologers.
Having said that, BrokenPaw's post above is very thoughtful. I don't wish to dismiss it. I think there are some elements of truth in there worth considering. No time at the moment. Later after work.
Interesting discussion, folks. Good to be here.
Nem
-
To be very honest if I didn't have such a strong regard for you from THR I'd have been actively trying to get a ban issued over that little jibe.
I hope you are not serious.
-
The problem with flat earthers is that when they're faced with an ice-covered hill, the have no clue as to what to do...
-
To be very honest if I didn't have such a strong regard for you from THR I'd have been actively trying to get a ban issued over that little jibe.
Then I guess it's good you have absolutely no pull in that regard.
Chris
-
OP: Don't frighten the flower children.
-
Chris: no doubt, and I certainly wouldn't wish to give the impression that I do. Nor do I think people get banned over even a handful of offensive posts.
But if Random Guy A wanders in and one of his very first posts was something highly inflammatory about an exceedingly controversial subject....... I've gotta imagine that person would be treated more severely than an established member who loses his temper and makes a bad post.
-
What were you two arguing about again? I forgot what the original quarrel was about.
-
=D
-
What were you two arguing about again? I forgot what the original quarrel was about.
When they got to the little boys' room, neither of them had remembered to bring the ruler. :rolleyes:
-
Why, they don't make rulers big enough for ...
Oh, never mind.
-
The point I was trying to make is that it's entirely possible that astrology had its origins in mathematically-significant statistical results (not saying it does for sure, just saying that it's not unreasonable). At which point, that much of it would not be bushwa, for the time and place. All of the modern your-life-calculated-to-three-decimal-places nonsense came about as astrologers competed with one another for business, or for ascendancy, or what-have-you. I could name other belief systems similarly constructed.
....
Do not be so quick to dismiss the foundational idea of something, simply because later generations have built a house of cards upon it.
-BP
That's the problem with the internet. You can't see when I'm kidding around a bit. Yes, I know that there are valid foundations for some superstitious beliefs. Doing the right thing for the wrong reason and all that.
-
I wonder what the difference between Pennsylvania rednecks and Montana rednecks is Huh?
Montana rednecks, or Virginia for that matter, don't say "youse." As in: "Are youse guys going to the mall after Christmas dinner." =D
-
That's the problem with the internet. You can't see when I'm kidding around a bit.
That's why emoticons (AKA smilies) evolved.
=) =D :lol: :cool: :angel: :laugh:
Forum choices too limited? Looking for that emoticon to express just the right emotional nuance? Go here (http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/index.php?act=legends&CODE=emoticons&s=).
Speaking of limited, why are three emoticons in this forum duplicated in the menu? =| , :rolleyes: and :lol:
-
Montana rednecks, or Virginia for that matter, don't say "youse." As in: "Are youse guys going to the mall after Christmas dinner." =D
yes, we virginia rednecks are much more lyrical in our speech. its "y'all fellers..."
:cool:
-
Speaking of limited, why are three emoticons in this forum duplicated in the menu? =| , :rolleyes: and :lol:
It's Fistful's fault.
-
My 90 year-old mother is recently widowed, and I didn't want her to be sitting in her assisted living facility on Christmas Eve, so I suggested that my wife and I take her to my wife's family gathering.
Our brother-in-law (wife's sister's husband) is a level-headed conservative, and he's brought my sister-in-law a long way from the unthinking liberalism of her family. (I've done the same with my wife).
I didn't want the conversation to get political, but somebody started it by praising God that Obama was elected. I played along for a bit, and then said that I'd read that a lot of Obama voters were angry that he'd reversed himself on issues like troop drawdowns in Iraq. I then sat back and listened to the venom as they ticked off pretty much every issue that Obama crossed them on. One was especially peeved that Hillary will be secretary of state; I explained to him that Obama was keeping his friends close, but his enemies closer. He didn't get the Vito Corleone joke, but instead agreed with me.
After talking about God (the real one and the elected one), the talk turned to the other major tenet of liberal religion: global warming. There was talk of the melting polar ice caps and entire coastal cities being under water.
"Las Vegas had five inches of snow last week," I said flatly. "Malibu California had snow as well. This year Milwaukee has had the heaviest snowfall since 1947."
That comment got one of them really excited. "You see? You see? That's what I'm talking about!"
Many of my wife's family members are into things mystic. One has crystals hanging from her car mirror (a colorful complement to the "Free Tibet" bumper sticker on her car). She's a nice enough person, but does things I consider bizarre. For example, when I was scheduled for surgery three years ago, she gave me a small cloth bag with some smooth stones in it that were somehow supposed to help me. How, I don't know. She said there are some things in life that you simply don't question (a philosophy that seems to be shared by many liberals).
Someone got a book as a present that described personality traits based upon the time of year a person was born.
"Astrology?" I asked, but got a scornful look. "No," the gift-giver said,"this is based upon the alignment of the stars and the day a person is born."
It sounded a lot like astrology to me, so I persisted to antagonize. "My mother, Debbie's mother (my mother-in-law), and Suzie (my wife's sister) have birthdays in the same week, yet they are all as different as can be. My mother grew up during the Great Depression and has been ultra-frugal all her life; Suzie didn't suffer austerity while growing up, and sometimes spends a lot of money on things. Do you think those life experiences have more to do with their personalities than the alignment of stars?"
An Astrology True Believer spoke up. "It's more complicated than that. It has to do with the time of day a person was born, not just the alignment of the stars and the day of birth."
"OK," I said. "John (my BIL) is enormously successful with his business. I'm sure that, out of the tens of thousands of people in the ghetto in Milwaukee, there are at least some who were born at the same time and under the same alignment of stars. How do you explain the fact that they're lying around on welfare and he's working seven days a week, and that he's well-off and they're not?"
"There's exceptions," the True Believer said curtly.
"You mean there's exceptions for black people? What about poor white people? And what about Obama? He's half black and half white. Does the exception for black people explain why he said one thing during the campaign but is now doing exactly the opposite?"
The icy stares told me it was time to drop the subject, but they kept saying things that begged to be responded to.
One was all aflutter about a small park that was built last summer in her neighborhood. "It has walkways into the woods, and you can get up really close and see the birds. And the city paid for it!"
"Who is 'the city'?" I asked. "Is it a private corporation, or is your city funded by taxes?" She didn't know the answer, so I just suggested she look at her tax bill.
Not long after, the Astrology True Believer talked about her drive down from the northern part of the state in a heavy snowfall. "But I have four-wheel drive," she said. "I passed people who were just crawling along." (Yes, I know there are conservatives who drive like idiots as well, but it was the tone of superiority in her voice that got to me).
"Four wheel drive is good for getting started in snow, but brakes just like two-wheel drive vehicles," I said.
"No," she snapped. "My four wheel drive goes through anything."
At this point, my brother-in-law gave me the "okay, that's enough" look, so I just suggested to Cousin Patricia that she give the True Believer some crystals and a bag of rocks for the drive home.
This afternoon there's a family gathering at my niece's new house. Her husband is a lawyer, and she's a doctor, as well as a Wealth Redistribution True Believer. I'm not sure I can stand that much liberal nonsense in a 24-hour period. It must have something to do with the alignment of the stars.
You think if I gave her my name and address she would redistribute some of their wealth to my wife and I?
Thanks in advance for all Redistributed Wealth.
-
You think if I gave her my name and address she would redistribute some of their wealth to my wife and I?
Thanks in advance for all Redistributed Wealth.
Oh, my niece is all in favor of redistributing wealth...other people's wealth. She's been complaining a lot lately about how she has to pay exorbitant insurance fees, yet she's forced to deal with welfare cases for free.
She's very smart, but I can't believe she doesn't see that she holds two contradictory positions.
-
its "y'all fellers..."
[by edit: below is a joke :D
I'm not making fun or criticizing. :angel: ]
It's "Y'all fell'ahs".
Being from just no'th
of the Miss'ippi border
(hometown = Meomphis)
where BBQ is king,
I humbly submit
that "fellers" is pronounced "fell'ahs".
But wait: what was the question?
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sofos.com%2Fblog%2Fpulledporksammich.jpg&hash=b33e2aebf40269075b0538d1b63f146237c76920)
-
Dupe.