Posted on 09/17/2004 6:24:36 PM PDT by Fishtalk
This is the first vanity I have ever posted. I do have my own Blog but for reasons that will be clearer, I cannot post my perplexing missive to my Blog. Yet I am so troubled, so very troubled, I could use some feedback/input.
Begin with background. Mother in Law is visiting husband and myself this weekend. She is from Massachusetts though originally from Indiana. She's lived in Mass. for about 40 years. MIL is 75 healthy years old.
Now MIL is a liberal in that manner of gentle elderly women. She voted for Gore in the last election but she agonized over it for a long time. After 9/11, she told me she was glad that Bush was the President and not Gore.
I really like my MIL, the distance of her in Mass and her son, my husband, and myself in Delawear making such pleasant relationships with in laws a bit easier. MIL is a very nice, intelligent and civic minded lady. While she's not a political junkee like me, or her son to some extent, she takes the act of votiing seriously and does hone up on the issues before casting a ballot.
So we were driving back to the house, just me and her as husband was working. She flew in from Mass to BWI and I drove up, yes I did, from Delaware to pick her up. Husband and I, until last year, lived in Merryland. Husband got so damn sick and tired of living in liberal hells that in our early 50's we packed up and moved. Husband, and MIL's son, USED to be a liberal, as was I as a young woman with the ill-fought war in Vietnam rageing. In our middle years we have both turned vehemently conservative as the scales fell from our eyes.
So we are talking about the election and I make some comment about her home state foisting gay marriage and John Kerry on the rest of the world. "I'm not that crazy about Kerry," she said, "But I'm going to vote for him. I absolutely HATE and DESPISE President Bush."
Well I was just shocked speechless. I mean, she's a very nice lady, hand to God. But her hatred was visceral.
Now we've all talked about the kooks that hate Bush with an irrationality that defies reason. I asked her why she hated him so much, rather timidly in fact, as this was the first genuine Bush hater I'd met. Sure, I've read about them and for the record, her eldest son and my husband spend many evenings making fun of the Bush haters. In fact, I mentioned that she better not tell Billy how much she hates Bush because Billy, well he hated Bush haters,isn't this sweet? So she said if we wanted her to go home then she would.
Of course I don't want her to go home and I always enjoy her annual visit. But this Bush hatred has me taken aback and walking around softly.
"I hate him, I hate to see him on TV, I think he's arrogant, I just hate him to my bones. He sent those soldiers over there and now over a thousand of them are dead."
Now I did try to handle this politely though every fiber in my being wanted to throttle her. "Three thousand Americans died on September, 11," I said softly.
"Yeah, but Saddamn had nothing to do with that. And he had no weapons of destruction either."
Again, my heart and soul and body were screaming all the things I wanted to say. Soon both of us murmured that it was best for us to not talk politics this weekend.
We get a pizza, she visits for a while, then her son takes her to her motel. I can't wait for him to get back so I can tell him that HIS MOTHER IS A BUSH HATER!
When he came back I told him just this and I told him in no uncertain terms. "She don't know what she's talking about," was his response but his hands were shaking. Billy thinks Bush haters should be shot and spends many of his waking hours making fun of them. "I don't what they think he's done wrong. HE took the Al Queda out of Afghanistan and Saddamn, well he's a nice guy been causing the world nothing but trouble for almost twenty years," Billy will say. At least once a night he'll go to great pains to mock the Bush haters and once commented that they all should be shot.
So I have to spend the rest of this weekend with a lady who I once thought was so very nice and sweet only I'm re-thinking this. Because her irrational hatred of this President really does cause me to feel, ...well I don't know what I feel but at a minimum, uncomfortable comes to mind. Of course I have big Bush-Cheny signs in my yard and I'm glad she had to look at them when we pulled in go to hell.
And yes, I do have my own Blog which, oddly she reads all the time. I don't know, maybe she skips my Bush rants but hey, I'm quiet political and it's no secret. Obviously I can't post this missive on my Blog as, duh, she reads it! Her son, and it's a good thing, shares my political passion and idealogy. MIL tells me she doesn't think Kerry's going to win so she's going to vote for him. She says she doesn't like Kerry but hey, I don't think she knows what to think.
Should I try to even talk about this this weekend? If so, why, she can read my Blog. Voted Best Blogger in Delaware I was, big write-up in the newspaper. Okay, so there's only me and one other Blogger in Dellywear but I'm a known quantity, even by her. I certainly write tomes about the Bush haters which she could read. Why talk about it?
But how, dear God, can I pretend to have even one ounce of respect for this woman who so irrationally hates my President who, ahem, I see in a VERY different light than she does.
Have any other of you meant any genuine Bush haters? Any of them in your family? What did you do?
I'm done and I'm heartbroken.
I've had a mother-in-law (I call her Mothra, Queen of the Morons). I think that's where the problem actually starts. Don't have mothers-in-law, especially of differing political persuasions.
I can't help you my MIL is a flaming liberal.
Blood is thicker than water, and politics. Family's are not a political affiliation, but relatives that you are going to keep for more than four years...GET OVER IT!
I know you feeling. I had a friend and her mother that were over visiting last night get up and leave after I told them why Kerry was not a suitable canidate and why I was voting for Bush.
She had started out with the comment stating: "I know those staunch supporters of Bush are going to have a difficult time when John Kerry gets elected in Nov."
I ask her after that comment what is John Kerry's Platform. What is he running on that you want to elect him for?
She responded with the typical I don't care what he is running for, as long as it is not the liar Bush.
I was dumbfound. I repsonded and told her that I was not being mean, but to provide me with proof that Bush lied, and to give me specifics. at that point both my friend and her mother got up and left. with out a word. I have not heard from them yet. As for you Mother in law... If at all possible I would say avoid the politics, if you can't I guess tell her you'll agree to disagree. I do feel for you.
Euthanasia?
NeverGore :^)
It got REALLY bad in May when we were there for only 1 night, thank God. A lot of what they do they wait until he's not in the room so I try to never be alone with them.
I told him after this last visit that he either needs to tell them to cease and desist on talking politics at all or let me open up on them. He did agree he would have a 'chat' with them before we see them again.
Actually he can take the kids and visit without me, that would work out real well IMO. I don't care if I ever see them again. Thank God my family is reasonable.
Sounds to me your MIL is simply regurgitating what the MSM and her liberal friends are telling her. Thats what the situation is with hubby's family. It's all emotionally based, none of it is based in logic. It's usually a waste of time to try to argue with these types, although some like to do it. They are so narrow minded that they don't want to be confused with the facts.
Who knows? Maybe you can talk some sense into her this weekend.
MKM
Did she hear Zell Miller's speech? Same age group- different Democrat Party now.
MKM
Don't hold it against her. It's not worth it.
That's common among Bush haters - they just want anybody but Bush. They couldn't tell you one thing about Kerry's platform, but they support him. These are dangerous voters....
yeah dangerous they are, but as in my incident last night the 7 of us that were there talking about this did kinda jump them when they stated that they were Bush haters for no other reason then they thought he lied. I even preface my converstation with them that I am a register independent I arizona. (Granted I have voted republican since birth, well ok almost since birth..)
It's probably best not to say anything. Life is short & she is elderly. More trouble could come from a confrontation that could have long lasting effects. "Therefore by the grace of God go I" Signed, Dear AZ
She's 75 years old, and your mother-in-law. Best to treat her the same as you've always treated her, avoid talking politics whenever possible, and pity her on Election night.
I dunno. Being dead doesn't necessarily stop people from voting Democratic.
I know a handful of Bush haters, and they are rabid. I don't mean passionate or resolute in liberal beliefs. I mean they are snarling, wild eyed, trembling with rage, foaming at the mouth fanatics. As much as I normally enjoy rolling up my sleeves and engaging in verbal fisticuffs, I've learned to leave these types alone. They're more than simply obtuse, they're downright creepy.
What's scary is that, as lunatic fringes go, the legions of Bush hating zombies are huge. There are many people that literally think Bush is an American version of Adolph Hitler. If enough people really start buying into that kind of kookery, some will want to act on it.
She hates Bush because the MSM indoctrinates people, especially the elderly. Ask her if she watches cBS regularly...
Let it go.
I try very hard not to discuss politics with my mom and dad; it saves me heartache, and saves the family from arguements.
It's very difficult for me; my family and friends are all long-time Democrats.
Leaving "the Plantation" has been a long, difficult road for me.
I must say I am surprised, but pleased, by this and other posts. Because I have decided, with a bit of guilt, to totally avoid politics. Which is not in my nature not one little bit but sometimes, well sometimes you just gotta do the right thing. She's been very good to us through the years.
The reason for my surprise is, well, the media "representation" of Free Republic. For I feared that all my responses would be of the 'wow, beat her up' to the 'tell her what an idiot she is' to the 'dumb liberals, send her home until she learns to think' sort of response.
I discover that the responses are thoughtful and hey, wise. I mean I thought all right-wingers were mean ass folks. That's tongue in cheek for those in Rio Linda.
I forget to mention that she practically screamed "And he's STUPID!" a couple of times until my, my, I just had to shut up. They really do, ladies and germs, think George W. Bush is very stupid. The rational would see, wouldn't you think, that someone who managed to get an MBA from Harvard is not, well, stupid. At least of average intelligence, don't you think?
So I shall be kind and she can read my Blog, which she does enjoy and I know she reads as she mentioned some of the things on it. Evidently she skips by my political stuff but who knows, perhaps she DID read it and couldn't wait to give me a piece of her mind.
Frankly I think she's been living in Massachusetts too long. Ladies and Germs, if you live with the liberals too long, you really do start thinking like them. Before she and her husband moved to Mass. as a result of a job transfer, this lady was the epitome of Mid-west apple pie. She was born and raised in Indiana for God's sake.
Another bit of irony, my husband's sister spent the weekend with us the week before last. All of this with my encouragement as I enjoy an occasional visit and our new house makes life easier. Anyway, she said she didn't like Kerry at all and in fact, she was beginning to hate Mass so much that she wanted to move to Fl. Mostly because of the cold and snow but she didn't think much of Bobby marrying Brian either.
Then I mentioned Bush and in that manner of political dialogue, I said that I didn't agree with Dubya on everything (I think he should have been a man about it and refused to sign that campaign finance reform law and I take it very personally) but he's mostly been a good prez. Well when I said I had 'issues' with Bush she interjected about how much she dislikes Bush, that she doesn't agree with a thing he does, and she thinks he's arrogant. I recall being a bit shocked at that time but she wasn't near as off the wall as her mother.
I'm serious, this sister was also raised in Indiana. But they think Massachusetts now which is proof that they are multiplying!!!
:)
Massachusetts will go for Kerry anyway, so trying to drag her to Bush is futile.
Hang in there! It is your home she is visiting, and if she is as cultured as you say, she should know not intentionally to irritate you during her visit.
I know some otherwise normal people who have no sense when it comes to politics. We have had some as houseguests. The Bush sticker prominently displayed on our car usually alerts them to avoid the subject of politics when visiting us.
If a guest persists in obnoxious comments, nicely but firmly ask that guest to desist, and make it clear that he or she is not likely to prove at all persuasive.
Only in one instance have I had to threaten: "If you don't stop spouting this socialist drivel, I will have to put you in a burlap bag down in the ice house with the others." (That stopped the comments, for we actually have an old ice-house on our property.)
But it is not thicker than patriotism.
I thought the order..was GOD, FAMILY AND COUNTRY!
One more thing, I am a Republican and a huge supporter of President Bush, and even though I can not understand why anyone would want to vote for John Kerry for any reason....they have a right to vote the way they want, it has nothing to do with a lack of patriotism.
Well, if our only source of information was the American Bolshevic Channel, Communist Broadcasting System, etc... what would we think of President Bush? We would "know" that he used 9/11 plus WMD "lies" to invade Iraq just to get no bid contract opportunities for Halliburton and to steal all of "Saddam's oil." If I "knew" such things about somebody, I'd probably hate them too. Or at least intensely dislike them.
My point is, in this time of war, there is a difference between political opposition and failure to support our Armed Forces, including the Commander-in-Chief.
Mhking...I have a sister, who is a liberal , and a Dad 77 years old, who still think Zell is a traitor to the Democratic Party...So I NEVER, EVER talk politics with either of them. :-)
My MIL is a lib also. She became one after the FIL passed away. My wife and I will be going north to VT to visit her in a couple of weeks. My wife has been warning me repeatedly not to instigate arguments with her. The funny thing is that she will instigate the arguments herself. I'm looking forward to rubbing a little salt into her impending election loss wounds.
BTW, I live in Cecil County and was raised in DE.
First follow this link ---> http://www.rightwingnews.com/quotes/demsonwmds.php/ and acquire the quotes on this page.
Next sit in-law down and play a little game of, "Who Said This?"
Conclude with: "If Bush lied didn't these guy's also?"
"by MagnumRancid (I need a new screen name - its left over from my Doom/Quake playing days.) "
Mine is left over from my "Enemy Territory" online playing days,,,,which wasn't too long ago.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.