Posted on 09/08/2007 9:57:37 PM PDT by finch
We relax by taking our dog to the local dog park and chat with others who bring their dogs. Today, a man sat across from us and began his tirade about the government's conspiracy in blowing up the World Trade Center.
I've heard this before so just nodded and let him continue. His history lesson finally caused me to jump in. He believes that Iran is really our friend and that George Bush is only attempting to gain an excuse to use a nuke.
I then interjected that the current leader of Iran is a believer of the 12th Iman, he didn't have a clue. When I tried to explain his belief of the end of the world, he stated that Iran is our friend and Bush is the believer of Ammagedon.
When I suggested he read "The Looming Tower", and that it just received the Pulitzer, he referred me to the BBC.
The conversation was not heated until I mentioned Clinton's disregard for people, namely women. He jumped up, spit out "who cares, Bush wants to murder people throughout the world", ran out of the park, leaving his wife and his dog.
My friend was extremely upset. He said that my citing sources intiminated the guy. And, that I should refrain from expressing my strong opinions.
I would like to hear from others as to how you would handle a situation like this.
Do not hit these people in the face!Leaves incriminating bruises-body blows and knees to the groin are your best option.
“...one day she weepyly told my wife I “wasn’t fair because I used logic” (and she’s a freakin’ SCHOOL teacher).”
That reminds me of when my uber lib neighbor used to lose all political arguments with her then boyfriend, a conservative: “He always wins because I don’t know enough about it.”
To which I replied, “If you knew more about it, you’d wouldn’t think that way anymore.”
I would have sicked my dog on him and kicked his pooch.........
Anybody who gets hysterical and unreasonable in a debate can just be ignored when they storm off. Their idea of being reasonable is your agreeing to everything they say.
If you substantiated your opinion with facts and presented them calmly your friend needs to get their head out of their ...
You did nothing wrong. I have a person I deal with on a regular basis in regards to these matters. They consistently turn up a gatherings etc. and spout off their opinions. Last time they turned away from the conversation and left the room in shame. It is time we start calling these idiots on the carpet for their wackiness. If they leave in embarrassment that is their problem.
You know, sometimes you can get further by playing along with them. Egg them on, show amazement at their insight, wisdom and knowledge. It can be fun for players and spectators.
Another argument ender is to offer a friendly wager. Someone on my softball team said he thought Karl Rove had resigned because he was going to be indicted. I told him Rove had testified 5 times in front of the Grand Jury and had still not been indicted. Then I asked if he’d like to bet say, $100 on his prediction. He declined.
Why you beast! Intimidating that poor soul with facts!
Forget it, he’s a loon and it’s all about how he feeeels, facts just get in the way of feelings.
The leftists I know get upset by anyone that has the temerity to cite data and sources or disagree with them when they go off on a Hate Bush tirade.
Everything is the fault of Bush & those evil Republicans; if the market is up or down it’s because “they manipulated stock prices”, if oil prices rise it’s because Bush and his buddies manipulated the price to make a killing and hurt poor folks.
While at Publix last week a customer ahead of me being rung up was agreeing with the clerk that the headline of the Sunday Miami Herald she was buying had to be false:
“Despite Higher Troop Numbers, Violence in Iraq is Down”
Unable to resist twisting their tails, I pointed out that the Herald had it backwards, that it was because of, not in spite of, the higher troop levels that violence was down. The result was looks of confusion and hostility.
Lefties are frequently poorly read and educated and usually misunderstand what little they do read.
An armchair general at work was going on ad nauseum about what incompetents the military leadership were. I finally asked him what his military education and experience consisted of, suddenly defensive he admitted he’d never served and didn’t read books about that kind of stuff!
I have a standing offer to anyone on several web sites to supply me the GPS coordinates of ANY camp being built. I will go there and investigate. I investigated one two weeks ago. It was a 140 year old corral for cattle. BTW the camp thing started in the Clinton era and many here believe Hillary will use them. Of course nobody can actually find me one to see.
Never underestimate the ability of the human mind to believe what it wants, despite the presence of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
“He said that my citing sources intiminated the guy”
There was a study done that suggested to democrats that they run their political campaigns by appealing to people’s emtions and not using facts. It’s been posted here a number of times. This is a classic illustration of it. I’ve experienced it a million times. These people don’t want to think critically about their beliefs, they just feel them and want to be able to vent. This is not a sexist comment, but have you ever tried to talk rationally to a women who is all worked up about something (say someone at work)?
Just let it go there is nothing constructive that can come out of interacting with such people.
Every time the Iraq war comes up while chatting with libs or antiwar types, I say: “Terrorists from all over the world, led by al Qaeda are flocking to Iraq to fight the U.S. Military. Is that a bad thing?”
I have yet to receive a rational reply.
bttt
I guess your stuck with your sister-in-law but Finch should get a new friend.
You should have clubbed the guy with your friend.
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