which I think they were. That didn't stop me from entertaining myself though.

That behavior is not allowed outside of a polling place.

Not allowed inside polling places themselves, but allowed a modest distance from entrance and with various restrictions on specific behavior. Usually done with respect and civility by those on all sides - parties, candidates, issues, ...

When I have been a volunteer in this environment, there is often good natured discussions with those of opposing groups during the slow periods. The 2008 primary election had a lot of candidate representatives from all three parties in NC. I learned a lot about dynamics of party factions and about all types of voters locally.

I did a similar thing in my gym story.....

Hang on, I'll fetch the link.

Here you go.....enjoy!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021615681

you violate someone else's speech by wearing a shirt? But he's protecting free speech by telling you what to wear?

Okay there is something really wrong with these people?

What are they on? Are they drinking Rush Limbaugh's new tea?

We really shouldn/t laugh, they must have a medical problem.

for these people to ascot you outside a voting place? It is not in my state of MN.

Ascots are borderline. Four-in-hand and Windsor knots get you jail time.

Oh, sorry you meant accost. My bad.

I'm knot trying to be oppositional here, it's just that some people can be sheepshankish about things like this.

Even though the tangled skein is difficult to unravel even with a dextrous appendage.

Sheesh! I think I'll just go to slip.

Or you have more "Knot"ledge.

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

I know that on election day, people like this are not allowed to politick outside polling places. Might be different, since this is early voting.

Regardless, it's pretty sleazy of the old men to do this. I'd call the police on him.

After voting I stormed home and called the election board. It's legal if they're a certain number of feet away from the door. A couple of responses here indicate that's the case in their States.

Interesting to note that in NC, there was no Dem outside, nor did the OP mention a Dem at their polls.

we were saying. There were passersby who nodded and smiled.

on that same sidewalk. They weren't nearly as obnoxious as the Republicans were though.

"lexx21 and Supernova's Excellent Adventure"....

I'm happy to research for people that need help. You might have, if not converted the dude, at least made him think.

Good that you voted though.

When that happened to me in NC, no Dems, just Reps. That makes me angry.

They weren't letting the Republicans get away with anything.

don't know what the hell you're talking about )

This county routinely votes blue(Dem) also. There has been a strong push by the Republicans to take this county over lately. I hope like hell they are not able to get a foothold here. They've never had one before, but there is always that threat.

old farts and Uncle Tom's are Willfully ignorant and facts won't help

One thing that really irks me about some of the teabillies is that they are actually racist. I would never want to be likened to one of them.

My guess is that he actually came from a poor background and pulled himself up by his bootstraps. His perception of what is actually important in life is quite skewed, and he is obviously angry about anyone "taking something away from him", and I can sort of understand that. I don't agree with his view point but I would never call him an "uncle tom", or anyone else for that matter.


Something that I thought about on the way home, and related to Supernova, was a story that I read when I was in about third of fourth grade. It was about a young boy who was very poor. He really liked a girl in his class, but was ridiculed by all all of the other students for being poor. That night he washed his clothes in the kitchen sink and pressed them between his mattress and the floor so that he would look as presentable as possible. Being a humble kid, the little girl looked past his being dirt poor and liked him anyway.

As the school broke for Thanksgiving, he knew that his family wouldn't have the normal American feast that the other kids were going to have. A charity worker came around to give his family a turkey. The little boy replied that it wouldn't do them any good as they only had a hot plate and they couldn't cook it.

The story went on, but it was about putting yourself in the other persons shoes and trying to understand where they were coming from. The story never said if the kid was black or white. It didn't matter because that wasn't the point of the story.

It's not that far of a stretch today to understand that lesson since so many people have lost their homes and are in some cases living in their cars or in tents.

That story stuck with me my entire life and is why I would never ever call someone an "uncle tom". You just don't know what their life was like, and in most cases you just need to be thankful that you didn't have to live it.

They're the "yessah, massah" types.

Sorry to have offended you, but truth is, in private we call 'em much worse like dumbass -----ahs. And when it comes to the likes of Clarence Thomas, Alan Keyes, Herman Cain, etc it devolves to motherf---ing dumbass -------------

But I'll spare DU and refrain from further such depictions.

Word. I underscore everything you just said.

glad you have my back and welcome to DU

I get tired of having to be politically correct; it's nice to come here, vent and find kindred folks.

I think there's a bevy of people tiring of being politically correct, especially now, in light of the upcoming election... and we're all under varying degrees of stress. SO... having said that, thank you for the welcome and stay strong. We must stay strong til the end.

I routinely engage those with opposing views. I don't expect to change their minds, might give them or any observers something to think about. Try to correct misinformation in person and online, but always politely and with respect even when they are doing the exact opposite.

I channel my Methodist upbringing of tolerance and forgiveness, but tempered by the "Serenity Prayer".

Good work you two. So glad I know you.

At least that's one less that they can give out to someone else. And I would have let them know that's why I took it as I ripped it up on the way in.

Serious fucking misinterpretation of the Gospel... yes, you have the God-given free will to be as greedy as you want, but a Christian is called on to overcome that instinct. "Whosoever would be the first among you must be the servant of all"; "Go, sell all your possessions, give to the poor... then come and follow me"; "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God"; "That which you did to the least of these, that you did to me"; "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God." This health and wealth gospel of the Xtian Fundamentalists is completely contrary to the Word of God; greedy, selfish such and suches!

My feisty life partner is a real hell spawn when you get her angry about politics. Usually I just sit back and watch.


During our first DU meetup here in Durham, I mentioned Clinton and "hummer-gate". After that I was into another conversation with another couple. My S/O was on a rant about something after which she exclaimed quite loudly "and Kenneth Star can go SUCK HIS OWN <radio edit>!"

In the car on the way back from the meetup I said "someone sure got you riled tonight. Who was it?"

She replied with one word... "You"

I kept very quiet and very still during the ride home.....survival instinct you understand.... lol.

TeaPubs always get their panties in a twist when Dems hit them with FACTS. It's like their heads are gonna explode! Very funny. They also prob ally didn't think anybody would challenge the elderly.

I like this. A lot.

If you see him again, remind him that according to the Bible he can make as much as he wants but he damn sure better give it away if he hopes to sing with the angels.

But I find the idea of an older black man, who lived through the 50s, 60s, 70s voting for conservatives suspicious.

Of course, you may be very young and find anyone over 35/40 as "old," in which case I absolve you. Go and sin no more, as BabyJesus™ is watching you, especially in the bathroom.

Actually I am 48 and bald, so very young was a long time ago.

What he was saying about it being his God given right to be greedy and make as much money as he could... Either someone spiked his Geritol or he was brainwashed into thinking that Obama would tax the hell out of him and that his only "salvation" was Romney.

I guess he didn't pick up on the part of what Romney was saying about small business.. what he considered "small business"... Donald Trump is a small business owner. Somehow I doubt that this fellow will be opening a casino in Atlantic City anytime soon.

For the rational people, a small business is a mom and pop operation, or a small company with maybe 40 or so employees. How about a pizza joint down the road or a gas station owner. THOSE are small businesses, but since Romney probably hasn't actually been to one of those, he wouldn't quite understand that.

What did Romney consider middle class? Those making 250K/year? By those standards I must be a bottom of the barrel dirt farmer with a whole passel of kids and two on the way share cropping my way to the American dream.

I guess what Republicans need is a really good dose of perspective as to what their "leadership" is thinking as opposed to what the constituents are thinking and how they actually live.

And how odd to find an Ayn Rand style Objectivist in the elderly African American community.

I'd have taken their list and torn it up right in their faces.



Bake

Where do they get that?

I don't recall following capitalism one of the ten commandments, nor did Jesus speak of it on the Sermon on the Mount?

I believe it was said that he would have a tough time getting into heaven that way, like a camel through the eye of the needle.

is how emotional these cons are. They get mad when they're challenged. Mad!
I don't understand it. And I wonder how they'll react when Obama wins again. Ain't gonna' be pretty.

been trying to figure this out both personally and politically and they are strangely connected

not too long ago that conservatives seem to feel the need to be led somewhat like sheep. Driving around today (not that I was actually lost or anything.. ahem..) I drove by some VERY modest dwellings and they had Rmoney signs in their yard.

Their formula seems to be:

1) Drop pants
2) Bend over
3) Insert sunshine up bottom
4) Rinse and repeat with ignorance