I threw my neighbor out of my house last night.

Let me preface this by saying that I've never done this before, ever. If you were to come to my house, regardless of the hour, I would be extremely gracious to you, offering you libation and sustenance.

So, last night, I was settling in to watch a bit of television. All of my kids were home, we had just come back from a nice dinner, when the doorbell rang.

TeenMidlo came down to tell me that a friend's mom was at the door wanting to talk to me about something. I had never met this woman before, but I know her child and he's a nice kid.

Long story short, she came in and settled in to start talking about the candidates for supervisor in our district. We have an issue with growth here and I have already been working for the (dem candidate, obviously) person I think will address this issue the best, so I listened to her and then told her I wasn't interested in voting for or working for her candidate, (A rethug)

Four hours later, after she had essentially told me her life story, she was going on and on about how abortion is wrong, (she's had one, I haven't) and how homosexuals are wrong, blah, blah, blah.
Kept talking about 'rule of law', because as an 'administrative assistant' she knows all about the law, you see. :eyes: I tried for three hours to get her to see that sexuality wasn't a 'choice' but a biological occurence. No luck.

At 1:15, I'd fucking had it. I stood up and said "it's time for you to leave, I can't and I won't ever have a homophobic bigot in my home".

Then I walked her to the front door, opened it, and slammed it behind her. And, I have to say, it felt really, really great.

:D

when he started spouting Rush Limbaughesque crap about Clinton.

My lefty neice and I were talking about the current crop of Republican presidential aspirants and he felt compelled to bring up Clinton once again. I tried to argue with him based on facts but it degenerated into a Bill O'Reilly style "debate." Wherever I counter with facts (and I try to stick to MSM facts) he counters with something about Clinton out of the wingnut pantheon of myths. I was upset for hours afterward because I lost my cool but this is the psychology of the right wing--they want you to lose your cool and have it turn into an emotional battle because they know in their hearts that they cannot win based on logic and fact.

I am not proud that I took the bait.

And I marvel at your tolerance. Here, she would have lasted about ten minutes, if that!

I figure anyone who tells a total stranger every aspect of their life is pretty desperate for companionship, so I was just listening and trying to be kind until she started with the RW talking points.

Then, out she went. And, to be even meaner, I turned off the lights, so she had to fumble around in the dark to get into her car.

she really wants the opposite of what she is saying.
Methinks the lady doth protest too much.
(Sorry, call it like I read it.)

I think I would of lasted 5 minutes.

I don't let strangers in my house for ANY reason and that counts neighbors peddling bullshit.
Thats the trouble with Dems, we're too nice. Imagine what would be said to you if you went to a dittoheads house with your side of the story.
Unwanted guests? Miss Manners says to tell her right at the start you have contagious TB

My son, 1500 miles away called me at 1:30a.m. to tell me about a fight he got into last night. He was so upset....normally a very calm, assured arguer! Do you think it has anything to do with the full moon?

it seems every time they bust a bunch of drunken big talkers the loons get all scared and stirred up again. I can testify they were all out last night, too, even in computerland.

Such people live in a constant state of anxiety and are looking for places outside themselves to put the blame. They never blame the corporate media for feeding that anxiety, it's all abortion, gays, welfare queens, gun grabbers, and the ungodly.

I'd rather see them than be them, so I try to spare a little compassion. However, to protect my own fragile grasp on serenity, I show them the door quickly.

When I worked in a teaching hospital, the residents all hovered over the Emergency Room rotation when it came out every month because they dreaded working on the full moon nights -- there is a limit to how many gunshot wounds and knifings any resident wants to see in one night while the psychological problems and overdoses wait in the waiting area.

I noticed this full moon effect when I taught school so much so that I planned, well in advance, something "fun" to do during the days of the phase.

full moon. Kids were batshit crazy then, as were most of the parents.

emergency duty when there was a full moon. Everyone was just a looney pain-in-the-butt (including me - just kidding - sort of).

I agree with the next poster who says we're all getting high strung because of terra terra. With the full moon, too. Add job insecurity, my kids getting recruitment literature in the mail, gas prices, a long time without rain, and the obscenely early beginning of the primary season, and we'll have to use that duct tape and plastic to keep the neighbors out of the kitchen.

My friend, a wonderful musician, came at me calling me an elitist rose colored glasses wearing liberal (hey, what's wrong with that anyway) after some tripe he fwd'd about Katrina survivors that I will not repeat here. I did tell my 75-year old mom, who has nothing better to do than to tell everyone in the area code. It's already a scandal!

I'm with the OP in feeling good about it!

... I hope that it does hurt your kid's friendship with her kid (you said he is a nice kid and all) I hate when THOSE people think that you'll defer to their knowledge because somewhere along the line she said something clever at work and the rest of the sheeple stroked her ego.... now all of a sudden she is omnipotent?
I'm sorry that she had to make a sad choice, but that SHOULD HAVE made her aware of the fact that sometime people have to make that choice and that it should be theirs to make.

I would have headed to bed early in the process.

She told me her ENTIRE life story first. :eyes:

Gah. The job for my friend is filled.

"I've been through bad times... Blah blah blah... now that we're 'friends' you should hate the same people I do". Now that I've disclosed this, you owe me. The ying and yang of conversation. Add in the fact that your kids are friends and she has even more of an emotional bargaining tool. The best reciprocation to give is the door hitting her in the ass on the way out. Well done! :applause:

:patriot: That's taking one for the company.:thumbsup:

People never get that.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

:applause: :applause:

I admire your patience. (I also admire the fact that you slammed the door hard).

she got the boot. She did, however, tell me her entire life story. Where she lived, all about her three boys and their girlfriends, you get the drift. As tired as I was, I figured she was lonely until she started with the homophobia.

It's a problem. How can you not feel for somebody who is old, sick, lonely or all three? Years ago, when my tenant moved in, I helped her get settled in. We talked for a long, long time about her life. She was never married, still mourned her parents and walked with a cane. I told myself I'd look out for her and be a friend to her whenever possible. Toward the end of the day, she said; "Aren't you glad you didn't get a nigger for a tenant"? AAAAAGH! And, yes, she's been here for 15 years.

Prior to the 2006 election two nice "Christian" ladies (I think they were mother/daughter) knocked on my door with a petition to put the issue of gay marriage on the Michigan ballot. I asked them very politly it they were in fact seeking to disallow gay couples from being married. Once it was clear what their agenda was I told them in no uncertain terms to get the fuck off my property and that bigots of all description were not welcome here.
I am sure that I could have used more tact but I tend to loose it when confronted with overt injustice.

maybe just maybe she'll think about what had just transpired and why, maybe.

position.

I am a straight guy. Until relatively recently in life, GLBT issues never played much of a part in my life. As I saw more and more bigotry and violence toward homosexuals, I became more active in issues that, to me are issues of human dignity and respect. I have discussed these issues, sometimes heatedly, with people who have a difficult time justifying their position on this issue. After a conversational thrashing, they go home and call people of like minds and reinforce their bigotry and foolish attitudes.

What they fail to realize, is that what a same sex couple does behind closed doors is no more their business, than what they do behind closed doors w/their love is none of anyone else's business.

How sad it is, that people worry about two people in love because they are of the same sex, and yet helping to ensure that every child has their basic immunizations or a decent meal evades them. Priorites...they should make a list, and check it twice...

what you say

You've certainly got more staying power than me, sport.

You are a saint. She wouldn't have made it past 20 minutes with me.

You did very well. It's shocking that these people live right near you, and you never know it until it's too late.....

TC

Colorado is home for Marilyn Musgrave, James Dobson, and (until recently, anyway) Ted Haggard. But it's also home to a bunch of energized Democrats tired of seeing our state shamed by these bigots. Making no secret of my political affiliation helps to keep their toadies away from me or anyone within my hearing. If they spent a bit less time obsessing over everyone else's sex life, they might have a few more brain cells available for considerations of genuine importance.

Gotta get those illegal aliens out of our country!

Welcome to DU madamesilverspurs!

I can stand almost anything, even a deeply rooted and stubborn conservative, but I will not tolerate bigotry ever.

It is one thing to be different in your political orientation and quite another to be a bigot.

:pals:

I often use you as an example, you know. "If all Catholics were like Midlo, I might still be part of the Church."

when it is someone else's abortion, according to them?

She stayed at your house until 1:15am and she barely knew you? That is one rude rethuglican.

I'm happy for you. You were very patient and kind.

what a penance.

LOL! The cops say it best, get to know your neighbors. Best advice I've heard. Once I realized I lived in a predatory red county, the first thing I did was lock the doors.

beliefs if they can get others to agree with them...

They have no comfort in their own belief system...they need converts to feel good about it...which is why they will chew your ear off until they convince you or they annoy you so much you won't have them around anymore...

4 hours...I think you put in the required effort to be gracious.

You sat through 4 hours of that? My synapses would have short circuted after about 30 minutes and violence may have even ensued.

:evilgrin:

going to be a long and boring one too. Pity me.

on the kid units' grapevine?

What usually works for me on the whole "sexuality is a choice" angle is as follows:

Me: "OK, let's just say for argument's sake that sexuality is, in fact, a choice as you say."

They: "OK, sure."

Me: "Let's also assume that regardless of the choice you make, that it is a choice, and as such, subject to being thought about."

They: "What do you mean?"

Me: "Well, like any choice, you can think about it before making it, just to be certain that you make the correct one."

They: "Umm... OK, sure."

Me: "Further, let's also assume that, just like any choice, this choice can be subject to not only moral arguments but also to logical ones as well."

They: "Not sure I know where you're going with this."

Me: "I'm trying to make a point. Indulge me?"

They: "OK."

Me: "OK, so let's just assume, for the argument, that the person making the choice is reasonably intelligent and sane. I think that we can make this assumption safely, but for reference let's just say that a person of average intelligence and sanity can analyze this choice, because it is a choice beset upon every person, if it is a choice at all. Right?"

They: "Sure."

Me: "If you accept all of this, then your contention that this is a choice is puzzling."

They: "Why?"

Me: "Well, if it is a choice, then one should be able to make a choice either way with equal simplicity."

They: "Sure, but I still don't understand why you're puzzled."

Me: "What puzzles me is why ANYONE would make such a choice! Certainly a reasonable person would look around and see the sort of treatment that the GLBT community receives, the social stigmas that would be visited upon them by people such as yourself. I'm sure that a reasonable person, given the social climate that you are propagating, interested in making the choice that would be better for them, would take this into consideration and choose accordingly.

To whit, I contend that the fact that the GLBT community exists in the first place is proof that the contention that this is a choice holds no water. It is not the hallmark of a reasonable person to act against their own interests. Therefore, only one of two possibilities exist: either the people are not reasonable, and we've already postulated that this is unlikely, requiring only the most basic self-awareness as requisite for a correct conclusion, or that sexuality isn't a choice, primarily because it is illogical to expect someone to willfully choose a lifestyle which will almost assuredly result in some measure of persecution in the given social climate."

They: "I don't accept your argument. You obviously don't take into account the moral implications."

Me: "You aren't posing a moral dilemma. You are contending a logical postulate. You can proceed from the moral dilemma, but to say that sexuality is a choice, you need to support that with a logical argument. The logical argument doesn't support you, even if the moral issues as you see them do. Just say what you mean from now on, and accept the fact that being a bigot is something you feel personally suits you."

They: "I am no bigot!"

Me: "Yes you are. Good day."

OK, it's a choice, but then so is one's religion a choice. People obviously can change their religious identity--thousands do. Now does this mean it's OK to condemn and pass laws against those who choose a different one from yours?

'Course if they say yes, you'll _know_ you're talking to a hopeless kook!

She f***ed up and then found Jesus. Now she wants to assume everyone f***ed up too. Close?

are one heck of a fair and gracious individual, I can only say that you were perfectly justified in your action.

I have had such things happen rarely, (as most people in the community I live in know where I stand on issues), but it is one of those situations where no one is going to "win", so rather than do something that is an exercise in futility, one could be doing something far more constructive...dusting, vacuuming, folding laundry, watching TV or going to the bathroom, etc...:)

When comes to abortion, I figure it's none of my business what choices others make; homophobia, I'm straight, treat each person as a human being first, not a sack of dirty laundry; bigotry, any form is an anathema to the humanity we profess to have.

You did well. While this person has written you off as an "ignoramus", let me assure you, you are not. You are one of the finest people I've ever met, (well, not physically, but you know what I mean). If there is an ignoramus in the neighborhood, she saw the door last night...let us hope she sees the light sometime in the future...:hug:

:loveya:

Good for you! What idiot stays at someone's house until 1:15 am, anyway? I would have long before told her I had an early morning.

Geez

"If you were to come to my house, regardless of the hour, I would be extremely gracious to you, offering you libation and sustenance."


(Thanks for taking such a strong stand. It's a hard thing to do when there's not a group around backing you up.)

to someone regardless of their station in life is what separates class from ass.

For some reason, probably because of my outspoken politics, people here see me as a 'go to' person and I often find myself listening to the latest debacle in their lives. Listening doesn't do my any harm, but the second you cross the line, like this nitwit did, you are dead to me.

(That last part is a joke, but my friends and I say it all the time about peoole who piss us off)

I was just thinking when I read that, I wished I had your address. I was kinda hungry/thirsty when I posted, not looking to unload my life story on you.

You know, it's like when someone says I was having a guinness with John Kerry and suddenly a tornado blew in and the roof of the bar went flying off the building and Kerry singlehandedly was putting it back on himself, but then he tripped, and this pack of wild dogs wandered in and broke his fall ... and sometimes my reaction is hmmm, guinness? That sounds good right now. :D

You sound like a good friend, anyway.

:toast:

You were more than gracious to listen to her life story for four hours. Then she repays your kindness by talking crap?

What kind of person intrudes on a complete stranger & stays for hours anyway? I wouldn't have lasted that long myself, even before the conversation turned ugly.

Good for you for letting her know bigots are not welcome in your home. :toast:

I had something else to do, sorry, good luck...

I saw the thread title and the user-name and thought, "this has to be a joke. I have seen a number of posts by Midlodemocrat, and if her posts are any indication, she is just a big sweetie." I should have realized you only did what you had to do after trying to be diplomatic and helpful. Good on you! Good for trying! Good for your patience! Good for your maintaining the sanctity of your home! I am sure you know, not all people can or will change, but because of patient and understanding people, such as yourself, those that can change, will when they meet the likes of you!

:applause:

Thank you.

:toast:

I couldn't imagine coming over to the home of someone I had never met before late in the evening, let alone staying that late. Her elevator may not be going to the top floor.

me up with RW bullshit. I don't know how you listened to that for as long as you did

Frankly, when I heard she was coming, I thought something had happened with all the teenagers and she felt it important enough to tell me in person.

Then she started on this candidate, so I figure, at most 15 minutes.

It was after that that she started on her life story and I have to say, moran that I am, I felt sorry for her.

I listened to the RW bullshit for about 20 minutes, trying to change her mind before I snapped.

Even TeenMidlo says I was really nice to her before I lost it.

Midlomom don 'llow no bigot rants in her house, that part is clear. I'm just curious if this is a "teachable moment" for her son.

gonna to quote her mom 'tear him a new one'.

She takes no prisoners in the war on bigots. I'm very proud of her.

NEVER inject politics or religion into drunken Bunko night! :rofl:

good on you girl! :thumbsup:

:eyes:

I was even in my pj's when she came over. The bitch.


:rofl:

:rofl:

Good thing I have an umbrella policy.

As soon as the rethug candidate's name came out of her mouth. With a nice, "Sorry, not buying what you're selling".

She was talking about working AGAINST this particular candidate because he is in the pocket of the developers.

I talked her into helping me campaign for the dem., when she started her life story. (!) and it was all downhill from there.

You are a very gracious host to put up with that for that long.

A :toast: to you for trying to knock some reason into this blockhead.
The few people I know who are like this usually seem to have nice kids, so hopefully future generations will be free of this kind of ignorance and bigotry. I think that is what alarms the Freepers so much. Imagine an America where the majority of people are tolerant across the board...OMG!!!1111!!!



"Let me preface this by saying that I've never done this before, ever. If you were to come to my house, regardless of the hour, I would be extremely gracious to you, offering you libation and sustenance."

Where do you live ;)?

k&R :pals:

I would have lost it by 10.PM, and asked her to leave, then.

In fact, when I get religious or political solicitors at my door,
- I live in Repug. Central, OC in CA.- unless they are Dems, conservationists,
etc.,I tell them no thank you, I have my own beliefs/ party and
have a nice day- end of story. The next thing they see is the
front of my front door, again.

If I know them,( neighbors) I tell them the same thing,
then wave goodbye as I close the door.

:hi:

are full of these bastards, aren't they? You'd think they would have learned something over the past 6 years, but NOOOOOO -- same old repub racist, homophobic, conservative crap. It just reminds me every day how much I HATE LIVING IN VIRGINIA.

:hug:

the whole thing made me chuckle! not for the suffering midlo had to go through, just reading that this lady comes to HER house and gabs for four hours about her life then turns it into an anti-gay rant, getting kicked out w/o a light to guide her, and having told EVERYTHING to the lady who just kicked her out! hilarious!

I love when the mean gay bashers take one to the chin! ;)



oh and cboy4, mmmmuah! lol

I need to come out to Midlothian so we can have tea (or coffee, depending on your choice!)B-) :bounce: :beer:

but what if it's your own damn mother who behaves like this woman visitor?

Oh woe, I have to face her in a few weeks. Thankfully she lives in another state.

politesse be damned! I salute you for taking that shit as long as you did.

If it's a biological occurrence or if people choose to be gay because that's what they decide to do; to me, it doesn't make a single speck of difference.

The bottom line is, they deserve equal rights, including the right to marry, either way. What a consenting adult chooses to do with his or her own body isn't any of my business, whether it's driven by biology or not. I question why people like your unwanted visitor get especially hung up on whether or not being gay is a "choice" (as opposed to, presumably, it "not being their 'fault') I don't think there's anything wrong with it, so I don't care either way.

I would have not spent four minutes with her! :shrug:

She had less time to talk to other voters in behalf of her candidate, making you both politically effective AND a good neighbor. Everyone who lives near you owes you a home-baked dessert.

Good call on your neighbor. I don't think she's going to change but let's hope she got a clue....

I notice that I test people very lightly to know where I stand with someone before I spend time and before I let go with some rant or repeat something I just heard or connect crappy things that are happening with crappy leaders.

I'm not conscious that I ever did that before. I think I led a better life - more people were decent - respectful.

I dread strangers who proselytize.

Anyway if that is true that scene from American Beauty came to mind where the bad ass father homophobe finally comes over to Kevin Spacey when he is drunk and tries to have sex with him.

If you are gay could she have picked up on it?

If not.....never mind.

You rock!

Good for you!

That takes courage.......

And that you have in abundance...:applause: :applause: :applause:

:thumbsup: :hi: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I would have done a "Hugh Grant" and thrown an aged container of baked beans on her.

I'm unpacking my tiara. You get to wear it all day.

What is the old saying? "Spare me the labor pain story, Just show me the damn Baby!"

i just did a similar thing weeks ago, not my usual MO either.

Show would have left on her own, after listeding to me go on and on about "How could you vote for those awful repugs! They've ruined America! Sending our jobs overseas, rasing gas prices, depressing wages, torture, corruption, lying, borrowing money from the Chinese to give tax breaks to their rich buddies, they are all evil bastards who whould be lined up against the wall and shot! And how dare they lecture me about abortion and religon! I'd sooner practice satan worship than follow those slimebags! It's over, Americans aren't buying their bullshit anymore!"


Your mistake was to politely say you were not interested. You should have come forth with venom, showing your hatred for all things right wing! I used to be middle of the road polite too, but W, Delay, Foley, Hastert, McCain, Leiberman, "Wolfey", "Rummy", Chaney, O'Reily, Beck, "Limburg", Ambramoff, Fineman, and all the rest of totally changed my tune. No more Mr. nice guy, zero tolerance for the right wingers, or the ones who enable them! May they all rot in hell!

Good for you, for not taking her crap. :hug:

I don't allow that sort of thing in my house; anyone who doesn't respect women's rights isn't going to respect anyone else's rights.

you ma'am -- are a better soul than me.

:applause:

I usually tell such people as soon as they say who they are working for that we are Ds and won't support whatever it happens to be.

what is right.

You certainly have more patience than I.