Here's a real incident and you should try it.

Yesterday, a good friend, who doesn't seem to understand who really is on his side, and I had a political discussion.

Mostly, people try not to discuss politics with me, since I believe in ridicule as a weapon.

He voted for Scott Brown because he wanted change. Naturally, I told him that the 41 Republican Senators were for anything but change. They represent the status-quo.

You get the picture.

As we were discussing the merits of our positions, I noticed he had an American Flag on his hat with the words "United We Stand" printed across the bottom. It was a colorful, waving flag that proclaimed what a patriot me friend is, for all to see.

I said, "Joe, let me see your hat. Come on, take it off and let me see it." He took off the hat and handed it to me. Sure enough, there it was, inside the rim, "MADE IN KOREA". I laughed out loud, and to my surprise, so did he. I said, "Don't you feel like an asshole, wearing a hat with an American Flag that proclaims "United We Stand" and the fucking thing is made in Korea"?

That was the end of the discussion and we both understood the point and parted with a good laugh.

Winning their hearts and minds, right?

And even when it doesn't work, at least you've just humiliated a conservative, preferably in public.

So there's no real downside.

I've read your posts before and like your style. Thanks for another good story and point.

How could that NOT get through about his hat (or those silly flag pins made in China)?

And even though I'm beyond tired of hearing/seeing the great new white hope, Scott Brown, I want to ask you (since you're there) WHAT "change" did Brown's Mass. voters think he was bringing?

It seems as though many voters in America are starting to act like voters in Italy (a new government every 8 months). The "Greatest Generation" seemed to have it down. FDR was the change and we needed years to recover. Today, it's different. Obama didn't make things better fast enough or good enough in 8 months, so let's change back.

That's the definition of "Status Quo Ante". But, alas, many of my contemporaries think Sarah Palin makes sense so it becomes so frustrating.

But, I just couldn't resist the hat thing.

And, I'll confess that I'm not good at the "hearts and minds" thing.