This entry was posted on 10/18/2008 12:55 PM and is filed under 2008 Election, All Posts.
This past weekend, I flew home to visit with my Grandma, who is not in the best of health. Sitting in the gate, delayed, I found myself watching CNN a few seats down from a couple Republican businessmen, and one unaffliated lady trapped into conversing with them. I ignored their pratter about how Obama will raise their taxes, Obama will hurt their business, Obama will hurt the economy, etc.—this is the kind of chat I have come to hear in many an airport from the middle manager set, and it does not really bother me.
After about an hour of this, a video of Barack Obama and his wife came onscreen. One of the gentlemen said in response, "These two have a problem with this country. Both of them. Both of them have a problem with America."
That was the moment I snapped.
Me: "How can you say they have a problem with America? How can you say that with a straight face? He's running for president. How can you honestly believe he hates the country he's running to lead? That just doesn't make any sense, I'm sorry."
Republican Guy 1: "Then why's he got to be friends with criminals?"
Woman: (staring ahead silently in wide-eyed awe at the disruption)
Me: "G. Gordon Liddy is an archcriminal. G. Gordon Liddy went to jail for subverting our country's constitution. G. Gordon Liddy is one of John McCain's best friends. G. Gordon Liddy has offered advice on his radio program on the best way to murder an ATF agent. And if you want to talk about friends, Walter Annenberg was one of Ronald Reagan's best friends. And he hired Bill Ayers to sit on the same board as Obama."
Republican Guy 2: "Oh, I don't know about 'best friends'.
Me: "They vacationed together. That pretty much sums it up for me."
Silence.
Me: "What, is Barack Obama a criminal?"
Republican Guy 2: "You never know."
Me: "You never know? You never know?!! You know, because he's never been charged with anything, never been convicted by a jury of anything, never sentenced by a judge for anything. That's how you know."
Woman: (gigantic smile has appeared on her face)
Republican Guy 2: "Well, is William Ayers a criminal?"
Me: "Of course. Of course he is."
Republican Guy 2: "Well, he wasn't convicted of anything, either."
Me: "Well...uh...you have a point."
We sat in uncomfortable silence for a couple of minutes, after which I mumbled something cheerfully about being too much of a political junkie, and sorry for interrupting. They said it was no big deal, and went back to their own conversation. I started to feel kind of like a douchebag. I mean, who was I to just interrupt people who aren't bothering me, and challenge them on their ridiculous opinions, however odious?
10/22/2008 7:05 PM
Molly wrote:
GOOD JOB, Will! This is too important not to challenge people's ideas! and happily, they challenged yours. that is what is so cool about living in america - ability to challenge each other aloud. The McCain-Palin signs are showing up everywhere in my neighborhood. Now, i know, because they told me, that some of my neighbors will just never vote for a "damn nigger" but some of the information Americans are getting is just misinformation. Here's something to tell the republicans in the next airport: when was the last time a republican has held office who wasn't a Nixon or a Bush? the answer: 1928. it was Chris Matthew's big number. by the way, isn't it funny to see him try to control his anger at Palin's lack of knowledge of the veep position? heehee stay strong, and keep fighting! i'm canvassing this weekend. hopefully i'll meet an undecided. Reply to this
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