Democrat bought me coffee.

[WARPIG]

I was on the way to work on Monday when I decided to stop for gas and some coffee. As I was browsing the doughnuts I could feel a set of eyes on me. It happens pretty often when I am in uniform. I turn to see some guy trying to not be obvious.. but I could tell that he was looking for an excuse to say something. I saw a vote for Kerry sticker on an old rusty BMW on the way in.. so I assumed it was this guy. I paid for my gas.. skipped the doughnut but got a big-a55 fufuccino with some sissy sprinkles on it. I was waiting for a fresh pot when the stalker finally spoke up. "Can I ask you something?" "Shoot!" I said.
"You like Bush don't you?" Choking down the smartass response I wanted to say.. I replied, "Yes.. of course!" I figure that would answer pretty accurately no matter which "Bush" he meant.
He then draws me into conversation about why I support Bush over Kerry, quotes some Michael Moore "facts" and the usual. He wasn't too beligerant but seemed to really not get why a soldier would back a "draft dodger" over a "decorated war hero."
When he let me explain it I asked him his own questions. Do you really accept what CNN, MSNBC and all the media tells you? Is it OK that the Television and Michael Moore is your source for education? Does it not strike you as curious that when George W.'s service record is mentioned .. an investigation of his records is demanded by the media? But, when Kerry's military record is used as a basis for his Presidential race and his own fellow servicemen call him unfit... Kerry's records are not demanded... and the investigation is turned on the decorated servicemen that don't support Kerry.
I told him to throw out all the BS and mud slinging. Either erase from memory or to validate all of it and assume that all of it is true. Then ask again.... Why do servicemen mostly support Bush over Kerry. Why is it that the very people that are being put into harms way, can't stomach John Kerry? Why would I want to vote for a guy that will likely send me to Iraq and make me leave my Family, Job, Business, School, etc... and go fight a war that no one seems to support?
Republicans are supposed to be the rich and Dems are supposed to represent the poor. Why would servicemen support a Republican then?
Then I told him that if threw all of that out and just looked at them as individuals.. and judged them by their character. Loo at them speaking, their actions, and what they talk about.... I still won't vote for John Kerry.
I am a great judge of character. My observation of the two individuals leads me to not trust John Kerry. Funny how I trust the guy that is supposed to have lied about WMD more than the war hero.

Without getting into a factoid battle....without pissing on either candidate... and without coming to insult or a fistfight... I managed not only to have a political debate in public... but the guy bought my coffee.
Has anyone had a similar experience or at least a pleasant interchange with someone fromt he opposite viewpoint?

Even better.. anyone interested in a civil interchange now?

[Abolith]

no all the engineers here at work are either to stupid or too damn mousey to hold a decent conversation.

[Herrmannek]

no all the engineers here at work are either to stupid or too damn mousey to hold a decent conversation.

When I try to do decent conversation and I'm at the good time to make final point..they always have to go to do something else... :(

[Dennis G]

Has anyone had a similar experience or at least a pleasant interchange with someone fromt he opposite viewpoint?

Even better.. anyone interested in a civil interchange now?

All the time. I have several friends that are dems or libs, my oldest daughter is pretty liberal and so is my wife (they both have some conservative in them ;) ).

[Herrmannek]

Yup girls shouldn't have right to vote, they base their opnions to much on non essential foundation...

[Shadow]

Wow you had a conversastoin about politics!*claps hands*
I talk about local affairs nearly every day with my mother and friends.

[Herrmannek]

Wow you had a conversastoin about politics!*claps hands*
I talk about local affairs nearly every day with my mother and friends.

Don't this makes people dumber :)

[WARPIG]

Wow you had a conversastoin about politics!*claps hands*
I talk about local affairs nearly every day with my mother and friends.

WOW you have friends?

[Trigger]

Wow you had a conversastoin about politics!*claps hands*
I talk about local affairs nearly every day with my mother and friends.

WOW you have friends?
Maybe they were his mom's friends...

[Flagg]

Very interesting........

The thought of two strangers in the US engaging in a political conversation 5 years ago would have been nearly unthinkable!

In some respects, regardless of the polarizing effects it may have on society, I reckon it's a good thing...maybe more people will educate themselves and vote.

Living overseas I try to avoid most politically centered conversations......having been born in the US, many people I meet seem to take the tact that I somehow have a direct hotline to President Bush so I am often told how best to "fix" things :roll:

I try to discuss political issues only with friends and crazy strangers on the internet.

[Moledet]

Has anyone had a similar experience or at least a pleasant interchange with someone fromt he opposite viewpoint?

Even better.. anyone interested in a civil interchange now?
Civil-not realy, a bit violent-most of the times, violent-seldomly.

[WARPIG]

Very interesting........

The thought of two strangers in the US engaging in a political conversation 5 years ago would have been nearly unthinkable!

In some respects, regardless of the polarizing effects it may have on society, I reckon it's a good thing...maybe more people will educate themselves and vote.

Living overseas I try to avoid most politically centered conversations......having been born in the US, many people I meet seem to take the tact that I somehow have a direct hotline to President Bush so I am often told how best to "fix" things :roll:

I try to discuss political issues only with friends and crazy strangers on the internet.

I am not crazy... I have the paperwork from the county to prove it too.

I hear you Flagg... I usually avoid any attempt to draw me into political conversation in person. (especially in uniform) I felt a little froggy that day and was looking to do a little intellectual/political sparring.. but to my pleasant surprise... this guy seemed to be able to hear that I didn't really want to sling mud back and forth. I gave him an honest take and he gave one back. I don't know if he kept things civil because we were in public, I was in uniform, or he was just sensible but of a different opinion. I was just pleased that it didn't turn into a pissing contest. I just pressed my uniform and didn't want to show up to work soaked in pee.

[percell_086]

I have, on a festival here in Belgium. Me and my bro were walking around on a road between the campingplaces wich has about a hundred little shops that sells hot-dogs, drinks, fruit, clothes, you name it! between all those stands we saw a stand with flemish flags all over the place and with about 15 people there, "discussing". this was suprising because it was about 6 am or earlier (dunno was pretty wasted but could still think straight, for a bit). So we stepped up to the stand and we heard comments like 'you fascists!' 'you racists!' 'you flemish blokkers!' (flemish blok is an extreme-right party here in belgium) while there were papers on the table that said that they weren't a political party but that they just supported the flemish flag. the guys behind the table were trying to be civil and polite but the guys not from the stand were yelling and calling names, so there wasen't any discussion left. So me and my bro were listening to some guy (who was smoking pod btw :roll: ) who was very against the war in Iraq and against president Bush. and was also talking about michael Moore and his movies, when I said; 'why do you believe everything MM says and not what CNN says, isn't that kinda the same thing?' the guy stopped smiling at us and the guy behind the table started laughing. suddenly 5-7 guys came at us starting to yell and not let us finish our sentences untill we said; where's the freedom of speech? we listen to your views then you should atleast have the guts or respect to listen to ours. suddenly there was only 1 guy left :) but his friends said that we could never win in a discussion against him, 5 minutes later we said we were right and suddenly we was pro the war in Iraq :cantbeli: there were other subjects discussed that morning, and after his friends ( who were very very arrogant ) left the guy shook our hands and was very friendly.
we talked about 3 or 4 hours i think, then we got some coffee

Percell
ps; i'm 16 and the guy said to me that i was more mature then allot of his friends because they almost set the stand on fire :cantbeli: that's what you get with friends who are 'against violence'

[Flagg]

I hear you Flagg... I usually avoid any attempt to draw me into political conversation in person. (especially in uniform) I felt a little froggy that day and was looking to do a little intellectual/political sparring.. but to my pleasant surprise... this guy seemed to be able to hear that I didn't really want to sling mud back and forth. I gave him an honest take and he gave one back. I don't know if he kept things civil because we were in public, I was in uniform, or he was just sensible but of a different opinion. I was just pleased that it didn't turn into a pissing contest. I just pressed my uniform and didn't want to show up to work soaked in pee.

Good stuff.......I only wish it could be kept that civil with everyone else!

by the way....was it in a Dunkin' Donuts?

Man I miss Dunkin' Donuts, none here in NZ........I sniffed out a DD in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia from 2 blocks away earlier this year....I am the donut man rofl

[Abolith]

by the way....was it in a Dunkin' Donuts?

Man I miss Dunkin' Donuts, none here in NZ........I sniffed out a DD in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia from 2 blocks away earlier this year....I am the donut man rofl



Nothing can touch the mighty Krispy Kreme!!

[Flagg]

Nothing can touch the mighty Krispy Kreme!!

Krispy Kreme in Sydney airport...must.... resist..... temptation!

[Nawlins]

Yup girls shouldn't have right to vote, they base their opnions to much on non essential foundation...

:bash:

[Jack Mehoff]

Women belong in the kitchen. Dammit. http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/eek3dance.gif

[usa320]

God damnit, hell yes they do...

:lol:

im kidding.

I could think of some other places where women belong as well...

;)

Oh yeah, i bought a democrat a cup of coffee the other day. And as he sucked it down in front of my face, i punched the ****ing hell out of him and kicked him in his genitals, or where they should have been. I then called him a commie bastard tree hugging hippy osama lover.


p-)

[Herrmannek]

Yup girls shouldn't have right to vote, they base their opnions to much on non essential foundation...

:bash:
Stop my head hurts :) I was kidding, just kidding...

[henksmoeder]

Warpig. Good thing that you did. Perhaps some neo-conservatives over here will realise that liberals aren't traitors, but normal people with another believe. I have it quite frequently, both with friends and with strangers.

[perdurabo]

Women belong in the kitchen. Dammit. http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/eek3dance.gif
Q:what is doing woman in kitchen?
A:she's making meals, wash the dishes etc...
Q:what is doing woman in living room?
A:her chain is too long
(j/k)

[Shadow]

Women belong in the kitchen. Dammit. http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/eek3dance.gif
Q:what is doing woman in kitchen?
A:she's making meals, wash the dishes etc...
Q:what is doing woman in living room?
A:her chain is too long
(j/k)

Good one!

[WARPIG]

I didn't "do" anything but speak honestly about what I thought of the current candidates for US Pres. The person I talked to seemed to hear me. I think most people can see that the media is deliberately steering the election coverage. This doesn't make Kerry a bad candidate, nor does it make Bush a bad Pres. But, when I just look at both men, honestly use my own judgement of character.... Kerry looks like a puppet. Not the kind with strings but the kind of puppet where you shove your hand up its a55 and move your hand while making people think that it is talking. Bush may seem like he is a typical good ol boy. (naive.. almost gullable, not polished enough to impress, easily ruffles feathers, but genuine and sincere.) He appears to be trustworthy and have solid moral character. I can't get any good feeling like that from Kerry. My only issue with most Dems is that so many of them will vote for Kerry because he is a Dem or because he is not Bush. Not because he is a better candidate. I would love to hear some better arguement on his behalf. I don't mean the kind of arguement from the Michael Moore school of tricks but based on sincere views and honest research.