I received a phone call from my cousin last night. She started talking about a neighbor ("those conservatives", she said with a gasp). She ranted for a little, telling me she'd never let her child grow up being a bigot. She once scolled her child who used the word faggot in a derogatory way. Most of the neighbors are very religious, pro-life, she explained as she overheard conversations at church on Sunday. (As an aside, I find it odd that she doesn't consider herself religious yet attends church every Sunday. I, on the other hand a self-proclaimed conservative, am not very religious in following a particular teachings and haven't attended church services in over thirty years.)

In a previous thread, I recall Anita stating she didn't like Rush (and other conservative rags) telling her what she thought. I agree, none of us believe that we can be place into neat little boxes because we're so individual. But everyone *does* place the people around them in little boxes, just as my cousin does. I consider myself fiscally convservative, not socially. I don't like to be associated with the religious right but most 'liberals' do just that. I guess it's just that we have to generalize to make a point, knowing full well the one or two sigma falls outside the mean (sorry, reference the bell curve).

Just had to get it off my mind.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), August 01, 2001

Answers

Gee Maria, doesn't your cousin know your politics or is she just rude? My brother, whose world-view is similar to Doc's, just rants and rants. He either thinks I agree or that he is enlightering me with his superior wisdom. He is my brother. I love him. I listen, albeit thru clenched teeth.

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), August 01, 2001.

"I love him. I listen, albeit thru clenched teeth."... And think of an answer some hours later.

Lars, she's not rude, just the type who will chatter away, only pausing for a breath and change the subject with every sentence. I listen, just as you do. :)

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), August 01, 2001.

I, snip, am not very religious in following a particular teachings and haven't attended church services in over thirty years.

We are alike in that area. The other day oldest daughter said I was an athiest, I explained to her that I was an agnostic, not believing in one established religion, but accepting the concept of a higher power.

People do label others by their belief in one area. People assume that because my ex is black that I think reverse discrimination is acceptable. I do NOT. They assume I think it is ok for an able bodied person to sit on welfare, spending money taken out of the income earned by others. I do NOT. People assume that because I dislike Bush being president that I loved Clinton and every thing he did. I do NOT.

Unfortunatly this is an attitude that is being pushed by the PR machine in order to coerce opinions and agendas.

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), August 01, 2001.

Cherri, we seem to agree on a number of things (surprised me! :), as long as we stay away from discussions of Bush or Clinton.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), August 01, 2001.