Tell a Republican you love him

[kach22i]

Tell a Republican you love him
Jun. 16, 2006. 06:39 AM
LINWOOD BARCLAY


When a crazy, nutbar, radicalized fringe element of a mainstream segment of society does something horrible, something almost beyond imagining, there's always the risk of backlash from the community at large.

Say you're a member of this particular group, and some extremist whacko, supposedly acting on the same set of beliefs that you hold dear, commits some unspeakably evil act. You think, oh oh, now everyone's going to assume I'm like that. I'm going to be profiled. Getting on a plane's going to be an even bigger hassle than it already was.

That's why many high-profile folks and community leaders will bend over backwards at times like these to point out that 99 per cent of the folks in this particular community are solid, responsible, law-abiding, decent people. These leaders want to ward off hateful slurs, punched noses, rocks through windows, that kind of thing.

That's why, today, I would like to speak out on behalf of our American friends who are Republicans, many of whom may live in this country. It's time to reach out to them, as well as other conservative-minded individuals.

I know a lot of Republicans. My mother, who was born outside Boston and grew up in Norfolk, was a Republican. She had a Barry Goldwater bumper sticker. That's Republican. Most Republicans are good, hard-working, nice people who want to fit in with society, not destroy it. Sure, you may not agree with everything they believe, but you can get along with them.

They are not all like Ann Coulter.

They do not all believe liberals are guilty of treason. They do not all believe the 9/11 widows are a bunch of opportunistic harpies. They do not all believe Muslims should convert to Christianity or be shot. They do not all think it's okay to say anything, no matter how vile or hurtful, to promote oneself and one's latest book.

Consider how difficult — how mortifying — it must be to be Republican when someone so closely allied to your point of view is spewing hatred.

We all have a collective responsibility to reach out to Republicans to let them know we know they're not like that.

Well, you may ask, what can I do? I'm just one person!

Perhaps you know some Republicans. Give them a call, or send them an email. Tell them you love them. If you do not actually love them, tell them you think they're okay. Maybe something like this: "Hi, Republican Friend: I know that you are not vile and nasty! Have a nice day! Your Pal."

Invite a Republican for coffee, even dinner.

Let them know you don't believe in tarring everyone with the same brush. Pass around pictures of Republicans doing good things. Rescuing cats from trees, running church suppers, opening doors for little old ladies.

Maybe you can encourage some prominent non-Republican members of your community to call a news conference. Get some Republicans on stage with them, let the public see that they do not have horns or pointed tails.

But at the same time, you might want to broach the subject with your Republican friends, ever so gently, in as politically correct a way as possible, of whether they've considered speaking out against the extremists in their midst. Whether they've looked into what would radicalize a young Republican to the point that she would mock those who have lost loved ones in the most tragic of circumstances.

Perhaps a summit is in order. Let's get officials from all levels of government and the community exploring what would make someone behave in such a fashion.

In the meantime, reach out to a Republican. Tell them you're with them, and that sometimes, people from your own side of the tracks embarrass you, too.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by kach22i
...

They do not all believe liberals are guilty of treason. They do not all believe the 9/11 widows are a bunch of opportunistic harpies.
...

Sure we do. Why sugarcoat it?

[tabs]

If U LOVE ME KISS THIS!!!!

[Moneyguy1]

And therein lies the problem.

There is a grain of truth in the "letter", insofar as most people, whether Democrat or Republican, are moderate.

It reminds me of the line I have heard before: "Why don't moderate followers of Islam speak out against the radical elements of their faith?"

Perhaps if we listened more to each other and less to the paid pundits, we might not have the chasm created by the extreme rabble rousers.

[kach22i]

Oh, I just love you guys.

The author is Canadian or writing to a Canadian audience, hence the "American Friends" bit.

[fastpat]

Certainly no self respecting Southern man or woman would give one iota of respect to the party of Lincoln, Sherman, and Sheridan.

Republicans were born in fascism (when it was called merchantilism) and are squarely there today.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by fastpat
Certainly no self respecting Southern man or woman would give one iota of respect to the party of Lincoln, Sherman, and Sheridan.

Republicans were born in fascism (when it was called merchantilism) and are squarely there today.

Lol. I guess that is why Republicans carry the south every presidential election.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by tabs
If U LOVE ME KISS THIS!!!!

If you loved me, you would swallow.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by kach22i
If you loved me, you would swallow.

Based on those photos of the Tabster, he hasn't been a spitter in quite some time.

[Tobra]

Originally posted by kach22i
Oh, I just love you guys.

The author is Canadian or writing to a Canadian audience, hence the "American Friends" bit.

and that changes the level of condescension how exactly. Nationality of the writer has little to do with the message here. I hope the left stays way out there, will keep them out of power

[kach22i]

Originally posted by fastpat
Based on those photos of the Tabster, he hasn't been a spitter in quite some time.

OuoooAhaaaaH.............Buuuuuurrrrrrrnnnnnnnnnn!

[bigchillcar]

lol..