Respect the opposing views is all: Ping Legend, Hearme, CG

I don't know if this is off-topic or not. Sorry if this is.


I listened to the letter the Bush twins wrote to the Obama daughters on the news the other night. I thought it was marvelous and such a kind gesture.


If you haven't heard or read the letter, you might want to look it up.

Hearme, Legend, CG,


Thanks for talking me down. I'm a bit of a news junkie and can be fanatic in my political beliefs. I think we all can be that way. I don't begrudge anyone ~their~ beliefs, but I react strongly when antagonized.


Yesterday I saw this bumper sticker that read, "Buck Fush"


Oh, man. Talk me down, talk me down. I don't mind seeing the big O displayed-- support your team -- but don't disrespect MY team.


I'm already upset about Obama -- and that's my right -- but I don't in real life go around saying, "The US is an Obamanation!" Say that out loud. Remember Saul came up with that when you see it on a bumper sticker. It's offensive -- witty as hell -- but offensive. Why be offensive?


I talk politics with guys from India, Israel,China, all over Europe, Japan, Native Americans, Hispanics, and yes, plenty of black folks, some who were born in the same country as O's daddy, Muslims, Jews, Christians alike. I get a wide swath of opinion, owing to the huge diversity of those in my field of work.


None of them trash-talk Bush. I don't trash-talk Obama. We have a discussion, civilized, and we both try to learn something.


Then I read this dig on Reagan, and that set me off. I didn't comment on the other posts, like the one Neardc started regarding the inauguration and what all you're doing.


They weren't digging on Bush. Celebrate. You earned a victory.


It's the trash-talking that bugs me. It's the unsportsmanlike conduct. I'm from UT Austin, and when I see someone do that upside-down hook-em horns and dis my school, then I understand why gangsters shoot each other for throwing signs.


It's because you're disrespecting something in which I deeply believe.


I could've gone to Obama's inauguration, no problem. I might even have enjoyed it. And if I'd been next to the folks who booed Bush, it might not have been so peaceful.


Show some respect is all. You three girls tried to talk me down when I returned fire, and I thank you for that. It helped, believe me. I'm calmer for it.


I just hope the Bush-bashing can finally stop. Hell, I'm a Texan, too, with that same goofy drawl that's drawn ridicule on Bush, and I'm just as much a redneck go-it-alone cowboy maverick as him. I have the same backbone he has, and respect the guy for being one of the most disrespected presidents in history, who left a nice note for his rival, and a clean office.


Anyway, to everyone, it's not nice to disrespect someone else's belief, call them liars, ridicule them for what they feel, belittle them for their Texas accent.


It riles the f.ck out of me personally, and it's that riling that got me going on that Gobama thread.


- Saul