As the Holidays are fast approaching, it is time for us all to consider again how the heck we are going to deal with being in such close proximity to our whacked out relatives. Recently I've entered into a political back and forth with my Stepmother, who pretty much out of the blue has become a true believer in Glenn Beck. After a few hours a day of the Beckster, she thinks she's informed. As an example, I provide this piece of an email she sent me after a particularly nasty blow-up last weekend. Please take special note that she presents these items as "Facts":

 

Some of the facts are:

~ That the current President has gone out of his way during his campaign and still to guard what he really thinks and shield who he really is in order to be seen as a more moderate politician than he really is.

~ I did not say that the current President hates whites, I only brought up his quote about his grandmother

~ By his own admission he said to judge him by the company he keeps; the people he has surrounded himself with so far for the most part are people who see themselves as above the law (failing to pay taxes), openly state how much they admire people such as Mao & Castro, deride the free market/ Capitalism and speak openly of redistribution of wealth. 

~ He has been taped making statements that reflect the same beliefs (redistribution of wealth) and stated that under his Presidency rates for electricity would necessarily skyrocket (all in the name of ecology), regardless of the consequences for our economy or the welfare of the average citizen.  (this reflected in the Cap & Trade Bill)

~ The current President consistently says one thing then does the complete opposite

~ The current President says something and then denies he said it, even when it is documented

~ The current administration is seeking to silence those who don't agree with their views (change FCC laws to alter talk radio)

Obviously there is much more and I won't go on. 

 

But what is most disturbing to me is that the so- called liberal or progressive party has zero tolerance for opposing viewpoints and while speaking as though they are for the underpriviledged or disenfranchised, in fact enact policies and laws that make them more dependent on Big Government and take away the personal responsibility, freedoms and at the same time opportunities that our founding fathers saw as our birthright. They disparage large corporations while supporting them financially  as well as legislatively, taking their money at the same time destroying medium and small businesses that make up this country. 

 

Doesn't your brain hurt a bit after reading that? I guess I'm curious as to how we respond to someone who really doesn't know what a "fact" is, and wouldn't know a logic train if it ran over them?

 

It appears President Obama is living up to his word, and striking inside Pakistan when there is actionable intel, and Pakistan is "unwilling or unable" to respond. http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2009/01/23/asia/OUKWD-UK-PAKISTAN-MISSILES.php

What do we think of this? On the same day as he orders a process for Guantanamo to close, he takes ruthless offensive action against enemies of the Unites States.

This is evidence of an intelligent and a strong Foreign Policy, "carrots and sticks", as Candidate Obama would often refer to it last Fall. Now, President Obama is delivering on his promises, handing the World a carrot by closing Gitmo, and smacking some troublemakers with a unmanned stick in Pakistan. It is this sort of nuanced policy that has been missing the past 8 years.

It is an odd feeling. It is terribly sobering to this moment of joy and expectation knowing that we must take lives in far-off places to protect ourselves, and that our young president is ultimately responsible. But it is at the same time heartening to know that this young president, in whom we have placed so much trust, is ultimately responsible. The hopes and dreams, and fears, of this Nation are weighing on his shoulders, and though slender, they have so far proved to be firm.