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But todays forward from mom had the subject ""Fwd: Very stupid statement made by the sitting President"
I glanced through the email, realized that after a few nasty remarks about the president made by my mom's friend, the bulk of the email was this one: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/veteranshealth.asp and decided I couldn't keep quiet.
I responded to my mom's email, and CC'd the person [Name Removed] who forwarded it to her. I changed the subject to "Fwd: Very stupid statement made by [Name Removed]"
"Mom & [Name Removed],
Please be careful what you believe, and more careful about what you forward around the internet.
[Name Removed], your remarks are certainly filled with emotion, and I can't deny you your speech. But I have to draw the line at the article forwarded about Veteran's benefits. President Obama never said any of that. Not a single word. The article is quoting a parody made my John Stewart on his show on COMEDY CENTRAL.
Please understand, in this day of information availability, how important it is to check sources before defaming the president of the United States. I don't agree with many of his actions, policies or ideals, but to try to fight him on nonsensical, racist, paranoid, and otherwise irrational ground is dangerous. And I find it terribly disrespectful. He is the President. He is an intelligent man. He is even a good man. You may disagree with him. Debate him on issues. Argue with him on fact-based information. If you believe this strongly about his policies, get out there and support another candidate. Start a rally in your community. Stage a protest. Do something. But please don't send around misinformation and lies. It doesn't help either side.
Sorry if this email comes across as a bummer.
-steve"
Was this the right approach? I mean - we're dealing with 60 year olds who aren't likely to change because their snot nosed kid tells them to. How do you handle situations like this with your parents?
I can't think of how I might have done it differently.
IMO the boomer generation grew up when news was by and large informative. Now much (if not most) news is politically motivated and shallow, but I think they have been conditioned to put more weight in what they read and hear.
In short, when they turn on MSNBC or Fox, I think they hear: "Today, President Obama said..." where I hear: "Here is some shallow bullshit, served in a way that we think will grab your attention."
for the record, I like how you handled it Steve.
I feel that having such arguments deprives your parents of their lifeforce, it will drain her, and for no good reason.
My mother is a Republican too, and cannot be told anything. It's best just to let them be and enjoy what time you have left with them. There is good in everyone.
"Qui bene amat bene castigat" is part of a good Republican education, isn't it?
