Just when i thought my MAGAT neighbors were irredeemable assholes

[ripcord]

A nice young lady and her infant daughter moved in down the street, she is in the midst of a divorce and from her body language I think she was the victim of abuse in her marriage. She and I are the only ones around not flying Trump banners, she is called the young woke lib, I'm sure you can guess who the old woke lib is.

I looked out the window and saw a group headed for her house so I headed out also. It turns out her ex father in law was trying to take the baby from from her. She had called a neighbor lady who had been keeping an eye on them and that is where the mob came from.

As we came around the corner the ex father in law says "just give me the baby, you know I can take her but I dont want to hurt her or you". Next thing I know one of the guys is in his face and said if he ever heard him threaten this young lady or her baby again he would "slap the stupid" off him.

Another guy asked her if the ex father in law had her permission to be there and she said she had been trying to get him to leave. This guy tells the ex father in law he should leave because he is creating confusion which could lead to accidents and all kinds of nasty accidents happen way out here in the desert that the authorities never even hear about

I have heard these same folk saying horrible, hurtful and hateful things but when this lady needed help then we're there. I will never understand people, that is why I am considering becoming a hermit when I retire.

[Dan]

1. A part of me likes to believe that most people

Are decent, caring individuals.

I think that some in the MAGA crowd are just so mis-informed, and for whatever reason cannot break the cycle of ignorance/misinformation.

[ripcord]

5. I think ignorance is a very appropriate word

[cstanleytech]

23. It's only ignorance if they never voted for him before.

[Probatim]

24. A lot of it is willful ignorance.

[cstanleytech]

26. Willful implies that they are choosing it and if they are then it's not ignorance.

So even if they do something good once and awhile they need to really assess the situation better and if they can't vote for Biden that's ok but they shouldn't vote for Trump because they don't like Joe and they shouldn't vote for Trump just because he's a Republican.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

42. Isolate the attacks he's made on his own country.

Maybe play to their patriotism? Those who say we need a dictator are in serious denial.

Wonder if this guy can help...

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-mind/202104/the-definitive-guide-helping-people-trapped-in-cult

[Think. Again.]

16. I agree with you, BUT...

...until the threat that these people now pose has passed, I will do all I can to keep them feeling as challenged and opposed as my constant bad-mouthing of them can keep them.

[BonnieJW]

22. Same here

When things are at their worst, people are at their best. Go up to any MAGAT and ask for help, and the hate goes away, for that moment at least. Keep asking each other for help, and people will remember who and what they are to each other.

[pazzyanne]

31. Exactly! n/t

[brewens]

2. I had some guys over partying when all hell broke loose outside. A neighbor woman, who I couldn't stand had her

ex show up and try and take her kid. Wrong place, wrong time Skippy! My beef with her had nothing to do with her parenting. We came pouring out of the house and got all over this guys shit and drove him off. He may have had a legitimate problem with her but that wasn't the way to handle it.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. Wow, what a story!

You just can’t figure people out. TY for sharing.

[S/V Loner]

4. Sometimes I think with these people it's...

all about the tribe and at that moment she was part of their tribe. It also feeds their tough guy ego persona. It may have had more to do with that than her.

[Attilatheblond]

6. To my old eyes, it seems most people can become heroes, if the opportunity to act like one presents

Even jerks can come shining thru when the need and course is clear. Most folks wanna be good people.

We have a lot of misguided, and yes, willfully ignorant partisans still, but when the need and the path are clear to see, it really seems like most people will turn their better facets to the work at hand.

[Think. Again.]

17. Well said, and that may be our only hope in the long run.

[NH Ethylene]

25. I absolutely believe that most people are basically good.

I live in a reddish area of NH and I accept that the majority of people I interact with daily are probably Trumpers. I enjoy their kindnesses, drive-by waves, and brief chats about whatever. We avoid any talk of politics and all is well. I do bristle at any remark that is racist or sexist, but generally, people are fine as long as we don't crack open that massive rolled-up mix of passion, obsession, and long-held conservatism to let it come spewing out with all its anger and hatred and fear. Mostly fear. Like a tornado, it can't be tamed or its path altered.

[TBF]

7. Take it as a gift when they are decent.

It's truly possible that some of them will see Trump for the scumbag that he is and quietly back away. "Told you so" is unnecessary - we just welcome them to sanity. That is the one good flip side of the press insisting on covering Donald 24/7 - they are really seeing him in his glory now as he acts like a 2 year old in court and it's not likely to get any better.

[MOMFUDSKI]

8. They just forgot for a minute that they are nasty

Magats! Lost their minds. lol

[MadameButterfly]

9. The problem with vigilantes is they decide what is good

Sometimes they are right, sometimes they aren't.

But worth noticing that in their minds they are doing good and that is their goal. They just aren't always acting on correct information. Jan. 6, for example.

[ripcord]

11. In normal situations I would want to leave this to the sheriff

The problem is that we have a 30 minute minimum response for any emergency services out here.

[MadameButterfly]

14. IN this case it's lucky they were there, and their instincts

were helpful

I just notice a lot of heros on TV acting like this, and we enjoy seeing the good guys threaten, scare, or beat up the bad guys. It's satifsfying in an imaginary world of fiction. And I know it wouldn't make a good show if they called the police and waited.

IN the real world its more complicated. i genuinely appreciate that these guys showed caring and compassion, and stuck their necks out for someone else. and kudos to them for helping someone they considered different from them politically/culturally.
i just worry about what sounds like too much satisfaction in weilding that kind of power. I appreciate your story that helps me see the good in them, but I also fear them. If that makes any sense.

[orangecrush]

30. Many city dwellers

Can't grasp this.

Been there.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

10. I understand entirely.

I will never understand people, that is why I am considering becoming a hermit when I retire.

[Mr. Evil]

15. I've been confused by people since I was young.

I don't know. Maybe my consciousness came into being on the wrong planet.

[Think. Again.]

19. Just know that... you are not alone.

[sybylla]

41. It's the thing I loved most about the covid shutdown.

I didn't have to deal with anyone I didn't want to.

I learned I am perfectly fine not seeing another soul but my family for months on end.

We an starting an orchard and the biggest question is whether we want to deal with people coming here to pick or pick ourselves and sell at farmer's markets.

Because there are just so many assholes one can stand in a week.

[Tree Lady]

12. My new maga neighbors came to my aid

few months back when my dog was being attacked, I was afraid to get in between and screamed for help. A few neighbors came out and my Trump neighbor lady brought a baseball bat and scared the dog away. I had to take my dog to vet as he had cuts and was bleeding.

But as she walked me home, I was a block away her husband came out and said, do you have your gun? No I left it at home.

I thanked her for helping me and they have been nice to us ever since, we also gave their kids some toy cars we had and balls.

I still think he is nuts to follow Trump and he has the two flags on his house but at least we are good as neighbors.

By the way I now walk with pepper spray and walking stick. My golden doesn't understand he loves everyone.

[rubbersole]

13. Instead of becoming a hermit...

...take your decency and volunteer at an assisted living center. Every conversation you have will probably make somebody's day. And yours.

[MyOwnPeace]

18. Funny how people 'pick their battles'...................

There's the general 'theme/belief' -
Government officials: "They're all thieves/crooks/idiots" - except if they are THEIR local government officials......
Schools: "They are failing!" - except for the local district......
Different religions: "They're all terrorists/Anti-Christ!" - except for the ones they know......

That's what happens if you don't get the TRUTH.......
That's what happens if you get your information from a source that is working its own agenda and is void of truth!

[Joinfortmill]

20. Lol. I'm a serious introvert ala semi hermit.

[BlueSky3]

27. Nothing

wrong with that. As they say, “Introverts unite-separately!”

[Midnight Writer]

21. If I had a problem, such as car breakdown or attacked by strangers, nobody would jump to help me

faster than my MAGA neighbors. I know this from over 40 years living in the same home, and over 70 years in the same little town.

Of course, I am of their "tribe". I'm a big old white guy who wears jeans and flannels, drives around in an old pick-up truck with my dog in the passenger seat, lives in an old farmhouse on an unpaved country road, and I speak their language. If there is a crisis, I am in their club.

This is also a town with a well-deserved reputation for white men killing black men and walking free. Usually a self-defense case, even if the facts don't square up with that. It is also a town where I have never met anyone who is openly gay, because gay folks around here know to stay "in the closet". It is also a town where I used to get "tuned up" for being a hippie when I was young. It is also a town where an abusive household is considered private "family business". Being educated is uppity and frowned upon. It is also a town where 75% of the people voted for Trump.

By the way, I have retired and become a hermit. I love my neighbors, but I can't stomach many of them.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

28. K&R

[Prairie Gates]

29. Nah

[RandiFan1290]

32. Another cool story, bro. nt

[sop]

33. I've found most people are innately good, the bad stuff is usually the product of external influences.

Americans are being exposed to a lot of hateful ideas, put out by powerful forces who seek to keep us divided.

[Kaleva]

34. The biggest a-hole neighbor I have is Biden supporter

He has the attitude that he runs the town just like his father did before.

I spent a year attending every monthly township meeting and several planning commission meetings working on getting a variance which would allow me to keep up to 6 chickens. My neighbor was very vocally against it and yelled at me, called me names and threatened to shoot my 15 year old dog who can barely walk.

In the end, I won and got the variance in part because of the help of Trump supporters.

[RandiFan1290]

35. Cool story, bro!

[Kaleva]

38. It is a good story

It made the front page of the local newspaper.

[ananda]

36. This old woke lib so relates.

I watch out who not to talk about politics with
at the bridge club.

Luckily there are several woke people there who
are fun to tale politics with.

WAY too many super filthy rich people play bridge,
and it appears to be mostly a white and Asian people thing.

I hate the racism and have spoken loudly about it
several times, but still...

[617Blue]

37. I think I'm with you on the hermit thing.

[Emile]

39. I went to the aid of my MAGAT neighbor yesterday.

She is a almost totally blind and had a letter she wanted mailed. She walked the length of her driveway and across the road to her mailbox. Somehow she got turned around and couldn't find her driveway. She called us in tears afraid that she would get hit by a car. I ran out and walked her back home.

[dlk]

40. People, like life, are often shades of gray

I'm glad your neighbors came to the aid of the woman. She will need everyone's support moving forward.

[soldierant]

43. The World Population Clock

is rounding off the number today at 8.1 billion. Of them, no two are exactly alike in their thinking, their principles, their values. So each one is a potential surprise - es[ecially since most (mybe all) have some contradictions. . I'm just glad I don't have to deal with all of them. You probably are too.

[Bluethroughu]

44. I do not think we'd have a Civil War, because precisely

This mentality.

They don't hate neighbors and family as much as they say. It's strange how true this is.

It's more masochist than authoritarian, in some sense.

I live amongst these types.