View Full Version : A little rain must fall.....
gimmethesimplelife
9-30-20, 8:30pm
Even in my oft-referenced zip code. Get this.....There is a house on the next street over occupied by renters with Kansas plates - new people in the neighborhood. They are flying a Trump flag on their rented property and I wonder if anybody thought to warn them? There is so much anger in the 85006 both towards Trump and towards America and these people are new to the neighborhood. I worry there may be consequences - and that's not right, especially given that these people are very recent transplants. Their Subaru has a Wichita Kansas dealer chrome thing on the back of the car and I am aware that Kansas is Conservative, Capital C. Would you warn them or let them learn? Rob
iris lilies
9-30-20, 8:45pm
I think it’s too bad that those innocent midwesterners have entered a place where free speech performed on their own property is going to earn them attention by bullies who will injure their property or even their persons. Yuck.
gimmethesimplelife
9-30-20, 10:36pm
I think it’s too bad that those innocent midwesterners have entered a place where free speech performed on their own property is going to earn them attention by bullies who will injure their property or even their persons. Yuck.Not everyone resembles your last sentence, IL. I wish them no harm and am I not asking if others would warn them? DidbO not state that consequences would be wrong? I'm going to be charitable here and hazard to guess that they don't understand the faux pas they made - at least in the eyes of others around here. I'd rather the neighborhood be more welcoming and understanding. Rob
I think it’s too bad that those innocent midwesterners have entered a place where free speech performed on their own property is going to earn them attention by bullies who will injure their property or even their persons. Yuck.
I agree that it would be unfortunate. And I'm glad that Rob is hoping that nothing bad would happen. But I'm reminded of a useful phrase for getting through life. "Know your audience."
There is a great episode in the most recent season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" involving a MAGA hat in a blue area. If you can access it on demand I recommend it for a good laugh. It is in the premiere episode of season 10.
Not everyone resembles your last sentence, IL. I wish them no harm and am I not asking if others would warn them? It seems that what you're struggling over is whether or not you or someone else should warn them that they do not belong in your neighborhood. That it would be best if they either took steps to hide their ideology or get out before something bad happens. I don't mean to be harsh but if that's the case, in my opinion your neighborhood doesn't deserve them.
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/120261300_10158423431997900_8776720745401130744_n. jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=72uH8-gpG88AX-TmuoQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=c969aeb724e9fb476706fc25806bddb5&oe=5F9AA544
Would you warn them or let them learn? Rob
Maybe you should organize an intervention or struggle session that emphasizes the consequences of nonconformity.
iris lilies
10-1-20, 9:15am
Maybe you should organize an intervention or struggle session that emphasizes the consequences of nonconformity.
That’s true, re-education is a kinder, gentler approach. Even if some of it goes on for years and is, at times, uncomfortable for those in the hot seat. In the end, it is worth it to society. /sarcasm.
It is astonishing how those who hyperventilate with fear over imagined government slights accept an environment that delivers actual slights and worse.
I am thinking this might be a good chance to model good behavior, and go visit them with cookies or a cake or something and welcome them to the neighborhood. You are a neighborhood leader, so perhaps others would follow suit and be kind to them.
I wouldn't say anything at all bout their sign. Their sign, their business. They have eyes, they know what kind of neighborhood they have moved into. Maybe this is them trying to persuade others; all you can do is be welcoming, in my opinion.
Teacher Terry
10-1-20, 9:40am
I agree with Tybee.
I am thinking this might be a good chance to model good behavior, and go visit them with cookies or a cake or something and welcome them to the neighborhood. You are a neighborhood leader, so perhaps others would follow suit and be kind to them.
I wouldn't say anything at all bout their sign. Their sign, their business. They have eyes, they know what kind of neighborhood they have moved into. Maybe this is them trying to persuade others; all you can do is be welcoming, in my opinion.
That is excellent advice. We don’t need every aspect of life to be infested with political brain worms.
happystuff
10-1-20, 10:18am
I have no suggestions other than to agree with Tybee.
That you wish/hope that no harm comes to them or their property, it's nice to see someone showing concern for others. Go. Be friendly. Introduce yourself to your new neighbors.
I was gonna say the same as Tybee.
I'm surprised y'all just don't burn them out, or creep into their house with machetes in the night.
I'm surprised y'all just don't burn them out, or creep into their house with machetes in the night.
Completely uncalled for.
Personally, I would just stay away from them--that strikes me as the prudent response. Arriving with signs and flags on their first day in a new neighborhood tells me they're looking for a confrontation. I suppose if you're eager to be an ambassador, you could show up with cookies or something--just pray they're not trigger-happy types who itch to blow away a stranger at their doorstep. It's happened before.
I wouldn't say anything about the flag at all. They know what they're doing.
ETA: I was trying to think of an analogy--it would be like pointing out some kind of social faux pas like aggressive farting or something. Best to ignore it, if possible, and move along.
ApatheticNoMore
10-1-20, 1:42pm
Next step up for that clueless bunch, move into an all black neighborhood and fly those flags.
Looking at the detailed 2016 election results for Rob's zip code, it is apparent that there is a good chance any random person on the street there is a secret Trump supporter. Probably they have learned protective coloration though.
Looking at the detailed 2016 election results for Rob's zip code, it is apparent that there is a good chance any random person on the street there is a secret Trump supporter. Probably they have learned protective coloration though.
Based upon comments here it seems that it's unsafe for Republicans to live in certain parts of the country. I wonder if there's a smartphone app to warn us away if we venture too close?
I'm so happy to live in an area that doesn't require an ideological purity test to ensure safety.
happystuff
10-1-20, 2:14pm
I'm surprised y'all just don't burn them out, or creep into their house with machetes in the night.
Wow! So is this comment indicative of how people in your area handle such situations?
Arriving with signs and flags on their first day in a new neighborhood tells me they're looking for a confrontation.
What’s the permissible time period before an opinion can be expressed without being an invitation to a fight?
I guess I feel lucky to live in a town where people don’t feel threatened or feel the need to threaten someone else over flags and signs.
Wow! So is this comment indicative of how people in your area handle such situations?
No, I don't live in the 85006.
I do live in one of the most progressive districts in the country. A couple doors down the street from me is the head of the local Republican party. A couple doors in the other direction is the head of the local Democratic party. Oddly, I'm in the middle. We all help each other with neighborhood maintenance, safety, and health issues. Both of them are on the committee of folks who great new homeowners here, bring them cookies, and a copy of our recommended Firewise procedures.
But it's not the 85006.
I do have a flock of rainbow-colored flamingos at the entrance to my driveway, so far none of them have been molested, nor have I had a talking-to by anyone.
We did have this happen a few years ago in the village, and it sort of backfired on the folks trying to cause a ruckus - even the badass scary ultra-right-wing Marine put up a rainbow flag on his building to support his new neighbors.
https://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/09/26/the-flap-over-a-flag-on-orcas-island
happystuff
10-1-20, 3:10pm
No, I don't live in the 85006.
I do live in one of the most progressive districts in the country. A couple doors down the street from me is the head of the local Republican party. A couple doors in the other direction is the head of the local Democratic party. Oddly, I'm in the middle. We all help each other with neighborhood maintenance, safety, and health issues. Both of them are on the committee of folks who great new homeowners here, bring them cookies, and a copy of our recommended Firewise procedures.
But it's not the 85006.
I do have a flock of rainbow-colored flamingos at the entrance to my driveway, so far none of them have been molested, nor have I had a talking-to by anyone.
We did have this happen a few years ago in the village, and it sort of backfired on the folks trying to cause a ruckus - even the badass scary ultra-right-wing Marine put up a rainbow flag on his building to support his new neighbors.
https://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/09/26/the-flap-over-a-flag-on-orcas-island
All of which makes such a violent response so surprising!
LOL on the rainbow-colored flamingos, as I've been wanting to put some traditional pink ones in a sibling's front yard as a *surprise* for years now. I like the idea of more color.
frugal-one
10-1-20, 5:08pm
Completely uncalled for.
Personally, I would just stay away from them--that strikes me as the prudent response. Arriving with signs and flags on their first day in a new neighborhood tells me they're looking for a confrontation. I suppose if you're eager to be an ambassador, you could show up with cookies or something--just pray they're not trigger-happy types who itch to blow away a stranger at their doorstep. It's happened before.
I wouldn't say anything about the flag at all. They know what they're doing.
ETA: I was trying to think of an analogy--it would be like pointing out some kind of social faux pas like aggressive farting or something. Best to ignore it, if possible, and move along.
thanks for the laugh!
gimmethesimplelife
10-1-20, 5:20pm
I am thinking this might be a good chance to model good behavior, and go visit them with cookies or a cake or something and welcome them to the neighborhood. You are a neighborhood leader, so perhaps others would follow suit and be kind to them.
I wouldn't say anything at all bout their sign. Their sign, their business. They have eyes, they know what kind of neighborhood they have moved into. Maybe this is them trying to persuade others; all you can do is be welcoming, in my opinion.
Beautiful advice, Thank You! Rob
I know a couple, fairly good friends, who are in a middle-income neighborhood. They've been there for years, and are not shy about posting their preferences on their cars and fence. They are 70-yr-olds, the gentleman has Parkinson's Disease, and his wife is his caregiver.
This past week someone has been plastering Trump bumperstickers on their car and also attached a long vinyl Trump banner on their fence.
Now how's that for neighborly? They're kind of scared, feeling harassed. Here in a solidly blue state.
gimmethesimplelife
10-1-20, 8:00pm
That’s true, re-education is a kinder, gentler approach. Even if some of it goes on for years and is, at times, uncomfortable for those in the hot seat. In the end, it is worth it to society. /sarcasm.
It is astonishing how those who hyperventilate with fear over imagined government slights accept an environment that delivers actual slights and worse.Ummmmm......some neighborly advice, IL? I wouldn't make that comment out.loud in the West End of Louisville, KY these says. Rob
gimmethesimplelife
10-1-20, 8:02pm
I'm surprised y'all just don't burn them out, or creep into their house with machetes in the night.Ditto on Jane's words. Completely uncalled for. Rob
Ditto on Jane's words. Completely uncalled for. Rob
Come now.
I have accepted that most of my neighbors are trump supporters. I politely declined the neighborhood potluck though as politics will come up and it makes me very uncomfortable to be the only one with more progressive views. Driving through Texas this week, we have seen Trump signs everywhere. At a gas station, DH did not have his mask on while pumping and a complete stranger came up and thanked him for being a patriot. It is all too weird...so just accept that this is what we have come to and carry on.
At a gas station, DH did not have his mask on while pumping and a complete stranger came up and thanked him for being a patriot.
Just like all those patriots at the White House super spreader event last Saturday...
At a gas station, DH did not have his mask on while pumping and a complete stranger came up and thanked him for being a patriot. It is all too weird...so just accept that this is what we have come to and carry on.
That is so weird. My cousin posted something on FB today that someone she knows is "proudly boasting" on FB that there are states that don't require masks, and she asks, why would she boast about that??
Imprudence=patriotism. Very interesting. Whenever we've had a crisis in this country from my recollection the crisis has bound us together, not divided us. It's weird that we have a common crisis now--a virus that can level us all regardless of political persuasion, and somehow rebelling against prudence and science is considered "patriotic. Very strange.
Indeed Catherine. I’m quite glad that my state is taking a much more cautious approach to this. Some things have been allowed to reopen slowly and with respect to the recommended safety guidelines. As a result I don’t live in fear that every time I go out in public I’m seriously risking my life because the infection rate is relatively low here.
Today we had the last of our stuff delivered from storage. The guys would have carried it in the house and up the stairs if needed but we had them leave it all in the garage. Yes it will make more work for us but I felt better not having them come inside.
iris lilies
10-2-20, 8:51pm
Ummmmm......some neighborly advice, IL? I wouldn't make that comment out.loud in the West End of Louisville, KY these says. Rob
https://imgur.com/a/Jw5juEX
According to this “news” story, Rob, i really and truly can easily “make that comment ...in Louisville” ‘cause all I have to do is toss on a jacket and walk down the street a few blocks.
What a bunch of dummies, CBS Morning News. I guess they think we all look alike, us peeps in flyover country. Why bother to distinguish one midwestern shithole from another?
Fake news.
Jane v2.0
10-3-20, 11:25am
https://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/09/26/the-flap-over-a-flag-on-orcas-island
Wonderful article, bae!
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