A political shouting match at the dump.

[Atman]

Wednesday and Saturday are dump days here in the boonies. But we call it a "transfer station," and it's all nicely organized and we even installed big new solar panels last year, to run the compactors.

Anyway, going to the transfer station is kind of a social activity for us rural folks. I could get curbside pickup, but my driveway is so long I'd still have to load the trash in the car just to get it out to the street. But I ramble...just setting the mood...

As I'm hauling my recyclables to the big green compactor, one of the locals says to me, in a rather loud voice obviously not intended just for me, "How about you? You're not falling for that Romney crap, are you?"

I laughed. One thing I've learned at the dump is to just say a friendly 'how de do' and keep moving, lest the traffic back up waiting for a spot at the sorting bins. I didn't recognize this particular neighbor, but it's a very small town, so we couldn't have lived too far apart.

The man gestures toward the next vehicle over, a maroon Chevy Suburban, probably about an '05. "Go on, tell him!" the guy said. "No reason to go back to Bush years!"

I couldn't believe I was hearing this...at my peaceful little transfer station. "Politics" usually is limited to a couple of ladies sitting at a folding card table handing out leaflets for the upcoming budget referendum.

Before I could even respond, Suburban guys shouts across me to the first guy..."Obama's had three years to fix things, he hasn't done anything!"

Normally I'd have ignored both of them, but, being caught in the crossfire, I couldn't help myself...I shouted "Yeah, but you gave Bush eight years to dig the hole, and he even sold off the dirt. Why does Obama only get three years to fill up the hole?"

Suburban guy just shook his head as he powered up the windows and drove off. The guy who started it all laughed and gave me thumbs up. "Typical. They just run away from the truth!"

It was the most excitement I'd seen in this tiny town since the library got in a copy of "Fifty Shades of Gray."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Well done!

I can never think on my feet fast enough to answer those buffoons.

[CTyankee]

14. You need to have a few "in reserve." I know I do! Who cares if they area exactly a propos?

Just fling it at them anyway!

[loudsue]

2. I live in the boonies, too, atman....

And I think it's pretty remarkable that there was someone there who was willing to speak up for our side!

[Atman]

3. Four years I've lived here...

The dump...er, "transfer station"...is almost a social event here. Those of us without curbside pickup meet once or twice a week and exchange pleasantries while we toss our cardboard boxes and empty wine bottles. These are people I live near, but we just never talk about politics. Just the weather, the conditions on the lake, or lately the fancy new solar panels.

It was indeed remarkable to hear contentious sparring amongst the locals. It's going to be an interesting election year!

[RainDog]

4. k&r n/t

[SunSeeker]

5. Zing!

[jtuck004]

6. Lol. Nice. n/t

[Fridays Child]

7. Good times!

[Warpy]

8. I live in a largeish city in flyover country

and I've been hearing a rising noise level since about 2004 among the guys in the mechanics bays, the women who stock shelves and tidy up the garment areas in KMart and Wally's, and wait staff sneaking smokes outside restaurants.

Sadly, things like the leaked business about how Obama is going to hand transnational corporations the ability to stomp all over our labor and environmental laws has raised the noise level that both parties are alike.

The workers on the bottom who are most likely to be apathetic about politics are definitely paying attention to this mess. They've known they've gotten screwed and that Congress has done much of the screwing. What they don't have is a clear sense that the Democrats are any better than the Republicans when it comes to fucking them over.

This is what Obama has to address, and reassuring people that any corporation that wants to do business in the US has to abide by our laws is a good first step.

If he doesn't, it's going to be harder for him to win and even another victory is going to leave a very bad taste in a lot of mouths.

[Egalitarian Thug]

19. The Point right here ^. Thanks. Somehow we have to break through the cone of silence

that the party lives in. This November should be a landslide for the President and all the downticket races.



I guess it's still early for most folks, so maybe it will happen.

[rhett o rick]

9. Your library has "Fifty Shades of Gray"?

Why that book should be banned. I wasnt sure so I had to read it a third time and now I am sure.

[Brigid]

10. If you think this is bad . . .

Just wait until August, when people *really* start paying attention. And I'm not planning on getting a wink of sleep on election night.

[a kennedy]

11. Great response......

and so true.

[bluesbassman]

12. Great line about Bush and his eight year hole. I'm going to steal that one.

[Arugula Latte]

13. Re: Fifty Shades of Grey ... Did you see this?

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqmofb_saturday-night-live-fifty-shades-of-grey_shortfilms

[southernyankeebelle]

15. Yep we have a very small one near out here in the rural area. The old guy that works there

doesn't like Obama. But I think its because he is the black man in the white house. Really sad. Working at the dump as a minimum wage earner.

[onethatcares]

16. you get a "best reply ever"

award to hang over your mantle.

[Curmudgeoness]

17. Wow, and a progressive library to boot!

Lucky you! And I am proud of you for speaking up.

[steve2470]

18. Best thread title I've seen in a long time !

Good response by you too

[Ferretherder]

20. Man, I can never pull out a come-back like that...

...off the top of my head! Your good!

[Atman]

21. I surprised myself...

I thought I'd be like George Castanza. "The jerk store called. They're out of you!'"

But this really struck a nerve. I admit, I didn't stick around for further confrontation. I just don't do this shit. But these guys caught me in the right place at the right time.