So, at the end of yoga class today,

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

the instructor read a quote about hate. Something about it being a snake that consumes first its own tail and then the whole thing. She mentioned that she thought it was apropos in this political climate and said that was all she was going to say about it.

One of the other students spoke up and said something about how she couldn't believe what terrible choices we have this time. The instructor said, yes, well neither candidate is perfect, but...

I said nothing. Our instructors frequently read passages of a yogic nature at the end of class. I think the instructor today did not intend to spark a political debate, but just had to mention that today's passage came to her due to the political situation.

So, I decided to keep my mouth shut. No one else said anything. But "TerribleChoices" just couldn't let it drop. She said, "It's just awful. Everyone I know is really ambivalent."

I didn't think before I spoke, it just came out. I hate when that happens.

I said, "Well, no one I know is the least bit ambivalent. The choice is pretty darn clear!" I wish I could tell you I said that in a light, humorous way, but I did not. Some of the others laughed, but I didn't even look at anyone. I could feel my anger rising and it showed in my voice and manner.

I gathered my things, said goodbye and thanks to my teacher, and started to leave. "TerribleChoices" was in the outer room gathering her things, back to me, but she knew I'd been behind her. We normally would have said goodbye to one another, but neither of us spoke, and I might just have maybe slammed the door a little tiny little bit as I left.

Sometimes my husband drives me to yoga and picks me up afterwards. He always says I seem totally blissed out afterwards. I really do usually leave class feeling 1000 times more peaceful and calm than when I came in. Not today.

Bummer.

[Fast Walker 52]

1. I feel your pain-- I would have done the same exact thing

I can't stand it when people go on like that!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

4. Would you have regretted it then?

I just wish I could be either the kind of person who could keep their mouth shut, or the kind who says what they have to say with no regrets.

Instead, I speak up, but then feel bad about it. But if I don't speak up, I feel bad about that as well. If only I could think of the perfect thing to say and say it in the right way, I'm fairly confident I'd be less regretful!

[Fast Walker 52]

11. I wouldn't regret speaking up but it sucks if it ruins your yoga-induced calmness

I get really agitated about all this stuff. It took me a while to wind down after the debate last night...

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

14. I've actually calmed down now. Thanks for the sounding board!

I just hope I don't get too riled up by anyone at the gig. We're going out now to play music for the Great Chadds Ford Pumpkin Carve, as we have for many years now. I expect there will be at least one Trumpkin carved, but it will not be flattering.

The year Christine O'Donnell (of "I am not a witch" fame) was running, someone did one with her in a witch's hat saying, "Boo." It was pretty funny!

[Happyhippychick]

2. You are to be commended for your bravery. I can't say that I am always like that.

So I'm happy for people like you who speak out. I will try to do better.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

5. I'm not sure it's called bravery when you just do it without thinking!

But thanks. I am glad I spoke up, just wish I had speechwriters!

[bettyellen]

31. It is Brave! Keep flexing that muscle, it gets easier to say.... And easier to say with a smile.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

40. Aww, thanks. I hope you're right!

[BlueState]

3. If it makes you feel any better...

I have behaved similarly in similar circumstances. I'm not sorry either.

My breaking point has been around how "dishonest" Hillary is. In the scheme of modern American politics I would say Hillary is about average in this regard.

This election will be over soon.

[yardwork]

6. Hillary is above average in honesty among politicians.

There's a graph going around that shows how often politicians say untruths. Hillary and Ibama are at the bottom. Trump leads.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

7. I agree. It would be nice if politicians could be totally honest in their political life,

But, to a certain extent, people can't handle the truth.

[vlyons]

8. My mouth has gotten me in trouble too many times

But since I've become a Buddhist, I've come to realize that our words can have a big impact on others for better or worse. Sometimes the truth is so obvious inside us, that we just have to give it voice. And sometimes, our anger and hatred are so hot that the mouth just spews it out like a volcano. Anger and hatred are poison, and so are ignorance and greed. The tree poisons, anger, ignorance, and greed, frequently depicted in Asian art as a snake, rooster, and pig chasing each other in a circle.

Perhaps when you meet your fellow yoga student again, you can greet her with friendliness. She is afterall suffering from the poison of ignorance, if she can't see the obvious difference between Trump and Clinton. Remaining angry with her is not a productive way to help her see the light.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

9. I know you're right.

But no. I doubt I can do that.

I never liked her much to begin with, but was friendly to her because she's in my yoga class and was always seemingly trying to befriend me. But I already have more friends than I have time for. I certainly don't need one who can't see that Donald Trump is in countless ways unsuited to be out in public, much less president of this, or any other, country.

[Fast Walker 52]

12. nice-- never heard that before about the three poisons

[apcalc]

10. I said something similar at a gathering of college friends

I hadn't see in years. We decided not to talk politics!
But , one said I wish we had somebody to vote for.

I thought screw it and said " Well, I have a good choice and I know who I am voting for."

End of discussion.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

13. My mom plays bridge with a bunch of mostly R women.

Years ago the D women asked that politics be off limits at the gatherings. It was agreed.

But, a few, always the Rs, find it very hard to stick to the rules. They just can't resist getting their anti-Obama or anti-Hillary or anti-welfare (for some reason that's a really big one with them--you know, the welfare folks eating steak and having phones) comments in.

Then someone, even some of the other R women, will remind them and they usually shut up about it then. But they had to break the rule and get their digs in first.

[Mariana]

19. They obsess.

Seriously, so many of them have been watching Faux Nooz and listening to Limpballs and his clones all day every day for so long, they truly never think about anything else.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

30. Yes. And I think there is a certain degree of addiction involved.

It's kind of like a drug to them.

[Tanuki]

15. I was at our local opera company's production of Don Giovanni the night after the infamous bus

tape of Trump and Billy Bush hit the news. At intermission, after the first act of watching Don Giovanni (i.e, Don Juan) abusing women and bragging about it, forcing himself on the women who didn't succumb to his seduction, everyone sitting around me (strangers) were all laughing about how the guy was just like Trump and what a jerk Trump was. The ones who had gone to the lobby during intermission said everyone there and in line for the restroom said the same thing. And this was in Nashville! Made me smile.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

32. Nice. It's good to see that not everyone outside our personal circles of

known Dems is a brainwashed RW propaganda dupe!

While it's great news that Hillary is ahead in the polls with Trump at around 39%, but, on the other hand, 39% is a lot more than I would like to see supporting such an awful person and terrible candidate for the presidency. Sometimes I do despair.

I'm glad you saw some sensible folks at the opera. Makes me smile, as well.

[luvmybluestate]

16. sheeeesh, all we say at the end of class is namaste

yoga is supposed to calm u down not rile u up. i'd find another class

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

33. Nah, I love that yoga studio. Excellent in so many ways.

This woman is relatively new. Maybe she'll evolve or go away.

[TonyPDX]

17. If more people spoke up like you did, we'd realize how very many actually agree, but feel too

shy/non-confrontational/insecure to do so. When we allow slights and slurs to pass before us as ordinary conversation, we risk the horrible result of becoming inured to slurs and slights. Using such a setting to reveal her political shortsightedness is a breach of what I believe is the instructor-student relationship, and warrants a personal apology to every individual in your class.

If it were me, I'd then be asking around about other yoga instructors.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

34. not sure, but I think you may be misunderstanding the story.

I love the studio. I like that the instructors regularly read short passages on mindfulness, loving kindness, etc. I think it would have been better if she'd just read the passage and not mentioned the political connection, (though she did not mention any names) and let us draw our own conclusions. But I can't blame her.

[LeftRant]

18. Ask her if she voted in the primary. If not > STFU.

I heard someone say almost the same last night, "Are these really the only 2 choices?!"

I should have asked her if she voted in the primary. I will if I hear this again.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

37. You know what, I was for Bernie. And I thought there was some unfair, unreasonable

stuff that led to him losing.

I was even thinking I might just sit this one out. I was already anti-Trump years ago as his awful character was clear to me, and I was sure Hillary would win without me.

But as Trump has continued to reveal himself, he has turned to be far worse than I even suspected. I don't care how far the polls have Hillary in the lead, she is getting my vote. We need a landslide to repudiate the very idea of a candidate so very unsuitable for the presidency as DJ Trump.

[alarimer]

42. I was in the same boat.

But as Trump started his meltdown (maybe around the conventions), I came to the same conclusion as well. And honestly, after Bernie fully endorsed her, I figured that was good enough for me. But I've actually been pretty impressed at how Hillary has handled Trump's insults. If it had been me, I would not have been able to stop myself from rolling my eyes repeatedly on the debate stage.

Which is not to say I am not a little worried about what the endorsements of so many Republicans actually means, but that is for another day.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

45. I feel the same way. I really admire her ability to stay calm and focused,

even with an incoherent raging bull breathing down her neck. The idea that anyone would find his behavior toward her acceptable, much less presidential, is deeply troubling.

Not that he or the RW in general treat any Dem with respect, but the misogynistic taint darkening this campaign has increased my support for Hillary as well. Before, I thought it would be nice to have a woman president, but it wasn't high on my list of priorities. Trump's behavior and its implications has moved it closer to the top.

[flygal]

20. We closed on a house during the Florida recount

and the broker and realtors were all in agreement about the idiots in Florida demanding a recount. My husband and I just kept our mouths shut but by not agreeing they got the message and changed subjects.

So yes, it does suck with those comments come at times when you really don't expect it.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

38. Wow, unusual behavior for that sort.

You know, taking a hint and keeping their mouths shut?

[Bear Creek]

21. Bear Creek

I work with a bunch of republicans. I believe I am the only Democrat in the building so I just for the most part tune them out except if they say something really outrageous. But today I was expecting a barrage of comments. They were subdued and in fact said that Hillary was now the president elect. So maybe the viciousness is letting up.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

39. I hate to be cynical, but I'd be surprised if the viciousness is letting up.

I'm afraid they're just in some sort of temporary shock, but I'll be thrilled to be proven wrong!

[Locrian]

22. which choice?

I read your post and you didn't mention a specific candidate. Now I know, of course, who you and me (and every sane person) support HRC -but they honestly may not have known (maybe they do, you didn't indicate) who you meant.

Is it possible they thought you meant trump?

I bring this up because right or wrong, a LOT of people are getting pretty freaked out by the violence in the trump camp. And I think it's going to get worse - so it's possible people are being very cautious.

[athena]

24. I bet it was clear from the context.

If it's a blue neighborhood, then it was probably pretty clear that the OP is supporting Hillary.

[Locrian]

26. good for her - n/t

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

35. True, I didn't choose my words carefully.

Although I think it was clear from the context that the hate thing was about Trump and that I was for Hillary, I was purposely not saying that, thinking that we shouldn't really have been discussing politics at all, and that not mentioning names made it a little less wrong.

I was actually trying to make the point that I could not understand the ambivalence, that there is a clear choice (difference) between the two main candidates. This, both sides are just as bad crap really annoys me. Again, though, yeah, I could have said it more clearly.

[Locrian]

41. I wasnt there

And I'm sure you knew you audience.

I've just been seeing so many good people not say things because thery're afraid - kudos to you for waking them up!

[athena]

23. I am so proud of you for speaking out.

We need to speak out. We need to challenge people when they say the two candidates are equivalent. The problem is that no one challenges them. People are too polite. The result is that they go away thinking everyone agrees with them.

I've had two people call Hillary a "crook". These are good people: one is a liberal, the other is an independent who is an African American. In both cases, I politely disagreed. I said, "I really like her". I think they only said that about her because they've heard other people say it, and they think it's accepted by everyone.

A third person, on a separate occasion, criticized Hillary, but since this person is a right-wing nutcase, I did not want to get into a political discussion. I just said, "I really like her" and then said I didn't want to talk about politics because it upsets me. Anyway, I bet no one ever openly disagrees with her, so she was probably shocked that somebody actually likes Hillary that much and is perfectly happy to say so.

It's important to say something, anything, so that they don't go away thinking everyone agrees with them.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

36. I agree with you and have said it repeatedly. See my post in this thread about my mom

and her bridge group. She also gets loads of RW emails from her friends and relatives. She will disagree with them and try to debunk the BS in the emails, but my dad is always telling her to just delete them and not say anything.

I just don't understand that. Why should they be allowed to initiate the conversation you can't reply honestly? A couple of the emails even said, "If you disagree, I don't want to hear it, just delete."

OMG, seriously?! You can send an unsolicited email with your RW BS opinion, but you instruct those you send it to that they should just shut up if they disagree with you?! Arrrghhh!!

[smirkymonkey]

25. Good for you!

I don't get it. How on earth can you practice yoga and possibly be AMBIVILENT about this? WTF? Is she brain dead?

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

29. I know, right? It just boggles the mind!

I think that is why I reacted without thinking. It was just such a shock to hear that.

[Cha]

27. I can imagine it perfectly, DnS.. I had the same

thing happen to me.. only I was surrounded on bus by strangers and I couldn't wait to get off.

They were excusing drumpf by spewing his lies about Hillary and saying she was worse.

Good for you speaking out.. you'd think they'd be more enlightened and informed in a Yoga class.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

28. That was one of the most disappointing things, Cha.

This yoga studio really special. The owner's philosophy is that the physical part of yoga is not a competitive sport. Everyone is encouraged to modify poses as needed. The breath is the most important part.

While not requiring anything thing more of the students who come for the exercise, she does remind us that the physical part is just one aspect of yoga. Almost all of the teachers do little readings about mindfulness, compassion, peace, etc.

I have a long way to go in those categories, but I just can't imagine that anyone who doesn't buy into that sort of thing at least as a goal, however far away would come to this studio. And, I can't imagine that anyone who does value those qualities in humanity could ever even consider that Trump should be anywhere near the presidency.

[JRLeft]

43. Don't let politics impact your friendships.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

44. That's a popular bit of advice, but I completley disagree with it.

Friendship is a deep and personal thing to me. I could never be close with anyone who supports what the modern Republican party stands for. Especially in the person of such a crass, mean-spirited, cheating, bully like Donald Trump.

[adigal]

46. I would have spoken up too. And who cares what they think about you?

You spoke your truth and you didn't do it to be hateful. But what's the saying about terrible things happen when good people are silent?

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

47. Speaking up is good, I think. But some ways of doing so are more

productive than others. As much as I feel justified at being flabbergasted and exasperated at her suggestion that she and her ambivalent cohorts were the norm, I don't think I accomplished anything by expressing that reaction.

I think if I'd said just what I said, but in a tone that didn't suggest I thought she and her associates were clueless idiots, it might have made her think a little. Instead, I think I just made her defensive.

I don't know if I'll do better next time, though. I really do not have any patience left for the clueless idiots who can't see how dangerously unfit Trump is for the presidency.