I just went OFF in a Starbucks

[ejbr]

I am doing my best to compose myself during this election cycle, particularly since Obama is doing well in the polls. But this asshole flirting with some woman near me sent me over the top.

First, he approaches and begins talking about innocuous things. Fine. Then, he asks her about the election. She demonstrates awe at its ferocity. Again, innocuous. He then proceeds to state that both candidates are awful. I flinch, but accept his point of view that the candidates don't speak to him. However, he then begins this diatribe about how Obama supporters are more or less braindead and are being fooled by Obama's hypnotizing speech.

I could have taken the high road and asking him not to talk politics as it is a touchy subject for me (after 8 years of Bush, come on..) or point out that figures such as Colin Powell, Donald Trump and the Eisenhower girl are supporting Obama.

Nope! Instead, I turn around and yell "Get the fuck away from me!" to which he says, "I'm talking to her." as if this allows him to insult me within ear shot. "I said, I don't give a fuck. You're talking shit and ruining people's days. You should know better than to talk this shit in public!!" He then says, "well, we disagree." To which I begin screaming while pointing at him, "YOU'RE the fuckin' idiot!" (alluding to his comments that begin my coniption) At this point, my veins are bulging. He backs down, I turn around, and get this, put on my ear phones so that I can't hear him anymore! He probably thought, "why didn't you do that to begin with." Why? Because assholes need to be put in their place. I suspect he is a repig who is disappointed in the direction of the campaign. Seeing an African American within earshot, he thought he could get away with his passive aggressive bullshit. Au fuckin' contraire "my friend". I feel better now, thanks for being there and letting me share fellow DUers!

GO OBAMA!!

[JVS]

1. You know, technically you shouldn't be listening in on other's conversations.

On the other hand, I guess calling him on his BS and giving him a dose of verbal abuse is reasonable.

[YOY]

5. Someone calling me an idiot within earshot gets a f***ing earfull as well.

n/t

[JVS]

15. Now I know not to invite you to a cocktail party, lest two people chatting in the corner of the...

room happen to make a faux pas and turn you into a screaming maniac.

[YOY]

18. So getting verbal with people who insult me openly and telling them so is maniacally screaming?

Afraid you read into "getting an f***ing earfull" too much.

Any cocktail party full of people who insult me is one where I should not be.

[JVS]

20. Yeah, you're not invited.

[YOY]

24. OK!

I'll just have my own and WE'LL HAVE MORE PIMENTOED GREEN OLIVES IN OUR MARTINIS. So there!

:P

[POAS]

37. You can come by my place anytime!

[YOY]

41. Thanks man...but I prefer mojitoes and good beer in lieu of martinis

I'm sure you do to! :toast:

[POAS]

51. Well you can have all the drinks

I'll settle for a little roast moose.

[JVS]

21. dupe

[Two Americas]

89. you were not insulted

It wasn't directed at you and wasn't personal, that I can see. What you did can only hurt more than help.

[YOY]

110. I'm not the OP. Who shouldn't have shouted.

he should have said something along the lines of "could you please keep your political opinions out of earshot of everyone here? They're quite insulting and ignorant."

Granted I know why he did shout but really it didn't help. You can be pissed off put people in their place without shouting.

[Two Americas]

111. oh sorry

Posted in the wrong place.

[ejbr]

119. You're wrong...

I'm a "he" :)

[YOY]

120. My bad.

n/t

[cherokeeprogressive]

146. "To which I begin screaming while pointing at him" 'nuff said.

[YOY]

153. Um...are you replying to me or the OP.

Second time on this thread that's happened.

As I've said before he shouldn't have yelled or cussed but had every right to tell the guy to keep his opinions out of earshot.

[cherokeeprogressive]

156. Replied in the wrong place. But I do have an issue with your reply to my misplaced one.

"Tell the guy to keep his opinions out of earshot". Out of earshot of whom? Anyone who doesn't agree with him? Not very First Amendment like.

[YOY]

159. The same 1st Amendment protects telling rude people to keep insulting opinions of others

to themselves in public places...preferably done in a civil yet firm manner.

If someone says something disparaging about you in a public place loudly and clearly so that everyone else hears it gives you the same right to tell them to exactly what I said.

Now could I FORCE them to not say something...no. Nor should I.

[Joe Chi Minh]

193. Of course, if you've not had to put up with racism all your life, suggestions

you make are unlikely to factor in all sorts of unsuspected, asssociated undercurrents and aspects. A low threshold of tolerance of stupidity in this context, being just one. Why wouldn't African Americans have a volatile temperament? Some of your ancestestors came from a country in Africa with the lowest rate of diabetes (among other things, associated with high blood-pressure) in the world, yet African Americans have the highest rate.

But leaving that aside, if it were not a factor to take into account, a more effective response - in line with that of another poster's suggestion - would have been to cite the plain, unalterable fact (we can have our own opinions, but not our own facts) that virtually every person with a higher education in public life, including 29 Nobel science laureates, even many former Republican senators and congressmen, favour Obama, hands down; and that would seem to suggest that that the lad was as foolishly mistaken as it was possible to be.

But it sounds to me as if he was just a dumb kind trying to impress his girlfriend.. wait for it... that he was some kind of maverick!

[YOY]

206. Indeed.

n.t.

[dysfunctional press]

200. well...you do sound a lot like an idiot...

based on your description of the events.

blowing up at a total stranger because you were eavesdropping on a private conversation...

you're a real class act. mom must be SO proud. :sarcasm:

[YOY]

207. You misconstrue what I mean by mean by "an f***ing earful"

In short I think the OP shouldn't have blown up but should have told him politely and firmly to keep his ill informed insulting opinions about the motivations of others within his private conversaion and out of the public's earshot.

Spare your insults until you have read them all.

Read my other posts on the matter.

[dysfunctional press]

208. my mistake- i was lazy, and didn't notice that you weren't the op... i apologize.

:hi:

[YOY]

209. Thanks. Here I thought I'd be getting reamed for the nth time for using the f***ing earful line.

n/t

[obiwan]

177. I disagree.

If you can hear what they are saying without directly engaging them, then you are not "listening in " on "their" conversation. They are intruding on your space by making it impossible to avoid their words. Manners, you know.

The appropriate response is to ask them to keep their voice down. If they do not, you ask them to move out of earshot. If they don't, then all's fair. You are free to inject yourself vocally into their space. If they don't turn it down, then they are nor being considerate of those around them.

Maybe this guy's response wasn't appropriate, but I understand his frustration at this blatant breach of etiquette.

It is the responsibility of the talker to make sure he does not intrude on other's space, not the other way around. This is manners. It's one of the mechanisms that allow society to survive.

[Xenotime]

196. Who says he can't listen? There isn't a law

[JVS]

202. I do. There's no law that says I don't get to tell people whatever I want.

[Bicoastal]

2. Warren Buffet, not Donald Trump...

...The Donald is voting McCain. Which is just as well, in my opinion.

[ejbr]

40. Thanks...duly noted. n/t

[Kookaburra]

3. Sorry you had to put up with the idiot

Sometimes you just have to get in their stupid faces. Believe me, I know the type you're talking about. You just want to throw a drink in their faces -- maybe not hot coffee (that would be dangerous), but something to dampen their enthusiasm for hearing their own voices.

Anyway, do you feel better after venting?

[ejbr]

43. A little better...I hate going to that zone of using the "f" bomb with strangers

thanks for asking.

[tblue]

4. You are my hero of the day!

I'm ready to kick ass, too. Actually, that's why I can't phone bank or go canvassing. I will end up cussing people out and not representing my candidate well. So I do office work and receptionist stuff at the Dem office and I recruit volunteers to do things with more grace than me. But I am a warrior woman and I love my fellow warriors!!! :hug:

[closeupready]

6. While I don't know if I would have responded similarly, I have also been at that point on occasion.

LOL It can be hard to exercise self-control, when feelings are so passionate. My advice: next time you even SUSPECT conversation is drifting in an unpleasant direction, move away as fast as possible. :D

[leftofcool]

7. Was he screaming and swearing?

[ejbr]

46. No. He was shocked at my reacion.... n/t

[OffWithTheirHeads]

8. I love it

That guy wouldn't get any better treatment from this honky American either.

I'm soooo sick of their shit that I don't even give a warning shot. I just let em have both barrels.

Good on you.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. You Likely Looked Insane To Everyone In There.

Way to make us look rational and intelligent.

I'm amazed at what some here applaud.

[JVS]

11. Well it is starbucks. He's lucky nobody broke their latte-sipping foot off in his ass.

[OnyxCollie]

35. I'm amazed some here applaud pissing away $700 billion on the bank bailout.

Way to make us look rational and intelligent. Right, OMC?

[libnnc]

42. Well ya gotta thank gawd it passed!11

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

45. Yeah, Cause Like, The Two Are Related And Stuff.

And it was an absolutely necessary step. Without it, we'd likely be in worse shape right now than we're already in.

But seriously, get a hold of yourself. It's a bit childish and obsessive to bring a completely different battle from a month ago into this completely non related thread. It's a bit pathetic, in fact.

[OnyxCollie]

55. I find your holier-than-thou rhetoric on this thread and others to be a bit pathetic.

Get over yourself.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

63. Good! I Love Getting Under The Skin Of Ignoramuses! It's My Favorite Hobby!

:hi:

[CJCRANE]

67. You know, I actually agree with your "holier than thou" rhetoric

on this one.

:thumbsup:

[OnyxCollie]

72. You misunderstand.

It's not getting under my skin. In fact, I find it quite useful in my study of dogmatic, egocentric, authoritarian personality types. Keep it up.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

77. You Ain't Foolin Anybody.

When you so readily can bring a thread of mine from over a month ago into a completely unrelated discussion at the drop of a dime, it is BEYOND clear that I'm under your skin, regardless of your inability to admit such. And I LOVE IT!

:hi:

[OnyxCollie]

88. Hee hee!

Truth hurts, doesn't it?

What? You don't think I read everything on DU? I've been here longer than you have. You have provided a plethora of examples of your personality.

[libnnc]

79. OMC is the Ted Baxter of DU

Our own Giant Head

[JuniperLea]

99. BINGO!!

:rofl:




But in reality, I'm betting he's really more like:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

115. WOOOHOOOOOO!!!! THE OMC FANCLUB IS HERE!!!!!

Mwah! Mwah to you all!

I love knowing you're all so obsessed with the big bad OMC! Yay for my groupies!!! I love it! More! More! Tell me how arrogant I am! Yes! Tell me about my ego! Tell me how ignorant I am, how annoying I am, hey, ya know what, call me a freeper! That's it! Call me a freeper! Tell everyone how right wing I am blah blah blah! Please???? I LOVE THAT!!! Oh, oh, oh, tell me about how I'm always wrong and how stupid everything I say is. It just wouldn't be a meeting of the OMC fanclub without that!

:rofl:

[JuniperLea]

118. No need...

You just outted yourself with this post.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

123. Yes! Give Me More! You Know You Want To! I Love Hearing It! Throw Out Some More!

Throw out some more smears! I know you've got it in ya! Let 'em fly!

Goooooooo OMC Fanclub!!!!!!!

:rofl:

[OnyxCollie]

134. "You Likely Looked Insane To Everyone In There."

You keep ranting. I'll take notes.

[SlowDownFast]

181. Ass.

And I don't mean the Democratic Donkey kind.

[dionysus]

199. i do give you credit for not saying "fuck" 50 times in each post lately...

:rofl:

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

128. OMC lives for these threads

His outrage at his "own party" cannot and will not be contained.

[JuniperLea]

102. You forgot arrogant...

As in...

[Jim Sagle]

93. And so do I.

Shocka!

;)

[ACTION BASTARD]

47. Bingo.

Please tell us you were not wearing a Obama shirt or something, right? Yeah, he's a cock-stain, but you were in a public space.

For you own sake, please don't do this again.

[ejbr]

49. Sorry, I forgot my burden of making YOU look good. My bad! n/t

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

61. Veins Were Bulging Huh? Yeah, That's Like, Reallllllllly Sane.

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[ejbr]

64. Yup! I am!! :) n/t

[CJCRANE]

73. There are some good narrative techniques

in this little story.

[Xenotime]

197. You would do it too if you were in the same situation

Getting in their face is the only thing they understand.

[jhrobbins]

222. I agree. We have been getting a lot of 'I went off on' rants lately in

here and I can't help but wonder what this does to further Obama's agenda of reaching across the aisle. Next time, ask yourself, WWOD, and if you cannot do that, then don't do anything and just leave. We can't claim the high road if we act like them.

[Hangingon]

10. If this is true, I think you were out of line.

I doubt you changed anyone's mind and you may have done harm.

[ejbr]

50. Whatever! n/t

[Chulanowa]

12. Well, you pretty much confirmed his point

Screaming and cursing and pointing and making an ass of yourself in a starbucks after barging in on his conversation... I'm sure you made him reconsider his position.

There's a right way and a wrong way. You did it the wrong way.

[ejbr]

52. In retrospect, in my calmness, I am okay with how I responded. Sorry.

[Chulanowa]

163. Well, that's fine for you

But had I been in the same Starbucks, my first thought would have been "What a fuckstick"

Whatever floats your goat, I guess.

[ejbr]

164. I have revisited my actions. I do not believe in them as strongly..thx n/t

[Sanity Claws]

13. I hope you got decaf

[yodermon]

16. rimshot

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. I was in a similar situation yesterday, and I engaged the people in conversation

Told them some things about John McCain that they didn't know. I don't know if I convinced them (they were low-information, undecided voters), but at least I didn't go off on them.

[ejbr]

66. Nor did you call them idiots, I'm sure. n/t

[CJCRANE]

17. Interesting narrative nt

[Incitatus]

19. You should have threw your coffee in his face

and kicked him in the balls

[JVS]

22. Should have just shot him!

[Incitatus]

26. maybe just a kneecap

killing him would be going too far

[Liberal_in_LA]

23. OMG. lol.

[wtmusic]

33. No kidding, what a wimp. nt

[bertman]

168. Incitatus, I LOVE your sig pic.

[wtmusic]

25. And...wtf did that accomplish?

I hope you feel better, but it was at the expense of Obama's campaign.

[ejbr]

69. No worries. I live in New York. Obama ain't losin' here n/t

[golddigger]

226. Nothing personal mind you, but I would have rearranged your nose.

[southernleftylady]

27. step... away... from ... the ... caffine... slowly...

wow

[nosmokes]

28. If that's how you act in a starbucks I have a word of advice -

stay the hell outta bars or someone is gonna rearrange your face.

[ejbr]

71. I was MVP on my football team. No one is rearranging anything. Thanks! :) n/t

[nosillies]

131. Use that kind of language in public in front of a mom with small children

You'll find out how fast 5' 3", 110 soaking wet lady can rearrange every last molecule of your MVP smack-talking out-of-control ass in a heartbeat. And without even laying a finger on you. We have death rays.

[ejbr]

132. Point, humbly, taken.... n/t

[greguganus]

191. I've yet to see an MVP stop a bullet from a crazy armed bar patron. n/t

[Seldona]

152. That is what 911 and Social Services are for.

[Number23]

185. Preach, Amy!!!

You'll find out how fast 5' 3", 110 soaking wet lady can rearrange every last molecule of your MVP smack-talking out-of-control ass in a heartbeat.

Let him know, girl! Someone needs to!! :rofl:

[AlCzervik]

29. You screamed, you lost.

[depakid]

34. and likely proved his point

A couple of subtle quips, showing a grasp of the issues would have been more appropriate.

[ejbr]

75. I doubt he will insult people within earshot in the future. I won. n/t

[onenote]

143. doubtful you won

He's probably telling lots of people, who are telling lots of other people about the Obama supporting asshole who went crazy in starbucks today.

[Dorian Gray]

171. Sadly

that's true.

I've been around political discussions out in public, and it annoys the hell out of me. Even when I agree with the person. I just think that people like to blabber as though everyone is interested in what they think. I've been tempted to say something in response to such nonsense, but I'd never lose my shit like that. If I saw someone doing that, I'd be deeply ashamed for them.

[NeedleCast]

214. Wrong

You completely proved his point by acting like a raving lunatic who's sacred cow had been poked.

Rationally telling the man why you support Obama would have defused his "all Obama voters are brain-washed" argument. Instead, you went insane.

Win?

No, fail.

[EFerrari]

30. How does losing control of yourself in public further the campaign?

I'm glad you feel better but, seriously, this isn't the way to go to gain respect for your candidate.

[AlCzervik]

31. i'm hoping this whole story is a bouncy one.

[ejbr]

57. No worries. I am in New York :) n/t

[CJCRANE]

32. This story

has the effect of putting Obama supporters in a bad light.

[ejbr]

78. Whatever n/t

[Terran]

36. good grief, another "I pwned a repub" thread

Seriously, the guy was not even talking to you, and you yelled at him to "get the fuck away" from you? Sorry, but that sounds self-indulgent, at best, not to mention incredibly rude. All this insulting of total strangers that people are proudly relating in the past couple of days is WAY off base. Do you think Obama would approve?

[ejbr]

53. He called me an idiot.

I couldn't give a fuck about what Obama would approve you sycophant.

[Terran]

81. *He* called *you* and idiot?

Instead, I turn around and yell "Get the fuck away from me!" to which he says, "I'm talking to her." as if this allows him to insult me within ear shot. "I said, I don't give a fuck. You're talking shit and ruining people's days. You should know better than to talk this shit in public!!" He then says, "well, we disagree." To which I begin screaming while pointing at him, "YOU'RE the fuckin' idiot!"

According to this, you cursed at the guy in public, to which he apparently responded politely, and then YOU called HIM a "fuckin' idiot". That's what it says above. Am I misunderstanding something here?

[ejbr]

87. Yes, this

However, he then begins this diatribe about how Obama supporters are more or less braindead and are being fooled by Obama's hypnotizing speech.

[Terran]

91. Ok, that's not calling you personally an idiot.

What you did was wrong. People are entitled to quietly express their opinions without being cursed at in public.

[ecstatic]

95. I have to agree with the OP. Unless the guy was totally out of touch,

he knew that any AA within earshot would most likely be supporting Obama. It WAS passive aggressive BS, as the OP stated. Now I don't agree with the OP's methods... unfortunately, that reaction probably did more harm than good.

[fascisthunter]

138. It Was Passive Agressive

he knew he'd piss someone off.....

[ejbr]

96. No, they don't. He has freedom of speech, and so do I. n/t

[CJCRANE]

56. I think some it is probably just

"creating reality".

[cherokeeprogressive]

150. I love it when they use "quotes" as if they were taking notes or had the interlude recorded... n't

[spoony]

173. It's the bragging I really don't get.

I mean, alright it's been a stressful time and some clashes might happen. That's no good by itself, but to lose it like that then go peacocking around like a hero for doing it, that just doesn't make sense.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ejbr]

100. I'm rubber, you're glue. n/t

[Marie26]

227. Oh, snap! nt

[The Stranger]

39. Good for you. He is a fucking idiot. You did the right thing.

No matter how many DU hand-wringers and GOP apologists will second guess you, I say "well done."

[Bake]

44. I can understand, our nerves are all frazzled ...

But really. You didn't do our side any good. Had you calmly and rationally dissected the idiot, you'd have been more effective. The only thing people in the shop will remember is that some Obama supporter went nuts today.

Bake

[cobalt1999]

48. If as you say "assholes need to be put in their place", then your turn should be next.

Wow, you are a class A Asshole.

[ejbr]

60. Are you a class b asshole then? :) n/t

[cobalt1999]

82. Yes, class A assholes go off on strangers who aren't even addressing them.

We class B assholes wait until someone is addressing us personally before ranting like loons.

[ejbr]

90. hmmm....considering I would do it all over again,

I guess I am a grade A asshole!

[cobalt1999]

109. You'll get no argument from me! n/t

[ejbr]

112. Touche n/t

[LeftyMom]

54. You really need to learn to mind your own business.

I don't care if the two people standing near you in a public place are planning to run naked through a convent, as long as they're not hurting anybody you need to stay the hell out of their conversation.

Further, screaming at strangers isn't going to win anybody over to whatever the hell side you think you're on. Stop, think, take a breath. Hell, look at Obama, he's got people running around calling him everything from a socialist to the antichrist, and I don't see him going off on anybody. If you're such a fan of his, maybe you should take a page from his playbook and keep cool.

[ejbr]

62. Nah, this asshole deserved it and was talking shit...sorry n/t

[LeftyMom]

74. Deserved to be shouted at by a stranger for expressing a political opinion to somebody else?

No, it really doesn't work that way.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518RsmS39yL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_AA219_PIsitb-sticker-dp-arrow,TopRight,-24,-23_SH20_OU01_.jpg

I'm sure your local library has a copy.

[Name removed]

83. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[plaintiff]

59. I'm sure you will understand that I seriously doubt this ever happened.

Right? :D

[cobalt1999]

76. It was the backward "C" the guy carved into ejbr's cheek, right?

That was made me suspicious too. :)

[plaintiff]

80. LOL

bingo. :D

[King Coal]

65. You've got a personality disorder. You had no business yelling obscenities at him.

[Catherine Vincent]

68. It's interesting that he said all this not knowing that you could hear what he was saying.

I think he did it on purpose. Stupid republican.

[tjwash]

70. Did you give him 3 zorro snaps and tell his girlfriend to "dump that zero, and get with the hero!"

:rofl: internet tough guys crack me up...

[Citizen_Penn]

84. virtual courage . nt

[Citizen_Penn]

85. Maybe a decaf next time?

Just a suggestion.

[ecstatic]

92. lol. Starbucks is a drug nt

[GreenFiles]

86. psycho?

[Catherine Vincent]

98. You've been here only 6 days and you're already calling a DUer a psycho.

Interesting.

[Swamp Rat]

101. Way'at cat_girl25!

:hi:

[Catherine Vincent]

104. Zydeco'ing to some Barack Obama!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLvgwHGlpdQ

:hi:

[Swamp Rat]

108. Oui oui, mon chéri!

Très bien! :patriot:

[GreenFiles]

182. Correct.

Re-read the original post. Doesn't sound like the behavior of a sane person to me!

[yardwork]

94. Are you African American?

There have been several posts on DU lately about people talking back to Republicans spouting nonsense, or even insulting people to their faces, but yours is definitely the most extreme example I've seen.

Your last couple of sentences lead me to believe that you are African American and felt that the man was a racist who was deliberately insulting you. Is this how you felt?

Just trying to understand.

[ejbr]

105. I think he profiled me because I am an African American

so he figured he could put in a few jabs without consequence. As you can see, there are those who would have allowed him to insult them, I am not one of those people.

[yardwork]

116. Ok, taking you at your word, I sympathize but I think you went too far.

I'm 100% in favor of standing up for ourselves and not allowing people to insult us. But screaming at strangers is just going too far. There must have been a better way to express yourself.

What would Obama have done? I'm starting to ask myself that a lot.

[onenote]

145. were you the only African American in the Starbucks?

[ejbr]

149. No idea

I was too overwhelmed to take notice of who else was there after the incident.

[woo me with science]

97. I don't believe you.

I think you made it up, because you enjoy the attention on DU.

[yardwork]

103. I gotta say that I tend to agree. This is just too extreme to be real and it smells of copycat.

My advice to the OP - unsolicited - if this really happened, consider anger management therapy. Carrying around that much anger is not healthy. If a stranger talking stupid in a public place sets you off to this extent, what will happen when your boss gets in your face? Or your girlfriend?

[Two Americas]

221. or social justice

We could always advocate for social justice. Then people would not be so angry - justifiably angry about conditions outside of their personal control and from which they suffer.

I think that would be a lot more powerful and effective than "anger management classes." Sometimes anger is an appropriate and sane response to conditions. As Democrats, do we not look first to alleviating the horrific social conditions that exist in so many areas rather than focusing on the individual and what might be wrong with them, as the right wingers are always trying to get us to do?

[Tektonik]

106. That's pretty rude of you.

[JackDragna]

107. It's already been done, but...

..let me add my voice to the list of people who consider your approach boorish. Essentially, it came down to your touchiness over a conversation in which you were not participating.

[tilsammans]

113. I understand your rage, but . . .

. . . your profanity-laced tirade does nothing to help Barack and Joe.

It may have made you feel better, but to others, you looked like a crackpot. And the Rethug probably just dug in deeper with his asshole beliefs.

Please, next time, engage brain before putting mouth in gear.

:kick:

[ejbr]

122. Well, I enjoyed it and being in New York, no real harm n/t

[tilsammans]

136. Yes, but how do you know . . .

. . . if the people talking were from NY? Or if the other customers were from NY? Or undecided voters from swing states?

Again, I feel the same outrage as you when I see these a-holes spouting their crap. I'm surprised I still have a TV -- I've wanted to throw heavy objects at it many times, whenever I see some RW gasbag pontificating about how "wonderful" the McCain/Failin' ticket is. :puke:

We have all been waiting for this time -- OUR time! -- to come. We have to stay in control, hard as it is. If you want to vent, please bring it here. Or find a Barack-ish way to do it when you're out and about.

Only a few more days to go! OUR TIME WILL COME SOON! :kick:

[ejbr]

141. YES!!! n/t

[ProdigalJunkMail]

139. oh, so people just expect democrats in NY

to be assholes? is that what you mean by, "no real harm"?

what a tool you were...and yet you still try to justify...if i had been there with my kids, you would have likely not been happy with the outcome of your tirade...

sP

[ejbr]

142. Point, humbly, taken.... n/t

[Raskolnik]

114. As long as *you* feel better, that's the most important thing.

Who cares if you made Obama supporters look like jackasses, right?

Edit to add that upon further reflection, I don't believe this actually happened, either.

[ejbr]

124. Right n/t

[lunatica]

117. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do

And some days shutting someone's fucking running racist mouth is what you gotta do.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

121. That wasn't very Obama-like

Just sayin'.

[tilsammans]

126. Good point

It sounds a little corny, but I think we need to consider "What would Obama do?" when faced with these situations. Somehow, I can't see him jumping in on a private conversation with a rage-and-profanity-filled rant.

:dem:

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

127. And it's not just that.....

We have many, many people going out and working the phones and knocking on doors to spread the word for Barack. In a cosmic sense, acting like that counteracts the good work people are trying to do for our candidate.

Maybe Mr. Smarmy isn't voting for Obama, but what about the woman he was talking to? If she's on the fence about who to vote for, what impression does she get about an Obama supporter. Not much better, and far more up close than what they see on TV in regards to how McSame supporters have been acting.

[tilsammans]

130. Agree totally!

I completely understand the OP's disgust with Mr. Smarmy's views. I've felt the same many, many times, and not just with strangers, but with friends -- sad to say.

But Obama is about Gandhi's challenge to be the change we want to see in the world. We don't change anything in a positive way when we go down to the Dark Side's level.

:kick:

[slackmaster]

125. If I had been there I would have said "Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays"

And laughed my ass off.

[lumberjack_jeff]

129. Cue the Boomtown Rats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yteMugRAc0

The silicon chip inside her head
Gets switched to overload
And nobody's gonna go to school today
She's going to make them stay at home
And daddy doesn't understand it
He always said she was as good as gold
And he can see no reason
Cos there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be shown

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot
The whole day down

The telex machine is kept so clean
As it types to a waiting world
And mother feels so shocked
Father's world is rocked
And their thoughts turn to
Their own little girl
Sweet 16 ain't that peachy keen
No, it ain't so neat to admit defeat
They can see no reasons
Cos there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be shown

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I don't like Mondays

I want to shoot
The whole day down

All the playings stopped in the playground now
She wants to play with her toys a while
And school's out early and soon we'll be learning
And the lesson today is how to die
And then the bullhorn crackles
And the captain crackles
With the problems and the how's and why's
And he can see no reasons
Cos there are no reasons
What reason do you need to die

The silicon chip ...

Tell me why
I don't like Mondays
I want to shoot
The whole day down

[ejbr]

133. n/t

[RainDog]

135. deeep breath

chill. I know it's hard.

but, yeah, have a list of republicans who are now supporting Obama. Christopher Buckley, Susan Eisenwhower, Goldwater's daugher (granddaughter?), and tell him that real conservatives are voting for Obama because they no longer think the party represents the ideas of Lincoln, Teddy R., Eisenhower... even Goldwater.

I know it's hard, but if you can keep your cool, they reallly, reallllly, reallllllllly look like fools, plus people hear about republicans who support Obama and this can make it acceptable for some to do the same.

In the meantime, a big hug. What an asshole that guy was. sorry you had to put up with him.

[ejbr]

140. You're the best. Thanks... n/t

[upi402]

137. that's all they understand anyway, reason is out the window. n/t

[ProdigalJunkMail]

144. ejbr...5'2" 94lb anemic loudmouth

severe napoleon complex...or at least delusions of grandeur...and shows to be an asshole, in general...

sP

[wtmusic]

147. ejbr regrets making a political point at the beach

[ejbr]

151. Boy, do I! n/t

[ejbr]

148. Nice to meet you. n/t

[skooooo]

154. I don't blame you.

People ought to realize when they're out in public....

[TexasObserver]

155. Wait a minute. You were sitting in a Starbucks?!

ewwwwwww


I've bought an occasional muffin there, but be seen?!!

[wryter2000]

157. Eisenhower girl?

I believe she's over 60.

[youthere]

158. As much as I appreciate freeps getting put in their place...

you might want to consider cutting back on the coffee...just a touch.

[TennesseeDem]

160. Whatever, I don't really have a problem with this...

Although it probably did not happen, but who cares? Oh yeah, was this a Starbucks or cocaine lounge?

[carlyhippy]

161. LOL, next time try the decaf....

Carly

[lib2DaBone]

162. Because Republicans have the "Moral High Ground"

Because Republicans are so good, and so pure, and they go to church, and the media kisses their ass, and they are Evangelical and have family values, and they promise to cut taxes and give us jobs, and Larry Craig is in a bath room in the Denver Airport giving Blow Jobs and Mark Foley is sucking off 16 year old boys in the hallway of CONgress....but we believe everything the Republicans tell us and we back down from them whenever we can. And the wealthy people are going to create jobs when we give them tax breaks because wealth "Trickles Down" and Joe the Plumber is not a crack-head deadbeat.. and we will idolize him in the media.

I am so sick and tired of this shit... what is wrong with America? Nevermind... rhetorical question.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

165. Thanks, and I think you know this, but you made the rest of us look like idiots.

AND you completely validated most ideas of how we behave.

[Myrina]

166. Gotta ask why you're now picking fights with DU'ers who ...

... are suggesting that you were a little over the top in your reaction?

If you didn't want critical feedback on the event, you shouldn't have posted it to an internet board.
This isn't an echo chamber.


Jus' sayin .... you may want to look into Paxil or something. :freak:

[Name removed]

167. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bertman]

169. Obviously the dipshit thought he could say whatever he wanted in a public place. NOT!!!

Bulging veins, righteous indignation, wildly-thrown cursewords. All better than punching the fucker.

I applaud your restraint.

[ItNerd4life]

215. Yes, let;'s limit free speech. Goodness sakes, we don't want that!

:sarcasm:

[yodoobo]

170. Wow thats awesome. If everyone had this kind of passion

McCain supporters would be afraid to leave the house, let alone vote.

I still don't know where mccainiacs get off running their mouth, boasting of their terrible candidate in public.

Absolutely awesome.

Don't listen to the naysayers. With a little luck, those two idiots will rethink their position.

[spoony]

172. Well sure, the best way of convincing people about your candidate

Is to scream and swear at them! Shit I hope you aren't doing canvassing.

[yodoobo]

175. Its been a rough 8 years

They gotta cut us some slack.

[NeedleCast]

216. Little intimidation is okay as long as our side is doing it?

[yodoobo]

217. Winning is the election is the most important thing right nw

We can be nice again after winning.

If we lose the election, all the politeness in the world won't be enough to buy a cup of coffee.

[jberryhill]

174. Try the De-Caf /nt

[The Inquisitive]

176. Best learn to watch your mouth, and mind your manners, especially in NYC

Don't talk trash like that unless you're willing and prepared to take it to the next level. It's only the law that keeps people like you alive.

[Balbus]

178. You need help.

[enuegii]

179. It would have pissed me off, too, but...

maybe you should consider trying the decaf next time.}(

[dave123williams]

180. I, for one, am not impressed with you. Engage and reason; yellling is for dolts.

That's all.

[VOX]

183. Your preemptive rage was a personal indulgence, and did nothing to further the Democratic cause.

While I appreciate your anger (in this case, rage), it accomplishes ***nothing***. Making yourself feel better is immaterial -- your anger and discomfort are not what this is all about.

The pride you take in your over-the-top behavior is detrimental as well. Again, what's at stake here has nothing to do with your ego or your personal grievances.

If you really believe in your sig line, "Go Obama," you might start thinking about what you can do in a constructive fashion to make his victory a reality. And screaming and cursing like a nutcase in a public ain't it.

[underseasurveyor]

184. Next time... if there is a next time

Sit there and laugh.. don't turn around to face them but laugh loud enough to garner attention and then say to yourself, again loud enough for them to hear...

WOW under 8 years of republican rule and this country and our economy in totally in the shitter and still it's the UN-teachable that say WE'RE brain dead.. then laugh even louder.

But then again there's something to be said for goin' off sometimes:evilgrin:

[MadHound]

186. Sorry, but you were being an ass

And apparently you lack both manners and civility. First, you're eavesdropping on a conversation. Didn't your mom raise you to keep those ears to yourself? Secondly, going off on somebody in the over the top manner that you did, over a conversation that you weren't involved in is just wrong. You made yourself look like a rude idiot, and by extension made the rest of the campaign look like rude idiots. Congratulations, you did Obama's campaign a horrible disservice. If you have to confront somebody on their opinions, do so in a manner that is intelligent, calm and sane, not in a manner that comes across like a psychotic episode on meth, screaming and yelling. Remember, we're supposed to be the good guys here, leaving the screaming and frothing for the freepers.

Finally, everybody has a right to their opinions. Frankly, I'm none to impressed with the policies of either candidates, but then again I'm a liberal Green type who's voting for Obama mainly due to the fact that McCain, especially McCain combined with Palin scares the shit out of me. Part of realizing a saner, safer world begins with us, and how we treat our fellow human being. If you disagree with somebody's opinion, fine and dandy. If you wish to speak to them about it, great. But do so in a manner that is low key, non-threatening, collegial in manner, again, emphasis on the sane, low key, disagree without being disagreeable. Anything else is simply feeding into the insanity and hostility that is already tearing at our country. Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.

[DangerDave921]

187. you expect props for this?

You sound a little unhinged. The guy was talking to SOMEONE ELSE in a public place. Just because you overheard him doesn't give you the right to start screaming at him. This type of conduct isn't cool at all.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

188. People screaming uncontrollably in Starbucks ruin my day

Bounce.

[Marrah_G]

189. I think you crossed a line.

[greguganus]

190. I think you did more harm than good and hopefully you won't show up on YouTube. n/t

[Zywiec]

192. You're a kook...n/t

[LWolf]

194. I've said all the same at some point in the last year myself.

Not as a conversation opener, or in social conversation, lol.

I'm sorry you were upset. If it makes you feel better, you can "go off" on me all you like.

I don't like the major party choices for president this year. I've never pretended any differently.

I actually do like Obama the man. I just don't like him as president. I don't like his positions on issues.

That means that I don't have any emotion invested in the election. I don't love him or hate him. I don't expect to "win" anything when he wins. That means that I don't have any emotion invested in the election. Practical considerations, yes. Strategic considerations, yes. But my heart, mind, and soul were left behind last January, so if you are needing to "go off," feel free.

I have thick skin, and don't mind.

[EnviroBat]

195. Bravo. I say call them out.

These morons have been running their mouths unchecked for too many years. The Bill O'Reillys', the Sean Hannity's, the Limbaughs, and republican fascists idiots in public. All just yammering away unchallenged. Well, I say fuck em. We aren't listening to their bullshit anymore and they should be called out in public. The RW propagandists do it safely from behind their microphones, and never face challengers. They simply "turn off your mic", hide behind the censorship of their media clown handlers. I say we should all be letting these retards know that they aren't running the show anymore with their bullshit propaganda. You can't turn off someone who gets in your face and calls you out on your shit-speech. Call me a "brain-dead Obama supporter", and I'm going to make you look like an idiot in front of everybody in the place...

Good Job.

:applause:

[dysfunctional press]

198. wow. an eavesdropping asshole and proud of it....

your mother sure raised you right...:eyes:

[LinusL]

201. I'm confused. What did this accomplish?

Other than make alot of noise in a coffee shop. I'm not saying he wasen't wrong for bringing up politics in a public forum where it may be unwelcome, but how was this reaction of value?

[pipi_k]

203. I've been on the other end of such interactions myself

Sharing a comment or something with another person...not loudly...not obnoxiously...and the comment wasn't even that offensive to begin with...

example...

At my oldest stepdaughter's wedding, outside the chapel where all the flower corsages were waiting on a table...Mr Pip and I are standing there admiring them and picking out the ones with our names on them.

I remark to Mr Pip that they're so perfect looking...I wonder if they're real...

The Best Man (a pompous asshole, IMO) is passing by and says rather snottily, "Of course they're real!!!!" like I'm an idiot. Pretty damned rude, if you ask me...and I'm standing there all shocked that he had the nerve to be listening in and actually comment on a statement that wasn't even directed toward him. It wasn't until later when I realized I should have put the little shit in his place...church or no church.

People need to know when to shut up. And nobody...I don't care what the issue is...has a right to verbally abuse someone else over a comment that wasn't directed toward them personally.

Sorry...no medal from me for what you did....or, rather, how you did it.

A bit of civility would have gone a long way.

[LisaL]

204. So, the guy was having a polite conversation with a woman,

and you just started yelling at him? And you are proud of it?
And if he was undecided, somehow I doubt your behavior would make him want to vote for Obama.

[deaniac21]

205. You are very grown up!

[LeftHander]

210. GOOD! I am sick of Repuke idiots....EAT THEM!

They get a mouthful from me too....and he basically called every Obama supporter in earshot...."Braindead"

That would get a big hot cup o' "Shut the fuck up" from me.

I would of told him to crawl back in his SUV and go read his 401k report...and wake the fuck up or shut the fuck up and get out of the way.

These are the unworkable divisive idiots that allowed Bush to rape this nation and almost hand it over to bat shit crazy fundies.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

211. dammit...i meant to click on the DUNKIN' DONUTS going off thread n/t

[golddigger]

231. LMAO!

:rofl: :bounce:

[NeedleCast]

212. If a random conversation that you were not even a part of turns you into a lunatic

it's probably time for you to find a way to relax. Take a deep breath, count to ten, change tables. Raving like a madman at someone probably isn't how we want to get the message out.

[ItNerd4life]

213. Did he get the girl?

You didn't finish the story.

[NOLALady]

218. Good for you.

He was asking for a well deserved dress down.

[IA_Seth]

219. Yeah you are out of line man...

First of all, people can disagree without being screamed at.

Secondly, you should mind your business in a public setting. He was preaching to you, he wasn't even talking to you.

Man if I was talkin about Bush and some Republican guy went off on me the way you did, I'd be in jail. You are lucky you didn't get knocked out.

[Two Americas]

220. my apologies ejbr

Didn't fully understand the context originally. While what you did is not the best idea, as you acknowledge, it is completely understandable.

[aikoaiko]

223. confronting people with civil discourse is fine - acting like an unstable, vulgar person is not good

We all get to suffer opinions we don't like to hear when we go into public.

[Naturyl]

224. Not helpful.

This kind of behavior helps no one other than you and John McCain.

I understand frustration. But we can't allow frustration to make fools of us and help the opposition. The guy probably got a good laugh out of it, and this thread is of course already featured on a mockery site that cannot be mentioned.

[Nye Bevan]

225. Please seek professional help

Bulging veins and screaming obscenities is not a normal response to overhearing someone talking about Obama's hypnotizing speech. People get arrested for this kind of behavior. You should get a full evaluation from a qualified psychotherapist. With appropriate treatment you could become a more relaxed and happier person.

[pecwae]

228. Well, at least

you got 14 recs here which is what you were probably after with this story anyway. Yeah, you're kewl.

[Mesteryo]

229. here's an idea...mind your own business

You need to learn that people are allowed to have differing opinions than yours without being cursed at in public. You can't justify your behavior by saying "he was a Republican" because frankly why couldn't some Republican then not attack us personally for our views.

This guy was having a private conversation with someone else and wasn't personally attacking you. Also why should ridiculous GOP statements make you that angry unless deep down you're insecure about your intelligence of the issues.

I'm sorry but cursing a stranger out in public seems like it could be described as idiotic. Maybe you should switch to decaf.

[golddigger]

230. THIS JUST IN: John McCain picks up 5 or 6 more votes due to an encounter at Starbucks.