It's with great sadness that I write this diary....
You see, my last living Grandparent is dying of cancer. He's 93 and he lives in North Carolina (used to live here in Michigan where I am), and I haven't seen him since he moved out of state to escape Michigan's terrible winters.
More below....
Because I have been unemployed for quite a while now, I was unable to go with some members of my family for one last visit with my Grandfather last month. My Grandfather has been given only a few more months to live, but he's still just as mentally sharp as he always was and still can tell a story like no one else can.
Now, the story I am about to share is second hand (my parents told me about it when they returned from their visit), but it still tears my heart out as if I'd heard it directly from my Grandfather.
What happened was this: my Grandfather who has been voting since the 1930's was verbally attacked by his neighbor of over 5 years because he was wearing an Obama button. The neighbor accused my Grandfather of being "un-American" (he's a World War II vet!) for even wearing an Obama button, and told my Grandfather that he can no longer be his friend (and this neighbor knew of my Grandfather's illness too) if he voted for Obama. Now, this neighbor wasn't just a casual acquaintance, but a real friend who my Grandfather went out to dinner with and had in his home frequently.
The saddest thing about this situation was my Grandfather's reaction...he was completely taken aback and left speechless. If you knew my Grandfather, you'd know he's the most out-going, charming man and he's not one to be speechless, EVER!
My Grandfather is from a generation where being a friend and neighbor came first and politics came second, so you can see why he was so shocked by his neighbor's rage. My Dad told me all my Grandfather keep saying was "why did his neighbor treat him that way?"......
This brings me to the point I am trying (badly, I know) to make: what happened to respecting other people even if you don't agree with them? I really blame all the radio and TV hate-mongers on the right for breeding these hate-filled republicans that put the republican party before their friends, neighbors, and family.
The politics of hate has to STOP! When a dying 93-year-old man is attacked by a long-time neighbor and friend over politics, then there is something seriously wrong in this country.
Anyway, thanks for reading. I was just so upset on my grandfather's behalf, that I had to share this to try and relieve some of my own frustrations of just how ugly politics have gotten.
Update: some wonderful loving Kossacks have suggested that they would love to write my Grandfather, so I am going to post my email address, and then I will print and save all your messages and then mail them off to him (or even better...if I could just land a job, then I will deliver them in person! Email me at: beatbuggyATyahooDOTcom
Update 2: I forgot to add that my Grandfather's first name is Gil, so if you'd like to use that to address any messages please feel free, or could just call him Shannon's Grandfather (Shannon is me!).
Update 3: Thank you all so much for the kind comments, and emails. It may take me a while to get through all of them (I'm on dial-up), but I really truly appreciate every one of them as my Grandfather will. It's no wonder I love this site so much! (((HUGS))) to everyone!
Update 4: Many people have very kindly expressed an interest in helping me to visit my grandfather, and asked if I had a PayPal account. I do have an account (beatbuggyATyahooDOTcom), and I would dearly love to be able to visit with him. I don't like to fly, so I would drive down to North Carolina, and the help that everyone is offering would really make it possible. I will visit him, deliver all of your messages of support, and then came back here to Daily Kos with a diary to let you know how it went.
I love all of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart (and a special thanks to Tom) for everything, I am truly overwhelmed.