This morning I got a call from the LHS to ask if I would look at and price some used tools for another of his customers. I have no problem with that, he's not a machinist, I am. As usual, I couldn't leave until I had a good bull session with the owner, and that proved to be one huge mistake today.
Another customer came in, bought absolutely nothing, and launched into a ten minute attack on anyone what wasn't far right from the radical right. Thinking it might close him up, I mentioned that I was a democrat, and in return was called everything, including brainless nazi, communist, and traitor.
Not content with name calling, he went to his car and brought in some literature, that he had received as email, as proof of his "facts." I may be less than conservative, but even the most ignorant of the wildest liberals knows that email articles are not even worth the paper it took him to print them. FWD: FWD: FWD: FWD: then the subject line is the surest way you can find to sort fantasy from fact. If it's been forwarded, you won't find any fact.
Bringing politics and insults with name calling to someone you don't know, and I've never seen this man like creature before, only shows that your level of intelligence can be discounted to zero.
Don't be guilty of being a total ass. Leave the political crap where it belongs, in your own home, when you're alone. Spouting political crap in the hobby shop doesn't make you right, won't make you perceptive to the world around you, but will only prove that you choose be abyssmally stupid.
I've managed to stay with railroading for more than thirty years by staying away from most other railroaders, but once decided I wanted to try flying sailplanes, which is an enclave of rich old conservatives. I no longer fly, I sold my plane, but I'm not listening to their loud and often profane mouths. What money I once spent at the gliderport I now spend at the LHS. Political idiots with big mouths can drive people out of the hobby.
Rich.