I have observed over the last few years that the atmosphere of conversation with my Republican workmates has slowly changed. I work at a fire station in Austin, Texas. They went from persistent, virulent attacks on Clinton during his terms, peaking around the cum on the dress affair. When Georgie Porgie moved in, things turned from hate to gloat. More below.
However, as his scandalisciousness started to come into his full gourmet saffron aromatic puke flavor, things have died down. I generally try to avoid pounding a debate mudhole in my workmate's psyche, because it is not good for morale.
What I have noticed is this. A certain percentage of them have the honor to admit they made a mistake voting for George "Withouthonor" Bush and say the only reason they have any comfort in their vote for him is that he ain't in Austin anymore.
Your next type only cares about one thing, abortion. Useless to argue with, so when they ask me how could I be a Democrat (I'm much more Green Party) am I in favor of abortion and killing babies, and instead of trying to explain that yes abortion should be the last option, adoption would be nice, but women have the ultimate right to control their bodies and therefore any restriction in my book is bad. In addition, that although I am a Mormon, (a backslider and the church allows for rape, incest, and mental and physical health of the mother exceptions) I do not think any compromise along those lines would satisfy the religious right so I must oppose any restriction. Too much to explain to a brick wall, so I just say yes I am in favor of abortion and baby killing and then walk away while they steam and hope for my retirement.
Then there are my favorites, those that are libertarian republicans, that couldn't ever vote for a democrat but think GeorgeO'crap is the ruination of the GOP and are seething mad and willing to admit it but they just don't know what to do, cuz if they can't vote straight GOP or Libertarian once in a while, well there just ain't any other option so they feel totally screwed.
Finally we get to those that know deep inside that it is all true and the Great American Patriot George Walker Bush is a house of cards, an empty kettle, a cesspool of ethical amoralism, a piece of crap, and has not done anything, not one single solitary thing, that they so fervently hoped that he would do but these people just can't admit it to anyone, least of all themselves. These are people that supported Firefighters for Bush, Bush the ultimate anti-union man. These people, many that even served in the military with honor and are grasping at straws for reasons to still believe in George, the Great Texas Savior of all things conservative, can't see that he isn't conservative, he is THE profligate squanderator of all resources military, financial, environmental and political. They know he has not done jack for the military rank and file, he hasn't stopped abortion nor does he give a meconium about it. They know he is the worst thing for the Republican Party, ever.
They know all this, but they NEVER WILL ADMIT IT! They throw rhetorical spitballs at me like "The Democrats will finally have to admit that Iraq is going well because look at the Iraqi election, a big win for America and Bush". Alternatively, they say that he isn't so bad, at least he isn't Clinton. Or they say he is still fighting terrorism.
That is like saying Lex Luthor is still fighting terrorism. I have gone past anger, gloating, disgust, and impatience with them and now I just feel a little bit sorry for them. Not because I feel bad for the asses that voted for him, but because I feel bad that we are in this nightmare together, and they do not even know it is not a dream. After all, being a Cubs fan is one thing, finding out you fell in love with Lex Luthor and not Superman is very disheartening. In addition, finding out that Lex Luthor, he that you prostrated yourself in front of for 5 years really exists and is out to maim and kill your children by military sacrifice to his hubris and greed, to starve your parents to death and withhold medications while he is doing it, must just rip their guts out.
Therefore, instead of debate, we now have mostly silence. There hardly is any debate anymore, because they just can't defend the indefensible any longer, but neither can they admit that Bushco has taken us down the rabbit hole and the drinkme potion has nothing but bitter almonds in it, and that it's rancid. These are people that I respect as firefighters, military volunteers, family men and women. They are all Heros, but they will not admit to that either. They are good men that have had their asses kicked to their nuts by the guy that they thought was their friend, but he is not. So I just don't talk about it much and they don't have to lie to me.
UPDATE
WOW! Thanks everybody, This is my first reccommended diary ever! Thanks for the support and encouragment. DKOS KICKS ASS!