When McCain (graciously) mentioned Obama in his speech, his supporters booed.
When Obama mentioned McCain, his supporters cheered. It wasn’t a loud cheer, but it was a cheer. Though McCain seems to have extremely good manners, I can’t say the same for his supporters.
Which exactly reflects my experience with the more passionate members the more “right” of our major political parties.
It’s been my experience (though I’d happily be proved wrong) that people on the right tend to be a little more self interested, and people on the left tend to be a little more generous, caring, and kind.
On election day 2004, I helped a woman with a pram up some stairs at the polling booth. A man handing out how to votes for the Liberal party approached me and suggested that I shouldn’t help out in future. “She’ll tip the baby out of the pram, and sue you for damages, and then you’ll lose your house”, he said.
I believe that he was honestly trying to help me out, but suggesting that any mother would deliberately harm her child for financial gain is abhorrent to me, especially now that I am a mother.
Of course, back then I had nothing worth suing over, now I do, but I’ll still be helping anyone I see that needs a hand. And hopefully I’ll do it with *good manners.
*I tried to stand up for a shop assistant on Monday who was being harassed by a racist. Unfortunately I forgot my manners, and I don’t think I made a very good impression on the racist, and I was pretty ashamed of myself.
Disco Knitter 
Good on you! Sometimes the abhorrent behaviour that we’re confronted with can push even the most patient of us to lose our temper. The point is that you stood up in support of someone who was being abused.
I would ALWAYS do that… and sometimes I will do it with a swear word instead of understanding. But I’ll forgive myself quickly.
LikeLike