Flash From The Past- And Not In A Good Way

I had an unsettling encounter this afternoon, which flashed me back to the bad old days of the 1960s and 1970s.

I was in the parking lot of a local Target store to pick up a few things like milk and toilet paper.   I was retrieving some reusable shopping bags from the trunk of my car, when another shopper, presumably heading to his car to leave, spoke to me as he walked by.   His words, in reaction to the "Obama 2008" sticker on my car, were something to the effect of "So how's that hope thing going for you?"   By itself, that would have been strange enough, since I generally don't get into political discussions in store parking lots.   But this guy finished his observation by muttering "Socialist commie."

I was so startled I didn't respond but continued on into the store.   I didn't come up with a satisfying response for several minutes.   Next time I will brightly respond with "So, does acting like a jerk come naturally for you, or do you have to work at it?"

I admit to having supported Obama in the 2008 Presidential campaign.   I admit to not being overwhelmed with happiness at the way the President has handled a number of issues since winning the election.   I also admit to having no regrets over not supporting his GOP opponent in 2008.  I believe McCain would have been a disaster in the White House and I'm not looking forward to the midterm elections next month.

I haven't been called a "Socialist commie" in years, and it brought back memories of the overheated rhetoric that flew around in the late 60s and early 70s when pretty much all it took to be identified as a "commie" was wearing long hair.  I no longer sport long hair (or even short hair...) and I generally have always tried to not call people names.

I guess I could be called worse, but it still put a depressing damper on my afternoon.