I once argued with a guy who claimed he was not racist, even though his family was :rolleyes: I believe the current topic was interracial marrying, but that’s not the point. I heard this gem:
Him: Well, I mean, they are a different species, after all.
Me: What?!
Him: You know, black people and white people. We’re different species.
Me: :eek:
There was the fellow military man who asked me “If black people just let their hair alone, does it get longer?” I could only stare at him in slack-jawed disbelief. He apparently equated it with berber carpet.
More recently, a discussion in my department wherein some right wingers expounded on the belief that the constitution provides for citizens to own the exact same firepower as the military. My comment was that parking could be a problem…
Well, at least he asked. There’s a glimmer of hope there that he recognized his ignorance. That’s better than others listed in this thread.
Sure. Every day. Especially when it’s my own ignorance.
Seriously, though, I most distressed by people who seem to have some logic and problem-solving abilities – except in that one area. A narrow-minded, bible-thumping, puppy-kicking mayonnaise-on-French-fries bigot is easer to take than otherwise reasonable person who can derail an intelligent conversation with blather about astrology, or ghosts, or rants about the triumph of the patriarchy…
The offhanded racism that my uncle uses is not worth fighting. It’s not like I’m going to change his mind.
The arguments that are not worth fighting are the ones where the other person makes an imaginary world where they are always right. I mean, come on, how the hell am I supposed to conquer your delusion when you make yourself out to be infallable?
Possibly, unless you consider the fact that some people consider non-whites to be of another species (see post from lovelyluka)
Two recent examples from work (mostly):
“Sure,” I reply, while finding the question on par with being asked if I believed in gravity.
Coworker A proceeds to laugh in a loud, hearty, that’s-the-craziest-thing-I’ve-ever-seen voice. I can only conclude that not only does he not “believe” in evolution, but that he’s never met anyone who has. Left me wondering what kind of a sheltered life he lives.
I met a woman this weekend who believes that “A Knight’s Tale” is a Great Movie. She wanted to discuss its subtle depths, and I just wasn’t sure what to say.
Well, sometimes there are people who I like and respect, but have religious views that are completely repulsive to me. However, I am not close enough with these people to say something without hurting them. So, sometimes, out of politeness, I change the subject.
The racism of my uncles and cousins-honestly, if I start arguing with them, it just makes them MORE rabid about it. Although one of my racist uncles was correcting my other racist uncle about Saddam (how he’s NOT a Muslim fundamentalist). It was pretty amusing to watch.
My mom, my sister and my aunt love Sylvia Brown. Every time I say what a fake she is, they get mad at me. It’s not worth it.
I think this is a joke site. I mean, c’mon, it’s so obviously hysterical!
People, like my mother, who refuse to believe ANY documentation to back something up unless they find it themselves.
The following are composite, brief, bare-bones exchanges that usually happen between me and my mother. Be forewarned; inanity follows.
Example #1
Me: Mom, I know you don’t believe in evolution, but if you’d take a look at Darwin’s “Origin of the Species”…
Her: Naw, he was obviously influenced by satan.
Me: Where’d you hear that?
Her: I dunno. Maybe Reader’s Digest or Guideposts? Or I might have seen it on PAX. ::: looks slightly confused :::
Me: You know, that kind of thing is easily researched and verified. Snopes is a great resource…
Her: What, on the internet? No way. That thing is evil.
Me: SIGH.
Example #2
Her: The earth is only 6,000 years old.
Me: But mom, what about carbon dating?
Her: How can you prove that carbon dating is real?
Me: What? I mean, there’s all this scientific testing that’s been shown to be true. If you don’t believe in factual data…
Her: But who SAYS that it’s true? How do you know that what they say is right? Who are they anyway? What credentials do they have?
Me: Well, it’s well documented. They have tons of degrees and doctorates from highly respected, accredited universities. They’re considered leaders and experts in their fields.
Her: So? You still have no real proof what they say means anything. Now, if the bible had said it…
Me: ::: shakes head and walks away :::
A client once told me that AIDS was started by the Red Cross, who had some wacko plan to affect Africa in some way that of course doesn’t make any sense. I was glad that I could concentrate on quickly filling out paperwork while he rambled on this.
A woman I work closely with believes in astrology. Ordinarily, that wouldn’t concern me, but this is a tertiary-educated woman with an Honours degree in Economics. She’s trained in financial statistics. She understands the danger of relying on statistically insignificant samples or personal anecdotes and extrapolating to universal conclusions. But that still doesn’t stop her from nodding sagely and saying things like, “ah, I figured you for an Aquarius” or, “that’s a typical Libran for you”.
The incongruity of a woman trained in a quantitative science relying on astrological mumbo-jumbo drives me batty, but it’s better just to nod and smile than challenge her.
In another example of ignorance not worth fighting, my boss – an educated professional who has known me for less than two months – referred to “poofters” while relating an anecdote to a mixed crowd. I couldn’t bring myself to nod-and-smile this time, however.
Fortunately, religious fundies are very rare in Australia. I’m not sure I could disguise back my disbelief.
mulletsunite, I doubt that site is serious. I certainly haven’t laughed that hard in a while.
How about all the people 'round here who will claim that “America was founded by Southern Baptists” and separation of church and state is “what they want you to believe.”
This from the same people who assured me that my disagreeing with their religious convictions was “persecution of their faith.” Just not worth the argument.
My boss wondered aloud the other day, “what’s the cleanest fuel we can burn?”. A fellow employee replied before I could interject “Duh, Hydrogen. The problem is, that in order to make enough hydrogen to power all the cars is, that we would use up all the water.”
He meant this literally, meaning cars would use all forms of water on the planet.
I had no idea where to even start correcting him, so I just walked away. Religious and racial prejudices are by FAR more serious than this, however they are usually created by exposure to such beliefs. This dumbass created this argument all on his lonesome. It would have been a waste of breath to correct him on even one of his errors.
Just be sure to say, “HERE’S my rebuttal!” when you do that. 
I once had a a non-insane person tell me during the first Iraq war that America had the capability to “cut out Iraq” from space and have it “totally sink”. Huh? Sink into what? If he said other crazy things I might have understood but this was the only one. Still, I didn’t bother with it.
Also my friend who kept insisting that the f-word is an acronym. Sigh, no it’s not, but finally I said, “Oh what do I care if she thinks it.”
Yeah, that is crazy, because it wouldn’t sink, it would just float over the edge of the world and fall off.
I just find it amazing how many intelligent, educated people can beleive in one totally off the wall subject. I have a coworker who firmly beleives in astrology and another who is convinced Nostradomus predicted 9/11.
Most of my in-laws subscribe to the “whoever is the loudest is right” theory of debate.