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MarineCombatEngineer

(18,165 posts)
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:02 PM Jan 2026

I just dropped off a delivery at a So. NV. Walmart and went in to replenish my supplies when I ran into

a Trumpedo supporter, believe it or not, we had a quite pleasant conversation about politics, he was a former Air Force Forward Combat Air Controller in Vietnam who operated behind enemy lines, we waxed about our experiences in combat and came to the same conclusions that Trumpedo is not about america first and he suggested that he might vote straight Dem. in the coming mid term and 2028 elections, that's how pissed he was about Trumpedo and his criminal org.

45 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I just dropped off a delivery at a So. NV. Walmart and went in to replenish my supplies when I ran into (Original Post) MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 OP
That's good to know, MCE! Aristus Jan 2026 #1
As passionate as he was, I believe that he will, MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #2
Thanks for the smile. I needed it. no_hypocrisy Jan 2026 #3
Hmmm. Is there a strong contingent of like minded individuals? yellow dahlia Jan 2026 #4
Good ?, I sure hope so, but in this very red county, it's a start and the fact that a dedicated Democrat, MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #6
Indeed - the conversation itself is a start, and hopefully portends a shift. yellow dahlia Jan 2026 #7
Excellent! I bet you were a good ambassador for the message, though. Well done. Scrivener7 Jan 2026 #5
Yes, I was, I was very respectful of his views, as was he. nt MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #8
Good SuzyandPuffpuff Jan 2026 #9
The fact that you ran into someone like that, suggests there's a lot other former Trump supporters out there that we Fil1957 Jan 2026 #10
Well done. Permanut Jan 2026 #11
Want to believe they meant that angrychair Jan 2026 #12
Welp, I am truly sorry that you feel that way, and I can understand why you feel that way, but, MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #13
You done good Keepthesoulalive Jan 2026 #30
I want to believe it, too, but I've been fooled too many times. hamsterjill Jan 2026 #28
Agree...because they just know voting for a Dem means all your guns get taken away Bengus81 Jan 2026 #37
Semper Fi brother NHvet Jan 2026 #14
Voting all Dem is the only thing that makes sense. Every race. Every election. Beartracks Jan 2026 #15
That's really all I'm able to do. calimary Jan 2026 #21
Likewise. Even a so-called "good" Republican just contributes toward (R) majorities... Beartracks Jan 2026 #27
I bet you have the energy and the experience... ananda Jan 2026 #16
I do, generally, I am respectful of others opinions unless they come off hostile and confrontational MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #19
I wish you could have talked to my dad... ananda Jan 2026 #26
Good for you, MCE! brer cat Jan 2026 #17
I know it is anectdotal but... Skittles Jan 2026 #18
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this Grim Chieftain Jan 2026 #20
Thanks for sharing this. Mystery To Me Jan 2026 #22
Thanks for this, but its really not a gift, it's reality and, IMO, the sane republicans are starting to MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #24
Glad you were able to do that. I can't stomach them, but I guess they need an exit ramp. Joinfortmill Jan 2026 #23
So mr715 Jan 2026 #25
MCE, I always appreciate your perspective and I hope you are right. But I'm skeptical. hamsterjill Jan 2026 #29
You are rightly so to be skeptical and I get that given all the lies MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #32
indeed. AllaN01Bear Jan 2026 #31
Yes! LeftLife Jan 2026 #33
but vet first. barbtries Jan 2026 #36
Jesse Ventura orangecrush Jan 2026 #34
I saw that! Jesse Ventura went total WWE on Trump & republikkkers. BComplex Jan 2026 #39
+1 orangecrush Jan 2026 #40
thank you. barbtries Jan 2026 #35
The fact they say "might" and "considering" shows the cognitive dissonance. mdbl Jan 2026 #38
We have to plan for healing. ImmigrantsWGTJD Jan 2026 #41
What is So. NV? Please and thank you. efhmc Jan 2026 #42
Sorry about that, MarineCombatEngineer Jan 2026 #43
I had to ask a California person a question about a part of her state she kept referring to by its initials. efhmc Jan 2026 #44
WOOHOO!!! ty nt Tribetime Jan 2026 #45

MarineCombatEngineer

(18,165 posts)
2. As passionate as he was, I believe that he will,
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:08 PM
Jan 2026

I mean, I could hear the contempt dripping off his words for Trumpedo.

MarineCombatEngineer

(18,165 posts)
6. Good ?, I sure hope so, but in this very red county, it's a start and the fact that a dedicated Democrat,
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:19 PM
Jan 2026

like myself, can have a very pleasant convo with a dedicated Republican and we can find common ground gives me hope that we will defeat this criminal org. in the WH.

yellow dahlia

(6,377 posts)
7. Indeed - the conversation itself is a start, and hopefully portends a shift.
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:24 PM
Jan 2026

I have been saying for awhile, that a shift in a portion of his supporters will make a big difference for the tone of the country and the midterms.

I believe the midterms will be a mandate already. But having more affirmation of that will only help. A mandate makes it harder to "screw" with the election.

Thank you for communicating with those of all kinds.

Fil1957

(829 posts)
10. The fact that you ran into someone like that, suggests there's a lot other former Trump supporters out there that we
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:31 PM
Jan 2026

don't know about.

angrychair

(12,452 posts)
12. Want to believe they meant that
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:34 PM
Jan 2026

But Republicans have no moral compass or values or spine. They are a death cult and they will always vote for Republicans because their hate and racism and misogyny is endless.

They are all scum and deserve nothing but our condemnation. I wouldn't piss on a Republican even if they were on fire.

MarineCombatEngineer

(18,165 posts)
13. Welp, I am truly sorry that you feel that way, and I can understand why you feel that way, but,
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:39 PM
Jan 2026

my sense is that this is the beginning of a passive revolution against this criminal org.

If I can have a pleasant convo. with a dedicated Trumpedo supporter in a very red county, then things are looking up.
Time will tell.

Keepthesoulalive

(2,378 posts)
30. You done good
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 08:03 PM
Jan 2026

A lot of people were conned and we saw Hispanics flip big time in the last local elections .Am I going to reach out, no but if they are willing to see a small glimmer of light they are welcome to vote with us to save our country. The always trumpers can get stuffed.

hamsterjill

(17,721 posts)
28. I want to believe it, too, but I've been fooled too many times.
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:57 PM
Jan 2026

When the chips are down, they always go home to roost with those like they are. I say expect the worst and hope for the best with these assholes - but NEVER take anything for granted.

Bengus81

(10,327 posts)
37. Agree...because they just know voting for a Dem means all your guns get taken away
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 09:52 AM
Jan 2026

Just like Clinton confiscated everyone's gun,so did Obama and even Biden.

NHvet

(307 posts)
14. Semper Fi brother
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:42 PM
Jan 2026

and yes it is going to be a brick by brick type of thing with changing the hearts and minds of those that ingrained in MAGAland. We can only hope that the better nature in those in the cult is getting through. As with everything in life, people don't care unless it affects them personally. Trump and his gang are on the cusp of destroying all that most hold near and dear.... our homes and families.

Beartracks

(14,633 posts)
15. Voting all Dem is the only thing that makes sense. Every race. Every election.
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:42 PM
Jan 2026

The conservative Republican value system spawned, supports, and defends Trumpism. Republican officials at local, state, and national levels cover for Trump, implement his (and Project 2025's) un-Constitutional plans, and regard him as a messiah figure. He and his administration derive their power from the consent of the right wing and their complete lack of moral authority and backbone.

================

calimary

(90,591 posts)
21. That's really all I'm able to do.
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:06 PM
Jan 2026

Just can’t imagine doing anything else but voting straight Dem. With Republicans, I’m stopped right off the bat by their prehistoric ideas about women (and the equal rights they seem hellbent on wiping away). For me, it stops dead cold, right there.

Beartracks

(14,633 posts)
27. Likewise. Even a so-called "good" Republican just contributes toward (R) majorities...
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:56 PM
Jan 2026

... and Republicans in large numbers always give in to the worst instincts and values among them.

I guess I'm a single-issue voter after all: "Is the candidate a Republican? Then I'm voting for the Democrat." At the end of the day, that's the issue that matters.

===============

ananda

(35,425 posts)
16. I bet you have the energy and the experience...
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:50 PM
Jan 2026

for Trumpedos to talk to decently.

I hope you get to do this frequently.

MarineCombatEngineer

(18,165 posts)
19. I do, generally, I am respectful of others opinions unless they come off hostile and confrontational
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:58 PM
Jan 2026

that's when my dander comes up.

ananda

(35,425 posts)
26. I wish you could have talked to my dad...
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:54 PM
Jan 2026

when his second wife turned him onto
krazy konservatism and Faux News.

We need more vets to allow people
to talk themselves down.

Grim Chieftain

(1,966 posts)
20. Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:03 PM
Jan 2026

Just when it seems things are hopeless, there are rays of reason, sanity and optimism.

Mystery To Me

(49 posts)
22. Thanks for sharing this.
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:06 PM
Jan 2026

It's encouraging. You seem to have a gift for connecting with those from the other side of the isle.

MarineCombatEngineer

(18,165 posts)
24. Thanks for this, but its really not a gift, it's reality and, IMO, the sane republicans are starting to
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:46 PM
Jan 2026

realize what a disaster Trumpdeo is.

hamsterjill

(17,721 posts)
29. MCE, I always appreciate your perspective and I hope you are right. But I'm skeptical.
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:59 PM
Jan 2026

It's gonna take me a long time to believe any of them have really figured things out. Living in redneck, dumbass MAGA la la land probably has an impact on my perspective. I always hope other parts of the country are more enlightened.

MarineCombatEngineer

(18,165 posts)
32. You are rightly so to be skeptical and I get that given all the lies
Sat Jan 10, 2026, 08:45 PM
Jan 2026

from this Admin., but this respectful convo. with a dedicated Republican gives me hope that we will defeat this Nazi regimel

barbtries

(31,331 posts)
36. but vet first.
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 08:25 AM
Jan 2026

here in NC we elected a democrat who promptly switched parties and is a full blown magat now.

BComplex

(9,948 posts)
39. I saw that! Jesse Ventura went total WWE on Trump & republikkkers.
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 11:36 AM
Jan 2026

But real Americans need to vote out all the republicans who are put there by special interests from now until they clean up their party and the court appointments they've been putting in, and get their party permanently separated from the self-righteous christofascists.

mdbl

(8,729 posts)
38. The fact they say "might" and "considering" shows the cognitive dissonance.
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 10:19 AM
Jan 2026

This sets up a scenario where one of Dump's super pacs makes up a juicy lie about a Democratic candidate or all Dems at the last minute and they go back to their cult way of thinking and vote for the fascists. It's all about who has enough money to lie the loudest.

ImmigrantsWGTJD

(12 posts)
41. We have to plan for healing.
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 12:29 PM
Jan 2026

The only way we can heal our country is by allowing the previously deluded to come back to reality. If we don't do that we will continue to ping pong between extremes. We're all Americans and that's what matters.

efhmc

(16,904 posts)
44. I had to ask a California person a question about a part of her state she kept referring to by its initials.
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 10:37 PM
Jan 2026

Like you, she was kind enough to give me that info.

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