Oh, sj, I am so sorry. So much ~ma their way. How awful.

Thanks, Jen. They have two little ones 4 and 6 years old, and I keep crying everytime I think of what could have happened to them. They think it was a gas leak.

I mean, good lord, yes I'm so glad they weren't there, and my heart breaks for them and how they must be feeling, especially losing their family pet. Hugs to all of you.

Sj. I'm so sorry for your cousins. I'm glad they are ok but it so traumatic, especially for the little ones.

So M's female cousin , who doesnt live with us but is around all the time, was there this morning complaining about political and stuff. She said she hates Democrats but every item she listed that is important to her is something Dems support and have been trying to protect/expand and the GOP doesn't. I keep pointing this out to her and she's telling me I'm wrong.

Like Social Security she keeps claiming that Democrats want to end it and when I show evidence that isn't true she just blows me off.

It's frustrating

Situations like that, I've found it doesn't help to tell them why I disagree, but sometimes it helps to keep asking, "Why you think so?" Sometimes they stop and think. Sometimes they realize they are just hoping for supporting echoes. Sometimes they realize they are just trying to provoke.

However, if one takes that method too far, one ends up sounding like a three-year-old endlessly asking "Why?!" so use judiciously.

I am reminded of a line from The American President. "Whatever your particular problem is, I promise you Bob Rumsen is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things, and two things only: making you afraid of it, and telling you who's to blame for it." [link]

Oh sj. How heartbreaking for your cousins. All kinds of ~ma sent that way.

dcp's advice is sound. Personally my patience and tolerance has expired at this point so I can't even talk to the idiots.

That’s so terrifying, sj.

I’m not sure about my cousin’s town, but we’re actually considered a high risk for wildfires right now because the conditions are so dry. We received a red alert from the town the other day that no outside fires of any kind are allowed right now. The residents of my town love to burn their fall yard debris. So, I’m really hoping they’re listening.

I’m not sure why I’m torturing myself with the math, but I’ve guesstimated that the family had probably been out of the house less than an hour when the fire started.