A true warrior travels silently.

I live behind enemy lines, I have no identifiers on myself or my vehicles.

When a douchebag decides to spout off, I offer facts and watch them smoulder.

Cowards always attack behind your back, I do not wish property destruction or personal harm from a blindside attack, so I blend into the background.

Served me well so far.

Had three long term "buddies" cut me out of their lives once Trump won - because he won.
You can't deal with mental illness, so I avoid it altogether.

I'm also in SoCal, where they burn Waymos and key Teslas. For me, there's just no point in soliciting a confrontation with people who have embraced the politics of hate and are perpetually angry.

So no, there's nothing about me or our vehicles that stands out. Although we do fly the Stars and Stripes in front of our house, as do some of our neighbors.

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:
RE the comments about not “advertising” anything. I don’t go looking for conflict

In all due fairness what you described in your op does sound to me you were willing to escalate the conflict with the girl after she made her comment. Not trying to pick on you here just keeping it real. This is how things can go bad. She may have had a 6'3 250lb boyfriend that was in another aisle. She tells him about your comments to her and the next thing you know he's in your grill in a different way. As Jim Croce once wrote "you don't go messin' round with people strange to you" Given her initial comment just smile and say thank you and move on.

quote:

A few minutes later, we crossed paths again she made eye contact and I stated (with a larger grin)“All seven swing states. Majority Popular vote. Electoral college landslide.“ She said nothing and just moved on.

Fast forward another few minutes and we cross paths in produce and with a big smile, I say “Trump 2028”. By this point, she adverts her eyes and walks away. Later on I see her turn down the aisle I am in from the other end before making a quick turnaround as she saw me at the other end.

I wear my "Aloha Snack Bar" and "Liberalism, Find A Cure" t shirts often. The one that get's the laughs is the one that has a pic of George Washington with a fake quote, "Me and my homies would have been stacking bodies by now"

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:

I just don’t understand why people feel the need to spout off to total strangers out in public.

Uuum…you realize that you were doing this several times, right? I have no problem with what you said to her after she insulted your hat; she should keep her rude opinions to herself, but the later interactions were unnecessary and on you.

I don’t feel any need to share my political opinions with strangers while going about my daily business, so I don’t wear any clothing that does so.

I generally don't advertise my political beliefs. Even amongst friends in social settings, unless we're good friends and have slowly explored each other's position.

Partly because I enjoy socializing with people in a non-political environment, and partly because in the general public I am happy not to be targeted for retribution.

However, the left has become emboldened to the point of open confrontation in public and even vandalism and violence. The radical left has been normalizing radical behavior through constant messaging which has distorted public perception of how common the radical beliefs are, which draws more people into the perceived dominant side. It wasn't long ago that the lady confronting 911Boss in Costco would have been considered mentally ill.

We need to reverse the widespread perception that average conservatives are a minority evil fringe group. Whether it is an American flag sticker on the car, a MAGA hat, or peaceful public assemblies, our free speech is needed.

Just in a way that doesn't get my car keyed or my wife punched.

Back in a past life when I lived deep in enemy territory in CA, I never had gun or political stickers on my vehicles, kept my MAGA hat and gun t-shirts in the drawer. The last July 4th and 9/11 in my CA house, we did not fly the American flag because there were reports of scumbags targeting homes with flags for firearm thefts, and a few years later after we left reports of arson. And for years, we were one of two homes in our neighborhood that displayed the flag.

Now living in a more tolerant place, I rotate a few Rush Limbaugh ball caps (which always gets compliments and a conversation starter) with some gun ones. And of course we, along with half the neighborhood, display our flag multiple times a year.

Closest thing I have to wearing it on my sleeve is a "Stamp Collector" t-shirt that also has several images of NFA items. I don't think I've ever worn it and not gotten a few compliments on it, even in airplanes. The antis probably don't know what it is.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
I don't wear political or any statement clothing. No bumper stickers, nothing to give random strangers any idea how I lean on anything. Confrontation is just the next person away without inviting it. And I live in the conservative part of Minnesota. I don't think enough people understand how a confrontation with some whack job can change your life in a bad way forever. Yeah we are all bad asses here we can defend ourselves and carry responsibly. Even the most justified case of defending yourself even without gun play can make your life miserable for long time. Just avoid it.

This is exactly as I feel. I avoid confrontation with the crazy people at all costs. I’m not interested in some person who freaks out in me and I then have to defend myself. It could make for a life changing and altering event, and not something I am interested in participating in.
It’s like road rage. I get a lot of people who get pissy with me on the road. I catch the Saguaro Cactus salute quite often and I just go about my day. No need to escalate what hasn’t been escalated.
I also live in a small town and it’s not hard to figure out where someone lives. My car isn’t the most unique, but in my small town, it’s fairly easy to pick out. I like having windows in my car, and my house not on fire. For these reasons I don’t advertise my political beliefs.

I have given the nod to people at the store wearing a MAGA hat, or shirt, and while I know they appreciate it, I also don’t say anything to the people wearing the “No Kings” attire. Drove through the “No Kings” protest on the way to breakfast a couple weeks ago. I certainly didn’t say anything or instigate that huge group of Sedona loons. I already get enough scrutiny for driving a Tesla. I have been confronted about my choice in automobiles, and simply state “It’s an affordable car that is affordable to drive. I didn’t make my automobile choice based on political opinions”, which is absolutely true. As I stated above, I like having all the windows in my car, and it not being an inferno.

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I prefer to stay invisible here in Tucson and I’m sure that Phoenix is worse.

Not sure about that. Tucson is pretty much recognized as lefty central of AZ. Up north here, despite a surprisingly large turnout for the “no kings” rally a few weeks ago,we are solidly conservative.
I do have a good amount of stickers on my car ( gunsite raven, some gun company logo stickers and veterans stuff) but around here this doesn’t seem a problem. Whenever I am not at my NPE work environment I carry typically in a pocket holster - whenever I am carrying I make an effort to wear generic no logo attire to further conceal things. I just got back from a trip to Vegas and of course carried there but made sure nothing advertised my beliefs

Newtons third law, and a thing I have observed over time.

Folks who are centric as well as those to the right of center, do not seek conflict, nor provoke as a generalized rule.

Most will give a great and wide berth to those who are troublesome and dangerous.

It is because the things that are most important are also precious. Those being (but not all-inclusive), Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of happiness, and more granular, our family, friends, loved ones, peace and well-being, our privacy and most important, we do not desire to inflict pain or injury upon others, without just cause.

And then there is that "equal and opposite reaction" thing...

As far as we go to avoid, and what we give or sacrifice over that time and distance from the constant assault on those things above.

If, and when the reaction comes, it will be greater to those that blunder in the assaults, when the flood of "reaction" occurs.

They, "late to this game" with their assaults, will reap the totality of decades of "wait" from more than they can perceive, like a tightly wound drum of industrial spring steel when someone ignorantly cuts the restraining band.

They shall be ill prepared for that reality.

There are 15 counties in the Yoop. All went for Trump except Marquette County. Its common to see "Stop Trump" signs in yards and they even had a "No Kings" rally here. 54% evidently thought Harris was Presidential! As a consequence, I wear nothing that identifies my politics and dont engage anyone in conversation about politics. My Jeep as some very small Veteran decals but nothing else. I wear a vest but they are common with everyone here. Why provoke an encounter with insanity?

I don’t wear any political items because I just don’t want to be hassled by some lunatic that wouldn’t believe you if you could show them undeniable proof.

I do wear American flags and eagle t-shirts in the weekends quite a bit. I’ve gotten a few dirty looks believe it or not but no one has ever said a word to me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1s1k,

I like to blend in as well, but it's getting looney here.

My polo shirt, jeans and baseball cap probably can be considered conservative attire in the woke districts. Also I have no tattoos or piercings, natural hair color YEESH--they look at me the same way I look at them.

My county voted 71% Trump in 2020 and 72% in 2024. However, the county adjacent (i.e. Harris) contains the actual city of Houston and those rocket surgeons voted 43% and 46% for Trump. Additionally, I follow our sheriff and constable on FB, and as a rough estimate 2/3 of the people they post about arresting are from Harris County (i.e. the filth are mobile).

Therefore, the most political item I wear is a "Make 1984 Fiction Again" t-shirt

I wear my MAGA hat out from time to time.

I live in an upscale suburb of San Francisco.

I have only had one negative interaction when wearing it at my local sports bar. I’ve been a patron there for over 20 years. A guy I have known for years started spouting off to me about pedophiles and Epstein. He asked if I like 13 or 14 year olds. I said WTF dude. I’m an American citizen and I support our POTUS. I told him what I like is ending wars around the world and peace in the Middle East and possibly ending the Ukraine war. The other guys at his table were nodding their heads in agreement with me.

He agreed with me and said that I should wear it proudly then. I told him that’s exactly what I was doing.

I have gotten 100’s of I like your hat compared to one verbal confrontation and a couple of strange looks…

As I was leaving he was all smiles and wishing me a great weekend.

My town is probably majority conservative surrounded by the big looney cities like Oakland and SF.

I wear my 47 hat quite a bit in NY. When I wear it on Long Island I get mostly looks, some bold comments. I just smile and move on. When I wear it in upstate NY I get smiles and thumbs up. I recently got questioned by a stranger because I was wearing a Charlie Kirk bracelet. I said because he was a great American who died too soon and if you don't feel the same way I would prefer that you just walk away. He said nothing and walked away. Spoke volumes.

Apparently, my life is much calmer.

The only “issue” I ever had was when two POS move in former cops from NYC gave me grief for wearing my NRA jacket in SC.

Seemed to have real issues with “anyone” carrying a gun/couldn’t believe I thought “anyone” should carry. (I didn’t talk to them. They just came up and started going on about it while I was eating dinner.).

I strive to not trigger the crazy...

Hell, I won't even beep my horn at you if you don't quickly start off after the light turns green!

I do not own any political hats or Tshirts. No stickers on my car bumper and no signs in the front yard. I always wear shirts and when I go to Court I wear a suit. {The cop wearing only the top half of his uniform when he went to court did get lots of attention.} BTW if you go to court make sure your shoes are polished. I have been told that is the first thing the Judge looks at.