I almost decked my anti vax brother and his wife

[ripcord]

My brother and his wife are rabid anti vaxxers and Friday my sister in law was snooping in my 20 year old niece's room and found her covid vaccination record. When she came home they both went off on her and some of the things they said were really horrible but the upshot of it is that they threw her out and cut off her off just as she is finishing her sophomore year in college. She headed to my mom's house but she was worried that my brother and his wife would come harass her there so she came to live in my garage apartment. My mom contacted my sister and we are all going to make sure my niece finishes her schooling and my mom informed my brother of this and my niece informed them she does want them in her life, this was done by text to keep the screaming down. That asshole had the nerve to drive 4 hours to my place with intent of forcing his daughter, who he threw out, to come home. My place is fenced and they weren't about to try and get past the dogs so he called my niece from the gate and demanded she come out, he got me in a highly pissed off state instead. I told both of them that if they continued to harass her we could get a restraining order against them, she would be living here but they weren't welcome unless she invited them and if I ever hear them raise their voices to her again I will kick the ever loving shit out of both of them.

I wish there was a better place for her to stay, living around a crotchety old man in the middle of the desert probably won't be that fun for her. At least I have good internet so she can finish school online and I am probably the best one to keep her parents from ruining her life anymore than they already have.

[Demovictory9]

1. omg. thank goodness she has you

[lunatica]

2. Good for you and your niece!

Don’t take shit from anyone! Even family!

[RKP5637]

8. K&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. That sounds ... stressful ...

Hope it all works out for your niece.

Your bro and SIL sound like real pieces of work.

You done good, BTW!

[ripcord]

24. They made me lose my temper for the first time in 14 years

I have worked hard to control my temper because I can't lose it just a little so I know exactly how long it has been.

[DURHAM D]

4. Good for you for caring.

Is it wrong of me to hope that brother and sister-in-law get the plague?

[RKP5637]

5. She's so lucky to have you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[FakeNoose]

6. Your brother and wife need to be de-programmed

They've been brainwashed, but it's great that the rest of the family is sticking up for your niece.

Good luck!

[Scrivener7]

7. Wow. What a great thing you and your sister are doing for her!

Your brother is a lost cause. It is good that she has gotten away from him. I wouldn't encourage a reconciliation there.

[Scrivener7]

9. LOL! Family fights are hard. If you have any doubts that what you are doing is right, take a look

at how fast people are coming to this thread to say, "You GO, ripcord!"

Hang in there.

You are a great uncle.

[Trueblue1968]

10. I'm sooooooooooooo so sorry Rip your niece and your family are going through this. how horrible

for the young woman. i didn't have contact with my verbally abusive father for 15 years. i just started talking to him again through my soon to be husband.

~~~> Why is your brother so anti vaccination. Can he be changed ?

[Lars39]

11. She needs to be emancipated asap for tax purposes or it could screw up

her ability to get loans to go to college. She does not need to be claimed as a dependent on their taxes. I know of several people this happened to, and they didn’t realize it until time to sign for next loan.

[ripcord]

18. My sister's husband is an attorney

He has already started the process to cut her off from the parents legally. He told me he thinks my brother's behavior is disgusting and he is practically drooling while he waits for them to do something stupid, he already had my niece put him on retainer for $1 a year.

[Lars39]

37. That's great! Glad y'all are there for her.

[ShazzieB]

39. Excellent!

I'm so glad your niece has people like you and your sister's husband in her corner! God bless you, him, and anyone else who is stepping up to help!

[Mz Pip]

27. Sophomore in college

She’s probably 18 so there’s not much her parents can do as she’s legally an adult.

[Lars39]

36. They may have been co-signing her loans.

Dunno. Things have changed a lot over the years.

[niyad]

76. OP says she is 20.

[Whatthe_Firetruck]

84. She doesn't need it...

...she's 20. They don't have a right to force her to do anything.

[Lars39]

85. No, it's for tax purposes and student loans.

If her parents claim her as a dependent it could mess up her ability to get a good loan.

[marybourg]

12. Sounds like something out of a dystopian novel.

[Boomerproud]

25. Yes it does.

Just incredible.

[Skittles]

13. any more proof needed that this is a cult?

that's just truly pathetic

good on you and your mum doing what needs to be done

that is INSANE

[blm]

53. Cults urge followers to distance from family

if the family resists the beliefs of the cult.

Fvcking evil morons.

[ProfessorGAC]

60. They Were Looking For Provocation

Who snoops on a 20 year old, adult child, unless they're looking for something to get outraged about?
That sounds cult-like, too!

[paleotn]

71. Yep. Some folks just seem to go through life....

in a constant search for something to get all worked up about. I don't get it. Life is to damn short for that crap. Ugh.

[Celerity]

93. Some folk just seem to go through life in a constant search for something to get all worked up about

Is that not an apt description of DU?



I jest, I jest!

[LymphocyteLover]

78. it is insane ... and really evil. JFC

[SamKnause]

14. It may not be fun for her, but I bet she is thrilled to be there and have your love and protection.

You did a very good thing !!!!

[tblue37]

15. To throw her out--makes me wonder whether they are fundies, too.

[SoCalDavidS]

47. I'd Bet Money On It nt

[Backseat Driver]

113. So would I, but they may come to regret their behavior

though they'll most likely never apologize nor try to make amends because they are in denial of their twisted beliefs, many of which rely on willfully ignorant acceptance of fundamentalist, intolerant religion over science, racism, misogyny, and so many other silly notions about discriminations.

Estrangement from family, especially from parents, is a tragic way to live knowing THEY did only their "duty" by their, now adult daughter, but it can also mean living one's OWN values regarding how to use the gifts given by one's Creator: compassion, empathy, community, and most importantly, love, a word with many definitions. That can be so empowering in making one's own leap of faith into one's personal responsibility to live authentically as an adult, accepting help from the like-minded community in hard times and being ever so grateful when life is good and pass it forward. I hope she will grow in those values which are good and also to you and yours that have come together to support that young woman as she grows in her maturity. All of that is rarely easy!

Thank you for being that girl's port in one of the worst types of toxic storms.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. I am glad that your niece has you to step in

[housecat]

26. and glad she survived parents like that for so long

[marble falls]

17. Your niece is blessed with a great family, outside of her parents. Bless you and yours, brother!

[cayugafalls]

19. Selfish assholes. To do that to their own daughter is horrendous. She is better off without them.

Hopefully someday they will see the error of their ways.

[SoCalDavidS]

46. I Wouldn't Count On It

People like that don't change. They get more stupid, if anything.

[summer_in_TX]

20. It's not like these crazies quietly believe their quaint notions.

No, they are evangelically militant in their craziness.

That's the creepiest part of this.

[ripcord]

31. They were able to keep her from getting any vaccines until she was 18

Luckily she was able to keep her parents from finding out that she got her vaccinations caught up as soon as she could. She went to private schools that didn't require vaccinations and her parents were thrilled when she lied and told then she found a way to sneak into college without getting vaccinated. I'm hoping in the face of all these anti vax idiots the law will be changed so kids can decide on their own at some point if they want to get vaccinated.

[housecat]

21. Makes my day to hear about good people like you.

[TomDaisy]

22. you are an angel

[Downtown Hound]

23. I'm glad she has you

Crotchety or not, you have a good heart.

[housecat]

28. We don't chose our families, but sometimes it would be better if we could.

[dawg day]

29. These people are nuts.

Why do they hate their daughter because she got a vaccine?

Probably back when she was 4, they got her the TDAP and MMR vaccines.

What's the difference? Oh, right, Trump, or Q, or whatever.

Do they know Trump got the vaccine?

Glad your niece has you. And she doesn't think of you as a crotchety old man... she thinks of you as her loving and kindly uncle.

[ripcord]

32. She was never vaccinated until she turned 18

This is nothing new with my brother and his wife, they have always had a number of crazy ideas.

[ShazzieB]

35. So they are THAT type of anti-vaxxers!

The ones who don't believe in any vaccines! Those are the worst kind in a lot of ways

What really gets me is that they don't think their ADULT child has the right to make decisions about her own health. UGH.

[Hekate]

30. Fence, gates, dogs, & a protective pissed-off uncle. Sounds good to me!

Last edited Sun May 23, 2021, 05:04 PM - Edit history (1)

Take care of yourself, ripcord.

[badhair77]

33. This hurts my heart. I feel so bad for your niece and the discord she has to endure.

Thank goodness she has true family and support. I’m so glad she has hope in her future. Good job.

[Traildogbob]

40. So sorry ripcord

Single dad, one daughter, mom died from cancer when Emmy was 10. Ya know what, we instantly got her the shot to fight cervical cancer. No questions asked. Why people would let their daughter be subject to death and disease, I can not comprehend. My daughter is 31, and ICU nurse and puts herself at risk to save others. You keep fighting for her sir. She needs a sane adult family near her. You are a hero. Finish school, top priority, so she can be independent of her parents sick twisted beliefs.

[badhair77]

42. Yes, this is what family provides.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[captain queeg]

34. WTF is wrong with people? I guess if you live in a fantasy world you don't want anyone to disrupt

your delusions. I really worry about how things are going in this country. And I lay most of the blame on the former occupier of the WH.

[Aussie105]

38. When parents can't get the parenting right

and things explode, someone needs to step in and try to minimize the damage.

Good on you, Sir Ripcord!
Thank you for protecting this child, for taking a stand.

Please accept this Sainthood as a token of our appreciation.

[doc03]

41. Anti vaxers confuse me. Most likely they are also

Qpublicans. Qpublicans claim Trump helped developed the vacinne with his Operation Warp Speed. Then they refuse to take it and claim it will kill you. So they think their man Trump is killing us with the vacsinne? They don't see their train of thought is fucked up?

[smirkymonkey]

43. You did a good thing for her.

She is lucky to have an uncle like you who cares for her and who will stand up to her nut-case parents. They could have put her in a really terrible and frightening position if she didn't have you to fall back on.

I hope things work out for all of you and wish you the best.

[catrose]

44. Blessings/good thoughts to you and your niece.

I remember when a young woman would get kicked out of her home because the parents found birth control in her room.

[SoCalDavidS]

45. You Sound Like A Very Good Person

She is lucky to have you. Unfortunate she still wants them in her life. I wouldn't.

[mzmolly]

48. Good

for you!

[Joe Nation]

49. So are they worried about what a vaccine might do or they just worried about being right?

You have to wonder what the hell their priorities are.

[OnDoutside]

50. Top man. Top decent person.

[Texin]

51. Thank you for being there for her. Now. You really ought to get that restraining order.

Actually, she needs to get one too. She's an adult and has standing to do so.

Where the fuck do they get off thinking they can order her around like a two year old?

[niyad]

79. Certain extremely patriarchal cults believe that females of any age have no will, or right to their

own lives and beliefs at any age. The father controls until she marries. The father then hands control to the husband. And if the husband dies, a son takes over. And yes, this is the 21st century.

[Texin]

120. Oh, you mean like the GQP who're determined control all women's uteruses.

Not to mention their right to vote and to live without fear of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. And let's not forget that women's only role is to be chattel of their husbands, hence no need for higher education - or any education at all. And unless the husband decides differently, their only role is to remain at home full time without other occupation unless it's in service to household chores, child rearing and servicing aforementioned husbands.

[niyad]

123. Exactly!

[DemUnleashed]

52. Thank God!

Thank God for the normal and good-hearted members of your family!!!

[1WorldHope]

54. Sounds like

A fortunate turn of events for your niece. Her mental health must have been suffering in a "home" where her privacy was violated and her health and welfare were controlled by people who, apparently, prefer living in the Dark ages.

[NBachers]

55. Be watchful - Be safe - Be prepared. This isn't over.

[drray23]

56. She is lucky to have you.

At first I thought you would be in trouble with custody issues since they are the parents but then I read she is 20 year old. They can not force her to move back or anything else for that matter. She may even want to take a restraining order against her parents if the situation deteriorates any further. Please stay safe, stay alert, . If he is a right winger, he may also be armed to the teeth. Even thought he is your brother you never know when people snap and do crazy stuff.

[GoCubsGo]

57. Thank goodness your niece has the intelligence and sense to follow science.

I've seen too many cases where this kind of lunacy gets passed on from generation to generation. Glad she nipped it in the bud. Thank goodness she has family like you, your mom, and your sister and her husband to give her a hand. I have a feeling that her living around a crotchety, old man will be good for both of you in the end.

[yonder]

58. You did well, ripcord. It sounds like your niece has strength

outside of her immediate family where delusion prevails. Good luck to her, yourselves and hopefully someday reconciliation can take place.

[calimary]

59. Thank you for doing this - for her, and for The Truth.

Thank you for your courage, backbone, and clear vision.

WE'RE the lucky ones!

[patphil]

61. Wow! To inflict that much hate on their 20 year old daughter takes a special kind of assholes.

[Vinca]

62. Your niece is lucky she has you. That's just whackadoodle they would throw her out for getting

vaccinated. It's taking crazy and nasty to whole new levels.

[mgardener]

63. Your niece is lucky to have you.

I bet she would take crotchety over crazy any day.
State schools in NY are requiring the COVID vaccine next year for returning students.

[demigoddess]

64. good for you!!!!!!!!

she doesn't deserve such treatment from her parents.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

65. Blessings on you, my dear ripcord, for your timely action for your niece!

How lucky for her that you're an outspoken liberal who knows just what to say and when to say it!

[LiberalFighter]

66. It is a shame that people are so misinformed.

Your niece is very fortunate that she has support and has her eyes open.

[Delmette2.0]

67. I disowned my last surviving brother because he was an asshole.

After the family only memorial for our older brother he was disrespectful to me when we were attempting a picture together. I blew up and he stormed out.

After two years still no regrets.

Stick to your beliefs. Hugs to you and your niece.

[Upthevibe]

68. ripcord....

I wish I could give you, her, and all of you who are helping her a HUGE hug . These anti-vaxxers are dangerous.

I'm so glad the lawyer in the family is getting involved because of your niece and her student loans (since she's only 18).

[niyad]

83. OP says she is 20. 18 is legal adulthood.

[icnorth]

69. Another crotchety old man

here Ripcord. Would love to share your story on my FB page if I may have your permission.

[ripcord]

90. Sure if you would like

[LiberalArkie]

70. Do they believe that getting vaccinated turns her gay?

[Treefrog]

89. Where in hell did you get the gay thing?

[LiberalArkie]

92. from some local evangelicals

"vaccinations always cause young people gay". They have to have some reason to hate.

[Treefrog]

94. That sentence makes no sense in any way.

Never mind grammatically.

[Niagara]

99. It's a conspiracy from Qanon fans

They believe that receiving the Covid vaccine will turn people gay since they're that brainwashed. I can't provide a link at the moment since I'm on my phone.

[Warpy]

72. Since she's over 18, WHAT IS THEIR FUCKING PROBLEM?

Being vaccinated doesn't "show," so it's unlikely the neighbors will gossip and if they keep their own traps shut, their wingnut preacher (should that be the problem) won't know, either.

Holy shit, it's not like they caught her in the bathroom shooting heroin.

Also, don't knock crotchety old folks in the desert. I resemble that remark. It's probably a great place for her to decompress as she concentrates on finishing school. Thanks for stepping in.

[niyad]

73. Thank goodness that your niece has you and your sister. The first thing that struck me was the fact

that your nutso brother's wife was snooping in her 20-year old, legally adult daughter's room That is creepy and sick right there. What sad excuses for human beings and parents they are.

Wishing all of you the best.

[flying_wahini]

74. Be careful; they will start up again, as times goes on.

Keeping an open heart and firm boundaries will help.

They love her and will try the blame game. (Been there, done that)

[hay rick]

75. K&R

[LenaBaby61]

77. I couldn't imagine ...

Being around racist, rabid, right-winged, anti-vaxxers or crazy tRump-cultists.

I can honestly and proudly say that in my circle of friends, there are NO tRump-cultists, anti-vaxxers or right-wingers, and in the part of LA County I live in, I don't really come very many either.

I hope that you don't have to get down in the pig pen with and have to sully yourself with ever having to be violent with your kin folks. Blessings to your niece, and I hope that she's left alone so that she can get her education then take advantage of it.

[speaknow]

80. Sounds like everybody's upset.

Do you love your Brother? This why as the
old saying goes " Never get involved in a land
war in Asia"

[Paladin]

81. Absolutely unspeakable act by your brother and his wife.

Throwing your niece out, because she did the proper thing and got vaccinated? Unspeakable. Sounds like they flushed their parental rights down the toilet---so glad you're there to provide support. Best wishes to your niece. Well done.

[Evolve Dammit]

82. Good for you! you did what needed to be done. She is away from the crazy and you were clear. Lunacy.

[MiniMe]

86. Unfortunately, restraining orders are more of a suggestion than anything

It isn't going to keep them away from you and their daughter.

[Permanut]

87. You are a hero for this young woman..

standing up for what's right, regardless of relationships.

[flying rabbit]

88. Well done sir.

[Ligyron]

91. Are they also Trumpers?

You didn’t say or maybe you don’t even know.

[Maraya1969]

95. I'm so glad she has you to depend on. Especially when her parents sounds like

complete kooks. I can't imagine them throwing their child out because she chose to get vaccinated!

[Niagara]

96. So sorry that your niece had to endure this asnine

Family drama from her own parents.

It's inspiring to hear that she has enough support from other family members to get her through college and into a healthier environment.


Here's to crotchety old uncles who rescue nieces!

[malthaussen]

97. That is seriously fucked up.

And the poor woman grew up under their tutelage? She seems to have developed an independent mind in spite of it.
The kind of people who would allow fanatical ideology to do that to their own child...

-- Mal

[MLAA]

98. Sounds to me like she is very fortunate to have a crotchety old man on her side!

Well done, ripcord. You handled those assholes perfectly. Sure glad your niece takes after you and not those idiot birth parents.

[NullTuples]

100. Half of LGBTQ homeless kids were thrown out of their homes

Almost always based on their parent's "religious beliefs".

That stat always broke my heart.

I know deep in my heart I should not be surprised that Republicans would also throw out their own flesh & blood because of vaccines but here we are.

Essentially they threw her out because she took control of her own body and they cannot stand that.

[Eko]

101. You rock ripcord!.

Way to do the right thing and keeping your temper in check. I cant even talk to any of my family, they are all far right nutters. Just keep on keeponing!
Eko.

[Dorian Gray]

102. You did good

thank you for offering her a safe place to stay. Hope she finishes college with flying colors!

[world wide wally]

103. Good man

[BobTheSubgenius]

104. Good God.

Families can be T.H.E. W.O.R.S.T. Except you! Your niece is blessed to have you and, although I know not one of you from a bale of hay, I thank you for giving her the opportunity to finish school. You are one great uncle!

You remind me of a friend of mine who flew over 1000 miles to beat on his son-in-law, who was beating my friend's daughter. He did that, and then flew home the next day. Not bad for a man of 73.

OTOH...former Special Forces. SIL is LUCKY my friend only used his fists on him, and not even that much. Apparently, he has restraint.

[BigBearJohn]

105. You are my hero. God bless you.

[Ferrets are Cool]

106. Bravo!!

[GulfCoast66]

107. You, sir, are a good man. But be careful. This is not over.

And make sure your niece is as well. Controlling this young lady is obviously super important to them. Most likely the father most of all.

They are currently seething about the situation and won’t stop just because legally she has the right to do as she pleases.

Again. You are an upstanding man. Crotchety and all!

[soldierant]

108. A crochety old man

who has his priorities straight is not the worst kind of person to live with.

He's far better than a glib gladhander who has no good priorities at all.

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

109. What horrible people.

Disowning someone because they are trying to protect themselves. I am glad she has good people to help her.

[vercetti2021]

110. Wow just fucking wow

Next time that happens punch the motherfucker as hard as you can. Honestly if that was my parents I would never ever fucking talk to them again. Sick motherfuckers

[True Blue American]

111. Listen to your Attorney!

Do not do any of the foolish things suggested. The Parents know how you feel

Hold your temper and let the Lawyer handle it! He will lead you right. Just make sure your niece is taken care of. Let the Father do the ranting.

[The Jungle 1]

112. It is great when we can admit we are crotchety old men.

It just happens.
Bless you and good work.

[Rabrrrrrr]

114. What a mess, and what terrible parents. I'm curious - are they also Super Christians(tm)?

Fits with the kind of behavior one often sees among those who claim to be Super Christians.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

115. Wow. Interesting. Surely there's more to this story. More

Than just getting vaccine???

[colorado_ufo]

116. She is blessed to have you!

[SunSeeker]

117. Bless you for rescuing your niece.

Her mother and father should rot in Hell.

[NoMoreRepugs]

118. Way to go Ripcord. Good on you man.

[arkielib]

119. Thanks for looking out for your niece.

[C Moon]

121. They sound like nazis.

[Roc2020]

122. Well done!

Trump has made many into Fools.