OT- Discussing politics with friends…

[meadandale]

@seattle-relo

Sorry if my characterization of you was off. It’s just that I’ve heard this kind of talk from some people that I know and it is exactly as I characterized it.

In your case, your frustration stems not as much from the fact that your friend’s views differ from you politically as much as it does from the fact that your friend is truly clueless about the political process and/or current events in our country/the world.

On this matter, I agree–and it’s not a partisan thing (trust me, I know just as many clueless conservatives as clueless liberals). What’s scary is if you’ve ever heard any of the ‘man on the street’ segments, like the one that they do on AM 600; they call it ‘arrested intelligence’ and it’s exactly that. It’s scary that the people interviewed on these shows actually vote (for either party). This problem is actually pretty severe in the 16-25 year olds of today, whereas 20 years ago when I was in college, kids seemed to be quite a bit more engaged in politics and current events.

[svelte]

That’s funny because I rarely engage in the media that you speak of. I can’t stand Hannity anymore since he is an unabashed apologist for GWB and mega dittos for Rush and his cheerleading for this administration.

But I love it how you use the same sad and tired retort that is used commonly as a defense for criticism of Clinton’s policies, “Well, Bush….”

Circular speak for “yes I am a Republican”.

[svelte]

That’s funny because I rarely engage in the media that you speak of. I can’t stand Hannity anymore since he is an unabashed apologist for GWB and mega dittos for Rush and his cheerleading for this administration.

But I love it how you use the same sad and tired retort that is used commonly as a defense for criticism of Clinton’s policies, “Well, Bush….”

Circular speak for “yes I am a Republican”.

[svelte]

That’s funny because I rarely engage in the media that you speak of. I can’t stand Hannity anymore since he is an unabashed apologist for GWB and mega dittos for Rush and his cheerleading for this administration.

But I love it how you use the same sad and tired retort that is used commonly as a defense for criticism of Clinton’s policies, “Well, Bush….”

Circular speak for “yes I am a Republican”.

[svelte]

That’s funny because I rarely engage in the media that you speak of. I can’t stand Hannity anymore since he is an unabashed apologist for GWB and mega dittos for Rush and his cheerleading for this administration.

But I love it how you use the same sad and tired retort that is used commonly as a defense for criticism of Clinton’s policies, “Well, Bush….”

Circular speak for “yes I am a Republican”.

[svelte]

That’s funny because I rarely engage in the media that you speak of. I can’t stand Hannity anymore since he is an unabashed apologist for GWB and mega dittos for Rush and his cheerleading for this administration.

But I love it how you use the same sad and tired retort that is used commonly as a defense for criticism of Clinton’s policies, “Well, Bush….”

Circular speak for “yes I am a Republican”.

[dumbrenter]

Having some humor helps in these situations. I am surrounded by co-workers and friends who simply loathe the current executive while I have a soft corner and a little admiration for him.
My friends are my friends in spite of their political beliefs. I typically end up as a target because I guess, they cannot vent it before the man himself. I respect their beliefs and never ever try to “convert” them.

It is just politics. Just smile and take it easy. Not worth breaking relationships for or even fretting about.

If you are really angry about something, show it when time comes to vote.

[dumbrenter]

Having some humor helps in these situations. I am surrounded by co-workers and friends who simply loathe the current executive while I have a soft corner and a little admiration for him.
My friends are my friends in spite of their political beliefs. I typically end up as a target because I guess, they cannot vent it before the man himself. I respect their beliefs and never ever try to “convert” them.

It is just politics. Just smile and take it easy. Not worth breaking relationships for or even fretting about.

If you are really angry about something, show it when time comes to vote.

[dumbrenter]

Having some humor helps in these situations. I am surrounded by co-workers and friends who simply loathe the current executive while I have a soft corner and a little admiration for him.
My friends are my friends in spite of their political beliefs. I typically end up as a target because I guess, they cannot vent it before the man himself. I respect their beliefs and never ever try to “convert” them.

It is just politics. Just smile and take it easy. Not worth breaking relationships for or even fretting about.

If you are really angry about something, show it when time comes to vote.

[dumbrenter]

Having some humor helps in these situations. I am surrounded by co-workers and friends who simply loathe the current executive while I have a soft corner and a little admiration for him.
My friends are my friends in spite of their political beliefs. I typically end up as a target because I guess, they cannot vent it before the man himself. I respect their beliefs and never ever try to “convert” them.

It is just politics. Just smile and take it easy. Not worth breaking relationships for or even fretting about.

If you are really angry about something, show it when time comes to vote.

[dumbrenter]

Having some humor helps in these situations. I am surrounded by co-workers and friends who simply loathe the current executive while I have a soft corner and a little admiration for him.
My friends are my friends in spite of their political beliefs. I typically end up as a target because I guess, they cannot vent it before the man himself. I respect their beliefs and never ever try to “convert” them.

It is just politics. Just smile and take it easy. Not worth breaking relationships for or even fretting about.

If you are really angry about something, show it when time comes to vote.

[Lickitysplit]

Good Lord.

If you can’t discuss politics 100% dispassionately then, in my opinion, you shouldn’t discuss them with anyone you’d prefer not to loose as a friend. Even if you can you are playing with fire. As the posts in this discussion (and so many like them) demonstrate, many have a complete lack of respect for views that differ from their own, and often that disrespect extends to disrespecting the other viewholder as a person. Because of this lack of respect, or perhaps by virtue of a feeling of intellectual and/or moral superiority, many insult the differing views or the person holding them or feel required to teach/correct the poor ignoramus on what is Correct Thought.

Quite a shame really that in this supposedly enlightened and free-thinking time we have such contempt for diversity of thought and can’t appreciate our common humanity and the respect that should be inherent therein.

[Lickitysplit]

Good Lord.

If you can’t discuss politics 100% dispassionately then, in my opinion, you shouldn’t discuss them with anyone you’d prefer not to loose as a friend. Even if you can you are playing with fire. As the posts in this discussion (and so many like them) demonstrate, many have a complete lack of respect for views that differ from their own, and often that disrespect extends to disrespecting the other viewholder as a person. Because of this lack of respect, or perhaps by virtue of a feeling of intellectual and/or moral superiority, many insult the differing views or the person holding them or feel required to teach/correct the poor ignoramus on what is Correct Thought.

Quite a shame really that in this supposedly enlightened and free-thinking time we have such contempt for diversity of thought and can’t appreciate our common humanity and the respect that should be inherent therein.

[Lickitysplit]

Good Lord.

If you can’t discuss politics 100% dispassionately then, in my opinion, you shouldn’t discuss them with anyone you’d prefer not to loose as a friend. Even if you can you are playing with fire. As the posts in this discussion (and so many like them) demonstrate, many have a complete lack of respect for views that differ from their own, and often that disrespect extends to disrespecting the other viewholder as a person. Because of this lack of respect, or perhaps by virtue of a feeling of intellectual and/or moral superiority, many insult the differing views or the person holding them or feel required to teach/correct the poor ignoramus on what is Correct Thought.

Quite a shame really that in this supposedly enlightened and free-thinking time we have such contempt for diversity of thought and can’t appreciate our common humanity and the respect that should be inherent therein.

[Lickitysplit]

Good Lord.

If you can’t discuss politics 100% dispassionately then, in my opinion, you shouldn’t discuss them with anyone you’d prefer not to loose as a friend. Even if you can you are playing with fire. As the posts in this discussion (and so many like them) demonstrate, many have a complete lack of respect for views that differ from their own, and often that disrespect extends to disrespecting the other viewholder as a person. Because of this lack of respect, or perhaps by virtue of a feeling of intellectual and/or moral superiority, many insult the differing views or the person holding them or feel required to teach/correct the poor ignoramus on what is Correct Thought.

Quite a shame really that in this supposedly enlightened and free-thinking time we have such contempt for diversity of thought and can’t appreciate our common humanity and the respect that should be inherent therein.

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