OT- Discussing politics with friends…

[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.

[Anonymous]

Most people have limited knowledge of current events and politics, and/or limited ability to interpret this information. Sadly, the most vocal are often the least informed, and are driven by emotion. I think this explains the general intolerance for opposing viewpoints, as demonstrated in the original post.

I never discuss politics with the ignorant. As the saying goes, when you wrestle with pigs, you get dirty. And pigs like mud.

This applies to any/all sides of the political spectrum, from Bill Maher, to Rush Limbaugh

[Anonymous]

Most people have limited knowledge of current events and politics, and/or limited ability to interpret this information. Sadly, the most vocal are often the least informed, and are driven by emotion. I think this explains the general intolerance for opposing viewpoints, as demonstrated in the original post.

I never discuss politics with the ignorant. As the saying goes, when you wrestle with pigs, you get dirty. And pigs like mud.

This applies to any/all sides of the political spectrum, from Bill Maher, to Rush Limbaugh

[Anonymous]

Most people have limited knowledge of current events and politics, and/or limited ability to interpret this information. Sadly, the most vocal are often the least informed, and are driven by emotion. I think this explains the general intolerance for opposing viewpoints, as demonstrated in the original post.

I never discuss politics with the ignorant. As the saying goes, when you wrestle with pigs, you get dirty. And pigs like mud.

This applies to any/all sides of the political spectrum, from Bill Maher, to Rush Limbaugh

[Anonymous]

Most people have limited knowledge of current events and politics, and/or limited ability to interpret this information. Sadly, the most vocal are often the least informed, and are driven by emotion. I think this explains the general intolerance for opposing viewpoints, as demonstrated in the original post.

I never discuss politics with the ignorant. As the saying goes, when you wrestle with pigs, you get dirty. And pigs like mud.

This applies to any/all sides of the political spectrum, from Bill Maher, to Rush Limbaugh

[Anonymous]

Most people have limited knowledge of current events and politics, and/or limited ability to interpret this information. Sadly, the most vocal are often the least informed, and are driven by emotion. I think this explains the general intolerance for opposing viewpoints, as demonstrated in the original post.

I never discuss politics with the ignorant. As the saying goes, when you wrestle with pigs, you get dirty. And pigs like mud.

This applies to any/all sides of the political spectrum, from Bill Maher, to Rush Limbaugh

[5yes]

This post really resonates with me because, while American by birth, I grew up in the Middle East. I have learned to not talk about my experiences with most people due to the extreme ideas that many hold about how Arabs live and what they believe. It is amazing to me that someone who has never even had a meaningful conversation with an Arab can have fully formed ideas of who they are and how they live /think. I apply this theory of silence to other topics like politics and religion. I just get too frustrated with people who have passionate ideas that are based little or no fact. I been proven wrong many times in my life and had to admit that and change my worldview. This site has opened my eyes to new ways of thought and I welcome and seek out new knowledge instead of denying it and being afraid of it. I think that some people will hold onto ideas that are obviously false because of a narrow worldview. Those people are good for playdates for the kids or maybe to go see a movie with but not to waste time arguing with.

[5yes]

This post really resonates with me because, while American by birth, I grew up in the Middle East. I have learned to not talk about my experiences with most people due to the extreme ideas that many hold about how Arabs live and what they believe. It is amazing to me that someone who has never even had a meaningful conversation with an Arab can have fully formed ideas of who they are and how they live /think. I apply this theory of silence to other topics like politics and religion. I just get too frustrated with people who have passionate ideas that are based little or no fact. I been proven wrong many times in my life and had to admit that and change my worldview. This site has opened my eyes to new ways of thought and I welcome and seek out new knowledge instead of denying it and being afraid of it. I think that some people will hold onto ideas that are obviously false because of a narrow worldview. Those people are good for playdates for the kids or maybe to go see a movie with but not to waste time arguing with.

[5yes]

This post really resonates with me because, while American by birth, I grew up in the Middle East. I have learned to not talk about my experiences with most people due to the extreme ideas that many hold about how Arabs live and what they believe. It is amazing to me that someone who has never even had a meaningful conversation with an Arab can have fully formed ideas of who they are and how they live /think. I apply this theory of silence to other topics like politics and religion. I just get too frustrated with people who have passionate ideas that are based little or no fact. I been proven wrong many times in my life and had to admit that and change my worldview. This site has opened my eyes to new ways of thought and I welcome and seek out new knowledge instead of denying it and being afraid of it. I think that some people will hold onto ideas that are obviously false because of a narrow worldview. Those people are good for playdates for the kids or maybe to go see a movie with but not to waste time arguing with.

[5yes]

This post really resonates with me because, while American by birth, I grew up in the Middle East. I have learned to not talk about my experiences with most people due to the extreme ideas that many hold about how Arabs live and what they believe. It is amazing to me that someone who has never even had a meaningful conversation with an Arab can have fully formed ideas of who they are and how they live /think. I apply this theory of silence to other topics like politics and religion. I just get too frustrated with people who have passionate ideas that are based little or no fact. I been proven wrong many times in my life and had to admit that and change my worldview. This site has opened my eyes to new ways of thought and I welcome and seek out new knowledge instead of denying it and being afraid of it. I think that some people will hold onto ideas that are obviously false because of a narrow worldview. Those people are good for playdates for the kids or maybe to go see a movie with but not to waste time arguing with.

[5yes]

This post really resonates with me because, while American by birth, I grew up in the Middle East. I have learned to not talk about my experiences with most people due to the extreme ideas that many hold about how Arabs live and what they believe. It is amazing to me that someone who has never even had a meaningful conversation with an Arab can have fully formed ideas of who they are and how they live /think. I apply this theory of silence to other topics like politics and religion. I just get too frustrated with people who have passionate ideas that are based little or no fact. I been proven wrong many times in my life and had to admit that and change my worldview. This site has opened my eyes to new ways of thought and I welcome and seek out new knowledge instead of denying it and being afraid of it. I think that some people will hold onto ideas that are obviously false because of a narrow worldview. Those people are good for playdates for the kids or maybe to go see a movie with but not to waste time arguing with.

[DWCAP]

When talking Politics or money people tend to start attacking those who are trying to argue against what they believe. What I mean by that is that people have very emotional connections to their beliefs and when holes are punched in them, they lash out at the attacker. This holds true on the right or the left, and center.

My family is rather Apolitical. I correctly called the disaster that GW would be to our county back in 2000 at a family dinner party. (I said he would start a war, run up a deficit we had never seen, divide the country like it was 1968 all over again and lead us to economic ruin. I had no idea how right I was. I did not see 9/11, I though it would be North Korea.) I am a republican, and people were shocked. I was very young then, and alot of my family used the “your too young to know” argument against me. There is no defence against that argument cept to wait it out and see if you are right or not. (I called them out on it too) Now I get phone calls from siblings and parents and cousins when voting to explain the ramifications of each ballot measure and each politicians stances on the issues. They want me to tell them the right choice, but I wont do that. They are all adults and need to make that choice for themselves. What I will do is help them seperate the person and the issue, something that politicans today make very hard.

Money is harder than politics in my opnion. The problem is most politics is Money. Go for the issues, talk in level headed tones and never challenge someone with “you cant know” or “dont be stupid”. I have found that most people use those to make a point and then are shocked at the negative responses they get back.

Also, people are selfish. Try looking at whatever you are talking about from their point of view. Find what matters to them, (Ie, eduction, taxes, health care) and show them WHY they are missing something. “Teachers teach to tests because you are so worried about getting _____ into only the best colleges. Let him learn and see what college is best for him and theyll start truley teaching again.”

If she is full of dubious facts call them out on it, use the internet. I did that with my roommate so many times in discussions one time he said in disgust “What, do you like making me feel WRONG all the time?” I just responded that “No, I dont want good friends who I care about, to have bad information.” I wanted him to know it wasnt him I was poking holes in. He has changed some views, and holds onto others. I have to admit I have changed some too. That is why you discuss these things, to LEARN, not to prove yourself right or them wrong.

[DWCAP]

When talking Politics or money people tend to start attacking those who are trying to argue against what they believe. What I mean by that is that people have very emotional connections to their beliefs and when holes are punched in them, they lash out at the attacker. This holds true on the right or the left, and center.

My family is rather Apolitical. I correctly called the disaster that GW would be to our county back in 2000 at a family dinner party. (I said he would start a war, run up a deficit we had never seen, divide the country like it was 1968 all over again and lead us to economic ruin. I had no idea how right I was. I did not see 9/11, I though it would be North Korea.) I am a republican, and people were shocked. I was very young then, and alot of my family used the “your too young to know” argument against me. There is no defence against that argument cept to wait it out and see if you are right or not. (I called them out on it too) Now I get phone calls from siblings and parents and cousins when voting to explain the ramifications of each ballot measure and each politicians stances on the issues. They want me to tell them the right choice, but I wont do that. They are all adults and need to make that choice for themselves. What I will do is help them seperate the person and the issue, something that politicans today make very hard.

Money is harder than politics in my opnion. The problem is most politics is Money. Go for the issues, talk in level headed tones and never challenge someone with “you cant know” or “dont be stupid”. I have found that most people use those to make a point and then are shocked at the negative responses they get back.

Also, people are selfish. Try looking at whatever you are talking about from their point of view. Find what matters to them, (Ie, eduction, taxes, health care) and show them WHY they are missing something. “Teachers teach to tests because you are so worried about getting _____ into only the best colleges. Let him learn and see what college is best for him and theyll start truley teaching again.”

If she is full of dubious facts call them out on it, use the internet. I did that with my roommate so many times in discussions one time he said in disgust “What, do you like making me feel WRONG all the time?” I just responded that “No, I dont want good friends who I care about, to have bad information.” I wanted him to know it wasnt him I was poking holes in. He has changed some views, and holds onto others. I have to admit I have changed some too. That is why you discuss these things, to LEARN, not to prove yourself right or them wrong.

[DWCAP]

When talking Politics or money people tend to start attacking those who are trying to argue against what they believe. What I mean by that is that people have very emotional connections to their beliefs and when holes are punched in them, they lash out at the attacker. This holds true on the right or the left, and center.

My family is rather Apolitical. I correctly called the disaster that GW would be to our county back in 2000 at a family dinner party. (I said he would start a war, run up a deficit we had never seen, divide the country like it was 1968 all over again and lead us to economic ruin. I had no idea how right I was. I did not see 9/11, I though it would be North Korea.) I am a republican, and people were shocked. I was very young then, and alot of my family used the “your too young to know” argument against me. There is no defence against that argument cept to wait it out and see if you are right or not. (I called them out on it too) Now I get phone calls from siblings and parents and cousins when voting to explain the ramifications of each ballot measure and each politicians stances on the issues. They want me to tell them the right choice, but I wont do that. They are all adults and need to make that choice for themselves. What I will do is help them seperate the person and the issue, something that politicans today make very hard.

Money is harder than politics in my opnion. The problem is most politics is Money. Go for the issues, talk in level headed tones and never challenge someone with “you cant know” or “dont be stupid”. I have found that most people use those to make a point and then are shocked at the negative responses they get back.

Also, people are selfish. Try looking at whatever you are talking about from their point of view. Find what matters to them, (Ie, eduction, taxes, health care) and show them WHY they are missing something. “Teachers teach to tests because you are so worried about getting _____ into only the best colleges. Let him learn and see what college is best for him and theyll start truley teaching again.”

If she is full of dubious facts call them out on it, use the internet. I did that with my roommate so many times in discussions one time he said in disgust “What, do you like making me feel WRONG all the time?” I just responded that “No, I dont want good friends who I care about, to have bad information.” I wanted him to know it wasnt him I was poking holes in. He has changed some views, and holds onto others. I have to admit I have changed some too. That is why you discuss these things, to LEARN, not to prove yourself right or them wrong.

[DWCAP]

When talking Politics or money people tend to start attacking those who are trying to argue against what they believe. What I mean by that is that people have very emotional connections to their beliefs and when holes are punched in them, they lash out at the attacker. This holds true on the right or the left, and center.

My family is rather Apolitical. I correctly called the disaster that GW would be to our county back in 2000 at a family dinner party. (I said he would start a war, run up a deficit we had never seen, divide the country like it was 1968 all over again and lead us to economic ruin. I had no idea how right I was. I did not see 9/11, I though it would be North Korea.) I am a republican, and people were shocked. I was very young then, and alot of my family used the “your too young to know” argument against me. There is no defence against that argument cept to wait it out and see if you are right or not. (I called them out on it too) Now I get phone calls from siblings and parents and cousins when voting to explain the ramifications of each ballot measure and each politicians stances on the issues. They want me to tell them the right choice, but I wont do that. They are all adults and need to make that choice for themselves. What I will do is help them seperate the person and the issue, something that politicans today make very hard.

Money is harder than politics in my opnion. The problem is most politics is Money. Go for the issues, talk in level headed tones and never challenge someone with “you cant know” or “dont be stupid”. I have found that most people use those to make a point and then are shocked at the negative responses they get back.

Also, people are selfish. Try looking at whatever you are talking about from their point of view. Find what matters to them, (Ie, eduction, taxes, health care) and show them WHY they are missing something. “Teachers teach to tests because you are so worried about getting _____ into only the best colleges. Let him learn and see what college is best for him and theyll start truley teaching again.”

If she is full of dubious facts call them out on it, use the internet. I did that with my roommate so many times in discussions one time he said in disgust “What, do you like making me feel WRONG all the time?” I just responded that “No, I dont want good friends who I care about, to have bad information.” I wanted him to know it wasnt him I was poking holes in. He has changed some views, and holds onto others. I have to admit I have changed some too. That is why you discuss these things, to LEARN, not to prove yourself right or them wrong.

[Author]

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