I've been thinking...

[tinfoil tiaras]

am i being hypocritical and all, because I hate Coulter and her bunch? Then again, if i knew her, i wouldn't be friends w/ her. Our personalities don't click, or so it seems.

I think there's a time and a place for politics. If you know you're going to be around a person that you know is conservative or whatnot, try your best not to bring up politics because, imho, friendships come before political beliefs. Lately, I'm getting tired of the whole political scene. If you're cool and you're liberal, awesome. If you're cool and conservative, awesome too. I try my best to judge people on their character rather than their political beliefs.

I also dispel the stereotype of all liberals being loud and obnoxious when it comes to political debates. I know alot of people like that (liberal and conservative) and i really hate that.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is don't just stir up shit to be stirring up shit (like SO many people I know do). Stir up shit if there's a reason to.

Y'all can agree or disagree, i don't care. I respect most people's opinions.

[patrice]

1. I've been thinking about these things too.

Not because of Ann Coulter, but because of my brother, the Republican Fascist, who is brainwashing his grandchildren to think War is good because it prooves your commitment to what you believe in.

I'm not fighting him, haven't for years. I pretty much dislike Politics anyway. I'm an issues person. I'm more interested in philosophy and theology and values than I am in who's ahead in the polls.

Those things make me sad for my brother's grandchildren, but I don't know what to do. No answers yet.

[tinfoil tiaras]

2. I understand

I have an uncle who's conservative, yet i love him all the same.

I just hate it when people try to purposely stir up stuff, like in class the other day, we were drawing something and my friend was like "Let's make it homosexual" (and, you know in Red State America, that's bound to get everyone talking). There was NO reason to bring homosexuality into a class project (that wasn't even about homosexuality or anything related to it). She just did that to get a reaction out of our other partner and she succeeded so much that the teacher had to come over there and be like "Y'all aren't talking about you're project" basically.

:eyes: That annoys me so much....

[patrice]

8. Some people enjoy hostility and/or seeing others in trouble or upset.

I taught high school for ten years (I'm a technical writer now).

I observed quite a bit of the sort of thing you are talking about. Also lots' of gossip and scapegoating.

I'm a Liberal, but I wouldn't mind an *honest* Conservative. I understand and agree with some Conservative values. Liberals are like that you know, inclusive, of everyone, even those we disagree with. I just don't understand constant contradiction and hypocrisy. How can we do anything (such as solve problems) together when what someone says and what they do doesn't make sense?

My brother is nice and hugs a lot and that's okay with me and I'm nice back. There's just this whole other part of me that will never be involved in the relationship even though our Family uses the word "Love" often.

[OwnedByFerrets]

3. I avoid them as much as I possibly can

and when I cant I try NOT to start a fight. If they bring up politics, I will state my opinion and back it up with facts if I can.

[tinfoil tiaras]

4. Ex-actly.

Read my post titled "I understand" to see an example of "stirring up shit when there is no shit to be stirred up".

[guinivere]

5. I know what you mean.

I have a couple of friends that have voted repug. There are so many other things in life to discuss. We have shared so many ups and downs. I would never even consider parting ways with them because of politics. Last Saturday night when it did come up, one of them said that they were voting Dem. The other said, 'You're poking around on that Dem board. You said they were smart over there. Ask how the hell we can get rid of bush before he kills us all.'
I haven't ever made a big point of trying to change their minds. The way things are going changed their minds.

[Atman]

6. Nice post.

I spend my weekends in "mixed" company. I have several friends who are republican, though most of them have since declared they've never actually heard of this George W. Bush character, and have always been libertarians. Or indies. I think that's synonymous with "liars," but who am I to judge. The point is, as you said, friends are friends, and the world continues to spin. It is unrealistic, and probably quite unhealthy, to think that everyone one meets, everyone one deals with on a daily basis, must share our political views. IMHO, that type of homogenization is just as dangerous as having W in the Oval. So, the best approach I've found is to fire up a bone. If the guest in question gets upset and storms off, fuck 'em. But if they hang around and take a puff with you (as many of my law-n-order "republican" friends do) then what the hell is the issue? You're already on pretty much the same page, socially. And admit it, you won't change anyone still wallowing in the 30%. Might as well get 'em fucked up and hope they'll have an epiphany.

[tinfoil tiaras]

7. Yeah, i don't try to change anyone's opinions

b/c I'm not very assertive and plus, it's their opinion. They're entitled to have it, just like we're entitled to have ours.