I lost 2 more repub "friends" today

[booksenkatz]

We've always agreed not to discuss politics, and I've abided by that, but they've been doing a post-election analysis by email, dissing Kerry etc., and I finally put my foot down. I've gone through this before with a repub who simply doesn't understand the concept of not discussing politics. She'd always agree to leave the topic alone, then forward anti-Clinton stuff. I cut my ties with her about 2 years ago. You can't compromise with these assholes, you can't "reach out" to them or "agree to disagree." It's their way or no way. That's why I am eliminating all of them from my life. The repubs in my life were pretty nice people apart from the politics; I always have felt that they were on the wrong side of the aisle. But anyone who can continue to support this... THIS... well, there is something wrong with you. I cannot be friends, or even cordial, with people who support this regime, who support an immoral war, who want my gay friends dead. The corruption, the joblessness. A destroyed environment. Ruinous debt. The contempt of the entire world. Destruction of the middle class. Etc.

It's sad to lose friends, but frankly, it would be IMMORAL for me to cajole them, joke with them, tell them that we have a mere difference of opinion, that Bush's way is merely a different, but valid, way. Because it isn't.

WAR IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE.

[Neoma]

1. Technically your having your way

by putting your foot down and cutting them off
;-)

[unblock]

2. did you not read her post? her way was to agree to disagree

it's the repubs who insisted on continuing to talk politics.

if someone gives you a "my way or the highway" choice, and you "choose" the highway, that's not a real choice.

you could call it a hobson's choice is suppose, but it's hardly "having your way".

[booksenkatz]

4. Exactly, thanks. nt

[Neoma]

8. Sorry

it was 3am when i wrote that, i agree with unblock though.

[frankly_fedup2]

33. I went through the same thing with the couple who introduced me

to what turned out to be my future husband.

Me and the girlfriend would email about anything but politics. She claimed she only voted Republican to end abortions . . . as if? If it went further, we would agree to disagree and move on.

The guy, who I came to love as well, kept sending me BS emails without facts or anything to back up his position.

I on the other hand would take my time b4 responding, check my facts, be 100% sure, and then I would email him back. He never responded to my response.

Then he sent me some ridiculous BS and I did the above and told him to quit listening to the talking heads or get his facts straight before wasting my time with his BS. He then sent me an email stating that he never read my emails . . . he just deleted them, and that is why he never replied because he knew whatever I had written was nothing but lies because I was a bleeding-heart Liberal who got my facts from the left-wing media.

I couldn't believe he didn't even give me the respect of reading my emails; however, he wanted to continue flaming, lying, etc.

Well, I emailed him back and told him he doesn't have to worry about me bothering him again because I would never email him again. I then blocked his email from coming through to me. That was two years ago.

His wife, my girlfriend, and I really haven't spoken that much anymore either.

With the credit cards requiring larger minimum payments, it made me think of them because they have like 5 or 6 different credit card accounts. I feel like emailing them and saying something like . . . So how's the Republican Majority working out for you guys? You still back them and their illegal war? Are you both going to have to get second jobs to cover those credit cards?

I know the last sentence was kind of mean; however, they are so closed minded to everything.

[NMDemDist2]

3. so I still haven't heard a valid reason for supporting *

did they have one?

[booksenkatz]

6. Well, certainly nothing that makes any coherent sense

The first one is a Catholic who said he can't vote for a pro-choice candidate. He volunteered that information to me a few months ago in one of his emails. Although I am happy to avoid political discussions when both parties agree to disagree, if someone VOLUNTEERS information to me, in spite of the "agree to disagree" arrangement, then I don't hesitate to respond. I pointed out that his pope also didn't care for the war and I asked how he reconciled that. He never did get back to me on that. This was the same pal who used to argue with me for hours about Clinton's immoral behavior! Such intellectual dishonesty is appalling.

The second one wrote today with mindless stuff. He said that as bad as Bush is, at least he is a known quantity, whereas Kerry was just a bunch of question marks. I can't even begin to address that sort of thinking.

At any rate, after numerous agreements that we'd never discuss politics, and since they continue to break the agreement time after time, I'm calling it off with these two. They just have to get their digs in. It's really disrespectful to do that to a friend when you know how your friend feels about politics. They surely must know how miserable I am feeling. Some friends, right? I don't need that in my life. No more repubs for me... we need to stop encouraging them and treating them as if they have a mere difference of opinion with us. As if they are normal. They are not. There has to be something deeply wrong with a person who willingly supports the destruction of this country (even if that person seems kind or intelligent in other respects).

I won't befriend another one, period.

[Boojatta]

31. A little hesitation might be a good thing.

Although I am happy to avoid political discussions when both parties agree to disagree, if someone VOLUNTEERS information to me, in spite of the "agree to disagree" arrangement, then I don't hesitate to respond.

[cyclezealot]

5. Mostly the divide is impentrable.

Did you know some of the evangicals,have a policy of seperating their flock from the great unwashed. All of society is becoming like that. I have found for years, the hard core right , you can not talk to..Like Venus and Mars.Yet, today..I heard Robert Reich on Pacifica. He said it is our role to cojole the right to hear our ideas..
From my personal experiences, I don't see how it is possible. We have different values, different news sources. We are Venus and Mars. Maybe easiest if we could seceed and go our own ways..I have nothing in common with some of them and really would rather not breath the same air with them..I can think of some so narrow minded, hateful, uninformed, racist,religious fanatics.It is impossible. Basically, I like to flount my differences to these repukes.
What is stopping us from civil war. The gun nuts, et al.? I would quickly cut them off. Even the moderates, Who might be communicable,I hear upper crust economics of the priviligized,not interested in the welfare of the rabble.
Yes, would not have to cut them off, because normally, I do not allow relationships with such to grow beyond a quick hello and just a working relationship- if I have to..
ANyone, click on DU opeing thread.."Reach out to Red states and Sneer." Maybe that is the way to respond to their contempt with our contempt. ?
Loosing the hard right repuke friends.I would not loose sleep over it.

[booksenkatz]

7. Such moral individuals would never be cajoled by us immoral folks! LOL

I agree, it's useless. I don't have a problem with going my own way, but it pisses me off that they can't seem to stick to the rules of engagement! (Do repubs ever follow rules?) It can be very exhausting trying to find areas of agreement, knowing that I have so little at heart in common with such people. As a liberal, I've always felt it my duty to maintain peace in personal relationships, but if the other side won't abide by the arrangement, then why should I sit there and get insulted all the time? I'm not one of these Dems who wears a pink tutu, who rolls over and is willing to forgive and forget over and over and over and over and over again. I'm a human being, I have my limits. I'll apply my energies elsewhere.

[Name removed]

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[NMDemDist2]

11. no, that's not how I read it. He is refusing to talk to them because they

won't honor the "no talk" agreement. If you read the post, the first sentence reads

We've always agreed not to discuss politics, and I've abided by that, but they've been doing a post-election analysis by email, dissing Kerry etc.,

[The Constable]

12. Don't get me wrong

her friends were not being cool about stopping the Kerry-bashing, but I think she's taken it too far by saying "I cannot be friends, or even cordial, with (these) people..."

I've always thought that the best way to change someone's opinions is to debate them in some form. And even if your message falls on deaf ears, that doesn't mean it was wrong to try. I think choosing to abandon your friends because of politics is a poor choice...but who am I to tell you what to do.

[NMDemDist2]

13. on the other hand, "friends" who rub it in when they know you are upset

are no friends in my book. I play bridge with a lot of repubs online and they all were gracious and kind in victory. they knew how hard i had worked this year for Kerry (since they never saw me at the bridge table all summer or fall)

when I popped back on last week they all complimented me for my involvemnet and told me they were sorry my guy had lost even tho they voted for and were happy Bushco won

that's a friend!

[booksenkatz]

14. I've been away this afternoon

AZDemDist6 pretty well summed it up for me, LOL! I just get tired of repubs who can't leave it alone. They couldn't "agree to disagree" and abide by "we'll never talk politics again" if their lives depended on it, because they just HAVE to get their digs in, otherwise their god gets angry with them. Or something. They like to say something horribly insulting, then quickly say, "Oh, wait, we don't talk politics, do we?" just to get their digs in.

No, the whole thing has made me review whether it's worth it to have friendships at all with people like this. Anyone who can willingly support the slaughter in Iraq, the corruption, the emptying of the treasury... do I really want "friends" like this in my life? People who in no way, shape, or form share my values? Who laugh at me for being a treehugger? Time spent with neanderthals is less time spent with my more enlightened friends. I'm reviewing the quality of my relationships and figuring out where my time is best spent/applied. I've decided I don't have time for hate-filled warmongers, it's really that simple. There are people out there who are struggling, there are food banks that would love to have my spare time.

[NMDemDist2]

15. LOL the constable is proudly wearing a tombstone sheild now n/t

[booksenkatz]

17. High five, AZDem!

Hey, well, we did our best, didn't we? Proves my point that we waste our time when we try to reason with neanderthals.
:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

18. i didn't alert on him. he musta blown his cover on another thread lol

[jimbo fett]

19. Excuse my ignorance but what is a "tombstone"?

I assume you mean he/she's been banned or something? I don't see a tombstone.

[amber dog democrat]

21. Go to a NAME deleted post - with posts deleted as well.

and click on the personal info icon.
There you will see it.

Its very quiet and peaceful there.

[Montauk6]

26. Les Brown put it well in discussing how "toxic people" can bring you down.

It may sound selfish but you only go around once in life, better make it count (easier said than done, no doubt).

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

16. Amen.....

.......people who constantly choose to revisit issues and snipe at someone that they know has a differing political point of view aren't engaging in "good natured ribbing", they are trying to get themselves over as superior. If someone was doing the same about your religion, you wouldn't think twice about telling them to screw off. Politics is no different at this point, especially since it seems the GOP thinks religion and politics go hand in hand.......

[Lefty48197]

30. You wear your tombstone well freeper. I would say "get a life"

but it's apparently too late. Maybe you'll be reincarnated as a human being?

[Lefty48197]

29. They are mentally ill and the original poster doesn't want to listen

to their psychotic diatribes. Makes sense to me. Why would anybody torture themselves by listening to these psychopaths? I mean, maybe if you were a psychiatrist or something, then sure...

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

10. Just remember.......

....liberals and Democrats are supposed to the ones who "don't want to listen" and are "close-minded". So sayeth Ron Silver (yeah, the two bit actor who's suddenly a political guru). That was about the time last Wednesday morning I decided to go to bed when I'm being lectured on MSNBC by a guy who they call to play a sleazy lawyer/cop on "Law and Order" when they can't get Ron Rifkin or Richard Mazur for the role.

[Brewman_Jax]

20. You say it like it's a bad thing

I've found that most Bush* voters are simple minded, morally bankrupt, and intellectually deficient, or a combination of the above. They have to turn their brains off.

They are actually shocked if you point out that they voted for a lying deserter whose platform is based on hate, fear, and bigotry.

You may have to deal with idiots on the job, but you shouldn't have to put up with them on your own time. You're better off without them.

[Kerrytravelers]

22. We have hardcore Bushies in the family...

... my husband's side- NOT MINE! His parents actually had the gall to send us hate email when my husband said he is not supporting Bush and to please not send us any more political email. We were told we have no values and no morals and we are supporting a traitor.

Great family.

I haven't seen nor spoken to them since then happened in July. My husband has talked to them three times on the phone. Now, we get stuck with these religious fundies at Thanksgiving.

Don't worry, unlike their hero, I have an exit plan. I have a friend that lives near them I can go to when they make their comments. And I will. Just like the original post, I can't take these people any longer. And neither can my husband.

It is so sad to me that this election has divided families. But they chose it- not us. Although, I must admit, I really don't miss them one bit.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

23. Family values indeed!

A bunch of idiots who'd rather ruin a family than let it be over politics. Is it any wonder why the call of "moral values" from these Repugs rings so hollow?

[MikeH]

24. I Recently Ended A 30 Year Friendship

I recently ended a 30 year friendship with a long time good friend who is a fundamentalist Christian, and who supported * in both 2000 and 2004.

I met him at the job where I was working about 30 years ago; he and I had hit it off and become good friends. He was a fundamentalist Christian, but was not one of the obnoxious or "in-your-face" types. He and I could talk about a number of things, and he accepted my becoming dissatisfied with both fundamentalist/evangelical Christianity, and later with Christianity in general.

He indicated in 2000 that he was for * (anybody but Gore), and that he strongly opposed abortion. I was disappointed but tried to accept where he was then. However as it turned out I got together with him much less frequently since * was installed than I had before.

I got together with him one last time in October 2004; I wanted to find out right before the election if he still was for *. Much to my disappointment it turned out that he was. He did not seem to have any second thoughts about voting for * a second time.

About the Iraq war, he felt it was right and necessary to remove Saddam Hussein since he was a brutal dictator. (He felt the same as about we would have needed to remove Hitler before World War II.) However one thing he said that really bothered me was that it was OK that we did not find the weapons of mass destruction because intelligence is not an exact science. He also didn't seem to be bothered about torture; I don't recall exactly why.

Right after the second inauguration of *, I sent my friend an e-mail letting him know that I had to reconsider my friendship with him given his support of * (and without any serious misgivings, as far as I could tell). Even though my friend himself is not "in-your-face", intolerant, or bigoted, I let him know that I was very bothered that he supported the candidate who was supported by people in the religious right who are these things. I was bothered that he was not troubled about the war, and that he was apparently not bothered, as a Christian, about *'s economic policies benefiting the rich.

I felt that if he and I were to get together in the future, I would not want to talk to him about either politics or religion. I particularly did not want to hear about his or his family's church or Christian activities, and I said that to him knowing that his wife has a singing ministry which is very important to her, and which is her career.

My friend felt that he would prefer to end our friendship if his friendship was going to be subject to re-evaluation, and if we couldn't talk about certain things. So we both mutually agreed to. We did so on amicable terms, appreciating our past friendship, but also realizing that we could not continue to maintain our friendship.

It is something I feel satisfied with.

I don't have this option with family, so I have to try to get along with them the best I can.

[Montauk6]

25. I simply put the "can't kid around" blame on myself, being an ex-Con

It IS impossible to joke around politics and maintain your cool.

Maybe it's the self-disgust I feel for having been duped all those years.

What's worse for me is knowing folks who never accepted that I no longer share their views; it's always, "ah, you've been hanging out with those New York commies again."

By the way, I don't know how Carville and Matalin do it.

I identify with Larry David in that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm when, in trying to "redeem" his wife's OK to have a one-night stand as a birthday gift, he's about to get busy with this attractive blonde only to find out that she's a Republican.

[Jason Lapointe]

27. I lost a few friends

I also gained a ton .

The truth will prevail

[Lefty48197]

28. I agree. Fukc em.

Life is too short to waste your time listening to those mentally ill Conservatives. You're not going to cure their illnesses by speaking the facts.

[Boojatta]

32. Why burn bridges?

it would be IMMORAL for me to (...) tell them that we have a mere difference of opinion, that Bush's way is merely a different, but valid, way.

Why do you put that forward as the alternative to maintaining your friendship with them?

The repubs in my life were pretty nice people apart from the politics; I always have felt that they were on the wrong side of the aisle. But anyone who can continue to support this... THIS... well, there is something wrong with you. I cannot be friends, or even cordial, with people who support this regime, (...)

President Roosevelt was cordial with Stalin. Why can't you be cordial?

You usually avoid talking politics with those friends, but at least, when you do talk politics with them, you won't be preaching to the choir. Furthermore, if they consider you to be a friend, then you have an advantage that you won't have when you are trying to persuade mere acquaintances.

[Name removed]

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