Posted on 11/24/2004 2:42:43 PM PST by mlmr
I lost an old friend today. No, she didn't die. She screamed at me for my many-year metmorphisis from rad-liberal to conservative. She doesn't understand why I have changed, and is unable to listen because she is filled with bile, anger and hate. She wishes Bush evil and hates US policy. She has turned into a Michal Moore robot.
We have not been close friends for many years but I did enjoy keeping in touch. Because of our thirty year history I have treated the friendship gingerly but with great fondness.
Politics is hell.
It's been my experience that today I'm happier and my new friends are smarter.
I have lost friends over my religious beliefs and lost friends over my changed politics, I have also lost friends becasue I would not invite their same sex partner to spend the night with them in my guestroom. Most of these losses have been a gentle parting of the ways.
This was an argument.
It is very hard indeed to befriend the mentally ill. No all are called to do so or have the grace to do so...
If Bush had lost, I would have heard about it. Big Time. But I will not go down the Gloat Road. Not with my folks. They know better, deep down, I believe in their heart of hearts they know better. I cannot explain their behaviour, except to say they are Baby Boomers who were cared for all their lives by well-meaning but misguided WWII generation parents and parents-in-laws. Coming of age in the 1960s, they never really "got it", and after all these years they still refuse--willingly, I believe and am sad to say--to vote the way they know they should.
No all - NOT ALL
That sounds familiar.
A former FReeper and friend of mine just got mobilized today.
He's wanted this, desperately, for years. Now he gets his wish, and his chance.
I shudder to think of what he'd say to this former friend of yours.
Condolences, seriously. That is an individual traumatized by politics, and such as she do not cling to politics for discourse, but for validation. When you do not agree with her you threaten what she is, or rather what she imagines that she is. Do not expect a rational response.
What good does it do one to keep such friends? They are to be "avoided and turned from". [Quotation from N. Taffy; alternative translation would be: "avoided and abominated"]
My ultra liberal sister hasn't emailed or spoken to me since the election. I have no idea if or when she will. She has been SO SURE she was right over the years and has enjoyed slinging little barbs and insults my way. I have no interest in arguing with her, we are both too set in our ways. But I am GREATLY enjoying being on the winning side for once. The grin on my face hasn't disappeared since Nov. 3rd.
I have been stunned by the reaction to the election by my lefty friends and acquaintances. The day after the election, I was getting all these emails about how the people who voted for Bush are "idiots", etc. So I hit "Reply All" and wrote: "Hey, give us folks who voted for Bush credit for remaining riends with people who call us 'idiots'. I remeber how miserable I was when Clinton beat Bush (Sr) in '92, and I'm sorry you all feel that way today." I sent a kind, sincere email in response to the obnoxious ones I got. Well, you can't believe the hateful emails I got in return to my nice one. Friends-of-friends complained that I had hit "reply all"; strangers sent emails cursing me; I got an email that was a rant against God, even though I hadn't even mentioned God or religion in my email. There absolutely is a cultural divide in this country and the other side is obsessively hateful towards us. I only can hope that means the other side thinks they're going to keep on losing.
I am very sorry that you lost your friend.
You know, I think both sides play some part in the way our nation is divided - but I believe the left is significantly more to blame than the right.
Why? They call our President and anyone who supports them all sorts of terrible names and hate us with such vitriol as I have never seen in my 31 years. Additionally they believe the propaganda spewed by the far left leadership. Just consider this post from DU courtesy of PJ-Comix's DUmmie FUnnies:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1287096/posts
Now I detest Michael Moore for his arrogant and completely distorted view of America and our President but I don't wish him any harm like apparently some on the left wish upon us.
Again, I am sorry for your loss.
I live in Massachusetts and Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday of the year.
At least my children have a brain.
Congratulations! It's always better to free your life from idiots.
=^P
It seems as if it is usually the leftist in these politically-mixed friendships who are the ones who can not resist injecting the political differences. I think Conservatives are generally just more polite (although not always, to be fair) and more inclined to take people as a whole package rather than just dwell on the political dimension. I had several friends of many years standing who I no longer communicate with because of their reaction to 9-11. No dramatic arguments, just a fading away of the relationship. Sad, but we can live with this when we know we are right.
Is there any way you all can avoid talking about politics?
She died just as Anakin Skywalker died when he became Darth Vader.
Except Liberals don't have that kind of power.
I have a few Liberal family members -- I gave up on them. I actually had one quote the Calley trial to "prove" Heinz-Kerry was telling the truth when he testified before congress. What can you do with that kind of mentality?
So how about the weather? ..... ;)
I can identify with your problems relating to your parents, but my experience is different....I'm the raised in the 60's child who eventually "saw the light" and embraced conservatism. But, in deference to my Union Leader father, I have never had the heart to change my registration from Democrat to Republican, even though I NEVER vote Democrat....old habits die hard! Don't want to think about my beloved father turning over in his grave!!
She will be back when she is old.
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