Help with my response to a GOP "friend" - please

[Justice]

Recently, a childhood friend said these things to me. She is a Republican, she is generally respectful but very much in the GOP camp. Any suggestions on how to respond, or do I not even bother?


"I’ve decided if I walk into a business and they have a news channel I don’t watch on, I’m going to….keep entering and conduct my business with them. Why? Because I believe in freedom of speech and I’m an adult…I have the ability to respect people who hold a different opinion of me."

"I miss the good old days when you actually could have an opinion and not offend somebody."

[FSogol]

1. You can probably make new friends by being more sociable at things you already do.

For example, if you go to the dog park, chat with some of the other dog owners. I'm always meeting people at the farmer's market and local brewery.

Hope that helps!

[VarryOn]

2. I have friends with whom I don't agree on politics...

We agree to disagree and basically don’t discuss politics, except to yank each other’s chains on an occasional issue. We have myriad interests apart from politics.

Her quotes seem entirely reasonable. I’ve said and thought very similar words.

I’m not sure what you need to respond to.

[Justice]

10. Hmm.

I've no issue with the free speech aspect. But I might not spend money at a place where owner spews Fox News TV.

Why do we even need a TV everywhere?

[mitch96]

19. "basically don't discuss politics" I'm in exactally the same boat with a long time friends

I've known him since we were five and we now are both in our 70's. Like your friend he is conservative and votes Repuke.. And like you we just don't talk politics. We have lots of other things to talk about that aren't divisive.
In general I don't talk about politics, sports or religion. They tend to divide people not bring them together unless you are on their "team"
ymmv
m

[LuvLoogie]

3. It's just that the targets of bigoted opinions and lies

Aren't taking that shit anymore. Having an opinion doesn't negate being met with a reaction.

[Justice]

5. That's my thinking, thanks.

[gratuitous]

4. A short answer

"That's wonderful. I've found it difficult to hold a conversation with someone who refuses to recognize my right to exist."

[Justice]

6. Agree.

[TheRealNorth]

7. Most of my conservative relatives are passive-aggressive...

They say something that is meant to be offensive to elicit a response. And then act like they are the victim when you call them out.

With my family, It's gotten so predictable that I know when they are going to get offensive.

It's all a game to "own the Libs".

They are not interested in discussing things like border security of public assistance without inserting race into it.

[uponit7771]

18. +1, the GZP have become world class trolls in rhetoric and run and hide because of no conviction

[mitch96]

21. "And then act like they are the victim when you call them out. " classic gaslighting by a bully.

When people pull that shit I just ask them to explain what they mean.. Thats when the pick and shovel comes out so they can dig a big hole with them selfs.
Toss it back into THEIR laps for the answer.. Works for me ymmv
m

[viva la]

8. "I believe in freedom of speech too--

"That's why I have to point out that Fox News tells lies. And also, my freedom of speech means that I can choose not to be in a business with that on the TV. And, by the way, my freedom means I have every right to be offended if someone says something offensive, and I have the right to say that is offensive."

Probably that will only inflame things, but really, isn't she saying, "What I want is the freedom to say offensive things without you having the freedom to object to my offensiveness."
She's kind of setting a trap-- "I'm so tolerant! I don't mind that people have opposing opinions. BUT... if I say something you oppose, and you actually tell me that, well, you're being mean!"

What you should probably say is, "Let's not talk about politics then."

[lagomorph777]

9. She is certainly welcome to do business where MSNBC is on the TeeVee.

You are not obligated to spend your money where they advertise their dishonesty by playing Fux on the TeeVee. That would be foolish. I have walked out of businesses for that reason. They can't be trusted.

[hibbing]

11. "news channel" I think that's part of the problem

Not a lot of "news" on any of them imho.

Peace

[JHB]

12. How many times has she walked into a business and that was the case?

How many times has she encountered that All. The. Time. Where everyplace that had something on, no matter the nature of their business, had a news channel she doesn't watch and -- more to the point -- that she thinks severely distorts what they report.

What about waiting rooms where it's just set to whatever the last person changed it to, and no one is watching it now? Which is more the more mature reaction: getting on a high horse about being an adult, or asking if anyone minds if you change the channel to something you prefer?

[JT45242]

13. There is a difference between news and propaganda

In the word before Rupert Murdoch, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS and even CNN had news that was fact checked and followed the journalistic guidelines and practices that are taught in responisble journalism programs all over the country and the world.

Now... Fox News is not that. They have gone so far to claim that they are an entertainment company rather than a news outlet to try to hide from the rules that pertian to journalistic ethics such as slander. The network itself has said that "No reasonable person would consider what Tucker Carlson says is news."

They are a propaganda outlet to enrich Murdoch and his close allies (people in Putin's circle).

You are correct, if CBS news is on and I prefer the ABC anchor, I will not walk out and boycott the company. But if a self admitted "entertainment channel" that can be directly linked to increased risk of hospitalization and deaths from covid is on, then I will boycott. They banned smoking in businesses because of the risk of second hand smoke. I wonder how the number of deaths linked to Fox propaganda around covid compares to the deaths caused by second hand smoke exposure outside the home in businesses.

If it was not evident before the war in Ukraine, it is certainly obvious now that much of "Fox News" is propaganda directly from the Kremlin masquerading as entertainment which is masquerading as news.

[maxsolomon]

14. There is a difference between Fox and "Liberal" news channels.

Fox is RW propaganda. Don't step in her trap.

https://www.tvbgone.com/

[Chainfire]

15. I solved all of these kinds of issues passively

I have severed all ties with the people who have embraced the dark side. That includes siblings. I have a sister who hasn't got the message yet. She keeps mailing me letters that center around her Christian faith and the worship of Republican values. For the last year, these have gone straight to the trash without opening. While we were very close decades ago I don't anticipate ever being in her presence again. My brother tries to remind me that blood is thicker than water, I find that blood is not thick enough to support bullshit.

[CrispyQ]

17. LOL

My brother tries to remind me that blood is thicker than water, I find that blood is not thick enough to support bullshit.

[CrispyQ]

16. Disagreeing on politics is one thing. Disagreeing on facts is another.

Fox has been deliberately wrong over & over again. Their lies about Covid, in particular, have done incalculable harm & damage.

That said, if you want to keep her as a friend you should ignore it.

Personally, I'd like to see all businesses avoid all news stations & switch to a nature or cooking or DIY stations. And really, why do we even need TV at a tire shop? The wait usually isn't that long. They have magazines. We all have cell phones. Why risk offending people? Let them get their news on their own.

[sanatanadharma]

20. Re-work of a few words for a reply

"I’ve decided if I walk into a business and they have on a news channel that actually expresses anti-American lies, the reason I don’t watch or listen, I’m not going to keep entering and conducting business with them. Why? Because I don't believe in freedom to lie and as an adult I have the responsibility to respect people who hold a different opinion of me, but not to facilitate those who are deliberately lying."