I wonder if some of you feel this way

[cilla4progress]

about your longtime friends of the opposite political persuasion.

We share so many things we enjoy - rural living, riding horses out in the hills together - why would we focus on something that divides us so viciously?

[Ocelot II]

1. I don't have any friends of the opposite political persuasion.

I don't know how I'd handle the relationship if I did.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. I don't either, anymore. Life is way too short.

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Because it infects our every moment?

The line of demarcation is pretty clear. You a Trump supporter? We have nothing to talk about.


I love MSNBC, but, at some point - daily - I have to change the channel. Not because they are wrong, but because the immediate reality is so damn depressing.

[cilla4progress]

4. I've actually never had that convo

with them - whether they are loser's supporters.

One has a let's go brandon bumper sticker.

It's not easy being blue in a red rural area.

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. I live in rural Maine.

Lots of folks here think Trump won. Why? Because everyone they talk to says the say thing. Why? Because Fox News. Do you think they can discuss US domestic policy? Or Foreign Policy? Only the most ignorant that are sure of their convictions.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. Here's what I don't understand. How could a person be close to ok

with other things in life and be so ignorant to be for fg? It would be very difficult to me -- to find someone who was normal and empathetic in every other way???? Like too much of a dichotomy?

In Texas, we have lots of acquaintances/"friends" that are red. And we don't talk politics. But I find them incredibly boring since it goes hand in hand...GOPer AND no interest in anything happening to the world in mass.

[KarenS]

3. It's not just 'politics'. It's about character and shared values. n/t

[FoxNewsSucks]

5. That's how I see it.

Supporting republicons today, particularly the MAGAt variety, tells me all I need to know about someone.

[cilla4progress]

6. Definitely.

But we manage to avoid it. We share other values - love of the outdoors; adventure; being good loyal friends.

[OAITW r.2.0]

11. Urban societies share diverse values. Rural societies promote insulated values. nt

[orleans]

21. "love of the outdoors"

then why do they keep supporting/voting for assholes who don't give a rats ass if they destroy it

if they *really* loved the outdoors they'd take better care as to who they try to put into office -- they'd be protecting the environment instead of snickering over "global warming" and "climate change"

maybe their outdoors is good enuf for them for now and they just don't give a crap what anyone else's outdoors has become or is becoming, or what they'll end up leaving to their kids/grandkids. (ie: selfish)

or they're stupid as hell (because it's only about their side winning--no matter what)

they're lacking a social conscience

sorry--just rambling. good luck with your friends.

[cilla4progress]

24. You hit all the explanations

I can come up with: selfish or stupid or both.

We assiduously avoid discussing anything political. These are 20+ year friends - they way pre-date the current mess.

I harbor a small hope that I can be an example.

Basically, we ride horses together. Many in that world I find to be righties.

[wnylib]

29. If they manage to pull off the civil war

that they keep pushing for, how strong will those loyal bonds be?

It's hard for me to be friends with people who support a political faction that would some day like to kill me.

[Freddie]

8. Yup

It’s about morals and values. I can work with them, sit next to them in concert band. I won’t have one in my house or call them an actual friend. Thankfully almost all my relatives are on our side.

[MOMFUDSKI]

12. Well said

and that is exactly my position. I know who they are and am just not interested in spending any time with that kind of person.

[MLAA]

7. Dear Cilla, Since Trump was elected and overtly supported Putin over 17 intelligence agencies and

the open racism, misogyny, anti LGBTQ and doing everything they can to take away a women’s right to choose I decided I had to hold the two Republican friends I had accountable. It was no longer ‘policy’ disagreements it was them choosing to support white supremacy, tax cuts for billionaires and voting against free school lunches and support for poor children and et al.

I could no longer turn a blind eye to their choices.

[LakeArenal]

13. We have Republican friends. We don't talk about it.

Most hate trump.

[cilla4progress]

14. Thank you

for sharing your thoughts.

Fortunately, I have my tribe here, as well.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

15. I dont think

I could coexist with a republican.

Theyd irritate the crap out of me with thier politics.

Thats why I have no republican friends nor do I want them.

[c-rational]

16. i no longer speak with two friends of at least 40 years. It is, as was said, about values.

[Rhiannon12866]

17. I'm very lucky, I've kept up with the group of girls I grew up with

We went to summer camp together and have met for summer reunions over the years, though since e all live in different states, we haven't met in person since the pandemic. *sigh* But we really are like minded, especially politically. When we met around the time of the 2016 election, we may have had different favorite candidates, but when I said that I'd sooner vote for the next person who drove by rather than TFG, they all agreed with me...

[UTUSN]

18. "character & shared values" (KarenS, post #3). They have a different/FLAWED world view.

[Donkees]

22. What is another word for frenemy?

[Emile]

23. Usually they'll bring the subject up.

[cilla4progress]

25. Well, I have big old Obama/Biden signs hanging in my barn

that I've just stashed there. I'm not hiding who I am but I'm not bringing it up either.

I know from personal experience with others there is no making sense with them.

[CrispyQ]

26. I started distancing myself from repub family & acquaintances when Bush 2 was prez.

And even more so when Sarah Palin ramped up the racist rhetoric with the tea party while the Republican Party remained silent. McConnell sabotaging Obama's SCOTUS pick was the last straw for me. I'm polite to the people I know who still identify as repub when I encounter them, but I don't schedule activities or attend events with them. I don't know how progressives living in red areas do it. Keep to safe topics, I guess. Sorry that's not any help.

[cilla4progress]

27. No, it's helpful

Thanks, Crispy.

;hi:

[Skittles]

28. because

if the support the GOP you support a party that is racist, misogynist, homophobic, xenophobic, anti-worker, anti-science, etc.....why would you want to be friends with people like that

[cilla4progress]

30. I actually dont think they think that hard about it

I think they just like bullies, assholes, blowhards.

Lots of internal inconsistencies.

I like to continually blow their minds about how libs can blow all their preconceived notions...

I guess it's called compartmentalizing.

I think there is value in joining hands across the aisle so to speak. Finding common ground. Maintaining those bonds.

I think Abe Lincoln had a speech or two about the value of that!

[Skittles]

33. I cannot be friends with people who are racist and facist

fuck that noise

maybe they could claim ignorance back in the day but after Trump? NO FUCKING WAY

[Emile]

31. I can get along with them, but 9 out of 10

times they'll say something politically stupid and I will correct them. If that pisses them off, they can hit the road.

[orangecrush]

32. I live in deep red rural Pa.

There are a handful of republican operatives that pump their heads full of shit on a continuous basis.

[3catwoman3]

34. I find myself hesitant to make new friends for fear that someone I may find myself liking...

...will turn out to have been a Trump voter, and all that goes with it.