General Discussion

Dannyteague

(51 posts) Thu Sep 13, 2012, 09:16 AM Sep 2012

Can someone help me understand my wing nut friends? [View all]

I have these really good friends. They are truly nice people. He is a retired electrician, she has been mostly a stay home mom with a few jobs in between. They are in their early 60 s. These two are devoted church goers, will do anything for anyone who asks them.

The problem is that on politics they are off the chart wing nuts! "Obama is a socialist, Obama is a Marxist, Obama hates America, we could balance the budget every year if we just ended welfare, same sex marriage threatens our way of life, FOX News is Fair and Balanced, Rush is right, bla bla bla.

We avoid politics when around each other. They hated Romney until he got nominated. Still, I like these people, play golf with him, drink beer, our wives hang out.

I see their political hate that they post online and can't believe it is the same couple.

Do you all think I should remain friends with these people?

71 replies

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Highlight:

Can someone help me understand my wing nut friends? [View all] Dannyteague Sep 2012 OP

If you think that's weird wait until you meet the contingent of pro-Obama folks Nuclear Unicorn Sep 2012 #1

... Comrade_McKenzie Sep 2012 #59

Avoid them until after the election. They are too far gone to help. JoePhilly Sep 2012 #2

Sadly, you are correct! Dannyteague Sep 2012 #6

Obama is a symbol of a changing America. JoePhilly Sep 2012 #9

Well said. Teabaggers shorten that down to "We want our country back." pampango Sep 2012 #19

agree. nt JoePhilly Sep 2012 #21

good Vietnameravet Sep 2012 #58

That was perfect! Indpndnt Sep 2012 #71

+1 Scuba Sep 2012 #7

Friends in person, yes. But dump them online. fleur-de-lisa Sep 2012 #3

I have a wingnut or 2 that I maintain a relationship with. Jackpine Radical Sep 2012 #4

Your option to remain friends. Depends upon if your position bothers *them*. no_hypocrisy Sep 2012 #5

These are otherwise intelligent people. Dannyteague Sep 2012 #11

Same with my dad. no_hypocrisy Sep 2012 #14

To put it simply, Cognitive Dissonance MrScorpio Sep 2012 #8

That makes sense to me. savalez Sep 2012 #48

Hey You mstinamotorcity2 Sep 2012 #50

Great post Vietnameravet Sep 2012 #60

Tribalism RDANGELO Sep 2012 #10

They are like the tea baggers in Congress. Dannyteague Sep 2012 #13

Exactly what I have found bhikkhu Sep 2012 #41

Of course stay friends! socialindependocrat Sep 2012 #12

They are amazed anyone could be "liberal." Dannyteague Sep 2012 #18

They may be afraid of change - fear that it is not for the better.. socialindependocrat Sep 2012 #26

There is, here is a study on that ... RKP5637 Sep 2012 #30

"Liberal" means you believe that people are generally good bhikkhu Sep 2012 #42

So many churches make people into right wingers. Dannyteague Sep 2012 #61

I hear you. tosh Sep 2012 #15

i work with a man barbtries Sep 2012 #62

Sounds like they sit around and watch Fox News. nt Barack_America Sep 2012 #16

I too was baffled but now I see it as a..... Bonhomme Richard Sep 2012 #17

I'd stay friends but every once in a while to maintain sanity and because you might make treestar Sep 2012 #20

I have friends just like them CanonRay Sep 2012 #22

They are authoritarian followers. There's nothing you can do. Walk away. TrogL Sep 2012 #23

Conservative TV and radio with the churches to back them up canoeist52 Sep 2012 #24

Not possible. HopeHoops Sep 2012 #25

Just tell them you cannot be friends with bigots who have hate in their heart. Ian David Sep 2012 #27

"truly good people who are misinformed" marions ghost Sep 2012 #36

I'm going to be visiting an Aunt and Uncle in the next couple of weeks...... Swede Atlanta Sep 2012 #28

Good Luck marions ghost Sep 2012 #38

Wacked out from religion, and can't think for themselves! dmosh42 Sep 2012 #29

These folks sound very much like my Flashmann Sep 2012 #31

no riverwalker Sep 2012 #32

simple luckyleftyme2 Sep 2012 #33

What church? raouldukelives Sep 2012 #34

My mother and both sisters fit this description. peace13 Sep 2012 #35

How can we expect those folks to be normal after watching Fox day after day? marions ghost Sep 2012 #39

I am not currently in the market to forgive her. peace13 Sep 2012 #43

I understand ruthless people marions ghost Sep 2012 #45

Thank you for these kind words. peace13 Sep 2012 #67

Sir, Xyzse Sep 2012 #37

They are probably buying to the narrative reflection Sep 2012 #40

Family and friends kctim Sep 2012 #44

Can you be with them an not discuss politics? I worked with a woman like that for many years. jillan Sep 2012 #46

Personally, I couldn't do it, but it sounds like you have more tolerance for that sort of stuff. Arugula Latte Sep 2012 #47

A lot of very nice people don't have a f*ckin' clue about anything... LeftinOH Sep 2012 #49

Ask them if they think the tax rates below are socialist: JHB Sep 2012 #51

it's up to you. barbtries Sep 2012 #52

You have to decide for yourself. bluerum Sep 2012 #53

If you like bigoted people and think that's 'truly nice' then don't know what to tell you. Bluenorthwest Sep 2012 #54

Ask them to read news/commentary from opposing viewpoints. reformist2 Sep 2012 #55

i have to admit though barbtries Sep 2012 #66

I can't look at Drudge/Fox, but I do read the WSJ - it is maddening, but I do it. reformist2 Sep 2012 #68

my boss reads that barbtries Sep 2012 #69

The WSJ is turning hard right, but the good news is their arguments are more pathetic than ever. reformist2 Sep 2012 #70

I have very clear feelings where this dilemma is concerned: LuckyLib Sep 2012 #56

You can, but maybe you need to talk about politics when you are around them. Cleita Sep 2012 #57

What I find about friends like them mstinamotorcity2 Sep 2012 #63

I'm sure some Nazis were fine upstanding churchgoing folks also, and probably even felt a twinge of Zorra Sep 2012 #64

Fascinating thread. I'm in a similar situation and like the comments. Populist_Prole Sep 2012 #65