General Discussion

DFW

(60,460 posts)

90. Oddly enough, yes

Thu Jul 28, 2016, 10:02 PM

Jul 2016

When I was much younger, I thought it impossible. As a 15 year old on the grounds of the Pentagon, looking on with disdain at National Guard troops, nervous when people were going up to them placing flowers in the barrels of their guns, I thought it was an unbridgeable rift.

Later on, I learned that it wasn't as cut and dried as I thought. I found that guys I got along with were staunch Republicans. One friend is a real nut case politically. The Prince of Darkness. Singlehandedly started direct-mail fundraising in 1980 that helped Reagan beat Jimmy Carter. But a nice guy with whom I can sit down while we tear each other's politics to shreds. He's over 80 now, and still as active as ever. Curious, but true.

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Can you be friends with someone who holds political views opposed to yours? [View all] True Dough Jul 2016 OP

It depends. no_hypocrisy Jul 2016 #1

there are already several people, casual friends, to whom I no longer speak, since they niyad Jul 2016 #2

Most of my friends are lifelong Republucans ghostsinthemachine Jul 2016 #3

Sure you can. Paladin Jul 2016 #4

To a point. sarae Jul 2016 #5

This can be done, blue neen Jul 2016 #6

I dated a Republican... HipChick Jul 2016 #7

Most certainly NashuaDW Jul 2016 #8

I live in 2naSalit Jul 2016 #9

I am in the same situation but the business people had rather not discuss it. Jim Beard Jul 2016 #54

Indeed. 2naSalit Jul 2016 #60

I agree and it is mutual. Jim Beard Jul 2016 #64

I am very crtitcal of businesses that have FOX News on in waiting areas. Jim Beard Jul 2016 #87

Yeah... 2naSalit Jul 2016 #94

I own a small business Abq_Sarah Jul 2016 #76

I know customers appreciate it. Jim Beard Jul 2016 #86

Of course, as long as they are respectful of me and my beliefs. Throd Jul 2016 #10

First, it's anti-choice, not pro-life. HERVEPA Jul 2016 #11

No, I can't lillypaddle Jul 2016 #12

It depends Freddie Jul 2016 #13

I have quite a few friends who are "on the dark side" politically. WillowTree Jul 2016 #14

Yeah. It's called being a self assured adult. linuxman Jul 2016 #15

Certainly, but there are some limits LeftishBrit Jul 2016 #16

Can you be friends with someone who holds political views opposed to yours? Hayduke Bomgarte Jul 2016 #17

It is becoming more difficult. TheCowsCameHome Jul 2016 #18

Totally agree. narnian60 Jul 2016 #30

This ^^^ treestar Jul 2016 #70

I never let politics interfere with friendships. former9thward Jul 2016 #19

Well said SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2016 #71

Absolutely, as long as they are rational... yawnmaster Jul 2016 #20

It's been really tough! lucca18 Jul 2016 #21

There's some agreement here... True Dough Jul 2016 #22

Yes. Tierra_y_Libertad Jul 2016 #23

No. dumbcat Jul 2016 #24

If I couldn't, I'd be one lonely individual. NaturalHigh Jul 2016 #25

I guess I'm lucky PasadenaTrudy Jul 2016 #26

Yes, I can. David__77 Jul 2016 #27

Kind of, yeah. Iggo Jul 2016 #28

Who's your hockey team? True Dough Jul 2016 #31

GO KINGS GO. Iggo Jul 2016 #36

THIS. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2016 #81

I check my Facebook occasionally, and what I Jim Beard Jul 2016 #91

Only for as long as I don't know. frogmarch Jul 2016 #29

I can be friendly-but we usually avoid our political differences. MichiganVote Jul 2016 #32

Yes (nt) bigwillq Jul 2016 #33

I don't have a problem, most of the time. LWolf Jul 2016 #34

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2016 #35

I find life much richer and diverse if everyone agrees with me. AngryAmish Jul 2016 #37

Bahahaha True Dough Jul 2016 #40

Yes Calculating Jul 2016 #38

I wouldn't have but one friend left if I hated everyone else. ileus Jul 2016 #39

I would take a second look at that person as to what they value if they supported the hateful cheeto kimbutgar Jul 2016 #41

Absoulutely yuiyoshida Jul 2016 #42

Yep, no problem. I am fairly passionate, but try to be understanding and open-minded for the most jmg257 Jul 2016 #43

Yes IBEWVET Jul 2016 #44

One Of My Best Friends Is An Adamant Drumpf Supporter ChoppinBroccoli Jul 2016 #45

Yes sakabatou Jul 2016 #46

It depends on the views. Ace Rothstein Jul 2016 #47

If the respect is mutual. hamsterjill Jul 2016 #48

It depends... Buckeye_Democrat Jul 2016 #49

I only talk politics with friends who I agree with madokie Jul 2016 #50

I wouldn't consider anyone small-minded for actively avoiding racists, sexists, or homophobes LanternWaste Jul 2016 #51

Only if an agreement is made that we never talk politics and/or religion. Otherwise? No. eom BlueCaliDem Jul 2016 #52

It's very easy to do hack89 Jul 2016 #53

I'm friends with my brother (we just don't talk politics anymore). nt jonno99 Jul 2016 #55

Yep. You can even be married to one. Seeking Serenity Jul 2016 #56

Most of the time I can handle it... karmaqueen Jul 2016 #57

To have a friend, you have to BE a friend. closeupready Jul 2016 #58

I currently have 2 "friends" who fall into this category Runningdawg Jul 2016 #59

If I talk to them off the internet. alarimer Jul 2016 #61

I am everything the gop hates: union, librul, pro choice, divorced lindysalsagal Jul 2016 #62

What is a "friend". Im told the the SO has hundreds of friends on facebook HereSince1628 Jul 2016 #63

I don't have any right-wing friends. However, my boyfriend is a Donald Trump fan redStateBlueHeart Jul 2016 #65

no Skittles Jul 2016 #66

I operate on reciprocity Blue_Tires Jul 2016 #67

I don't talk politics with friends. Ever. I don't proselytize nor do I lecture. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2016 #68

On the surface treestar Jul 2016 #69

yeah sometimes it's harder to be friends with someone who agrees with you. luckylefty77 Jul 2016 #72

I can, but it is a friendship that dates back 35 years. kairos12 Jul 2016 #73

I refuse to define myself Texasgal Jul 2016 #74

I don't discuss politics with my friends Abq_Sarah Jul 2016 #75

Of course TeddyR Jul 2016 #77

I'm friends with a guy I dated nearly 30 years ago. We kestrel91316 Jul 2016 #78

yes, but we don't discuss politics. Lil Missy Jul 2016 #79

Yes. cheapdate Jul 2016 #80

This is something I have been pondering for several months, ever since I saw... 3catwoman3 Jul 2016 #82

I can relate to what you're saying... True Dough Jul 2016 #93

I can be friends with them, but they don't all Different Drummer Jul 2016 #83

I can maintain relationships with almost everyone except... End Of The Road Jul 2016 #84

Can you be friends with someone that has a different opinion then yours? Rex Jul 2016 #85

Yes, I'm friends with conservatives. tammywammy Jul 2016 #88

If you can't - you have issues... hexola Jul 2016 #89

Oddly enough, yes DFW Jul 2016 #90

I can be friends with reasonable people, GreenEyedLefty Jul 2016 #92