Are your family and friends divided?

[Singlestack]

My wife has had a weekly zoom call with her side of the family every week or two since May. Last night her progressive older sister cancelled the call, because she was so angry about the riot at the capital. She seems to equate me and my wife, as conservatives and supporters of the president, as endorsing everything he says (we don't) or supporting the riot yesterday (we don't). My question is if you have experienced estrangement and division between family or friends over the past few years, and if you can see a way to get those relationships back, if broken?

In our case, I'm not sure. Because the leftists in the family get their news from the mainstream media, they are filled with hatred, lies, and rage. They won't listen to anything we say since they think it is propaganda and conspiracy theories. So there doesn't seem to be any middle ground for them as a basis for discussion. I'm also getting the feeling they no longer want to even meet with us for holidays and vacations. We wish they would meet and enjoy each other's company in a non-political way, but they are just so absorbed. I guess I'm thinking that for the forseeable future, those relationships may be gone.

[bellavite1]

I have lost friends.
Good riddance.

[FoxtArt]

Maybe try engaging them in a non political way? Email or text or whatever. Also let them know exactly what you said here. Your disgust over the events and disagreement with T on some issues, but more importantly you value family above politics and still love her and fully accept her beliefs.

[BlasterBob]

If my “friends” and “acquaintances” firmly believe in the Democrats way of operating, they must be on the wacky side and I don’t really need them, Screw em all. [werdo]

[FoxtArt]

Our real enemies want us divided. Don't play into the modern bullshit folks. The moment we think we prefer to live in a society where everyone agrees with us is the moment we really edge towards being a tyrant as well. 300 million unique opinions in this country, the odds of us being entirely right as an individual are impossible. Never forget that our diversity in thought is how we survived as long as we have. Both sides would have destroyed us in WWII, Korea, etc. If not balanced by the other. And ultimately, the best way to win someone over is to normally talk with them over long periods of time. (not preach)

[FoxtArt]

No division in our family despite their being fenceposts all over, including the extremes. Not like estranging people over their mere opinion actually accomplishes any benefit. We just don't bring up heavy politics. Whose going to win or change any minds with that anyway?

[Grant H.]

So many have been caught, hook/line/sinker, by the "Identity Politics" bs...

I know a handful of folks who literally cannot let go of their politics, because with it, they would have ZERO identity left...

[ChickNorris]

My father cannot make a simple text, even a 'Merry Christmas' without adding something political & disparaging. I've said that we will have to agree to disagree on some subjects but that doesnt make us less of a family or that I love him any differently. He persists with intent to instigate & insult - I don't engage. Breaks my heart to see my father devolve from a once reasonable, kind, well rounded & educated man into a singular, relentless message of hate.

I will continue to text, say hello & that I love him but the conversation will now have to end there.

[Delfuego]

For sure. We have a group-text with the shooting boys and it's gotten pretty froggy in the last year. We agree on +90% of all things, but the 10% we don't is ripping us all to pieces. Sad state of affairs.

[CS1983]

Our real enemies want us divided. Don't play into the modern bullshit folks. The moment we think we prefer to live in a society where everyone agrees with us is the moment we really edge towards being a tyrant as well. 300 million unique opinions in this country, the odds of us being entirely right as an individual are impossible. Never forget that our diversity in thought is how we survived as long as we have. Both sides would have destroyed us in WWII, Korea, etc. If not balanced by the other. And ultimately, the best way to win someone over is to normally talk with them over long periods of time. (not preach)

What world do you live in where you think we aren't divided and that the other "side" has any desire or good will to engage rationally and without bias, or at least to set aside bias for the hope of an equitable solution, or even a not-completely-unequal compromise?

If this present divided condition is the result of previous [false] unity, then maybe division was the answer all along. Would have cut to the chase.

It's a red herring to try to distinguish the impossibility of everyone as completely right about everything, so therefore throw out the concept of foundational principles with the bathwater of what constitutes mere opinion.

THIS is what the other side wants, NOT unity: https://beyondthestoplight.com/2021/01/06/resources-for-teachers-on-the-days-after-the-attack-on-the-u-s-capitol/

They're playing for keeps, dude. Don't expect a polite war.


https://youtu.be/ZdM44rovn6c

[KevDen2005]

Luckily, the vast majority of my family and extended family think like me so I don't really worry about it. I have had a few acquaintances and not so great friends that have been lost, mainly because they stopped talking to me, not because I was less tolerant than they were.

I did stop talking to a friend a while back when his wife proceeded to tell me in my own home how police officers are racist and she went on about that for way too long. My friend saw the look in my face and ended the evening abruptly. I just don't have time in life for those kind of people when raising a family and I have hit the age where I just want to enjoy myself and have no desire to be annoyed or irritated (society does that for me all shift long anyway).

I know several people that believe the opposite that I do and I try to be respectful and not bring anything up while around them. If they attack me (which they don't) I would definitely express the facts that they should probably hear.

[ray1970]

Even amongst friends and family, I avoid any conversation involving religion, politics, or money. It?s a good way to keep the peace and bolster a healthy relationship.

If you want to debate this kind of stuff it?s best to do it among acquaintances.

[ray1970]

Also, I think there are a select handful of people who lean way left and some that lean way right. I feel most people probably lean a little either direction and can get along fine despite their differences. The trouble usually comes from those far left and far right people trying to have a conversation.

[RblDiver]

My sister and I have pretty much always been on opposite sides of things, so nothing really new there. We can get a bit heated at times, but usually reasonably civil (as long as we stay apart; if we're together too long, it gets testy). This year my mom's been a bit more on the opposite side as me, particularly as relates to Covid. We can get a bit animated, but still civil.

There are times that I want to say things, but just sort of let it go. I have lost friends in the past for differing opinions, but amazingly none this year that I can think of.

[Holger Danske]

My Gen Z kids will hit me with an "ok boomer" from time to time even though I identify as Gen X. I wish that they would get it right.

[Little Dutch]

The left despises us. The only way to get past the divide is the total annihilation of one side or the other.

[Singlestack]

Maybe try engaging them in a non political way? Email or text or whatever. Also let them know exactly what you said here. Your disgust over the events and disagreement with T on some issues, but more importantly you value family above politics and still love her and fully accept her beliefs.

Exactly what I have done. In fact, I have refused to talk politics with her or mom in law for the past few years. Every single time it is one of them that brings politics up. I really believe that exposing yourself to politics every day is soul-eating and terrible for your attitude and disposition. Although I follow politics, I give myself occasional breaks to feel normal.

[JohnnyEgo]

Even amongst friends and family, I avoid any conversation involving religion, politics, or money. It?s a good way to keep the peace and bolster a healthy relationship.

If you want to debate this kind of stuff it?s best to do it among acquaintances.

I take a very similar approach. It also keeps my blood pressure lower.

[JohnnyEgo]

The left despises us. The only way to get past the divide is the total annihilation of one side or the other.

I think this is straight up, over-the-top nuts.

[Little Dutch]

I think this is straight up, over-the-top nuts.

If you don't think the left wants you dead, I don't think you've been paying attention.

[Great-Kazoo]

when you have the MSM calling for a cleansing, of the opposition. friends,, family, who cares?

https://twitter.com/rickklein/status/1347158858029006851

[JohnnyEgo]

If you don't think the left wants you dead, I don't think you've been paying attention.

If that were true, it would be a self-defeating position, because it would be hard to fund their agenda without my taxes.

Regardless, if you believe the only way to resolve a political divide is the annihilation of your opponent, you don't believe in the American system, regardless of the side you align with.

[KevDen2005]

My Gen Z kids will hit me with an "ok boomer" from time to time even though I identify as Gen X. I wish that they would get it right.

I have also gotten an "Okay Boomer" and I am in the first year or two of millenial

[Delfuego]

Greatest Generation would have smacked those kids...

[JohnnyEgo]

Ooh that stings. My kid was watching a show the other day and described an older character as 'ancient. Like 30.'

[leightoncash]

I have and I maintain close friendships with people that are on the opposite side of the political Spectrum. All that really matters is that people are reflective about what they believe and are respectful and open to hear other people. That's how I am and that's how my close friends are. It's not that difficult. [And it's insane to think that all people on the left want those on the right dead.]

Up until yesterday, I generally thought of gun people as my kind of people. Usually conservative, self-reliant, hard working, principled. But reading some of the comments here and on Thetruthaboutguns.com, I am shocked and saddened by the amount of support those insurrectionists at the Capitol have received.

A person can have great character, yet not understand economics, and have an unrealistically positive view of government and end up being left politically.

It's harder to see how a person can have great character and yet still wholeheartedly support Trump and the insurrectionists. The man has all but destroyed conservatism, and in his public life he has shown himself completely devoid of humility, honor, principle, loyalty, diplomacy, love of truth or good judgment. He's turned against every person he's worked with while in public office, and publicly cheated on every one of his wives. It says something about a man's character, to identify with a man like Trump and believe him over every other voice.

I think we conservatives need to get reacquainted with our principles. Conservative values, where are those to be found in the last 4 years, politically? The word conservative is meaningless now, after yesterday.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[CS1983]

I have and I maintain close friendships with people that are on the opposite side of the political Spectrum. All that really matters is that people are reflective about what they believe and are respectful and open to hear other people. That's how I am and that's how my close friends are. It's not that difficult. [And it's insane to think that all people on the left want those on the right dead.]

Up until yesterday, I generally thought of gun people as my kind of people. Usually conservative, self-reliant, hard working, principled. But reading some of the comments here and on Thetruthaboutguns.com, I am shocked and saddened by the amount of support those insurrectionists at the Capitol have received.

A person can have great character, yet not understand economics, and have an unrealistically positive view of government and end up being left politically.

It's harder to see how a person can have great character and yet still wholeheartedly support Trump and the insurrectionists. The man has all but destroyed conservatism, and in his public life he has shown himself completely devoid of humility, honor, principle, loyalty, diplomacy, love of truth or good judgment. He's turned against every person he's worked with while in public office, and publicly cheated on every one of his wives. It says something about a man's character, to identify with a man like Trump and believe him over every other voice.

I think we conservatives need to get reacquainted with our principles. Conservative values, where are those to be found in the last 4 years, politically? The word conservative is meaningless now, after yesterday.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

dude... Ronald Reagan and all his fellow neocons are who destroyed conservatism. Trump just fed on its corpse.

[JoeRoss]

Even amongst friends and family, I avoid any conversation involving religion, politics, or money.
^this^

[O2HeN2]

I had a good acquaintance call me a traitor and treasonous yesterday.

I guess because I'm conservative and that somehow ties me to what happend at the Capitol yesterday.

The seething hatred was palpable. The media has done its job well.

O2

[cstone]

I like a little spirited discussion now and then. I would hate to live in a world where everyone agreed with me or thought like me. So boring.

Regardless of differences and past wrongs, family are the friends you didn't choose. Some family are people you would choose not to be around if they weren't family. As long as their presence isn't physically or mentally harmful to my immediate family, I do what I can to maintain a relationship. I have keys and a vehicle, so it is always my choice on when the visit ends. Some visits are shorter than others. I do Facebook, but none of the other social media. I never considered my FB relationship with someone as an indicator of my actual relationship with someone. I've been blocked and blocked others on FB but still interact with them in person. Most of the people I know and who know me have opinions about where I stand on different issues. They bring it up at their own peril. I try not to intentionally bring up issues that I know make others uncomfortable. I'm not going to get into a fist fight about someone's opinion over a MAGA hat or gun rights. I am happy not to ever use Zoom or any of the similar software platforms.

I really am making an effort to talk less. Fewer people are interested in what I have to say, and most people have heard my boring stories more than once. As I get older, it has become apparent to me that younger people don't want my input, so who am I to push my opinions on them? I won't be here to pay off all of the debt their programs are creating. I just hope they won't devalue the money I have saved up until now.

Some people here amuse me. But I don't hold that against anyone.

[Martinjmpr]

I have and I maintain close friendships with people that are on the opposite side of the political Spectrum. All that really matters is that people are reflective about what they believe and are respectful and open to hear other people. That's how I am and that's how my close friends are. It's not that difficult. [And it's insane to think that all people on the left want those on the right dead.]

Up until yesterday, I generally thought of gun people as my kind of people. Usually conservative, self-reliant, hard working, principled. But reading some of the comments here and on Thetruthaboutguns.com, I am shocked and saddened by the amount of support those insurrectionists at the Capitol have received.

A person can have great character, yet not understand economics, and have an unrealistically positive view of government and end up being left politically.

It's harder to see how a person can have great character and yet still wholeheartedly support Trump and the insurrectionists. The man has all but destroyed conservatism, and in his public life he has shown himself completely devoid of humility, honor, principle, loyalty, diplomacy, love of truth or good judgment. He's turned against every person he's worked with while in public office, and publicly cheated on every one of his wives. It says something about a man's character, to identify with a man like Trump and believe him over every other voice.

I think we conservatives need to get reacquainted with our principles. Conservative values, where are those to be found in the last 4 years, politically? The word conservative is meaningless now, after yesterday.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Well said and I agree. TTAG is an example of the kind of polarizing effect that social media has come to have.

This "amplifying effect" comes from the people having the most strident or extreme viewpoints doing most of the talking and that in turn gives you the impression that most of the people on that web site think the same way. Eventually the arguing and name calling drive away the more "moderate" voices (or they stay on as non-participating "lurkers" because they don't want to get attacked online for disagreeing with the majority opinions on the board.)

I actually wrote for TTAG for about 2 years right after it was founded but left because of the trends that you described. There were even a few self-described "liberal gun owners" who would post from time to time but eventually they got tired of the vitriol from the extremists and just went elsewhere, and that was a shame (and also quite a departure from the "vision" that Farago had when he founded TTAG.)

I think the mods do a good job of keeping things on track here on this board as personal attacks aren't allowed and those who break the rules get shown the door pretty quickly. It's one of the reasons this is the only "gun board" I'm on, most of the rest of them are just really unpleasant to deal with.

There's a real danger in living inside the "echo chamber" that only reflects opinions you already agree with. If you live inside that echo chamber it becomes much easier to demonize people who disagree with you as "the enemy."

[hollohas]

My father cannot make a simple text, even a 'Merry Christmas' without adding something political & disparaging. I've said that we will have to agree to disagree on some subjects but that doesnt make us less of a family or that I love him any differently. He persists with intent to instigate & insult - I don't engage. Breaks my heart to see my father devolve from a once reasonable, kind, well rounded & educated man into a singular, relentless message of hate..

^ This is EXACTLY what my wife is going through with her father. A few months ago she called to talk about our kids with her mom. Her dad answered and immediately started ranting. My wife told him over and over she didn't call to discuss politics and she wouldn't. He asked her who she voted for in 2016. She told him it's not his business and she just wanted to coordinate grandkid stuff.

He persisted. And when she wouldn't engage he called her some awful names and hung up on her.

That's not the way he used to be, but he is so filled with hate for Trump, republicans and anyone associated, he's lost his mind. They can't have any contact without him devolving into insane rants within minutes. It's so sad.

My wife is extremely moderate. Really has no interest in discussing politics with anyone except me. She always handles herself better than I would. Had I witnessed him disrespecting her like that, I wouldn't have had the same self control she does, so it's best they won't let us visit ( he's scared of Covid too).

[Rucker61]

If that were true, it would be a self-defeating position, because it would be hard to fund their agenda without my taxes.

Regardless, if you believe the only way to resolve a political divide is the annihilation of your opponent, you don't believe in the American system, regardless of the side you align with.

It's refreshing to see opinions like this posted here. Thank you, and Ray and Fox.

[Rucker61]

Well said and I agree. TTAG is an example of the kind of polarizing effect that social media has come to have.

This "amplifying effect" comes from the people having the most strident or extreme viewpoints doing most of the talking and that in turn gives you the impression that most of the people on that web site think the same way. Eventually the arguing and name calling drive away the more "moderate" voices (or they stay on as non-participating "lurkers" because they don't want to get attacked online for disagreeing with the majority opinions on the board.)

I actually wrote for TTAG for about 2 years right after it was founded but left because of the trends that you described. There were even a few self-described "liberal gun owners" who would post from time to time but eventually they got tired of the vitriol from the extremists and just went elsewhere, and that was a shame (and also quite a departure from the "vision" that Farago had when he founded TTAG.)

I think the mods do a good job of keeping things on track here on this board as personal attacks aren't allowed and those who break the rules get shown the door pretty quickly. It's one of the reasons this is the only "gun board" I'm on, most of the rest of them are just really unpleasant to deal with.

There's a real danger in living inside the "echo chamber" that only reflects opinions you already agree with. If you live inside that echo chamber it becomes much easier to demonize people who disagree with you as "the enemy."

Well stated.

[ray1970]

I had a good acquaintance call me a traitor and treasonous yesterday.



Well, I hope you no longer hang out with that communist son of a b***h.




(Just kidding. Maybe he?s okay other than being misguided and brainwashed.)

[MrPrena]

Not off of politics.
Rarely talk politics nor religions. Most of our family have same/similar belief and religons.
Only super rich (but under billion) ones tend to like democrats.

[almostamos]

My friends and family, mostly, agree on things. But, then again, we have no attention whoring leftist shits in our circle.

[DireWolf]

...There's a real danger in living inside the "echo chamber" that only reflects opinions you already agree with. If you live inside that echo chamber it becomes much easier to demonize people who disagree with you as "the enemy."

Not going to comment on the first part of this post (non-quoted) due to depth of nuance, but while the above quoted statement is true; the inverse concept is as well - and is every bit as critical to consider:

For some, many of their baseline opinions and perspectives are derived from situational awarenese, critical thinking & analysis, and knowldege of human behavioral psychology - NOT sourced/amplified though an echo-chamber...

Just like people have varying levels of susceptibility to various forms of hyponis, some have an innate level of resistance to linguistic/emotional programing (likely related to far more than simply 'intelligence').

When these people are expected to ignore not only their senses, but their memories, experciences, and reasoning abilities in favor of abject falsehoods - by accepting and acquiescing, the result is destruction of our very ability to reason, and that intangible something which makes us 'Human'.

Unfortunately, it takes a truly incredible strength of Spirit & Personality (and "grounding of self") to stand against that current; the vast majority fail and develop some form of BPD (Splitting/Masking) as a coping mechanism.

For those who are able to see through the veil of lies and deception (and not reliant on others for opinion), it's like a fork on a chalkboard - painful and impossible to ignore. Couple that with the deliberate restriction of general access to raw information (no, we're not just going to "trust the 'experts'), and the systemic subversion of trusted info source (read: information/psychological warfare), and all you do is add a thick layer of righteous persecution to that cake...

Want to talk "moral equivalency"? Great! Examine all 'details & facts' under the full light of scrutiny and logic, without restrictions based on "feelz" or "the outrage!", which will burn away darkness and expose truth (whether someone can handle that truth without having a psychotic break is another issue).

That's all I've got to say on this - to paraphrase a previous poster - what's the point of trying to offer wisdom, perspective, or the opportunity for enlightenment to those who not only refuse to hear, but would seek to vilify those who threaten their meticulously crafted artificial world view...

[OneGuy67]

My brother's wife is a liberal and while I've done fairly well avoiding her rants in the past, a couple of years ago at Thanksgiving, she and her mother went on tangents and that was the last time my brother's family has been invited to family gatherings. I'm too damn old to give a shit about her feelings and I won't apologize for my values. This decision has made my relationship with my brother pretty strained and I regret that, but I can't foresee inviting them back to gatherings.

[KevDen2005]

My brother's wife is a liberal and while I've done fairly well avoiding her rants in the past, a couple of years ago at Thanksgiving, she and her mother went on tangents and that was the last time my brother's family has been invited to family gatherings. I'm too damn old to give a shit about her feelings and I won't apologize for my values. This decision has made my relationship with my brother pretty strained and I regret that, but I can't foresee inviting them back to gatherings.

You also have to consider your own sanity.

[Gman]

Our immediate family is pretty solid.

Wife deleted her Facebook account due to 'friends' not being able to communicate without going political on either side of the fence.

I really don't have much in the way of 'friends', so that wasn't a problem for me. My very few friends are brothers in faith, so politics just isn't that important.

[FoxtArt]

When these people are expected to ignore not only their senses, but their memories, experiences, and reasoning abilities in favor of abject falsehoods - by accepting and acquiescing, the result is destruction of our very ability to reason, and that intangible something which makes us 'Human'.


Genetically, what makes us human isn't all that impressive. Warring tribes in Afghanistan are more "human" than we are and adapt some of your philosophies. Seeing the macrocosm of issues is something decidedly more than being "human". Often times the problem is not that you have different viewpoints, but that the perspective is so narrow that you may not realize your viewpoints are approximately the same. If you don't have any of your opinions or thoughts challenges from time to time they would be very ill formed and your thought patterns would be irrationally flawed. Pointing out flaws is how we develop sound logic.

To give you an idea of what I mean of narrow perspective, imagine someone comes into the room saying the earth is heating up from too much co2 and we need to do something - stop consuming as much and wasting stuff! Fuck that guy, right.

Another one walks in and talks about how when he was a kid, they used to deliver milk in glass bottles to the door, they'd drink it up, none of that fancy pasturizing crap, and set them out and the milk man would pick them back up again. Boy, it would be nice if we could get back to those ways instead of everything being wrapped in throw-away plastic garbage. You agree.

In the macro, they are the same opinion. In the micro, you are opposed to the former mostly because his theory, but not because of his desired action. "Humans" are incapable of truly walking in others shoes and seeing things from others perspective, true, full empathy. They are also apt to having massive ego.

I strive for something more than being "just a human" - understanding the perspective of other people, the macro of their outcome, the middle ground, and the humility to recognize that all of our opinions are probably very close to being dead wrong anyway.

[FoxtArt]

And of course, sometimes I horribly fail and sarcastically insult people [Coffee]

[Irving]

Do friends and family on here count?

[Rucker61]

Do friends and family on here count?

I can count to 21 if I'm wearing sweatpants and no shoes.

[MrPrena]

As I said before over the years, it is where they all grew up. if they lived in big city surrounded by liberals, they are higher probability that they will turn liberal. Many change over the year after they get hit by the TAX WALL, but some don't

Luckily many of my relatives grew up in suburb.

[ChickNorris]

I can count to 21 if I'm wearing sweatpants and no shoes.

Ha

[clodhopper]

Genetically, what makes us human isn't all that impressive. Warring tribes in Afghanistan are more "human" than we are and adapt some of your philosophies. Seeing the macrocosm of issues is something decidedly more than being "human". Often times the problem is not that you have different viewpoints, but that the perspective is so narrow that you may not realize your viewpoints are approximately the same. If you don't have any of your opinions or thoughts challenges from time to time they would be very ill formed and your thought patterns would be irrationally flawed. Pointing out flaws is how we develop sound logic.

To give you an idea of what I mean of narrow perspective, imagine someone comes into the room saying the earth is heating up from too much co2 and we need to do something - stop consuming as much and wasting stuff! Fuck that guy, right.

Another one walks in and talks about how when he was a kid, they used to deliver milk in glass bottles to the door, they'd drink it up, none of that fancy pasturizing crap, and set them out and the milk man would pick them back up again. Boy, it would be nice if we could get back to those ways instead of everything being wrapped in throw-away plastic garbage. You agree.

In the macro, they are the same opinion. In the micro, you are opposed to the former mostly because his theory, but not because of his desired action. "Humans" are incapable of truly walking in others shoes and seeing things from others perspective, true, full empathy. They are also apt to having massive ego.

I strive for something more than being "just a human" - understanding the perspective of other people, the macro of their outcome, the middle ground, and the humility to recognize that all of our opinions are probably very close to being dead wrong anyway.

I dont disagree with you in general. The problem I see is no one is allowed to have a dissenting opinion and still be respected as a human and an individual. That guy who believes the world is heating up has built it in his mind that there is no other reasonable position, so anyone who disagrees is a Neanderthal untouchable idiot. The same with so many other issues. Dissenters from the "approved" position are to be imprisoned or sent on a gulag, or just killed. I remember being young and listening to my folks talk politics with family and neighbors in a respectful tone, considering differing ideas and even if they couldn't find common ground, left the discussion still respecting the other.

I am tired of being the scourge of the earth and openly told I am unworthy. I am tired of always reaching out to the other side and getting bit for my efforts. I know I am not the only one.

[rondog]

I just try to avoid people in general as much as possible.....

[00tec]

I just try to avoid people in general as much as possible.....

Agreed, for the most part.
Besides my wife, I hang out with 5 or 6 people regularly

[TEAMRICO]

Agreed, for the most part.
Besides my wife, I hang out with 5 or 6 people regularly

My wife, nephew and son.....you have a ton of friends!!!

[GilpinGuy]

I just try to avoid people in general as much as possible.....


Agreed, for the most part.
Besides my wife, I hang out with 5 or 6 people regularly

100%. Being in the entertainment industry...leave me alone when I'm not working.

And even those 5 or 6 good friends at times say things (politically) that I don't agree with, but I would never ostracize them or banish them to hell for that. "Oh Ok, you get that cutthroat over there yet?" Slow, easy and gentle insertions into conversations can accomplish a lot.

I did have an aunt and her asshole husband insult my folks years ago in front of family to the point that that they are now persona non grata, but these folks were way off the reservation (hopelessly radical left) and since I was a kid I never liked them. Those are the only folks I can think of that I've not associated with due to politics - though some may have departed from me for that reason and I just don't know it.

[roberth]

Agreed, for the most part.
Besides my wife, I hang out with 5 or 6 people regularly

Same here, small circle.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I'm pissed off at this country.

If I had any family/relatives that voted for these lying cheating assholes, I'd never talk to them again.

[GilpinGuy]

I don't know man. My good buddy (one of the 5 or 6) has a daughter in Annapolis Naval Academy - learning to fly fighter jets (how cool!). She has become "woke" over the last few years there and doesn't even call him for Christmas, birthdays, etc. So sad. He's a Cold War Special Forces Army guy and it breaks his heart. Obv, he's a rather right, conservative sort of dude, but jeez, to right off your own parents? The left is really taking a toll on our young folks. Stating the obvious I know. [facepalm]

Even if my daughter was a flaming lefty I'd still love her more than anything in this world.

[JohnnyEgo]

You never really know the dynamics of a parent-child relationship. I hated my Dad's guts when I was 16. I became him when I was 40.

[Great-Kazoo]

I can count to 21 if I'm wearing sweatpants and no shoes.

Lucky you. i can only count to 17.

[GilpinGuy]

Lucky you. i can only count to 17.

OMG[facepalm][LOL]

[OtterbatHellcat]

Lucky you. i can only count to 17.

What, two penises?

[GilpinGuy]

What, two penises?

That would be sweet. Two hands!

[OtterbatHellcat]

I think spouse and children are one aspect, and extended family is another...and that combined dynamic is different for everyone. No, I wouldn't hate my kid, but I would be disappointed inside.

[FoxtArt]

100%. Being in the entertainment industry...leave me alone when I'm not working.

And even those 5 or 6 good friends at times say things (politically) that I don't agree with, but I would never ostracize them or banish them to hell for that. "Oh Ok, you get that cutthroat over there yet?" Slow, easy and gentle insertions into conversations can accomplish a lot.

I did have an aunt and her asshole husband insult my folks years ago in front of family to the point that that they are now persona non grata, but these folks were way off the reservation (hopelessly radical left) and since I was a kid I never liked them. Those are the only folks I can think of that I've not associated with due to politics - though some may have departed from me for that reason and I just don't know it.

All I's wanna know is if you're nickname is "Rod" [ROFL2]

Fun fact, the vast majority of used B-Roll cameras I see listed are from Las Vegas. Waaaay outpacing the east slope of Colorado or Salt Lake. Everybody's getting nailed because of 'Covid [cigar] Or they aren't, in that circumstance [ROFL1]

[GilpinGuy]

Was this shared yet? [word]


https://youtu.be/gHPPPuMHEJc

[GilpinGuy]

All I's wanna know is if you're nickname is "Rod" [ROFL2]

Fun fact, the vast majority of used B-Roll cameras I see listed are from Las Vegas. Waaaay outpacing the east slope of Colorado or Salt Lake. Everybody's getting nailed because of 'Covid [cigar] Or they aren't, in that circumstance [ROFL1]

I don't have a clue what you wrote about here.

Edit: ok, I get it. Hardy har har. :)

[BREATHER]

My sister attacked me on FaceBook because of posts from other people that I shared ,

[ChickNorris]

What, two penises?

Maybe he's counting his nose too

[ray1970]

You guys are social butterflies.

I have one friend and I?m married to her.

I talk to my family twice a year. Once on their birthdays and usually on Christmas. I don?t even technically talk to my brothers anymore. I just text them. I usually see them in person about once every five years or so.

[StagLefty]

A few years ago I realized that my son and I have different views on quite a few things but that hasn't changed our respect or love for each other at all.
I even accepted his becoming a vegan whew that was a close one !!!!!

[Rucker61]

What, two penises?

According to the original Trivial Pursuit, there is such a condition called diphallic terrata.

[RblDiver]

Whelp, guess I spoke too soon. One of my friends just defriended me. She'd posted that it was "Time for Amendment 25," all I responded with was that's not how it was supposed to be used, then during the night she dropped me. Oh well, no big loss.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Who knew a math discrepancy would lead to that information?

[Aloha_Shooter]

I have one cousin and his wife who are extremely liberal. They spent a few weeks on the family discussion channel on iMessage trying to push their propaganda then both abruptly quit it. I mentioned to his mother that *we* had no animosity on our part and it was a shame her son couldn't participate in a discussion with people who peaceably disagreed. My aunt agreed and laughed at her son and daughter-in-law. Oh well.