Do you ever find it difficult to be friend with those who are of the opposite political party than you? Usually, I don't discuss those things with friends. I have my opinions and strong views, but I prefer to keep them to myself. I feel that others are sooooo misinformed and misled by their own party, but I bite my tongue to keep the peace. I sort of have a "dont discuss religion or politcs policy" with friends. One of my friends who does not share my views, regularly insults my party, it is getting harder and harder for me to bite my tongue. Does this happen to you? What do you do? I would say that about half of my friends are opposite of me.

One of my very, very best friends, someone I would trust my kids' lives with, has opposing view in many areas than I do. However, we respect each other and are able to intelligently discuss our differing opinions. We would never let those discussions escalate into insulting each other, because we have other common ground to base our relationship on; and we know that we are both intelligent, nurturing, caring, empathetic people who just don't agree 100% all the time. We can talk about everything and anything. There have been times where it became frustrating when our differences were being discussed with no seeming resolution; at that point, we both know we care about each other enough to just know we will agree to disagree. I believe that the depth of the relationship will dictate how to respectfully handle these situations.

Have you ever asked her to please tone down the discussion or let her know that you were finding her being disrespectful to you personally. She might not realize that this is the case. If you have, and she continues to do so, then I say you have two options: stop discussing these types of issues with her; or realize that she is not a respectful friend to you and deal with that situation, which would handle the situation all together.

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"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

I think she is really not much of a friend if she regularly insults your party. I also have a good friend who could not think more differently than I do. We just don't talk politics. My parents always said that the two things your should never talk about is religion or politics. You probably can not change their minds, and you may lose a friend over either of them.

In general, most of my friends are military family members therefore we share a lot of our political views. My mom and sister have previously voted democrat (which drove me crazy) but this year they'll be voting for McCain/Palin (yay!!). If someone were being obnoxious about their views, I'd probably have to tell them their remarks could be considered offensive and maybe should be toned down.

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Proud Wife of an Army Soldier and proud mother of an Army MP currently serving in Iraq.


"To any critics who say a woman can't think and work and carry a baby at the same time, I'd just like to escort that Neanderthal back to the cave." - Sarah Palin

My only sister is obnoxious about her views BIG TIME. She is a lib, I am a conservative. If we weren't sisters I doubt we would be friends!!! I have to watch what I say to her. My son and I have a joke about her and George Bush. Instead of that six (or seven) degrees of Kevin Bacon game we have the my sister and three degrees to George Bush game. She can take any subject and turn it into a slam against Bush in three moves!! lol She's my sis and I'll love her forever but darn she's hard to deal with!! I try to keep my mouth shut because she is ultra sensitive. I think deep down inside she knows the truth but is having a hard time dealing with what she should do and what she wants to do about voting. We are Catholics, to me the answer is obvious. I know when someone is super defensive it's probably their conscience bothering them!!!

I just got off the phone with a very dear friend of mine who considers herself democrat..and we talked for a good 10 minutes on politics, we hear each other out & do not get personal & in general I really enjoying having the conversations with her.

It's usually not a problem. I have friends that are "normal" or "rational" republicans We discuss politics occasionally, it's usually interesting and not too heated. Then there's people like my bil who tries to incite arguments. I avoid the topic with him, but if anyone brings it up, he turns to us and say things like "I'm sure you'll be voting for the baby-killing Muslim" or something equally obnoxious. Unlike friends, you can't choose family.

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Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

I'm pretty much in this boat, too. I can discuss politics AND religion with my friends and some family members. Others, I try to avoid it at ALL COSTS!!!

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I can talk to my neighbors about politics. But, I cannot help but wonder what it's like at James Carville and Mary Matlin's house. Even if they never talk about politics at all, they're both on t.v. all the time.

It's the reason I've decided to stop posting on this forum.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

I have a very conservative, staunch Catholic neighbor who I can discuss anything with. Our viewpoints are polar opposites but somehow we always end up laughing...I think it helps that we really respect each other as people.

I do have another acquaintance-type of friend who keeps including me in her email forwards. The latest one was a series of lies about Obama claiming to have been verified by snopes...so some jackass put the snopes header on his pack of lies and they were just buying it, no effort to do any research. So I replied to her and the others she'd sent it to with a very polite note including a link to the real snopes page which refuted all the lies. It just amazes me that a woman who would never gossip or spread lies about anyone she knew will forward on that kind of b.s. without a second thought. Anyway, I think she's mad and she hasn't returned my last phone call. It's my thought that any responsible, reasonable adult would want to base their views on facts rather than lies...silly me, I guess.

Other than those two people, all my friends are like-minded. In a religious, conservative town like the one I live in, that's an achievement in itself! LOL!

Maureen

I have found it really difficult to find one conservative that can talk about this election rationally.

Me too.

Welcome back to the creepy clappying hands!

I have conservative friends off the board that I can discuss the election with.

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Reading is Fundamental.

That was classy!

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Yes, she's known for her "classy" comments!

LOL. Tam, I always remember you were the one that dubbed that as "creepy clappy hands". Too funny.

On topic: I do know a couple of people that have different political positions from myself. We do not discuss politics.

Classy Kelliiiii (lol ), I PMd you, but I don't think you are still able to access them. Please check your email.

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@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

You know that wasn't necessary. Here everyone was having a good discusion and you decide to make it bad by insulting Kathy.

Gee...I was just being Sarcastic.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Don't have a problem discussing politics with others who have opposing views. Here's why: RESPECT. The people that I can openly discuss politics with are people who give, and thus, receive respect.

The girl I share office space with has a McCain sticker on her car--I tease her about it. But, we've had very good discussion about some topics. It's always a matter of respect. My supervisor's and her husband are very conservative--but we can discuss things and not step on one another's toes. It's all about respect.

Respect is a two way street--you got to give it to get it.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

My family and friends don't usually discuss politics. I honestly could not tell you if other than my Dad and StepMom who votes in my family. I will talkw ahtever politics you like I respect your views as long as you respect mine. What gets me in trouble is my "Well did you vote? If not I don't care what your opinion is' line.

It upsets me to no end whens omeone will complain and gripe about soemthing that they could help change and they do nothing!!!

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Laura
Please visit my blog
http://mylifeinlaurasworld.blogspot.com/

I live in MA and am a Republican. Most of my friends are Democrats. However, most of them are resonable and I find we have much in common. I have only 1 liberal friend. We basically try to avoid politics. If we have a discussion it never gets personal. We usually end up agreeing to disagree.

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NEVER FORGET9/11!

Maybe it was a test. LOL

I have many friends who are both voting for McCain and lots who are voting for Obama. My husband was leaning towards McCain but as time goes on he see more of the truth about the McCain ticket and is leaning more towards Obama. We can talk about it without rancor because he and I both practice respect and he is willing to see falsehoods on both sides for what they are and truly wants to make his vote be for the best candidate. As we know John McCain and his family (or have met them more on several occasions and have socialized with them at school events) he has been impressed with McCain until the VP pick. I think that is when the tide began to turn for him.

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

Here we go! Pavlov's Dog Theory in action...

Seriously, usnamom? You made a deal - you were only going to continue riding KTS when you felt that you needed to swoop in and defend someone from what you perceived to be "racist" comments.

But you can't help to keep going back into the archives and rehash the old stuff, even after your latest statement last night.

This is becoming somewhat obsessive.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

For you too perhaps?

More like *very tired of watching the drooling effect*

But you're into it, huh? I guess there really *is* a target audience for every show.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

Good one! lol

You know what....I didn't make any such pact. I wasn't speaking to Kathy.....what would give you any reason to think I was? I made a comment to someone else's comment and then made my own comment. I am able to post whatever I would like to. You, however, have the right not to read it. Have a great evening.

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

I really like my Republican friends. We do discuss issues relating to politics, although on some issues, we agree to disagree and don't debate the underpinnings. Abortion, for example. We might talk about whether their candidate or my candidate actually stands for the position that we espouse, but we don't talk about whether our positions are right or wrong.

For example, the Republican friend with whom I am closest will be holding his nose while voting for McCain. He doesn't like him at all. But he believes in the positions that McCain takes more than he believes in the positions that Obama takes.

And since I'd probably do the same thing if the position was reversed, I don't make a stink about it. We talk about the race. Good moves and stupid moves. We really rarely disagee on these. He's going to vote for McCain; I'll vote for Obama. We'll cancel each other votes out, but I'm not going to change his mind and I don't try.

As far as family members, most of mine are Democrats, so I don't face this issue much, although the worst family fight in my memory dealt with nuclear proliferation, so even all-Democrat families have their own fights. I do have a nephew (indeed my godson) who supports McCain. Since this is the first election where he will be eligible to vote, and even then, he'll just barely be old enough to vote, I'm just happy that he is engaged enough to research the issues and select a candidate that he believes in. I'd prefer it if he had selected Obama, but I'm not going to try to talk him out of his vote. I'd rather, at his age, he be passionate and engaged and care about the issues.

My ten-year old nephew has also decided that he supports McCain. I think that he made his declaration as part of his first steps towards individuality. He informed me of his support when he saw my Obama lawn sign. It seemed like he just wanted to be talked to like an adult. Again, I didn't try to talk him out of it. His folks, who make me look conservative, can do that if they feel inclined. Again, I was just happy that he was thinking about the election.

I think that I'd have more problems with friends or family who don't care. That would be a problem for me. I don't know that I could remain friends with someone who didn't have opinions about current events, and who didn't think that a presidential election was important. If a family member were uninvolved, that would be worse because you don't chose family. Fortunately, mine is engaged, including my extended family.

See what you get for hanging around with the likes of me? Trouble, trouble, nothing but trouble.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Thanks a lot! I got spanked for hangin' with you.....totally worth it!

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

you know you liked it! I keep waiting for a spanking or something like that---so far, all I've gotten is a very stern warning!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I'd rather discuss politics then religion.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Tis true, tis true. I love a good spanking. Which is of course the only reason I do the things I do, you know.

Maybe if you try really hard you can get one too. I have gotten those warnings though before and when I kept posting, I got spanked. Try harder!

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

Silly me...I thought that big point you made last evening about deciding to be a team player meant as much...

Now back to waiting for your signal!

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

Now, that that is all cleared up.

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

If you want to keep drooling over KTS, sure I'll watch.

I would rather discuss spankings.....We could go back to that!

Wait...wrong board. I know, I know.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."