Could you be friends with people you disagree politically?

[gipper]

My father was conservative all of his working life. When he got too old to work he moved to the left. The Democrats rhetoric of how Republicans want to take this away from you or that away from you scared the old man. He claims it was George Bush that pushed him left but I don't believe it.

Yeah because W was such a wonderful president. LMFAO!

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

I have family and good friends on both ends of the spectrum. When we find areas of agreement, we go there. If not, there are plenty of other interesting things to talk about.

It's much easier in real life than on an internet message board, that's for damn sure.

I used to belong to a local blog on a forum of a radio show host. One day we decided to all meet in person. All the conservatives showed up but only one liberal. Liberals are constantly being keyboard tough guys until you suggest to meet in person. They lose their courage real quickly and sooner stay home.

The one liberal that did attend had a great time with us and us with him. He was not the kind of lib that insulted people all the time during discussions. That's why he felt comfortable getting together for a few drinks and some late dinner.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

Yeah because W was such a wonderful president. LMFAO!

As I said I don't think that had anything to do with it. It had to do with he could no longer support himself and the commies scaring the hell out of him. They do it nearly every election if you pay attention to their game plan.

 

[gipper]

As I said I don't think that had anything to do with it. It had to do with he could no longer support himself and the commies scaring the hell out of him. They do it nearly every election if you pay attention to their game plan.

I suspect your father is much smarter than you. He can see what’s going on. You’re blind.

 

[ThisIsMe]

Ok, so you contend that someone is free to express any political opinion without it affecting their professional life?

What if that opinion calls for people to act in a violent way?

What if the expression of that opinion is at odds with the terms of employment?

What if that expression actually hurts the employers bottom line?

I'm not trying to trap you in any way, just pointing out that words can and do have real life consequences.

And before you try to claim it. No, I'm not against freedom of speech. But I do consider acting in certain ways against speech you disagree with as also covered under the same concept.

I will also add that the world would probably be less polarised if people would stop taking offence so easily.

just pointing out that words can and do have real life consequences.

This is a good point. This being true, do we really have freedom of speech? I agree, it's not good to have speech that is violent in nature, or calls for actions that are harmful, but, should we have that right? If you say no, then what else do we need to curtail? Do we have qualifications on what is and is not acceptable to say? Who makes those distinctions? Lefties? Righties?

So, if we start down that road, then it tells you that we don't really have freedom of speech, we have freedom of "acceptable speech". The problem with "speech having consequences" is the people who are in charge of what is considered "acceptable".

 

[forkup]

This is a good point. This being true, do we really have freedom of speech? I agree, it's not good to have speech that is violent in nature, or calls for actions that are harmful, but, should we have that right? If you say no, then what else do we need to curtail? Do we have qualifications on what is and is not acceptable to say? Who makes those distinctions? Lefties? Righties?

So, if we start down that road, then it tells you that we don't really have freedom of speech, we have freedom of "acceptable speech". The problem with "speech having consequences" is the people who are in charge of what is considered "acceptable".

Freedom of speech has always been limited. It has to be because it can be harmful to others (yelling fire in a crowded place is an often-cited example.) Libel and tort law is another.

As to who decides. The courts basically, since whenever a speech restriction is challenged it is invalid until the government can show the court that that restriction is constitutional. Speech in the US is given very broad deference.

To make another point. Freedom of speech as expressed here isn't so much freedom of speech but rather freedom of consequences from that speech amongst individuals or companies. A notion that if you would think about it is ludicrous. Unrestrained speech in this context would, for instance, mean that an employee can call every customer an asshole and the employer wouldn't have the right to fire him because of it. I think we can both agree that wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[MarathonMike]

Makes it easier if they trust you talking about other stuff like Religion or the other "Thanksgiving table" no-noes. Then you can sneak in a short little bit on Global Warming and sneek up on the politics gently.

Just make sure you're COLD SOBER if you try those moves, so you can bail INSTANTLY... It's REALLY tricky these days. Just mentioning what you paid for a corned beef can be interpreted as a political discussion.

Yeah, Religion is the other powder keg subject. Much of my extended family is extremely religious while I am a non religious Deist. That does not go over well especially with my cousin, the minister.

 

[Lisa558]

For most conservatives that is our outlook, they are just good people with different views. However some liberals do consider you enemy number one when they learn you don't subscribe to their politics like global warming.

I’ve heard it said, and it rings true based on the silencing and censoring of conservatives by liberals, that conservatives think liberals are merely misguided or poorly informed while liberals think conservatives are just plain evil.

 

[Lesh]

I used to belong to a local blog on a forum of a radio show host. One day we decided to all meet in person. All the conservatives showed up but only one liberal. Liberals are constantly being keyboard tough guys until you suggest to meet in person. They lose their courage real quickly and sooner stay home.

The one liberal that did attend had a great time with us and us with him. He was not the kind of lib that insulted people all the time during discussions. That's why he felt comfortable getting together for a few drinks and some late dinner.

You couldn't pay me enough to have a drink with you. I'm sure those people felt the same

That said I have many friends who are conservative.

We agree to disagree and leave it there. We don't talk politics or make snide comments

 

[Cecilie1200]

Yes, I have two VERY Liberal friends whom I've been friends with for decades. Like others have said, you just can't talk politics, period. When I was young it wasn't like that.

I remain very close with my sister, the flaming leftist. It does, indeed, require me utterly avoid saying anything about politics and current events on which we don't agree (which is most of them). I will point out that my sister, by contrast, feels no need to self-censor herself likewise to maintain the relationship, despite knowing perfectly well where I stand on issues. She is constantly popping off with her talking points and spitting out diatribes about whatever's on her mind, leaving me the choice of changing the subject or responding and thereby inviting her to start a fight.

Which just goes to show that leftists, no matter how nice they might be otherwise, are bullies at heart.

 

[Cecilie1200]

Yeah, Religion is the other powder keg subject. Much of my extended family is extremely religious while I am a non religious Deist. That does not go over well especially with my cousin, the minister.

Weirdly enough, my sister and I are the same religion, and both quite devout. Nevertheless, we largely have to avoid any topics of religion, due to her subjugation of her religious beliefs to her political beliefs.

 

[iceberg]

I'm friends with a lot of Democrats. I just don't really talk about political shit with them.

That's what sites like this are for. You can argue about politics over the web without losing any real life friends.

i talk politics with the ones who talk politics. those who simply slam (either direction) i avoid.

 

[Cecilie1200]

I have no liberal friends but liberal family members. They are all great people it's just that their priorities are all screwed up. I don't mind debating politics with any leftist, just as long when I prove them wrong they simply admit it instead of defending their position to death.

I wouldn't waste time trying to be friends with someone on the left without a very good reason that I'm already stuck with them (like being related, working together, etc.). It's too much work.

 

[Cecilie1200]

Most creative people are leftists because you just about have to live in a different world mentally. There is a difference between a musician and an artist. Musicians play but artists invent. I found that many artists are leftists more than musicians.

So what you're trying to say is that most creative people don't have much grasp on reality?

Fair point.

 

[Lisa558]

I remain very close with my sister, the flaming leftist. It does, indeed, require me utterly avoid saying anything about politics and current events on which we don't agree (which is most of them). I will point out that my sister, by contrast, feels no need to self-censor herself likewise to maintain the relationship, despite knowing perfectly well where I stand on issues. She is constantly popping off with her talking points and spitting out diatribes about whatever's on her mind, leaving me the choice of changing the subject or responding and thereby inviting her to start a fight.

Which just goes to show that leftists, no matter how nice they might be otherwise, are bullies at heart.

I have found myself in a similar situation with a cousin. After Biden was elected, she decreed that we can continue our relationship as long as I refrain from saying anything critical of Biden because she “doesn’t want to hear it.” This rule of hers came after four years of my having to listen to her complain how Trump is a racist, how he did nothing in response to COVID, and all the rest, and now I am required to keep my mouth shut about Biden.

Our relationship has cooled to a 20-minute phone call about once every three or four months.

 

[Paleman]

I can be friends with people who are in my Overton Window. That window is rather wide and broad. I am grateful to many people I disagree with.

I can not be a friend to someone (almost always Progressive) who thinks I should be cancelled for my views.

The best I can manage is to be tolerant of the misguided. Good friends ain't gonna happen.

 

[Lesh]

Our relationship has cooled to a 20-minute phone call about once every three or four months.

I'm sure she's a happier person because of that

 

[BackAgain]

I live in a deep blue state. Most of my colleagues and friends tend to be at least mostly “liberal” or “progressive.” In my estimation, many of them hold their views without giving it a whole lot of thought. I mean, now, it’s just a kind of habit for them.

it is possible to learn from them and I sometimes do. Once we get past the fact that, “politically,” they tend to think in emotional terms, they are bright enough people and usually nice people.

They usually consider me a nice person although misguided. (I tend not to speak to people in the real world the way I communicate here on a message board, so that helps.) If discussions get too narrowly political, we often see fit to change topics.

 

[MarathonMike]

I remain very close with my sister, the flaming leftist. It does, indeed, require me utterly avoid saying anything about politics and current events on which we don't agree (which is most of them). I will point out that my sister, by contrast, feels no need to self-censor herself likewise to maintain the relationship, despite knowing perfectly well where I stand on issues. She is constantly popping off with her talking points and spitting out diatribes about whatever's on her mind, leaving me the choice of changing the subject or responding and thereby inviting her to start a fight.

Which just goes to show that leftists, no matter how nice they might be otherwise, are bullies at heart.

She sounds like my brother-in-law. He's a great guy but he likes to steer conversations toward politics and he gets louder and angrier the longer it goes.

 

[sartre play]

Labeling all people who do not support your political view seems small minded. & Hate is not healthy. Do acknowledge that Those from either extreme side of the political center make it difficult to not act small minded at times. The pot stirrers Who keep us wound up for personal & money gain are the Americans I distrust & dislike the most. Both sides of the isle.