that is it in a nutshell right there. i have had those same conversations, but only when i have sought out someone of that mindset, and they ALL think the same thing. and they NEVER respond to facts. i actually had one tell me, when i stated that while they are entitled to their own OPINION, they are NOT entitled to their own FACTS, that there was no such thing as OBJECTIVE REALITY, that everything was merely POINT OF VIEW! can you believe it? i was dumfounded at the idiocy!
but condolences on your friend. The only dustup i had with people that i cared about was over Elian. that was a line in the sand for me, and i honestly wondered what i could possibly have in common, other than the air we breathe, with someone who wanted to send him back.
This is, actually, the philosophy behind our post-modern lefties. There is no objective reality and reason is meaningless. Their "big thinkers" actually argue this. Which makes them even scarier than ever.