I've been on the outs with much of my family for the last couple of decades, due to me making my final and very outspoken break from all things Democrat during Bill Clinton's second term.
At first, family members just considered that I was being my usual iconoclast self, and that it was a rebellious phase I'd get through. As long as they perceived that I was still nominally 'on the team', they were somewhat understanding, and would at least engage me in civil debate.
Once they realized I had truly and permanently shifted to the right, the veil of civility, tolerance, and understanding, disappeared like a puff of smoke.
In 2008, the knives really came out. A small number of my friends and relatives shot me to pieces in Facebook exchanges during that election. I'd guess about half a dozen de-friended me there, and a similar number cussed me out via email. Not a single one of those people has spoken to me since.
I find it sad that one side of the political divide has become so filled with hate and anger, that they're now incapable of even having a civil discussion or debate with the other side. Even when some of those people are their own relatives.
My third great grandfather and his brother fought on opposite sides in the Civil War. It appears my family (and much of America) has reached that breaking point again.
They donned an air of superiority in 2008 because they were running a halfrican "Bill Maher"*. 😀
Pure "virtue signaling".
*I just realized that Bill Maher gave us an awesome new "code phrase" - as long as the Lefties let him keep his job, it's ALL GOOD. 😀