I've found that the best way to avoid losing friends is to just smile and nod when they go into loony mode, with the occaisional gentle suggestion.
Friends are a valuable commodity, and hopefully that friendship, if it's worthwhile, with outlive whatever political fad they've latched on to.
Uh, and apollogies for spamming this thread. This is just something near and dear to my heart. :)
I don't remember exactly how the old quote goes, something to the effect of 'If you want to know a man's character, look at his friends'. That's the issue.
I don't really care what people's attitudes and political beliefs are, so long as there is some reason to them. I know a few liberals that have positions I don't agree with, but I can't deny that they correctly reasoned themselves into what I feel are incorrect conclusions. Reasonable people do disagree.
I'm not talking about that.
I'm talking about zealots. People who are so consumed with hate and rage that they're blinded by it are not people I'm going to associate myself with, be they left or right wingers. People change, and friends change, and that's life. I'm sad to see it end this way, but it wasn't my choice. I'm not going to pretend to support anyones fanatical fantasies just to stay popular with them.
You're not spamming. You're offering a reasonable viewpoint.
I saw Pat Caddell on some show talking about the bitterness engendered (at the time) by the Viet Nam war.
He spoke of there being a year when he didn't talk to his parents because of disagreement about this.
He looked close to tears when he said he'd give anything to have that year back.
I eschew political talk among my writer friends; at church; at family gatherings where I'm not sure how people feel.
what's the point?