Holy cow, you're right. I've got two pretty common words as a screen name to be top of the google list.
As far as the topic of the thread goes, I've had two people I've been close to for years turn rabid. One went Michael Moore 'This is a war for oil, we target civilians, Junior wants make Daddy Bush proud, and Halliburton rich', the other went Pat Buchanan 'Imperial America should put all our troops on the border and stay out of all foriegn affairs'.
It's not so much the opinions that are disturbing, but the fanatical, sometimes wild eyed vehemence that accompanies it. They refuse to be reasoned with, and act like you're trying to hand them venemous snakes if you offer any proof. I also note from the exchanges posted that it's always them who initiates the break in relationships, which I've found to be the case. I didn't even know there was a problem in either case until they exploded on me.
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. :)