[John Twenty 28]

Just be polite. It's not always easy.

I taught for several years at two very liberal colleges. Some colleagues were nasty, downright ugly. I'd silently pray for them, be polite, and go on with life. It works. The overwhelming majority of liberals respected me for this. I can't say I converted anyone, but my relationship with everyone was amicable.

[rwfromkansas]

I had a liberal history teacher in HS. We were good friends though, as he respected my beliefs and I managed to listen to his (though he was dead wrong....:) The thing is, he said he was my favorite student because of how often I spoke up in class, even though I often disagreed with him. He told me sometimes, he says radical things just trying to get people to think and that it not necessarily everything he spouts off he believes. My senior year of high school, a junior came up to me and told me that Mr. Overman talked about me in class and said that he missed my opinions. Apparently, he told the class that I was an excellent example of what he wanted them to be, a critical thinker not accepting of everything. I still like this man...despite my hearing he has some really crazy theories about Sept. 11 and the Bush administration.

Anyway, now this year, my freshman year in college, one of my favorite professors is a major lefty. He has also stated that I am good at being able to express myself while understanding an occasional good point of the liberal side (emphasis on occasional...lol).

Indeed, respect can do wonders. It seems my teachers are almost shocked that there are people that can debate without personally attacking opponents.

Of course, if someone personally attacked me for my political beliefs, I would NOT hold back and get nasty and tough....even to a professor if necessary. But, if they respect my opinion and let me say what I believe, I should owe them the same respect.