Comments on: The Politics of Friendship http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:45:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: David Heimer http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-136596 David Heimer Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:40:25 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-136596 Hmmm...interesting that you don't justify WHY it was necessary for the U.S. to invade a sovereign, albeit with an evil leader, country. Mr. Furutani, you seem to simply want to irritate folks and start trouble. The Iraq invasion was wrong and george Bush and his hinchmen belong in jail! Hmmm…interesting that you don’t justify WHY it was necessary for the U.S. to invade a sovereign, albeit with an evil leader, country. Mr. Furutani, you seem to simply want to irritate folks and start trouble. The Iraq invasion was wrong and george Bush and his hinchmen belong in jail!

]]> By: John Furutani http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-63975 John Furutani Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:43:50 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-63975 As a baby boomer, I can provide a bit of credibility when confronted by various "progressive" diatribes: 1) I used to be part of the New Left; I am no longer because history, truth, and the realities of socialism--National, Soviet, Chinese--should be enough for most rational people. 2) I am polite, civil, and sarcastic towards everyone and everything. No discrimination on my part ala Henry Higgins. If no one can be hoisted upon his own petard, then we live in Zimbabwe and not America. 3) I'm a minority (Asian) who detests affirmative action--if I'm a racist for that then what are my friends who may be leery of Mr. Obama? 4) I'm against same sex marriage; yet I have dinner with a friend everytime I visit D.C. because we forged a relationship out of mutual benefit and struggle against a former employer of mine. I respect him, he respects me, and we don't discuss hot button issues. And even if he asked my views, I am confident he wouldn't explode and suddenly assign me to the 9th circle of Hell. 5) I've worked at 3 levels of government--no one can tell me government is the best solution (although it does have a role). 6) I'm a Deist, yet was raised in Christianity and exposed via my hometown environment to Judaism to a great extent. As with Lenny Bruce, as one grows older, and becomes a parent, one grows to appreciate the role religion has in civil society. 7) I've worked in community corrections; I know evil exists, and don't romanticize or excuse criminal behavior. 8) Lastly, I am an American born and raised who has traveled in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Mexico, the Caribbean,and the Philippines. If the USA is such a lousy country when run by Republicans/Conservatives, then why are people from those areas trying to get here? As Dick Gregory used to say, people vote with their feet. So try not to feel too isolated--you are not alone and in good company always. As a baby boomer, I can provide a bit of credibility when confronted by various “progressive” diatribes:
1) I used to be part of the New Left; I am no longer because history, truth, and the realities of socialism–National, Soviet, Chinese–should be enough for most rational people.

2) I am polite, civil, and sarcastic towards everyone and everything. No discrimination on my part ala Henry Higgins. If no one can be hoisted upon his own petard, then we live in Zimbabwe and not America.

3) I’m a minority (Asian) who detests affirmative action–if I’m a racist for that then what are my friends who may be leery of Mr. Obama?

4) I’m against same sex marriage; yet I have dinner with a friend everytime I visit D.C. because we forged a relationship out of mutual benefit and struggle against a former employer of mine. I respect him, he respects me, and we don’t discuss hot button issues. And even if he asked my views, I am confident he wouldn’t explode and suddenly assign me to the 9th circle of Hell.

5) I’ve worked at 3 levels of government–no one can tell me government is the best solution (although it does have a role).

6) I’m a Deist, yet was raised in Christianity and exposed via my hometown environment to Judaism to a great extent. As with Lenny Bruce, as one grows older, and becomes a parent, one grows to appreciate the role religion has in civil society.

7) I’ve worked in community corrections; I know evil exists, and don’t romanticize or excuse criminal behavior.

8) Lastly, I am an American born and raised who has traveled in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Mexico, the Caribbean,and the Philippines. If the USA is such a lousy country when run by Republicans/Conservatives, then why are people from those areas trying to get here? As Dick Gregory used to say, people vote with their feet.

So try not to feel too isolated–you are not alone and in good company always.

]]> By: adie http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-63460 adie Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:30:56 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-63460 I've not only lost friends, I've lost jobs, because of my open support and respect for our military, my refusal to buy the 'global warming' scam, and support for President Bush. Sure I disagree with lots of things Bush has done (Harriet Myers, illegal immigration). I've voted republican since being forced to listen to 4 years of Carter (what a socialist eor). In both cases (friends and jobs), I consider neither a loss to me. Cutting people and jobs like that loose is a win for me since I don't have to waste my headspace on their succeptibility to propaganda. It's time to stand up for America. When you are silent, you permit people to continue in their delusions unchallenged. In the oil price, this isn't something we can simply indulge as we have indulged drug-fried hippies since the 60s. Some environmental extremists (ELF) have burned down apartment complexes and car lots. They are anti-human. Those preventing our freedom to drill where ever we damn well please are breaching our civil rights and hastening our premature deaths as we can look forward to inability to ship food and supplies, and power outages that leave us freezing in the dark. To me, government control of oil is a more massive example of the court-sanctioned murder of Terri Schiavo. If you do not realize that democrats not only don't care if you live or die, but that they consider it culling out our defenseless and their own unspoken plan for 'solving' the social security funding problem, then you are not listening to them. I’ve not only lost friends, I’ve lost jobs, because of my open support and respect for our military, my refusal to buy the ‘global warming’ scam, and support for President Bush. Sure I disagree with lots of things Bush has done (Harriet Myers, illegal immigration). I’ve voted republican since being forced to listen to 4 years of Carter (what a socialist eor). In both cases (friends and jobs), I consider neither a loss to me. Cutting people and jobs like that loose is a win for me since I don’t have to waste my headspace on their succeptibility to propaganda. It’s time to stand up for America. When you are silent, you permit people to continue in their delusions unchallenged. In the oil price, this isn’t something we can simply indulge as we have indulged drug-fried hippies since the 60s. Some environmental extremists (ELF) have burned down apartment complexes and car lots. They are anti-human. Those preventing our freedom to drill where ever we damn well please are breaching our civil rights and hastening our premature deaths as we can look forward to inability to ship food and supplies, and power outages that leave us freezing in the dark. To me, government control of oil is a more massive example of the court-sanctioned murder of Terri Schiavo. If you do not realize that democrats not only don’t care if you live or die, but that they consider it culling out our defenseless and their own unspoken plan for ‘solving’ the social security funding problem, then you are not listening to them.

]]> By: NahnCee http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62741 NahnCee Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:58:49 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62741 I cut off a liberal Obamaniac friend and don't see her any more because she simply could NOT stay away from her beloved favorite topic of "Bush is EVIL!" No matter what I changed the subject to, she swerved back to her Bush hatred within a minute or two. Why do I need to hear this bullshit, especially when I've asked (repeatedly) can we please just not talk about it any more? The definition of a friend should be someone who is supportive and that you enjoy being with -- not a lecturing, ignorant, selfish one-trick pony. I cut off a liberal Obamaniac friend and don’t see her any more because she simply could NOT stay away from her beloved favorite topic of “Bush is EVIL!” No matter what I changed the subject to, she swerved back to her Bush hatred within a minute or two. Why do I need to hear this bullshit, especially when I’ve asked (repeatedly) can we please just not talk about it any more? The definition of a friend should be someone who is supportive and that you enjoy being with — not a lecturing, ignorant, selfish one-trick pony.

]]> By: Chicago Fire http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62713 Chicago Fire Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:02:51 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62713 Politics would not be the only reason a friendship is threatened. If you really want deep seated hostilities to flare, try religious discussions. I finally had enough of a radical anarchist "friend" of 40 yrs. spouting off about how Catholics are sexist, authoritarian and evil, even though he knew my grandson attends a catholic elem. school. I am no great Catholic but he went way over the top, once too often and I e-mailed him it was a voluntary organization, with no government backing, unlike the Islamic societies he likes so much and that he is simply a bigot. No response. Silence. Politics would not be the only reason a friendship is threatened. If you really want deep seated hostilities to flare, try religious discussions. I finally had enough of a radical anarchist “friend” of 40 yrs. spouting off about how Catholics are sexist, authoritarian and evil, even though he knew my grandson attends a catholic elem. school. I am no great Catholic but he went way over the top, once too often and I e-mailed him it was a voluntary organization, with no government backing, unlike the Islamic societies he likes so much and that he is simply a bigot. No response. Silence.

]]> By: Kate http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62700 Kate Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:15:50 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62700 This conversation is so helpful for me. I'm in academia, and I constantly have to listen to people crow about how they are teaching their students to be "radical" -- and this is a major American institution, one of the top 30 schools. For seven years I have been here and have listened to stuff like that, and kept my mouth shut. I actually had one confidant warn me that I might "never get a job" if my opinions are known....keeping in mind that I'm a MODERATE and am not even a registered Republican (I'm registered Independent). Finally I have started speaking up and believe me, they think I am Evil. And mean. And a bully. All because I express my opinion. It's totalitarianism...but I don't have enough nerve to say that yet. It is very difficult to know what battles to pick, and when you do engage and your opponent resorts to personal attacks, it's difficult to not respond in kind. This conversation is so helpful for me. I’m in academia, and I constantly have to listen to people crow about how they are teaching their students to be “radical” — and this is a major American institution, one of the top 30 schools. For seven years I have been here and have listened to stuff like that, and kept my mouth shut. I actually had one confidant warn me that I might “never get a job” if my opinions are known….keeping in mind that I’m a MODERATE and am not even a registered Republican (I’m registered Independent).

Finally I have started speaking up and believe me, they think I am Evil. And mean. And a bully. All because I express my opinion. It’s totalitarianism…but I don’t have enough nerve to say that yet. It is very difficult to know what battles to pick, and when you do engage and your opponent resorts to personal attacks, it’s difficult to not respond in kind.

]]> By: Reverse_Vampyr http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62699 Reverse_Vampyr Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:11:55 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62699 My experiences echo Mac's comment. I work in a field that tilts strongly liberal, and have found that when co-workers hear of my political inclinations, they come unglued. And so far I have yet to find a single one who can explain why he/she identifies themselves as a Democrat aside from the notion that it's more "hip". Talking points make for a comfy blanket of superiority. I do, however, have a couple of close friends who are pretty liberal with whom I've been able to have constructive discussions on the issues. I enjoy being able to hear their side of things voiced in a calm and non-condescending manner. Truly tolerant libs are rare, but they do exist. My experiences echo Mac’s comment. I work in a field that tilts strongly liberal, and have found that when co-workers hear of my political inclinations, they come unglued. And so far I have yet to find a single one who can explain why he/she identifies themselves as a Democrat aside from the notion that it’s more “hip”. Talking points make for a comfy blanket of superiority.

I do, however, have a couple of close friends who are pretty liberal with whom I’ve been able to have constructive discussions on the issues. I enjoy being able to hear their side of things voiced in a calm and non-condescending manner. Truly tolerant libs are rare, but they do exist.

]]> By: Qulmos http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62669 Qulmos Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:14:09 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62669 THANK YOU! I exactly agree with you! I have so many friends around me gushing about Obama (a few of them because he's black or part-black), and yet just about everyone, regardless of whether or not they like Obama, will all-too-readily question McCain because of his age. I've even been mocked by my own family! If they're so smart, why don't they argue with logic instead of ridicule? I can't believe liberalism... it puts on this nice show about welcoming opposing viewpoints, but the moment you say something which they don't like or don't agree with, you get mocked for it. Free speech should not have such hypocritical provisos. THANK YOU! I exactly agree with you!

I have so many friends around me gushing about Obama (a few of them because he’s black or part-black), and yet just about everyone, regardless of whether or not they like Obama, will all-too-readily question McCain because of his age. I’ve even been mocked by my own family! If they’re so smart, why don’t they argue with logic instead of ridicule?

I can’t believe liberalism… it puts on this nice show about welcoming opposing viewpoints, but the moment you say something which they don’t like or don’t agree with, you get mocked for it. Free speech should not have such hypocritical provisos.

]]> By: NB http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62581 NB Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:57:04 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62581 Case in point: I emailed a (very liberal) friend of mine the document Newt Gingrich put together on AmericanSolutions.com because I agree with almost all of his "solutions". He emailed back saying that Mr. Gingrich is proof that even an idiot can have a place in America. I responded, wanting to have an intelligent conversation about our political differences, asking him to explain which part/parts he disagreed with, why, and what his positions were. That was a week ago and I have yet to receive any response. And no responses to my non political "how ya doin', how's your girlfriend" emails or my calls just to keep in touch. Perhaps we're not friends anymore... Case in point: I emailed a (very liberal) friend of mine the document Newt Gingrich put together on AmericanSolutions.com because I agree with almost all of his “solutions”.

He emailed back saying that Mr. Gingrich is proof that even an idiot can have a place in America.

I responded, wanting to have an intelligent conversation about our political differences, asking him to explain which part/parts he disagreed with, why, and what his positions were.

That was a week ago and I have yet to receive any response. And no responses to my non political “how ya doin’, how’s your girlfriend” emails or my calls just to keep in touch. Perhaps we’re not friends anymore…

]]> By: seeker http://pjmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62540 seeker Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:09:41 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-politics-of-friendship/#comment-62540 There are two options here: 1. McCain, a believer of old American values. "Very Old" but distinctly American in flavor. 2. Obama, a proponent of "progressive change"... so new, so tempting. "Very New" but a great probability of not so American in flavor. Choose. The Old Free-Enterprise America or New Socialist America. That's the point of no return, as per Lloyd Webber. There are two options here:

1. McCain, a believer of old American values. “Very Old” but distinctly American in flavor.

2. Obama, a proponent of “progressive change”… so new, so tempting. “Very New” but a great probability of not so American in flavor.

Choose. The Old Free-Enterprise America or New Socialist America.

That’s the point of no return, as per Lloyd Webber.

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