Tuesday, January 18th, 2005
Half of America
Not long ago, I got an email from this individual. We’ve never actually met. We’ve chatted over the years via email and instant messagings. Shared tidbits here and there, but really don’t know a whole lot about each other aside from the fact that we share a common ground that linked us together - hodgkin’s disease/lymphoma. It’s her (adult) son who had it.
Anyway, she asked how I was and what I’ve been up to etc. In my reply, I briefly mentioned that I’m afraid of what will happen in the next 4 years. Who are we going to invade next? We’re so hated in the world as it is already. I’m just purely afraid of what the consequences we Americans will face in the world due to this admin and its actions. That was the extent of all I’ve said in that regard.
She writes back, more terse than her usual tone. There were tidbits of stuff here and there, superfacial politeness can be sensed, it was unusual. Then I realized why. At the end of the email, she signed: hername (Pro-Bush)
She decided to completely avoid an intellectual debate and just wrote “pro-bush”. She probably lables me as Unpatriotic, too.
Wow. And, double sigh.
on Tuesday, January 18th, 2005 at 11:21 am:
Its amazing isn’t it, when people you think have the same feelings & thoughts politically as you turn out so very different.
Hopefully, if you’ve been a support system for each other you’ll both be able to move past this difference and continue to be friends.
on Tuesday, January 18th, 2005 at 12:22 pm:
{{{Hugs}}} and I’m sorry your friend was so narrow minded. I am a Republican (are we still friends? LOL) and I am happy to discuss politics with anyone as long as it doesn’t become a snarky nasty discussion (I do NOT think you would do that).
That said…perhaps she chose the wussy way out because of recent bad experiences in talking politics. I completely avoid the topic with my mom because instead of being willing to talk and listen my normally open minded mom retreats to snarkiness and nastiness when talking politics.
Either way, I’m sorry this has put a wedge in your friendship.
on Wednesday, January 19th, 2005 at 7:23 pm:
Hmmm. I’ve experienced a similar schism between the blues and reds in my own family. I consider myself purple. I cannot side with one political party or the other. I think the pure form of either is a case of the Emperor’s New Clothes. I think the last election really polarized the American public. I think it’s all utterly ridiculous. Since Sept 11, people are really seeking to “black and white” issues in an effort to understand, deal, and exact personal control. Just an opinion… I don’t like what I see. United we stand, divided we fall. The pendulum is swinging…