What are your thoughts on Republican Friends?

[coloradodem2005]

There are a couple of things. I feel as though I want no part of them. But there are people that I like, politics nonwithstanding even though it pisses me off to no end. And they in general piss me off to no end.

The thing is, I really hate the area I grew up in and live in from a political/religious standpoint. This potluck of old scouting friends that I went to where I saw people I haven't seen in ages, just showed me how ugly people can get on that side of the fence. Though, we certainly have our moments on this side too.

[Indiana_Dem]

1. I get really mad at them silently....

I don't let them know. I know they have their own viewpoints. It does get in the way sometime for a short second or two but I make myself let it go by and hope and pray they see the light someday. I let them know I still love them anyway, how else is there to convert a person but by love and example?

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. I want nothing to do with republicans

We are essentially at cross purposes.

[Maat]

3. I'm struggling with this too.

My neighbors across the street are good friends. We raise our kids together, and the cop and his wife across the street are good friends to us. They simply tune anyone out that criticizes Dubya. It's like they go into a Stepford-Wive trance when the subject of politics comes up, and their brains turn to mush. I'm with the group of DUers who claim that logic and facts do not work with them. I've tried. I'm getting discouraged.

[cosmicvortex20]

12. Most people are as immune to change as we are...

Ask yourself what it would take for you to become republican, its the same thing for them in reverse.

The trick is to realize that everyone is bias and get beyond it.

[Fleshdancer]

4. I don't really have any....

I have a couple of Republican family members that I don't care to discuss politics with because I love them and don't want that wedge.

My friends though are either Democratic or apathetic...the apathetic ones are hearing it from me though. I think apathy is worse than Republican though. Some of them have seen the error of their ways, others are stubborn and pretend to still be apathetic even though they've registered to vote for the first time, and the die hard apathetics don't hear from me as much these days.

[LSK]

5. i dont have any!!!

I dont need to be friends with IDIOTS and LIARS.

[bamacrat]

6. well

well actually im in college and all three of my roommates are pro bush for some damn reason, i tell them that its sad that they are for him only because Kerry is for gay rights (to an extent. ah being the lone free thinking liberal makes me feel elevated, like all liberals should.

[alittlelark]

8. As a liberal I don't feel elevated

just informed.

[DemonFighterLives]

13. 3 pro bush roomates?

I feel sorry for you. I hope the elevated feeling isn't coming from the top bunk. Kidding. Welcome to DU.

[alittlelark]

7. I have none left

I have converted many - most over a year ago. There are 2-3 left that are R. I have minimal contact anymore. One has a husband who has been 'born again', I actually feel sorry for her, I can see in her eyes she does not believe the words coming out of her mouth.

Another has parents who will be leaving her BIG $$$ someday.... she is a greedy person, and I have no interest in her friendship.

Another is one of those people who NEEDS to be accepted, and at job they listen to Limpballs all day. She would have a chance if she switched employers.

I will be honest - I am intolerant of idiots and greedy people.

[jessicazi]

14. Most of my family are repubs

and some of my friends are too. My friends all know that I am a Democrat, and they know that I invest a lot of my time into learning about the issues, so they rarely try to discuss/debate the issues with me. I do not discuss politics with any of my family members, except my mom, and sometimes my dad. I have been told by my mom several times to keep my mouth shut at family functions, mainly because my views are controversial in my family. I will speak up, but only at certain times and only for rare exceptions. My uncle had a big Ann Coulter love fest at the Christmas get together my family had last Christmas-I wanted to vomit. Luckily, my cousin mentioned something about how far to the right she is, and he is a Repub!

Jessica

[alittlelark]

16. Living in Idaho, It makes sense that most of your aquaintances are R

so sorry for you!

[Working Class Hero]

9. This is a dilemma that I have dealt with for years

Living in San Diego all my life, it's hard to avoid them. I must say that because of the ugly politics of the past 3 1/2 years under Rove/Cheney/Murdoch, it is increasingly difficult to consider them friends "like it used to be". I can't remember a time, ever in my 40 years, where this country has been so divided politically. Several of my republican "friends" sound like little ditto heads these days. They get their information from fair and balanced Faux News. Thankfully, I have a lot of Democratic friends to pass the time with!! :hippie:

[Ladyhawk]

10. I'm finding it impossible to maintain friendships with them.

The same goes for fundies--and in this particular county, the two usually go together. I thought it could be done, but I was wrong.

Maybe someone else can do it. I can't. :(

This realization makes me sad beyond tears. :(

[kat21]

11. I have very few Republican friends and -

we pretty much make it a point not to discuss politics. The one that's really burning me is the friend who's a dem, decided not to vote but said if she had to vote, she would vote for Bush even though she doesn't care for him either. Last time we spoke she wouldn't discuss her reasoning behind it. Hopefully she will when we get together in a few weeks.

[Cleita]

15. I have Republican acquaintances, but none of these

relationships ever developed into friendship like with my liberal friends. On-the-other hand I find I have to interact with various people like health care providers and other professionals who are Republicans. Most are pretty decent, but I don't think I would ever be friends with them because frankly we are very different.

[onebigbadwulf]

17. Everything is black and white to them

the answer to fight terrorism is simple - kill all the terrorists

They're incapable of handling ambiguity, gray areas, and case by case scenarios. They love adamant dogma no matter how hypocritical, historically disasterous, and inconsistent.


Ugh. Morons.

[readmylips]

18. My hub is a GOPer....right or wrong

We don't talk politics or we end up killing each other. He's a typical GOPer, turns it into personal attacks. He knows the fine line. Don't mess with my Latin blood. Yet, we went to a democrat march in DC, bought me Hillary's and Prez Clinton's book and went with me to a Kerry rally. When people say, you got such a nice wife. He says, yea, but she's a Liberal...Proud Liberal, I demand. I think that he's jealous of my exuberance and conviction, and can't call me unpatriotic or USA hater. I'm also the only Catholic in this family.

His family is another story. They are the religious Jesus sent bush to save America. I cannot stomach them and probably would knock their teethes out.

[rucky]

19. At this point, screw 'em

anybody who defends the Chimp knows about and condones his criminal activity. if they don't have a problem with it, then I have a problem with them. the time for giving them the benefit of the doubt passed months ago.

[Zorra]

20. I consider them the same as I would a nazi if I lived in Germany in the

1930's.

I truly believe that most republicans would cheerfully gas muslims or political dissenters if Bu$h told them it was for the glory of the Homeland.

[Cats Against Frist]

21. If they aren't related to me

Then I don't really want to know them. Luckily for me, my sphere of existence includes my home in Seattle, and my graduate school in the Midwest -- for Poetry. No Republicans anywhere near my immediate proximity.

I do have family, on the other hand, seduced by the fascist lies of the corpo-christo-neocon triumvirate -- the vehicles, though? Chevy, Country music, NASCAR, "core 'murican values."

These people know to keep their mouths shut around me. Most of them, anyway. But you'll get one of those extended relatives that don't know you, and are too stupid to realize that because you dress in all-black and wear egghead glasses, and you're from Seattle, and you're no longer the awkward kid in the green and white McFarland's Construction softball outfit, that you're political views might come into conflict with one of their IGNORANT, BACKWATER, UNINFORMED comments.

I call that "go time." And I've stopped caring who I offend. The gloves came off after they asked me to explain why I wanted to study literary theory, and when I answered, one of them piped up: "But I bet you can't run a backhoe."

Fuck the chimps. They're self-righteous assholes. I believe in being nice to everyone on the surface, but if it starts, I'm going "mushroom cloud," -- and this doesn't mean on all conservatives. Only the fascist ones.

[fujiyama]

22. I have only one friend

that says he voted for Bush in '00. He says he doesn't like him, but I get the impression he'll vote for him again. I'll do the best I can do between now and election day to convince him to vote for Kerry, or otherwise vote third party or not vote at all.

We usually don't discuss politics so it's cool. I got into one or two arguments with him. One of them was when we were both very drunk, so it was kind of mindless ranting on my part.

I hope I'll keep my cool when he tells me he voted for Bush on Nov 2. Whatever I'll know that this state will still most likely go for Kerry.

I could be friends with republicans but I'd most likely avoid politics with them. I get somewhat passionate and angry when discussing it.

[niyad]

23. don't have any, won't have anybody in my circle of friends who can support

what is happening to this country courtesy of the unelected frauds now running this country.
went to a karaoke contest on sunday, and got into a discussion with another bar patron. started getting a bit heated, so I suggested we step outside, so as not to disturb the contestants. two friends watched me leave, and the guy said anxiously to the woman, "do you think we should go out and help?" she looked out, and said, "no, he's a big, strong man, he should be able to defend himself against her"

[lazarus]

24. I don't have any

I couldn't have a Republican friend any more than I could have a friend who commits murder, or rapes, or molests children.

Some of my family is Republican, but they're converting more and more frequently as Bush screws up.

[xchrom]

25. i won't even associate w/ family who are republican

nope -- won't do it.
it's my life and it's difficult enough as it is to deal w/ petty crap like that.
love, no, adore my liberal, lefty friends and family and that's enough for me.