Just like that...back in touch with an old friend, and they're already gone.

[Hobarticus]

Crossed paths with an old high school friend living across the country, purely by chance. We exchanged a few e-mails to catch up, and then it turned bizarre.

She said something to the effect that she's become the Republican she always knew she was, deep inside. Anyone who remained a Democrat after Clinton was a glutton for punishment.

In reply, I simply said, we shouldn't talk politics, because it's nice to talk to her again.

Not another word from her.

I don't know what's more stunning: that someone could STILL be looking at this ridiculous administration as somehow an improvement over the Clinton years, or that someone would not talk to an old friend because of political affiliation. I suppose among the mouth-breathing, Fox-watching "20-percenters", the former is certainly true. But it still stuns me to silence when I hear it. Either they're that f*cked up or they're that misinformed...or maybe both.

As for the latter, I have several deep-red friends. Once in awhile we bump heads, but we've come to a state of detente. When they try to talk politics, I change the subject or shoot down their "feelings" with facts, and it stops cold. But I still love 'em. I can't imagine turning your back on someone you've known for decades, just because you found out they have different politics. Is that how fragile the "20-percenter's" little world is, that they have to insulate themselves like farm-raised mushrooms? Keep 'em in the dark and feed 'em bullshit?

[blogslut]

1. Similar tale, sort of

Exchanged emails with an old friend who had recently been born again. All he wanted to do was save my soul and bring me the good news. I said I would rather not talk bout religion and that was that.

[Hobarticus]

2. Craaaazy....

Disappointing as hell, ain't it?

[blogslut]

4. Very

He was a great friend back in the day. :(

[Hobarticus]

6. Mine was, too.

I was going to drop out of school, and she took me to her cousins' house, who had both dropped out. They weren't doing so hot. As we left, she turned to me and said something to the effect of, "sure about this?"

She was a kind soul, wise beyond her years.

Always missed her, and even more so, now.

[knitter4democracy]

5. I'm so sorry. Give him a few years.

After someone becomes a convert, the first year or few are full of feeling so relieved and so happy that you want to make everyone feel so relieved and so happy. Then you start seeing the hypocrisy, the problems, the nastiness that are in every group of people. Then you can talk with your friends like a normal person. Give him time.

[blogslut]

9. I'm too old and too tired

To hear that. I was "born again" 30 years ago and I became agnostic less than five years after that. I don't have the time nor the patience to waste on friends that only want to associate with me if I am a potential convert. He had his chance and he chose to waste it.

[knitter4democracy]

12. I totally understand.

It probably was all about converting you, and that's not right or fair. I'm just saying that he might come to his senses eventually and then reach out to apologize or try to hang out.

[Blue Belle]

11. I had a friend dump me be cause I wouldn't accept Christ as me personal savior...

She said she didn't have time to pursue friendships with people who weren't Christian.

:eyes:

[knitter4democracy]

13. Whoa. That's messed up.

Um, then how was she supposed to convert anyone?

[Blue Belle]

24. You know what's worse??

She has a Masters in Couseling and wants to be a Christian Life Coach.

[knitter4democracy]

25. Yes, I know the type.

She sounds more and more like a couple of people I knew at our evangelical college. *shudder* Odd people.

[Blue Belle]

26. What kills me is the people she prefers to have friendships with...

over me are totally superficial. All they do is drink martinis and talk about their weight, hair or latest cosmetic procedure. I guess they are a little more deep than I give them credit for - they do occasionally talk about who was on The View or what happened on Oprah.

[MetaTrope]

3. And here

A friend in college who was a stoner, while I was the straightlaced geek...but a decade of Limbaugh turned him into Ken Starr Jr.

[lonestarnot]

7. eeee and fucking creepy good riddens!

[sharp_stick]

8. An old friend emailed me a coupleof years ago

we wrote back and forth a few times and then he started to "sell" me on Amway. I figured that out after he's invited me to his house for a "party" and I reminded him that I lived across the country now so couldn't go. He thought that I could be a great person to move his business national so spilled the beans, when I said I wasn't interested I never heard from him again.

We weren't ever that close but it was still pretty dissapointing.

[trof]

10. I went to an Amway 'party' almost 40 years ago.

A guy I worked with but wasn't particularly 'friends' with called.
"Hi. This is Dave. Linda and I are having a party Saturday night. Can you guys make it?"

Well, sure. Sounds great.
Maybe they want to make some new friends.

When we got there they had a blackboard set up in the living room and he launched into the spiel about how this could make us all rich and what great products they were.

I never forgave him.

[Blue Diadem]

19. We had the same thing happen. DH worked with a guy for years

they weren't particularly close but talked at work and sometimes took turns driving the 30 mile trip to work.

One day DH's co-worker wanted to come over and introduce his wife to us. I remember thinking this is nice..DH works with the guy, they live not far from us and our kids go to the same school and are in the same sports. Hmm..maybe a new friend?

WRONG, they just wanted to get rich with Amway. :(

What doubly ticked me off was I'd see these people at the school and occasionally DH's coworker would respond to my hello but his wife just acted like I didn't exist.

[trof]

21. putzes

[Blue Diadem]

22. yup

I know the look of shock had to show on my face when they brought in all that Amway crap.

[Madspirit]

14. I am sorry this happened to you. ,n/t

[Longhorn]

15. I've had similar encounters.

What kills me is that my conservative friends (mostly family so I don't have a choice!) will make political statements and then if I try to respond or rebut, they shut it down, saying we shouldn't get political. And by the way, their statements aren't political; they're patriotic. :sarcasm:

[shance]

16. Maybe she's being paid to be a Bush harasser.

Seems to be big business these days.

[Swamp Rat]

17. Become Republican:

http://www.thefrown.com/?/cartoons/55/495

[spoony]

18. It sucks but you did all you could

I totally agree with what you said, about not letting politics affect old friendships, and it's terrible that others do buy into Bush's "us v. them, patriot v. traitor" crap even in their personal lives. All we can do is shrug and wonder at how people choose to dig moats instead of build bridges.

btw, love your MST sig, and your use of "detente" :)

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. Anyone who remains a republican during the bu$h occupation is a glutton for punishment.

[Blue Diadem]

23. I'm sorry she's that way Hobarticus

I don't understand them(the 20%) either, I doubt we ever will.