The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: Periwinkle on March 10, 2008, 07:52:54 AM
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AZgirl7 (81 posts) Mon Mar-10-08 03:42 AM
Original message
Saying goodbye to my 78 yr old Republican girlfriend
Dear Carol,
Thank you for the phone message. I feel bad that we have not been in contact for these last 2 years. So, I feel that I must try to explain why I let our friendship go.
It is said that people should not discuss religion or politics. But between close friends who share many intimate aspects of their lives, it is impossible not to mix public policy and politics discussions with what are the details of our daily lives, and the impact of them on our psyche. Previous to this president's tenure, I can assure you, I never had disagreements or hurt feelings between friends over where our country, and its worldwide reputation were going! Very early on in this decade, I got a very insecure and nervous feeling about what our president’s attitude was toward ordinary Americans, and what his priorities were. I got the message quite quickly that he was not at all concerned about people like me, who were struggling to live a stable and happy life, with some measure of hope for the future. I have come to realize that I, and millions of my fellow countrymen, have had our future financial security traded for the profit of a few. I have watched as our country’s treasures have been raided and pillaged, and my kids and grandkid’s futures mortgaged for a misguided attack and occupation upon a people and country who had no means to hurt us. Certainly our intelligence agencies could have taken out one bad man, and what was at the time, a small group of militants. 5 years later, millions have been displaced, disgraced, debilitated, disabled, murdered, and an entire country decimated. Also gone are the antiques of their ancient history, and the records of the very origin of civilization were stolen and destroyed.
I simply could not carry on a friendship with anyone who would condone and support a person who so ignorantly forged ahead with a mission like that. The treatment of our own soldiers tells the truth of how little human suffering means to this ‘leader’ of ours.
I wonder if Mr. Bush, had he ever had the guts to go to war himself, or to be waterboarded, would be able to veto a bill banning torture. A painfully embarrassing policy that has been one of the foundations of his war on terror. It’s also incredible that Mr. McCain agrees with this veto! What a despicable betrayal of his own soul. And Hillary’s YES vote for the US to continue using cluster bombs, when the whole world is condemning their use? It’s our entire government that has allowed this, and brought us to this awful place in history. All for power and greed.
Also, it was far too frustrating to interact with someone who blindly and willingly limited their knowledge of other sources of information and points of view. After searching for truths and spending countless hours reading articles from around the world, it was too hard to converse with someone who responded to my shared information by parroting the talking points of people who are well known paid puppet propagandists of the powers of the war industrial complex, and people who cannot tolerate the opposing opinions and feelings of others. True patriots care about how our country conducts itself, it’s reputation around the globe, and what it does in our names. The most painful thing has been being called unpatriotic, ‘with the terrorists’, or a terrorist myself because I did not agree with Staying The Course.
I now look at people who are the remaining 19% of people who are standing with this president and call themselves ‘staunch Republicans’, as people who have little feeling for those who have less than they do. Anyone who is not in the money seems to be looked down upon, and those humans who are in need are reviled as leeches on society, all trying to take something from you. I feel that is the basic difference between ‘conservatives’ and liberals. People who care about themselves and their money, vs. the people who care about their fellow human beings and will give up some of the excess riches they have been blessed with, for the good of all humanity or our society as a whole. With that being a core belief of mine, that if everyone is lifted, we are all happier, it was too hard to continue on with our friendship.
On a personal level I felt that you were one of the sweetest caring people I ever met, and that just didn’t square with the attitude I felt you had about our world in general and the lack of compassion towards those less fortunate than you. It’s was too hard to talk to someone who allowed themselves be programmed 24/7 by Fox News. There is a well known reason why the democrats will not dignify their existence by appearing for debates. It seems the neocons hate the truth. They’ve even justified the soldiers in Iraq randomly shooting civilians and killing puppies. “They need to let off steamâ€. I never thought I’d be mourning the loss of my country and to feel that being patriotic is a joke that has been played on me.
I suppose it could be said that I am too emotional or too involved with something I can’t control, if I would let it end a friendship. But, that’s me, and I have to be true to myself. I have since learned that it is useless to try to enlighten others when they do not WANT to be, so I just go away. The pain of our national situation is enough to bear. Unfortunately, the lot of us will go down with this president, and the ‘staunch republicans’ who helped sink this once great country of ours. I hope you’ve put all your life savings in gold already. I have.
Best of luck Carol and Keith. I’m sorry it had to be this way.
One of the Sweetest Most Caring people AZgirl7 has ever met, but politics are more important. ::)
Yeah right! :mental: The BDS is strong in this one.
And another thing, about that whole "excess riches they have been blessed with" what if you weren't "blessed" with excess riches? What if you worked hard and sacrificed all of your adult life to achieve what someone else perceives as "excess riches"? This 'girl' has alot of nerve, IYAM.
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I say that Carol is lucky.
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I have several friends that are libs and some times the conversations relate to politics but most times not.
I would rather be friends then enemies.
For this person to be so obsessed over politics and to somehow believe that whoever is President is key to happiness in life speaks volumes to their maturity level.
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I say that Carol is lucky.
You are correct.
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Hard work = blessed with riches which you MUST share with those who didn't want to work hard
*eyeroll*
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I have several friends that are libs and some times the conversations relate to politics but most times not.
I would rather be friends then enemies.
For this person to be so obsessed over politics and to somehow believe that whoever is President is key to happiness in life speaks volumes to their maturity level.
One of my best friends is a hard core communist. She fully believes in total socialism. We talk about politics sometimes, mostly it's just ribbing on each other. Yet we still have a pretty solid friendship.
So whas this dummies problem? She seems to have forgotten the most basic concept of what America is. Diversity, and the acceptance of it. Whether it be skin color, religion, or political thought.
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I had to ask one of my wife's friends to stay out of my house because the BDS was so strong in her. Turned out that she broke up with the liberal she was dating and the BDS lessened.
Sometimes Liberals need a little "tough love".
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MonkeyFunk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 04:23 AM
Response to Original message
1. So you're abandoning one of the "sweetest caring people"
you ever met because they don't agree with you on politics? After you tried to so hard to convince them that they're ignorant idiots who should agree with you?
I'm sure they'll be relieved.
:lmao:
AZgirl7 (81 posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 05:17 AM
Response to Reply #1
3. yes
When anything you mention about Bush, war, or fiscal policy is met with Rush and Hannity hate points, it's time to go. She only SEEMED sweet and caring with her soft Oklahoma accent, but the term 'welfare queen' came up one too many times. I will listen to anyone's LOGICAL opposition, but can't handle ignorant, uninformed blather!
:whatever:
MonkeyFunk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 07:08 AM
Response to Reply #5
11. And she's one of the sweetest, most caring people she knows
she's an old lady. Being badgered isn't likely to change her political outlook at this point. So why not just avoid political discussions and keep a friend?
When I'm old (hopefully) and dying, I'm not going to be thinking about how I showed so-and-so because they refused to agree with me.
MonkeyFunk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 07:05 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. I don't see how some people
get out of bed in the morning, if people disagreeing with them bothers so much.
According to the OP, her former friend is 78 years old, and one of the sweetest, most caring people she knows. I think it's silly to lose such friends over a topic that's easily avoided.
Where does it end? OK, your friends have to be Democrats. Do they have to be the exact same kind of Democrat as you? Do they have to agree with you on choice of nominee, down to the local level?
Few people are as passionate about politics as I am, but I can maintain friendships with people who don't agree with me.
Oh and here is a linky the OP seemed to forget it :tongue:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2981519#2981547
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OmmmSweetOmmm (1000+ posts) Mon Mar-10-08 08:00 AM
Response to Reply #26
30. I have never been friends with Republicans and couldn't be. It's a matter of values
to me, and as you say underlying philosophy. I cannot bond with people whose beliefs and sense of morality are so diametrically opposite of my own.
My whole family are Liberals too.
And we Republicans are grateful. Now please remember not to reproduce as well, and we'll be even happier.
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Well thank goodness some sanity slipped in that thread! That other DU'er is right: when I'm old and looking back on my life, I won't be thinking about politics. I'll be thinking about my family and friends. Screw political differences.
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Abortion on demand has always been about having an escape route for casual sex without a burden of responsibility.
The ability to live a hedonistic lifestyle and I wonder how many men have been the ones pushing it as it really gives them the most freedom to be predatory.
That it is tied to health issues is only a smokescreen for that.
Huh? :blonde: Perhaps?
KC
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(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/bondai/119257.gif)
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Well thank goodness some sanity slipped in that thread! That other DU'er is right: when I'm old and looking back on my life, I won't be thinking about politics. I'll be thinking about my family and friends. Screw political differences.
I live just outside of Eugene...if I chose only conservatives for friends I'd be pretty lonely. One of my favorite people is a democrat. We have SO much in common outside of politics. She's one of the first people I met when we moved to this area. Having been involved in farming one way or another her whole life she's been a real mentor to me as I've worked to make mine viable. We talk politics occasionally, a little more so now that it's the political season. But, we never let it go beyond superficial...a little back and forth that has us both laughing at the end. I'd much rather spend time talking about the things we do have in common...the richness of friendship is worth so much more than petty differences.
Cindie
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Huh? :blonde: Perhaps?
KC
[/quote]
Yep,trying to post too quickly and grabbed the wrong thread. :thatsright:
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MonkeyFunk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 04:23 AM
Response to Original message
1. So you're abandoning one of the "sweetest caring people"
you ever met because they don't agree with you on politics? After you tried to so hard to convince them that they're ignorant idiots who should agree with you?
I'm sure they'll be relieved.
:lmao:
AZgirl7 (81 posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 05:17 AM
Response to Reply #1
3. yes
When anything you mention about Bush, war, or fiscal policy is met with Rush and Hannity hate points, it's time to go. She only SEEMED sweet and caring with her soft Oklahoma accent, but the term 'welfare queen' came up one too many times. I will listen to anyone's LOGICAL opposition, but can't handle ignorant, uninformed blather!
:whatever:
MonkeyFunk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 07:08 AM
Response to Reply #5
11. And she's one of the sweetest, most caring people she knows
she's an old lady. Being badgered isn't likely to change her political outlook at this point. So why not just avoid political discussions and keep a friend?
When I'm old (hopefully) and dying, I'm not going to be thinking about how I showed so-and-so because they refused to agree with me.
MonkeyFunk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Mon Mar-10-08 07:05 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. I don't see how some people
get out of bed in the morning, if people disagreeing with them bothers so much.
According to the OP, her former friend is 78 years old, and one of the sweetest, most caring people she knows. I think it's silly to lose such friends over a topic that's easily avoided.
Where does it end? OK, your friends have to be Democrats. Do they have to be the exact same kind of Democrat as you? Do they have to agree with you on choice of nominee, down to the local level?
Few people are as passionate about politics as I am, but I can maintain friendships with people who don't agree with me.
Oh and here is a linky the OP seemed to forget it :tongue:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2981519#2981547
:thatsright:
I am so sorry. I'm still getting use to the format here. I'll be careful not to leave off the link in the future. Thanks for picking up my slack Freeper. ;)