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I really don't considering myself an intolerant person.

But, over the past 6 months I have had to excise three longtime friends from my social media connections.

I do normally post political opinions and welcome constructive criticism from all sides.

But, these folks persisted in flaming all my posts. They were not considerate of others who posted on the thread and ignored my pleas to keep it civil.

I rarely, if ever, make comments on political posts my friends make. And, when I do, I try to make it light and funny.

One of the friends is a guy I've known almost since birth (ok kindergarten). He is okay with the split.

The other two...well...

What's funny to me is that they don't know each other and yet use the same retorts and links.

I've come to believe that talking about politics on the internet is a bad idea.

I don't talk about politics to anyone. I made that decision about ten years ago and am loving it. I go in the booth and vote. That's it.

stlouie_lipp wrote:I don't talk about politics to anyone. I made that decision about ten years ago and am loving it. I go in the booth and vote. That's it.

Smart. What do conversations like that ever accomplish?

I've been avoiding that for awhile now too. No one ever changes their mind or even keeps an open mind and feelings get hurt over stuff that ultimately doesn't matter much.

I removed friends recently from facebook. I can't stand hateful political stuff. I don't mind a strong point of view, but when it gets hateful - I get angry. Angry at "hate", stupid, I know.

I gave up income over this recently. A hateful person wanted me to create some of the hateful imagery that bothers me. I couldn't do it, despite very much wanting the money.

Vidor wrote:

stlouie_lipp wrote:I don't talk about politics to anyone. I made that decision about ten years ago and am loving it. I go in the booth and vote. That's it.

Smart. What do conversations like that ever accomplish?

When the other person has the maturity of an adult, and not an 8 year old, political discussions are the most fun to have. Same with religious conversations. Unfortunately, most people are idiots who are incapable of civil discourse.

I don't have political discussions with "friends". It never solves anything. I have very few conservative friends these days because it's all they want to talk about or they cheap shot the President or Liberals every chance they get. In their eye you are either conservative or liberal and if you are liberal they always have something stupid to say about you. I've just cut people like that out of my life. It seems these days some people just can't put politics aside no matter the conversation. Oh sure I'll argue on GRB a bit about politics but I don't really take it seriously and I don't think anyone else does either.

I have liberal friends that do the same stuff... I also have conservative friends that are further right than me that annoy me, but with both I can usually direct the conversation towards something less ridiculous.

longhornbaseball wrote:

Vidor wrote:

stlouie_lipp wrote:I don't talk about politics to anyone. I made that decision about ten years ago and am loving it. I go in the booth and vote. That's it.

Smart. What do conversations like that ever accomplish?

When the other person has the maturity of an adult, and not an 8 year old, political discussions are the most fun to have. Same with religious conversations. Unfortunately, most people are idiots who are incapable of civil discourse.

I dunno...it's not like one is going to convert one's friend of diametrically opposite views. But one could always piss that friend off.