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Some of my saddest friends, at least when it comes to expressing themselves politically, are my liberal friends who have beliefs just a bit outside the left-nor

Some of my saddest friends, at least when it comes to expressing themselves politically, are my liberal friends who have beliefs just a bit outside the left-norm. Things like owning firearms, or support for free speech even when it's ugly. These folks are shunned by both groups. One guy told me once he had friends of 20 years that wouldn't let him in the house when they found out he owned a gun. But the question one asked that I keep getting back to is this: would the Civil Rights movement stand a chance today in the world many in the left wants to set up? Another commenter mentioned being assaulted by a ROTC cadet for expressing liberal views. As bad as that is, I'm much more supportive of open fisticuffs, along with a jail sentence for whomever started it, than creating systems of political suppression that many major SV corps seem intent on doing. It doesn't get more fucked up and evil than that -- and I have no doubt in my mind that the people doing it are nice and well meaning. All the worse.

nxsynonym 9y ago
I identify with your left-of-norm liberal friends. Most of my views sit closer to the middle than either pole - but I can't actually discuss this with any of my "liberal" friends. If I say anything that isn't a complete regurgitation of a leftist facebook meme, I'm suddenly an "alt-right sympathizer" (real quote). It's made it so that whenever politics comes up at all I just check out of the conversation. It's hard because I really do enjoy debating and talking about politics, but nobody wants to debate anymore. Everyone wants to be correct and shame the other side into changing their views.
- wasted_intel 9y ago
  Those friends sound kind of terrible. Good friends can have rational, respectful discussions, even if they disagree.
yahna 9y ago
Tell you what, I'll organize a group that beats the shit out of you when you express a viewpoint and we can see how you feel about it.

nxsynonym 9y ago

I identify with your left-of-norm liberal friends. Most of my views sit closer to the middle than either pole - but I can't actually discuss this with any of my "liberal" friends. If I say anything that isn't a complete regurgitation of a leftist facebook meme, I'm suddenly an "alt-right sympathizer" (real quote). It's made it so that whenever politics comes up at all I just check out of the conversation. It's hard because I really do enjoy debating and talking about politics, but nobody wants to debate anymore. Everyone wants to be correct and shame the other side into changing their views.

wasted_intel 9y ago
Those friends sound kind of terrible. Good friends can have rational, respectful discussions, even if they disagree.

yahna 9y ago

Tell you what, I'll organize a group that beats the shit out of you when you express a viewpoint and we can see how you feel about it.