A politics free zone

[lblanchard]

During the last U.S. presidential election season, I lost a couple of LJ friends of the liberal persuasion in the course of heated debates -- one by his choice, one by mine.

This year I am determined that this is not going to happen, partly by refraining from airing my political views on Teh Internets.

I read something somewhere (FB, I think) in which someone commented to the effect that "your snarky political observations aren't going to convert me; they may momentarily make you feel gleeful but they will essentially lower my opinion of you." That resonated. Boy did it resonate.

Yesterday I had jury duty and missed my daily afternoon dose of caffeine. I fell into bed before the thrilling conclusion of the Team Blue convention, even as I had during the thrilling conclusion of the Team Red convention.

Yesterday being jury duty day, all the bike ride I got was about 2.5 miles to and from the Criminal Justice Center, plus a short walk on my lunch break, plus my sit-ups when I got home. I upped the ante on the sit-ups by extending my legs fully rather than bending at the knee. I have limited patience for exercises and would resent time spent doing more than 30 of the wretched things. Tomorrow is reference jeans day and I'm looking forward to seeing a little bit of progress after another perfect week of following the Weight Watchers program on my own and getting the requisite 28 points of exercise.

On, and plant news for clindau -- I stopped counting Schlumbergera seedlings when I got to 20. I wish I had equally good news for halfmoon_mollie, but all the willow wands I started at the time I started hers have gone belly up, including hers. I'll start one again in the spring, or possibly ship you an unrooted wand in Feb, which you can place in water in a sunny windowsill, if you have one to spare (do you?). I brought in some willow cuttings one February and they were beautifully leafy by the Flower Show and had rooted heroically as well. I think that kightp took one home with her, and possibly karenkay and clindau as well.

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Well...maybe I'll wait until spring, because I have three windows in the apartment - all of them visited regularly by Miss SallyCat.

I entered a drawing for tickets to the Tommy Emmanuel concert next Friday but I haven't heard anything. I guess that means I didn't win.

they may momentarily make you feel gleeful but they will essentially lower my opinion of you

resonates here, too.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

As I recall, those tickets were fairly affordable (for a Tommy Emmanuel concert), although they're above my impulse-purchase price point.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Well, see, there's a matter of transportation, as well.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

As I said, above the impulse price point. He's going to be at the Jersey Shore for three whole days later in September, but the good tickets were way beyond my impulse price point, plus....no public transportation, so add $70 for car rental. Nope. I worship and adore the guy, but not that much.

[montieth.livejournal.com]

I've lost a few friends due to the political differences but you know what, if you can't disagree with something over something in a factual and even heated argument and not be friends afterwards, then they're probably not friends.

There are several people I know which disagree with me on various points and we're still VERY good friends. I even respect them more because of the ability to stand up and disagree and still be calm, civil and kind (a two way street). lorigami is one such person who I've had many an argument with but still hold an insanely high opinion of. Several years ago I contemplated running for state representative and the first person I decided I wanted as an advisor was her. The idea was to keep me honest AND to provide some balance, even if it was just an a consultation basis. I realized that I REALLY didn't want to get into politics (as if I need another hole in my head!) but the sentiment is still there.

My long time childhood friend was lost to me because he decided he couldn't stand my views. Difficult that but it is it what it is. Point being if you have to censor yourself entirely because a "friend" is going to be so offended they don't want to talk to you, are they really a friend? I think not.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to go out and do anything politically useful except casting my vote, and after several years of worrying about the country going to hell in a handbasket I'm ready to pass that responsibility on to the younger generation.

[chakolate.livejournal.com]

"your snarky political observations aren't going to convert me; they may momentarily make you feel gleeful but they will essentially lower my opinion of you."

Both parties are full of intelligent people, and I don't understand why they don't understand that all their negativity doesn't just go away when the election is over. You leave a bad taste in people's mouths, they don't just forget it.

Both parties are equally guilty of severe deceptions, if not outright lies, about the other party, and all it means is that people just don't trust anybody in either party.

Come to think of it, though, that may be a good thing. :-p

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

And they all boil down to "my guy is red hot -- your guy ain't doodly squat."

[clindau.livejournal.com]

Those Schlumbergeras are quite robust, aren't they?

I didn't bring a willow cutting home from the Year of Big Flower Show Fun, but the first time we met you gifted me with a jade cutting that is still going strong. I also still need to send you some iris. I will be insanely busy until next weekend; hopefully the iris can be harvested and mailed then.