My 15 year bff :(

I got two compliments in a row. Careful guys, I might think sanity and kindness rule the earth again. Peace and love. Peace and love.

I also watched the expose on the Manson family the other night and then spent an hour or so researching them and roman palanski. I was unaware this controversial child raper/elite Hollywood director/International fugitive was married to Sharon Tate. I was also unaware of The Beach Boys drummer and son of Doris day being linked to the mansons. And then of course, unrelated but Brian wilsons story.....and I was thinking to myself. Yep, Hollywood brought this into our daily culture. Is it a question as to how we ended up in this mess? As much as I love/d pbs and NPR, I have heard "liberal" things from both of them and our kids are no longer allowed to watch Sesame Street, I kind of smiled when trump supposedly (I never know the actual truth anymore) proposed to defund them both. I don't want my public funds freely "educating" the public and children with this type of dogma. I have also read about the many power families of Hollywood raised in cults, the arquettes, Phoenix family, etc. scary stuff.

Daisy, I feel your pain. I'm in a work position where people are venting all day, every day about the political situation and unfortunately, it's my job to listen to them vent.

Oh, how I miss the "good old days" when people were just complaining about their mothers!

What's been working for me is to clearly express (not forcefully, nor subtly, just clearly) that we can't discuss politics. None, nada, fini! I've found in hindsight that I've often been the guilty party in bringing this troublesome subject up during casual conversations. It's hard not to talk about it when it's also all we hear about in the media, but now that I'm making a conscious effort, it's easier to avoid. A super-salacious celebrity scandal would help us all right now!

If you can figure out a sentence or way of expressing yourself that works for you and also makes the subject know you care, that's ideal. Is there a way to keep things lighter? If so, you could move forward and talk about things that you both enjoy. Unlike others, I DO think that a 15-year relationship is worth saving. You've got to have something that has kept you together this long. If it's a common relative, then it's even more important to keep the peace.

Step away from Facebook, CNN, FoxNews, ABC, and NBC. They are all just benefiting from our paranoia and our thirst for more bad news.

I hope things work out.

Sorry to hear your situation. That has to be frustrating. Glad you shared.

Life is funny that we have found our voices on this forum of all places. Glad everyone is able to vent a bit. I did remain silent for far too long that is how the mess came about. Everyone knew my position and felt entitled to make their comments anyway and not ask or respect my position. And mainly it was my friend doing the disrespect, but others lack of consideration to ask my opinion if even out of wanting to hear the other side of things. To me, I want to hear other people views, I may still reject them and not understand, but it is their opinion and if they are in my company I obviously felt them worthy of my friendship. I let things go thinking the election would simmer it down. And then came the marches and I lost it. no sense in my continuing to be silent in the company of those who were blatantly disrespecting me and obviously their character and manners no longer had my respect. I've spoken to everyone but her and we will eventually have to be at the same parties, but I feel I did what I needed to do. As mentioned, there are some other issues, I don't want to mention. The issue was not with me alone.

Believe me, I boycott as much news as possible. I watch or read just enough to be somewhat informed. You never know what the actual truth is. So mostly it is pointless to read and watch.

Thanks for humanizing the situation a bit. My hope is that everyone finds a peaceful respite some place

Sometimes I feel the need to defend our President from some of the crazy things said about him, and I do. Then, I realize he does a pretty good job of defending himself, unlike any politician I have ever seen.

I'm sure left leaning folks feel the same about President Obama.

I am just concerned this is the way it will be in the future and that is not a good thing. Even Regan or Kennedy would be crucified in this environment.

Today is worse, but the nutty Leftists were protesting Reagan while I was attending Purdue. I recall a bunch of these wackos, with nothing bright to say, carrying squirt guns and chanting "Ray Gun!. Ray Gun!"

I'm certain that these folks are out of work or bartenders today, as they were the few at Purdue studying towards a Liberal Arts degree.

I pretty much agree with you. well said.

Not only are you both crazy, you are belittling every service member who put his life on the line for the country.
Running for President is the most patriotic thing any person or family has ever done? Tell that to the Sullivans or any Gold Star Mother or Father.
Trump was and remains a draft dodger and I can't help noticing none of his kids joining up either.
The kids are globe- trotting on our dime, expanding their empire, and you think that's patriotic?