Campaign 2012, or, Let the mudslinging begin (er. continue?)!

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

I guess most of you guys either don't talk about politics much on your LJs or you have mostly conservatives on your flist. But for those of you who have liberal flisters, have you experienced any provoking comments yet?

I have an flister who I've met in person a few times. She's a really nice girl but a very strong-minded liberal. Despite our very different political views, we get along well and don't really discuss politics. Today she made a post showing off a button a friend gave her that said "Dogs Against Romney" on it. She told us she was voting for Obama, how strongly held her beliefs are, and five reasons that she's a liberal. She said at the end that she's fine with agreeing to disagree. I told her that's what I love about her, that she can at least be respectful of opposing views. But one of her friends (who isn't on my flist) decides to say "If you have a vagina and are voting the Ronney/Ryan ticket, I judge you. I judge you hard."

It's comments like this that annoy me because they seem like they're looking for a fight. I'm sure this person thinks that not everyone on my friend's flist has the same exact beliefs. And I'm sure there are some out there, but none of the conservatives or libertarians on my flist say things like this. It always seems to be the liberals. More than four years ago a former (thank goodness) flister was ranting "I HATE THE ASSHOLES WHO VOTED FOR BUSH!"

99% of my flist are liberals, so I have a filter for political posts that includes like-minded friends. I know it's my LJ and I should be able to say whatever I want, but I don't feel like slinging mud back and forth with people I otherwise get along with. Has anyone else had to deal with such provoking garbage before? Hoping I'm not alone, lol. I have a feeling it's going to get worse as the weeks go by. *sigh*

Comments

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

I made a sort of rant right after the 2008 election in my LJ. Surprisingly, all my liberal friends were polite and said it was my LJ, I could say whatever I wanted and we'd agree to disagree -- all but one. She went ballistic and got really nasty - personal cheap shots, the whole nine yards. I ended up defriending her and I'm much better off for it. She was unstable.

"Dogs Against Romney" - What does that even mean?

lol, I have no clue. She's a big dog lover, and I'm guessing it's somewhat related to the rant about Romney having the dog on the car roof all those years ago? Have no idea.

LOL! What idiocy. Again, what does that mean? I'd say to her, "So, you are admitting to being an intolerant bigot? Is that what you're saying?" Watch the blank stares. (Even if just on the internet.)

Again, no idea. I did reply with something like "So you're judging me hard. Okay, then. Not that it fazes me at all.." She further explained that she's bisexual who is big on social issues. Maybe the "vagina" comment means something about abortion and the whole ridiculous "war on women." Interestingly she did say she apologized if I felt uncomfortable, though she has a right to feel disappointed/saddened by the way we vote.

I've run into so many intolerant liberals over the years. I even called them on it and said "Aren't you the ones who always preach about tolerance?" Blank stares. Once a girl was complaining about PMS, about her body preparing her for some act that was never ever going to happen, and ranting "Oh why do people carry those parasitic little fetus things around??" I actually told her "Did it ever occur to you that YOU were once a 'parasitic little fetus thing'?" Silence.

Wow, that's amazing. I've heard of that happening to a few people, that liberals demanded that anyone who voted for Bush (and later, who were planning to vote McCain) stop talking to them and defriend them.

You're right - Anyone who makes me so nervous that it causes me to censor myself to such an extent isn't really a friend. A real friend can look beyond differences of opinion and still respect you. Like I said before, I have a lot of liberals (one girl even a self-described communist) who still respect me after my 2008 election rant. They are the ones I value.

Thanks for the encouragement. :)

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

"Oh why do people carry those parasitic little fetus things around??"

Eeww! Good for you for responding the way you did! I really think some of these folks just repeat mindless slogans without thinking them through. And they keep doing so because no one ever stands up to them and makes them think it through. Bravo!


Thanks for the encouragement. :)

Anytime. If anyone gives you trouble, feel free to send 'em my way.

[jessm78.livejournal.com]

Thanks! She was a college student and I wouldn't doubt one of her professors or fellow students was throwing that slogan around. She was a bit odd in that she would cut her hair really short so the guys would think she was a lesbian and would stay away from her, yet she ogled male celebrities. I don't understand it though I'm probably better off for it...

Awesome. Will do :)