I agree entirely with the quote below. I also think is not just polluting our political discussions, but ending them before they start. I don't know if things have always been this way, but it's something I've been aware of for a while: People whose entire essence as a person is defined by their politics. As cynical as I am, who we elect and the issues we favor matter, so it's important to discuss them. But, the way people view their opponents as prima facie "stupid" or "evil" and thus refuse to engage these people, even be friends with these people, who cheer for their side they way they cheer for their sports team, is not good.

 

There’s nothing wrong with living a political life. That is, a life in which politics is one of your interests or your job, something you follow and keep track of and educate yourself on and argue about. The arena of politics is important; political decisions have consequences; and passionately arguing for your preferred political outcomes is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

A politicized life is a different beast, however. It treats politics as a zero sum game or a form of total warfare in which the other side must be obliterated. It alters every aspect of your being: where you shop; what you watch on TV; what sort of music you listen to; who you associate with. If you’re not with the politicized being, you’re against him—and if you’re against him, he is well within his rights to ruin you personally and economically. You, the political other, are a leper to be shunned, lest your thoughtcrimes infect the rest of society.

 

As I wrote, I find this to be more than a little disturbing. I don’t worry too much about growing partisan gridlock, but I do worry somewhat about an America in which each half the country hates the other so viscerally that they won’t even interact. That’s a truly dangerous state of affairs.

 

A Political Life vs. a Politicized Life | Washington Free Beacon

I agree entirely with the quote below. I also think is not just polluting our political discussions, but ending them before they start. I don't know if things have always been this way, but it's something I've been aware of for a while: People whose entire essence as a person is defined by their politics. As cynical as I am, who we elect and the issues we favor matter, so it's important to discuss them. But, the way people view their opponents as prima facie "stupid" or "evil" and thus refuse to engage these people, even be friends with these people, who cheer for their side they way they cheer for their sports team, is not good.

 

There’s nothing wrong with living a political life. That is, a life in which politics is one of your interests or your job, something you follow and keep track of and educate yourself on and argue about. The arena of politics is important; political decisions have consequences; and passionately arguing for your preferred political outcomes is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

A politicized life is a different beast, however. It treats politics as a zero sum game or a form of total warfare in which the other side must be obliterated. It alters every aspect of your being: where you shop; what you watch on TV; what sort of music you listen to; who you associate with. If you’re not with the politicized being, you’re against him—and if you’re against him, he is well within his rights to ruin you personally and economically. You, the political other, are a leper to be shunned, lest your thoughtcrimes infect the rest of society.

 

As I wrote, I find this to be more than a little disturbing. I don’t worry too much about growing partisan gridlock, but I do worry somewhat about an America in which each half the country hates the other so viscerally that they won’t even interact. That’s a truly dangerous state of affairs.

 

A Political Life vs. a Politicized Life | Washington Free Beacon

 

I was kicked off of the political satirists' sight Andy Borowitz this morning for debating a dissenting view. I wasn't vulgar, I didn't call anyone names, which I was called, and I wasn't disrespectful. He just wasn't willing to have my side of the argument on his site. As long as we operate in this mode, this country will continue to split apart. I had alway though the term liberal meant open to ideas.

I agree entirely with the quote below. I also think is not just polluting our political discussions, but ending them before they start. I don't know if things have always been this way, but it's something I've been aware of for a while: People whose entire essence as a person is defined by their politics. As cynical as I am, who we elect and the issues we favor matter, so it's important to discuss them. But, the way people view their opponents as prima facie "stupid" or "evil" and thus refuse to engage these people, even be friends with these people, who cheer for their side they way they cheer for their sports team, is not good.

 

There’s nothing wrong with living a political life. That is, a life in which politics is one of your interests or your job, something you follow and keep track of and educate yourself on and argue about. The arena of politics is important; political decisions have consequences; and passionately arguing for your preferred political outcomes is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

A politicized life is a different beast, however. It treats politics as a zero sum game or a form of total warfare in which the other side must be obliterated. It alters every aspect of your being: where you shop; what you watch on TV; what sort of music you listen to; who you associate with. If you’re not with the politicized being, you’re against him—and if you’re against him, he is well within his rights to ruin you personally and economically. You, the political other, are a leper to be shunned, lest your thoughtcrimes infect the rest of society.

 

As I wrote, I find this to be more than a little disturbing. I don’t worry too much about growing partisan gridlock, but I do worry somewhat about an America in which each half the country hates the other so viscerally that they won’t even interact. That’s a truly dangerous state of affairs.

 

A Political Life vs. a Politicized Life | Washington Free Beacon

 

Agreed on all points. Applies to both sides of the aisle.

I have a self-imposed policy of not talking politics on facebook. I also keep tight-lipped in other social settings. I'm plenty opinionated and I don't mind disagreement, but some of the sheer anger I've seen in political disagreements and the way these disagreements tend to descend into personal attacks is something I do mind.

 

Are we becoming a society where you are only supposed to associate and socialize with those who agree with you politically? Have we been like that always?

I have a self-imposed policy of not talking politics on facebook. I also keep tight-lipped in other social settings. I'm plenty opinionated and I don't mind disagreement, but some of the sheer anger I've seen in political disagreements and the way these disagreements tend to descend into personal attacks is something I do mind.

 

Are we becoming a society where you are only supposed to associate and socialize with those who agree with you politically? Have we been like that always?

 

Yes we are to the first question.

 

To the second, no.

Yes we are to the first question.

 

To the second, no.

 

Well, that explains why people don't hang out with me. :lol:

I would lose a lot of friends if we only socialized with those who share our political views. There's so much more to life than politics although it does seem like people take it a whole lot more serious these days.

I would lose a lot of friends if we only socialized with those who share our political views. There's so much more to life than politics although it does seem like people take it a whole lot more serious these days.

 

In all seriousness, I would lose a lot of friends as well. But worse, I would have conceded to stop learning and growing if I only chose people who mirror my beliefs, thoughts and politics. That would be the greatest disservice.

I don't do those things, but as a society we are getting more and more like that.

 

People like Feinstein and Bloomberg are definitely part of the problem.

Papa is a loony liberal.

 

Randy is a crazy conservative.

 

And yet:

 

^ Agreed on all counts.

I actually sat with Randy at a few basketball games this past season. We probably even brushed against each other a few times.

 

As far as I can tell, he hasn't started wearing John Lennon glasses and hugging trees yet; and I haven't begun stockpiling weapons or donating to The Heritage Foundation.

I actually sat with Randy at a few basketball games this past season. We probably even brushed against each other a few times.

 

As far as I can tell, he hasn't started wearing John Lennon glasses and hugging trees yet; and I haven't begun stockpiling weapons or donating to The Heritage Foundation.

 

:lol2::thumb:

If James Carvelle and Mary Matalin can stay married 10 years there's hope for all of us.

In all seriousness, I would lose a lot of friends as well. But worse, I would have conceded to stop learning and growing if I only chose people who mirror my beliefs, thoughts and politics. That would be the greatest disservice.

 

Very true, too many people stay within their groups and only watch/listen to programs that already mirror their beliefs. Sad as they're missing out on a lot.