@MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) posted a new topic, subject "I've got The Political Views Blues. Rant.". It read:

   I dislike Hillary Clinton immensely.
    
    Forgive me for being so blunt, but don't get too butt-hurt _insert slightly insulting term for Hillary Clinton fans that's the equivalent of ‘Bernie Bros'_ … I'm still voting for her. I feel I **have to **since about a third of the people I know are going to vote for Gary Johnson or Jill Stein. I was going to vote for Stein in protest, but then, after reading a lot here on the Straight Dope, I decided to switch to… _her_. Stein turned out to be a loon anyway.
    
    Ok, so I'm pissed about that!
    
    Now, everyone at work can't help but talk politics. I DON'T have the debate skills most of you possess, and I have to explain to people the best I can. Most of them are morons. I work with a lot of Trump ass-holes who I have to be delicate with, to maintain a friendly work environment, and argue shit that I'm not equipped to argue.
    
    It turns out I'm working with a ‘Truther'. That makes four ‘Truthers' I know. That's insane.
    
    I work at a place where great minds gather and discuss how horrible Obama's done, and 'Do we really want four to eight more years of _that_!" Compared to Hillary, YES, I WOULD
    
    I had to ‘dump' a friend over politics, (among other things). He can be a total douchebag so I said; “I don't need this, I'm out.”
    
    My aunt, who recently posted on Facebook;** “Share and Like this picture of Vietnam heroes, I'll bet most of you wont!” **With a picture of the fucking actors in **‘Tropic Thunder' **in wardrobe, is staying with my parents this week. Of course they are voting for Trump. My aunt will believe anything she sees online, including a photo of Hillary and Osama Bin Laden shaking hands, and that Dr. Pepper is no longer going to be available after September.
    
    Anyway, that's my rant. Feel free to comment. Just do me a favor and don't make the comments political … I'm kinda burnt talking about that.
    
    Anyone seeing Suicide Squad, despite it's rating on Rotten Tomatoes?

To which @digs (digs) replied

    I feel for ya, dude. Luckily, you don't have to like someone to think they'd be the best of the available candidates for the job.
    
    I'm voting for Hillary, but I'm thankful that I don't have to invite her up on my porch for my Margarita Madness Monday Nights.
    
    Oh, by the way, you also do NOT have to join in political discussions. At work or family get-togethers. No one seems to notice that I don't say anything, and when talk turns super-ignorant, I always seem to have something else to do… well out of earshot.

After which, @MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) added

    I know I don't HAVE to get involved… I do feel ‘cornered' though. People ask me directly; “Can you believe Obama…?” or “Dude, it's a fact that the towers had explosives in them.”
    
    How can you not…
    
    I know I could shut up but I want to stand by my opinions too. I don't feel I'm being brave when hear shit like that.

So @MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) replied

    …and of course you can make the response political.
    
    Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

After which, @raventhief (raventhief) added

    MyFootsZZZ:
    
    > I know I don't HAVE to get involved… I do feel ‘cornered' though. People ask me directly; “Can you believe Obama…?” or “Dude, it's a fact that the towers had explosives in them.”
    > 
    > How can you not…
    > 
    > I know I could shut up but I want to stand by my opinions too. I don't feel I'm being brave when hear shit like that.
    
    You can always just shrug and keep doing what you're doing. I know it's damned difficult, but you don't have to fight everyone's ignorance all the time,especially when it fights back so hard, and sometimes it bites!

To which @Personal (Personal) replied

    What's this about Dr. Pepper? That's criminal.

So @Bryan_Ekers (Bryan Ekers) replied

    Personal:
    
    > What's this about Dr. Pepper? That's criminal.
    
    He got drafted to fill Trump's slot after Trump got a medical deferment. He's Sgt. Pepper now.

So @MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) replied

    raventhief:
    
    > You can always just shrug and keep doing what you're doing. I know it's damned difficult, but you don't have to fight everyone's ignorance all the time,especially when it fights back so hard, and sometimes it bites!
    
    But Sara Bareilles would be so disappointed. You ever hear that song? It's so good.

So @suranyi (suranyi) replied

    Bryan_Ekers:
    
    > He got drafted to fill Trump's slot after Trump got a medical deferment. He's Sgt. Pepper now.
    
    Man, that's the funniest thing I've read all week!

Then @raventhief (raventhief) said

    MyFootsZZZ:
    
    > But Sara Bareilles would be so disappointed. You ever hear that song? It's so good.
    
    I guess I am just not that brave…
    
    But seriously - I have an aunt like yours that echoes the most insane shit she hears. Doesn't mean I don't love her. It's getting to the point where I may not like her much, so I see an unfollow (not unfriend) in our future. But there is no way logic or reason or the best debate skills in the world will ever sway her nutty viewpoint.
    
    (I do like that song though)

To which @Personal (Personal) replied

    Bryan_Ekers:
    
    > He got drafted to fill Trump's slot after Trump got a medical deferment. He's Sgt. Pepper now.
    
    I bet he's lonely. But I'm sure he'll get by with a little help.

So @MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) replied

    raventhief:
    
    > I guess I am just not that brave…
    > 
    > But seriously - I have an aunt like yours that echoes the most insane shit she hears. Doesn't mean I don't love her. It's getting to the point where I may not like her much, so I see an unfollow (not unfriend) in our future. But there is no way logic or reason or the best debate skills in the world will ever sway her nutty viewpoint.
    > 
    > (I do like that song though)
    
    I should clarify that I don't get into it with my Aunt and Uncle. I did correct them publicly on FB, and they would delete the post. 
    
    **"Aunt Barb, that's a photo of the cast of a comedy movie called ‘Tropic Thunder'.** "
    
    _Delete_

After which, @digs (digs) added

    Sounds like your aunt went full retard.

@MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) replied

    suranyi:
    
    > Man, that's the funniest thing I've read all week!
    
    I can't help but feel partly responsible, unintentionally setting up the joke of which, resulted in you finding it to be the funniest thing you've read _all_ week. It's pretty late in the week too! I hope **Bryan Ekers'** gag, (which wouldn't exist without me), remains on top for the duration of the next few days.

Then @Starving_Artist (Starving Artist) said

    Believe it or not, at work and with family and friends (and on Facebook) I simply don't allow myself to get drawn into political discussions. I can usually deflect others' comments to me by feigning ignorance or not having an opinion, or, if they get overly pushy, simply telling them that my father once advised me not to get into discussions about religion or politics and I've always followed that advice. They'll usually give up at that point. If they don't, I just fall back to feigning ignorance or not having an opinion.
    
    Asking for opinions from someone who won't give one eventually becomes like talking into a dead phone and most give up once they realize that. Further, they can't really get mad at you because they don't know enough about how you feel to warrant it. They might get frustrated, but they don't get mad.
    
    Family and friends are far more important and less transitory than politics. None of us knows enough people that we could swing the election our way even if we could convince everyone we know to vote or think our way, so it's not worth blowing off the people in your life because their votes and their opinions won't make any difference anyway in the overall scheme of things. I'm always amazed at the number of people here who are either willing or feel obliged to blow off family or friends because of their views. Another bit of my father's advice was to never think I was such a big deal that I could punish people by not talking to them. I've carried that sentiment with me all my life and it's served me well.

So @MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) replied

    Starving_Artist:
    
    > I'm always amazed at the number of people here who are either willing or feel obliged to blow off family or friends because of their views.
    
    Just another clarification. My friend insisted on talking politics. I would tell him, “Let's not talk about Politics tonight”.
    
    He would say something to the effect of:
    
    “You mean how Hillary is the biggest criminal and most corrupt presidential candidate of all time? Or how she put a wrench into Bernie's campaign, and now Bernie's a complete sell out, and I have no respect for him any more.”
    
    I've left his place when he wont stop talking about these things.
    
    “Hillary is, without a doubt a lesbian.”
    
    “Michelle Obama has a penis dude.”
    
    It was too much.

To which @raventhief (raventhief) replied

    MyFootsZZZ:
    
    > Just another clarification. My friend insisted on talking politics. I would tell him, “Let's not talk about Politics tonight”.
    > 
    > He would say something to the effect of:
    > 
    > “You mean how Hillary is the biggest criminal and most corrupt presidential candidate of all time? Or how she put a wrench into Bernie's campaign, and now Bernie's a complete sell out, and I have no respect for him any more.”
    > 
    > I've left his place when he wont stop talking about these things.
    > 
    > “Hillary is, without a doubt a lesbian.”
    > 
    > “Michelle Obama has a penis dude.”
    > 
    > It was too much.
    
    Jesus god, I'd leave too.

@Starving_Artist (Starving Artist) replied

    MyFootsZZZ:
    
    > Just another clarification. My friend insisted on talking politics. I would tell him, “Let's not talk about Politics tonight”.
    > 
    > He would say something to the effect of:
    > 
    > “You mean how Hillary is the biggest criminal and most corrupt presidential candidate of all time? Or how she put a wrench into Bernie's campaign, and now Bernie's a complete sell out, and I have no respect for him any more.”
    > 
    > I've left his place when he wont stop talking about these things.
    > 
    > “Hillary is, without a doubt a lesbian.”
    > 
    > “Michelle Obama has a penis dude.”
    > 
    > It was too much.
    
    Well, my comments weren't directed at you specifically but were more of just a general observation.
    
    But in the case of being confronted like you just said, what I would do if the tactics I said above didn't work, is just say something along the line of _“C'mon, man, I really don't wanna get into all this. I understand you have your opinions and that's just fine. We're all entitled to think what we like. But I'm simply not gonna into political discussions with you or anyone else. I've found from experience that that it's often not enough even to agree with someone, they still get pissed if you don't agree with them about things to the same extent they do. It just isn't worth it. I'd rather stay friends/family and just not get into it.”_
    
    People who get that kind of answer often feel frustrated and/or somewhat embarrassed, and because of that they might keep after you for a while. But if you stick to your guns they'll have little recourse but to shut up about it. But if that doesn't work and he keeps it up anyway, I would do what you've done and leave (or tell them they're going to have to leave if it's going on at your place). Because at that point he's gone from being a friend or family member you want to stay on good terms with to being a bully, and I don't think anyone has an obligation to sit through a bullying session in order to keep peace with a friend or member of the family. I'm not saying end the relationship, but remove yourself from that person's presence for the time being.
    
    But I can tell you I've never had to take it that far.

After which, @raventhief (raventhief) added

    MyFootsZZZ:
    
    > Just another clarification. My friend insisted on talking politics. I would tell him, “Let's not talk about Politics tonight”.
    > 
    > He would say something to the effect of:
    > 
    > “You mean how Hillary is the biggest criminal and most corrupt presidential candidate of all time? Or how she put a wrench into Bernie's campaign, and now Bernie's a complete sell out, and I have no respect for him any more.”
    > 
    > I've left his place when he wont stop talking about these things.
    > 
    > “Hillary is, without a doubt a lesbian.”
    > 
    > “Michelle Obama has a penis dude.”
    > 
    > It was too much.
    
    Here's how I would react:
    
    Yo, I'm out. byyye.
    
    and if challenged, I'd probably say something about you can't be reasoned out of a belief you didn't reason yourself into. The sheer r fact that you have these beliefs about Hillary or Michelle means you didn't reason yourself into shit. So byyyye.
    
    You've made your stance clear. Duck out. There's no reason to subject yourself to that kind of bullshit.

To which @MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ) replied

    Starving_Artist:
    
    > Well, my comments weren't directed at you specifically but were more of just a general observation.
    > 
    > But in the case of being confronted like you just said, what I would do if the tactics I said above didn't work, is just say something along the line of “C'mon, man, I really don't wanna get into all this. I understand you have your opinions and that's just fine. We're all entitled to think what we like. But I'm simply not gonna into political discussions with you or anyone else. I've found from experience that that it's often not enough to agree with someone, they still get pissed if you don't agree with them about things to the same extent they do. It just isn't worth it. I'd rather stay friends/family and just not get into it.”
    > 
    > People who get that kind of answer often feel frustrated and/or somewhat embarrassed, and because of that they might keep after you for a while. But if you stick to your guns they'll have little recourse but to shut up about it. But if that doesn't work and he keeps it up anyway, I would do what you've done and leave (or tell them they're going to have to leave if it's going on at your place). Because at that point he's gone from being a friend or family member you want to stay on good terms with to being a bully, and I don't think anyone has an obligation to sit through a bullying session in order to keep peace with a friend or member of the family. I'm not saying end the relationship, but remove yourself from that person's presence for the time being.
    > 
    > But I can tell you I've never had to take it that far.
    
    Yeah.
    
    I didn't mean to make it sound as if you were speaking to my situation, but I forgot to add that in my last point.
    
    Here's the thing… *THIS *guy is a troll. I mean, not an internet troll, but a real life troll.
    
    Saying that shit will NOT work. He's an asshole, partly to be an asshole, he thinks he's smarter than everyone else, he's attacked me for things like being on food stamps… but I have a learning disability and other things that… whatever. He knows that I feel ashamed about it. But he prods and prods.

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )

( there was a missing post )


{'source': 'discourse', 'url': 'https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-the-political-views-blues-rant/761805', 'title': "I've got The Political Views Blues. Rant.", 'views': 4026, 'has_accepted_answer': False, 'word_count': 7582, 'like_count': 0, 'reply_count': 47, 'participant_count': 25, 'posts': 48, 'tags': '', 'author': '@MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ)', 'participants': '@MyFootsZZZ (MyFootsZZZ), @digs (digs), @raventhief (raventhief), @Personal (Personal), @Bryan_Ekers (Bryan Ekers), @suranyi (suranyi), @Starving_Artist (Starving Artist)', 'image_url': [None], 'created_at': '2016-08-05T02:38:12.000Z', 'last_posted_at': '2016-08-07T20:59:15.000Z'}