Friends & Politics

Naturally in an election year the discussion of politics among friends comes up more during gatherings, telephone conversations and emails. It can be a touchy subject leading to at times heated discussions.

I have always had a wide spectrum of friends with various backgrounds and ideologies. The latter might be in agreement or disagreement with my own. But I believe that we can still remain friends despite our differences. Open discussions during a phone conversation or dinner parties for example provide a dialogue. However, at times I receive emails from friends with certain propaganda circulated on the internet. This is often forwarded without comments by the sender, which to me implies a certain amount of endorsement. I feel that anyone who forwards any political opinions, statements, “facts” or data, positive or negative, should research the information and its source prior to sending it to anyone. Plus the sender should add his/her own personal assessment to give context to the recipient.

I feel that we all have a right to our own opinion; but it just an opinion, nothing more. The basic meaning of opinion is “a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty, a personal view, attitude, or appraisal”. Friends should allow one another to express their thoughts, conclusions and judgments, and if done honestly and respectfully it should not be cause for discord.

I wonder how you ladies handle political differences with your friends.