Two weeks ago I published an open letter here to a long-time, long-distance friend after I learned she had voted for Donald Trump. I stated that I realized I never really knew her, that I couldn’t fall back on the thought that she lived in the Rust Belt and experienced “economic anxiety” (she doesn’t, and surely isn’t) and that I’m just being honest when I say we can no longer be friends.
There was a lot of response on social media and elsewhere, most of it positive, much of it from people in far more difficult situations ― people who opposed Trump and were struggling with relationships they’ve had with parents, siblings, children or closer friends who voted for Trump. Many expressed how the letter articulated thoughts similar to their own, no matter how differently (or similarly) they may navigate this in their own lives.
Then there were the Trump supporters who criticized the piece. They almost universally claimed they couldn’t believe anyone was breaking off a friendship over “politics.” This, to me, was both ludicrous and disingenuous ― if very telling ― particularly since I’d addressed it right there in the open letter:
Some have said in the days since the election that they can’t believe people are ending friendships and family relationships over “politics.” They’d say that I’m being silly, petty, or overacting. But this election was and continues to be about so much more than “politics.” This is about values and respect. It’s about bigotry and hate. It’s about millions of people’s rights being threatened, including my rights as a gay man and yours as a woman. It’s about putting our entire democracy in danger of transforming into an autocracy, and legitimizing and making alliances with our worst adversaries, whose goal is to dominate us.
Many of these Trump supporters ― a lot of them traditional Republicans who went “home,” as political pundits nauseatingly put it ― are defensive about the fact that they voted for the unstable racist, misogynist and self-proclaimed sexual assaulter, and they’re fearful of admitting to themselves and certainly others that they tolerated hate and bigotry. They can’t face that they’re in bed with what appears to be a large swath of other Trump supporters who actually revel in their own racism, pushing white supremacist hate and feeling emboldened by what they view as Trump’s embrace: making Steve Bannon his chief White House strategist. So, they conjure up all kinds of rationalizations or whirl around in a sort of denial.
These are the Trump supporters that went bonkers over my open letter to my friend.
On several websites and on social media they portrayed me as the “intolerant” liberal. Of course, I’m proudly intolerant of bigotry -– but that’s not what they meant. One writer claimed I went on an “unfriending spree,” which was a complete lie, as I mentioned no other friends in my open letter. I’m happy to report, in fact, that this was the only friend of mine who voted for Trump, including among Republican and conservative friends.
Twice in two weeks, the producers of a well-known conservative TV host have invited me on-air to talk with him about the letter (take my word for it when I say his take on it is quite predictable), and I’ve received invitations from some other interviewers as well. I’ve declined all of them.
On Twitter, some Trump supporters have tried to shame me by criticizing me for not debating the issue with this or that interviewer. But there is actually nothing to debate or discuss, as the letter speaks for itself. These kinds of interviews are solely for the purpose of assuaging the interviewers’ (and followers’) guilt, or justifying their rationalizations or self-righteousness ― in this case for putting a madman in the White House, knowing that even some of their own conservative and Republican friends refused to vote for him.
One critic who described my letter as breaking off a friendship over “politics” ―despite my clearly having stated that wasn’t the case ― is a little-known pundit who is gay and who opined that Trump isn’t interested in taking away gay marriage no matter what he’s said. Now, I’ve pointed out how Mike Pence is running the transition and is already getting the anti-LGBTQ agenda set regarding domestic policy, and that Trump’s cabinet picks who will run the government departments are a who’s who of homophobia.
But even if that weren’t true, why would you give a chance (as this critic put it) to someone who pandered to those who hate you?
The rest at HuffPo
Liberals are very intollrent of anything that they feel is the truth they fear the truth just like vampires fear the daylight,crosses,wooden stakes and holy water It destroys them turns them to dust
Unless he has some special rights that I don’t have, his aren’t being threatened just because he’s gay.
He needs to grow up and quit lying to justify his bigotry against people who make different choices than he makes.
Aside from being a supporter of traditional marriage, I do not recall Trump making any declarations one way or the other about gayness. Furthermore, there has been nothing… NOTHING… that indicates Trump is racist. Trump hasn’t been racist; certainly not to the extent that the DNC exposed from their own leaders. No, Trump’overt racism is a product of the liberal media, so this guy is upset because he believes the liberal media, not because of Trump.
So, liberals cannot understand someone not supporting a person PROVEN to be incompetent, inept, that mishandled national security, lies incessantly, committed perjury on video, so they are willing to disregard friendship (or, in the case of my wife’s twin sister, FAMILY). On top of that, they concoct wild stories and lies in order to make the opponent appear worse than the selection they want everyone to make (even the false stories of sexual assault could accomplish that, since Hillary was married to and protected a REAL sexual predator).
I read where someone was all proud of themselves because they renamed Trump Towers on Google to “Dump Towers”. Ha, ha. Ha. Boy, they showed us, didn’t they…
I predict Democrats to loose elections for ages to come unless they learn to become adults and put forth policies that might actually HELP someone.
You cannot have a sane conversation with liberals, I was told the Republican Party isnt very inclusive, really I asked how so, looking at the diversity of candidates on the Republican side. Then reminding the Masters degree female that couldnt figure out how the new EPA mandated gas cans work when trying to fill a mower, we just dont have just 3 old white people running ,the democrat history, you know the KKK. Oops end of conversation, so we sat together finishing our lunch with my future Mum in law. Geeze I didnt even get to the WW1 and WW2 internment camps, and Kennedy colluding with the KGB to undermine Reagan, no democratic votes for the civil rights laws. My sweetie the black sheep conservative of the family, just smiled at his sister and shrugged his shoulders.
We can be friends but our political ideology isnt compatible.
The next place for the Democratic Party … hospice.
Since the candidate I supported was not in the final running, I had the choice to vote for a criminal who potentially jeopardized our national security or someone whose apparent values conflicted with mine. My country comes first. I have invested too much of my life trying to do my part to make my country better. So my choice was simple, I could not vote for someone who committed such a serious breach of our national security. I hope the winner is able to accomplish what he proposes. Did I lose any friends? None that I know if. If I did, they were not real friends in the first place, just acquaintances.
@Bill… Deplorable Me:
Regardless of what you see or believe, Trump did run a profoundly racist and anti-Semitic campaign. That isn’t even arguable among pundits of both sides of the aisle.
Now many people had hoped that it was a campaign ploy, just another one of his many lies and con jobs like locking Hillary up or draining the swamp or removing immigrants or building a wall or having Mexico pay for it or on and on.
But when we look at his selection of appointees and folks he coddles with, it appears that being a racist may be the only honest thing he ran on.
@Ajay42302: liar panties on fire, please point out the racist platform not fake news something you can directly quote from him. If there are any racist bones in his body could be the sickness caught when he was for many years a democrat, but other than that I am ready for your proof. Lay it all out with links.
I totally get all you apologetic Trump voters who went with “the lesser of two evils.” I couldn’t pull that lever.
Favorite bumper sticker.
VOTE TRUMP NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW
That’s what happened–but friendships have been lost.
The term racist has gone from discriminating/being intolerant/bigotry of color to anything the person doesn’t like. It no longer holds any meaning.
Hubby’s chess playing here locally ended suddenly after the election.
One of the Hillary supporters became openly threatening.
Even his Hillary-supporting buds tried to calm him down, but he wouldn’t.
Since he spoke of “lying in wait” to get hubby, he won’t go back to play with any of them.
Sad.
But he’s already found another group to play with.
Since they meet at a Chic-Fil-A I doubt the politics are too far left, heh.
Also he found a terrific on-line group.
So, silver lining.
So far as I know, since the election, EVERY single one of the Trump-supporter “Hate Crimes” has been a FAKE crime.
But that Hawaiian eatery wants Trump supporters’ money.
😉
Won’t get it.
Count on Obama to stoke these divisive Dem fires as long as he can.
@kitt:
English please.
@Ajay42302: coward lets see all the evidence that Trump is a racist. Dont link me to Wretched Madcow. put up or shut up.
@Ajay42302:
It’s not arguable, though you continue to try. I have asked you to provide the proof of YOUR conviction and you never do. NEVER. But, you’ve heard others say so (as this idiot writing the article has), so you repeat it, like the Mynah you are.
I would ask you to provide your proof (other than being a Mynah) but your reputation as a cowardly little dweeb precedes you, so I won’t bother. Fact is, Trump has chosen a most impressive array of capable leaders and we should have every expectation of great success among them.
@Bill… Deplorable Me:
No, it isn’t arguable. It doesn’t matter what proof I give (which I have on multiple occasions) you will continue living in denial.
The very fact that you worship Trump’s every pick and can’t imagine a single fault with them proves that.
I’m just wondering, where do you acquire your political news?
@Ajay42302:
No, you never have. You parroted the same garbage the media invented. Then, if you would remember, I tore it to shreds, because it was lame and stupid.
I didn’t say I couldn’t find a single fault; I said they did not imply anything racist whatsoever. You should try to pay attention, if you can stop being stupid and cowardly long enough. But, perhaps that is too much to expect from someone that grovels before the altar of Obama, the Failure in Chief and is so weeping disappointed that his favorite lying, corrupt incompetent was not elected.
I get my views by real world experience. Of course, I know you get yours from Soros telling you what to think and say.
The bottom line is that anything that induces leftists to reveal, via their childish tantrums and insane ravings, their complete disconnect with reality and their constitutional lack of integrity, means someone is doing something good for America.
Leftists cannot support their ideological positions dialectically, so they spew their childishly transparent rhetorical vapidity by trying to shout down and censor opponents with the false charges of racism, sexism, and/or whatever is the latest bigotry de jour.
They have not learned the lesson of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”. Hence Trump.
@Ajay42302:
certainly not from Soros, your inspirational guiding anti semite.
Give us a clear example of racism by Trump. one that you know of personally and not just something ginned up by Fake News. Just one.
Wordsmith, when I started reading this post I thought you were writing about yourself. It wasn’t until I got to the ‘continue onto Huffpo” that I realized you were posting someone else’s column. Not sure why you bother to read Huffpo as it only contains liberal trash. I guess it’s ok to try to follow what the insane liberals in the world are up to, but I can think of no other reasons.
The story itself is garbage and not worth reading, certainly not ‘re-posting’.
Even funnier: I went and read the open letter to his former friend. Seems as if he did he a favor. Now she doesn’t have a loon following her. He seems to have some kind of stress disorder and the less he knows about her location, the better off she is.
@RedTeam: As you probably know I personally consider Word the fairest guy at FA. and a main reason I originally came here.–As well as one of the smartest.
Sorry Word–we know that my props can hurt your Conservative cred–so be it–truth lol
It seems whenever a story doesn’t fit some ones personal view they simply discard it as fake news–crazy
Trump says today you can’t trust that any computer is safe–he may be right.
BTW Word Did you ever give us your personal opinion–clean version please–of The Donald?
Thanks
@Ajay42302: You never provided any proof of the statements I have called you on.
@RedTeam: @Randy: AJ’s supreme proof of Trump being a rabid racist was that he opposed the judge that happened to also be a proponent of unrestricted illegal immigration hearing the Trump U. case. That’s it; the smoking gun, the dead-bang. Because Trump thinks a liberal Hispanic La Raza member that does not believe the US has the right to protect its borders might not give him, the wall-builder and anti-illegal immigrant candidate, a fair hearing, he is racist, according to open-minded, calculating, discerning AJ.
THAT’s his “proof” and it has been dismantled, torn asunder and crushed on numerous occasions. But, Soros tells him to keep at it, so keep at it he does, no matter how stupid it makes him look.
@kitt: @Bill… Deplorable Me: ?@Randy: et al, why would I list all of these things ranging from housing discrimination to Bannon to Sessions to Curiel to white supremacist coddling to birther and on and on and on and on and on again?
All of this and more is at your fingertips.
When Bill tells us he gets his news from ” real world experiences”, that’s an admission that he sees what he wants to see and doesn’t see what he doesn’t want to, much like his mindless kowtowing cohorts. Trumps racism can’t be true because he didn’t run across it (or ran from it) in his real world experience even though it has been a hot topic with vast discussion from pundits, editorials, and political analysts from both parties here and around the world.
But again, people of reasonable intellect and an iota of political knowledge understood that racism and anti-Semitic tactics played a role in Trump’s campaign, even if they didn’t necessarily believe he was a racist. What’s becoming apparent is that his racist and anti-Semitic views may be the only thing about his campaign that he didn’t lie about.
@Ajay42302:
No, idiot, it reveals that I see and hear what is going on and have the capacity to bounce it off the reports given. Unlike morons like yourself, I can see that the economy is lethargic and weak and, therefore, can disregard the cheerleading section crowing about how great the economic recovery has been. Likewise, I know radical Islamic terror when I see it (usually accompanied by an “Allah Akbar” or two, so I can determine those who simply are not yet sure are idiots.
So, I know the difference between racism and some dimwitted lemming calling everything they cannot understand “racist”. For instance, Sessions FOUGHT the Klan, prosecuting them as Attorney General, but since you have been told to regard him as racist because (and only because) Trump has picked him, you ignore reality and cling to your off-the-liberal-shelf political attack. Though you supported a candidate that was endorsed and received contributions from the Klan and represents the party OF the Klan, you would like us to believe you are anti-racist.
Yes, because there is no real and solid evidence that Trump is racist, I refuse to take that position until there happens to be such proof. Unlike you, I do not cling desperately to a failed ideology and failures as “leaders”, so I don’t have to leap at every wild accusation made against my opponents. Reality works very well, thank you very much, and I continue to prefer facts and truth to liberal propaganda. You should try it; then you could look in the mirror and see an informed individual instead of a cowardly liar.
Meanwhile, hang out in your racist world of lies and propaganda developed to keep you from finding a hint of reality. That way, you can continue to watch your corrupt party and ideology collapse and disappear.
Why people actually PREFER self-imposed stupidity to progress and information, I will never understand. Maybe one day you can explain THAT to us, AJ. You are, after all, an expert on the subject, living it as you do.
I think we can finally agree on something. You say you refuse to take the position that Trump is a racist.
Yeah, that’s what I said.
Housing discrimination, his fathers apts, Don didnt own them, did you provide links or is this crap things still ringing in you head from a Madcow rant?
Birther, Only seems to matter to his clinging minions like you. And why is that racist anyway?
Now lets look at who the Prez surrounds himself with CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood reps, both terrorist orgs. BLM oh so not a racist bunch, Rev Sharpton tax evader, he likes these folks does his association with them make him one?
@Bill… Deplorable Me:and Kitt Racism /bigotry may well be in the eye of the beholder– same with misogyny.
With many, Trump’s treatment of the Central Park 5,. gold star parents, particularly the mother, the Mexican American judge, and his concern about Obama’s birthplace mark him a racist. His treatment of Megyn and other female reporters and the Billy Bush tapes mark him a misogynist.
Others rationalize this is just Trump being Trump—nothing there move on
On the other side, the assertion that all things liberal are bad–well that’s certainly a matter of opinion and an eye of the beholder example.
Would love to hear from Word.
@Rich Wheeler:
Central Park 5; Trump, the “misogynist”, angry and demonstrative about a brutal crime against a woman. Something doesn’t quite add up there.
The “gold star parents” were Democrat props cynically used for political purposes. Trump merely pointed out how the mother was not allowed, it seemed, to speak; again, why would a misogynist worry about that?
I explained Trump’s problem with the La Raza supporting, illegal immigration promoting judge; the fact he is Hispanic only speaks to HIS racism, not Trump’s.
There is nothing racist about wanting to know the facts about Obama’s birth certificate, particularly since it was Hillary, not Trump, that brought it up in the first place. Trump resolved it and stated as much.
So, in the end, you, exactly like the moron AJ, take your cue from Soros-promoted propagandists who try, vainly, to make racism, purely for political purposes, where there is none.
NONE.
And, using race as a political weapon IS racism. If you leftists want to see some racism, look inside your own hearts. You’ll find all you want there.
@Bill… Deplorable Me:
yeah, I don’t think AJ has ever been concerned about his public image. He has sold his soul to the devil.
@Rich Wheeler:
how in the hell is that related to racism?
@Bill… Deplorable Me: C’mon Bill Trump proclaimed he couldn’t get a fair decision from a judge born in Iowa of Mexican heritage.
Central Park 5 were found not guilty–Trump continued to go after them.
Gold star parents “Dem props” Your opinion Father seemed pretty legit to me and a majority of others.who saw his impassioned talk.
Trump “resolved the birth certificate?” There was nothing to resolve–To MOST Trump looked foolish at best–except to the unconvinced like your sidekick RT
BTW I know less about Soros than Trump does about David Duke. Wouldn’t know him if he walked in the room.
Is he like the Koch brothers?
If you cant be friends with me cause I voted for Trump without any appology, perhaps I cant be friends with you if you try to white wash Barry and his legacy https://conservativedailypost.com/congress-final-report-shows-obama-took-2-6b-from-vets-to-give-to-syrian-refugees/2/
50K homeless vets and we have to house those who cannot be properly vetted?
@Rich Wheeler:
I, too, would suspect a liberal judge that supports illegal immigration (let that soak in a bit… a JUDGE that supports ILLEGAL immigration. Now, is fair and judicial treatment assured?). Remember, liberals do not care so much about what the law requires; they follow an agenda and a liberal judge that believes illegal immigrants deserve to be protected and encouraged hammering Trump because he supports securing our borders is not far fetched in the least.
Simpson was found not guilty; does anyone still suspect HE is a murderer? If so, is it racist? Cmon, Rich… gimme a break with your weak crap.
A father who’s son was killed by radical Islamists was supporting a candidate that denies there is such a thing as radical Islamists by denouncing the candidate that pledges to fight radical Islamists. Does this sound like a concerned father to you?
So why did Hillary bring it up? Why didn’t Obama produce it? Why did it take someone like Trump to dig it up and reveal it? And, again, WHAT is RACIST about it?
So far, all you leftists have proven is that you enjoy using racism as a political weapon. I think it should dawn on you eventually that you employ this tactic because you are so devoid of actual positive support for your ideology. You should get a new one.
If you don’t know of Soros, why are you employed as his active puppet?
@Bill… Deplorable Me: Don’t know a damn thing about Soros.
How much are the Koch brothers paying you Bill?
Trump says he wants to replace all e=mails with couriers—-if a courier insults Trump will he in turn be replaced by a carrier pigeon?
If nothing else The Donald is gonna be fun to watch—says he knows stuff about the Dem hack that no one else knows. Please tell us Donald.
@Rich Wheeler:
I suggest you look into him, then. Being his puppet is no noble endeavor.
I would LOVE to work for the Koch Brothers. They aren’t paying thugs to disrupt political rallies, fund left wing propaganda organization or attack anyone with a differing point of view. They create businesses, industry, jobs and fund schools, medical research and energy.
Trump has, thus far, proven all of his major detractors and critics nothing but envious liars and he hasn’t even been inaugurated yet. We can only hope he continues to succeed.
@Bill… Deplorable Me: To his credit Trump has backed away from the appoint a prosecutor-lock her up supporters. From his deport all the illegals boast.
His “I know more about Isis than the Generals do.” did you tell that to Mad Dog?
His “there has to be some form of punishment for women who have abortions”
His “the concept of global warming was created by the Chinese” to “I think there is some connectivity” between humans and climate change
It goes on He’s gonna need a chiropractor
@Rich Wheeler:
Let’s see. Soros is/was a Nazi in Germany working for his idol adolph stealing from his fellow Jews and ‘informing’ on his fellow Jews.
The Koch brothers grew up in the US and made all their money legitimately in business. So, you tell us, is he like the Koch brothers?
@Rich Wheeler:
But you will agree that Trump treated Megan much nicer than she treated him, right? Don’t know what the female equivalent of ‘misogynist’ is. a ‘hisogynist’ I guess. Megan was the one that started out to play in the major leagues by attacking Trump, but as soon as he hit the home run against her, she started crying ‘foul’. Poor little thing. I found out the word is Misandry.
@Rich Wheeler:
Completely unlike Obozo who hasn’t backed away from his bowing to Muslims and Russians. Has not backed away from his gutting the military. Has not made any effort to secure the borders. Appeared with Fidel Castro with his arm on his shoulder (old pals) Still uses some one’s Social Security number. Still sends his adopted daughters to private school where they are served Kobe beef burgers for lunch.
You get the picture? right?
@RedTeam: I got the picture–A tuxedoed Trump hosting his Great Gatsby themed NYE Party with his children from 3 marriages and at least one wife. Toasting his 300 guests with his non alcoholic champagne while servants scurried about. serving liver pate and foie gras.
A midnight toast to Vlad who he thanked profusely for securing the win. Then off to bed–an early tee time in the morn.
@Rich Wheeler:
Explain how Putin “secured the win”. Explain.
@Bill- Deplorable Me: Please excuse Rich. He is still trying to understand how wrong all his predictions were. Also, his therapist is so busy with other liberals, she can only see patients once very 6 weeks. I am sure he will be more coherent after the next session.
@Randy: He sounds shaken and disoriented. Perhaps we should send him some Play-Doh and coloring books.
@Bill- Deplorable Me: @Bill- Deplorable Me: @Bill- Deplorable Me: At least in his pre-election posts, Rich attempted to argue with facts, his own facts. Now, he sounds a lot like Pelosi and friends.
@Bill- Deplorable Me: I’m enjoying a great holiday season. Hopefully you and The Colonel are doing the same.
Vlad’s hacking assured HRC’S defeat though she didn’t need much help
Did you guys catch The Rose Bowl? Who do you like in Tide/Tiger Championship?
I’m sure RT will soon be joining in.
@Randy: No therapist —no meds. Well unless you include alcohol.
What do you think of the latest pairing–pretty boy Sean and Julian?
@Rich Wheeler: Again, HOW did the “hacking” affect the election?
@Bill- Deplorable Me: OH I’m sorry. The selected release of private Dem E-mails,hacked by the Russians, actually helped Vlad’s pal HRC win the election.
I got the Tigers to roll the Tide 20-14.
@Rich Wheeler:
closer to 31-21
@Randy:
Nope, not Rich, it’s gonna take more than one session to get him headed back down the straight and narrow.
@Rich Wheeler:
I watched as much as I could of all of them. Best game I saw, as for outcome, was Clemson vs Ohio State. enjoyed watching Turban get shut out for the first time ever. I think between the Mich, Ohio state matchups with the ACC, they might be looking to some lesser comp for their games next year. Didn’t appear to be same level football.
I did enjoy LSU shutting down the Heisman Trophy winner.
Clemson 31 AL 21