Ouch. Tim and I are apparently on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to gun issues. I...didn't actually know that until now. That was a less than pleasant conversation, to put it mildly.

Getting into the mechanics of someone else's beliefs can be painful. I'm sorry he's not near yours right now.

I am pretty sure this conversation is being avoided in my family. But it's way less unpleasant than coming to this decision in a relationship.

Still, Tim voted for Obama eventually. This conversation can go on?

My mom has been the secretary at an elementary school for quite a long time, and we were talking about it earlier. We have some close relatives who are a bit gun nutty, and I told her that if the subject comes up at the extended family Christmas next Sunday, I may start beating people about the head with cookie tins.

Still, Tim voted for Obama eventually. This conversation can go on?

Yeah, it can. I just get surprised when the people who are close to me don't share the exact same thought patterns that I do. (Which I realize is unreasonable, and yet I'm still surprised when it happens.)

Sheesh. I'd better not ask how he feels about cilantro.

Yeah, it can. I just get surprised when the people who are close to me don't share the exact same thought patterns that I do.

I am BOGGLED when my brother and I can share the same jokes and then have massively different policy views.

Don't ever talk about cilantro. It'll end in tears and soap. For one of you.

I just get surprised when the people who are close to me don't share the exact same thought patterns that I do.

This is not remotely the same as what you're experiencing, but recently I found out that a guy on my small work team is a Republican and big into Ayn Rand. I simultaneously felt betrayed and that suddenly so many passing comments made sense in retrospect.

I told her that if the subject comes up at the extended family Christmas next Sunday, I may start beating people about the head with cookie tins.

I was at a party last night where we had considerable fear of this conversation (exacerbated by one of the guests not well known family history of gun violence.) We pre-selected several popular topics to blatantly and insistently change the subject to should the need arise.

Jason and I disagree on the Death Penalty and on Israel, but we've just gotten used to the other person being WRONG.

I think it's interesting to figure out how someone I like can be so wrong on whatever issues (from my perspective, obviously) but haven't had the experience with someone I was really close to, I don't think. That could be really hard to deal with.

There is a terrible windstorm going on outside. Can't sleep and work is delayed until 9:30.