And Liese says what I'm thinking, but don't have the capacity to articulate today. Though I am finding that they are being drowned out and marginalized by the hateful ones.

Yay consuela.

msbelle needs to see this: [link]

Glad it was good news, Consuela.

I have friends and family who are good people and conservative, though I find it difficult to talk politics with them because I have a lot of trouble getting my point across in conversation (I'm much better in text when I have time to formulate my thoughts.) But having involved debates on Facebook tends to go nowhere as you get random "friends of friends" jumping in with no attempt to be civil and derailing the whole thing.

I personally try to avoid the echo chamber and read people I disagree with a few times a week, even it's not great for my blood pressure sometimes. I stay away from the frothing mouthpieces, though.

(Edited because I know the difference between derail and detail, even if my phone does not.)

I have friends and family who are good people and conservative, though I find it difficult to talk politics with them because I have a lot of trouble getting my point across in conversation

God, this is me, so much. I can't muster the information I need to make my point when talking off the cuff.

All of the inlaws on one branch of my family are conservative, and at least some of them I think skipped voting in their primary entirely, because they couldn't bear any of the candidates. Rich, very conservative, Southern white people.

Well, we're supposed to follow one of the rules, but it's pretty damn unclear which one. Sheesh.

I feel like dates cause more confusion than you'd think for a calendar system that's been in place for, what, 500+ years?

In that kind of situation, I'd give specific dates as examples. Like, are you saying if the analysis took place in Jan 2015, there should NOT be a sentence about the date it took place but if the analysis took place in Jan 2012 then there SHOULD be a sentence about the date?

I will also offer that the left has its share of loonies, too. This recent habit of Internet mob justice trying to ruin the lives of perceived bigots turns my stomach. Attempting to destroy someone's livelihood because of their political beliefs, no matter how loathsome, is appalling. Not to mention it feeds into the right-wing meme of victimhood from leftist bullies.

By all means, call out injustice when you see it and try to educate people on why it is wrong, but dont sink to petty vengeance.

Just got to new city on trip after a surprise five hot bus ride! Somehow we thought it would be 2.5???

We also don't actually have tickets from here to Santiago tomorrow...and my friend is all "I want to stay here it's nice (after we've been here 20 minutes) can we extend our hotel room to two nights?" And I'm all "fuck no". Apparently 10 days of travel together may be our limit.

Also bitter because she has Internet service here while I have to wait until we are somewhere with wifi. So all I know is what she's told me today...and I am irked that Obama selected an old white dude. Seriously?!?!?

Yay, benign!