General Discussion

Chainfire

(17,757 posts) Sat Dec 3, 2022, 11:25 AM Dec 2022

138

Bumped into a high school friend for the first time in 30 years. [View all]

I was getting my car serviced, and I was commenting on his really nice restored vintage pickup truck when I realized who he was. After the handshake and the greeting, I asked how his brothers were. That question changed the whole direction of the conversation to politics. His older brother was not speaking to the rest of the family because the guy I was talking to and the other siblings voted for Trump. It took this right winger 30 seconds to go from "Nice truck" to hateful politics. He went on to tell me how much he really hated BLM as it was a Communist front. He then checked himself for a second with the comment, "I don't know what your politics are." I just replied that I had no politics and said my goodbyes and good lucks. Fuck him, and the truck he rode in on....

Growing up in a small town you get to know just about everyone in about a ten mile radius. Of the people I grew up with, the people I knew, and the people I knew by reputation, it must be 90% or better that have gotten on the hate train. I am very curious, being that I came from the same circumstances, had the same teachers, went to the same churches, played on the same playgrounds, went to the same basketball games, what the hell happened to me? Why did my my philosophy take an entirely different path? How does it work?

141 replies

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Bumped into a high school friend for the first time in 30 years. [View all] Chainfire Dec 2022 OP

Usually or at least it used to be conversations with people about their dogs or vehicles could stay Walleye Dec 2022 #1

Ever take your dog to a dog park? Doc Sportello Dec 2022 #7

I think that that is a part of the problem. markodochartaigh Dec 2022 #30

That's a big part of the problem. FoxNewsSucks Dec 2022 #36

+1000 Meadowoak Dec 2022 #64

Saw that krkaufman Dec 2022 #86

It was a general English speaking accommodation from the English Civil War and restoration. plimsoll Dec 2022 #49

You are absolutely correct. I decided a few years ago to not allow that type BS to go unchallenged. Handler Dec 2022 #134

same here, my group of friends has also dwindled, but then I realized Meadowoak Dec 2022 #135

Similar experience in western Arizona lambchopp59 Dec 2022 #46

My first experience with this bs was in Prescott Doc Sportello Dec 2022 #57

They have absolutely no filters Cosmocat Dec 2022 #130

Fox News and right wing talk radio? Diamond_Dog Dec 2022 #2

Yep we are in the same flock of "black sheep." Chainfire Dec 2022 #4

I don't Rebl2 Dec 2022 #21

Reagan was the beginning of the end of USA Dave says Dec 2022 #42

Reagan was instrumental in getting the fairness doctrine removed tiredtoo Dec 2022 #123

the most significant thing reagan did was kill the fairness doctrine, which unleashed the RW radio certainot Dec 2022 #124

My brother used to be normal bedazzled Dec 2022 #50

I lost mine to Fox as well. Very sad. Evolve Dammit Dec 2022 #59

It's odd. They are still there but a part of them is missing bedazzled Dec 2022 #62

What amazed me is how it took over all rational thought. The Murdochs must be thrilled. Evolve Dammit Dec 2022 #65

It's like their intelligence, empathy and soul have been sucked out bedazzled Dec 2022 #88

It is a real mental health problem and gets little attention. Those of us affected, that lose Evolve Dammit Dec 2022 #101

I hope these vile political lost causes eat each other bedazzled Dec 2022 #105

"normal level of scum." Yeah that sounds right! Evolve Dammit Dec 2022 #106

Fox is scrambling people's brains. Initech Dec 2022 #118

Fox News. tavernier Dec 2022 #3

I had that happen with an old high school crush I reconnected with Siwsan Dec 2022 #5

Demeaning the intelligence of liberals PatSeg Dec 2022 #44

it is sad, and sadly I don't see it changing. If the pandemic didn't pull us together (and you Evolve Dammit Dec 2022 #63

I just say that my whole family is blue plus Tetrachloride Dec 2022 #6

Did you ever move away John Ludi Dec 2022 #8

That may be part of the answer. Chainfire Dec 2022 #20

The smart ones leave n/t WA-03 Democrat Dec 2022 #26

Very similar story. Ms. Toad Dec 2022 #51

I started school John Ludi Dec 2022 #91

The Detroit Suburbs DownriverDem Dec 2022 #109

I'm sure they are, many of them. John Ludi Dec 2022 #129

+1000 genxlib Dec 2022 #25

Definitely a John Ludi Dec 2022 #92

Also, it's often HOW you travel. halfulglas Dec 2022 #27

I agree. John Ludi Dec 2022 #94

In was a military brat & moved a lot too. You learn more that way. nt oldsoftie Dec 2022 #112

same Skittles Dec 2022 #126

I have lived Rebl2 Dec 2022 #28

Definitely not John Ludi Dec 2022 #95

This - I remember a study (can't cite chapter and verse) . . . . hatrack Dec 2022 #29

This doesn't John Ludi Dec 2022 #96

John Ludi......... Upthevibe Dec 2022 #37

I spent John Ludi Dec 2022 #97

That has generally been my experience too. yonder Dec 2022 #38

It's been John Ludi Dec 2022 #98

Could not agree more The Butler Dec 2022 #48

That had to be John Ludi Dec 2022 #100

Strangely, I have had the opposite experience. LisaM Dec 2022 #58

It's refreshing to hear that. John Ludi Dec 2022 #99

Funny, we moved from the Detroit metro area, too. LisaM Dec 2022 #103

I think that you are very correct about that. llmart Dec 2022 #87

I live in a small area now John Ludi Dec 2022 #102

The ones who move away and can hack it in a new environment Genki Hikari Dec 2022 #125

What the hell happened to "them." Botany Dec 2022 #9

I grew up in a small town as well EYESORE 9001 Dec 2022 #10

Getaway plan?! slightlv Dec 2022 #84

College? modrepub Dec 2022 #11

People in the happiest countries in the world have low expectations. betsuni Dec 2022 #107

College isn't it. Genki Hikari Dec 2022 #127

Same with me and my 2 sisters hauckeye Dec 2022 #12

I can't believe how the people I went to h.s. with have turned. r/o SoBlueInFL Dec 2022 #13

Likely you got out. I did. apcalc Dec 2022 #14

The urge to proselytize is strong among cultists. dalton99a Dec 2022 #15

Social media has altered our perception of reality. walkingman Dec 2022 #16

I was an avid fisherman. Grumpy Old Guy Dec 2022 #17

Yeah, it's funny- I dream of returning to my little Western New York Erie Canal hometown - but NBachers Dec 2022 #18

You can live in the place, but you have to become a hermit. Chainfire Dec 2022 #32

I told an old high school friend to fuck off. BradBo Dec 2022 #19

I dread running into people of my generation at work, at the park, at the grocery store, etc. liberalmuse Dec 2022 #22

My high school was 25/1 VGNonly Dec 2022 #23

Any chance you went away to college or otherwise spent a few years well away from home ... eppur_se_muova Dec 2022 #24

Similar story here. WestMichRad Dec 2022 #31

Your last sentence may be the key. Chainfire Dec 2022 #34

maybe... mollie8 Dec 2022 #33

I was born in a city & moved to a very small town when I was seven. CrispyQ Dec 2022 #35

The difference is, to borrow a word JHB coined, inFOXication. Hermit-The-Prog Dec 2022 #39

But also, the use of the religious pulpit in a way very similar to Fox News. NullTuples Dec 2022 #77

Yes. Too many billions promoting fascism and theocracy -- from 'think tanks' to pulpits. Hermit-The-Prog Dec 2022 #90

And churches are the ultimate "dark money" funnels. NullTuples Dec 2022 #104

I don't know but the same happened to me... CousinIT Dec 2022 #40

The way some people can close their eyes to what's right in front of them is astounding sometimes. ShazzieB Dec 2022 #120

There's this, too... CousinIT Dec 2022 #122

I've had that same experience so many times NickB79 Dec 2022 #41

Reading your post and comments gave me an eerie feeling. pandr32 Dec 2022 #43

Same here! hamsterjill Dec 2022 #45

We all grow with experience. The more impactful experiences, the greater growth. jaxexpat Dec 2022 #47

You left town? yobrault1 Dec 2022 #52

how were your parents? Kali Dec 2022 #53

That is an interesting question. Chainfire Dec 2022 #67

that IS interesting Kali Dec 2022 #69

Try running into one you've known for 62 years... czarjak Dec 2022 #54

Why did you tell him you had "no politics"? relayerbob Dec 2022 #55

It wasn't worth it. I already have enough "enemies." Chainfire Dec 2022 #68

Empathy and discerning intellectual abilities. Joinfortmill Dec 2022 #56

A line from a song by a smalltown girl Michelle Shocked Joe Nation Dec 2022 #60

Good line! chowder66 Dec 2022 #66

I love that line. Thanks for bringing it to the thread. Chainfire Dec 2022 #73

Ah, Michelle Shocked has taken the turn too... druidity33 Dec 2022 #108

Well, she doesnt make any money off music you already OWN! oldsoftie Dec 2022 #113

I observed that many ex friends who turned GQP I've had to cut ties with, all seem to think that Ziggysmom Dec 2022 #61

Not sure "we" can bring them back from the brink Joe Nation Dec 2022 #70

I have severed all ties with my sister, who's company I once enjoyed, and who I loved dearly. Chainfire Dec 2022 #83

My late sister and her husband were Democrats before retiring to Alabama halfulglas Dec 2022 #111

I don't think it's philosophy. Mblaze Dec 2022 #71

Why did they take different paths? AverageOldGuy Dec 2022 #72

I still blame all this extreme division on Newt. sarchasm Dec 2022 #74

I first became aware of how crazy some folks were in the mid 90s. Chainfire Dec 2022 #79

Well, for starters, you didn't have the same parents. Samrob Dec 2022 #75

I haven't seen anyone from high school since the 70s and I like it that way Warpy Dec 2022 #76

Reichwingers, especially men, generally assume that everyone thinks as they do Orrex Dec 2022 #78

It sounds like you didn't allow a rich & powerful right-wing propaganda machine... CaptainTruth Dec 2022 #80

Different MEDIA intake - different PATH. n/t TeamProg Dec 2022 #81

Get to the root of your framing and you may know krkaufman Dec 2022 #82

Introspection? Interesting, I will have to think about that. Chainfire Dec 2022 #89

That's exactly what I've wondered about my former grade school/high school classmates. BComplex Dec 2022 #85

I almost passed on my high school 50th (class of 1969) because of a classmate... 3catwoman3 Dec 2022 #93

I've wondered the same thing Ohioboy Dec 2022 #110

There was a certain amount of it 'back in the day' chowmama Dec 2022 #114

I finally came to think of it as an expression of values. davsand Dec 2022 #115

you get your values from your parents, not your church or your friends or your school Hamlette Dec 2022 #116

Your family or your innate compassion IbogaProject Dec 2022 #117

Conformity and cohesion moondust Dec 2022 #119

Fox News happened. It also turned our parents into raving lunatics. nt SunSeeker Dec 2022 #121

I never see people from my high school days DFW Dec 2022 #128

The Biggest Difference I've noticed Brenda Dec 2022 #131

I haven't been to a high school reunion. I was notified of one coming up next spring. JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 2022 #132

You somehow got vaccinated with logic and reason but your peers didn't. KY_EnviroGuy Dec 2022 #133

Faux news , Hate radio and evangelicals. flying_wahini Dec 2022 #136

I find it really strange that the right are still scared of commies, reds and pinkos. Martin68 Dec 2022 #137

Exactly, for how could black people fight for justice without outside influence? Chainfire Dec 2022 #138

On a side note, Fox News doesn't change who you are ecstatic Dec 2022 #139

Just found out someone a year ahead of me in school transitioned. shrike3 Dec 2022 #140

Where the hell are the left leaning billionaires? Do they exist? Prairie_Seagull Dec 2022 #141