I have an intelligent friend who I've known for over 10 years now. In almost every respect he is a thoughtful person except when it comes to politics. We're in agreement on most topics except for politics. I've had these discussions with him numerous times and it always ends up with us at polar opposites in our political views.
I've seen the diaries from others about their dad or uncle who spouts the O'Reilly/Limbaugh talking points. They have voiced the difficulty in talking politics with these people. I know how they feel.
My friend hates the Clintons. He calls Edwards an ambulance chaser, Gore is a buffoon who 'invented' the internet and 'Love Story' was based on him. It just goes on and on. I even suggested that he quit listening to Bill O and Rush and he claims he doesn't. This is kind of scary because I take him at his words and this implies he gets this crap from the MSM.
I don't see him but a few times a year now because he has moved about 1 1/2 hour drive from where I live. We see each other mainly at his kids or my grandkids birthday parties and once in a while at a pool tournament. We used to play on the same pool league team (during the Clinton years) and he would ramble on about how much he hated Clinton.
His big argument yesterday was how the Democrats stopped Bush's social security plan. How the Republicans offered up a solution but were blocked. How the Democrats had no counter offer and on and on. There was no discussion about the pros and cons of Bush's plan.
This is what mystifies me about my friend. He is not some religious right-wing 'values' guy. He doesn't go to church. He isn't some unthinking 'ditto head'. He has stayed employed in the IT industry working for a major company here where outsourcing and layoffs are typical so he isn't stupid. He isn't the caricature you would normally expect.
The one thing about him that is what you expect from the right-wing nuttery is he never discusses the issues. He buys in completely to the stuff that is out there in the 2 minute sound bites from the MSM.
One of his stupid statements was that we should divide the country and he and his like live in the east part and us 'liberals' live in the west part (means I don't have to move). He claims that us 'liberals' will be climbing the fence into the east side just like the illegal immigrants because we will fail completely and totally.
I just can't figure out why someone who has some intelligence would spout such nonsense. How many friends/relatives do you have that are intelligent but say stupid things?
I try to get him to discuss the issues but all I every get is 'talking points'. What strategies have been found successful when dealing with intelligent friends who are clueless?