Polarization of red and blue thinking is doing a number on this country. Families have become fractured, couples have been separated and friendships have gone south. Last night I went to a group Better Angels which is making an effort nationally to bridge the divide in political thinking. It gave me hope. I'm going to train to organize discussion groups and be a moderator and learn how to debate without judgement- get people to talk civaly again with each other. More to follow.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.What a brilliant idea. It’s such a shame when abstract ideas like politics creates a similar divide as religions.
Sadly many people think they have control over the political landscape but this is clearly not true as evidenced by Trump and Brexit to identify just two.
Best to buy out of both and become human again!
Geoffrey51
Level 8
Aug 1, 2019
1
Good luck, you will need it! The lines are being drawn to almost the extent they were just before the Civil War. Only they didn’t have the wonders of the Internet and social media to fan the flames. But they did quite well with gossip and newspapers.
Barnie2years
Level 8
Aug 1, 2019
1
Actually, if you watch the PBS Ken Burns Vietnam documentary, you realize just how close we were to losing our country back then. It actually gives me hope for the future.
One on one, I have no problem discussing opposing views with anyone who is rational and can stick to facts.
I have a friend that I lunch with once a week...she tells me what she read/heard/saw that strikes her Republican self and I tell her my take on it...we compare notes...frankly, most of the time, we meet somewhere in the middle after we hash it out. I do the same with her...we both dislike politicians in general so that is common ground.
Good for you! Personally, I have no interest in repairing damaged relationships...I look at it as weeding out people that probably needed to go out of my life anyway and this was just the catalyst...
thinktwice
Level 8
Aug 1, 2019
2
Let me know how it goes. I'm interested
Bigwavedave
Level 8
Aug 1, 2019
1
I will Dave -every state has at least one chapter -check them out.
An admirable pursuit. On a smaller scale, I belong to a local branch of the Drinking Liberally organization. My friend Jim, the head of that branch, has proposed inviting red-thinkers to one of our monthly meetings for the purpose of civil debate over beers. So far, no rightwing takers.
DharmaBum50
Level 8
Aug 1, 2019
2
I love it Kevin!
That should go well: alcohol and polar opposite political views. You should invite some Evangelicals and Islamists (just to distinguish them from Christians and Muslims who are much less radicalized). Neither of those drink, so they could be your designated drivers! 
@Barnie2years Now there's a thought. Thanks for the idea!
@JulyEveningStarr, the point being (and why I made the distinction) is that there are radical elements in all three. These are dangerous to not only the non believers, but to the liberal and moderate branches of each group. But they do it in such a way as to shame those who are less radical into lending support. Not sure what that has to do with what I posted though?
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