This is the way to go.

If they don't have left wing friends they would only have right wing friends, and surely they won't ever change their mind in that environment.

To be real that attitude is a little abusive, "be like I want or I left you!" kind of deal. Preying on vulnerable people that would change themselves just out of fear of being alone. I don't want that. I want convince people of my views because they see how good they are, not because I threatened them.

I agree with the sentiment and have practiced this for years -- it was pounded into me during my education-- but have not found any balance in it. The evils stay evil and I feel like they thrive on my making room for them. Its very odd that some otherwise sane and caring people can have these parts of their personalities that are completely distinct from the rest of how they think, and it doesn't make any sense to me personally. Usually the biggest hurdle is around Israel support. So we stay friends, but I think they are evil shits and they think I'm a peacenik moron who is naive out of touch with the real world (I think).

I'm not certain, but I think at its core is racism and lack of respect for others, while wishing them well at the same time. So they want to tell themselves they are good people, but hate on certain ethnic groups. Kind of a "I'm going to shoot you in the head but I feel bad about it" sort of thing. Ironically they dont know a single thing about islam, and universally dont know any muslims.

They tend to be middle class too-- truly middle, and well above average intelligence, mostly with career success. They dont worry about money, really ever. Victims of propoganda? I still dont know.

I've been doing a little bit of this with someone I work with. The thing that really got her attention was me pointing out I can't make a gallon of gas by myself, buy I can make a kilowatt of electricity with stuff I have lying around my house/yard. And that equipment will make me more kilowatts, for free.

Yeah, especially on my husband's side, we've had to cut contact with some extended family. I'm trans, and we're not even out about my past to these family members on his side of the family. I met my husband after transition. They're Southern Baptist deep south folk, and while they're quite friendly when we meet them, they also don't know about my trans status.

My natural inclination is to not rock the boat in such matters. I didn't suggest we cut off contact; I didn't want to be responsible for cutting my husband off from his extended family. I was willing to overlook it to maintain the peace, especially as we see them very infrequently.

But then my husband told me his perspective, and it chilled me to my bones. There was no question on his part. When discussing it, he simply said:

"They voted to kill my wife."

I agree, but if you voted for him the last election it becomes harder for me. The first one, ya you wanted to stick it to status quo. I get it, not support it. Hillary did suck. The second time it is hard but at least Biden one. But after all the shit, lies, rape, epstein, COVID, fraud, impeachments, obvious corruption....and still support him. That's tough. It is like a Nazi in 1946. Redemption at that point will be hard earned only.

We should allow space for growth and reconciliation

Growth. Something anyone that's still a Trump supporter, or in my opinion still were during the 2024 election, are incapable of. He was already a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist during the 2024 election. Anyone that voted for him in that election is a trashcan garbage piece of trash.

Reconciliation. Something anyone still supporting him is in no way interested in.

You can't reach people that don't want to be reached. And at this point they don't deserve the effort.

he named his doberman the n word and yelled at it constantly

What the flying fuck?

Some people really have shit for brains.

2026?

For me it's 2024. During the 2024 election he was already a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist with one massively failed presidency under his belt.

I thought his supporters were dumb as rocks before that, but from that point on I considered them traitors to the United States of America and enemies to everything it stands for.