In my circle of folk music friends in the Orillia area I can think of 4 people, all regulars at the song circles here, who are quite conservative in their political values. I disagree with them about a great many things when it comes to politics. They instinctively support what I instinctively oppose. (and most of us folkies here are quite "liberal", but not those four)

Nevertheless, I have found all 4 of them to be excellent friends, fine musicians, people whose company I enjoy, people whom I can trust on a personal level. They are honest, creative, capable, and reliable individuals with much to offer the world.

We just don't agree when it comes to politics. We vote for different people.

I have found no reason to ostracize them, hold grudges, and hurl abuse at them. Friendships should not be compromised by differences in political beliefs.

I am well aware that everyone's political beliefs are based on the instinctive defence of something they honor and value. This is understandable...though they may not grasp the total picture. Very few people do grasp the total picture. In fact, I doubt I've ever met anyone who truly grasps the total picture, myself included, needless to say. We're all partially informed.

One of my best friends here says things that would leave most of you aghast when it comes to politics. Does he believe the things he says? Well, I think he believes about half of of it, but I know he also says some of the outrageous things he does merely to piss off certain people and it's a form of dark humour on his part. Those who are so full of themselves and their own glorious righteousness that they never get off their politically correct soapbox have to know him for awhile before they realize that he's just pulling their chains. Nobody bothers getting het up about it anymore, because we know the man from long experience, and he IS a person of excellent character, he's just a curmudgeon, as the expression goes. I find that he does not prejudge individuals, however, regardless of who or what they are, but deals with them each on their own merits. That's a good road to follow in life.