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The Most Important Thing About Talking Politics

Be courteous, be kind, be considerate.

May 02, 2016

The Most Important Thing About Talking Politics

Before I begin, I would like to start off by saying: This is by no means a politic-related article. I am not going to voice my opinion about the upcoming election, nor will I defend which politician I want to win; the point of this article is not to push my personal opinion on to you.

The other day, I had dinner with a close friend. We got onto the topic of the upcoming election, which included our opinions about the candidates as well as who we would be voting for. The conversation continued for a good half hour. It was a healthy and informative conversation.

Guess what? We had completely differing opinions on who the best candidate is. By "completely different," I mean she planned on voting for my absolute last choice and vice versa.

My point is: Even though we completely disagreed on a lot of details, we still managed to have a normal conversation without it getting the best of us. We managed to be kind and courteous to one another while voicing our diversed opinions.

Yes, it is possible. Yes, we are still close friends. No, our friendship is not any different.

I think it is important to note neither of our opinions were hurtful or unkind to others; our base intent was the same: To make this country successful and the individuals happy. Sure, the paths we believed the country should take in order to be successful and happy were different, which is okay. This country would not be where it is today if people had all the same ideas. However, this country would also not be where it is if we constantly beat down and destroyed every one who had a differing opinion from our own.

What I would encourage every one to keep in mind throughout the next several months is to respect others' opinions. Just because someone has a contrasting opinion does not mean they are wrong, nor does it mean you are wrong. It is not necessary to verbally hurt someone just because they believe in something else.

Also, I would point out that it is not an issue for you to have your own opinion. It is not an issue to voice your opinion. It is not an issue to be different.

It is an issue to push your opinion onto others while verbally hurting them.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Most Important Thing About Talking Politics

Be courteous, be kind, be considerate.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1. You feel like an elder.

2. You may feel lonely.

3. Senioritis is more real than ever.

4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.

6. You are a college pro.

7. You'll have more free time.

8. You're happy you're still in school.

9. You feel like a guru.

10. You continue to grow.

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