Political Views and some perspective

[82bordeaux]

I have a dear friend and PSU fraternity brother that is a dyed in the wool liberal democrat. He has been a loud and proud supporter of the Democratic Party his entire life. I grew up an Alex P. Keaton conservative republican. Never voted for a democrat in my life (until some recent diversions from that path). He is a big government save the people type of guy. I'm a lower the taxes, reduce government, and get out of the way of people who can help themselves and others dude. Over the years we had many friendly and spirited debates about politics, elections, and policy. We were never disrespectful towards each other.
He is 62 and about to retire from a career at the State Department. Has a great wife and three great kids, a daughter that graduated from the Naval Academy, and two sons that graduated from Penn State. He is the most passionate and energetic PSU fan I've ever known.
About three hours ago I was called by another friend to tell me that we need to have a Zoom call with him at 7:30 tonight. Apparently 4 weeks ago it was discovered that he had advanced cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. His wife said it needs to be tonight, it can't be delayed. He has lost 35 pounds in the last 2 weeks. He's done everything right in his life, and is being robbed of a retirement with his lifelong love and his kids and future grandchildren.
Our political views and those differences mean shit. This is going to be a tough call, and I'm sure their won't be any political talk. You know why? Because in the end, it ain't shit. Enjoy each other and the diversity that our great country allows and provides.

 

[Thenightking]

Sorry to hear your plight! Hope your friend can come to terms with his situation and cherish any time left with his wife and children! Cancer is hell! But sounds like he has had a blessed life! I am very conservative , but many of my friends are very liberal, we all respect each others views and keep in context that political views are small potatoes when compared to life,death and friendship issues.

 

[Lovethissport]

I have a dear friend and PSU fraternity brother that is a dyed in the wool liberal democrat. He has been a loud and proud supporter of the Democratic Party his entire life. I grew up an Alex P. Keaton conservative republican. Never voted for a democrat in my life (until some recent diversions from that path). He is a big government save the people type of guy. I'm a lower the taxes, reduce government, and get out of the way of people who can help themselves and others dude. Over the years we had many friendly and spirited debates about politics, elections, and policy. We were never disrespectful towards each other.
He is 62 and about to retire from a career at the State Department. Has a great wife and three great kids, a daughter that graduated from the Naval Academy, and two sons that graduated from Penn State. He is the most passionate and energetic PSU fan I've ever known.
About three hours ago I was called by another friend to tell me that we need to have a Zoom call with him at 7:30 tonight. Apparently 4 weeks ago it was discovered that he had advanced cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. His wife said it needs to be tonight, it can't be delayed. He has lost 35 pounds in the last 2 weeks. He's done everything right in his life, and is being robbed of a retirement with his lifelong love and his kids and future grandchildren.
Our political views and those differences mean shit. This is going to be a tough call, and I'm sure their won't be any political talk. You know why? Because in the end, it ain't shit. Enjoy each other and the diversity that our great country allows and provides.

Sorry to hear about your friend. So true....politics does not mean shit when it comes to true friends

 

[johnstownsteel]

Sorry to hear about your friend and good to hear that politics hasn't come between your friendship. Sadly I pretty much lost a brother over politics. I'm conservative as is most of my family and he's quite liberal which wasnt always the case until he met his wife. To be honest, I think he disowned his family because it was her wish he did so. I'm ok with that, if he's happy and she's happy that's what matters even though I miss having him around. As for these forums, it's one of my escapes from politics and all the real world problems we all face. I usually bow out of threads that turn political. I may as well stay off the boards if I'm gonna get that kinda talk here.

 

[El-Jefe]

I have a dear friend and PSU fraternity brother that is a dyed in the wool liberal democrat. He has been a loud and proud supporter of the Democratic Party his entire life. I grew up an Alex P. Keaton conservative republican. Never voted for a democrat in my life (until some recent diversions from that path). He is a big government save the people type of guy. I'm a lower the taxes, reduce government, and get out of the way of people who can help themselves and others dude. Over the years we had many friendly and spirited debates about politics, elections, and policy. We were never disrespectful towards each other.
He is 62 and about to retire from a career at the State Department. Has a great wife and three great kids, a daughter that graduated from the Naval Academy, and two sons that graduated from Penn State. He is the most passionate and energetic PSU fan I've ever known.
About three hours ago I was called by another friend to tell me that we need to have a Zoom call with him at 7:30 tonight. Apparently 4 weeks ago it was discovered that he had advanced cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. His wife said it needs to be tonight, it can't be delayed. He has lost 35 pounds in the last 2 weeks. He's done everything right in his life, and is being robbed of a retirement with his lifelong love and his kids and future grandchildren.
Our political views and those differences mean shit. This is going to be a tough call, and I'm sure their won't be any political talk. You know why? Because in the end, it ain't shit. Enjoy each other and the diversity that our great country allows and provides.

My deepest condolences.

Sounds like your friend had one heckuva life, even if cut short. Hopefully everyone can focus on the former. While I can't speak for him, if it were me, I'd far rather spend my remaining time remembering how good I had it, rather than pondering what I'd be missing.

Good luck with the call tonight.

 

[Sportfan2017]

I have a dear friend and PSU fraternity brother that is a dyed in the wool liberal democrat. He has been a loud and proud supporter of the Democratic Party his entire life. I grew up an Alex P. Keaton conservative republican. Never voted for a democrat in my life (until some recent diversions from that path). He is a big government save the people type of guy. I'm a lower the taxes, reduce government, and get out of the way of people who can help themselves and others dude. Over the years we had many friendly and spirited debates about politics, elections, and policy. We were never disrespectful towards each other.
He is 62 and about to retire from a career at the State Department. Has a great wife and three great kids, a daughter that graduated from the Naval Academy, and two sons that graduated from Penn State. He is the most passionate and energetic PSU fan I've ever known.
About three hours ago I was called by another friend to tell me that we need to have a Zoom call with him at 7:30 tonight. Apparently 4 weeks ago it was discovered that he had advanced cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. His wife said it needs to be tonight, it can't be delayed. He has lost 35 pounds in the last 2 weeks. He's done everything right in his life, and is being robbed of a retirement with his lifelong love and his kids and future grandchildren.
Our political views and those differences mean shit. This is going to be a tough call, and I'm sure their won't be any political talk. You know why? Because in the end, it ain't shit. Enjoy each other and the diversity that our great country allows and provides.

So sorry to hear the news. My sympathies to his family and friends like you. I know how tough it can be. I don't know the exact situation with your friend....but my father was suffering through stage 4 and losing 10lbs a week.....chewing and swallowing were getting tough. I went to GNC and bought the highest calories Body Mass builder I could find.... 2200-2500+ calories a cup. Mixed it in milk and lots of ice cream. He could drink through a straw and at about 4000 calories a glass....he stopped losing weight. It didn't stop the cancer but gave us an extra month or so to talk and watch the Steelers. I only wish I had thought of it sooner . Hopefully this may help someone. I pray for you and your friend and his family. Peace

 

[Ja1339]

My deepest condolences.

Sounds like your friend had one heckuva life, even if cut short. Hopefully everyone can focus on the former. While I can't speak for him, if it were me, I'd far rather spend my remaining time remembering how good I had it, rather than pondering what I'd be missing.

Good luck with the call tonight.

I second these sentiments, and very sorry to hear about your friend..

 

[therod]

I have a dear friend and PSU fraternity brother that is a dyed in the wool liberal democrat. He has been a loud and proud supporter of the Democratic Party his entire life. I grew up an Alex P. Keaton conservative republican. Never voted for a democrat in my life (until some recent diversions from that path). He is a big government save the people type of guy. I'm a lower the taxes, reduce government, and get out of the way of people who can help themselves and others dude. Over the years we had many friendly and spirited debates about politics, elections, and policy. We were never disrespectful towards each other.
He is 62 and about to retire from a career at the State Department. Has a great wife and three great kids, a daughter that graduated from the Naval Academy, and two sons that graduated from Penn State. He is the most passionate and energetic PSU fan I've ever known.
About three hours ago I was called by another friend to tell me that we need to have a Zoom call with him at 7:30 tonight. Apparently 4 weeks ago it was discovered that he had advanced cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. His wife said it needs to be tonight, it can't be delayed. He has lost 35 pounds in the last 2 weeks. He's done everything right in his life, and is being robbed of a retirement with his lifelong love and his kids and future grandchildren.
Our political views and those differences mean shit. This is going to be a tough call, and I'm sure their won't be any political talk. You know why? Because in the end, it ain't shit. Enjoy each other and the diversity that our great country allows and provides.

It most certainly sounds like a tough call to be involved in. Besides the zoom call, If it were me, I would try and talk to him personally. This would be a time where you could pray with him and perhaps affirm his relationship with God. My prayers are that the Holy Spirit give you and your dear friend and his family peace during this time.

 

[PSUNAV]

Sorry to hear about your friend! Horrible news. Nothing beats close friends!

Driving back to VA from Reading and visiting our 2 youngest grandkids we listened to a podcast today.

Topic was politics and how we pick sides and throw mud or worse. Speaker suggested a simple yet hard to do solution.

Instead, try treating everyone like we’d like them to treat us. (We don’t know what their past life experiences have been that may have shaped their views.)

Feel like I‘ve heard that before! Prayers for you and your friend’s family!

 

[nerfstate]

Perspective-setting events in life are sometimes brutal. I’ve had my share the last 6 months—a little extra focus on the important stuff is still a blessing. Thoughts and prayers, Bordeaux

 

[82bordeaux]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words. Just got off the hour and a half call. It was surprisingly upbeat. But that is to be expected coming from this guy. His wife and two boys were on the call too. I'm glad technology made this possible. It sucks having to work using it, but it sure makes some great things possible.
Just remember this when you are tempted to get swept up in contentious debates over political subjects. There are many more important things to direct your passion toward.

 

[APSPSUwrestlingfan]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words. Just got off the hour and a half call. It was surprisingly upbeat. But that is to be expected coming from this guy. His wife and two boys were on the call too. I'm glad technology made this possible. It sucks having to work using it, but it sure makes some great things possible.
Just remember this when you are tempted to get swept up in contentious debates over political subjects. There are many more important things to direct your passion toward.

So glad you had the chance to be together, even remotely. A very dear friend of mine called me out of the blue to talk. Over an hour later it felt as if he were saying goodbye. He died in that chair and his widow called me the next morning. I was able to share the conversation with her. Friends are the family we chose. We're blessed to have the close ones. Treasure the memories.

 

[McScoreley]

Teared up reading this ... my deepest condolences and I am so sorry to hear that. You are 100% right, life is too short to live it with anger and resentment over things that are so trivial in the grand scheme of things. We should cherish every moment and particularly, the relationships you have built with people.

 

[Random4598375]

I have a dear friend and PSU fraternity brother that is a dyed in the wool liberal democrat. He has been a loud and proud supporter of the Democratic Party his entire life. I grew up an Alex P. Keaton conservative republican. Never voted for a democrat in my life (until some recent diversions from that path). He is a big government save the people type of guy. I'm a lower the taxes, reduce government, and get out of the way of people who can help themselves and others dude. Over the years we had many friendly and spirited debates about politics, elections, and policy. We were never disrespectful towards each other.
He is 62 and about to retire from a career at the State Department. Has a great wife and three great kids, a daughter that graduated from the Naval Academy, and two sons that graduated from Penn State. He is the most passionate and energetic PSU fan I've ever known.
About three hours ago I was called by another friend to tell me that we need to have a Zoom call with him at 7:30 tonight. Apparently 4 weeks ago it was discovered that he had advanced cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. His wife said it needs to be tonight, it can't be delayed. He has lost 35 pounds in the last 2 weeks. He's done everything right in his life, and is being robbed of a retirement with his lifelong love and his kids and future grandchildren.
Our political views and those differences mean shit. This is going to be a tough call, and I'm sure their won't be any political talk. You know why? Because in the end, it ain't shit. Enjoy each other and the diversity that our great country allows and provides.

I'm really very sorry about your friend. That is awful news.

Politics and music are the two things in life where most people's tastes are bad but you can't change them no matter what you do, so it's better to just accept that you have differences.

 

[82bordeaux]

I'm really very sorry about your friend. That is awful news.

Politics and music are the two things in life where most people's tastes are bad but you can't change them no matter what you do, so it's better to just accept that you have differences.

Well I would always be happy to have a friendly debate with him over politics. However, If I ever tried to tell him that anyone but Bruce Springsteen was the greatest musician in the history of mankind, we may have gone to the mat. So I always let that one go. Tip O'Neill as the greatest Speaker of the House I was happy to debate!
Thanks for all of your well wishes.

 

[86PSUPaul]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Nice to know you could have spirited discussions without acrimony.

 

[PSU Mike]

Thanks for the message, bordy, but so sad to hear that news. It’s so true - hoping people learn to keep their differences from dividing them(us).

 

[garw]

Sorry for your buddy and his family @82bordeaux.

 

[SRATH]

sorry for your friend and his bump in the road. grateful the call went so well

 

[johnstownsteel]

There are many more important things to direct your passion toward.

Like our hatred for everything Iowa…😊

 

[johnstownsteel]

Well I would always be happy to have a friendly debate with him over politics. However, If I ever tried to tell him that anyone but Bruce Springsteen was the greatest musician in the history of mankind, we may have gone to the mat. So I always let that one go. Tip O'Neill as the greatest Speaker of the House I was happy to debate!
Thanks for all of your well wishes.

Huh? Bruce Springsteen?

Jeesh. Terrible taste in music but seems to really know how to pick friends. He gets a pass… lol