old classmates. I am about to give it up, and so is he. Too many of them are homophobic, racist, repubbie, and believers in conspiracy theories. I never bring up politics when we are with them, but one of them always does. I defend my beliefs, and I am the bad guy?

We have plenty of friends who share our values, too. Good for you for taking that step.

there are sometimes scary parallels in the language they employ and the kinds of issues that seem to 'trigger' their outbursts, and then the same current events they'd share with their group (including me). I just can't go down that road of crazies. I've got my own issues to deal with - aside from that, I want only upbeat, sympathetic, constructive people in my life.

It's a little jarring to me to see people I grew up with (okay, 40 years ago, but still), at the very same time, in the same place, who have just toddled off into cloud-cuckooland. What's worse is seeing people I know nowadays posting some of that whackaloon bullshit.

My "unfriend" button gets pushed sooner rather than later. When I go to Facebook, I'm looking to relax, see what people are doing, tell them (maybe) about what I'm doing, and generally socialize on the social network.

AMEN!!

In the case of hubby's right wing Georgia relatives, I've just hidden all their
posts from my news feed. I can check, now and then, to see if anything
is really going on with them.

I think I'm going to go tinker with my news feed. Hehe...

imagine the degrading and disgusting posts about our President but she's offended I did not love her hero, Ollie North. I'm doing the same thing but for the most part I'm just staying off FB..

It was rough

see current photos, and even though they have crossed to the dark side, there's a still a part of you that has a fondness for the individuals with whom you shared an important part of your life and development.

I guess at the end of the day, I don't entirely blame them for how they turned out (others may, which is fine), but they are kind of like the house in which you grew up - it served its purpose well, and there are so many memories there, but you grow up, spread your wings, and then the house serves a purpose for other growing families while you move into other homes and live your life.

So far, my record for predicting their political leanings, based on my recollection of their high school personalities (i.e., prior to real political consciousness) is 100%.

I've friended some of the Conservative ones on FB, but I've jettisoned the ones who post nonstop NRA propaganda and racist or anti-LGBT screeds.

they are the kind of people who value their relationship with me such that we can each post our own beliefs about current events, and neither takes it to heart.