He turned up in shitty clothes, unkempt. There is vanity and there is 'making an effort'. He didn't make an effort. Ok.
We got through the small talk and the not so small talk. Friends and family lost. Soon to be lost. I made something to eat. Things were cordial. Later on we loosened up a bit...
I was genuinely curious to know what his political outlook was with all the recent fussing and fighting, but no, it never got that far. We ended up on a park bench, drinking a couple of beers, and while it didn't come to blows, it came close.
Absolute total and utter Trump Derangement Syndrome. Why?
I asked him why he didn't like Trump and what things he had done to upset him so much.
He accused me of putting him on the spot - in principle of acting in bad faith - but my question was measured and gentle and genuine. I really did want to know what he had to say, because I respected him as an intelligent man with a good heart.
He started going off on one. Frothing at the mouth. He would not let me speak. He started shouting. I tried to interject to answer his points, but it got personal: So you put me on the spot eh, WELL HERE'S ANOTHER REASON WHY TRUMP IS A CUNT.
I didn't feel so strongly about it as to have a fist fight with my old friend, though I know he's up for it and doesn't mind mixing it up when challenged. I let him have his way.
The phrase 'apoplectic with rage' is often used, sometimes misused. But that was him. He was snarling, shouting, swearing, ready to throw down. All because I, a friend, had asked him an innocent question. I'm all for trolling and that, but it really was not my intention to make him boil over.
But what I learned was pure Gold.
He does not identify as a 'Lefty'. He is just someone who is right. Anyone who can not see this or not understand it is part of the problem. He does not see himself as an atheist but calls Christians 'Evil Cunts' that need to be exterminated. And he means it. Because he is right. On the right end of history, kind of thing.
We chatted about the BBC. It's well known that those on the left view the BBC as right wing and those on the right view it as left. But no, there was no argument. FUCKING RACIST RIGHT WING CUNTS THAT NEED TO DIE AND IF YOU CAN NOT SEE THIS YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM.
I started laughing at this point. To see someone so deranged with the holy fire of righteousness. To see someone so rabid. So convinced that there is no other argument to be had. I could do nothing but chuckle. I think this disarmed him a bit and stopped things from going further. It snapped him out of his funk, so to speak.
Then Brexit came up.
He flew in to another rage. About how the reporting of the BBC was full of nothing other than OUTRIGHT FUCKING LIES.
Funny, because, I remember the beeb just being partisan in one other direction, but as I said to him, I didn't follow it too much.
DIDN'T FOLLOW IT TOO MUCH, YOU BRING IT UP BUT DIDN'T FOLLOW IT TOO MUCH - YOU MUST HAVE AN OPINION - SILENCE IS VIOLENCE - WHICH WAY DID YOU VOTE?
Another fucking rage from him. He's probably not the best example as he's a bit damaged anyway, but still.
This is someone who was a bit upset that he was called a racist by a fellow lefty for not signalling enough and it got to him because he's not racist, but just wouldn't subscribe to her bat-shit crazy cat lady view of the world and her pet niggers. As I said, he's clever and has a good heart.. The left eats its own.
I realised there was no getting through to him. Not that I even tried to impose my views on him or sway him in any way. I really was just genuinely interested in his hot-take on current affairs.
We left on good terms. I took him out for a nice Indian Curry. I lent him one of my guitars and the only amp I actually have at the moment. Genuinely from the heart.
I am able to differentiate between humans and their political views. The 'left' are not.
I can see the good in a human no matter their political bent. The 'left' can not.
I may not believe in God, but I respect those that have faith and those who are Christians. The 'left' can not.
I am still interested in my fellow man and why he thinks the way he does. The 'left' are not.
I can be genuinely insulted, yet still not demand 'satisfaction'. The 'left' can not. Even for perceived slights.
I can still try to find some way out of this mess for the good of all concerned. The 'left' can not.
I'll stop there.
I've had good practice in dealing with these zealots and partisans and outright commies. I have them in my family. People who are prepared to break a family apart over an idealogical difference in nuance.
It's never enough for these fuckers. If you don't think 100 percent as they do and do 100 percent as they say, then you are soon to be for the feeding machine of re-education or slaughter. Yeah, it's tiresome.
There really could not be a bigger chasm between my outlook and theirs.
I still go along to get along, as long as I'm allowed to do that.
But these dumb cunts will make even that impossible one day.
And I will just say "I told you so"... when we all start playing minecraft for realz.
Enough spergery for one day, I think.