I personally am liberal, but I can say from experience that being open-minded and at least willing to listen to others whether you agree with them or not before responding can take what would turn into a political screaming match into an interesting and often mutally beneficial discussion. I am from the south, so my views are far from popular. However, I've been known to change a few minds on issues simply because instead of attacking I prefer to give my opinions and reasons why I hold those opinions. The key thing here is to let the other person do the same, otherwise if you tune them out while they are speaking, what incentive do they have to listen to you?

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I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections and the truth of imagination. What the imagination seizes as beauty must be truth - whether it existed before or not.
-John Keats