1 If it makes you feel any better, I get exactly the same down here. I mean, the opposite. A constant stream of statements and opinions that insult not just my beliefs but both my character and brainpower - all told to me with the absolute conviction that of course everyone in the world holds exactly the same opinions.

2 I'm with K. One liberal friend refers to me as her "token conservative," most recently hectoring me for not being "enlightened." I suppose I should mention she's from Boston.

3 Well, K is pointing out that in her Florida neighborhood it's the opposite, and as a liberal she's in the minority. I just wish people in general could treat each other with a bit more respect, and be a bit more tolerant of opposing viewpoints: we all have a lot to learn from each other if we can be nice about it.

4 The Caustic Tart - please forgive me, I wasn't clear. While I belong to no group, I'm often told I'm a *left leaner* - despite the fact that no liberal would ever consider me one of them. I live in the Deep South. Here, people often assume my opinions coincide with theirs on issues like being pro-Iraq war, anti-gay, anti-black, anti-women's rights, a member of their brand of fundamentalist Christianity, etc. etc. However: the fact that I'm perfectly content to sit and chat with people who are avowed KKK members doesn't mean I agree with the beliefs of the KKK. Our local conservatives make these incorrect assumptions and statements to me, with exactly the same scorn etc. that conservatives describe liberals displaying toward THEIR beliefs. I myself don't assume anything about anybody. It's not just offensive, rude, and dismissive, it's boring. Since I don't belong to either *side* and have absolutely no interest in doing so, I listen to just about everyone. This is not boring. From what I've seen, both liberals and conservatives are equally crass at making those unfounded assumptions about others. LMA, more or less a neocon I think, - bear with me, I'm not good at these classifications, just going on memory from her previous posts - lives in a *liberal* environment, and most often, sees their offensive behavior toward her. I live in a *conservative* environment, and most often, see their offensive behavior toward me. The funniest thing is, each side seems to think THEY never do this - it's only the Other Side that does. Which only reinforces my adamant refusal to align myself with any of them at all. People who make unfounded assumptions that everyone thinks like them are among the most boring out there.

5 HA! Crossed in the ether.

6 Just to be very very clear on this: It's Florida in general, but NOT my own neighborhood, which is (knee-jerk redneck) conservative. I've found a niche I never expected to find. It's a real mix. People of all stripes in every way - all colors, religions, origins, persuations, orientations. Exactly how I like it, but never thought I could *live* amongst. We have a fairly high percentage of gays too, around 40%. What other conservatives fail to realize - or deliberately ignore - is that, like blacks, many in the gay community consider themselves conservative, not liberal. Which, again, I don't mind a bit. Even at that, those folks are what others would call *independent.* In my tiny town we tend to be just that: independent, free thinking, eccentric, whatever. I'm so adamant about independence, my voter reg. card doesn't read *Independent.* Instead it says *NPA,* for *No Party Affiliate.* In refusing to identify myself with any group whatsoever, I'm usually completely alone. Here, I'm not. What a relief.