Going Along To Get Along

 I HAVE BECOME, over the past few years, increasingly afraid to visit my friend of more than thirty five years, for, alas, over the last few yeas, he has emerged as a political animal, never having been so inclined before, and, alas again, he supports Trump, strongly. I always to to talk about basketball, or something, since he is a former NCAA player, and yesterday I broached the NBA finals, and he asked: "who's playing"? That alarmed me. I visit him at his house about two or three times a year now, and I always avoid politics with him, having explained to him that friendship is more important than politics. But he always brings it up, as if he somehow must, almost as if he wants to argue, and thinks he can win, or wants to end our friendship but isn't quite sure how. We were getting along fine, basketball wise, until once again he made the leap. "You're a Democrat!", he said accusingly, as if I didn't know." Biden is trying to turn our country into a banana republic, and that red headed press secretary lo his stands there and lies, constantly." He could have been talking about Trump, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and probably was, without knowing it. I just listened. Then came the piece de resistance. "Before the end of this year, Trump will be back in office, mark me. I'll bet you a case of imported beer".  I nodded, and took the bet. How could I not? I didn't bother to tell him that I no longer drink; hell, this just might motivate to start drinking again. So, I left, after five minutes. I told him I love him, and he said he loves me too. I'll see him again in, or a local church. Trump fans amaze me, more than ever. To believe that Trump will be back in office by year's end, that the election of Biden will somehow be reversed, is delusional, isn't it? that's mentally ill, right? And that is precisely the kind of nonsense they hand out, that, plus the usual deep state Q-Anon conspiracy crap. All of them do it. Under Stalin, the definition of mental illness became anyone who does not believe in socialism. I am truly beginning to believe that in these United States the test of mental illness should become anyone who supports Trump. The man, and h is minions are certifiable, including my friend, who, like the rest of them, I consider a traitor, ever since January sixth. But of course I would never say that to him.