I HAVE OFTEN told people that my two purposes on Facebook are to promote this website, and to oppose President Trump and the conservative agenda. Friendship formation and enhancement is not in my game plan. I much prefer doing those things in person, having found that long distance friendships, old and new, lack much. I believe that the concept of a "Facebook friend" is a mere contrivance, which can mean whatever the user wants it to. I load up on Facebook friends, the purpose be to increase to the max the effectiveness of my two pillar agenda. I live happily within my social media bubble. Trump supporters and conservatives seem to me like some sort of distant country, foreign, alien, and malign. The closes I ever come to having a conversation on Facebook is when I read other people's posts and respond to them, or when I make comments on my own posts. If someone wants to talk, I offer to do it on the phone; most people pass. Inside my Facebook left wing bubble we all get along swimmingly, for the most part, because we agree on most matters.it almost seems as if we are informally competing to see who can make the most unpleasant comments about Trump and his hated supporters. I got my first personal taste of exactly how rude and anger my fellow progressives can become when I harmlessly, or so I thought, posted a comment to the effect that if Amy Coney Barrrett is confirmed to the Supreme Court, not only will it not be the end of the world, but it might do little or no harm to progressive causes, since often in the past people who have joined the court as staunch conservatives have tended to move to the center or left while serving on the court, and sometimes render rulings which actually favor the progressive point of view. That got me in a lot of trouble. My mistake was in underestimating the potential for leftist wrath. I stopped counting the number of "eff U's hurled at me, stopped trying toe explain that we're all on the same side, and decided to just go hide under a rock for awhile, and have a good laugh. One of my Facebook friends and apparent admirers is an eighty five year old man from Pakistan who has lived in the United States less than five years. He congratulated me because he sensed that I am a truly devoted person who is always working for good causes. I found that flattering, and , I hope, true. he and I have in common that we despise Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Modi. I gave him my phone number, and he called me.His heavy accent did not impede our conversation, which went well. He said that social distancing and stay at home restrictions imposed by the virus are making him very lonely, and I encouraged him to keep up his spirits, and to realize that this too shall pass. As I usually try to do, I kept the phone chat short, and I don't think he liked that. later, back on Facebook, he seemed cold and disappointed in me. I would almost like to ask him how many other people even bother to talk to him on the phone at all, but I will refrain. As easy to offend and quick to anger as people seem to be these days, I don't want to stir the pot. It just reminds me that for me, social distancing and sheltering in place are working out, altogther, rather well.
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