Very thoughtful response and thanks. I have a friend from the Netherlands who told me once when I visited her that she was always curious about how people in America identified so powerfully with labels, as though the labels meant anything. They don't, but for a button on a lapel. She said in her country you were expected to have an opinion. That of course assumes you think. I vote all over the place, and have difficulty owning a label or a party, although that might be called Independent or Centrist. Still doesn't describe how I feel. Our need to label, to self classify is I think part of the problem. I've traveled extensively, and people regularly express confusion (with good cause). Issues aren't simple, nor are they so binary. But Trumpism and the inherent hate really did split us apart. I would also make it VERY clear that I do not equate my friends' views with her entire personality. I know her too well. The rift has been widening for a long time about many things, including a shocking lack of empathy about Covid deaths. We had finally just reached that point. It's never so simple as just one thing.