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How Political Should You Get on Social Media?

As the Nov. 6 election nears, political discussion is getting heated. How much do you share of your political opinions with your Facebook friends?

Maybe you're a die-hard Democrat, and you think Barack Obama wiped the floor with Mitt Romney in the presidential debates. Or maybe you're a staunch Republican, you believe Mitt Romney was on top of his game.

Do you share these opinions with your friends on Facebook and Twitter?

Maybe you shouldn't, suggests a recent article on Boston.com. People of all political leanings told the Globe they're learning too much about their friends' and relatives' attitudes.

A February study by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project provided the data for the article.

The study found that 18 percent of social media users have blocked, unfriended or hidden someone because of political differences or a distaste for the sheer volume of the friends’ political posts. It also found that 38 percent of social media users discovered that their friends' political leanings are different than originally thought.

"A lot of people are stupider than I thought they were," Boston-area resident John Clarke, a self-described fiscal conservative and social liberal, told the Globe. "That includes relatives and close friends."

The Pew study surveyed 2,253 adults via phone. None of the questions specified a social networking platform.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Jeff & Melissa Ginsburg, Steve Aspel and Joan Irvine at our May 14th Election Watch Party
Deborah Shepard May 18, 2013 at 11:32 am
Big congrats to you Jeff. Please fill us in (Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach and Marina Hotel andRead More Visitors Bureau) on the hotel shuttle. Also, how do we get Riviera Village's newest hit, Rock N Brew to be called Redondo Beach vs. Torrance??
Joan Irvine May 16, 2013 at 08:08 am
Jeff, I am so pleased that you will be representing the residents of District 1 for the next fourRead More years.
Deborah Shepard May 18, 2013 at 11:56 am
Congrats to the boys and girls baseball/softball teams, showing the Redondo strength of body andRead More mind! Reading all sorts of good things about your teams! Great going players and coaches from the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach and Marina Hotel staff!
john May 4, 2013 at 09:18 pm
And here I thought I needed to Drive to San Diego to experience craft breweries and bars. Nice job.
sheri patterson April 30, 2013 at 12:19 am
Mary, I read your posts throughout the Measure A campaign. You may want to re-read your posts whenRead More you cast stones about "dividing a city". There wasn't much substantiation to any of your posts-- mostly just attacks on Jim Light. Do Aspel and Ginsburg condone this sort of behavior since you are such a strong voice for them?
Jim Light April 28, 2013 at 03:41 pm
http://www.prado2013.com/ Voters should read this before casting their ballot. Dianne Prado,Read More former District 1 candidate, exposes the electioneering, intimidation and cronyism of this campaign.
Jim Light April 26, 2013 at 11:16 pm
Perhaps we should just turn our heads and let the City Council violate the law. Is that what youRead More would do Mr H? The City Charter is the law of Redondo. The Council chose knowingly to violate it. When the judge found them in violation, the same Council doubled the costs with a frivolous appeal. This time three judges threw it out. Had the Council followed the Charter, there would be zero costs. If you want to hold anyone accountable, it should be those who cast the vote to violate the City Charter and disenfranchise the voters of Redondo. You should not hold me and the over 200 residents who contributed to the lawsuit to uphold the City Charter responsible for the Council's illegal action.
David Mallen May 6, 2013 at 11:28 pm
We are still waiting for someone -- perhaps the author of this post -- to make a coherent,Read More fact-based argument in favor of Mr. Diels. With all due respect, conclusory hopes and dreams of "reform" will not get 'er done in the face of Mr. Diels' voting record as City Councilman. Thankfully, one good thing has come of the author's blog post. The facts and blog posts have vindicated the honesty and integrity of the campaigns run by Dawn Esser and Chris Cagle, against a baseless attack by Mrs. Diels. If I had a magic mand, I would wave it and change the City Charter so that Dawn and Chris could share the position of Treasurer.
David Mallen May 6, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Mr. Azouz: Thank you. I am glad some neighbors find value in what I do, but more importantly IRead More respect the fact that you take the time to do your own homework. If you have expertise in a particular area that can benefit the City, feel free to contact me off line. That goes for anyone. After the election, I have a "big idea" that I want to promote for our City. When Bill Brand and Steve Aspel both agree that my idea is promising, then I think we are on the right track. I'll be curious to learn what the City Manager has to say.
Rocketgerl May 6, 2013 at 10:51 pm
Correction - that's his email. Jimlightforcouncil.com is more fun! Although I'm sure he'd love toRead More hear from you at either address!