Friendship Can Exist Btwn Libs & Repubs

Back in my days working the aisles, I got into a heated argument with Toothpick. (Sidebar: I am well known for giving nicknames to co-workers. Sometimes pleasant, sometimes cruel, but always right on the money. Toothpick was to me like a tough Italian street corner singer from the 70s, complete with a toothpick in the side of his mouth.) Anyway, we were unloading and shelving the morning's incoming order when our chat veered toward politics. As someone who leans toward liberalism, I was not prepared to hear that Toothpick was a full fledged hard core left-wing conservative Republican. Our debate was regarding Ann Coulter and her then recent use of the word faggot. I guess I assumed that he would be as equally outraged as I was and was stunned to find that he didn't think much of it AND that he actually was a fan of Coulter's, finding her to be "one hot mama." I nearly tossed my organic chocolate chip cookies into the pocket of my apron. Toothpick figured that since people used language like that in say, Scorsese's "The Departed," that it should come as no surprise to hear it said outside the realm of Hollywood films. I could hardly catch my breath. He said, "Films are reality, honey." I stopped dead and spoke with each word becoming louder than the last, "Are you in-sane?? 'Films are reality'?? Did ya see 'The Lord of The Rings,' cause I haven't seen any talking trees lately." Toothpick chuckled and had to agree. I then told him that we should vow never to discuss politics or Ann Coulter again. We spit, shook, and moved on. About half hour later I was putting away some sauce in a jar and I asked Toothpick what it was for and where he thought it ought to go. He responded, "Oh, yeah, this stuff is great! Well, you're a vegetarian, right? Yeah, well, it's mostly used on meats. I like it on steak and chicken; I even like it on Ann Coulter." And I never laughed so hard.