This is wonderful writing. Regards your former friend, I don’t think it’s bad or petty to stop speaking to people over political differences. We’re talking about someone backing policies that will directly impact people’s lives for the worse.

You don’t like pineapple on pizza, we can still be friends, we’ll just order a half and half. You think it’s okay to actively harm some of the most vulnerable people in society, you can get in the bin.