pessimist or realist?

Unfortunately, I am a realist. I see things as I perceive them. I'm not always right, because I have residual PTSD from Vietnam, but my wife. who is younger than you, keeps me anchored in reality. I have a tenancy to be very pessimistic about politics and where my country is going. This year I just want to vote "NO" and have 5 years of anarchy.

I'm an ultimate realist. And yes, I have been accused of being a pessimist. A pessimist to me is someone who sees mostly the negative. An optimist sees mostly the positive. A realist sees the logical be it positive, neutral or negative. If someone doesn't want to face reality for whatever reason, yes they are in denial. I have read and participated in several of your discussion and certainly don't see you as a pessimist.

People like that drive me nuts (just like the lady at my table wo was probably in denial aout the fact that I am a very ai-social peson..you responded to tha thread, thank you). I have asked this question myself on a nmber of forums, not this one though. Thanks for asking what I was already thinking.