Think of the children before you fight with your teabagger relatives this weekend.

[LoZoccolo]

Remember that this is a special time for them before you start or participate in an argument. Remember, be polite even if your opponent is not. Think of this as your "baby on board" sign.

[Deep13]

1. I know! Those poor kids have to live with those RW assholes!

:-(

[WileEcoyote]

9. Yes! Be polite to all Conservative relatives

Give them understanding and emotional support. Especially after "someone" removes the lug nuts off their SUV during dinner...

[hobbit709]

2. I'm lucky on two counts.

No teabagger relatives and no house apes to worry about.

[T Wolf]

3. But what to do when they pick the fight? And it is almost always the reich-wingers who

start the fights.

Should you just sit and take it?

[LastNaturalist]

5. My experience is, don't start it, but don't just take it either.

[LoZoccolo]

7. "Remember, be polite even if your opponent is not.". n/t

[seabeyond]

8. change the subject. a simple christmas day isnt a day for fighting.

tell them, a day for the kids, no fight.

all kinds of things you can do. you dont have to particpate. or take it.

basically, be an adult

[MineralMan]

11. Just smile at them and shake your head slowly and sadly.

When they finish talking, tell them about your donation to the homeless shelter or something else that's pleasant and helpful. Don't let them bug you. It drives them absolutely nuts.

[Deep13]

21. No, just tell my Mom if you wanted Rupert Murdock's opinion...

...you would simply have watched Glenn Beck yourself. And tell her sister to put a sock in it too.

[katkat]

23. Edward Said

Think of what the late Edward Said always used to say when confronted by a foaming at the mouth Likudnik at his talks: "Well, you and I disagree about that" and then he'd move on.

And leave them wheeling in the dust :-)

[DailyGrind51]

4. Half of my family hasn't spoken to the other half since the election!

[LastNaturalist]

6. I'm really surprised at the Repubs in my family who LIKE Obama.

Like my NRA-worshipping grandpa, and Chicagoan slightly-racist uncle.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MineralMan]

12. That was simply uncalled for.

[LastNaturalist]

13. I kind of agree with you... But I'm an asshole.

:)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Is "Oh, fuck you!" the way you start those intelligent debates?

Jeez...

[comtec]

19. Usually it's an end

And intelligent debate with lolcat here is waste of effort.

[seabeyond]

15. having 3 rw males in family, there is a difference between a discussion and fighting.

if a discussion can be had, i am all for it. if it is a fight in the making, why?

[comtec]

17. Fair enough

it's just the OP im fed up with LOL.
But you're right of course.
And all I truly meant was proper discourse.
As someone else said, it's a time for the kids, not politics.
There has to be SOMETHING you can even pretend to agree with your crazy freeper relations with :)

[seabeyond]

22. happy holiday to you

about 3 christmas's ago i got into it with brother. stayed with me too long after that day. didnt like it at all. told guys in family, no more talking politics in my house

[comtec]

24. Happy holidays to you too =]

I can appreciate that.
I avoid politics at my cousin's place.
he's a dutch conservative so its safer to just avoid it all.

Im abusing the 26 days vacation a year I get (by law wewt) and taking next week off.
so im about to get in a better mood I hope :)

if I smoke pot with a marlboro does that make me festive with a red n green cig? ;)

[seabeyond]

25. ha ha

hubby taking next week off too. since he sold his business, he has actually been getting vacation time. an enjoyment for us all.

happy tokin.... remember the days.

[comtec]

26. thanks =]

ill be sure to take an extra puff in your honor =]

im so happy it';s legal. id never do this back home, im too straight an arrow for that lol

but it's legal here, and it helps the stress!

im glad y'all are able to enjoy time together that is truly wonderful and im happy for your man =]

er hubby.. man is literally the dutch term for husband.

[TacoD]

16. Putting your "intelligent debate" skills on display, I see (nt)

[comtec]

18. it's been that kind of a month.

I oddly feel much better now though :)

[arcadian]

20. No kids around here yesterday when a Hillsdale College graduate

told me that labor unions simply have far too much power in this country. I so wanted to call him out on the hypocrisy in his conservatism by pointing out that his family's farm receives subsidies from the federal government, the same federal government that is too large and ever expanding. Oh, and the US is not an empire, it's a shining christian beacon on hill still.

[dembotoz]

27. there should be some protest lest the kiddies think the bs is

universally accepted as truth.

[SoCalDem]

28. Pssst, Pssst... hey kid..c'mere

"Your Mom/Dad/Uncle/Aunt/Grandma/Grandpa is full of shit.." Merry Christmas

[cherokeeprogressive]

29. I cannot remember a politically influenced argument at any family gathering, ever.

I feel for those on the right OR on the left who can't take their political affiliation off of their sleeves long enough to enjoy time with family.

Arguments, political or otherwise, require at least two participants. My political ideology isn't my life. I'm much more than that. Apparently, so are my family members.