Are You Spending Thanksgiving with Any Family Members Who Support the President?

[violetpastille]

What is your game plan?

It's difficult because Republicans say, "I don't want to talk about politics." Not realizing that the crazy shit they want to talk about always comes around to the political. "Lazy NFL players" "Reverse discrimination" "We interfere with other country's elections, so we can't complain if other countries do it to us."

What they really mean is
"Don't disagree with me."

[cilla4progress]

1. Yes, sister- and brother-in-law.

We literally do not broach it AT ALL. Stay a million miles from it, and we get along wonderfully!

[spooky3]

2. Yes, a parent. We will just avoid the topic. Another relative has tried to

convince the parent to re-think his/her views, but I think this is futile and change the subject. Fortunately the parent is outnumbered by others in the family who are more liberal.

I agree with you that it gets tricky when they infuse their conversation on other topics with political comments that are thinly disguised. In my experience it is always right - wingers who do this in "mixed company." Non - right - wingers are more polite and respectful of others' feelings.

[NightWatcher]

3. Nope. I get to work that day.

[Doreen]

28. That is pretty bad when you say you "get" to work that day.

[DinahMoeHum]

4. No, thank goodness.

It's usually just the immediate family, me, my mother, my brother and SIL, and my nephew's and niece's immediate families (including 4 grand-nephews)

Christmas may be a different matter, though, as I celebrate with extended family. But right now, if anyone admits to voting for for him, they're not saying. Just as well.

[dawg day]

5. In-laws....

The parents are old standard GOPers who don't want to talk about Trump because they are embarrassed to support him-- he is almost literally everything they hate (except he's not Democrat).

The sister-in-law and her husband are rabid Trumpists, though everything he is for is bad for them personally. They just find his resentment and anger gives them the right to be resentful and angry-- well, they've always been that, but now they are proud about it.

My strategy is to be the one who won't talk politics. They say one thing I don't like, I'll say, "No politics." They say something else, I'm walking out.

This will be MUCH better than T'giving 2016, when they were weirdly angry-- they were furious that anyone voted against their new god. I had to say then, "My candidate had the election STOLEN from her, and I'm not as mad as you are!"
Now, maybe they'll be a bit chastened by the big pummeling their guys got. Or maybe that will just make them madder.

[dameatball]

6. i'm not sure. It depends if they can get over the concertina wire.

[irisblue]

36. ::snort::

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. At least four. A sister, two brothers-in-law, and a cousin.

Even worse, they enjoy being LOUD.

Not to worry, I have a Christmas music channel, and I'm not afraid to blare it.

[MuseRider]

8. My little brother (62 years old) is coming.

His political ideology is the least of my worries but he is the only remaining member of my birth family so we deal. It can get odd but I can still bully him into silence, lol. He hates Trump but thinks Kasich will save the planet. How? I don't think he knows at all, he likely is just responding to the calming way he speaks and the sure way he portrays himself. Whatever, I have my ammo but am hoping my dwindling clan can hold together through another holiday meal.

[lastlib]

9. Yes, my whole f*cking family are tRumpers.

I'm the only sane one. I'd like to flee to Paraguay and fight extradition. Hope the weather is nice, so I can spend a lot of time outdoors.

[Doreen]

26. Is there a dog that will be there?

The reason I ask is because I suggest talking to the dog. It will be the only intelligible conversation you will have for that time maybe even the whole day.

[DFW]

10. Well, sure. And he's been doing a rather decent job, too

Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) has been doing a very credible job as President (Bundespräsident) of Germany. It is a largely ceremonial post here in Germany, but he has been taking it seriously, and has represented Germany admirably both domestically and abroad. We will have about 20 people over for Thanksgiving: me from the USA, one Austrian, a few from the Netherlands and the rest German or half-German (my Germany-based daughter is a dual citizen).

There ain't no Republicans in these here parts...........

[no_hypocrisy]

11. My sister's nephew.

Just 18 and joined the Marines. Home after Basic.

Last T-day, he wore his MAGA hat at the dinner table.

Don't let me carve . . . . .

[Squinch]

17. Wonder how he'll feel about all his dissing of the military.

[no_hypocrisy]

20. I'll get back to you on Friday on that one.

Sheer hilarity expected at the dinner table as I'm ordered to shut up.

[Squinch]

21. Who orders you to shut up??? Lemme at 'em!! (I'm a woman who has never hit anyone in her life,

but I like to say that. And it's the thought that counts.)

Do keep us posted on his opinion now.

[irisblue]

37. Hat at the dinner table?

tacky tacky tacky

Anyone does that.
tacky!
(strong opinion about that.😃

[sharedvalues]

32. Here's suggestion to say: "that's a hat for suckers"

“That’s a hat for suckers. It means you haven’t figured out yet that Republican billionaires lied to you.”

Then you can say that Republicans put a $2 trillion tax cut on a credit card. And he’s gonna pay for it. That’s $20,000 every American family put on a credit card. And he didn’t get he money- the Koches did.



I find the “sucker” angle to be very effective. The MAGA types are all in the rightwing media lie bubble, and they think they’ve got something figured out to lord over the liberals. Showing them that THEY are the suckers getting fleeced is devastating for them.

[LAS14]

12. I bet more people are than realize it.

It wasn't until after my sister-in-law died that I found out her husband was a died in the wool conservative. He just kept quiet and (liberal) family get-togethers.

[Kaleva]

13. May I suggest one feeds these family members Jerusalem Artichokes.

Served raw, they taste like water chestnuts and are often called "Faritchokes" because of its well deserved rep as a bowel-busting terror.

[Iggo]

14. Nope.

As usual, I was invited.

And as usual, I said, "I already made other plans."

And as usual, those unstated plans were: Not Spending Thanksgiving With Republicans.

[MaryMagdaline]

15. No. None. It's a small group this year and we're not adding Trumpsters

[trueblue2007]

16. my sister, her husband and her adult children.

[Squinch]

18. Nope. I'm hosting. I have two coming who voted for him, but who now might be the

most vocally against him. I think they're embarassed.

But no one who currently supports him is allowed to darken my door.

[jcgoldie]

19. Yes and have dreaded it for 3 years now but...

Just got back from one family gathering and the conservatives are very silent right now. I think they aren't too proud of what they've done.

[MrScorpio]

22. Nope

No one in my family supports that moron

[TomSlick]

23. I think Bill Maher is right about this one.

Politics should not be discussed in polite company.

[link:

|

You will convince no one and only make them angry.

[sharedvalues]

30. Absolutely not! You must engage.

If you care about the country— the only way to break I to the rightwing propaganda bubble is to talk to people face to face.

If you avoid discussing politics, the Republicans win.
Talk about your values, talk about the rightwing propaganda machine. Do not be afraid.

[TomSlick]

40. There are right wingers I can talk to. Others not so much.

There is a time and place. If your right wing uncle is a Faux News watcher, your wasting your breath and ruining Thanksgiving. My rule is to engage only if the crazy uncle pops-off.

One of my rules to live by: "You should never try to teach a pig to sing. It accomplishes nothing and irritates the pig."

[sharedvalues]

45. Hmm. When you don't state your values, Republicans win

If the person is truly crazy, don’t engage fine.

But remember the Republican Party has a big propaganda push to keep the crimes of their party quiet. They are telling people not to talk about “politics” because politics today means the corrupt GOP. So total silence plays into their hands.

[TomSlick]

46. If someone is still a Republican at this point,

aren't they truly crazy - just by definition?

[sharedvalues]

47. Some are crazy some are suckers.

A decent number of people in red areas do actually believe that Fox is real news— that’s why the president has a 35% or so approval rating.

Tons of uneducated gullible Republicans out there. The biggest indicator of voting for Trump was low education level, even beyond race.

[TomSlick]

48. True that.

I enjoy an argument more than most. At this point, I just want to get through the holidays without bloodshed.

[sharedvalues]

49. Enjoy the holidays!! :)

[sakabatou]

24. Thankfully not

[yellowdogintexas]

25. A house full.

There will be a few other guests who are Democrats. Sometimes discussion starts about some issue or another and I just go find something else to do

[vercetti2021]

27. No

Thank fucking God

[sharedvalues]

29. Gotta go after Fox and Limbaugh.

Talk about Rupert Murdoch.
Talk about Murdoch’s $2 billion dollar tax cut.
Talk about how Fox lied about the $10k middle class tx cut.
Talk about how Fox totally stopped covering the caravan after the election, because it was a lie all along.

The only people who support Trump are deep in a rightwing lie bubble. There is no point arguing policy. Gotta argue about propaganda instead. Teach a man to fish and he’ll fish for a lifetime.

[Olafjoy]

31. Yes

Very strict rule at our family gatherings in force for over 25 years. If someone says “Mongoose”, the subject is changed immediately no protests, no questions. It keeps the conversation very civil. We look at a lot of old family photos and laugh. I honestly Google “interesting things to talk about at parties” and make notes. We also play games. It helps to keep the drinks weak and avoid drunken belligerence. Good Luck everyone!!!!🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

[RainCaster]

33. No! By design.

Very few in my family are that "challenged" and most that are I won't have anything to do with because of their ethics.

[2naSalit]

34. This year, only because

I have to go spend this one with my aging mom who may not be here next year... her partner and my one niece, who is in the military but my sisters have been working on her rationale, voted for this mess. Otherwise, nobody in my world supports this nightmare. I am glad that there will be plenty to do with other relatives most of the time so that I won't be subjected to the RWNJ radio much as the weather will be nice and the beach is near by.

I'm bringing a digital photo album to occupy the elders and the niece has a toddler so there will be limited opportunity for political conversation. Besides, I would be the authority on politics in the family having a degree in the field so they know better than to argue with me, I will pull out a Federal Register from the past, if need be in a family setting, to back up my argument. Since I rarely make an appearance, it shouldn't be too bad, though my mom's partner can't help but be the crazy old uncle who blurts out weird shit at odd or uncomfortable moments.

[sagesnow]

35. No. Can't get within a mile of my

Trump Humping relatives. Going on a road trip to visit all the Liberals in the family. Will be a welcome break from the usual madhouse Thanksgiving.

[zanana1]

38. Not even one.

The dogs are Independents. They usually don't talk much, anyway.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

39. Nope!

[geardaddy]

41. I don't think so.

My immediate family are all virulently anti-45. I'm not sure about my nieces and their husbands.

[Different Drummer]

42. If I spend Thanksgiving at all, it'll be with family members who support Trumpy.

If and when his name comes up, I plan to break into a discussion of contract bridge since "trump" is a term used in that game and I am well-enough versed in the subject to talk about it.

[IrishEyes]

43. Nope. Just my two cats and they are probably democrats.

My family all live in other states. I have moderate republicans in my family but we try to avoid talking politics. I know that they hate trump. I'm pretty sure they voted for Obama and Clinton but they won't admit it. They invited me but I decided to stay home. I'm going to make a meal of vegetarian side dishes that I like and watch old movies.

[Aristus]

44. No, thank God.

My family are a little neurotic. But we're not stupid...

[ooky]

50. Nope. All my family members are democrats.

I made sure of it.

[Rorey]

51. My husband voted for -45, still supports him.

I filed for divorce about a month ago. I'm spending Thanksgiving with my youngest son and his fiance. They're expecting a baby in a few weeks and don't want to travel. The rest of my family are having various gatherings. My husband isn't wanted at any of them so I suppose he'll be alone. Oddly, he also didn't get invited to spend the day with the woman he decided to have an affair with this past summer and fall. She won't take his calls.

[violetpastille]

52. Wow!

That's the ultimate Thanksgiving game plan!

I'm glad you are free. I've been through a couple of divorces. And they are so painful.

But that heady air of freedom you finally breathe is everything.