Anyone else gonna be dealing with family freepers at the table tomorrow?

[liberalhistorian]

My stepsister and her husband are bona fide, Grade A certified, real-deal freepers who think Clinton was responsible for every evil known to man and beast and that Shrub is the best thing to happen since the latest defeat of their school levy (the district their own daughter attends!), and that we horrible "libruls" are the downfall of the country. They both almost had strokes at the thought of the gay marriage ruling, and we're on Ohio not MA (believe you me, it'll be another five thousand years before Ohio even seriously considers allowing gay marriage).

They love to push people's buttons at family gatherings and will start "discussions" that they KNOW will lead to problems. In the past, my mom, the gentle liberal, has always just smiled and nodded as they proceeded to trash everything we believe in knowing how we feel. She wanted all of us to do the same.

Well, this year I say NO MORE! I'm no longer gonna sit silently and take that shit just to keep "peace" in the family gatherings. If THEY can start "discussions" and spout off and dish it out, then so can we. Which means I'm actually beginning to dread Thanksgiving, and it's one of my favorite holidays (and no, not just because you get to pig out as much as you want!)

Anyone else dealing with the same thing? Freepers in the Family. Sounds like a real, genuine Stephen King horror novel!

[theivoryqueen]

1. I am still determined not to go to any function that includes

republicans.... which is causing consternation amongst pals, as they find themselves the target of my turkey-day boycott. It's not that I hope to "change" them - tho' I wish I could... It's that I don't want to eat with them, or share a day dedicated to "thanks" with anybody who makes the choice to embrace fascism.

[liberalhistorian]

6. So, are a lot of your family

republicans? If they are, are you just not going to do anything tomorrow?

[theivoryqueen]

22. family all liberal

most pals are, too. there's this minority faction composed of male, hunter republicans that is standard in Texas social circles. It's just a matter of weeding them out - they are less interesting anyway. Plus, I am vegetarian and usually co-opt a bunch of like minded pals to go out and "thank" some group of folks whose jobs demand they work on holidays, one year it was the Humane society, next firefighters, last year we took flowers to the nurses on duty at the county hospital.

[liberalhistorian]

41. That's a wonderful idea,

good for you!

[PrincessFiFi]

2. :(

Poor you! I'm glad my family's all 'horrible' librals:P

[whirlygigspin]

14. Perhaps you should say grace

and add in a few choice things like:

"and may God give us the strenth to defeat and destroy the evil and corrupt Bush regime and may all who empower them burn in hell forever and ever, amen."

--should be fun

[geniph]

37. Welcome to DU, Princess FiFi

:hi:

[Rabrrrrrr]

46. Welcome PrincessFiFi!

Hope you enjoy DU!! :hi:

[wtmusic]

3. LOL one of my guests bailed

when she saw the "My SUV Needs Gas And They're Just Iraqis" bumpersticker--she was going to bring her brother, who works for the DOD, and changed her mind.

Actually, I'm disappointed. I see it as sort of a challenge to remain civil and let others do the damage (if they so prefer).

[liberalhistorian]

15. Actually, it's a real

pain in the ass. You want to just relax and enjoy yourself, I mean, it is a holiday, and you have to deal with repuke freeper bullshit and worrying when your buttons will finally be pushed enough so that you can't stay "civil" any longer.

[wtmusic]

21. I seldom get (have) to sit and talk to freepers

and I actually enjoy it.

Everybody has a reason for feeling the way they do, and (most of) these people are not evil, just very informationally- and culturally- challenged.

It seems like if I introduce discussions about ordinary Iraqi people, families, schools, national pride, etc...I can actually score some points. That makes me feel good.

[theivoryqueen]

24. you are a better person than I - and far more patient

[theivoryqueen]

23. Don't stay too long at one gathering!

Cherry pick the best conversations and move on~!

[griffi94]

4. not anymore

my sister was just like yours
would start a discussion and then when challenged would
claim to be apolitical...my mom always asked me not to say anything to upset sis....finally i just stopped attending
funny i don't really miss it that much
lol

[Superfly]

5. Oh, yeah...seeing as how I am the only Dem

in my entire family.

[liberalhistorian]

10. Ouch!

I'm really glad mine isn't quiete THAT bad, lol!

[bushh8ter]

7. You're not alone

My darling freep brother and his cretin wife are the epitome of Jerry Springer. My brother barely finished High School and his wife barely scraped by on the GED. Yet I am the "stupid" one - you know those kinds of people who actually go to college, get a degree and stop sponging off of their parents? Yep. He has a bumper sticker on his car that says "Keep working, millions on welfare depend on you."
Ironic considering that he and his wife live with my mother.

Sigh. Some people are just beyond hope. I least I don't have to deal with them this year - we're doing Thanksgiving with the normal side of the family. I think I must have been the mailman's child.

[Booberdawg]

8. Mine aren't quite THAT bad

We just made politics off limits because I AM vocally anti-Bush and they think he's wonderful - at least they were before the war started and after the selection. They believe everything they hear on the 6:00 and 10:00 news and look no further. Not sure how they feel since things have gone to shit from the war, the economy, the deficit, to jobs lost since then.

Someone had a suggestion in another thread yesterday that I may say today just to be sarcastic. I may say today "I'm sure glad we liberated those Iraqi people!

[Kamika]

9. only one

My cousin (uncles son) but it's ok cuz he's the one we're driving to in Corpus Christi and his wife is gonna do all the cooking except some stuff my mom and some others will make.

He's the only "freeper"

My mom and dad are republicans but they are really reasonable, and same with like 3 other cousins.

Then it's just a bunch of young liberals and some pre 10 year olds we're all doing our best to brainwash into "our" way of thinking :D

[liberalhistorian]

13. Brainwash away!

It's probably the only thing that'll save us.

[Ishoutandscream]

11. Lord yes, my wife and I are the only liberals

I can out debate and provide facts to all of them, but it would only lead to arguments. I have to simply shut my mouth, until they start attacking my profession (education).

[liberalhistorian]

42. Well, my mom and

stepdad are both retired high school teachers, so they've never tried that shit, at least not in our presence. I would hope that she would have more respect for her own father than that, but I'm not really sure.

[peekaloo]

12. Remember to praise Allah during grace

and invite the Freeps to carve the "Bu$h".

[Philostopher]

16. My in-laws.

I'm not going into too much detail, but bad enough they're mostly wingnuts, they're also hypocrites -- they'll use Social Security, unemployment and Medicare/Medicaid, whatever publicly funded program they need when they're under financial stress, but poor people are at fault for their situation, and should 'pull themselves up by their bootstraps,' etc.

It would still aggravate me if I just had to deal with right-wingers on my holidays; having to deal with hypocritical ones just pissese me off before I even step in the door.

There was the Christmas before we got married when one of hubby's relatives spewed a racial slur that pissed me off so much I got up and went outside. We agreed if that happens again, or if the political crap gets too deep, we're just going to pack up and leave. They know why.

The other half of the day will be spent with my 'straight ticket, yellow dog Democratic' family, so we'll be more comfortable there, to say the least.

[gratuitous]

17. Polish up your best "screw you" smile

Remember, you don't have to be disagreeable to disagree. Since your relatives are so fond of stirring the shit, make sure you have your facts well-rehearsed and ready at hand. Shoot 'em down with kindness, and if their "argument" (you'll be having a discussion) turns on a matter of opinion, end it by saying that you'd have to disagree with their stupid opinion, but they are, after all, entitled to it at least until it becomes illegal under the Patriot Act.

Then go get another beer.

[liberalhistorian]

43. LOL!

I have very low tolerance for alcohol and tend to get very uninhibited and loose with my tongue after just one beer or glass of wine or drink, so I don't think that'd be a very good idea!

As for the Patriot Act reference, that's a good one, the problem is they're absolutely convinced that it's a good thing and that it would only affect the "bad" people!:crazy:

[Love Bug]

18. Why not just call them out on their shit?

Why not just be blunt and tell them to stop bringing up politics when they know it causes trouble. Why not tell them to stop ruining everyone's thanksgiving and to just keep their political opinions to themselves? I'll bet they know damn well what they are doing every year and y'all have been too polite to call them out on it.

Not that you need any advice from me! ;-)

[seaglass]

19. I know one is a Repub and an extremely religious person but

she's my SIL so that's ok. My husband and his brother don't speak so his sister is the only immediate member of the family left, I will not say anything to disturb the peace, though the chance of politics coming up is close to nil.

We already have another family controversy brewing tomorrow anyways:(

[prolesunited]

20. Why would you want to start an argument

with family on a holiday? Why not just declare a truce instead? They're not going to change and you're not going to change, so what's the point in spoiling the holiday for everyone?

Politely ask them beforehand to leave politics out of the conversation that day in the interest of family harmony. If they start on something, just calmly say, "We're not going to agree on this issue, so let's change the topic." Surely, there are other things for a family to discuss than politics.

I guess you just have to decide if you want to enjoy the time with your family or launch a debate. And if you really don't like your family, do as the other posters are and make other plans.

[Kookaburra]

25. My dumbass freeper brother does that

It's so tranparent it's a joke. We've found that if we completely ignore his leading questions and remarks, after a few failed attempts at getting something started he just gives up. When he starts this nonsense, I simply pretend I don't hear him (even if he's standing right in front of me). I'll speak to him on any other subject, but refuse to hear any of this stupid antagonizing. The rest of the family has followed suit, and it seems to be working. Of course, being the dumbass freeper that he is, he always has to try. I've never seen anything like it in my life. Dogs learn faster than he does.

[theivoryqueen]

27. Every dog I ever met was a complete liberal!

[Kookaburra]

30. You're right about that

Dogs are the sweetest, most loving animals. We don't have a dog. We have cats, and they're quite loving too, although I wouldn't classify them as liberals -- guess they're what you'd call Independents.

[theivoryqueen]

34. Naturally, cats are inclined to refrain from messy political debates

[geniph]

38. Cats are libertarians

but luckily, they can't vote.

[Cleita]

26. They're not exactly freepers. They even claim to be Democrats

except they aren't registered to vote. They don't vote because "nothing changes". If Bu$h's goons walked in and stole the turkey and handcuffed and took some of the guests away, they would still maintain that they don't wan't any politics talked about in their house on the holidays. I will miss DU tomorrow.

[Zomby Woof]

28. I'm having a DU Thanksgiving!

KadeCarion, Desertrose, Astarho, and myself :D 100% Freeper-free! :bounce:

Sorry about your situation. My sister and her husband are freeperesque, although my sister is non-confrontational, but my brother-in-law is arrogant and misinformed. Luckily, they live 3,000 miles away and that won't be a problem.

Good Luck LH! :hi:

[liberalhistorian]

44. Thanks ZW, you too!

And do try to behave yourself, or we'll have to get Kate to whip you into shape!

[ronnykmarshall]

29. Not me, thank God/Goddess

It's just my huzzz and me and maybe one of the wacky friends from SF. I have a few neo-cons in the family, but us liberals are the majority.

[hlthe2b]

31. Yupper... my cousin and her freeper husband

She's always been moderate Repug, but now has gone full tilt Clinton-hating Freeper. We've been estranged every since the selection, but she invited me and I'm going to go and make the effort.

I'm determned NOT to engage on this stuff. Just quietly express my concern, dismay, discomfort about he war...(I've been reading buddhist inspirational quotes lately, to try to get me ready for this experience. Some seem absolutely written for the occasion)!

[lancdem]

32. I would politely suggest that politics not be discussed

If they don't listen, you have the right to rebut, but I hope you're prepared for some fireworks! :)

[ProfessorGAC]

33. My Family Fears Talking Politics With Me

And that's a good thing. I'd rather not have to annihilate one of them on T'giving Day.
The Professor

[Gloria]

35. Damn. I live with my freeper mother EVERY DAY!!!!

At least my dumb brother and his born again wife are back in Jersey....
When my brother visited 2 years ago, we had a major blowout.
This summer he visited with his wife and entire brood..they stayed at a motel for days and we hardly saw them LOL...it was a very strained visit.

Let's put it this way...They are out of my will.

[buddhamama]

36. not me. i make it a point never to hang with freepers on the holidays

and if that means not seeing my family so be it.

[geniph]

39. I eschew family get-togethers

for just this reason. Either I have to have a guarantee from whomever is hosting the gathering that all wingnuts will be kept away from me and John (especially from John, as he will not back down), or we don't go. At my mother's birthday party, the wingnuts were carefully seated at the other end of the table. My cousin came down to talk to me anyway, but turns out she's no longer quite so gung-ho now that she has a grandson in Iraq.

I prefer not to do family things - my family's pretty toxic overall and all we do at family gatherings is open old wounds. John's family is mostly gone except for his religious fanatic sister and her family, and we had to stop visiting them at Thanksgiving after she served dinner at 1 p.m. (when she knew we were on our way there), and we got a cold meal at 3 p.m. I thought that was quite the rudest thing imaginable, and we will not drive all the way down there to be treated like that again. Who the hell eats dinner at 1 p.m., anyway? what do they do, have breakfast the night before? Anyway, we avoid that side of the family because they're all either pedophiles or co-dependent with pedophiles. Ick.

So John and I will have a nice dinner and a good bottle of champagne together tomorrow, and have turkey sandwiches and watch movies all weekend! :D :D :D

[grannylib]

40. My freeper brother tries to push my buttons every holiday, but

this year he's with the wife's family in SC so I won't have to put up with him. My daughter (16) asked one day how to handle her uncle when he tries to do the same to her (she is VERY liberal, great kid!) and I told her, "Just stick to the facts...no way can a freeper win an argument with you then.." He can bluster and deny and denigrate and demonize, but he CANNOT WIN!!!

[stanwyck]

45. Yes! It's pure hell.

At least my liberal husband and daughter will be there with me. My sister-in-law and her husband (our hosts) are major league freepers. I'm going to drink and take drugs.

[NightTrain]

47. Thankfully, no

The highlight of my Thanksgiving will be filling in on the 3:00-5:00 p.m. shift at the college radio station I'm involved with. Beats the fuck out of sitting at a dinner table with people who still think people on welfare are the biggest drain on our tax dollars (and who accuse me of trying to start trouble when I start to tell them about corporate welfare).