Posted on 11/25/2015 4:59:17 AM PST by Kaslin
Many people naturally assume that since I work in political journalism, I must breathe, drink and eat politics 24/7/365 -- including on the Thanksgiving holiday.
The thought of it gives me indigestion.
Self-absorbed creatures who have no life outside the Beltway world are the most tiresome ogres. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest advised Americans "sitting around the Thanksgiving table" to talk about gun control. The left-wing National Memo published "5 Things To Tell Your Republican relatives at Thanksgiving." And The New York Times served up its own version of "How to Talk to Your Relatives About Politics at Thanksgiving," stuffed with poll data and hyperlinks to other liberal sources of information.
Nobody needs tryptophan when you've got Pundy McPundit (amateur, professional or otherwise) at the table to bore your company to death with his or her insights on "climate-proofing" your holiday feast; bombard you with details about Bernie Sanders' latest Web ad; regurgitate John Kasich's latest attacks on critics of his massive Medicaid expansion; or champion Jeb Bush's latest re-re-re-reboot (two exclamation points, new talking points, a fix-it toolbox, blah, blah blah).
Zzzzzzzz.
I feel sorry for rabid partisans on either side of the aisle who refuse to talk to family members, co-workers or friends who support a candidate they don't like. Life's too short -- and 99 percent of all politicians are crapweasels, anyway.
I've encountered unhinged hotheads who yelled at me in front of my kids at IHOP over my appearances over the years on Fox News. Way to ruin a Funny Face Pancake moment, one-dimensional oafs.
And I've known people who shunned my left-leaning in-laws because they refused to denounce their conservative daughter-in-law. Gotta love the Tolerance Brigade.
Newsflash: Even amid a heated campaign season, global jihadist terror and economic insecurity, there is more to life than #WINNING political arguments.
It shouldn't be a struggle to avoid yelling about Bush, Clinton or Trump as you pass the sweet-potato casserole. Don't get mad. Get perspective. Here, let me help:
If your children are alive, free and healthy, count your blessings and say a prayer for all those parents spending the holiday week in hospitals, hospices, clinics, jails or funeral homes.
If you can't think of something nice to say to the person sitting next of you, trade memories of the dearest, departed loved ones you share a connection with who are no longer sitting at the table at all.
Pick up an instrument and play music together or sing some old hymns of Thanksgiving ("We Gather Together" was always my favorite).
Take a walk, breathe fresh air, go out on the deck and make fire pit s'mores (or use the gas grill).
Show the young ones at your gathering how to make rubberband stars, advanced paper airplanes, origami hearts or crochet snowflakes.
Get silly. Play "Charades" or "Spoons" or "Balderdash." Laugh at yourself and laugh with your relatives.
Don't take family time for granted. Ever. You never know when your time will be up. It would be ridiculous if the very last, parting words you traded with an elderly uncle or sibling or cousin you rarely get to see were "You're an idiot for voting for (fill in the blank)!" instead of "I love you."
Look up at the stars. Remember how small and insignificant you are in the universe.
Finally: When you gather 'round the turkey, try not to be one.
I never bring up politics. My brother always does. This year, I expect him to say something like “At least the US is respected around the world now, unlike when that stupid George W Bush was president.”
I avoid conflict.
If he thinks the US is respected around the world, he must live in some alternate universe.
Yes. We live in MA.
My solution for a Happy, Politics-Free Thanksgiving:
* Go to my mind-numbing job;
* Come back to the house;
* Turn off Free Republic;
* Turn off the TV;
* Turn off Facebood;
* Refuse to talk to Leftist family members;
* Sit on the porch, smoke my pipe and drink beer;
There. Sorted.
I’d chuckle if he said that my table.
I couldn’t repress my reaction.
In our family gatherings, we never bring up politics. There’s a wide variety of opinions and some will never be reconciled, so we keep politics and religion to the sidelines.
Happily for us this year, we are spending tomorrow with all Conservative cousins.
Happy Thanksgiving, FReepers. She’s right; look for the good in liberal relatives. Believe me, they aren’t going to be swayed in one evening to change their vote to Ted Cruz (ridiculous phony religious freak) or Donald Trump (a stupid buffoon who will embarrass us in the world). You can tell by my descriptions of our candidates that it would take many hours to remove their impressions anyway. So talk about food, play games, enjoy.
However, if relative’s ever come out and ask me whom I’m supporting, I like to simply say Donald Trump and here’s why. Our government is supposed to work for us. They are supposed to be representing WE the people. Right now, we have entrenched “rulers” in DC, a cabal of both established parties, ruling against what would be good for the people. We need someone rich enough himself to not have been purchased by special interests, who owes nothing to anyone, who loves this country and will stand up for us. And just leave it at that.
It’s a special almost beyond partisan election - it’s not a 20th century election where you pick the guy whose views you agree with most. It’s who can get the government away from the current oligarchy.
It’s about saving the Founders’ nation.
Michelle will be playing Happy Stars with her left-leaning in-laws.
My daughter and granddaughter, both flaming liberals, usually try to “bait” me into a political discussion when we get together. Not going to work this time. I’m saving my comments for the long distance call tomorrow night with my conservative brother in S. Calif..
I’m conservative, my sister is liberal, and my parents are kind of middle-of-the-road. Politics is the one thing we can all agree is banned from family gatherings.
You’re brother is delusional. The world is laughing at us.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
I just smile, and say “Yep. And if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.”.
As usual, I agree with MM 100%.
My dad and I will be talking about gun control at the Thanksgiving table. As in groupings. Then we go to the range after dinner. A Thanksgiving tradition.
My “tolerance” for lefty moonbattery evaporated a long time ago. My response would probably go something like “Why don’t you go outside and play Hide and Go Fsck Yourself?”
Hey, I hear ya.
All that “respect” the US enjoys today sure ends up with lots of innocent blood spilled.
Paris, I am talking to you.
I’d be laughing so hard I wouldn’t be able to speak
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