Posted on 11/29/2004 10:16:53 AM PST by dukeman
Leading up to Thanksgiving 2004 I noticed lots of fear and loathing on the Web over how the lefties would deal with their conservative relatives across the dinner table. I trust some of you will chime in with how things went at your gatherings. For the lefties, here are some tidbits from DU:
I screamed at my Repug Brother-in-Law at Thanksgiving Dinner.
Did anyone else have to live through Thanksgiving Dinner with repug relatives? They hysterically laughed and mocked me when I suggested election fraud. I swore it was the last time I ever slave in the kitchen all day for my husband's ignorant Texas relatives.
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did your husband rise to defend you?
If he didn't and I were you, we'd have a problem.
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You cooked and they laughed?
Laura, get away from those folks. Really.
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Sorry, no . . . . . . they aren't allowed at Thanksgiving dinner. They don't know how to give thanks or eat with forks.
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Next time make an ex-lax chocolate cream pie, sit back and enjoy
I avoided the mess and stayed home from my in-laws. But my hubby and kids went. The election did come up in conversation and when my hubby started to talk about all the over votes and how they all went to bush his fascist sister replied in her usually charming and intelligent way "Wah, Wah, Wah". My hubby yelled at his fascist little sister to shut the **** up - Sorry I missed that part.
Even her fascist husband didn't defend her nor did my hubby's theocracy voting brother.
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My husband was on the fence during the election. We had many heated debates. He is a reasoned person, but his Texas ties are strong. I have showed him many fraud articles, but he's cautious. Trust me, as far as democrats I know go, none of them know much at all about any fraud issues since the news blackout. So I am sure no repugs do either. I still think we should concentrate on informing Democrats not Repubs since they won't believe us anyway.
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Well good for you.
I hope you clothes-lined grandmaw too.
Sigh...
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Are you saying she should have "made nice" with them?
If so, I have two words for you -- guess what they are ...
Anybody who comes into MY house, where WE made dinner for them, and starts a bunch of shit like that can get the hell out; the quicker the better. They're not welcome.
Fortunately, my Puke relatives didn't mention it at all. No gloating, no politics of any kind. It was at least bearable.
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agree with Laura
so much so that I won't be spending Christmas with my Rethuglican family or any other holiday for that matter. Some people (myself included) believe that you are what you believe and that what you believe can't be compartmentalized into "this is politics and that is family". Now in my case I believe that anyone who supported Bush with votes and contributions has aided and abetted a criminal. A murdering, war-mongering, criminal. I wouldn't want to associate with anyone who helped someone commit these attrocities... family or no. In fact it's more painful when it is your family. Laura has something called the courage of her convictions. While you assert that elections come and go, so, it would seem, do your convictions.
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Yeah That IS right- write them off"
I have "written off" all the repukes in my life, and believe me, I feel SOOOO much better.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. That's all I can say. Why would I want to be friends or family with those who don't care if my kids are drafted or if I've lost my job or if our Constitution is only a dim, sacred memory? Why would I want my children around them?
I have a strong feeling that lightning is gonna strike some of these folks. Too much negative, toxic karma surrounds the greedy Repukes. I'm not standin' next to 'em. They made their choices, they can suffer the consequences while I stay busy surviving.
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It's the dittoheads in my family who keep bringing up the politics and spewing the hate. My husband and I don't bring up politics or religion, but the dittoheads will never stop bringing it up, that or else they start yakking about "inferior" countries. This time we kept changing the subject, trying to make it clear we didn't want to talk about politics, but it didn't matter.
These people have split personalities. Sometimes they seem like decent people and the rest of the time they are hateful, big-mouthed, bigoted, ignorant bores, like their heroes, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity, Coulter, etc.
I used to like these people, but for the past few years, we go to visit them from obligation, but don't even want to go. Who wants to hear their ignorance and hate?
Also let me add: We no longer go on the real holidays. We get it over with ahead of time and spend peaceful holidays ourselves. I refuse to spend tense holidays trying to placate people who act like unpleasant, bullying "heathers."
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Sorry, I have no "loved ones" who voted for Bush
Any family members that ignorant have been written off long ago by me. They are dead to me.
I consider things that serious. Only enemies would vote for that man.
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I went to my husband's brother's house. Dh's family is republican, and dh is the only liberal. Well, dh's family didn't say anything to me, but brother-in-law's wife's family was there and they are total freepers.
One of her brothers gloated for about 15 minutes. I let him get it out of his system, then I told him I wasn't interested in talking about the election anymore. I really just wanted to avoid a scene.
Well, he kept on and on. Then, another guy (not a brother, just a friend of BIL) started in on me. I was called a socialist, a communist, immoral, and was told that my husband was a nice guy until he got involved with me (we have been married for 15 years and have 3 children!) My husband was not around for this conversation.
My father was also there (he had joined us at my in-laws since my mother died) We are originally from Canada, and one of them started bad mouthing Canada to my dad, for about 20 minutes. Finally, my dad said, "You know what, I have sat here for 20 minutes listening to you disparage my country, and I have had enough. I have not said anything bad about the United States, but you have insulted my country non-stop. That makes you a dick."
So, we left shortly after that. My husband and I agreed that it was our last holiday with the Repukes. I spent the whole evening being insulted and degraded.
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feel for you and your family
At my house(all dems) we actually speculated that the election was probably topic #1 every where across America and we prayed that Dems could hold their own against Repug gloating.
We knew that dems at DU could definitely hold their own
Happier Holidays are ahead of you
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What's the plan for Christmas, Hanukkah or winter solstice?
I think I'm staying home again but since the school vacation is longer I'll probably go after the pukes leave. My FIL and MIL are Dems, it's just a couple of their nine kids I can't stand and won't put up with any longer.
It isn't just hubby's family but my sister as well. She took the fascist hook that was baited with the promise of a Christian Theocracy.
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invite only Dems and Liberals to you home
absolutely no repugs... and tell the repugs that they already got their xmas gift--more job outsourcing, rising health care costs, government intrusion, increased taxes on the middle class, corporate welfare--when they elected bonehead.
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Mine was the same way with a twist...
See, I voted for Nader and I had my Democrat family members turn on me. I tried to get them to at least admit he deserved the opportunity to be at the national debates, but they only shouted more. I went out onto the deck with a bottle and watched the sun set on this fascist nation.
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Too bad you didn't spit in their food.
I know it's gross but what the hell....
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Most of my family are republican....
My dad, stepmother ,and I are the only democrats. At one point my stepmother's cousin made a remark about "unpatriotic liberals" and my dad and I just shoved food in our mouths and my stepmother changed the subject.
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At my parents-in-law house, I got into trouble.
We were having a very pleasant conversation and the topic of the fight at the NBA basketball game came up. One of my wife's Aunts then asked if I had seen the new video game where players assassinate Kenedy, to which I replied, "yes, it is just another example of how violent our society is becoming."
My father-in-law, a die-hard Repuke with whom I have had many email arguments resulting from unsolicited right-wing emails sent to me and my wife, interjected, and I quote, "I noticed all this violence when the 'gals' started getting jobs and competing with the men for the men's jobs. You could see it in their faces." Then he made a mean face and went arghhh, like he was showing us how all these violent women act.
I couldn't take it. I responded by saying that is just absurd, it is ridiculous to blame working women for violence in our society when they are simply struggling for equal rights. Maybe women have that ugly face because they are expected to work and hold a job, where they get less pay than their male counterparts, but they still have to be responsible for childcare and taking care of the home. Maybe they are just frustrated from the pressure of trying to get the kids to school and sitters and everthying else they do while still holding their jobs. If there was ever a case of blaming the victims this is it.
Dinner was over, so I got up left the table and played with my kids. I refused to even talk to him at all after that, knowing that if I did, it would turn into an argument.
My wife is furious at me, despite the fact that she has done and said much worse to my family with my full support.
I can't bring myself to apologize yet, as I am still offended by what he said. In the past we have had good relations despite political differences. Now I wonder whether we will ever get back to that point.
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They were outnumbered and kept quiet
The majority discussed our disgust in the kitchen. Later when my brother complained about the high cost of gas, my SIL hissed to him, " You can thank your president for that." I love that woman. [She sounds lovely]
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So sorry, I had a similar experience.
I had Thanksgiving at my parents' house in Roswell, NM (Repuke country). We had family and neighbors all over for dinner, about 20 people, and in the middle of dinner, my racist, homophobic repuke brother said snottily, "I heard you vote for Kerry." I said, "Of course" at which the whole table began to attack me and trash John Kerry. One neighbor I had never even MET before that day said I must have been brainwashed by my professors at school. I tried to fight back but they were so condescending and hateful, I finally just said, "It's obvious this table is full of Republicans so I'm not getting anywhere" and gave up!
The next day I got in a fight with my dad who was spouting every RW talking point. "Michael Moore is a liar and a propagandist." Is Rush Limbaugh, Dad? "No, because he tells the truth!" He then said 9/11 was all Clinton's fault and the Swiftboaters were right, which sent me over the edge. Big fight and I immediately packed my shit and left back to school (I was planning on staying until Sunday).
I would have been happy not talking politics and having a decent weekend, but they kept bringing it up (especially my brother) and trying to put me down for not walking in step with the GOP.
I am not very thankful for my family right now and am honestly pretty hurt. Even if they don't respect what I believe, they should be able to show me the least bit of courtesy and not berate me. I do not think I will be going home for Christmas.
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spending Thanksgiving in a red state
okay--I'm in WVa with my parents. I had no idea how far off the deep end my mother had gone.
She has like 3 pics of Bush on the fridge--keeps me out of it. She worships Wal-Mart. I knew that she was on the verge of losing it but she lost it a LONG time ago.
Thank the gods I'm heading back to California tomorrow!
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My condolensces
that said, he pointed out to somethign far more dangerous... CULT OF PERSONALITY, these are common in... Totalitarian States...
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I spent Thanksgiving with a sister-in-law fundie. At one point, she wouldn't let her 3 year old eat until he said his "prayer". All the poor kid wanted to do was eat, she stood behind him, held his arms behind his back and kept screaming "say your prayer!" until he did. Not my place to say anything, so I left the room in disgust and spent the rest of the day FAR AWAY from her.
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My mother also worships Walmart.
She *only* wants to buy my kids toys from there.
What IS that?
Does yours listen to Pigboy Limbaugh?
My theory is that 80% of this country's current insanity comes from him.
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Buh-bye now.
WHAT relatives?
It was apparently an ugly and unprovoked scene.
I spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws and their large extended family. Unlike at my relatives' house, grace was said and we gave thanks for our great land and the brave troops who defend it with their lives.
I guess I don't see the point of this post at all. DU is really of no interest to me. What they think over there is completely extraneous to any serious discussion.
So, what was your reason for posting this?
I think this one was my favorite.
The little politics came up, we all agreed things are unfortunate and many things should/could be improved.
But, those family members are pretty well-adjusted and decent folk, and we had plenty to talk about besides red states and blue states.
I can't imagine screaming at someone in the family over a political opinion or rumor (military drafts, putting people in camps, the Patriot Act will enslave us all, etc etc). That's just petty. And sad.
"I spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws and their large extended family. Unlike at my relatives' house, grace was said and we gave thanks for our great land and the brave troops who defend it with their lives."
I had Thanksgiving dinner at my home this year. It's a mixed group, politically. The election was simply not a topic of conversation among the 16 people there for the feast.
Instead, we talked about family, told old stories for the 10th time, ate tons of turkey, dressing, and the trimmings, drank a little more wine than usual, and napped on the couch in front of the TV during the game.
I can't imagine that day of thankfulness being suitable for political discussions. My family and my in-laws have various political leanings, but we're still family and all enjoy being together on these festive occasions. Politics is the last thing on our minds.
Are we rethugs, repukes, or repugs? I wish they'd get that straight.
Fun all around for the ignorant Libs. Seems no one can have an opinion which differs from them. In any case, my family had a very good T-day, and they are a bunch of liberal kooks. We just didn't discuss politics at all. no big deal, the dems lost, we won....time to move on.
they are all just idiots..
They dont' know the meaning of family to being with. So how can they get along? methinks the reason isn't because of who voted for whom, its because they are all looking out for themselves.
The selfish bunch of no thinking, seculist, french wannabe, asses
"Are we rethugs, repukes, or repugs? I wish they'd get that straight."
As long as we are in power, who gives a Streisand what they call us? Let the crybabies have their bottle.
My SIL, the sole Democrat at the family gathering took a little ribbing good-naturedly.
What the DUmmies don't realize is that you are NOT 'what you believe', you are what you do.
That's why the vast majority of them are hypocrites - they can spew the foulest unfounded allegations at the President and simultaneously undermine support for the troops that guarantee their right to public prevarication.
Thank God, four more years. Now, how do we beat these democrats next time!
Can't we just ship these morons to some deserted island?
Yip, and the Rats love telling us they're the party of love and peace. Sigh.
I have liberal friends, all of whom don't like Bush, and yet we all get along just fine. We rib each other over politics but frankly, politics don't rule our lives or emotions.
I think that there should be a best of DU posted here everyday. After a long day of work, doing chores with the kids, cooking, bathing, etc, I need a good laugh.
Indeed. I'm glad there was no political discussion at the dinner I attended.
Ya it must be a bummer being a liberal right now. I don't feel sorry for them though. They made their bed.
My Thanksgiving was one of the best ones ever. Both college
kids home. (both conservative). Turkey was tasty, stuffing was good. Nice Prayer before dinner....
CD
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