Thanksgiving dinner table politics - need advice

[Michchamp]

so... with President Obama's re-election, I'm guessing my dad is already knee deep in completely unhinged and insane right-wing talk radio conspiracies... communist takeovers, seizures of all private property, the UN declaring martial law and seizing NRA members' guns, everyone getting together in one big-gay-marriage-orgy, inner city dope fiends seizing power in the suburbs, etc. etc.

How do you handle conversations like that at the thanksgiving dinner table? Smile and nod, while deftly changing the subject to how delicious the turkey is this year?

Or

politely explaining that while you respect their opinion and they are entitled to it, you happen think it is completely batshit insane, and privately often wonder how someone as educated as they are could believe in such garbage?

 

[spockmaster]

i have 2 suggestions.

1) your second one

2) drug him so you dont have to talk to him at dinner. just a little ativan oughta do it...

 

[Michchamp]

I'm leaning that way too.

also, my dad doesn't watch sports, so that traditionally safe topic for discussion is not really an option.

 

[redandguilty]

Something like option two is possible, but if you use the phrase "completely batshit insane" in your bold voice, your explanation won't qualify as polite.

 

[Michchamp]

Something like option two is possible, but if you use the phrase "completely batshit insane" in your bold voice, your explanation won't qualify as polite.

oh really? I didn't consider that.

 

[TheVictors]

When the conversation invariably turns to politics and the horrific mess we're in these days, just put both hands over your ears, close your eyes and shout, "LALALALALALALALA ... I can't hear you, I can't hear you!!!"

 

[Michchamp]

When the conversation invariably turns to politics and the horrific mess we're in these days, just put both hands over your ears, close your eyes and shout, "LALALALALALALALA ... I can't hear you, I can't hear you!!!"

no... then he'll be all like "SEE?!?! You can pretend not to hear all you want, but it's there. Liberals like you don't want to hear the TRUTH about your savior Obama!!! You want to see this country destroyed and ruined and conquered by Russia because you're mad and bad and you're killing baby Jesus! KILLING HIM!!!"

 

[Thumb]

Here's what you do.

When the convo goes south, put 2 fingers up to your temple and kinda look into space somewhere near you (like when you are on the phone) and then say: "Yes, I know, but they're my family. The President didn't say I would have to involve my family too! Yes Sir, I understand. No Sir, it won't be a problem, just let me prepare."

Then excuse yourself from the table and go to the bathroom for a while.

 

[byco42]

Whose house are you eating dinner in?

 

[Michchamp]

Whose house are you eating dinner in?

at my dad's, at his invitation.

staying in a hotel though... he knows I'm bringing my gf, and didn't offer to let us stay when I talked on the phone. he might be expecting it and figured it was assumed, but after some of his other wishy-washy shit about letting my brother or I stay at his place over the years, I'd rather avoid any last-minute crap from him.

 

[byco42]

at my dad's, at his invitation.

staying in a hotel though... he knows I'm bringing my gf, and didn't offer to let us stay when I talked on the phone. he might be expecting it and figured it was assumed, but after some of his other wishy-washy shit about letting my brother or I stay at his place over the years, I'd rather avoid any last-minute crap from him.

His house...tread carefully and resist engagement.

 

[Michchamp]

His house...tread carefully and resist engagement.

Thats typically been my approach, but this is the 1st time ill be thete after a pres election, so I expect it to be worse

 

[elrod817]

Just take smitty with you.

 

[Michchamp]

Just take smitty with you.

that would work. they could both sit at one end of the table and blather on and on about shit, while everyone else had adult conversation.

that's option #3

 

[TheVictors]

Whose house are you eating dinner in?

this was the best post.

 

[tinselwolverine]

at my dad's, at his invitation.

staying in a hotel though... he knows I'm bringing my gf, and didn't offer to let us stay when I talked on the phone. he might be expecting it and figured it was assumed, but after some of his other wishy-washy shit about letting my brother or I stay at his place over the years, I'd rather avoid any last-minute crap from him.

Wow.

I don't know if this thread meant to be tongue and humorous...but if it isn't...

Just don't go.

Obviously let him know that you've changed your plans.

Stay home; and learn how to cook Thanksgiving with your girlfriend; it really isn't the hardest meal to prepare.

Nobody should put themself in a position to be miserable on Thanksgiving.

Even somebody who isn't really giving thanks to Anyone for anything.

 

[Michchamp]

Wow.

I don't know if this thread meant to be tongue and humorous...but if it isn't...

Just don't go.

Obviously let him know that you've changed your plans.

Stay home; and learn how to cook Thanksgiving with your girlfriend; it really isn't the hardest meal to prepare.

Nobody should put themself in a position to be miserable on Thanksgiving.

Even somebody who isn't really giving thanks to Anyone for anything.

it was meant to be sort of humorous, but I actually wondered if anyone else had any of the same experiences and could share the ways they resolved them.

i guess just avoiding the topic, or steering it away from or around the prickly issues is probably the best and only real way to deal with it. anyone uncouth enough to start blathering about politics around people who's opinions they aren't aware of, or don't agree with is probably not worth reasoning with anyway (in person at least; not on the internet...)

I don't want to just not go without letting him know why, but that might be pointless; this might be the last year I go anyways.

 

[JScottWriter]

Every year I got to a Xmas party my mom throws and she is a crazy right winger. Every time she starts to bring politics up I let her get her politically jab in and mostly just ignore it or joke how Jon Stewart is my only news source. This year might be different, I am thinking about getting her a Obama Chia Pet as a gift.

 

[mhughes0021]

Just tell him you rather a kenyan run our country then a guy from planet kolob. Then go on and on making up shit about reasons why planet kolob doesnt represent our country. vegetation. Political affiliations. Population of planet kolob. The fact theres no global warming on planet kolob. They have lakes of methane....we have lakes of water. Theres no mexicans on planet kolob. And if planet kolob kicked him out and sent him here....if they didnt want him why should we?

 

[mhughes0021]

I actually went back n forth with my mom when she visited last month. The only defense she had for every issue is that he was a smart business man. I ofcourse responded that the smart business man purchased failing business and fired a ton of people or let those businesses go bankrupt. But ofcourse youre not allowed to present facts when youre arguing with a republican so that didnt work. Since youre not allowed to use facts and they are allowed to create batshit crazy worlds in order to prove their point....youre pretty much fucked. If he brings it up i suggest screaming as loud as you can and start banging your head on the table as hard as you can until he stops. lol.