Politics for the Holidays

[Carborendum]

As an extension of the recent conversation on "The View" where several women said that they don't want to spend the holidays with family who has different political views, I thought I'd be entertaining some advice on the matter.

For T-day, we are thinking of who to invite to our house.  One group would be my son and his roommates.  Another group is my other son's in-laws.

One of my son's roommates is "liberal".  I have no idea how liberal.  I've only spoken to him once for about 5 seconds.  But he's apparently liberal.

My elder son's in-laws are probably more conservative than I am (if you can imagine that). And their son works for Border Patrol and has no filter on his mouth.  You thought I was bad...  He's worse.

So, is this a recipe for disaster?  Should I try to avoid bedlam? 

The roommate really has no place to go for the holiday.  He has no family to go visit (for whatever reasons).  He'd be hanging out all by himself for the whole day.  Everyone else in that apartment would be at our house.

I'm thinking that I should invite him -- but give him a trigger warning that we are politically minded and are very conservative.  We'll try to be polite.  But if we happen to say something political, then... whatever. 

He would have to decide.

My wife is more along the lines of, this is a recipe for disaster.  We might want to avoid conflict.

[zil2]

Invite everyone.  Tell them the conversation is restricted to their favorite fountain pens, inks, papers, and accessories.  If they don't have these, send the conservatives to Goulet Pens and the liberal to Vanness Pens.

[NeuroTypical]

I've never been "that uncle".  But I have always been the "Where's daddy?  He's online yelling politics with people.  But it's Christmas!" guy.

If we all valued civility and love and rational conversation the same, we could talk politics all we wanted.   But add some emotions - especially fear and ignorance - and can take an otherwise boring thanksgiving dinner and make it something everyone will remember for a decade.   Two decades, if the cops get called.  

[Carborendum]

4 minutes ago, NeuroTypical said:

...if the cops get called.  

OK.  I'll do it!  

[askandanswer]

3 hours ago, zil2 said:

Invite everyone.  Tell them the conversation is restricted to their favorite fountain pens, inks, papers, and accessories.  If they don't have these, send the conservatives to Goulet Pens and the liberal to Vanness Pens.

Sounds like a long and very quiet day. 

[Ironhold]

Oldest brother's wife made a hard left swerve at some point, and it caused a bit of friction in the marriage. Ever since then, we've all tried to be careful about discussing politics whenever she's around, as she's not the type to admit defeat regardless of the circumstances. 

It's possible that she's moderated herself back out over the past few years, but none of us are willing to take that risk. 

[askandanswer]

Cancel the holidays - end of problem

[JohnsonJones]

15 hours ago, zil2 said:

Invite everyone.  Tell them the conversation is restricted to their favorite fountain pens, inks, papers, and accessories.  If they don't have these, send the conservatives to Goulet Pens and the liberal to Vanness Pens.

This is a start at least.  It's not a bad suggestion.

It may be easier though, for those who are not into fountain pens, to simply just have it known that there is a rule that no politics (and possibly religion, both of those can be bad topics at a dinner table with people of strong opinions) while there for the holidays. 

[Carborendum]

6 hours ago, askandanswer said:

Cancel the holidays - end of problem

So, Jehovah's Witness?

[askandanswer]

40 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

So, Jehovah's Witness?

Yes

Mosiah 18:10

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Acts 2:32

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Edited November 13, 2024 by askandanswer