For Those who Have Hard Right Repub Relatives

[Sugarcoated]

How do you handle the inevitable situation where they come out with a ridiculous Hanutty or Fat Bastard Limbaugh echo? My formerly indie brother (I've spoken of him before) has gradually and finally been brainwashed and has drunk the propaganda-aid. I'm sitting here with all kinds of responses going around in my head, kinda curious what you guys say to 'end it' so to speak. He's seriously flagged from discussing politics from here on out.

[babylonsister]

1. My brother and I agreed to disagree about 2 years ago; we haven't

communicated since. And for the same reasons you're dealing with...

[Sugarcoated]

7. That's sad

My brother just had a baby and lives pretty close by so I don't think that's possible. Unfortunately he works with my husband and he's the one who has to hear it mostly. My husband's very sharp and smacks him down, but my bro can be a big frickin baby and my husband is a good upstanding guy who doesn't want bad blood in the family so is careful. I want my bro to understand clearly that anything he says that smacks of RW talking points that comes from FOX or his new hero Hannuty is not going to be taken seriously by me, and more than that will get a biting response that'll make him feel stupid. And the sad thing is he's a very intelligent guy.

[Warpy]

2. My parents went temporarily insane in the mid 90s

When they'd start to rant, I'd just leave the room. I'd come back half an hour or so later and ask, "Are you done?"

They got the point.

[rwenos]

3. I shut up

My wife made me promise simply to go mute. It usually works. The first few times the brother in law in question tried to pursue, asking rhetorical questions. After I simply shrugged and said nothing enough times, he got the message. He makes a little rant about "fucking Democrat traitors," the women in the family all look at their shoes, and a tense silence falls over the room. Then he leaves the room, usually for another beer run.

When he leaves the room, the women start taking recipes again, and eventually someone turns on a football game or a war movie.

Repeat.

[Sugarcoated]

9. I have a feeling his wife's gonna shut it down next time

it comes up/he tries to bait me. That'll work for me. :)

[rwenos]

10. Expect It

The women usually have spoken about it privately beforehand. Aging RW fuckhead husbands, little babies. Women seem to have more of a touch for dealing with both. I admire them for it.

Also, never underestimate the power of the football game or war movie. Works wonders. The odd Schwarzenegger action-adventure works too.

The guy is just trying to show he has cojones. There's little payoff to taking the bait. And your wife will usually respect you for keeping your mouth shut.

[Jack Sprat]

4. Know where you're at.

If he knows where you stand and since you now know where he stands, you will have to agree not to ever speak of it. Either that or do the Cain/Abel experience. Just make certain that you are Cain.

[niceypoo]

5. Same thing happened with my brother...

I ask him to list the statements/claims/promises that Bush has made about Iraq that have actually turned out to be true. He cant name one. I ask him to explain to me how propping up the wealthy through government handouts is capitalism.....he cant. I ask him if he believes, against what the bible says, that God favors the rich......he stares blankly. All you have to do is ask for details on any of their claims....dig....they dont know any details because they are repeating mindless talking points and slogans....they dont know any details and will try and change the subject.

[Sugarcoated]

8. LOL, my brother is a militant athiest

and has a very scientific mindset. But 9-11 turned him into a 'nuke them all' kind of guy, a security Republican. He doesn't care about abortion in the least. In fact, he thinks smirko is an idiot and going into Iraq was a mistake, but his tendency towards the Republican 'bring it on' attitude made him gravitate to the outlets that tell him what he wants to hear. He's Guliani all the way. But, amazingly, as scientific as he is he's now buying into the global warming problem as a left wing over reaction. I know he was on board with it not too long ago. My heads-a shaking.

[pigpickle]

6. I never discuss politics with anyone face-to-face.

I only do it online.

[grannylib]

11. I try not to talk about it with my only sibling; he likes to try to push my buttons

and I usually don't even go there, but every once in a while, my only response is to sigh and say,
"republicans are filth, and that's all there is to it." and refuse to say ANYTHING more.

[Sugarcoated]

12. LOL, love it, says it all, doesn't it?

Simple and clear as crystal