So those of you who are regulars on my personal blog already know that my family is insane. Oh, yes, they are and they know it. In fact, I might even go so far as to say they revel in their insanity.
When I saw this week’s topic was President’s Day and then read Daisy’s post about politics, I knew I had to dip my toe in the political pool. Not too deep, mind you, but enough to share my family’s…peculiarities about politics. The majority of my family is conservative. Okay, so 99.9% of my family is conservative. That 1% is my cousin who’s a very liberal…well, liberal.
I’ve mentioned on my personal blog how my family adores picking on each other over past embarrassments, but their second most favorite pastime is debating. It can be anything from politics, to religion, to who has the best doughnuts. It doesn’t matter what it is, they’re going to debate about it. Now, to most outsiders, it sounds like a fight, but it isn’t.
My cousin, the 1% liberal, likes to stir up debates about everything. It’s in our blood, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that she has no problem taking on 20 conservatives at once with one simple sentence. I can’t remember what she said now, but I will say that debate turned into one that has gone down in the family history books.
I’m proud of her because she doesn’t back down from anything. She staunchly supports her beliefs and we respect her for that. She has no problem being caught in the crosshairs and yes, sometimes if things get a bit heavy, I might even point her out…
but there’s no harm in it. If there’s one thing my family has taught me, it’s that you can be yourself with them no matter what. Yes, they will pick on you and torment you until you’re in your coffin (and they’ll probably make fun of you at your funeral), but they will accept you for who you are. We respect people who think for themselves and form their own opinions. I think that’s something a lot of people could use.
How about your family? Are there lines you can’t cross to avoid a war?
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
Ugh. I hate arguing. Can’t stand bickering.
Let’s stick to the real facts of Geo. Washington:
he gnawed down the cherry tree with wooden dentures and then used the tree stump to paddle across the Delaware River and whack the Hessians with it.
The Hessians had been drinking because their ‘favorite’ won the immunity challenge on the island … and a few of the Desperate Housewives were rumored to be heading into their camp to par-tay.
See? If you always deal with facts, nobody can find a footing to argue and life is much simpler. And you stay much smarter about things because you already know everything. LOL
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LOL, in this family, everyone’s an expert and knows everything. It makes life interesting to get them riled up! LOL
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I HAVE to say thanks to Jeff- I love a man in Hessian boots- thanks for the visual of the day! AHHHH!
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You wouldn’t think it from knowing me online, but I actually terrified of conflict. When I’m around family I try to say as little as possible to avoid riling up any possible debate about anything.
My father is a lawyer- so he claims to know everything about everything and will talk you into a pulp over any and all topics. Really- there’s no point in arguing, you’ll never win and most likely get injured in the crossfire. Plus- he’ll disagree just to be contrary! It’s like, you try to agree with him and he comes back, “No,” and argues the other side!
When people argue, I mostly take out my mental notebook and jot down story ideas. I watch their body language, note the changes in facial expression. Like that cruel and feral look my dad gets when he snags a victim- some poor slob with deeply held convictions, who he’ll gleefully rip to shreds over a topic he neither knows nor cares about.
Ah, family. I miss them so… đŸ™‚
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LOL, sounds like your dad’s a blast! And yes, you can’t trade your family in…i’ve tried đŸ˜‰
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I come from a big family and arguing at times seems to be the only form of comminucation there is. What gets me is its always stupid stuff. How much oregano you use in Lasagna? Who make the best frosting?(I win this hands down). Which one of us was the most obnoxious growing up, and who’s kids are following in their footsteps? Guessing this is because none of us are into politics.
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LOL, politics isn’t a regular debate for us. It can be anything from “That is NOT how you make potato salad!” to “You’re wrong! My character wasn’t a rogue, it was a blah blah” because we all used to game together *eye roll*
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I’m a lawyer too but I don’ t like to argue on my off time- there’s a time and place AND I only argue for a paycheck!! LOL!
My family is pretty open, too, Danica. We respect the other’s positions- we may make fun of them- but it’s done with love.
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That’s it exactly, Jillian. We’re encouraged to express ourselves.
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