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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums5 one-liners to fight back against your right-wing family members at Thanksgiving dinner
5 one-liners to fight back against your right-wing family members at Thanksgiving dinner from The Raw Story1. Theres no first-hand knowledge. Its all hearsay.
I mean, except for Mick Mulvaney, who admitted it on live television.
2. Attempted bribery isnt in the Constitution as a crime.
Actually it is. You know what they call attempted bribery? Bribery.
The Constitution cites high crimes and misdemeanors as a guide for impeachment. Attempted bribery falls under that. In fact, so does speeding in a school zone, which is considered a misdemeanor in some states.
3. He wasnt successful, so it doesnt matter.
Thats not how the law works. As John Oliver pointed out, if a terrorist tries to blow himself up on a plane and the vest doesnt go off, that doesnt mean hes innocent.
4. Presidents make deals all the time.
Presidents dont make deals for their own personal benefit.
As Last Week Tonight host John Oliver explained it, Teddy Roosevelts famous quote speak softly and carry a big stick, didnt mean he wanted people to take all of the sticks for his own personal stick collection. Ronald Regan never mandated East and West Germany use his own private BobCat company to tear down that wall.
5. We should just let the election decide it.
Thats not how the law works, nor is it how the law should work. If you break the law, you face the consequences, whether youre a child, a teenager, a Congressman, Felicity Huffman, a Vegas kick-line dancer, or the president of the United States. No person is above the law. At least, thats what its supposed to be like. If we want to start handing out loopholes for the rich, famous, and elected officials, let the GOP put that up for a ballot initiative in all 50 states.
If a guy running for Congress is caught embezzling millions for his campaign fund for his own personal business that is in bankruptcy, no one would say he shouldnt be prosecuted, and we should just let voters decide.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)that when they use WiFi.
But, your suggestions are better if you actually want to try -- one more time -- to reason with politically ignorant relatives.
pandr32
(11,447 posts)Ilsa
(61,675 posts)kairos12
(12,817 posts)SCantiGOP
(13,856 posts)because they are all based on facts and logic.
You would need arguments sprinkled with hate and racism to convince a Trumper.
CaptYossarian
(6,448 posts)Just say out loud, "It's called Turkey Day for more than one reason."
Midnight Writer
(21,548 posts)Which for me is the natural impulse.
SCantiGOP
(13,856 posts)you ignorant SOB.
Midnight Writer
(21,548 posts)Luckily, there are only two conservatives expected at our Thanksgiving Dinner, and they are too scared (oops, I meant to say respectful) of their wives to act up. So for me it usually goes pretty good.
certainot
(9,090 posts)since he forced mccain to pick palin in 2008"
pamela
(3,469 posts)As in. .. "Please, stop promoting Russian propaganda. We are Americans and patriots. Russian talking points are not welcome here." Then, we all get out our kazoos and start playing God Bless America.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Be sure to smile broadly and do a thumbs up when you say it. Itll be a ridiculing impression of Trump.
SWBTATTReg
(21,859 posts)this? Ha, couldn't resist the joke! Take care.
pamela
(3,469 posts)I'm doing "Animal House." The great Belushi scene.
SWBTATTReg
(21,859 posts)pamela
(3,469 posts)druidity33
(6,435 posts)ala "Brady Bunch"
Amishman
(5,541 posts)Family is more important than politics.
It's not like I'd have any chance to change their minds anyway
mdbl
(4,972 posts)more power to ya.
Amishman
(5,541 posts)All I need to do is bring up anything car, home DIY project related, or sports related - and we are safe for at least an hour. Home improvement ideas are best as it gets the ladies involved too. We've had proposed back yard flower beds modeled with stuffing before during Thanksgiving dinner
mdbl
(4,972 posts)These thing severely effect our futures yet right wing hate radio and television have turned what should be a discussion on what's best for our country into a bickering fight at the dinner table over why we should protect russian oligarchs and criminal behavior in the senate and white house. What a shit place to be.
DENVERPOPS
(8,679 posts)When some right wing Trump Humper brings up his shit, I just say: I quit paying attention long ago, Politicians Are All Crooks.
they think for a second, nod agreement and leave you alone.
Comment to writer on his statement: If we want to start handing out loopholes for the rich, famous, and elected officials, let the GOP put that up for a ballot initiative in all 50 states.
Forget that, Trump merely issues a presidential decree in a tweet and steam rolls ahead. Republican Senate, DOJ, and The U.S. Supreme Court have his "six" all the way, no matter what he declares..........no matter how illegal, corrupt, or un-constitutional...
He has proven for three years he is a master of this, he doesn't even need loopholes for the rich and oligarch donors, his Republican Senators, all his ass lickers, and for what has become the entire Republican Party........
certainot
(9,090 posts)altruism and selflessness is real and democracy was designed to get money out of politics, but every time dem politicians try to regulate it limbaugh and sons lead 1500 invisible radio stations in nationwide bullshit to stop it - and democrats ignore it, then blame the politicians for wanting money in politics, for being crooks
DENVERPOPS
(8,679 posts)that to Repubs and Trump Hummers that bring it up, not to everyone else........It is either that, or whipping up a big portion of WUP ASS and kicking their asses royal for being to un-educated, ignorant and stupid to be allowed to vote in America.......
Ignorance should indeed be painful......
what a shit place to be.
i feel as if the right is happy to be here, because they thrive on making "libruls" suffer, even if it means it increases their own suffering in reality.
propaganda.
DENVERPOPS
(8,679 posts)Are getting royally fucked just like us others, and don't even realize it and what their Republican Party is doing it to them.
barbtries
(28,702 posts)the dumbing down of America is bearing terrible fruit.
Captain Zero
(6,714 posts)so I think you have a good point.
Bonx
(2,041 posts)of things to do.
klook
(12,134 posts)a particularly noxious relative (known to wear not only a MAGA hat but also an NRA hat not at the same time!) spewed his BS around younger kin at family gatherings.
I felt obliged to respond to these teachable moments a couple of times. Though it could be tense, I just was not going to let some things pass. I want the youngsters to know Im not an idiot, and I want them to hear some truth to leaven the moronitude.
The happy ending is that this person is an ex-relative now, thanks to a long-overdue divorce! This year will be the first holiday season without him.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Even if they are lawyers, they have forgotten the basics if they are in a field other than trial litigation. I've actually seen this.
It is not hearsay if not offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. If it is offered only to prove that it was said, then it is not hearsay.
TlalocW
(15,359 posts)Or at least bring anything up. My sister's mother-in-law got re-married several years ago to a holy roller with an insufferable holier-than-thou smirk (that side of the family is very Christian and conservative but without being assholes about it), and he tried to start something with me when I was just wanting to doze and digest. It was something about Obama so I gish-galloped him with actual facts. He tried to respond to one of my points with more BS, and I shut him down. His shit-eating grin disappeared - I had just successfully argued against him and thus God (that is his attitude). My sister warned him that you can't beat me on facts so he tried again later on on abortion (which just made me roll my eyes - I mean, c'mon, the most divisive topic out there, and you want to argue about it on a holiday?). He tried to argue things from a Christian worldview so I derailed the discussion into being about religious freedom, which he lost because he can't think outside his personal God-centric viewpoint. He left me alone in a huff the rest of the holiday.
TlalocW
barbtries
(28,702 posts)i hit him with facts and he just goes "hmph" and shuts up. actually by now we don't talk much. he's no religious fanatic but he is a foxbot for decades now.
DENVERPOPS
(8,679 posts)During the Cheney Rumsfeld tyranny, the older man and his wife would start forwarding me horrific anti-obama shit every single fucking day......
Most ironic and un-believeable was the fact that they both were Jewish, and their elders died in gas chambers and were incinerated.
My last email back to him, after an especially despicable and nasty anti-obama email was this:
"You do know that the assholes that supplied you with this shit, hate Jews worse than blacks and mexicans, don't you?"
And sadly, that was the end of a 60 year friendship..............
DanieRains
(4,619 posts)If he was in congress?
They will then try to change the subject.
Don't let them.
Answer the question Uncle Dumbass. Gimmee a number.
Then say the worst kind of Christian is a pretend one.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Those are good shut downs.
Richard D
(8,693 posts)Oops.
Boomer
(4,159 posts)If you're refuting Republican talking points, you don't have to argue that bribery falls under "high crimes and misdemeanors" because bribery is specifically called out in the Constitution as an impeachable offense.
"The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."
barbtries
(28,702 posts)and except where the WH released the direct evidence in the phone of the call summary.
DDySiegs
(253 posts)Alternative answer to #3 (He Wasnt Successful, so it doesnt matter)
Does that mean that that the Shoe Bomber shouldnt have been indicted and convicted? Should he be released from prison with our sincere apologies?
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,355 posts)intended as joke from "The Simpsons" in a episode about Sideshow Bob
Baltimike
(4,126 posts)Proud Liberal Dem
(24,355 posts)unless it's things they don't like. I mean, they ignored the 2008 and 2012 Elections and what "The American People" (who they love to reference ad nauseum) wanted.
4139
(1,893 posts)kairos12
(12,817 posts)Skittles
(152,964 posts)yes indeed
lame54
(35,141 posts)SCantiGOP
(13,856 posts)I sure wish he was still around to argue with.
When I would come home from college we would usually be arguing politics, mainly Vietnam and Nixon, within five minutes.
Later, he got tired of the hassle (and he knew I had been right on the War and his crooked President), so he would just respond to my provocations with, Youre just confused.
That is now a meme in my family. Whenever there is a story of someones truly bizarre behavior, someone will usually remark, Well, he/she/they are just confused.
moondust
(19,917 posts)the impeachment case didn't involve election meddling that will likely continue in the next election so as to likely give an unfair advantage to the individual facing impeachment. You don't leave justice up to rigged elections. There may be a good reason why Moscow Mitch refuses to beef up election security.
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)... knowing he was going to cheat.
Beartracks
(12,761 posts)So of course a lot of them will find such positions to be totally legit.
It's too bad that pointing out to Republicans how stupid they are just makes them double down on the stupid to "prove you wrong."
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Response to Julian English (Original post)
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sakabatou
(42,083 posts)NCLefty
(3,678 posts)bucolic_frolic
(42,676 posts)but it's ok they can crawl back to reality anytime they stop the self-delusion and admit they are thinking too rigidly