Had a screaming match with my BIL today!

[micknpluto]

Today me, my sister, her husband (my dear brother-in-law) and their kids my niece and nephew went to visit my dad and stepmom. They live at the Jersey Shore about an hour from me. We try to get there around the holidays for dinner. Well what started out ok turned into an argument about politics, of course. My BIL is a SERIOUS Republican GWB fan . I respect his opinion as I do anyone's even if I dont agree. If you guys new him, that is all he talks about!! I ALWAYS keep my mouth shut, this way I dont start an argument. But today I could NOT, NOT say anything. I had to open my mouth. It started by him telling the story on how part of his family dont talk to each other anymore because of their different political views. Well he was going on and on. Even on the way there, I had to listen to it in the car. Finally I just blew up. While we were eating dinner, I finally said.. 'OK, that is your opinion, I dont want to hear anymore about it please! Of course, EVERYONE in the room is Republican except for me. All I said was.. "I love Bill Clinton" then BIL says 'WHY? WHY DO YOU LIKE HIM?!" (screaming at me) and I said I dont know, I just do. He was like.. yeah, i like him too, I would like to sit and have a beer with him, but NOT to run the country!!

BOY,. I was so mad..I got up and left. I called my friend on my cell and I was in tears. I just broke down. I dont know why I got so emotional over it. I didn't want to argue and thats what they were doing with me. At least my sister and my dad kept on saying, she has the right to her own opinion let it go. But my wonderful (and I mean that sarcastically) stepmom and BIL were digging and digging at me.

Needless to say, I didnt want to ride back with them, I was going to have someone drive all the way there to pick me up. My sister talked me out of it, made me drive home with them and BIL apologized.

It doesn't matter, it ruined my day. Nice family holiday visit huh..

real nice.

Sorry so long,,, thanks for listening.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I'm sorry. I try not to talk politics with family members that don't agree with me. Don't be too hard on him...we can all be buttholes about politics when we are passionate about it.

 

[Nik's Mom]

My Dad and I fought like cats and dogs about politics. It got to the point that I dreaded election time. Sorry you had a rought day.

 

[simba928]

I'm sorry. There are always those people in every family, mine included, that just need to learn to keep their mouth shut.

 

[zippeedee]

I just take a deep breath and declare "for the sake of enjoying this day, this is now a politics-free zone". I also do a lot of walking away. One day I "checked on the roast" so many times my mother was convinced I was trying to do myself in by sticking my head in the oven. At that point in the conversational torture it was looking like a good option. Darn electric ovens!

 

[micknpluto]

They always say, dont talk politics with family and I agree. I think I had so much inside, all the times I had to listen to it and never said a word. I'm kind of glad, at least now he is totally aware of my views and how I feel. I hope it doesnt happen again. I'm going to be uncomfortable around him now, and I see him alot because of my niece and nephew. My sister is having Christmas dinner, not looking forward to that. At least I will have more support with me that day.

 

[micknpluto]

I just take a deep breath and declare "for the sake of enjoying this day, this is now a politics-free zone". I also do a lot of walking away. One day I "checked on the roast" so many times my mother was convinced I was trying to do myself in by sticking my head in the oven. At that point in the conversational torture it was looking like a good option. Darn electric ovens!

Thats funny. I wish I had a "roast to check on" today. Unfortunately I was in close quarters in a small room in a small place. There was no where for me to go except outside.

 

[ntburns22]

and Here's to getting through the holidays with the in laws.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

this type of thing has happened before at our family gatherings-i refuse to talk politics, and if my aunts or uncles start, i just leave the room

 

[micknpluto]

and Here's to getting through the holidays with the in laws.

WOW... How right you are!~

 

[The Mystery Machine]

and Here's to getting through the holidays with the in laws.

Amen...amen...I will be drinking. Better stock up the wine.

 

[bumcat]

I think the big question is: why would someone bring up a sore subject over and over knowing it bothers others? Sounds like the type of person to stay far away from if you can.

 

[micknpluto]

I think the big question is: why would someone bring up a sore subject over and over knowing it bothers others? Sounds like the type of person to stay far away from if you can.

Thats just it, I dont think he knows it bothers others???

 

[SamRoc]

yikes this seems to be happening alot around the holidays! My girlfriend told me she had a huge arguement with her daughter at a family dinner on Thanksgiving. It got so bad the daughter left with the grandchildren and hasnt talked to her since. My friend said the whole thing started over a discussion about the first Thanksgiving with the Native Americans and Settlers! I guess people can argue about anything!

 

[micknpluto]

I forgot to mention... When I told him I didnt want to hear about politics and George Bush, especially in a room filled with republicans. he proceeded to say.. "Well I'm not crazy about Disney and I dont want to sit around and hear about that either"


Question? Since when does Disney and politics have the same effect on people? and who talks about Disney in front of him??!! Not me!

 

[DisneyDotty]

I'm sorry for the OP's experience, but I gotta admit--this thread cheered me up. I'd been thinking I was the only one with the wacko nutjob family that has pointless arguments during the holidays.
Gotta love those family gatherings.

 

[missypie]

Last year I pretty much ruined my own New Years' Eve party. We were sitting around talking about the movies we had received for Christmas and/or had seen. I mentioned that my mom had sent me Farenheit 911 and that I had thought it was really funny. That's all I said. My ultraconservative neighbors went nuts...within 5 minutes they were ranting about Clinton and Bosnia and after few more minutes I had to excuse myself to get another glass of wine. The wife was pretty much in a snit all night!

 

[akhenaten]

Hey I know it was not pleasant...but in a way you should count your blessings...
If that was my DH family...you would NEVER have gotten an apology and you would have been made out to be wrong for leaving and your Sister and BIL at best would have underlying tension (can we say ice ) and at worst would stop talking to and associating with you because of it....

AHH family gotta love em.........

 

[shortbun]

We observe the 'no politics or religion discussed here' rule at family gatherings. It's much more peaceful. I have a friend who's husband wants to goad me about politics every time he sees me. I have begun to act like I'm on his side and I think I actually have him convinced. lol!! Boy is HE confused. All talk of politics has stopped because it's no fun anymore. gosh

 

[micknpluto]

Last year I pretty much ruined my own New Years' Eve party. We were sitting around talking about the movies we had received for Christmas and/or had seen. I mentioned that my mom had sent me Farenheit 911 and that I had thought it was really funny. That's all I said. My ultraconservative neighbors went nuts...within 5 minutes they were ranting about Clinton and Bosnia and after few more minutes I had to excuse myself to get another glass of wine. The wife was pretty much in a snit all night!

I would have done more than just excused myself to get another glass of wine.. Sounds like you handled it pretty well...

Hey I know it was not pleasant...but in a way you should count your blessings...
If that was my DH family...you would NEVER have gotten an apology and you would have been made out to be wrong for leaving and your Sister and BIL at best would have underlying tension (can we say ice ) and at worst would stop talking to and associating with you because of it....

AHH family gotta love em.........

Sometimes I think he apologized because he was around my family not his. If this happened while at his house around his side of the family who all but the one aunt and cousin whom no longer speak to him, all share the same views and are all "conservative" I doubt I would have received the apology.