There are some days on the calendar
where, it should go without saying, overheated political debate should be off
the table. Christmas is one, as is Easter. This is another such day. Hell, if
the Germans and English could play soccer
in the middle of World War One, Republicans and Democrats should be able to
have one civilized meal together.
So ignore the now-traditional, tortured
reruns of liberal pieces on “how to talk to your racist uncle.” Or the equally
annoying articles about how Thanksgiving should be a time to reflect on how
awful America is for mistreating Native Americans (as I saw on my Facebook feed
just this morning). Don’t even worry about formulating conservative responses
to either. Just let it all go for one day, and enjoy the time with friends and
family.
That doesn’t mean any discussion of
politics must be ignored at all costs. Only two weeks after a presidential
election, that will be almost impossible. But it does mean to find common
ground, be civil and polite, and don’t use Thanksgiving as a chance to win new
ideological converts. We have the rest of the year for that. Just be thankful
for the time with loved ones we are given, the food we will be lucky enough to
eat, and the country of freedom and liberty we inhabit.
After a year like 2016, everyone
deserves a day where the most forceful debate is over jellied or whole cranberry
sauce. (Jellied, all the way.)
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