Word up

"The Republican arguments are not arguments, per se. They are soundbites. And soundbites serve to distinguish "us" from "them". They're the verbal equivalents of dogs pissing to mark their territory. And, here's the key: conservatives are not manly men, they're not brave - they're very, very afraid. They're afraid of gays, of immigrants, of people who are different; they're afraid they're not as smart; they're afraid of the world around them. Their soundbites are the equivalent of a gorilla beating its chest (future generations, please note: gorillas are wonderful, hairy creatures who lived in forests with their families). Their "confidence" is just the chest-thumping of nervous nellies trying to be big and scary. So, instead of cowering before them or getting caught up in an argument you will lose (because soundbites always win in these type of arguments - all one has to do is shift soundbite and chest-thump harder), you assert your presence and you make your point. Instead of whimpering and showing fear and retreating before a bullying dog, you bark once.
But that's not really why it will work. The odd thing is: they know they're wrong and they want to be reassured. Most conservatives and most republicans know that they've been on the wrong side of history on so many of these issues - civil rights, slavery, health care, pollution, the environment, immigration. Bullies are often happier when they stop bullying. Maybe they'll protest, maybe they'll disagree. But don't worry. Don't get into an argument. Thanksgiving dinner is not the time for arguments."