Politics-Free Zone

My mother-in-law and I got into an argument the other night over Microsoft and the anti-trust suit. The twins were in bed, and Tab was upstairs reading to Daniel. I was working on my latest Press job, and Stephanie had turned on the TV to watch JAG. During the commercial break, the Microsoft promotional ad with Steve Balmer aired. Stephanie, who is given to loud and frequent exposition of her political and philosophical viewpoints, commented, "Oh, I think it's rotten what the government is doing to Microsoft!"

I should point out that my mother-in-law knows next to nothing about computers, but she likes Bill Gates because she saw him on a talk show and she thought he seemed nice. In fact, Stephanie is sadly misinformed about most of the issues on which she holds strong opinions, but that doesn't stop her from expounding those opinions at length. She is rabidly conservative, thinks that Democrats are the minions of Satan, and she hates Clinton with the white-hot heat of a thousand suns.

I don't like it when she launches into one of her political diatribes, but usually I let her rant on. I was in an ornery mood that night, however, and not inclined to let it pass. Maybe because I was stuck watching JAG, a TV show I loathe.

"What rots is the way that Gates and Microsoft have conducted business," I said. "They've stolen ideas, bulldozed smaller companies, and stifled innovation."

"That's what businesses do," she argued. "It's survival of the fittest."

"Survival of the bullies, you mean. "

"They're only persecuting him because he didn't give enough money to the Democratic party. That's what it's really about."

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" I was irate now and on the verge of walking out of the room. Then I thought, Why am I letting her chase me out of my own living room?

I sat back down. "Look, we're never going to agree on this, so let's not talk about it any more, OK?"

"You're telling me I can't express my opinion?"

"You've expressed it. I know your opinion; you know mine. Let's let it go."

She sat in offended silence until Tab came downstairs. I didn't care, however. I don't mind discussing issues with someone who holds a differing viewpoint. Who knows: if the person is persuasive enough, I might even change my mind. Stephanie, however, is so opinionated and close-minded that any kind of political discussion with her is a just an exercise in futility and frustration. In fact her vehemence is actually polarizing. I find myself wanting to take the opposite side of any discussion with her, whether I have a strong opinion on the matter or not. For instance, I'm not really sure that I agree with the Justice Department in the Microsoft case. But that doesn't mean I want to hear her rant on about "poor Bill Gates," either.

In fact, I think we should declare our house to be a politics-free zone. No heated discussions with others or with the TV (she does that, too). Now if we could only declare a JAG-free zone, I would be content.

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