Ever-crescive reactionary views

I discussed with my wife Mira today, the idea that I should have an intervention with my Father, regarding his ever-crescive reactionary views. I mean, it was kind of a joke to start with, but also I was half serious about conferencing my family into a call and talking this over. I have several really liberal brothers and sisters, and in addition to this crew, there is my Mother (divorced from Dad for like 15 years now) who is a LESBIAN who has been with the same partner for a decade and so I find it difficult to justify my father's behavior, or to understand his views. When we argue, he always says, "Can't I have my own opinion?", but then I just get exasperated because his opinion is typically some recycling of what he hears on AM, conservative, talk radio shows. It is obvious. He often trots out "facts", mostly incorrect, none of which he has checked, and most of which he conflates or confuses. Also, he seems to be building up a persona of sorts, an image of himself that is to his liking, that is, he is proud to be a "curmudgeon". A couple of weeks ago he said to me, "Jerome, one day when you're older, you'll come around to this same feeling I have, which is that, I'm just not willing to put up with other people's sh**t anymore, and I'm tired of wasting time on other people, and just want to be left alone." I'm not kidding, he said this to me. Like now he is some kind of self-satisfied misanthrope. I'm not some youngster, mind you, now at 42 years old, and somehow I have no problem rejecting his prognostication, and still feel a great thrill about the prospects for life and love in our lives.

So, time for an intervention!! But how? Would my siblings agree? I mean, in a way, it is tantamount to curtailing his free speech. Basically, I want to say to him, "Dad, cut out this right-wing political bullsh**t or I'm not going to let you see your grandson Teague." I know that is not fair, but the truth is, I don't want him, no matter his age or political affiliation (I think Teague is an Independent for now) to be exposed to cranky right-wing politics. I'd love to have a grandparent babysitting for us, but not if Teague is going to have to sit in front of Bill O'Reilly and a barrage of Fox News clips. I think it is true that everyone must be allowed an opinion, but what if the opinion is full of lies and misguided misunderstanding? Is THAT allowed?

I have VERY strong reasons to support a liberal ticket. I am a backpacker who has hiked thousands of miles in the wilderness, completing the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. I believe in protecting our remaining wilderness from corporate despoiling. In addition to Teague, I have a beautiful child with a lesbian couple who are far better parents than most of the hetero-parents I know. I have a close relation who was raped and had to have an abortion as a result of this, and I want to protect her right to choose. I am a child of privilege and I KNOW THIS! I have been given the gift of privilege, and I believe we need to spread out the wealth of this country and draw back that gap between the super-rich and the ultra-impoverished.

Well, probably there will be no intervention- I'm too weak. Families just continue on as they do, in a rhythm of rage and calm. For now all is quiet.