There are many articles on the Internet about "How to Survive Talking Politics at Thanksgiving Dinner." Because "just don't talk about it" isn't long enough for SEO. So while you enter what could be trench warfare on Thursday, just remember it could be a lot worse. Like this classic Cheers episode of the Thanksgiving food fight.

That's the benchmark for surviving Thanksgiving. If you don't wind up with a face full of mashed potatoes, it was a rather successful dinner.

It's not always possible to have a politics-free family gathering. Further complicating things is what I call the Soy Theorem. Which theorizes if it's something Americans generally enjoy -- like a day celebrating food, football and booze -- there are leftists somewhere trying to ruin it for everybody (see Leftist Administrator Demands Teachers Educate Students on American Atrocities for Thanksgiving and Massachusetts College Library: Thanksgiving is a #NationalDayofMourning).

Now everyone go back to your corners. When the bell rings, come out for Christmas dinner.