as a black, female democrat married to a white, male republican (hello stereotyping!) i can't begin to tell you the barbs that go across the room from us sometimes. we've learned how to joke about it, b/c as good citizens we realize the good and bad spots of our party and are willing to admit and exploit them for our own benefit. we've also learned the fine art of discussing politcs among ppl we don't know well (we just moved to ft bragg. oh i didn't mention we were army? yeah stereotypes!), without turning it into an "us vs them" thing. which is VERY important. NO ONE wants to come off as "that guy:" the guy who carries his party's platform like a badge of honor, but acts like a martyr. the teenage writer would do well to listen to what her family is REALLY saying. behind those barbs is a bonafided argument. you just gotta know how to listen for it. and prudie was right, she would do good to join her hs debate team. it'll help her hone her argument skills and teach her a thing or two about how the other side comes to their conclusion in an effective, coherent way.