# Banana Republic coming soon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 2, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160 "2013-10-02T03:13:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/21 "2013-10-02T10:10:32Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > Well, of course, it’s none of his fault. He was busy healing the sick and raising the dead while the Republicans were subverting the republic, and stealing children’s milk money. I only meant, in the imaginary world, where a President wasn’t partisan and would compromise to keep a government running. Do you have any conception of the political beliefs of the poster you’re replying to? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/22 "2013-10-02T10:18:07Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > For the sake of pedantic snobbery and a dash of solidarity, the opposite of a “strike” is a “lockout”, as applied by running dog jackals of the ruling class. Hmmm, I never thought of the shutdown as a lockout, but I like the analogy. Anyway, I hope there’s not a Banana Republic coming soon. The mall’s already full of stores I never shop at. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/23 "2013-10-02T11:27:11Z")
What we have here…is a failure to communicate. I mean, Jesus people, why do I NEVER get the memos. I voted for the man twice, donated to his campaign both times, been liberal all my life, HOW DO I GET ON THE DAMN MAILING LIST! I mean, last I heard, we were still seizing guns and turning the US over the UN. Now we’re gonna go military dictatorship with a Presidente for Life? And what happened to the whole socialist thing from 2009? Can we please just pick an evil plan and stick with it? I’m tired of having to go to the store to resupply for the latest plans. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/24 "2013-10-02T11:44:20Z")
Some days I think the Republicans would prefer that Obama sent in the troops to slaughter the Congressional opposition, just so their last words could be “See? We told you so!”. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/25 "2013-10-02T11:55:11Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > So, we have a Congress which is shutting down the government, and a President who is stirring up the military against the Congress. Sounds like a few show-trials are coming up, or. maybe a few bodies will appear. > Anyone else thinking similar thoughts? This is silly. The President makes a speech, it’s to members of the armed forces, essentially designed to let them know they’ll still be paid… And you call that ‘stirring up the military’? Do you know anything about how the banana republics worked? Down there, stirring up the military was rabble-rousing speeches designed to provide justification for the overthrow of an elected legislature or the execution of opposition leaders. None of this is even remotely close to possibly being thought of as an idea that might sort of be on the table. I’d give you the benefit of the doubt but you follow that up with ‘a few bodies will appear.’ You seem to be thinking that the President would start ordering someone (who? the military? CIA? someone else?) to start rounding up Republicans and executing them. That is - indeed - third world stuff. But it’s silly to even suggest it here. To even say that you think it might happen is to confirm to all that you’re not thinking clearly. Protip: Seriously, this sort of thing only hurts your side. Dislike the President. Speak out against him. Hell, put up dart boards with he and Pelosi’s pictures on them. That’s all fine. But to posit publicly that the President is planning to use the military to deal a final blow against his opponents just drives away people from your position. It harms your side. For heaven’s sake. Think before you believe. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/26 "2013-10-02T12:28:07Z")
So, are these the latest Fox News talking points? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/27 "2013-10-02T13:43:08Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > What we have here…is a failure to communicate… Nitpick: _What we have here… is failure to communicate._ No “a” before “failure”, although lots of people quote it that way. As for the OP, the Banana Republic near where I live went all women’s clothes a few years ago, shutting us men out. Now, since Hillary is thinking of running for president, maybe the OP is onto something!! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/28 "2013-10-02T13:56:59Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > Now, at this point, I did NOT say that it was a strike-I said similar, meaning, not the same as, but, similar. > > Similarities: > > 1. Powers that be (strike coordinators/Congressmen)… > 2. …Bring halt to work (strike/shutdown)… > 3. …Not due to market influences… > 4. …To compel action which conforms to accepted policy. > > And, a lockout is not “the opposite” of a strike. It is the same thing with different motivators: Nobody is working, and there is no production/earning taking place on a large scale. A lockout is exactly the opposite of a strike. “Same thing with different motivators?” Trust a Republican to say “making love = rape.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/29 "2013-10-02T14:04:50Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I only meant, in the imaginary world, where a President wasn’t partisan and would compromise to keep a government running. Yeah, it sounds like people might actually not be falling for that line of crap this time. Sorry. If a mugger walks up to you with a gun and says “give me all your money,” you’re not a meany-pants partisan if you refuse. And you’re not a nonpartisan leader if you say “Let’s compromise- I’ll give you half my money!” > [@handsomeharry](#): > > Similarities: > > 1. Powers that be (strike coordinators/Congressmen)… Yeah, those are powers working from opposite directions. This is more like a lockout, and I should’ve said so in an earlier post. > [@](#): > > And, a lockout is not “the opposite” of a strike. It is the same thing with different motivators: Nobody is working, and there is no production/earning taking place on a large scale. In the same way that crashing a car is the same as braking because they both stop the car, yes. What I’m getting from your posts is that you think it’s OK to say “these two things are similar if you ignore all the important details.” Even if you’re right, so what? > [@joebuck20](#): > > So, are these the latest Fox News talking points? Screaming points. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/30 "2013-10-02T14:07:55Z")
So in this scenario, what cheap exportable American product replaces the banana? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/31 "2013-10-02T14:43:47Z")
Mormons? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/32 "2013-10-02T14:46:52Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > So in this scenario, what cheap exportable American product replaces the banana? Bullshit, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/33 "2013-10-02T14:53:56Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > This is the only part of your OP that is somewhat close to being correct. It is not all on Obama, in the sense that none of this is on Obama, and none is technically less than all. > > The rest of your OP is serious tin-foil hat fodder. If I ever accuse you of going off the deep end, just link back to this thread and I will immediately apologize. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/34 "2013-10-02T15:00:02Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > The shutdown sort of reminds me of the general strikes that shook up Russia and Germany c. WWI, which exacerbated the troubles over there. How? A government shutdown results from an impasse or deadlock at the funding-stage of the governmental decisionmaking process. A general strike results from a distressed labor environment combined with a left-leaning organized-labor culture. A government shutdown represents a government at a loss as to what to do next. A general strike represents a working class determined to do **something.** The two have nothing in common but that they disrupt peoples’ lives – in different ways. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/35 "2013-10-02T15:22:19Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > How? A government shutdown results from an impasse or deadlock at the funding-stage of the governmental decisionmaking process. A general strike results from a distressed labor environment combined with a left-leaning organized-labor culture. A government shutdown represents a government at a loss as to what to do next. A general strike represents a working class determined to do **something.** The two have nothing in common but that they disrupt peoples’ lives – in different ways. But “ **g** overnment **s** hutdown” and “ **g** eneral **s** trike” both have the initials “GS”. Therefore they’re the same! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/36 "2013-10-02T15:36:45Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > But “ **g** overnment **s** hutdown” and “ **g** eneral **s** trike” both have the initials “GS”. Therefore they’re the same! And the government shutdown had a secretary named Lincoln, and the general strike had a Lincoln that once drove to Kennedy Airport! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/37 "2013-10-02T16:14:50Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > This is the only part of your OP that is somewhat close to being correct. It is not all on Obama, in the sense that none of this is on Obama, and none is technically less than all. > > The rest of your OP is serious tin-foil hat fodder. Ah, you just say that because clearly you’re a Marxist. (sorry - was just at a news site where pretty much anyone who says this is not 100% Obama’s fault is being called a “Marxist”. Seems that’s the buzzword of the day. ) ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/38 "2013-10-02T18:55:46Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Ah, you just say that because clearly you’re a Marxist. > > (sorry - was just at a news site where pretty much anyone who says this is not 100% Obama’s fault is being called a “Marxist”. Seems that’s the buzzword of the day. ) Well, it is no secret that I play right field here at the Dope, but fair is fair. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/39 "2013-10-02T20:19:43Z")
I honestly thought when I saw the title that the OP would be talking about [this](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/opinion/nocera-those-banana-republicans.html?_r=0): > [@](#): > > Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, told reporters that if “we can’t pass this” — meaning a clean C.R. — “we’re only truly entering a banana republican mind-set.” Can you find one liberal anywhere who daydreams this as an idle fantasy and has access to the Internet? [Sure.](http://www.newrepublic.com/article/114945/two-russians-walk-parliamentary-crisis) > [@](#): > > What is a president in a presidential constitutional republic to do when faced with an intransigent, bull-headed faction among his people’s representatives? > > Well, Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s first democratically elected president, was once faced with a similar situation exactly 20 years ago, in October 1993. The parliament, then called the Supreme Soviet, was increasingly against Yeltsin’s neoliberal economic reforms (suggested to him by young Western advisors like Jeffrey Sachs). On one hand, these reforms freed up the old Soviet command economy. On the other, they drove the country into chaos and violence, and left tens of millions impoverished, their savings nullified by skyrocketing inflation. The parliament, dominated by old Soviet conservatives, was increasingly against these reforms and refused to confirm Yeltsin’s key economic advisor. Yeltsin held a national referendum, a sort of national vote of confidence, which he won, and used it as a justification for what he did next. Which was call in the military. The technical answer to your question is therefore, yes, other people are thinking similar thoughts, for a very loose definition of “thinking” and “similar”. Is that idiotic blowhardedness? Yes, it is. Does it rise above the level of wish-fulfillment fantasy equivalent to the Republicans thinking the Democrats will save their asses by defunding Obamacare? Right up there. Is anyone believing it? Not even the [Freepers](http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3073861/posts?page=40). Will it ever happen? Of course not. Should we laugh and point at you for suggesting it? With great pleasure and enthusiasm. Is today Talk Like Donald Rumsfeld day? Every day should be Talk Like Donald Rumsfeld Day. Even as an anti-Obama shit-storm, the OP doesn’t work. I’d say try again, but I can’t imagine where you could go from there outside of the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160/40 "2013-10-02T20:22:00Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > Well, of course, it’s none of his fault. He was busy healing the sick and raising the dead while the Republicans were subverting the republic . . . :rolleyes: Please go no further in that vein, now or in the future. That’s not even straw, it’s just some moldy hay with dung in it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banana-republic-coming-soon/670160.md?page=3)