# Heh heh heh- you HAVE to read this thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 4, 2002, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260 "2002-11-04T21:08:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/21 "2002-11-05T14:28:51Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by RexDart \* > > ## -There is no such thing as “mental illness”, even if some people some of the time do have good results with the nerve-destroying pills that the psychiatric professions pushes. > > This one sounds like it came from L. Ron Hubbard. This is exactly the line the $cientologists have been toting about psychiatry for decades. Makes me want to pour through that thread and see who wrote it, start being more suspicious of that poster…but that wouldn’t be in line with the spirit of that thread, so I’ll be fair and restrain myself. I seem to be jumping to alot of conclusions today. Oh hey, good catch! That one sent my alarm bells ringing but I couldn’t figure out where else I might have heard that one from. If talk about getting “clear” comes up, run… ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/22 "2002-11-05T14:38:46Z")
No voting if you have a foreskin. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/23 "2002-11-05T14:55:31Z")
I confess, I am particularly enjoying the thread. The sheer breadth of opinion is fascinating. I am quite glad I posted to it. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/24 "2002-11-05T15:26:43Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by friedo_ > think this is a terrific idea. I’ve already got some suggestions for test criteria: > > No voting if you’re too black. > > No voting if you’re too Indian. > > No voting if you don’t have a penis. > > If you are black, and still really want to vote, no voting unless you can read a newspaper in Chinese. > > No voting if you can’t afford the poll tax. > > No voting if you don’t own land. > > And, most importantly, no voting if you don’t believe in God Almighty. (My specific version of God Almighty, that is.) holy shit, you can’t possibly think that’s what I mean. :rolleyes: All I said was write a test, pass a test, you can vote. If you think that makes me racist or predjudice, then you are a bigger fucking moron than anyone in that thread. I definately think fuck heads like you shouldn’t be able to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/25 "2002-11-05T15:54:20Z")
I don’t see the problem - if you disagree with a particular opinion, why can’t you open a GD thread and debate it? This board is all about fighting ignorance, and several of you think that thread really flushes out some ingorant opinions - it seems like something you’d welcome. Instead of bitching about the idiots posting their particular brand of ignorant clap trap, why aren’t you openly debating them and helping to educate the poor misguided slobs (as it were)? ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/26 "2002-11-05T16:12:01Z")
I should apologize now or I’ll feel guilty all day. I really shouldn’t have overreacted like I did, you can attack the idea all you want just as long as you understand the motives are innocent. I truely think that making everyone write a test would be a good idea and would allow only the informed voters to cast a vote. Maybe it’s innocent, but I don’t think it would isolate any particular sectors of society. ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/27 "2002-11-05T16:40:58Z")
**mayberrydan** , perhaps you should pull out your old history textbooks and look up Jim Crow laws, poll taxes, and polling tests. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/28 "2002-11-05T16:57:57Z")
I most certainly will, thankyou **stofsky**. Yes, I am being serious. ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/29 "2002-11-05T18:21:53Z")
**dan** , I didn’t notice your location in the Great White North when I replied. From what I know, Canada is a bit more homogeneous than the US, and doesn’t have the history of racism and exclusion that the US has. I apologize for the sarcasm–what would be appropriate as a response to a US citizen is not for a Canadian. _Mea culpa_ for my assumption. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/30 "2002-11-05T19:37:28Z")
**dan** , there is a very brief synopsis of why Americans are suspicious of poll taxes and poll tests at [http://edusolution.com/myclassroom/classnotes/reconstruction/literacytest.htm](http://edusolution.com/myclassroom/classnotes/reconstruction/literacytest.htm) Personally, I wouldn’t object to a test where you had to be able to identify some of the people running for office, or even just to identify what the offices are, but there are slippery slope and disparate impact arguments to be made even for such a basic test. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/31 "2002-11-05T20:26:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mayberrydan \* > This one here was mine, and the reason I don’t think people should have the right to vote, is that I think people should have to earn it with a test of some sort. You mean like the “literacy tests” used by the post-civil-war South to disenfranchise black voters? Yeah, great idea.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/32 "2002-11-05T20:28:16Z")
Oh, crap. Did I ever get beaten to the punch on that one. Sorry for the redundant post. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/33 "2002-11-05T20:35:50Z")
“teachers make to much money” should be turned into a bumper sticker! I _truly_ laughed out loud. [sub]Wonder if the person who wrote it knows why yet?[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/34 "2002-11-05T20:37:21Z")
**ENugent** Thanks, I’ll check this out. I’m always welcome to information that might prove my ideas wrong or at least not a good idea. I’ll check it out, thanks. **stofsky** no worries, I"ll still read up on it just for my own interests - I’m all for education. I will be the first to admit that I’m not up to snuff on my American history. I know the basics but not much beyond that I’m afraid. **blowero** actually, without going into too much detail, it’d be someone’s knowledge of the way government works and on the past and current policies and someone’s understanding of them. It would have absolutely nothing to do with overall intelligence or anything like that if that’s what you mean. Hell, I’m not even saying that I’d pass. **friedo** I still feel bad about snapping before. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and had no business taking it out on anyone else but myself. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/35 "2002-11-05T20:55:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Legomancer \* > \*\*“Oh, don’t be scared, Legomancer! Go ahead and confess your unusual belief! No one will judge it! It’s okay!” > > “Uh, sure, except someone challenged my frickin _Harry Potter_ opinion.” > > “Oh don’t worry about that! This isn’t GD or the Pit! It’s all smiley and happy here!” > > “Uh-huh. You know, I was born at night, but not _last_ night.” \*\* Well, you’re wrong about another thing. Spike was the best thing that ever happened to the show, motherfucker! 😉 😃 (In case anybody is thrown by the smilies, I don’t think Legomancer is a motherfucker, I like him quite a lot, and I don’t care if somebody disagrees with me about Spike.) > [@](#): > > ## sycrorob The 4th Ammendment has been mis-interpreted or is out of date - you do not have the right to own, carry, buy or sell a gun. That privilege will be reserved for law enforcement and military only > > ## quote: > > ## dougie\_monty Guns have nothing to do with the “4th Ammendment.” You’re thinking of the third Amendment. > > _sound of head slowly, softly, quietly thudding against desk_ > > I’ve got a couple of unpopular opinions right now, let me tell ya. This is easily the funniest thing I have read in weeks. Some day, when I’m feeling down, I’ll remmeber this thread, and I’ll be able to laugh again. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/36 "2002-11-05T21:09:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mayberrydan \* > **friedo** > > I still feel bad about snapping before. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and had no business taking it out on anyone else but myself. No problem…I was merely trying to point out that throughout history we can see that systems used to determine who can and cannot vote based on arbitrary criteria are almost always designed (intentionally or inadvertantly) to oppress or disenfranchise a particular group. Even a simple test based on how the government runs can disenfranchise those who simply lack good education, or those who don’t do well on tests. Often, these ideas are proposed with good intentions, but people with good intentions in power invariably fuck stuff up. It always comes down to some guy who doesn’t know what he’s doing deciding where a line gets drawn. It is for this same reason why I am an absolutist when it comes to freedom of speech, the press, religion, and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/37 "2002-11-05T21:37:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mayberrydan \* > **blowero** > actually, without going into too much detail, it’d be someone’s knowledge of the way government works and on the past and current policies and someone’s understanding of them. It would have absolutely nothing to do with overall intelligence or anything like that if that’s what you mean. Hell, I’m not even saying that I’d pass. But who decides if the test is fair - you? It’s not like the people who passed the Jim Crow laws came out and publicly said “We don’t want black people to vote”. The fact is, an unbiased test such as you are proposing is unworkable. There is a very good reason why all such tests have been disallowed - because it is the only workable solution. And just for the sake of argument, let’s say that somehow, an unbiased test of “how government works” _could_ be developed. Is that really fair? Let me make up an example: Let’s say Joe Farmworker wants to vote. Joe is an intelligent man, but not big on book-learning. He doesn’t know a lot about politics, but he does know that Senator Big-Bucks is up for re-election, and that the Senator has been trying to bulldoze all the farms and build mini-malls. If Joe feels strongly on this issue, but maybe doesn’t know a lot of fancy stuff about political theory, should he be barred from voting? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/38 "2002-11-05T22:29:59Z")
Senator Big-Bucks is pretty stupid. There’s no need to bull-doze the farms, they’re already pretty flat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/39 "2002-11-06T00:37:59Z")
Stunning, absolutely stunning. There’s a poster in there who in another thread made an ass out of himself with his anti-war statements (not that pacifism is a bad thing, however, saying that folks were bloodthirsty maniacs eager to kill babies for stating that it might be necessary to use force to dislodge Saddam is a bit much), and then in this particular train-wreck says we need _ **more** _ violence in the media! Holy Contradictions, Batman! That’s just crazy. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260/40 "2002-11-06T01:27:53Z")
**friedo** and **blowero** - that’s certainly a valid point (both of you). I guess my whole reasoning behind this is that I know, personally, of a number of people who put no thought into their votes whatsoever and that makes me angry because their balot, with no thought whatsoever, has just as much weight as mine and I even go to all of the debates. I suppose it would be satisfying for me that it be requested by the government that these people (and I know there are more than just a few of my acquaintences) don’t vote. It’s becoming clear to me that my (and I’m sure others’) idea of a standardized test of some sort has some major flaws but the major upside would be that the majority of only the most informed voters would rule and that would be the easiest way to eliminate the folk who really don’t care. I guess I just didn’t think that it would also eliminate certain people that do legitimately care about the election process. Back to brainstorming, I won’t give up though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heh-heh-heh-you-have-to-read-this-thread/135260.md?page=3)