# NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140 "2020-06-22T07:01:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 183
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3650 "2021-02-26T22:19:03Z")
Autocorrect failed me! I have been betrayed by Google Keyboard! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3651 "2021-02-26T23:14:07Z")
Not going to scroll up to see if this is already here. Sorry, but I’m furious right now. My idiotic governor is proposing that we rescind the Arkansas mask mandate at the end of March. Note, this is before 1-C, which is scheduled to start in April, which means no one under 65 of the general public will have the vaccine I know, you may say, why does it matter? Didn’t you say the mask mandate was toothless? Yes, it was. But (1) it’s being talked about by schools, suggesting they’re going to stop requiring masks, which is a mandate that did have teeth and (2) reasonable people will assume that, if the governor says the mask mandate isn’t necessary, it must be safe to not wear a mask. This is utter insanity. We are so close now. And the mask thing is the one thing the CDC said would have to stay, even as other restrictions were relaxed. There is no reason to risk fucking this all up just because some people are so selfish they can’t stand wearing a piece of cloth for a few more months. I’d get it maybe after 1-C, as then you’d have all the people with preexisting conditions covered, so the people left would be the ones least likely to die. It would still be too early for me, but it’s reasonable. But this? Hell no. And he has no reason to do this. He can’t run again (as he is term limited out) so there’s no reason to bow to any political pressure. And people are willing to assume he knows what’s best, so no one would attack him or his party anyways. I am just utterly furious right now, that when things were looking up, these demonic assholes have to try and see how many more people they can kill. They can’t look at the lower numbers and think “wow, we’re doing so much good, we need to just keep on.” No, they have to try and find some way to make them get bigger again. [https://katv.com/news/local/gov-hutchinson-to-speak-on-the-coronavirus-in-arkansas](https://katv.com/news/local/gov-hutchinson-to-speak-on-the-coronavirus-in-arkansas) You don’t take away the soldier’s helmets because the bullets have decreased a bit. You wait until they have their full armor on, with included head protection. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3652 "2021-02-26T23:15:57Z")
But muh freedumb!!! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3653 "2021-02-26T23:16:31Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > For one thing, it’s spelled “epaulette”. “Epaulet” is a perfectly cromulent alternative spelling. And while I would never be surprised at any extent of neo-Nazi dogwhistling among CPAQ conservatives, I agree that that modular stage layout looks like merely an attempt to conform to COVID social-distancing protocols. Goodness knows the CPAC venue hosts [need all the help they can get in persuading conservative attendees to follow sensible COVID protocols](https://www.newsweek.com/cpac-officials-rebuffed-shouts-freedom-attendees-after-reminding-them-wear-masks-1572441). ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3654 "2021-02-26T23:18:55Z")
Maybe a Freudian Slip ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3655 "2021-02-26T23:27:54Z")
More like a Freudian glyph. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3656 "2021-02-26T23:33:33Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > [MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mcconnell-says-he-d-back-trump-as-2024-gop-nominee/ar-BB1e1uDO?rt=1&ocid=Win10NewsApp&referrerID=InAppShare) > > Is Mitch just trolling us? Or did he say this because he figures he will be dead by then (or Donnie will) so it will be moot? > [@Zakalwe](#): > > I think The Turtle is just saying what he needs to in order to get through the day. … ^ This. McConnell wants one thing: to be Majority Leader again. And he can’t become Majority Leader if in the time between elections his fellow-Senators _vote him out as Minority Leader_. He has to say ‘sure, I’ll support Trump’ as long as Trump remains high in polls of Republicans. When Trump tanks, Mitch will stop saying he’ll support him. As for those saying the CPAC stage design is only accidentally similar to the Odal Rune—the Nazi symbol explicitly embraced by American Nazi groups—I don’t buy it. I can see having runways to avoid people bunching up, but why the open hole at the back of the stage? What purpose does that serve? I’ll tell you what purpose it serves: it, as well as the other holes on the left and right, make the stage an _exact_ replica of the Odal Rune. This is no coincidence. **This is a declaration.** ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3657 "2021-02-26T23:42:00Z")
The giveaway to me is the red triangle that is painted in toward the back of the stage. Had they left it the same color as the walkways, no one could credibly claim they were trying for a replica of the Odal Rune. Or they might have painted it into a different design other than the triangle. No question in my mind that it’s another GOP fog horn. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3658 "2021-02-26T23:47:40Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > The giveaway to me is the red triangle that is painted in toward the back of the stage. Had they left it the same color as the walkways, no one could credibly claim they were trying for a replica of the Odal Rune. Or they might have painted it into a different design other than the triangle. I wouldn’t swear to my impression, but AFAICT, that “red triangle” is not part of the stage platforms. It’s just the red edge of that weird-ass carpet showing between the two walkways. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3659 "2021-02-26T23:50:44Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > The giveaway to me is the red triangle that is painted in toward the back of the stage. I was interpreting the photos as if that was a hole. But, yes. There’s no possible reason to make that a different color, _except_ to duplicate the Odal Rune. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3660 "2021-02-27T00:16:00Z")
You guys, like Texas, wouldn’t kill yourselves to elect non Republicans once in a while. Keep electing Republicans, keep getting bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3661 "2021-02-27T00:23:58Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > My idiotic governor is proposing that we rescind the Arkansas mask mandate at the end of March. Note, this is before 1-C, which is scheduled to start in April, which means no one under 65 of the general public will have the vaccine > > … > > This is utter insanity. We are so close now. And the mask thing is the one thing the CDC said would have to stay, even as other restrictions were relaxed. There is no reason to risk fucking this all up just because some people are so selfish they can’t stand wearing a piece of cloth for a few more months. > … Texas idiot Governor Greg Abbott is proposing the same thing. Now is NOT the time to relax restrictions. > **[Gov. Greg Abbott weighing end to mask order, other statewide coronavirus...](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/25/greg-abbott-mask-order-end/)** > > Abbott has kept Texas under a mask mandate since July. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3662 "2021-02-27T00:39:41Z")
Well, if you don’t sabotage government initiatives that are actually working to solve problems and make life better for people, then you run the risk of people thinking that expecting government to solve problems and make life better for people is a reasonable requirement. Can’t have that. Not if you’re a modern Republican politician, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3663 "2021-02-27T00:41:30Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > You guys, like Texas, wouldn’t kill yourselves to elect non Republicans once in a while. Keep electing Republicans, keep getting bullshit. The thing is, we have. The guy before the current guy was a Democrat. The guy before that was a Republican (Huckabee), but then we had two Democrats before that, one of whom being former president Clinton. Sure, we’re a red state in Congress and in voting for President, but we tend to be okay with Democratic governors. It’s why I’m not too depressed that Sarah Sanders is running. (And, before anyone gets mad, Sanders has dropped her maiden name in all her official stuff now.) ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3664 "2021-02-27T00:44:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > (And, before anyone gets mad, Sanders has dropped her maiden name in all her official stuff now.) Yeah, now she’s trying to harvest some Bernie voters with name confusion. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3665 "2021-02-27T00:48:49Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Well, if you don’t sabotage government initiatives that are actually working to solve problems and make life better for people, then you run the risk of people thinking that expecting government to solve problems and make life better for people is a reasonable requirement. Especially if conditions improve while a Democratic President is in office. 😬 ---
**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:** [February 27, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3666 "2021-02-27T01:28:28Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Autocorrect failed me! I have been betrayed by Google Keyboard! Never trust da Google! [![](https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Pearls-Before-Swine1-Pastis.jpg) ](https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Pearls-Before-Swine1-Pastis.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3667 "2021-02-27T02:03:26Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > I was interpreting the photos as if that was a hole. But, yes. There’s no possible reason to make that a different color, _except_ to duplicate the Odal Rune. After I wrote that, it occurred to me we were referring to the same thing. 🙂 Then I got distracted with a phone call. Anyway, yeah. It’s too deliberate to be anything else, in my opinion. Makes me sick. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3668 "2021-02-27T02:23:58Z")
He won more COUNTIES! ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/3669 "2021-02-27T02:33:59Z")
Hoping the GOP and supporters are discouraged gutted at seeing more blue than red in the CPAC stage area. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=182) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=184)