# 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:** 252
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5038 "2021-05-13T15:32:11Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I still think intent matters, and I don’t see much here except a clumsy attempt at humor. Pretty sure the intent was to patronize her. That he did it because he thought it was funny is not a mitigation. Lindsey Graham also snuck a “got some ‘splainin’ to do” into his remarks to Sonia Sotomayor during her SCOTUS confirmation hearings, and I bet he thought that was pretty funny too. Doesn’t make it acceptable, even if she let it slide without comment. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5039 "2021-05-13T15:40:36Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I don’t measure things by the standard of what FOX News does or does not do. I don’t either, and I certainly wasn’t asking anybody to do so. I was merely pointing out that, if the shoe was on the other foot, the reaction from the right would have been loud and furious, even if it was only a clumsy attempt at humor. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5040 "2021-05-13T17:43:00Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > But if you watch the [video](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/553289-inhofe-tells-epa-nominee-hell-talk-to-her-daddy-if-she-does-not-behave), it also seems to come across much more as “clueless grandpa” than any deliberate attempt to demean or humiliate or offend We shouldn’t have clueless grandpas in high public office and chairing committees and blurting out every stupid thought in their heads. That is a lame, fucking, cop-out excuse. And tiresome, too. The whole point is that it’s NOT consciously intentional-- it’s just part of the everyday fabric of discourse. Like back when Black men were called “boy” – it wasn’t intentionally demeaning each and every time. It was just the way people talked. In this type of microaggression, it’s hard to come up with a counterexample, because the shoe doesn’t fit readily on the other foot. If someone made a remark to a guy about “checking with his Mama,” it wouldn’t have the same effect. The only comparable exchange I can think of would be if it were common to make “joking” remarks about a man’s penis size during a Congressional hearing. _“Hey, Senator, that bill was only five pages long – a bit too short, ya know? Size does matter. At least that’s what your wife told me last night!”_ Har-har-har! 🤣 _“Hey! Don’t overreact! Can’t you take a joke?”_ Men would not tolerate their potency and masculinity being routinely joked about in a disparaging way in the same way that women’s authority is _routinely_ joked about and disparaged. Black people are getting pretty goddammed tired of it, too. Okay… getting ready for objections that the analogy doesn’t fit. That I’m comparing apples (balls) to oranges (cleavage). That **I’m** overreacting. Sigh. Incoming in…3…2…1… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5041 "2021-05-13T18:39:27Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > If someone made a remark to a guy about “checking with his Mama,” it wouldn’t have the same effect. Why wouldn’t it? You may not be attuned to notice certain microaggressions, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening, or don’t have an effect when they do. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5042 "2021-05-13T18:48:39Z")
^ 🙄 get a grip, dude ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5043 "2021-05-13T19:00:32Z")
Marjorie Wharrgarbl [wharrgarbls loudly at Rep. Ocasio-Cortez](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/553286-ocasio-cortez-expresses-security-concerns-after-greene-asks-why-she-supports) in the halls of the Capitol, asking her why she supports BLM and antifa terrorists. The latter continues to walk away from the noises. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5044 "2021-05-13T19:30:31Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > We shouldn’t have clueless grandpas in high public office and chairing committees and blurting out every stupid thought in their heads. I agree, but if that were the case, then we also wouldn’t have Joe foot-in-mouth Biden as our goddamn President. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Okay… getting ready for objections that the analogy doesn’t fit. That I’m comparing apples (balls) to oranges (cleavage). That **I’m** overreacting. Sigh. Incoming in…3…2…1… Fuck off with your self-pity party. You have a right to your opinions, but either own them, or don’t, and quit it with the “Woe is me, I’m going to get criticized” bullshit. Remember that my main point, initially, was in response to this: > [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Senator James Inhofe I guess got tired of a black EPA nominee answering his questions, so he told her that if she didn’t behave he was going to “talk to her daddy”. Whatever you think of what Inhofe said–and I’ve already said that I think it was inappropriate–@Rick_Kitchen’s characterization of the exchange is misguided at best, and disingenuous or dishonest at worst. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5045 "2021-05-13T19:31:41Z")
Except that the “clueless grandpa” is question is not a “clueless grandpa’, he’s a seasoned politician with a reputation for using performative antics to demean liberals and liberal ideas. If he had threatened to spank her if she didn’t behave, would you still excuse him as a “clueless grandpa”? ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5046 "2021-05-13T20:03:56Z")
Engaging with that person is a complete waste of time. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5047 "2021-05-13T20:09:58Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Why wouldn’t it? You may not be attuned to notice certain microaggressions, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening, or don’t have an effect when they do. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be insulting, but it wouldn’t be insulting in the same way as telling a woman you have to check with her Daddy. Implying that a woman needs her Daddy’s permission to do something is saying she’s weak and has no authority in This Man’s World. Telling a guy he has to get his Mama’s permission is telling him he’s NOT a man, he’s weak, a wimp, a pussy, a Mama’s Boy. Both insulting in different ways. That’s why the shoe fits differently on a male foot from the way it fits on a female foot. Did you understand now, or do I need to get your Mama to explain it to you? ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5048 "2021-05-13T20:11:37Z")
Holy hell, when you speak diminutives to an adult, especially those associated with childhood, it’s a generalized insult. I didn’t even think this needed explaining. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5049 "2021-05-13T20:25:24Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Whatever you think of what Inhofe said–and I’ve already said that I think it was inappropriate–@Rick_Kitchen’s characterization of the exchange is misguided at best, and disingenuous or dishonest at worst Noted. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5050 "2021-05-13T20:25:46Z")
Apparently it does. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5051 "2021-05-13T20:30:32Z")
Me, responding to a question from a member of the Board of Directors: “Would you like to talk to your Daddy?” … just gonna sit back and bask in the glory of my future career prospects after that. ---
**Author:** ![slumtrimpet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@slumtrimpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slumtrimpet)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5052 "2021-05-13T20:33:06Z")
[JohnT] > Holy hell, when you speak diminutives to an adult, especially those associated with childhood, it’s a generalized insult. I didn’t even think this needed explaining. Seriously! Since when is it professional to tell someone who’s in a hearing for a position in government to “behave” wtf? Incredibly patronizing. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5053 "2021-05-13T21:10:19Z")
I see you’ve missed the nuance, too. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5054 "2021-05-13T21:38:52Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Did you understand now, or do I need to get your Mama to explain it to you? That’s uncalled for; I didn’t insult you. You owe me an apology. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5055 "2021-05-13T21:56:29Z")
Not called for? Hell, the situation virtually demanded it. Sauce for the goose, eh? I’ll apologize tomorrow. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2021, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5056 "2021-05-14T00:51:22Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Pretty sure the intent was to patronize her. That he did it because he thought it was funny is not a mitigation. Yes, this is correct on all counts. \ > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > We shouldn’t have clueless grandpas in high public office and chairing committees and blurting out every stupid thought in their heads. That is a lame, fucking, cop-out excuse. And tiresome, too. > > The whole point is that it’s NOT consciously intentional-- it’s just part of the everyday fabric of discourse. … And this, too. “It was just a joke” is a sentence that is _never_ spoken in good faith, I strongly suspect. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/5057 "2021-05-14T00:56:18Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > “It was just a joke” is a sentence that is _never_ spoken in good faith, I strongly suspect. yeah, most likely the second letter in that statement is superfluous [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=251) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=253)