# 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:** 342
**Author:** ![ahduval](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahduval/32/11513_2.png) [@ahduval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ahduval)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6850 "2021-08-19T13:03:46Z")
I nominate Senate candidate from Ohio, Josh Mandel.[cite](https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/josh-mandel-falsely-claims-us-postal-service-is-unconstitutional-vows-to-eliminate-it/) Besides being on the side of such winners as Jim Jordan and Rand Paul, his latest position is the US Post Office is unconstitutional. This despite Article 1, Section 8 that gives Congress the ability to set up post offices. I only despair with the electorate in Ohio that this is our next Senator and he will make the Representatives from Colorado, Lauren Boebert, and Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene look like geniuses. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6851 "2021-08-19T14:44:14Z")
> [@ahduval](#): > > Besides being on the side of such winners as Jim Jordan and Rand Paul, his latest position is the US Post Office is unconstitutional. This despite Article 1, Section 8 that gives Congress the ability to set up post offices. Well, his he-e-ro, Donny Two-scoops once declared that the 14th amendment was unconstitutional so he’s just following in the Great Man’s (just ask him) footsteps. “Unconstitutional” is the new “unlawful” – just apply it to anything you don’t like. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6852 "2021-08-19T15:10:05Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Well, his he-e-ro, Donny Two-scoops once declared that the 14th amendment was unconstitutional so he’s just following in the Great Man’s (just ask him) footsteps. CAN an amendment be unconstitutional? I mean, it’s literally IN the constitution. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6853 "2021-08-19T15:15:15Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > CAN an amendment be unconstitutional? I mean, it’s literally IN the constitution. I suppose technically if an amendment was repealed by a subsequent amendment, it would still be “in the constitution” but not constitutional to enforce. E.g. the 18th amendment is still part of the formal text of the constitution even though the 21st amendment repeals it. ---
**Author:** ![ahduval](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahduval/32/11513_2.png) [@ahduval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ahduval)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6854 "2021-08-19T15:18:28Z")
That’s what you have to love about Josh Mandel, going one step above his hero and saying the constitution is unconstitutional. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6855 "2021-08-19T15:22:21Z")
It’s pretty much the definition of “constitutional.” An amendment or article can be changed or repealed but not by any court, not even SCOTUS. Either the proposed change is passed by 2/3 of Congress and ratified by 3/4 of the states, which has happened successfully 27 times _or_ 2/3 of the states call for a constitutional convention. This has never happened but several times in the past when a number of states got restive, Congress preemptively propose whatever it was the states were upset at. [Cite](https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-amend-the-constitution-3368310). ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6856 "2021-08-19T15:34:43Z")
Hannity also used the crisis to peddle cell phones. > **[Sean Hannity compares the fall of Afghanistan to the “stampede away from high...](https://www.mediamatters.org/sean-hannity/sean-hannity-compares-fall-afghanistan-stampede-away-high-prices-while-promoting-his)** ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6857 "2021-08-19T15:52:09Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > CAN an amendment be unconstitutional? Many years ago, I was at a Minnesota caucus where we voting on whether to support some amendment (I don’t remember on what or even if it was a state or federal one). At any rate, one of the local worthies said we couldn’t pass the amendment because it was unconstitutional. People tried to explain to him that that was part of the point (making something constitutional by changing the constitution), but I don’t think he ever fully grasped the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6858 "2021-08-19T17:58:01Z")
Still eveloping story, but some guy in a pickup truck is claiming to have a bomb outside the library of Congress. > **[Bomb Threat Suspect Arrested After Standoff Near US Capitol](https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/library-of-congress-bomb-threat-capitol-suspect-surrenders-floyd-ray-roseberry/2777425/)** > > A man drove a pickup truck onto a sidewalk outside the Library of Congress Thursday morning and claimed he had explosives, leading law enforcement to evacuate government buildings and nearby homes as they negotiated with the suspect. Floyd Ray... Pay walled Washington post and NY times stories say he posted a video calling himself a patriot and demanding to speak to Biden. Dollars to doughnuts says this guy expected Trump to be installed as president last Friday, and decided to take things into his own hands when he wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6859 "2021-08-19T20:07:55Z")
A few possible ways a constitutional amendment could be “unconstitutional”: 1. An amendment to a state constitution which clearly violates some element of the federal constitution (the Supremacy Clause of the latter says it trumps the former). 2. An amendment which violates the amendment rules of the constitution (e.g. the federal constitution specificallly precludes any amendment that would deny a state equal Senate representation). ---
**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:** [August 19, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6860 "2021-08-19T21:12:18Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > A few possible ways a constitutional amendment could be “unconstitutional”: > > 1. An amendment to a state constitution which clearly violates some element of the federal constitution (the Supremacy Clause of the latter says it trumps the former). This one certainly makes sense (like if a state tried to amend its constitution to say that marriage is between a man and a woman to get around gay marriage legalization) > [@](#): > > 1. An amendment which violates the amendment rules of the constitution (e.g. the federal constitution specificallly precludes any amendment that would deny a state equal Senate representation). Couldn’t they just amend that bit too? ---
**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:** [August 19, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6861 "2021-08-19T21:29:05Z")
Here’s an article with some more info, with excerpts from his now deleted Facebook page and a link to videos from his livestream. I listened to a little bit, and it’s mostly sad and pathetic. He’s totally crazy, but it’s not a wild or ranting or hate-filled crazy. He seems genuinely distraught and it’s obvious he believes all the lies he’s been fed. He addresses Joe Biden, asking him to shoot him or “send someone out to talk to him” - about what?….it’s not clear. But if Biden chooses to shoot him it will be sad because he doesn’t want to die. Also it will take out 2 city blocks because the bomb works on “decimals” ( I assume he meant decibels and that the sound would detonate the bomb. He claims if he is shot, the bomb will go off once there are enough “decimals” along with “four more, you don’t know where they are”, it sounded like he was also claiming four accomplices. But he loves everyone and doesn’t want to die. But Joe can shoot him and start the revolution if he wants. Repeated over and over and over. > **[Floyd Ray Roseberry: Facebook Live Video From Truck Near U.S. Capitol](https://heavy.com/news/ray-roseberry/)** > > Ray Roseberry was identified as the man in a truck during an active bomb threat investigation near the Library of Congress through Facebook Live videos he streamed from the vehicle. ETA: it’s possible these copies of the videos may be deleted at some point. I found a couple of other articles with the same reference to linked videos but the videos weren’t there. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6862 "2021-08-19T22:15:26Z")
A better article with many more details has surfaced. One thing he was mad about was pennies - because they don’t make ‘em like they used too - damn zinc. Dude probably used to have some fantasy of profiting by selling pennies for the value of the copper. > **[Suspect in Capitol bomb threat echoed 'Big Lie,' demanded free health insurance](https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/suspect-in-capitol-bomb-threat-echoed-big-lie-demanded-free-health-insurance-floyd-ray-roseberry-grover-north-carolina-donald-trump/65-588eb04d-b12e-4191-84b7-a5718f6cce90)** > > In hours of livestreamed videos, Floyd Ray Roseberry demanded Democrats step down and complained about illegal immigrants getting health insurance. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6863 "2021-08-19T22:35:24Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > He’s totally crazy, but it’s not a wild or ranting or hate-filled crazy. He seems genuinely distraught and it’s obvious he believes all the lies he’s been fed. He’s part of a revolution that is occurring entirely in his head. And his lying right wing news sources clearly are not telling him who is pushing health care reform in this country. Mental health care, too. (eta: he has a watermelon in his truck. 15:55 in the first video at the Heavy link above) ---
**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:** [August 19, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6864 "2021-08-19T22:51:41Z")
I wonder how decimals would affect his watermelon. Maybe the Mythbusters can give that one a try. But bomb scare dude, get some help. You seem like a misled, stupid, but dangerously good hearted person. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2021, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6865 "2021-08-20T15:47:17Z")
It’s a well-known fact that decimals and watermelons are mortal enemies, much like guinea pigs and hermit crabs. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6866 "2021-08-20T16:59:50Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > > [@Steve\_MB](#): > > > > A few possible ways a constitutional amendment could be “unconstitutional”: > > > > 1. An amendment to a state constitution which clearly violates some element of the federal constitution (the Supremacy Clause of the latter says it trumps the former). > > This one certainly makes sense (like if a state tried to amend its constitution to say that marriage is between a man and a woman to get around gay marriage legalization) As an example, Missouri has been [making waves](https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article347996/Missouri-Senate-passes-gun-nullification-bill.html) about passing a law that “would declare “null and void” any past, present or future federal law deemed to be an infringement on gun rights for law-abiding citizens.” Now, as a practical matter, I don’t think this law would pass congressional muster. The Supremacy Clause seems like it would override any attempt to pass and enforce this law. I suspect that the point is to cause a situation where the Supreme Court would have to rule on it so that all gun control measures would be declared unconstitutional. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6867 "2021-08-20T17:03:46Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > > [@mikecurtis](#): > > > > this is the best shot we’ve got right now to keep people out of the hospital and keep them safe.” > > (Emphasis added.) Interesting circumlocution to avoid saying the V word, or god forbid the M word Prolly an oversight, allowing the word “shot” in there. Man needs a proofreader. Dan ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6868 "2021-08-20T17:31:38Z")
> **[Nikki Haley Took Issue With Biden’s Taliban Negotiation, Twitter Reminded Her...](https://www.theroot.com/nikki-haley-took-issue-with-biden-s-taliban-negotiation-1847519724)** > > Donald Trump's former ambassador to the United Nation has lost her damn mind. Haley, Pompeo, Pence, DumpsterFire conveniently forgetting their negotiations with the Taliban. Making their own reality for the consumption of morons. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140/6869 "2021-08-20T18:33:29Z")
MTG calls Biden a piece of shit. > **[Marjorie Taylor Greene Tells Biden in Video, ‘You’re Not a President, You’re...](https://www.mediaite.com/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-tells-biden-in-video-youre-not-a-president-youre-a-piece-of-sht/)** > > The congresswoman from Georgia recorded the video at a gym and posted it on Gettr. Mo Brooks praises the guy who made the bomb threats in Washington yesterday. “Although this terrorist’s motivation is not yet publicly known, and generally speaking, I understand citizenry anger directed at dictatorial Socialism and its threat to liberty, freedom and the very fabric of American society,” Brooks tweeted. “The way to stop Socialism’s march is for patriotic Americans to fight back in the 2022 and 2024 election.” > **[GOP Rep. Mo Brooks slammed by fellow lawmakers for statement about D.C. bomb...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/gop-rep-mo-brooks-slammed-fellow-lawmakers-statement-d-c-n1277212)** > > “Tell us you stand with the terrorist without telling us you stand with the terrorist,” a Democratic colleague responded. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=341) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-1/911140.md?page=343)