# NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 7, 2022, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018 "2022-02-07T00:52:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 395
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7887 "2023-02-15T21:08:09Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > That’s how police states operate, they investigate people and groups instead of crimes. And if you look hard enough, everyone is guilty of something. If you can’t find it, you’re not looking hard enough. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7888 "2023-02-15T23:02:06Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > you just keep believing whatever you want, you’re clearly not reading what I’ve actually written. I clearly have. And you have clearly stated that it is acceptable for the FBI to investigate a group based on its political leanings, not based on any crimes it has committed. It’s really not a matter of belief, your words are right there. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > A) Because they are anti Law Enforcement and I want to know what they’re doing > [@Horatius](#): > > A is a bit trickier, but it doesn’t seem inherently problematic. We know the FBI has placed informers with right-wing “anti government” groups, and I suspect most people here would have no problem with that. being “anti-cop” just seems like a more narrowly focused version of “anti-government”. FTR, I also don’t want the FBI placing informant in right wing anti-government groups unless they have reasonable suspicion that they have committed or are planning to commit crimes. > [@eschereal](#): > > The very idea of infiltrating BLM is absurd on the face of it. The very fact that it is as decentralized as it is makes it easier to infiltrate. It also makes it easier to instigate violence and blame it on them. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > If you can’t find it, you’re not looking hard enough. And if you still can’t find anything, there’s always fabrication and entrapment to fall back on. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7889 "2023-02-15T23:40:43Z")
It’s an interesting question: is the FBI a law enforcement organization like a police department, responsible for solving and punishing crimes - or is it a national security organization like the CIA, responsible for preventing harm to the country and its interests? Or is it somehow both? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7890 "2023-02-15T23:47:34Z")
If i might hijack this thread about undercover FBI operations with a stupid Republican idea of the day, Loser Donald wants to put on televised mass firing squad executions of drug dealers if reelected. > **[Trump Plans to Bring Back Firing Squads, Group Executions if He Retakes White...](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-death-penalty-firing-squad-executions-1234679447/)** > > The former president wants to expand the use of the death penalty, and expand the federal government’s options for carrying out death sentences ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7891 "2023-02-15T23:51:06Z")
If we could start with the leader of the most recent insurrection attempt, I’d go for a one and done. See what he is doing to me. :shakes little fist at god: ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7892 "2023-02-15T23:58:15Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > you’re just as blind as the people who think BLM is burning down every city in America. You made the “every city they visit something bad happens” analogy. If you want to pretend that you’re staking out some middle ground, you could put a little more effort into masking what you really think. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7893 "2023-02-15T23:58:42Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I picture the feebs infiltrating a “cell” of Muslim extrmists, and this cell consists of two actual potential terrorists, and three agents, and the Feebs supply the weapons, the explosives, pick the targets, and drive the other two there. Then they arrest them, “Aren’t we the most SPECIAL of Agents!” What - [like this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Bronx_terrorism_plot)? > [@](#): > > All four men pleaded not guilty. In March 2010, defense lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case on grounds of entrapment. Relying on materials provided by the government (including recordings and FBI agents’ affidavits), the defense argued that the plot was proposed and closely directed by the FBI’s informant, who “suggested the targets, paid for the defendants’ groceries, bought a gun, provided the fake bombs and missile, assembled the explosive devices and acted as chauffeur”. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7894 "2023-02-16T00:04:20Z")
Racist GOP bastards in Tennessee want to rename a section of John Lewis Way in Nashville after Pussy Ass Bitch. [https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/nashville-councilwoman-faces-down-gop-lawmakers-who-want-to-rename-john-lewis-way-after-trump](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/nashville-councilwoman-faces-down-gop-lawmakers-who-want-to-rename-john-lewis-way-after-trump) ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7895 "2023-02-16T01:41:29Z")
Deleeted ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7896 "2023-02-16T01:49:14Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I clearly have. And you have clearly stated that it is acceptable for the FBI to investigate a group based on its political leanings, not based on any crimes it has committed. > > It’s really not a matter of belief, your words are right there. > > > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > > > A) Because they are anti Law Enforcement and I want to know what they’re doing > > > [@Horatius](#): > > > > A is a bit trickier, but it doesn’t seem inherently problematic. We know the FBI has placed informers with right-wing “anti government” groups, and I suspect most people here would have no problem with that. being “anti-cop” just seems like a more narrowly focused version of “anti-government”. > > FTR, I also don’t want the FBI placing informant in right wing anti-government groups unless they have reasonable suspicion that they have committed or are planning to commit crimes. You can only interpret that as “it is acceptable for the FBI to investigate a group based on its political leanings” if you ignore the entire context of all my other posts, which is that they do have reasonable suspicion of just that. Hell, half your damn country believes that, do you really think law enforcement is going to be likely to just dismiss it out of hand? Focus on the real problem here, which is that it wasn’t just an informant. This guy went out of his way to try to create crimes. There’s so much more here to legitimately complain about. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7897 "2023-02-16T01:51:01Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > You made the “every city they visit something bad happens” analogy. If you want to pretend that you’re staking out some middle ground, you could put a little more effort into masking what you really think. 🙄 God, it’s like talking to conspiracy theorists in here today. Learn to analogy. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2023, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7898 "2023-02-16T01:57:00Z")
Ann Coulter tells Nikki Haley to “go back to your own country”. > **['Go Back to Your Own Country': Ann Coulter Trashes South Carolina-Born Nikki...](https://www.mediaite.com/politics/go-back-to-your-own-country-ann-coulter-trashes-south-carolina-born-nikki-haley/)** > > Ann Coulter said Nikki Haley should "go back to your own country" after the former South Carolina governor announced her presidential candidacy on Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7899 "2023-02-16T02:29:32Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > is the FBI a law enforcement organization like a police department, responsible for solving and punishing crimes - or is it a national security organization like the CIA, responsible for preventing harm to the country and its interests? Or is it somehow both? It’s both. The CIA is purely a security organization, but the FBI is both law enforcement and security. So the FBI investigates domestic Federal crimes like racketeering, but also are responsible for things like counterintelligence. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7900 "2023-02-16T02:36:13Z")
The Montana House has passed the bill legalizing bullying trans kids, with one legislator arguing that children have no obligation to be kind to each other. > **[Montana House Passes Right To Bully Trans Kids](https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/montana-house-passes-right-to-bully)** > > Montana HB361 just passed the Montana House. It protects teachers and students rights to "use a trans person's biological sex pronouns and legal name." Critics call it a right to bully. > ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7901 "2023-02-16T02:59:39Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > You can only interpret that as “it is acceptable for the FBI to investigate a group based on its political leanings” if you ignore the entire context of all my other posts, which is that they do have reasonable suspicion of just that. I am going off the context of what is quoted right there in your post. You said it was not problematic to place informers in a group because it is anti Law Enforcement. Not because they were suspected of committing or planning crimes, but only because of their political views. That was the entirety of the context in that exchange. Now, you could have walked that back, and said that they would have to be suspected of committing or planning crimes as well, but you didn’t. Instead you tried changing the subject by feeding into fearmongering about BLM. > [@Horatius](#): > > Focus on the real problem here, which is that it wasn’t just an informant. This guy went out of his way to try to create crimes. There’s so much more here to legitimately complain about. And as long as it is acceptable to place informant into groups because of their political views, those informants will have potential to create crimes. They aren’t there to investigate the innocence, they are there to find crimes they can arrest people for, even if they have to instigate them. > [@Horatius](#): > > God, it’s like talking to conspiracy theorists in here today. Learn to analogy. The analogy that you made was that it was as reasonable to surveil BLM as it would be to surveil a person because banks get robbed in every city that they visit. If you didn’t mean to imply that there is a riot in every city that BLM has a demonstration in, then it is indeed you that needs to learn to analogy. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2023, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7902 "2023-02-16T04:20:59Z")
Newsmax: The White House’s call for celebrating Valentine’s Day with open hearts is a code for tolerance, which is not the Valentine’s Day spirit. > ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7903 "2023-02-16T04:37:48Z")
There’s no obligtion to be kind to one another? Wow, it’s almost like they’ve never heard of the teachings of Jesus the Christ. Oh, my mistake. It’s EXACTLY like that. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2023, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7904 "2023-02-16T05:14:09Z")
Valentine’s Day is about being all smoochy with your sweetheart as a prelude to the serious BDSM action. No tolerance involved there, once you get past the mushy stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7905 "2023-02-16T08:13:16Z")
Valentine’s day is about selling chocolates, flowers and cards. That guy is performing so hard he probably has an Oscar size turd stuck in his colon. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018/7906 "2023-02-16T12:15:31Z")
JFC. What happened to shame? I miss shame. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018.md?page=394) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-2/959018.md?page=396)