# NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 4) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 22, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678 "2025-02-22T21:08:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 128
**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:** [December 18, 2025, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2541 "2025-12-18T10:16:41Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > There’s a part of me that wants to go on a ten thousand word rant about this sort of bullshit, I think we’re all pretty much there with you anyway. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2542 "2025-12-18T10:23:37Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I also fully expect he’ll try to get rid of anything not his variety of Christian. _Maybe_ keep a token rabbi or Catholic priest around. That was in the last paragraphs of the article, > Hegseth said the Pentagon is working on a new program, which could curtail what qualifies as a faith or belief recognized in the military. > … > In 2017, the Defense Department updated what qualifies as a recognized religious denomination or belief system, with a list of 221 groups that ranged from the mainstream to obscure Christian sects, Wiccans and atheists. > > Hegseth blamed such changes on “political correctness” and an “ongoing war on warriors.” The department will create a new list of religious affiliation codes, he said without specifying what religions or belief systems are in and which ones are out > > “We’re going to streamline it … so that our chaplains can actually use it to minister better to the flock,” Hegseth said. I’m real curious how respecting the religious beliefs of “warriors” is a “war on warriors”? 'Course the answer is they’re preventing them from being Christians like God intended. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2543 "2025-12-18T10:57:13Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Pete Hegseth says the chaplain corps needs to stop administering to the spiritual and psychological needs of servicemembers I am atheist, so even in the unlikely event of being admitted into any branch of the military - as a non USA resident - I would be furious about this. The various military priests, ministers and rabbis served and continue to serve an enormous need to soldiers, marines and sailors in probably the most stressful work environment imaginable. Is there a depth below the seventh circle of hell Hegseth will not plumb? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2544 "2025-12-18T11:23:21Z")
I’m just impressed the guy essentially told the truth about once having said something embarassing. Truth-telling is such a rare moment in modern RW politics. Much better to bluster & deny and deflect and … Said another way, I expect his nomination to be withdrawn as soon as the higher-ups notice this guy told the truth under pressure. Can’t have people with that personality flaw in positions of responsibility in our Brave New Government. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2025, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2545 "2025-12-18T11:30:34Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > According to Wikipedia, Stars and Stripes has **independent ombudsman** appointed by Congress, so they’re not under Hegseth’s editorial control. My highlight. You think the ‘unitary executive’ folks are going to buy that? And that the current SCOTUS wouldn’t back them up? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2546 "2025-12-18T13:53:32Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > According to Wikipedia, Stars and Stripes has independent ombudsman appointed by Congress, so they’re not under Hegseth’s editorial control. Try telling that to Hegseth. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2025, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2547 "2025-12-18T14:35:46Z")
Serious question - has Hegseth quit drinking? He said he would if he got confirmed, but he sure doesn’t act like he has. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2548 "2025-12-18T14:37:43Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > has Hegseth quit drinking? I think he’s moved on to the “sniffing glue” phase. (actual\* photo of Kegsbreath) [![](https://plantyourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/sniffing-glue-768x480.jpg) ](https://plantyourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/sniffing-glue-768x480.jpg) \*note: may not be actual ---
**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:** [December 18, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2549 "2025-12-18T14:39:16Z")
Or maybe he’s just a dry drunk… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2550 "2025-12-18T14:44:10Z")
Your liver can recover (some) when you quit heavy drinking. Your brain? Not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2551 "2025-12-18T16:40:46Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > According to Wikipedia, Stars and Stripes has independent ombudsman appointed by Congress, so they’re not under Hegseth’s editorial control. Yet…and not for lack of trying. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2552 "2025-12-18T19:25:37Z")
The installed new Kenedy Center board members have voted to rename it. Can you guess who’s name will be added? ---
**Author:** ![irae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f0a364/32.png) [@irae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irae)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2553 "2025-12-18T19:28:03Z")
Kennedy-Epstein Center… ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2554 "2025-12-19T05:57:24Z")
“The creation of a penis costs $150,000 per child. If you want testicles that’s extra” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mabmcctmcb2f)** > > Dr Oz: "The creation of a penis costs on average in America $150,000 per child ... if you add testicles, that's extra" ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2555 "2025-12-19T05:59:24Z")
Last month David Brooks wrote an editorial in the NYT about how the Epstein files are boring gossip and nobody should pay attention to them or care about them. GUESS WHO’S IN THE EPSTEIN FILES?! > **[New York Times columnist David Brooks appears in latest Epstein photos](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/18/nyt-david-brooks-epstein-photos-released)** > > Brooks, who dismissed Epstein scandal as ‘stupid story’, wrote column expressing lack of interest in developments ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2556 "2025-12-19T10:36:21Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > GUESS WHO’S IN THE EPSTEIN FILES?! Epstein was like COVID-19 for rich and connected people - apparently, _everyone_ was exposed. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2557 "2025-12-19T13:09:00Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Epstein was like COVID-19 for rich and connected people - apparently, _everyone_ was exposed Which is likely to eventually lead to it becoming kind of meaningless to simply “be mentioned” or to have been seen at the same public event. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2558 "2025-12-19T15:38:22Z")
No sympathy for the actual monsters, but if you met or knew Epstein how do you prove you didn’t know about his crimes? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2559 "2025-12-19T16:03:52Z")
For real legal civil or criminal consequences, the standard _ **must** _ ever remain that whoever claims you did has to prove that. For social or political censure, not so, but the public will get jaded at “everyone” being equally tarred for “any” contact. Will depend on how well you can show that you merely attended the same fundraiser or had a fully legit business with those named. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2560 "2025-12-19T16:38:39Z")
And if you were known to be on the island itself, especially if you were there multiple times, you might as well wear a Scarlet P in public from now on [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=127) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=129)