# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/261 "2025-03-13T07:30:02Z")
Mixing upper and lower case letters… tut tut… that might be the final straw. He’s gone too far now. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/262 "2025-03-13T07:31:39Z")
Now you’ve got me picturing Trump as the Jack Lemmon character (but he sees himself as the Alec Baldwin character). ---
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/263 "2025-03-13T07:47:30Z")
Also picture that the Alec Baldwin character is being played by America’s best, and Donald Trump’s favorite, actor Hannibal Lecter. And we find ~~you~~ me cribbing lines from ~~Horace~~ _Red Dragon_, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/264 "2025-03-13T08:03:57Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > They all show consistent handwriting. Look at the weird way the Ps and Ds are written. There are a lot of capital Ms in the Tesla note that don’t match the way Ms are written in any of the previous photos. > > Anyway, I’m guessing someone wrote that note for Trump with prices and features. I’m sure that it was someone else who wrote the “Tesla Pricing” note. If the displayed examples of Trump’s actual handwriting are anything to go by, then the writer of the “Tesla Pricing” note was not him. See also on the “Tesla Pricing” note, the addition, “Teslas can be purchased as low as $299/month or $35K.” Not the kind of thing that Donnie would care to make a note of, if he’s so rich. Again, I’m sure that somebody else wrote this. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/265 "2025-03-13T09:26:51Z")
[![](https://imengine.prod.srp.navigacloud.com/?uuid=B722D166-6A3D-45D4-990A-1A910D20C370&type=primary&q=75&width=1024) ](https://imengine.prod.srp.navigacloud.com/?uuid=B722D166-6A3D-45D4-990A-1A910D20C370&type=primary&q=75&width=1024) For some reason I always read this note as if it were the lyrics to a Ramones song. Just imagine some buzzsaw guitar and Joey shouting “I WANT NOTHING, I WANT NOTHING, I WANT NOTHING, I WANT NO QUID PRO QUO”. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/266 "2025-03-13T12:35:40Z")
It’s more Rage Against the Machine to me, but you know, six of one, half a dozen of the other. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/267 "2025-03-13T14:01:49Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > For some reason I always read this note as if it were the lyrics to a Ramones song. Just imagine some buzzsaw guitar and Joey shouting “I WANT NOTHING, I WANT NOTHING, I WANT NOTHING, I WANT NO QUID PRO QUO”. I can honestly see that. 😆 ---
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/268 "2025-03-13T18:49:02Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Hegseth wants to rescind the military’s ban on beards, because Real Warfighters know that looking like a Big Manly Man is more important than preventing the spread of lice or being able to wear a gasmask. > > [https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed\_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eeitvtxcbjt3vmljqfmwzahz/bafkreiggns3w7rfee7ntpckyafv4dygc4doxby6dz6gkxps2p62al7yk4e@jpeg](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eeitvtxcbjt3vmljqfmwzahz/bafkreiggns3w7rfee7ntpckyafv4dygc4doxby6dz6gkxps2p62al7yk4e@jpeg) Cite on this claim? Hegeseth is a POS, for sure….but my read of the situation and the story is that Hegeseth is looking to make the rules on grooming stricter, so I suspect, in true anti-DEI fashion, he’s going to start challenging the medical and religious exemptions that allow some servicemen to wear beards. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/269 "2025-03-13T18:58:07Z")
Medical exemptions to wear beards? Hmm, I have absolutely no idea if there might be a specific racial group that has problems with the effects of shaving, absolutely no idea. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/270 "2025-03-13T19:18:50Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Medical exemptions to wear beards? Hmm, I have absolutely no idea if there might be a specific racial group that has problems with the effects of shaving, absolutely no idea. - [pseudofolliculitis Barbae](https://dermnetnz.org/topics/pseudofolliculitis-barbae) > Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is a common inflammatory reaction of the hair follicle, most often on the face as a result of [shaving](https://dermnetnz.org/topics/shaving). Also known as “razor bumps” or “shaving bumps”, it can also occur on any site where hair is shaved or plucked, including the axilla, pubic area, and legs. > [Folliculitis barbae](https://dermnetnz.org/topics/folliculitis-barbae) presents similarly, but is due to infection. Folliculitis barbae and pseudofolliculitis barbae can coexist. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/271 "2025-03-13T20:33:23Z")
Senator CTE says “free speech is not what we need” and that all protestors should be jailed. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:d52g57qhdyydkmwtuueco57q/bafkreibyckk2lhfusdr4vaqz5s6dmjzenolzgj46vd4ar543uu7ukwsuey@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:d52g57qhdyydkmwtuueco57q/bafkreibyckk2lhfusdr4vaqz5s6dmjzenolzgj46vd4ar543uu7ukwsuey@jpeg) ---
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/272 "2025-03-13T20:47:03Z")
So, Mr. Tuberville? When did you become woke and start supporting criminalizing hate speech? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/273 "2025-03-13T20:53:28Z")
Cancel Culture! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/274 "2025-03-14T03:03:16Z")
> **[Trump threatens retaliatory 200% tariff on European wine after EU proposes...](https://www.fox6now.com/news/trump-tariff-wine-whiskey)** > > Because of Trump’s threat, a previously untariffed $15 bottle of Italian Prosecco could possibly increase in price to $45. > “If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES,” Trump wrote. “This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.” > “This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.” [![](https://en.meming.world/images/en/1/1b/The_What%3F.jpg) ](https://en.meming.world/images/en/1/1b/The_What%3F.jpg) ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/275 "2025-03-14T03:11:23Z")
For reasons of history (not least because the US had ratified Prohibition when many countries formalized the use of the regional appellation), the use of the word ‘champagne’ for stuff made in the US does actually exist, though most companies voluntarily did not use the term and later restrictions did come into play. Not that I give him credit for knowing or understanding the nuance or how few remaining exist, but there actually are champagne businesses in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/276 "2025-03-14T03:14:37Z")
There are “champagne” businesses in the US. Anything called Champagne is only from a small region in France. Called Champagne. ETA: Using the term champagne for new wine producers has been banned in the US since 2006. Any producer grandfathered in from before that date is required to include the place of origin. So “California Champagne” is a thing. Oregon bans producers from using the term. Most producers in other states avoid using it. Methode Champenoise or Methodo Traditionale or Traditional Method are more commonly used these days for wines of this type outside of France. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/277 "2025-03-14T03:22:06Z")
Nah. It’s a long, boring story, but it’s only by international agreement that it is so. And the EU (France in particular of course) has spent the last century to get more and more countries signed on to it and to make it known “real” champagne is the way they define it. And the US was not originally a signatory, though has since mostly signed on. New wineries (I think any founded in the last 20-30 years?) can no longer call it that. And some individual states have put restrictions on their own wineries. And the older major wineries, especially the ones that want to market overseas, voluntarily do not. That leaves only a smattering of a few older, smaller wineries. So, not exactly a thriving community to begin with. And not one that would be helped by tariffs anyway. What France has really gotten successful at, though, is convincing people that there’s some fundamental definition to it. Very clearly successful given would-be pedants who aren’t even technically correct about it. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/278 "2025-03-14T03:30:14Z")
I’ve been a professional sommelier, wine buyer and restaurant/wine bar operator for 30 years. I know what I’m talking about but will drop this before it becomes too much of a hijack. Bottom line as you acknowledge, Champagne is a very specific thing from France. Most domestic producers have dropped using the term. And there is definitely a very specific definition of what it is and how it is produced. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/279 "2025-03-14T03:38:38Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > What France has really gotten successful at, though, is convincing people that there’s some fundamental definition to it. Very clearly successful given would-be pedants who aren’t even technically correct about it. Perhaps France should start producing and exporting bourbon if geographic name protections are off the table. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/280 "2025-03-14T03:39:20Z")
Either way, it’s one of those cases where Trump, albeit certainly by accident, was not even wrong (about the businesses existing, not that it would be ‘great’, of course). Stopped clocks and all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=15)