# 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:** 148
**Author:** ![MonkeysBrother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@MonkeysBrother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeysBrother)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2941 "2026-01-21T18:02:53Z")
I’m certainly not a fan of Cruz, but at the risk of being nit-picky, how do we know he’s headed to Laguna Beach? There aren’t any planes “heading to Laguna Beach,” mostly because there’s no airport in Laguna Beach. (I did a quick search and all the outrage seems to point back to Smith’s post, not to an actual itinerary.) Just curious. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2942 "2026-01-21T18:26:57Z")
It was apparently part of his previously announced travel plans as “work travel”, though not specifically to Laguna Beach. That part is possibly made up by whoever snapped the photo. If so, technically not a vacation. And his office announced today he’ll be back in Texas before the storm hits. He doesn’t get a lot of benefit of the doubt from me, so I’ll leave it an open question whether his plans to come back to the state existed before today, but he’s not so stupid he would publicly announce something like that and not follow through. Especially as he’s known to be eyeing a ‘28 run. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2943 "2026-01-21T18:31:26Z")
> [@MonkeysBrother](#): > > There aren’t any planes “heading to Laguna Beach,” mostly because there’s no airport in Laguna Beach. No, [but SNA is only 15 miles away](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/John+Wayne+Arpt,+18601+Airport+Way,+Santa+Ana,+CA+92707/Laguna+Beach,+California/@33.6140365,-117.8953682,25434m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80dcdeedcbab40ef:0xc941e8f5c31119e2!2m2!1d-117.8692422!2d33.674687!1m5!1m1!1s0x80dce0c88f5b24c1:0xde7b435a879daf6!2m2!1d-117.7853568!2d33.5427189!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDExOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). ---
**Author:** ![MonkeysBrother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@MonkeysBrother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeysBrother)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2944 "2026-01-21T18:41:45Z")
I know. It’s just that Smith’s post was very specific about Laguna Beach and not Southern California or even Orange County. 😎 ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2945 "2026-01-21T19:06:39Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Check Ted Cruz’s travel itinerary No one’s asking the really important question. Why the F is Ted Cruz in coach? Spend some money, ya cheap bastard. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2946 "2026-01-21T19:28:43Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > > [@Gyrate](#): > > > > Check Ted Cruz’s travel itinerary > > No one’s asking the really important question. > > **Why the F is Ted Cruz in coach?** Spend some money, ya cheap bastard.- They lost the coin toss to business class? ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2947 "2026-01-21T19:38:22Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Why the F is Ted Cruz in coach? Spend some money, ya cheap bastard. Don’t encourage him, it is already likely that he is using tax payers money for his fun holiday jaunt. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2948 "2026-01-21T20:15:28Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I’m glad we’ve cleared that up. 🙄 Well, he’s not wrong. It was the **SS** who came up with [Einsatzgruppen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einsatzgruppen). ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2949 "2026-01-21T20:16:04Z")
[![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qixfuvpejk5g4tc25ny7cz64/bafkreif733wiguml6mytxokuxhawezsjb4yczzipndwil6okz67gnuwht4@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qixfuvpejk5g4tc25ny7cz64/bafkreif733wiguml6mytxokuxhawezsjb4yczzipndwil6okz67gnuwht4@jpeg) ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2950 "2026-01-21T21:22:35Z")
Today on “Things Mike Johnson hasn’t heard about”; Tariffs! > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mcwznez5jk2d)** > > RAJU: Trump's tariff authority expires at the end of the month. Will you insert in a provision blocking any effort to challenge Trump's tariffs? > > MIKE JOHNSON: I have no intention of getting in the way of President Trump and his administration and... Russia! > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mcwzj4hyzk2d)** > > Q: You recognize the threat of Russia, nevertheless Donald Trump has nominated Putin as a member of the Board of Peace for Gaza. Any reaction? > > MIKE JOHNSON: I've not dug into the details of that. It's not within our purview. I'm not the one to... Greenland! > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mcwzacnyu22d)** > > Mike Johnson: "The president will use every option on the table and we'll see what develops. I don't -- wait a minute -- I don't know any specifics about that, so asking me about it is a futile exercise." Davos! > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mcwz6gxrvk2d)** > > Surprise! Mike Johnson says he hasn't seen any of Trump's (bonkers) speech in Davos ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2951 "2026-01-21T21:30:58Z")
IOW: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y0ZD6AClQIg/maxresdefault.jpg "Sgt Schultz I Know Nothing Hogans Heroes #hogansheroes #sgtschultz") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ZD6AClQIg) ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2952 "2026-01-21T22:16:22Z")
I honestly believe he doesn’t know any answers. Why tell him anything? His job is to be the SotH, so he’s responsible for taking questions and saying he doesn’t know anything. See? Simple! ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2953 "2026-01-21T22:57:13Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > New York Times Pitchbot is a parody account. Yeah; ludicrously unequal attempts to show that _both sides do it_ are a mainstay of the account. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2954 "2026-01-21T23:04:46Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Holy shit, that was funny – and so accurate. > **[Stephen Miller Reminds Picky-Eater Son That There Starving Kids In Basement](https://theonion.com/stephen-miller-reminds-picky-eater-son-that-there-starving-kids-in-basement/)** > > ARLINGTON, VA—In an apparent attempt to guilt his children into eating their vegetables Monday, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller reportedly reminded one of his sons, a picky eater, that there were starving boys and girls in the... ---
**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:** [January 22, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2955 "2026-01-22T16:23:54Z")
I’m not seeing a thread (here or in Politics) about Jack Smith’s testimony today before the House, but I had to comment on the REMARKABLE Stupidity of Rep. Jim Jordan. His **Big Salvo** against Smith opened with _'is Cassidy Hutchinson a liar_?’ Smith, as you might guess, looked a tad exasperated at this; JJ proceeded to “prove” that CH is a liar because one of the MAGA Secret Service people contradicted the story CH related, about Donald lunging for the steering wheel on January 6 2021 because he wanted to be driven to the Capitol and had been told “no.” To prove CH a liar, Gym would have had to present strong evidence _ **not** _ about the ‘lunge’ thing being true, **but about CH’s claim that she’d been told about it.** _Because CH **never** claimed to have personally witnessed the lunge._ Her testimony had been that she was _told_ about it. But that’s too challenging for Gym’s little brain, spinning around ineffectually in his giant thick skull. _s t o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o p i d_ ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2956 "2026-01-22T16:43:14Z")
Even more stupid. Jordan then faults Smith because he didn’t immediately drop her for consideration as a witness. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2957 "2026-01-22T16:51:16Z")
The purpose of the hearings is political theater. It is not fact-finding, and certainly not fact-finding in the logically reliable style of a court hearing. Jordan _is_ a stupid person. But his entire purpose was to repeatedly assert the message he wanted to get out there. Which is exactly what he succeeded at. Applying logic to the post-fact world is simply crazy-thinking on your / my /our part ---
**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:** [January 22, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2958 "2026-01-22T17:54:12Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > To prove CH a liar, Gym would have had to present strong evidence _ **not** _ about the ‘lunge’ thing being true, **but about CH’s claim that she’d been told about it.** _Because CH **never** claimed to have personally witnessed the lunge._ Her testimony had been that she was _told_ about it. If Jordan wasn’t an idiot, he could have asked how reliable hearsay is as evidence, and could have asked why her comments about what she was told were given any weight. There’s a good point to be made there. Hearsay is rarely (if ever) accepted as testimony in a trial, for example. But Jordan **is** an idiot and instead made the kind of stupid accusation an idiot would make. (Also, invalidating one bit of hearsay doesn’t discredit Hutchinson as a witness, because she did have plenty of firsthand testimony to give, so it still probably wouldn’t have had the result he wanted anyway.) ---
**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:** [January 23, 2026, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2959 "2026-01-23T07:21:42Z")
There’s a live-action Masters of the Universe reboot coming to theaters this year and the trailer just dropped today. The chuds are outraged because Prince Adam of Eternia, a.k.a. He-Man, gives his preferred pronouns. **He-Man.** Has **pronouns**. How DARE he. > > **[Conservatives freak out over He-Man using pronouns](https://www.out.com/film/he-man)** > > The new Masters of the Universe trailer features a joke about he/him pronouns. ---
**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:** [January 23, 2026, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/2960 "2026-01-23T08:00:16Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > **He-Man.** Has **pronouns**. LOL, he has nothing _but_ pronouns. 😆 The trailer looks awesome too. Surprised they haven’t freaked out over Man-At-Arms being Black yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=147) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=149)