# 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:** 258
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5141 "2026-07-20T21:21:12Z")
Improving his lie/backswing. He found his ball in a bunch of really high grass, and proceeded to stomp down on the grass behind where the ball was while looking at his target. You can get a breakdown here: [Golf Digest’s very forgiving take.](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/2026-british-open-bryson-dechambeau-rule-harsh) Personally, it is blatantly obvious to me what his exaggerated steps and constant movement around the ball was meant to accomplish. And he’s not the kind of guy who deserves any benefit of the doubt. I’m fine with the penalty. I was more fine with his losing his ball during the final round and falling out of contention for the title. I was even more fine with his missing the cuts in the other three majors this year. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5142 "2026-07-20T21:21:50Z")
Maybe no wood shed, but _some_ kind of shed on the grounds that Dechambeau can be directed to the back of. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5143 "2026-07-20T21:25:25Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > he inadvertently trampled the grass in such a way that it could be argued that it made things easier. Who can say it was inadvertent? He’s a Trump acolyte. Cheating is as natural as breathing for those assholes. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5144 "2026-07-20T23:44:10Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > … I’ve been mulling over what future historians will call this era. Gilded Age II\* would serve … The Cheap Gold-Painted Age? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5145 "2026-07-20T23:56:25Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > > [@DesertDog](#): > > > > … I’ve been mulling over what future historians will call this era. Gilded Age II\* would serve … > > The Cheap Gold-Painted Age?   I suggest the “Guilt Age”. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5146 "2026-07-21T11:30:45Z")
These folks have no guilt whatsoever. We need a short way to say “Greed is good, theft is better, and fraud is best.” ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5147 "2026-07-21T11:36:03Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > These folks have no guilt whatsoever. They don’t want to admit any, but I think they do have it, which is why “every accusation is a confession” works so well. And of course everyone else sees it, and we’re the ones naming the age. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5148 "2026-07-21T11:46:39Z")
We may be using “guilt” in two different senses of the word. The one I mean is the uncomfortable moral feeling flowing from personal misbehavior. IMO the main miscreants here have exactly zero of that. Rather the opposite; they’re proud of having outsmarted the existing moral system. Meantime for the definition of “guilt” that’s “Did actually do an illegal act”, hell yeah, they’re dripping with that sort of guilt. You’re certainly right that they’re big on the “every accusation is a confession” thing. But … I see that merely as a version of “Offense is the best defense.” They are aware of what they’re doing, and they know it’s illegal or evil. But they don’t care in the slightest. They also know that the best way to deflect criticism and investigations and all the rest is to decoy the world’s attention onto their opponents. For the same offenses because that builds in a defense of bothsides-ism if/when any of their own bad acts come to light. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5149 "2026-07-21T13:02:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > They are aware of what they’re doing, and they know it’s illegal or evil. To me, that’s the definition of feeling guilt. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > But they don’t care in the slightest. And this is the lack of feeling shame. Anyway, we’re largely in agreement, but maybe using words differently. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5150 "2026-07-21T13:04:19Z")
Yep. 'Nuff said on that. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5151 "2026-07-21T13:39:57Z")
I would say that guilt is the bad feeling you get just for having done something, while shame is the bad feeling you get when others find out you’ve done something, or when you fear they’ll find out. A feeling of guilt might lead someone to confess, while a feeling of shame might lead them to not confess. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5152 "2026-07-21T15:17:09Z")
I wish I could remember what it was; TV show, film, novel… But I remember some character (an utterly amoral one) who dismissed the protagonist’s expression of guilt by insisting that guilt is merely the fear of being caught. I do suspect that for a person lacking a conscience, they might confuse guilt for fear, as they absolutely do fear the consequences of their actions, but give no thought to the consequences that others may face for their actions. (With the exception of a feeling of satisfaction when their actions hurt people they dislike.) ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5153 "2026-07-21T16:01:13Z")
Chief Seattle (allegedly) said, “My conscience is a three-cornered triangle in my heart. When I do a bad thing it turns and hurts my heart but if I keep doing bad things the corners wear down and it stops hurting.” These guys’ conscience must be as round and smooth as a marble. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5154 "2026-07-21T16:23:49Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I wish I could remember what it was; TV show, film, novel… But I remember some character (an utterly amoral one) who dismissed the protagonist’s expression of guilt by insisting that guilt is merely the fear of being caught. I remembered what it was. It was the excellent (and short-lived, because it was on Fox) television show _American Gothic_ from 1995. The main villain, Sheriff Lucas Buck, told the main character, “Conscience is just the fear of getting caught.” ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5155 "2026-07-21T18:49:19Z")
Steve Scalise thinks you need ID to eat at Olive Garden. > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mr5vqcjb7w2o)** > > Scalise: "For God's sake -- you can't get pasta at Olive Garden without a picture ID! Why not be able to show a picture ID to vote?" ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5156 "2026-07-21T18:52:38Z")
Well, sure. You might order the rigatoni alla vodka. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5157 "2026-07-21T18:53:49Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Steve Scalise thinks you need ID to eat at Olive Garden. My guess is that he gets booze every time he goes there, or any other restaurant, and doesn’t realize that’s why he gets carded. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5158 "2026-07-21T19:17:52Z")
It’s just Republican bullshit. They all say something similar. It’s to minimize the perception of requiring an ID. They’ll say that in lots of hypothetical situations so they can follow with: So why is voter ID such a weird thing? It’s just bullshit, but unfortunately Republican bullshit usually convinces enough prople. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5159 "2026-07-21T19:30:17Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > You can get a breakdown here: [Golf Digest’s very forgiving take.](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/2026-british-open-bryson-dechambeau-rule-harsh) > > Personally, it is blatantly obvious to me what his exaggerated steps and constant movement around the ball was meant to accomplish. And he’s not the kind of guy who deserves any benefit of the doubt. I agree completely, though I’d call GD’s assessment idiotic, not forgiving. You can’t make your shot easier by tromping down the grass. Period. “Everybody does it.” No, they don’t! Jesus Christ, he might as well have used a weed whacker. I don’t understand why this seemed ambiguous in any way. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5160 "2026-07-21T19:47:51Z")
Agreed it’s obvious. He arrives in thigh high grass that would tangle any back swing. By the time he addresses the ball, the grass is no longer in the path of his swing. He walked around the ball position to determine the best option to get back in play which knocked down the grass. DOESN’T MATTER IF IT WAS UNINTENTIONAL. Sorry for shouting. It’s one of the basic rules, not some obscure footnote. You can not improve your lie, swing path, or stance except in unusual conditions that are permitted. Bryson is a known complainer and whiner to rules officials. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=257) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=259)