# 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:** 36
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/701 "2025-04-17T10:48:40Z")
We moved from an automatic hard age of retirement for pilots to one that, past a certain age, we now allow pilots to continue working under some increased scrutiny. I think that exploring that for ATCs could be a good option as people do age at different rates. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2025, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/702 "2025-04-17T12:07:47Z")
In normal times, with adequate staffing levels, that’s a fine idea. But we all know that’s not what is being suggested. Guys like Duffy aren’t interested in rigorous competency testing to ensure air traffic safety. Like most posters here, I appreciate the occasional foray into pedantry but that’s partly what allows these clowns to get away with their BS. They wear enough of a fake beard to provide (poor) cover so we get distracted by that instead of their antics. Instead of improving pay or working conditions to attract and retain ATCs, lower standards are the answer! And for a problem we’ve known about for years that has a simple solution (better pay and working conditions!) we could have implemented at any point over the last few decades but didn’t want to. And that is what makes it a Stupid Republican Idea. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2025, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/703 "2025-04-17T12:16:36Z")
Just being obtuse here, I’d rather have a hard age limit on congresscritters and presidential candidates. Both a physical, historical, and mental exam to continue in office. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2025, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/704 "2025-04-17T12:50:21Z")
Are they in power? ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/705 "2025-04-17T12:55:22Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > So… you had that a bit backward. Big jets carry “spare” pilots (actually, for some flights they carry two complete crews). ATCs are not always quickly replaceable. I get your point. But conversely, there are situations (like for a smaller plane, not a big jet) in which there is only one pilot. If he or she becomes incapacitated, the plane will likely crash. But should an air traffic controller become incapacitated, there are procedures for the pilots to follow, per your detailed post. And it is undeniable that it is at least theoretically possible for an incapacitated air traffic controller to be replaced. You can’t magic another pilot into an airborne plane. In any event, it makes no sense to me that the mandatory age of retirement for air traffic controllers is even younger than that for pilots. And 56 is ridiculously young (says the 56-year old writing this post). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/706 "2025-04-17T12:56:40Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > We moved from an automatic hard age of retirement for pilots to one that, past a certain age, we now allow pilots to continue working under some increased scrutiny. > > I think that exploring that for ATCs could be a good option as people do age at different rates. That makes sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/707 "2025-04-17T15:32:15Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > As I said, the rules should be looked at… but I am not convinced this administration will do it in a manner that puts safety first. You’re not convinced? Ha! I am convinced. Convinced that if there is a most fucked up way to implement a plan that’s the route they’ll take. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/708 "2025-04-17T16:04:26Z")
And so it begins, Rep. Diana Harshbarger Supports Sending American Citizens To Prison In El Salvador > **[Rep. Diana Harshbarger Supports Sending American Citizens To Prison In El...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2_mdiAwleo%2F)** > > Content warning: The following scene may include dehumanizing rhetoric, calls for discrimination or violence, misinformation, or other harmful language. Righ... ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/709 "2025-04-17T17:24:59Z")
Idaho just legalized allowing ivermectin to be sold OTC for humans. I was unaware that dumbshits were taking this as a modern day snake oil cure-all. Read the article and you’ll see that the folks that voted in favor are actually taking it for things like a cold. 🤦 [https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article304274961.html](https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article304274961.html) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/710 "2025-04-18T03:33:56Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > And so it begins, > Rep. Diana Harshbarger Supports Sending American Citizens To Prison In El Salvador Repulsive and unsurprising. Also, her voice doesn’t match her appearance, but the dumbassery is in perfect step with her bloated buddy, there. Edited to add: _Harshbarger_ . What else was she going to be in life but a screeching harpy? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/711 "2025-04-18T03:50:56Z")
> [@Fugazi](#): > > I am convinced. Convinced that if there is a most fucked up way to implement a plan that’s the route they’ll take. You gotta admit, they’re quite consistent in their approach to problem solving. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/712 "2025-04-18T11:22:37Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > You gotta admit, they’re quite consistent in their approach to problem solving. Especially Step 1: Take something that isn’t a problem and make it one. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2025, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/713 "2025-04-18T12:01:10Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Edited to add: _Harshbarger_ . What else was she going to be in life but a screeching harpy? Would you have used that same term for a male politician? ---
**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:** [April 18, 2025, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/714 "2025-04-18T12:04:44Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Step 1: Take something that isn’t a problem and make it one. Like advertising, really. “Are your eyelids dry? Try PLUMBULWUB, our new medicine!” ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/715 "2025-04-18T12:11:15Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Like advertising, really. “Are your eyelids dry? Try PLUMBULWUB, our new medicine!” I was thinking more along the lines of: “Is your home not as warm as it could be? Set it on fire!” ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/716 "2025-04-18T12:24:32Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > > [@dasmoocher](#): > > > > Step 1: Take something that isn’t a problem and make it one. > > Like advertising, really. “Are your eyelids dry? Try PLUMBULWUB, our new medicine!” You joke, but there is a medication out there for eyelash thinning and several for dry eyes. Basically, they try to fix one thing, and in trials figure out it doesn’t do that, but it does… something else and rather than write off all of the research, let’s throw a bunch of ads out there to see if there’s an actual market. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/717 "2025-04-18T13:12:32Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > _Harshbarger_ . What else was she going to be in life but a screeching harpy? Right? Very Dickensian. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/718 "2025-04-18T14:18:27Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > You joke, but there is a medication out there for eyelash thinning and several for dry eyes. Basically, they try to fix one thing, and in trials figure out it doesn’t do that, but it does… something else and rather than write off all of the research, let’s throw a bunch of ads out there to see if there’s an actual market. I don’t know which came first, but: > **Bimatoprost** , sold under the brand name **Lumigan** among others, is a [medication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medication) used to treat [high pressure inside the eye](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_pressure_inside_the_eye) including [glaucoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaucoma).[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost?useskin=vector#cite_note-AHFS2019-5) Specifically it is used for [open angle glaucoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_angle_glaucoma) when other agents are not sufficient.[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost?useskin=vector#cite_note-AHFS2019-5)[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost?useskin=vector#cite_note-BNF76-6) It may also be used to increase the size of the [eyelashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyelashes).[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost?useskin=vector#cite_note-Bimatoprost_label-3)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost?useskin=vector#cite_note-Lumigan_label-4) It is used as an eye drop and effects generally occur within four hours.[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost?useskin=vector#cite_note-AHFS2019-5)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost?useskin=vector#cite_note-Lumigan_label-4) ---
**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:** [April 18, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/719 "2025-04-18T17:28:22Z")
What kind of dumbass decides that explaining “pornographic” to a kid is better than actually talking to her about the issue of book bans? > **[Pa. GOP lawmaker apologizes for questioning a 12-year-old about pornography...](https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/04/pa-gop-lawmaker-apologizes-for-questioning-a-12-year-old-about-pornography-at-civics-event.html)** > > Sen. David Argall on Thursday issued an apology for his line of questioning with a sixth-grader regarding pornography during a middle school Civics Bee. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/720 "2025-04-18T17:38:10Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > What kind of dumbass decides that explaining “pornographic” to a kid is better than actually talking to her about the issue of book bans? - The kind who enjoys discussing pornography with children. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=37)