# Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 31, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945 "2021-01-31T21:25:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/282 "2021-03-23T21:58:02Z")
[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fact-check-madison-cawthorn-falsely-claimed-there-are-zero-dollars-spent-on-homeless-veterans-its-actually-more-than-dollar2-billion-this-year/ar-BB1eT20L?li=BBnb7Kz](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fact-check-madison-cawthorn-falsely-claimed-there-are-zero-dollars-spent-on-homeless-veterans-its-actually-more-than-dollar2-billion-this-year/ar-BB1eT20L?li=BBnb7Kz) So…liar or idiot? Or lying idiot? ---
**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:** [March 23, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/283 "2021-03-23T22:17:54Z")
Lying liar who lies ---
**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:** [March 23, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/284 "2021-03-23T22:38:18Z")
The pride of Asheville, North Carolina? ---
**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 23, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/285 "2021-03-23T22:58:51Z")
He looks like Tom Brady so I automatically don’t trust him. [![](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JPdKMiXwTSaHheR5pwpO8m27Rc4=/0x0:3000x2000/920x613/filters:focal(1260x760:1740x1240):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68885514/1304245882.0.jpg) ](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JPdKMiXwTSaHheR5pwpO8m27Rc4=/0x0:3000x2000/920x613/filters:focal(1260x760:1740x1240):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68885514/1304245882.0.jpg) ---
**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:** [March 24, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/286 "2021-03-24T01:35:23Z")
Seeing a little Peyton too, minus the acromegaly forehead. ETA - sorry - I meant hydrocephalic. Or juice? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/287 "2021-03-24T02:41:20Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > He looks like Tom Brady so I automatically don’t trust him. Just let the air out of his wheels and see if he does any better. ---
**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 24, 2021, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/288 "2021-03-24T02:43:50Z")
I was gonna make a “deflation” joke but thought it’d be in bad taste, but fuck it this is the Pit, I should’ve gone for it. 🤦‍♂️ ---
**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:** [March 24, 2021, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/289 "2021-03-24T04:32:52Z")
Yep. GMTA. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/290 "2021-03-24T05:10:06Z")
Okay, back to Powell: The lawyers’ statement points out that, mere opinion though Powell’s ridiculous claims may be, she nevertheless believed they were true and still does, so it was appropriate for her to bring these cases into courts (up to and including the Supreme Court). But as some of the news articles I’ve read pointed out, if she now claims than no reasonable person would have believed her stories, then did she expect the judges (including the Supremes) to believe them? Does she believe these judges are irrational and unreasonable? ---
**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:** [March 24, 2021, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/291 "2021-03-24T11:15:37Z")
Powell still believes them, so they aren’t ridiculous to her and she can pursue them. Her lawyer is the one pointing out that only an idiot would actually believe that they are true, so there is no actual harm. Why Powell is paying a lawyer to call her delusional is another question. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2021, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/292 "2021-03-24T12:19:43Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Her lawyer is the one pointing out that only an idiot would actually believe that they are true, so there is no actual harm. Why Powell is paying a lawyer to call her delusional is another question. It’s a new twist on the insanity defense. “My client is a loon and therefore should never be taken seriously. But she should still keep her law license.” ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/293 "2021-03-24T13:36:07Z")
Apparently there are stupid MFers in my state who think green mambas make wonderful pets. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wral.com/raleigh-man-survives-after-being-bitten-by-venomous-pet-snake/19590957/%3Fversion=amp](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wral.com/raleigh-man-survives-after-being-bitten-by-venomous-pet-snake/19590957/%3fversion=amp) I am mildly impressed that he had sense enough to go to a hospital though. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/294 "2021-03-24T18:19:10Z")
Jerk pays employee final paycheck in oil-drenched pennies > **[Fayetteville man receives last paycheck in oil-covered pennies dumped on his...](https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/fayetteville-man-receives-last-paycheck-in-oil-covered-pennies-dumped-on-his-driveway.amp?__twitter_impression=true)** > > A Fayetteville man said his last paycheck from his former employer came in the form of over 90,000 oil- or grease-covered pennies dumped on his driveway. > Flaten said he was leaving his home to go to the store when he noticed the pile of oil-covered pennies. He said on top of the pile was an envelope that said “f— you” and contained his last paystub. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/295 "2021-03-24T18:33:39Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Jerk pays employee final paycheck in oil-drenched pennies Wow. A [recent comment thread post](https://www.cbs46.com/pennies-in-driveway/html_1000cc66-8667-11eb-bb09-bf89de582165.html) from (purportedly) the ex-employee’s girlfriend does reinforce the impression that this employer is truly shitty. Apparently the employer wasn’t intending to pay at all, despite the employee having left the firm last November, until there were suggestions of taking him to court. I’m not quite sure why this counts as an instance of a stupid MF in the news, except that aggrieved customers may now get the idea of paying this employer in pennies as well, in which case he’s opened himself up to a world of hassle just for the satisfaction of being an asshole to this one former employee. Which is admittedly pretty stupid. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/296 "2021-03-24T18:39:14Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Jerk pays employee final paycheck in oil-drenched pennies Apparently you can refuse to accept payment in pennies > [@](#): > > While federal law states that coins are legal tender, it does not compel anyone to accept them. If a business doesn’t want to take pennies — or a $100 bill, for that matter — it has a legal right to refuse them. [http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1913870\_1913868\_1913865,00.html](http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1913870_1913868_1913865,00.html) > [@](#): > > The part of law that applies to accepting money is the Coinage Act of 1965, specifically Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled “Legal tender.” It says, “United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for [all debts](http://www.credit.com/debt/get-out-of-debt/), public charges, taxes, and dues.” > > “This statute means that all United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor,” [according to the U.S. Treasury website](http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Currency/Pages/legal-tender.aspx). But there is no federal requirement that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as payment. Private businesses can develop their own policies unless there is a state law that says otherwise. “For example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills,” the website says. [https://www.credit.com/blog/can-you-pay-back-a-debt-in-pennies-118386/](https://www.credit.com/blog/can-you-pay-back-a-debt-in-pennies-118386/) > [@](#): > > Aman in Vernal, [Utah](https://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Utah), has been charged with disorderly conduct after attempting to pay a disputed medical bill with 2,500 pennies, police say. > > According to a story that appeared Friday in The Deseret News, [Jason West](https://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Jason+West) went to Vernal’s Basin Clinic to dispute a $25 doctor’s bill. If the clinic remained unconvinced, Mr. West came with a Plan B, which involved [almost 14 lbs. of pennies](http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705373882/Police-cite-Vernal-man-accused-of-paying-bill-with-2500-pennies.html). > > Apparently, the argument didn’t go his way. According to Vernal police, West asked if the clinic accepted cash, and then dumped the 2,500 pennies on the counter, demanding that they count it. “The pennies were strewn about the counter and the floor,” said the assistant police chief. > It’s likely that the disorderly conduct charge had more to do with the dumping and strewing of the pennies and less to do with the currency itself. But the incident does raise a legitimate question: Are businesses required to take your pennies? A penny is, after all, legal tender. Doesn’t that mean they are good everywhere? > > Here’s what the law says: The [Coinage Act](https://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Coinage+Act) of 1965, specifically [Section 31 U.S.C. 5103](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/31/5103.html), states: “[United States](https://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/United+States) coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues. Foreign gold or silver coins are not legal tender for debts.” > > All this means is that the [US Federal Reserve](https://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/U.S.+Federal+Reserve) system must honor all US currency. [As the US Treasury points out](http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Currency/Pages/legal-tender.aspx), there’s nothing in the law that says that private businesses have to accept it for all transactions. If a merchant wants to sell her products in exchange for gold bullion, nothing but dimes minted before 1946, Swedish fish, or Monopoly money, that’s her right under the law. > The absence of such a law is how bus lines can legally refuse to accept your [dollar](https://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/U.S.+Dollar) bills, gas station clerks can turn their noses up at your $100s, and panhandlers near the Monitor’s newsroom can yell at you after you drop a [Sacagawea](https://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Sacagawea) dollar coin in their cup, even though you were just trying to be nice. > > In any case, West faces a fine of up to $140. If he’s convicted, he’s best advised to write a check. > **[2,500 pennies: Is it legal to pay a bill in pennies?](https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2011/0606/2-500-pennies-Is-it-legal-to-pay-a-bill-in-pennies)** > > 2,500 pennies: A Utah man was cited with disorderly conduct after trying to pay a disputed $25 doctor's bill in pennies. Are US businesses free to decline payment in US currency? ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/297 "2021-03-24T20:14:34Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > “This statute means that all United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor,” So what is the definition of a creditor, then? And why is that word included in the law if they don’t mean private businesses? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/298 "2021-03-25T19:27:00Z")
Stupidity around the world! [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/schoolboys-forced-to-apologize-to-female-classmates-on-behalf-of-their-gender/ar-BB1eY3q9?li=BBnb7Kz](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/schoolboys-forced-to-apologize-to-female-classmates-on-behalf-of-their-gender/ar-BB1eY3q9?li=BBnb7Kz) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/299 "2021-03-25T20:02:16Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Stupidity around the world! From your link: > [@](#): > > "The assembly included the screening of a video message by Brisbane Boys’ College Captain Mason Black about being proactive in stopping incidents of sexual assault and harassment. > > "As part of this discussion, boys were asked to stand as a symbolic gesture of apology for the behaviours of their gender that have hurt or offended girls and women. > > “In retrospect, while well-intended, we recognise that this part of the assembly was inappropriate.” ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2021, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/300 "2021-03-25T22:14:41Z")
If anyone’s looking for context for the whole “schoolkids being educated about sexual assault” thing, by the way, it starts [here](https://www.smh.com.au/national/hundreds-of-sydney-students-claim-they-were-sexually-assaulted-and-call-for-better-consent-education-20210219-p57449.html), goes through [here](https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/school-life/sexual-assaults-and-rape-in-australian-schools-chilling-story-shows-dark-problem-with-porn/news-story/b3fbd23c5b49c2a1756e3ad53483bc6f), [here](https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/i-think-i-have-been-raped-several-times-victorian-schools-mentioned-on-online-sexual-consent-petition-balloon-20210310-p579m9.html) and [here](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-19/wesley-college-refers-sexual-harassment-claims-to-police/100017676) and is probably not unaffected by stuff [here](https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-christian-porter-finds-a-target-and-so-does-brittany-higgins-157172). Under the circumstances “ZOMG! One school did a thing in response that made the boys feel uncomfortable!” is … so not a story. I mean, yeah, 12 year old kids don’t read a whole lot of news so it doesn’t surprise me that some of the youngest kids might have been confused about it but any parent in Australia who, right now, can’t _explain_ to their son why people are really concerned about ways boys behave towards girls (with reference to a few dozen major news services) has really not been paying attention. (Which is not to say that the particular event was well-executed … after all, the principal herself says it really wasn’t and I totally believe her. But “school does an event somewhat suckily” is **not news** compared to all the other stuff that’s going on that really IS news) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/301 "2021-03-25T22:20:41Z")
> **[Kentucky dentist who pulled teeth that weren’t bad sentenced to prison](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/18/kentucky-dentist-pulled-teeth-bad-sentenced-prison/115188030/)** > > Tackett billed Medicaid for some medically unnecessary procedures; submitted claims for providing emergency care without sufficient justification Described as a good Christian man and a caring dentist. Did unneeded procedures, pulled teeth that did not need to be pulled, billed for procedures not done or falsified billings to charge more…and of course inappropriately dispensing opioids. As Jesus taught, apparently. And he gets off with a fine. Yep, a white boy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945.md?page=16)