# Pete Stark is a frickin' idiot **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 6, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709 "2010-07-06T13:47:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/61 "2010-07-07T17:40:26Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Our language has no plural form for adjectives. “Illegals” is not a valid word in our language. > > Q.E.D. He learned this while studying for finals. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2010, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/62 "2010-07-07T17:43:52Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’m aware that many people don’t like it and think that it’s a derogatory term. worse than derogatory, _dehumanizing_. > [@](#): > > Nonetheless, as the [m-w.com](http://m-w.com) entry shows, it’s been used as a noun since at least 1939. Then it’s high time the lexicographers stopped enabling the pigfuckers who insist on using it that way. Label it as [_usu. considered vulgar_]. > [@](#): > > I personally think the hyperbolic indignation over its use is a semantic red herring that does no particular favors for illegal immigrants or their advocates. Of the many problems to be solved regarding immigrants and how they’re treated, the favored choice of noun ranks near the bottom of the list---- but being low-hanging fruit, makes a convenient (if not especially constructive) target. Noted. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/63 "2010-07-07T17:47:00Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’m aware that many people don’t like it and think that it’s a derogatory term. Nonetheless, as the [m-w.com](http://m-w.com) entry shows, it’s been used as a noun since at least 1939. > > I personally think the hyperbolic indignation over its use is a semantic red herring that does no particular favors for illegal immigrants or their advocates. Of the many problems to be solved regarding immigrants and how they’re treated, the favored choice of noun ranks near the bottom of the list---- but being low-hanging fruit, makes a convenient (if not especially constructive) target. I bet if we started referring to everyone who got a speeding ticket, or jaywalked, or took a hit off pot, or set off fireworks in the wrong place “an illegal,” people would suddenly have a problem with it. Because white people do that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/64 "2010-07-07T18:03:20Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Contrary to popular belief, the dictionary is not the be-all, end-all of proper English. > > “The job of the dictionary is to document the language as it’s used.” -Merriam-Webster editor. That is the opinion of a Merriam-Webster editor - and one largely unshared by dictionary publishers not named Random House. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/65 "2010-07-08T04:21:41Z")
Pete Stark’s penis resembles a Taco Bell Burrito with cheese! ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/66 "2010-07-08T04:49:40Z")
Pete Stark is a frickin’ idiot, but not for this reason. He’s rather typical of a career politician, who cares more about helping himself than his constituents. The outburst in the OP is not the first time he’s done something like that. I am somewhat glad that he’s not my representative anymore, although I may have traded him for a bigger idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/67 "2010-07-08T04:59:21Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > That is the opinion of a Merriam-Webster editor Yeah, maybe, but it’s an opinion I give far more weight to on this subject than the opinion of anyone here. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/68 "2010-07-08T14:37:28Z")
I like that he is willing to stand up to morons. I would happily trade Rep. Steve King and Sen. Chuck Grassley for him. Of course, anymore,I would trade them for a box of Cheez-doodles. ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/69 "2010-07-08T14:40:10Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > In fairness, “our borders are secure” _was_ an idiotic thing to say. I don’t think China or Iran could roll a tank across either US border without encountering some serious and immediate resistance. Our borders are secure for any correct usage of the word “secure.” What they are not is magically repellent to nonwhite people who want to work in the U.S., which is A-OK with me. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/70 "2010-07-08T16:50:08Z")
No, they really aren’t, regardless of whether you think illegal immigration is a Big Deal or not (I don’t). > [@](#): > > se·cure > /sɪˈkyʊər/ [si-kyoor] -cur·er, -cur·est, verb, -cured, -cur·ing. > > –adjective > > 1. free from or not exposed to danger or harm; safe. > 2. dependable; firm; not liable to fail, yield, become displaced, etc., as a support or a fastening: The building was secure, even in an earthquake. > 3. affording safety, as a place: He needed a secure hideout. > 4. in safe custody or keeping: Here in the vault the necklace was secure. > 5. free from care; without anxiety: emotionally secure. > 6. firmly established, as a relationship or reputation: He earned a secure place among the baseball immortals. > 7. sure; certain; assured: secure of victory; secure in religious belief. > 8. **safe from penetration or interception by unauthorized persons: secure radio communications between army units.** > 9. Archaic . overconfident. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/71 "2010-07-08T17:15:44Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > The Minutemen are no different than the KKK or Christian Identity. Any Congressman who actually treats any of those groups politely loses my vote. Not that it matters, since I’m not in Stark’s district, but still… My sentiments exactly. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/72 "2010-07-08T21:00:20Z")
You can not secure the borders. You can stop the companies from hiring illegals. That is doable. A 1200 mile long fence that is impossible to beat is also impossible to build. Then they can use boats to go around it anyway. You can stop companies from hiring them therefore ending the reason to jump the border. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/73 "2010-07-15T14:24:43Z")
I just wanted to revive this just long enough to show how effective a twenty foot tall fence is. > **[ItemFix - Social Video Factory](https://www.itemfix.com/?r=ll)** > > Social Video Factory ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/74 "2010-07-15T15:08:14Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > I just wanted to revive this just long enough to show how effective a twenty foot tall fence is. > > [ItemFix - Social Video Factory](http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=dc9_1279058187) Dear God. Once the Latin American Newton comes along and invents the ‘ladder’ you American honkies are just doomed. A 1200 mile moat with jaw to tail crocodiles should do it. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/75 "2010-07-15T15:23:53Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > In fairness, “our borders are secure” _was_ an idiotic thing to say. What hostile army is likely to invade? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/76 "2010-07-15T15:31:37Z")
Asked and answered. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/77 "2010-07-15T16:31:39Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > What hostile army is likely to invade? The Mexican military is not invading but they are aiding drug smugglers. This video shows the military on American soil. > **[ItemFix - Social Video Factory](https://www.itemfix.com/?r=ll)** > > Social Video Factory This video is of a reporter and a guy from the National Border Council saying the military is aiding drug smugglers. > **[ItemFix - Social Video Factory](https://www.itemfix.com/?r=ll)** > > Social Video Factory ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/78 "2010-07-15T17:54:42Z")
The Mexican military is corrupt? Oh no, get me my smelling salts! I’m about to faint from the shock of it. If they think a border fence is going to slow down drug smugglers, they are loony. They seem to do quite well in getting stuff into Florida which has no border with foreign countries, not counting Alabama. And sure, the average smuggler is going to make his shipment of weed inconspicuous by smuggling it along with a dozen people. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/79 "2010-07-15T18:22:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > A study by an anti-immigration organization finds that illegal immigration costs money? Shocking! [SourceWatch page](http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Center_For_Immigration_Studies) on the Center for Immigration Studies: > [@](#): > > _The **Center for Immigration Studies (CIS)** is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit research organization founded in 1985. It is the nation’s only think tank devoted exclusively to research and policy analysis of the economic, social, demographic, fiscal, and other impacts of immigration on the United States. > Source: [http://www.cis.org/aboutcis.html](http://www.cis.org/aboutcis.html)_ > > WARNING: This center is actually a think tank directly connected to the anti-immigration advocacy group FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) and is aligned with the conservative magazine National Review. “CIS has also been critiqued as being part of a network of anti-immigrant groups that cater to a white supremacist constituency by right-wing economic libertarians who believe in the benefits of mass and unfettered immigration.” See [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1452.html](http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1452.html) ---
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709/80 "2010-07-15T19:29:08Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I bet if we started referring to everyone who got a speeding ticket, or jaywalked, or took a hit off pot, or set off fireworks in the wrong place “an illegal,” people would suddenly have a problem with it. Because white people do that stuff. I suppose a budding English professor like yourself, interested as you are in the fine points of language, uses the correct legal term, which is of course “illegal alien.” Or do you just cut to the chase and call them “future Democrats”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-stark-is-a-frickin-idiot/545709.md?page=5)