# Pitting the Republican Party of Texas **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436 "2012-06-27T06:54:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/61 "2012-06-28T05:38:03Z")
From what I’ve managed to gather, there’s always been a fringe group of anti-“equire” wierdos pushing for the Titles of Nobility Amendment, and claiming on rather spurious grounds that it’s official (it has gathered the ratification of 3/4 of the states that were in the union at the time it was proposed, although it has never been ratified by 3/4 of the states in existence at any given time). However, it’s current popularity is basically to claim that it’s unconstitutional for Barack Obama to have accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/62 "2012-06-28T06:50:02Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > However, it’s current popularity is basically to claim that it’s unconstitutional for Barack Obama to have accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. Really? Would it apply to any American who won a Nobel Prize? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/63 "2012-06-28T07:13:14Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > From what I’ve managed to gather, there’s always been a fringe group of anti-“equire” wierdos pushing for the Titles of Nobility Amendment, and claiming on rather spurious grounds that it’s official (it has gathered the ratification of 3/4 of the states that were in the union at the time it was proposed . . Actually, [it didn’t.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titles_of_Nobility_Amendment#Misconceptions) > [@](#): > > It has been claimed that the TONA became part of the U.S. Constitution—indeed many printings of the Constitution during the 19th century erroneously included it as a Thirteenth Amendment.[1] Perhaps this misunderstanding could be traced to the mistaken belief that both houses of South Carolina’s legislature had acted favorably upon the TONA when, evidently, only one of its houses did so. It can also be attributed to the misimpression that both houses of Virginia’s legislature had adopted the TONA—again, when apparently only one of its houses did so. In general, 19th century procedures for communicating and recording the ratifications of constitutional amendments were haphazard and some printings of the Constitution included the amendment out of uncertainty. Many other 19th century printings omit it.[1] > > There is a further misapprehension that the TONA was—at all stages in the ratification process—just one state’s adoption shy of being incorporated into the United States Constitution.[1] > > When the TONA was offered by the Congress to the state legislatures on May 1, 1810, the approval of 13 of them would indeed have been required. However, with the addition of Louisiana into the Union on April 30, 1812, that threshold increased to 14 state approvals. Louisiana’s statehood commenced after the Massachusetts ratification of the TONA, but prior to the New Hampshire ratification of it. Then, when Indiana was admitted on December 11, 1816, the bar was raised up to 15 approvals needed to ratify the TONA. Although the admission of Mississippi on December 10, 1817, did not increase the numerical requirement, the entry of Illinois on December 3, 1818, did elevate that minimum to 16 state adoptions necessary for the TONA to be incorporated into the Constitution.[1] > > The term “Thirteenthers” is sometimes used to refer to those who mistakenly believe this amendment was ratified or to those who would like to see ratification of this proposed amendment.[2][10] ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/64 "2012-06-28T07:15:23Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Really? Would it apply to any American who won a Nobel Prize? There are many hard choices in life. Nobel Prize or U.S. citizenship. Can’t have 'em both. Gotta pick one. Pick now! Now! Or we’ll revoke your Pulitzer! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/65 "2012-06-28T07:33:06Z")
Ronald Reagan was made a Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath by the United Kingdom and awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum by Japan. Presumably his American citizenship will be revoked. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/66 "2012-06-28T07:46:08Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > FYI, the 13th Amendment thing is part of the [Iowa Republican Party Platform](http://iowagop.org/platform.php), which IMO, impossible as it seems to believe, is is even crazier than the Texas one. YMMV. You are correct. My apologies to Texas. In my defense, I’ll note that the Texas Republican Party platform is calling for a good chunk of constitutional amending. They want: - A marriage amendment declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist of and be recognized only as the union of a natural man and a natural woman - A Human Life Amendment declaring an unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed - A Parental Rights Amendment declaring no laws shall not be enacted that limit parental rights in the rearing of both biological and adopted children - Repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment with the goal of abolishing the IRS - Plus a couple of amendments to the Texas Constitution ---
**Author:** ![pikey\_pete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pikey\_pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pikey_pete)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/67 "2012-06-28T08:00:52Z")
I live in Texas…I would like to take a moment and personally apologize for the idiots in my state. I agree with only two things they said: corporal punishment (hey, it worked when I was in school, even if I do have the occasional nightmare of being chased by nuns brandishing yardsticks like katanas,) and the personal accountability and responsibility. Unfortunately I think I have a different definition of ‘accountability and responsibility.’ I think its a great idea to have people take responsibility when they screw up and be willing to be held accountable for their actions. The sad truth is though that these days, everyone has an excuse. In regards to the education issues, the GOP is getting tired of being told that creationism, no matter how you dress it up, isn’t science. I personally endose ‘teaching the controversy.’ We should teach our young people Lamarckian and Spencerian evolution alongside Darwinian evolution. That way they can identify the difference between good science and bad science. I also think that every week, in every public school, they should have a morning announcement concerning the differences between a theory, a hypothesis, and made-up-bullshit-mythology. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/68 "2012-06-28T12:32:01Z")
However, despite Idiot Perry’s “misstatement” during his abortive run for the Nomination, Creationism or Intelligent Design are _not_ taught in Texas Public Schools! It’s Darwin all the way. I’m sure those historical failed theories theories are mentioned at the beginning of the course. Long ago, we learned about Lamarck (even in [La Marque](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Marque,_Texas)) & that Commie Lysenko. But they weren’t taught “alongside” the stuff we needed to learn to pass Biology… We’ve been laughing through our tears at the various Texas Republican Platforms for years now. The idiots have had some successes–like cutting [funding to Planned Parenthood](http://www.chron.com/news/article/Court-reviews-Planned-Parenthood-funding-ban-3615533.php), endangering medical care to low income women. But most of that crap is simply bloviating, aimed at the cheap seats… ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/69 "2012-06-28T13:16:37Z")
> [@pikey\_pete](#): > > I also think that every week, in every public school, they should have a morning announcement concerning the differences between a theory, a hypothesis, and made-up-bullshit-mythology. There should be a full-length course dealing with this (and other aspects of critical thinking), mandatory in every high school in the country. Of course, there are lots of legislators in Texas and elsewhere who’d pop a gasket at the thought of their favorite bullshit being skewered. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/70 "2012-06-28T13:27:37Z")
Boy, if that TONA Amendement were passed, we’d have to **vilify** the Revolutionary War major-general and hero William Alexander, who claimed to be Scottish Lord Stirling (and was so called by the army), instead of simply ignoring him the way we do now > **[William Alexander, Lord Stirling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Stirling)** > > William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling (1726 – 15 January 1783), was a Scottish-American major general during the American Revolutionary War. He was considered male heir to the Scottish title of Earl of Stirling through Scottish lineage (being the senior male descendant of the paternal grandfather of the 1st Earl of Stirling, who had died in 1640), and he sought the title sometime after 1756. His claim was initially granted by a Scottish court in 1759; however, the House of Lords ultima... ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/71 "2012-06-28T13:55:32Z")
I want a clarification on the corporal punishment is the schools thing. As a parent I know that spanking on the butt doesn’t work. However, a baseball bat to the face really gets their attention. Let’s not go halfway here. Let’s get the job done. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/72 "2012-06-28T19:43:52Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > I want a clarification on the corporal punishment is the schools thing. As a parent I know that spanking on the butt doesn’t work. However, a baseball bat to the face really gets their attention. > > Let’s not go halfway here. Let’s get the job done. :shakes head: The Irish are ruining our country. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/73 "2012-06-28T20:12:41Z")
The Irish wouldn’t touch a baseball bat. They use [hurleys](http://galwayhospice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cyril-Daly-with-Ollie-Canning_edited.jpg) on their [kids](http://heritagehurleys.com/product_images/e/925/BIRTHDAY_GIRLS_BAS__21494_zoom.png). ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/74 "2012-06-28T23:45:59Z")
> [@pikey pete](#): > > corporal punishment [Doesn’t work](http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2002/06/spanking.aspx). ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/75 "2012-06-28T23:54:38Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > [Doesn’t work](http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2002/06/spanking.aspx). So long as it makes the parents feel better, who cares if it works for the kids. ---
**Author:** ![prettyricky66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@prettyricky66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prettyricky66)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/76 "2012-06-29T01:41:04Z")
Get some serious earth moving equipment and separate Texas from the rest of the country. Allow them to split from the continent, push them out into the Gulf of Mexico. Texas can soak up excess oil from the BP oil spill and serve as a natural barrier during hurricane season. Think about it…they don’t care about the environment, we won’t have to pay for their healthcare because they’ll insist that everyone pray their way to good health. I don’t see any losers here.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436/77 "2012-06-29T06:33:01Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Boy, if that TONA Amendement were passed, we’d have to **vilify** the Revolutionary War major-general and hero William Alexander, who claimed to be Scottish Lord Stirling (and was so called by the army), instead of simply ignoring him the way we do now Not to mention all the people who swore allegiance to the confederacy during the Civil War. Since they would not be citizens, their offspring wouldn’t be either. We could pretty much purge the voting roles of anyone whose ancestors fought against the union. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-republican-party-of-texas/626436.md?page=3)