# Republicans take their ball and go home... Can anyone defend this? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 25, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711 "2010-03-25T03:57:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/41 "2010-03-25T17:13:09Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > If you really can see no difference between stopping a Senator from finishing a speech (maybe cut off a minute or two and it probably went in the record anyway as text) and stopping a whole senate committee from doing its job and wasting the time of commanders who have shit of their own to do and spent tax payer money to fly them around the whole world to do nothing then there is no point in talking to you. > > Like saying little kids bicker and there is no difference if that bickering is play wrestling or them breaking each others’ noses because hey…bickering is all the same right? What I am saying.. again.. is that the government is not bereft of a history of calling witnesses from halfway across the world with their own shit to do to testify and then cancelling at the last minute. It’s not new. To say that THIS time it’s shocking and appalling is really really … naive? paritsan? If the children had broken each other’s noses previously on many many many occasions with not a word from you, would you be surprised if one of them asked why now? Why now are you complaining about us breaking each others’ noses when we have broken each others’ noses for years? ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/42 "2010-03-25T17:14:15Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > You are literally as thick as pig shit. Thank you… your shit smearing is an improvement on your critical thinking skills as displayed here. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/43 "2010-03-25T17:16:08Z")
OK, OK, so now they’re using baseball bats, and a few minor concussions and skull fractures have, inadvertently, resulted. Really, its the same thing! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/44 "2010-03-25T17:17:48Z")
Why didn’t the Dems ever take their ball and go home? They don’t have any balls! Thank-you, thank-you. Don’t forget the tip jar! ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/45 "2010-03-25T17:20:14Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > OK, OK, so now they’re using baseball bats, and a few minor concussions and skull fractures have, inadvertently, resulted. Really, its the same thing! Really, ‘luci’ and this time read for comprehension.. it’s a new fad all the cool kids are doing… They have been using baseball bats and suffering concussions and skull fractures for years. This is NOT new. The United States Governmentt gives fuck all about the time and inconvenience and expenses incurred of it’s witnesses. To say well NOW, THIS TIME, it’s appalling shows your party Underoos ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/46 "2010-03-25T17:21:55Z")
> [@CircleofWillis](#): > > Hey Mr Content -Free post, anything t ocontribute or are you just gonna sit in the back and call names? Or do you anything to contribute beyond your shit smearings? Did you \*really \*just do the online equivalent of “I know you are, but what am I?” Lame, dude. Franken’s actions can’t compare to the Republican’s actions. Sorry, it just can’t. But lemme tell you what I’m gonna do. If you insist that Franken’s little obstruction excuses, in any way, what the Republicans are doing… would his performance be canceled out if I find an instance of a Republican doing the same thing to another Democrat? ‘Cause I’m betting I can. I’m bettin’ I can Tu the motherfuck outta Quoque. Would that swing the needle back into reality land? But you know what? Fuck that. It’s too easy. Instead, why don’t you explain to the class exactly how the current Republican obstructionism is excused by Franken cutting that guy off? I mean, surely it’s a simple thing for you to do so. ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/47 "2010-03-25T17:28:35Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > Did you \*really \*just do the online equivalent of “I know you are, but what am I?” > > Lame, dude. > > Franken’s actions can’t compare to the Republican’s actions. Sorry, it just can’t. > > But lemme tell you what I’m gonna do. If you insist that Franken’s little obstruction excuses, in any way, what the Republicans are doing… would his performance be canceled out if I find an instance of a Republican doing the same thing to another Democrat? ‘Cause I’m betting I can. I’m bettin’ I can Tu the motherfuck outta Quoque. Would that swing the needle back into reality land? > > But you know what? Fuck that. It’s too easy. Instead, why don’t you explain to the class exactly how the current Republican obstructionism is excused by Franken cutting that guy off? I mean, surely it’s a simple thing for you to do so. Jesus Christ, are you fucking serious? It. Doesn’t. Fucking. Matter. It’s not excused. It’s bullshit. Bu the fucking point of the lesson, young padewan, is don’t get your panties in a wad because THEY do it. The whole fucking lot of them are doing it. They are all obstructionist fear-mongering shit-stirrers. They are ALL fucking this country. Dems, Pubbies, Greenies, Commies, Socialists, the whole fucking lot of them. So don’t get offended cuz the Pubbies do it and try and play the “well thats’s different” shuffle. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/48 "2010-03-25T17:36:00Z")
Elected officials, obstructing governance because they didn’t like the outcome of a vote. These are not people interested in making anything better for anyone. They would rather American’s get no governance than the governance of their opponent, even though that’s what they chose at the polls. I think we can all agree that it truly sucks to be on the 49% of any 51/49 divide. And, I think we can all agree, that it bites to have to suck it up when you’re in the 49. Stomping your feet and shouting, ‘but half the country agrees with me’, or ‘they started it’, just makes you look too juvenile and immature to be trusted with the reigns of power. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/49 "2010-03-25T17:37:58Z")
> [@CircleofWillis](#): > > What I am saying.. again.. is that the government is not bereft of a history of calling witnesses from halfway across the world with their own shit to do to testify and then cancelling at the last minute. It’s not new. To say that THIS time it’s shocking and appalling is really really … naive? paritsan? > > If the children had broken each other’s noses previously on many many many occasions with not a word from you, would you be surprised if one of them asked why now? Why now are you complaining about us breaking each others’ noses when we have broken each others’ noses for years? Well, if you can point to a time when Dems blocked a Senate committee from meeting when they have no issue with the work the committee is doing and also left a bunch of people who went to great lengths to attend the committee meeting hanging and the only reason being is “Cuz we can” then you might have a case. So, cite? (Personally I do not understand the rule at all but presumably they put it there for a reason so I suppose it has been invoked in the past but I am specifically looking for one when it was invoked for no more reason than malice.) ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/50 "2010-03-25T17:44:13Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > The rule says that committee meetings can’t be after 2, which is 2 hours after the senate starts meeting. To suspend the rule requires unanimous consent…it’s basically saying, “Hey, there’s a rule that says a committee can’t meet, but we’re going to do it anyway. Anybody object?” If one senator objects, they can’t do it, because it takes unanimous consent to suspend the rules. Actually, the rule in question [(rule 26, part 5 item a)](http://rules.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=RuleXXVI) says in part: > [@](#): > > 1. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the rules, when the Senate is in session, no committee of the Senate or any subcommittee thereof may meet, without special leave, after the conclusion of the first two hours after the meeting of the Senate commenced and in no case after two o’clock postmeridian unless consent therefor has been obtained from the majority leader and the minority leader (or in the event of the absence of either of such leaders, from his designee). So while it’s true that it requires unanimous consent to suspend the rule, it doesn’t require unanimous consent to hold meetings after 2pm. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/51 "2010-03-25T17:48:13Z")
> [@CircleofWillis](#): > > Jesus Christ, are you fucking serious? It. Doesn’t. Fucking. Matter. It’s not excused. It’s bullshit. Bu the fucking point of the lesson, young padewan, is don’t get your panties in a wad because THEY do it. The whole fucking lot of them are doing it. They are all obstructionist fear-mongering shit-stirrers. They are ALL fucking this country. Dems, Pubbies, Greenies, Commies, Socialists, the whole fucking lot of them. So don’t get offended cuz the Pubbies do it and try and play the “well thats’s different” shuffle. Yes, I’m serious, and I’m not Jesus Christ. I can forgive the misapprehension though; completely understandable. So lemme see if I’ve got this straight… you’re entire point is that they ALL do it. Every last one of 'em. And because every last one of 'em does it, it’s not newsworthy that the Republicans are doing it on such a large scale as this. That about cut it, sunshine? ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/52 "2010-03-25T17:51:02Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > Yes, I’m serious, and I’m not Jesus Christ. I can forgive the misapprehension though; completely understandable. > > So lemme see if I’ve got this straight… you’re entire point is that they ALL do it. Every last one of 'em. And because every last one of 'em does it, it’s not newsworthy that the Republicans are doing it on such a large scale as this. > > That about cut it, sunshine? No sweetheart, shnookums, fancy-ass. You missed it. Re-check your work and try again. You’ll at least get half-credit if you get it right next time. Though you’ll need a good grade on the final for any hope of making the Sadie Hawkin’s Dance. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/53 "2010-03-25T17:55:14Z")
> [@CircleofWillis](#): > > No sweetheart, shnookums, fancy-ass. You missed it. Re-check your work and try again. You’ll at least get half-credit if you get it right next time. Though you’ll need a good grade on the final for any hope of making the Sadie Hawkin’s Dance. Still waiting for a cite that Dems have done this particular thing too. Not holding my breath though. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/54 "2010-03-25T19:28:07Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I have to disagree with **never**. Society has learned. Women vote, segregation stops, etc. Ignorance is beaten back. If it can happen then, it could happen now. The question wasn’t “When will we move past \*this particular subset \*of the politics of fear and division?” It was “When will the American populace finally be done with the politics of fear and division?” There’s always something new to fearmonger over. As long as the human brain works the way it does, someone will continue to exploit it. Jews, Communists, Terrorists, Socialists–if we’re afraid of something, we’re not thinking about what they’re doing to “protect” us. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/55 "2010-03-25T19:46:08Z")
[duplicate] ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/56 "2010-03-25T20:48:09Z")
> [@CircleofWillis](#): > > No sweetheart, shnookums, fancy-ass. You missed it. Re-check your work and try again. You’ll at least get half-credit if you get it right next time. Though you’ll need a good grade on the final for any hope of making the Sadie Hawkin’s Dance. Look, I know you’re a dildo. But here’s a quick tip for you: if someone actually _did_ misunderstand your point, you might want to correct that misunderstanding. Because otherwise, it appears that you’re just throwing out some random insults as you furiously flog that tiny brain of yours to come up with a dodge. The fakey terms of endearment shit also points to the conclusion that you = pwned = dildo. Of course, the alternative is just that you lack the ability to effectively communicate your innovative theory of political ethics, but that would be a little contradictory. ---
**Author:** ![CircleofWillis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/54ee81/32.png) [@CircleofWillis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircleofWillis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/57 "2010-03-25T21:05:43Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > Look, I know you’re a dildo. But here’s a quick tip for you: if someone actually _did_ misunderstand your point, you might want to correct that misunderstanding. Because otherwise, it appears that you’re just throwing out some random insults as you furiously flog that tiny brain of yours to come up with a dodge. > > The fakey terms of endearment shit also points to the conclusion that you = pwned = dildo. > > Of course, the alternative is just that you lack the ability to effectively communicate your innovative theory of political ethics, but that would be a little contradictory. Are you this fucking stupid on purpose or is this some sort of thing that allows me to wear jeans to work on a Wednesday for contributing ten bucks a month to charity? The fact that you don’t understand the context of the barb-trading is not suprising to anyone who doesn’t have a forehead that could show a double feature at dusk. So ya know step away and go find some random object (preferrably animate I would assume) to stare at until it gives in and accepts cash for giving you a quick handjob behind the soup kitchen in between work hours at your “job” searching out empties on the sidewalk trash cans. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/58 "2010-03-25T21:12:55Z")
> [@CircleofWillis](#): > > The fact that you don’t understand the context of the barb-trading is not suprising to anyone who doesn’t have a forehead that could show a double feature at dusk. Honeyplease. We get “barb-trading” (what the fuck are you, a catfish?)–yours are just terrible. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/59 "2010-03-25T21:17:27Z")
Whachoo talkin bout Willis? Hahahahahahahahahahah. hahaha. ha. heh. whew. It’s funny because you’re a twatwhistle. ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711/60 "2010-03-25T21:17:28Z")
> [@CircleofWillis](#): > > Are you this fucking stupid on purpose or is this some sort of thing that allows me to wear jeans to work on a Wednesday for contributing ten bucks a month to charity? > > The fact that you don’t understand the context of the barb-trading is not suprising to anyone who doesn’t have a forehead that could show a double feature at dusk. > > So ya know step away and go find some random object (preferrably animate I would assume) to stare at until it gives in and accepts cash for giving you a quick handjob behind the soup kitchen in between work hours at your “job” searching out empties on the sidewalk trash cans. So, what you’re saying here is: “I don’t have anything, but maybe if I just throw a bunch of insults out, people won’t notice my startling lack of content”. You see, I can point out that you’re one of the sub-educated, who also cannot spell “preferably”. However, I also have the ability, which you apparently lack, of making a cogent point while I do so. Here’s your chance to step up and explain how you’re right; until then, we shall all continue to assume that your history of being a complete retard explains your poor communications skills. ETA: this reminds me of that one thread where some poster who is also a moron claimed he had this brilliant point, but that we had to post it first, because, you know, then that would prove his point. Or something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-take-their-ball-and-go-home-can-anyone-defend-this/533711.md?page=4)