# Stupid Republican idea of the day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897 "2009-03-26T18:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1057
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21122 "2015-04-22T13:45:31Z")
[Dick Cheney - huge hypocrite on Iran](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/20/1378921/-Jon-Stewart-rips-Dick-Cheney-a-new-one?detail=email) Sadly, the GOP base eats it up. > [@](#): > > But basically the vice president’s point appears to be this: anyone who strengthens the strategic position of Iran is by definition working to weaken the Unites States of America. So I guess the formulation would be whoever strengthened Iran more would be the greater threat to America. Using Dick Cheney’s own metric as our baseline, can we uncover a greater threat to America than even Barack Obama? > > And if invading Iraq not only removed Iran’s closest foe but complicated America’s ability to actively countervail Iran’s nuclear program … according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, by the end of your administration, Mr. Vice President Cheney, Iran had over 20 times the uranium-enriching centrifuges as when you came into office. Could that not be considered handing Iran a nuclear weapon. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21123 "2015-04-22T14:02:29Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > A school nurse in Carlisle PA refused to treat a student who wouldn’t stand for the pledge of allegiance. The reports don’t say she’s a Republican, but she has the mindset. > [http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/atheists-condemn-school-nurse-refusing-treat-student-who-wont-stand-pledge](http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/atheists-condemn-school-nurse-refusing-treat-student-who-wont-stand-pledge) That’s one school employee that needs to be fired, sued into penury, then deported. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21124 "2015-04-22T14:14:00Z")
[Scott Walker says we need to crack down on **legal** immigration too.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/20/scott-walker-legal-immigration_n_7104614.html) Actually, the stupidity is debatable; he’s pitching this to the wage-depressing effects of immigration, and that is a valid point. Of course, that is also an argument for establishing a high minimum wage and extending it to the agricultural sector and enforcing it rigorously. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21125 "2015-04-22T15:45:45Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Scott Walker says we need to crack down on **legal** immigration too.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/20/scott-walker-legal-immigration_n_7104614.html) > > Actually, the stupidity is debatable; he’s pitching this to the wage-depressing effects of immigration, and that is a valid point. Of course, that is also an argument for establishing a high minimum wage and extending it to the agricultural sector and enforcing it rigorously. To the big donors, wage-suppression, and therefore an open-door immigration policy, is a _good_ thing. One wonders if Walker knows what side his bread is butter on. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21126 "2015-04-22T15:52:51Z")
He knows how to get votes while still serving big business. Trash unions to suppress wages, but then rail against immigrants for suppressing wages. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21127 "2015-04-22T16:11:15Z")
[Fox News’ Keith Ablow: Americans are joining ISIS because Obama is bad at branding.](http://www.salon.com/2015/04/22/fox_news_keith_ablow_americans_are_joining_isis_because_obama_is_bad_at_branding/) > [@](#): > > “When we de-branded America and don’t forget, this president took away the American brand, when we took away the notion of what it meant to be American for some number of people, we took away a part of them, a sense of patriotism, of forward momentum. And they are going to find it elsewhere. Our brand is being diluted, systematically and methodically, by this president.” ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21128 "2015-04-22T16:33:51Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Fox News’ Keith Ablow: Americans are joining ISIS because Obama is bad at branding.](http://www.salon.com/2015/04/22/fox_news_keith_ablow_americans_are_joining_isis_because_obama_is_bad_at_branding/) Where do we even start in responding to this kind of nonsense? First off, Americans are not joining ISIS. Okay, it’s literally true, there are 180 claimed cases, according to Fox itself; but 180 in a population of over 300 million is not a trend, it’s statistical noise. There are more Nazis in the US and no one is analyzing the reasons or decrying it as some sort of trend. Secondly, what the hell does he mean when he says that Obama took away the American brand? How did he do that? By daring to be a non-white president? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21129 "2015-04-22T17:03:22Z")
Keith Ablow looks like a James Bond villain. Somebody get that guy a cat ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21130 "2015-04-22T17:06:43Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > That’s one school employee that needs to be fired, sued into penury, then deported. I wouldn’t go that far, but that person certainly is not a caring nurse and probably should remove herself from the profession. Maybe she could do strip searches in a women’s prison. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21131 "2015-04-22T17:16:41Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Secondly, what the hell does he mean when he says that Obama took away the American brand? How did he do that? By daring to be a non-white president? That dog-whistle is in there, certainly, but they’ve been pounding the general meme for six years – Obama is not really American, he’s un-American, he’s anti-American, he’s weakening America, he’s cutting at the roots of American exceptionalism (about fuckin’ **time!),** etc., etc. And we’ll be hearing the same when Clinton or O’Malley or any other Dem is POTUS. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21132 "2015-04-22T17:25:41Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > That dog-whistle is in there, certainly, but they’ve been pounding the general meme for six years – Obama is not really American, he’s un-American, he’s anti-American, he’s weakening America, he’s cutting at the roots of American exceptionalism (about fuckin’ **time!),** etc., etc. And we’ll be hearing the same when Clinton or O’Malley or any other Dem is POTUS. That’s all dog whistles. I don’t recall other Democratic presidents being attacked so vociferously as un-American. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21133 "2015-04-22T17:25:53Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > America has some of the richest deposits of stupidity in the world. Communities rely on this stupidity. Without it, entire industries would collapse. The Republicans have been selfishly exploiting these reserves for their own political gain. Stupidity is a renewable resource, but it’s not infinite. At current rates of consumption we’ll hit peak stupidity by 2037. Our first priority should be a cap and trade system, but until then we’ll need to rely on substitution. For example, instead of seeing Islamic conspiracies under your bed or misunderstanding elementary school science you can fall down the stairs, hit your thumb with a hammer, or say your political opponents have cooties. Don’t forget to reuse and recycle. Old stupidity can be just as effective as new, especially with a bit of refurbishing. That’s beautiful. Even bereft of the context of this thread, it’s a work of art. What I’m saying is, may I please make that paragraph my Facebook status for the day? If you want, I will append an offer to provide attribution. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21134 "2015-04-22T17:30:27Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > That’s all dog whistles. I don’t recall other Democratic presidents being attacked so vociferously as un-American. “That man” FDR was by certain sectors. And Bill Clinton came in for all kinds of shit, even worse than FDR – I remember Rush Limbaugh’s short-lived TV show always began with “Day X! America Held Hostage!” Some RWs appear to have internalized the notion that the Reagan Revolution was once-and-for-all and no Dem legitimately **can** be POTUS after that, it’s an impossible reversal of history, like a Jacobite Restoration. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21135 "2015-04-22T17:32:22Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > A school nurse in Carlisle PA refused to treat a student who wouldn’t stand for the pledge of allegiance. The reports don’t say she’s a Republican, but she has the mindset. > [http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/atheists-condemn-school-nurse-refusing-treat-student-who-wont-stand-pledge](http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/atheists-condemn-school-nurse-refusing-treat-student-who-wont-stand-pledge) > [@silenus](#): > > That’s one school employee that needs to be fired, sued into penury, then deported. I don’t disagree, but I would have been more satisfied with the story had the writer mentioned anything about what condition sent the student to the nurse’s office. As written, it almost looks like the nurse summoned her after the assembly. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21136 "2015-04-22T17:44:37Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I don’t disagree, but I would have been more satisfied with the story had the writer mentioned anything about what condition sent the student to the nurse’s office. As written, it almost looks like the nurse summoned her after the assembly. I didn’t see any mention of an assembly. Here’s another article from a local paper. > **[Student was berated for refusing to stand during Pledge of Allegiance,...](https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2015/04/first_amendment_rights_pledge.html)** > > The organization demands a public apology from Carlisle Area School District. > [@](#): > > According to the letter, the student typically remains seated during the Pledge “for personal reasons.” The student was in the school nurse’s office last Thursday when the Pledge of Allegiance took place, the letter says. > > The center contends the nurse ordered everyone in the room to stand. The nurse then questioned the student who remained seated, and who replied the Pledge is voluntary and no explanation for opting out is needed, according to the letter. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21137 "2015-04-22T17:54:06Z")
A woman in Mesa, AZ has pleaded guilty for [running her husband over with a jeep](http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/gilbert/2015/04/21/mesa-woman-guilty-running-over-husband-abrk/26137941/) after the 2012 election because he hadn’t voted against Obama. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21138 "2015-04-22T18:23:18Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I didn’t see any mention of an assembly. > > Here’s another article from a local paper. > [Student was berated for refusing to stand during Pledge of Allegiance, free-speech group says - pennlive.com](http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/04/first_amendment_rights_pledge.html) Ah. Thanks much. That second story answers my other question, which had to do with how the nurse was aware of the student’s action. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21139 "2015-04-22T18:36:04Z")
> [@](#): > > **Texas lieutenant governor advisers: Pre-K a ‘Godless’ choice** > > Advisers to Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick described a major bipartisan pre-K initiative as socialist and keeping children in a ‘Godless environment’ in a letter sent to lawmakers Tuesday. > > The letter was a rebuke over a preschool push being led by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, whose office responded by defending its plan while not addressing the criticism. It was written by a “grassroots advisory” board of conservative activists that Patrick, a tea party leader, assembled upon taking office in January. > > “We are experimenting at great cost to taxpayers with a program that removes our young children from homes and half-day religious preschools and mothers’ day out programs to a Godless environment with only evidence showing absolutely NO LONG-TERM BENEFITS beyond the 1st grade,” the letter said. [http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/04/22/texas-lieutenant-governor-advisers-pre-k-a\_ap.html](http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/04/22/texas-lieutenant-governor-advisers-pre-k-a_ap.html) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21140 "2015-04-22T18:40:02Z")
Bill-O: [“These ladies”](http://www.salon.com/2015/04/22/bill_oreillys_ludicrous_supreme_court_demand_these_ladies_have_to_recuse_themselves_from_gay_marriage_case/) (Ginsburg & Kagan) must recuse themselves from SCOTUS SSM case because they have officiated at same-sex weddings. He does not demand the three justices who have officiated at opposite-sex weddings recuse themselves. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21141 "2015-04-22T18:50:59Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > [http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/04/22/texas-lieutenant-governor-advisers-pre-k-a\_ap.html](http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/04/22/texas-lieutenant-governor-advisers-pre-k-a_ap.html) Are the governor and the lieutenant governor elected separately in Texas? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1056) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1058)