# 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:** 1094
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21862 "2015-05-29T17:33:18Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > **[looks up from sharpening guillotine-blade]** Gee, I can’t possibly imagine why. Total waste of time. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21863 "2015-05-29T17:41:33Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I read that whole article, watched the video, then read Senator Johnson’s blog post about it, and I gotta ask: why are the people with all the money and all the power so shit scared and angry all the time? Maybe we ought to have [somebody](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_Defarge) make personalized knitted goods for them or something. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21864 "2015-05-29T18:37:10Z")
[The floods in Texas are the fault of all you witches and sodomites.](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/if-god-judging-texas-its-because-witchcraft-and-sodomy) Ted Cruz opposed federal funding to victims of Hurricane Sandy. But now he insists the government meet its “statutory obligations” to Texas. No word on when the secession vote is scheduled for. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21865 "2015-05-29T18:49:55Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > OK, I’m convinced. Live boy. The LA Times is reporting law enforcement sources confirming the “live boy” scenario from Hastert’s wrestling coach days. > **[Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert accused of hiding sex abuse of former...](https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hastert-misconduct-20150529-story.html)** > > J. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21866 "2015-05-29T19:01:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > [The floods in Texas are the fault of all you witches and sodomites.](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/if-god-judging-texas-its-because-witchcraft-and-sodomy) > [@article](#): > > the only parts of Texas that are underwater are the parts “that are overrun with witchcraft and sodomy” like Austin and **Houston, which has a “sodomite mayor.”** Um, does anybody have Annise Parker’s phone number? I’m single. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21867 "2015-05-29T20:09:47Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I read that whole article, watched the video, then read Senator Johnson’s blog post about it, and I gotta ask: why are the people with all the money and all the power so shit scared and angry all the time? Because you still have _some_. And that’s completely fucked up, man ! ---
**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:** [May 29, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21868 "2015-05-29T21:06:12Z")
Buzzfeed is reporting that there may be several alleged victims. > **[Family Of Alleged Hastert Victim Comes Forward](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/johnstanton/former-us-speaker-of-the-house-dennis-hastert-indicted)** > > Jolene Reinboldt told ABC News that her now-deceased brother Steve Reinboldt was sexually abused by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert in the early 1970s when Hastert was his wrestling coach at Yorkville High School. > [@](#): > > Source: Investigators considered including a second alleged victim in the Hastert indictment, but ultimately chose not to do so. > > A source familiar with the investigation told BuzzFeed News that U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon considered but did not pursue additional charges against former Speaker Dennis Hastert, which would have included a reference to an Individual B, one of potentially several alleged victims of “prior misdeeds.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21869 "2015-05-29T21:15:33Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I read that whole article, watched the video, then read Senator Johnson’s blog post about it, and I gotta ask: why are the people with all the money and all the power so shit scared and angry all the time? They’re deathly afraid of losing it. The same thing applies to the people with hardly any power and only a little bit of money who are scared that the blacks or illegals or whatever are going to take what they do have. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21870 "2015-05-29T21:21:55Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > They’re deathly afraid of losing it. The same thing applies to the people with hardly any power and only a little bit of money who are scared that the blacks or illegals or whatever are going to take what they do have. Basically, everyone is afraid. It seems like a lousy way to run a society. It seems like, if we could find a way to make sure that everyone’s basic needs are met, then there wouldn’t be near as much fear and hatred. Even the wealthy would have less to fear. You’d think they’d realize that. But maybe that’s pollyanna-ish. In any case, that’s a discussion for other threads. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21871 "2015-05-29T22:14:21Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Buzzfeed is reporting that there may be several alleged victims. > [Family Of Alleged Hastert Victim Comes Forward](http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnstanton/former-us-speaker-of-the-house-dennis-hastert-indicted#.piZWWg6PW0) This guy was my congressman for a long time (no, I never voted for him). So, he’s a (formerly) closeted gay Christian conservative, deeply conflicted, voting against gay rights, looking the other way wrt the Mark Foley thing. Starting only five years ago, one of his targets starts blackmailing him. Hastert gets caught because he withdraws too much money from the bank at one time, and then LIES TO THE FBI about it. :smack: Bad idea, Denny! Does the target get in trouble for the blackmailing? Haven’t heard a word about that. And now there may be a second target, or possibly more. Dear Christian conservatives: you REALLY HAVE TO GET A CLUE about sexual behavior. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21872 "2015-05-29T22:27:19Z")
Regarding Hastert, it looks like an AP error when identifying the party of the disgraced congress critter. [But as usual FOX news sees it as normal](http://blogd.com/wp/index.php/archives/9191). Hastert is a Democrat now. :smack: [http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29176394/10-things-to-know-for-friday](http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29176394/10-things-to-know-for-friday) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21873 "2015-05-29T22:40:01Z")
[George W. Bush-appointed judge who is hearing the Republican lawsuit against Obama, mulls impeachment.](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/29/1388786/-Republican-judge-ponders-impeachment-as-another-Obamacare-lawsuit-rears-its-ugly-nbsp-head) ---
**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:** [May 29, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21874 "2015-05-29T22:54:48Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Basically, everyone is afraid. It seems like a lousy way to run a society. I suspect it is a general _homo sapiens_ defect. Thinking is hard work, if we can shove it off on someone else, hey, great deal. So the first smarmy sociopath comes along, we just hand them the keys. This appears to be the shape of history: society ends up being run by the charismatic sociopaths, so it ends up a gordian linguine. It is not clear whether there is a robust way out of this trap. The Russians and the Chinese tried and ended up back at square one – probably because their efforts were spearheaded by smarmy sociopaths. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21875 "2015-05-29T23:59:04Z")
Latest measure to ban local legislation on fracking and waste water injections passes in Oklahoma. Small government but not too small is the Republican mantra. Bill pushed by local oil and gas producers who own the state legislature. Can’t have the locals getting upset by 400 fold increases in earthquakes. This is on top of oilman Harold Hamm trying to dismiss current head of state geological survey agency and offering himself up to serve on the search committee for new [del]impartial[/del] toady members. > **[Tulsa News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KTUL](https://ktul.com/error)** > > KTUL ABC 8 provides local and national news, sports, weather and notice of community events in Tulsa, Oklahoma and surrounding towns including Broken Arrow, Owasso, Claremore, Jenks, Bixby, Coweta, Muskogee, Westport, Beggs, Okmulgee, Council Hill,... [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-15/oil-tycoon-harold-hamm-wanted-scientists-dismissed-dean-s-e-mail-says](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-15/oil-tycoon-harold-hamm-wanted-scientists-dismissed-dean-s-e-mail-says) ---
**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:** [May 30, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21876 "2015-05-30T00:27:30Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > … > Even money says Fox will show Hastert with “D-IL” under his name. [http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29176394/10-things-to-know-for-friday](http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29176394/10-things-to-know-for-friday) > [@](#): > > 1. EX-HOUSE SPEAKER DENNIS HASTERT ACCUSED OF PAYING HUSH MONEY > > A federal indictment alleges that the 73-year-old Illinois Democrat paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars, seeking to conceal unspecified misconduct. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21877 "2015-05-30T00:37:38Z")
Ninjaed by post #21865 **davidm** (Has it really been that many posts in this thread? Egad.) ---
**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:** [May 30, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21878 "2015-05-30T00:57:40Z")
Guess who else is involved in the Duggar antics? > **[Guess Who's Mixed Up In Duggar Family Sex Crimes Now? Hobby Lobby, Of Course!](https://www.wonkette.com/p/guess-whos-mixed-up-in-duggar-family-sex-crimes-now-hobby-lobby-of-course)** > > According to the official police report, after Josh Duggar's parents found out he was molesting his sisters, and they spent a year doing NOTHING about it, Jim Bob Duggar sent his son for counseling with a "family friend" who was renovating a building... > [@](#): > > It turns out the program Josh went to was the Basic Life Principles Training Center, led by none other than Duggar family BFF Bill Gothard, the creepy man who, as your Wonkette reported Sunday, “coincidentally has been accused of sexual abuse and harassment by more than 30 teenage girls.” > … > Arkansas courts ALSO sent juvenile offenders to Gothard’s programs, housed in an old VA hospital in Little Rock, donated by some other good friends, the Green family, owners of **Hobby Lobby**. > … > Wonder how somebody as gross and creepy as Bill Gothard got all that official endorsement from the state, and how theoretically non-religious courts might think it’s okay to send juvenile offenders to a guy who thinks when little boys change little girl babies’ diapers, that the girls share responsibility for any subsequent abuse that happens, because they have VAGINAS and they’re RIGHT THERE. If you are thinking “Hmmm, I wonder if **Mike Huckabee** has anything to do with this,” you are wearing your thinking pants correctly! It turns out that, as Arkansas governor, Huckabee thought it would be great to use Gothard’s teachings and programs for … [just about everything!](http://www.ethicsdaily.com/huckabee-linked-to-controversial-bible-teacher-bill-gothard-cms-12076) It’s like there’s this cabal of crazy right-wing high-profile religious fundamentalists who all know each other. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21879 "2015-05-30T01:38:06Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I remember during the whole “Mark Foley sexting with teenage Congressional pages” scandal, there was a cloud over what Hastert knew (multiple people claiming that they tried to warn him about what was going on) and why he didn’t act. Maybe he wasn’t in a position to start making strong public condemnations about that sort of thing. There have been whispers in the wind out here for quite a few years, including rumors that he retired early before there was a leak. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21880 "2015-05-30T02:08:00Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > […] including rumors that he retired early before there was a leak. Is that what the kids are calling it these days? ---
**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:** [May 30, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/21881 "2015-05-30T03:39:33Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Regarding Hastert, it looks like an AP error when identifying the party of the disgraced congress critter. [But as usual FOX news sees it as normal](http://blogd.com/wp/index.php/archives/9191). > > Hastert is a Democrat now. :smack: > > [http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29176394/10-things-to-know-for-friday](http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29176394/10-things-to-know-for-friday) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2TnkJ8_BmSI/hqdefault.jpg "Surprise-Surprise-Surprise.flv") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TnkJ8_BmSI) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1093) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1095)