# 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:** 1167
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23322 "2015-07-28T22:00:12Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Meh. What’s Minnesotan warfare anyway? Tuna hot dish as a bioweapon? Lutefisk. Don’t push the Lutherans into breaking Geneva. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23323 "2015-07-28T22:32:54Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Meh. What’s Minnesotan warfare anyway? Tuna hot dish as a bioweapon? [Lutefisk. Yes, it is a Minnesotan bio-weapon.](https://youtu.be/KUzQoDXH-04?t=1m23s) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23324 "2015-07-28T22:39:34Z")
[They also have special forces units armed with Surströmming.](https://youtu.be/8cpl3yX9Ets?t=3m58s)[It has actually been used as a weapon, and has been banned by some major airlines.](http://munchies.vice.com/articles/someone-threw-a-fermented-fish-bomb-at-a-swedish-music-festival) ---
**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:** [July 28, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23325 "2015-07-28T22:47:18Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > I guess the Washington Times isn’t Republican, exactly. But it sure ain’t left leaning. I happened to see [this piece of “commentary” about the discovery of Kepler 452b](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/27/cal-thomas-kepler-452b-farway-planet-that-could-su/). From the article : > [@](#): > > Criminals would have their own planet where they could prey on each other instead of the rest of us, thus “solving” the crime problem. I can tell you what happens then. You leave them alone for two hundred years, then come back and it’s all “g’day, mate” and “she’ll be right”. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23326 "2015-07-28T23:02:17Z")
I’m disappointed; I thought **someone** would be chortling about the lawyer of a leading Republican candidate threatening a reporter, demonstrating a shocking ignorance of current laws, and saying _ **“you can’t rape your spouse”** _. [“You’re talking about the frontrunner for the G.O.P., presidential candidate, as well as a private individual who never raped anybody,” Cohen said. “And, of course, understand that by the very definition, you can’t rape your spouse . . . It is true. You cannot rape your spouse. _ **And there’s very clear case law.** _”](http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/07/trumps-lawyer-you-cannot-rape-your-spouse)_[emphasis mine]_ The threats to the reporter are pretty entertaining, too. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23327 "2015-07-28T23:05:00Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > [It has actually been used as a weapon, and has been banned by some major airlines.](http://munchies.vice.com/articles/someone-threw-a-fermented-fish-bomb-at-a-swedish-music-festival) Minnesotans are Norskes. There are no Swedes in Minnesota, they all know better. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23328 "2015-07-28T23:15:52Z")
> [@j666](#): > > I’m disappointed; I thought **someone** would be chortling about the lawyer of a leading Republican candidate threatening a reporter, demonstrating a shocking ignorance of current laws, and saying _ **“you can’t rape your spouse”** _. It has it’s [own thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=763540) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23329 "2015-07-28T23:29:14Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > [Lutefisk. Yes, it is a Minnesotan bio-weapon.](https://youtu.be/KUzQoDXH-04?t=1m23s) Could be worse. Could be [hakarl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A1karl). ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23330 "2015-07-28T23:45:15Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It has it’s [own thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=763540) Yeah, but that thread’s not as much fun as this one. I was hoping you’d give it the Bridgegate treatment. In every campaign, some poor staffer (or hanger on) does something breathtakingly inappropriate, and the press plays it for all it’s worth. That’s not happening; I think they’re like cats, who don’t want to kill the mouse too soon. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23331 "2015-07-28T23:49:35Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Could be worse. Could be [hakarl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A1karl). Oh, you think you’re just going to wander in again and act as if you’re a normal poster? [I think not.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=763568) You’re right there with **Starving Artist** on my list. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23332 "2015-07-28T23:50:55Z")
And Thomas’ piece isn’t even original… > **[The Great Explosion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Explosion)** > > The Great Explosion is a satirical science fiction novel by English writer Eric Frank Russell, first published in 1962. The story is divided into three sections. The final section is based on Russell's 1951 short story "...And Then There Were None". Twenty-three years after the novel was published, it won a Prometheus Hall of Fame Award. > The Blieder drive, a faster-than-light drive system, has permitted the population of Earth to colonize the galaxy. Each planet has become home for a particula... ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23333 "2015-07-28T23:54:31Z")
And this just in, Donald says he’d name Sara Palin to his cabinet. > **[Donald Trump Would Love ‘Special Person’ Sarah Palin in His Cabinet](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/donald-trump-love-special-person-sarah-palin-cabinet-223937215.html)** > > Does Donald Trump like Sarah Palin? You betcha. Sometimes the jokes just write themselves. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23334 "2015-07-29T00:03:30Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > And this just in, Donald says he’d name Sara Palin to his cabinet. > > [Donald Trump Would Love ‘Special Person’ Sarah Palin in His Cabinet](https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/news/donald-trump-love-special-person-sarah-palin-cabinet-223937215.html) > > Sometimes the jokes just write themselves. It says she’s a “special person”. And that John McCain tapped her. 😃 ---
**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 29, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23335 "2015-07-29T00:07:55Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > And this just in, Donald says he’d name Sara Palin to his cabinet. As what, a door? ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23336 "2015-07-29T01:55:25Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It says she’s a “special person”. And that John McCain tapped her. > > 😃 No … Good heavens, he did. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23337 "2015-07-29T02:21:04Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > And this just in, Donald says he’d name Sara Palin to his cabinet. > > [Donald Trump Would Love ‘Special Person’ Sarah Palin in His Cabinet](https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/news/donald-trump-love-special-person-sarah-palin-cabinet-223937215.html) > > Sometimes the jokes just write themselves. Are you sure that’s right? Could have misspoken and said, “nail her in a closet”, or, “nail her to a closet”? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23338 "2015-07-29T03:04:44Z")
I would be very pleased to see a Trump/Palin Republican ticket next year, to the point that I would contribute to their campaigns prior to the convention. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23339 "2015-07-29T03:45:29Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s understood that a lot of problems were inherited. Name one agency of government that works better now than under Bush. And there is actually an obvious one, so that should be a freebie for you if you actually pay attention to issues like this. Once you name that one, you can give me another. You’d think a successful President could improve at least TWO of the myriad government agencies, no? Because several have gotten worse under Obama. Actually, I’m willing to bet a lot more agencies worked better under Bush than under Obama. But this isn’t because of Bush. And it’s also not because of Obama…at least, not in the way you think. See, a lot of governmental agencies, ambassadors, judges, and other director level positions that require a Presidential appointment also require Congressional approval. And Congress simply isn’t approving them Here’s a current list of every single appointment of Obama’s: > **[Open Government Initiative | The White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/open/?utm_source=open.whitehouse.gov)** > > Open government – including transparency, public participation, and community engagement - is fundamental to democracy and to the work of government. It Feel free to download it into Excel to play around with it a bit. You’ll have fun. For instance, did you know there are almost 200 people currently nominated by Obama that haven’t gotten a vote? These are people up for things like the Ambassador to Norway, the Federal Railroad Administrator, members of the Federal Reserve, Director of the Mint, and 22 federal judges. Did you know that it takes an average of 141 days to call a vote? Is this a long time? Well, I give you another cite you’re probably not going to bother clicking: [Length of Time from Nomination to Confirmation for “Uncontroversial” U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominees](https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42732.pdf) • For uncontroversial circuit court nominees, the mean and median number of days from nomination to confirmation ranged from a low of 64.5 and 44.0 days, respectively, during the Reagan presidency to a high of 227.3 and 218.0 days, respectively, during the Obama presidency. • The percentage of uncontroversial circuit court nominees waiting more than 200 days from first nomination to confirmation increased from 5.1% during the Reagan presidency to 63.6% during the Obama presidency. • The median number of days to from nomination to approval increased from around 150 days for Bush to around 200 days for Obama. In summation, in pretty much every area of government where the President must appoint someone, that appointment gets delayed far longer under Obama than under any other President. Doesn’t matter how important the position or how qualified or uncontroversial the person is. Appointments get held up because it’s Obama and every area of government runs more inefficiently because no one is there to lead. But that doesn’t matter to you does it? Does government run inefficiently and the Republicans are calling it out, or are the Republicans making it inefficient and then calling out its inefficiency? Chicken and egg, right? Just another unsolvable mystery of the cosmos. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23340 "2015-07-29T04:10:17Z")
Well, surely if Obama was better at politics, compromising and garnering bipartisan support, these nominations would sail right through. He has only himself to blame. Ugh, that felt too close to a plausible Republican rebuttal to me. Now I feel icky. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2015, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/23341 "2015-07-29T04:42:58Z")
You mean, if he were a white, conservative, Republican? No, wait, how does that even make sense? Clearly this is a constitutional bug. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1166) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1168)