# 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:** 1313
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26242 "2015-12-16T19:47:39Z")
A committed egalitarian, like a lefty or a liberal, might well have criticisms and suspicions when it comes to affirmative action. But that same comrade would, most likely, offer an alternative, another path to the desired result. If you criticize the solution without offering another solution, you leave open the prospect that you would prefer to keep the problem. If he has a free-market (Blessings and peace be upon it…) solution that does not involve Big Gummint intevention, I’d be delighted to hear it. It may not be as effective but it would be an easier sell. But it seems that all he cares about is telling us how wrong we are. And that’s tearing down without building up. Which is a bad thing. I have that on good authority. ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26243 "2015-12-16T19:55:24Z")
[G.O.P. Candidates call for no-fly zone](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/us/politics/gop-candidates-leading-charge-in-call-for-syrian-no-fly-zone.html) So nobody told them airpower is one of the very few weapons ISIS does not posses? Yeah, let’s stop them from using all those jets and drones ISIS doesn’t even have! Sheeesh. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26244 "2015-12-16T19:57:08Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > A committed egalitarian, like a lefty or a liberal, might well have criticisms and suspicions when it comes to affirmative action. But that same comrade would, most likely, offer an alternative, another path to the desired result. Can we define the “desired result”? Is it equality of outcome, or just equality of opportunity? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26245 "2015-12-16T20:07:29Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [House Republicans want to go on record as opposed to the War on Christmas](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/republicans-fight-back-against-war-on-christmas-in-congress) /me make note. “Buy into stocks for tactical manger scenes.” ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26246 "2015-12-16T20:19:57Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > [G.O.P. Candidates call for no-fly zone](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/us/politics/gop-candidates-leading-charge-in-call-for-syrian-no-fly-zone.html) > > So nobody told them airpower is one of the very few weapons ISIS does not posses? Yeah, let’s stop them from using all those jets and drones ISIS doesn’t even have! > > Sheeesh. Not a SRIOTD. Hillary has jumped in too. > [@](#): > > Hillary Rodham Clinton has split with President Obama, advocating a no-fly zone in an attempt to stop the bloodshed, reduce the flow of refugees and give the United States leverage against Russia. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26247 "2015-12-16T20:20:50Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Can we define the “desired result”? Is it equality of outcome, or just equality of opportunity? Frankly, I doubt that we can, but you go right ahead on if you want to. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26248 "2015-12-16T21:31:33Z")
Well, there’s the rub. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26249 "2015-12-16T21:34:28Z")
> [@UberArchetype](#): > > [G.O.P. Candidates call for no-fly zone](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/us/politics/gop-candidates-leading-charge-in-call-for-syrian-no-fly-zone.html) > > So nobody told them airpower is one of the very few weapons ISIS does not posses? Yeah, let’s stop them from using all those jets and drones ISIS doesn’t even have! > > Sheeesh. A Syrian no-fly zone is a roundabout move against ISIS. It stops the Syrian air force from attacking rebels, who could then attack ISIS (and Assad). ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26250 "2015-12-16T22:31:57Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > A Syrian no-fly zone is a roundabout move against ISIS. It stops the Syrian air force from attacking rebels, who could then attack ISIS (and Assad). It’s aimed at the Russians, who are going to say, “Who the hell are you to tell us to stop flying over Syria?” Which would be a good question. ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26251 "2015-12-16T23:01:28Z")
“Flying” is about the only way anything gets done, in terms of war, death and destruction in Syria. Without it, ISIS or anyone else for that matter, is basically free to do as they please. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26252 "2015-12-17T21:29:00Z")
Mike Huckabee: [Gay troops are lowering morale in the military to its lowest level ever.](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/mike-huckabee-lgbt-troops-destroying-military-morale) ---
**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:** [December 17, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26253 "2015-12-17T22:44:45Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Can we define the “desired result”? Is it equality of outcome, or just equality of opportunity? I would guess that the desired result is that education is distributed in the most effective way possible, allowing young people to discover their own abilities and develop them fully. In some cases, pedagogy might be “wasted” on students who might not benefit optimally from it, but in general, learning stuff is a good thing. The most important lesson, IMAO, is the vast extent of how much lies beyond one’s horizon of grasp: everyone should be encouraged to continue to learn stuff. Does that seem like a reasonable goal (if not actually practicable)? ---
**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:** [December 17, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26254 "2015-12-17T22:54:29Z")
A twofer: [Texas Agriculture Commissioner wants to slap the next person who wishes him Happy Holidays (I tweeted Happy Holidays to him as well as posting it on his Facebook page)](http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Texas-Ag-Commish-Sid-Miller-threatens-a-slap-to-6702932.php) [Representative Mike Pompeo urges the military to disobey Obama orders.](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/rep-mike-pompeo-urges-military-defy-obama-gitmo-closure) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26255 "2015-12-18T00:30:41Z")
[quote=“Rick\_Kitchen, post:26254, topic:490897”] A twofer: [Texas Agriculture Commissioner wants to slap the next person who wishes him Happy Holidays (I tweeted Happy Holidays to him as well as posting it on his Facebook page)](http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Texas-Ag-Commish-Sid-Miller-threatens-a-slap-to-6702932.php) I feel his pain. I want to slap the next person who plays a Christmas song in a public place. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26256 "2015-12-18T00:40:31Z")
I did. Bail hearing soon. Girl Scouts be damned, just wasn’t in the mood! ---
**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:** [December 18, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26257 "2015-12-18T02:45:49Z")
The latest from Ted Cruz. > **['Undocumented Democrats' Is Ted Cruz's 'New, Politically Correct' Term](https://www.npr.org/2015/12/17/460149169/undocumented-democrats-is-ted-cruzs-new-politically-correct-term)** > > The GOP presidential candidate continues to attack the "Gang of Eight" (and with it, opponent Marco Rubio). For the record, I first heard the term from “even bigger Texas Whackjob” Louis Gohmert. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26258 "2015-12-18T03:45:13Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I feel his pain. I want to slap the next person who plays a Christmas song in a public place. Whoa. I do this all the time, and I am not even Christian (I’m an atheist). Grinch much? > [@eschereal](#): > > I would guess that the desired result is that education is distributed in the most effective way possible, allowing young people to discover their own abilities and develop them fully. In some cases, pedagogy might be “wasted” on students who might not benefit optimally from it, but in general, learning stuff is a good thing. The most important lesson, IMAO, is the vast extent of how much lies beyond one’s horizon of grasp: everyone should be encouraged to continue to learn stuff. > > Does that seem like a reasonable goal (if not actually practicable)? Works for me. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2015, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26259 "2015-12-18T05:01:48Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Texas Agriculture Commissioner wants to slap the next person who wishes him Happy Holidays (I tweeted Happy Holidays to him as well as posting it on his Facebook page)](http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Texas-Ag-Commish-Sid-Miller-threatens-a-slap-to-6702932.php) I know that Texas Protestants only count three holidays this time of year, Black Friday (in liturgical terms it begins at sundown on Thanksgiving), Christmas, and New Years Day ;), but as a piss-poor Lutheran but a one-time very good Catholic I did a quick run-through of the holiday season. Advent began 11/29, St Nicholas’s feast day was 12/6, the feast of the Immaculate Conception was 12/8, Christmas is 12/25, St Stephen’s Day is 12/26, the Feast of the Circumcision (I lapsed a long time ago) is 1/1, and Epiphany is 1/6. Then Eastern Rite has some of the dates wrong but because my brother went Russian I have to be aware of them, Jews have Hanukkah, Muslims can’t agree on a day to–or whether to–celebrate the birth of the Prophet but it’s in there somewhere, and then there’s Kwanzaa, if anybody but white elementary schoolteachers still celebrate it. I think that’s a full plate of Holiday Season, better than a month, to hope people enjoy, and I’m not even including the Wiccansm, Buddhists, Hindus, and everybody else. By limiting it to Merry Christmas, “merry” being an inappropriate emotional response to the birth of our Lord, I feel some people give me a theological poke in they eye, and I don’t like it. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26260 "2015-12-18T05:10:50Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > the Feast of the Circumcision Um, not hungry, thanks anyway. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/26261 "2015-12-18T05:41:56Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Um, not hungry, thanks anyway. But it’s customary, even if you don’t eat, to leave a tip. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1312) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1314)