# 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:** 1368
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27342 "2016-02-14T21:10:09Z")
By taking away their guns. Duh. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27343 "2016-02-14T22:34:24Z")
I don’t want to know more about Obama’s dick tats. :eek: ---
**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:** [February 14, 2016, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27344 "2016-02-14T23:11:38Z")
[Cruz, who whines when his interpretation of the Constitution is different from that of other people, wants to pass a blatantly unconstitutional law.](http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/01/26/ted-cruz-proposes-bill-to-strip-5th-and-6th-amendment-out-of-us-constitution/) ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27345 "2016-02-15T11:58:19Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > From the RNC Membership Survey: > > 1. A recent national poll reported that nearly 25% of Americans want the government to pass more socialism. Do you agree or disagree? It’s like there’s this bucket of socialism that we just have to dip into to pass more of it. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27346 "2016-02-15T12:13:10Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Obama had Scalia murdered.](http://bipartisanreport.com/2016/02/14/say-what-the-newest-obama-conspiracy-theory-is-one-you-have-got-to-see-to-believe/) That was inevitable. Was the first thing my wife said when I told her Scalia was dead. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27347 "2016-02-15T12:16:41Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Cruz, who whines when his interpretation of the Constitution is different from that of other people, wants to pass a blatantly unconstitutional law.](http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/01/26/ted-cruz-proposes-bill-to-strip-5th-and-6th-amendment-out-of-us-constitution/) Once again proving that Cruz is smarter than all of us. Read the law carefully. Joining a terrorist organization, much like joining a foreign army, counts as a renunciation of American citizenship. > [@](#): > > U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain acts voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship. These acts include: > > Obtaining naturalization in a foreign state; > Taking an oath, affirmation or other formal declaration to a foreign state or its political subdivisions; > Entering or serving in the armed forces of a foreign state engaged in hostilities against the U.S. or serving as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of a foreign state; > Accepting employment with a foreign government if (a) one has the nationality of that foreign state or (b) a declaration of allegiance is required in accepting the position; > Formally renouncing U.S. citizenship before a U.S. consular officer outside the United States; > Formally renouncing U.S. citizenship within the U.S. (but only “in time of war”); > Conviction for an act of treason. [http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/loss\_of\_citizenship.html](http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/loss_of_citizenship.html) This actually belongs in the stupid liberal thread, since only the dumbest of liberals could think that joining a hostile force bent on the US’s destruction isn’t a renunciation of citizenship. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27348 "2016-02-15T12:30:42Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That was inevitable. Was the first thing my wife said when I told her Scalia was dead. So… in your house, you’re the _sane_ one? ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27349 "2016-02-15T13:24:30Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That was inevitable. Was the first thing my wife said when I told her Scalia was dead. She said some lunatic would claim he was murdered, or she said she believes he was murdered? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27350 "2016-02-15T15:07:18Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > She said some lunatic would claim he was murdered, or she said she believes he was murdered? It could be both. Maybe she’s the lunatic. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27351 "2016-02-15T15:15:59Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That was inevitable. Was the first thing my wife said when I told her Scalia was dead. Clearly! There’s almost no chance a 79 year old overweight man would just have a heart attack. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27352 "2016-02-15T15:18:48Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Once again proving that Cruz is smarter than all of us. Read the law carefully. Joining a terrorist organization, much like joining a foreign army, counts as a renunciation of American citizenship. > > [http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/loss\_of\_citizenship.html](http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/loss_of_citizenship.html) > > This actually belongs in the stupid liberal thread, since only the dumbest of liberals could think that joining a hostile force bent on the US’s destruction isn’t a renunciation of citizenship. From your own cite (bolding mine): > [@](#): > > U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain acts voluntarily **and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship**. These acts include: [You’re wrong (again)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=700971). There has to be “the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship”. Your cite specifically lists that as a criteria for one to lose one’s citizenship. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27353 "2016-02-15T15:20:06Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > It could be both. Maybe she’s the lunatic. That’s what I meant with option B. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27354 "2016-02-15T15:22:42Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > This actually belongs in the stupid liberal thread, since only the dumbest of liberals could think that joining a hostile force bent on the US’s destruction isn’t a renunciation of citizenship. But it’s not. According to the Constitution. Treason is another crime that involves “joining a hostile force bent on the US’s destruction” but anyone convicted of treason isn’t stripped of citizenship or denied any other due process rights (which aren’t predicated on citizenship anyway). ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27355 "2016-02-15T17:49:51Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Obama had Scalia murdered.](http://bipartisanreport.com/2016/02/14/say-what-the-newest-obama-conspiracy-theory-is-one-you-have-got-to-see-to-believe/) I love how the first guy managed get Islam into it by saying it was done by a “muslim group”. Of course, it might be a case of Poe’s law. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27356 "2016-02-15T18:10:54Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > This actually belongs in the stupid liberal thread, since only the dumbest of liberals could think that joining a hostile force bent on the US’s destruction isn’t a renunciation of citizenship. Others have pointed out how this is completely wrong. It’s typical for you, someone who just spouts off on any shit you think sounds right and never does the work to check the facts, or lack of same, behind a statement. Joining a hostile force is dumb no matter what, whether the person in question is liberal or conservative. But we know well, or should, excepting ignoramuses like **Adaher** , that people doing this are mostly NOT liberal. > [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > But it’s not. According to the Constitution. > > Treason is another crime that involves “joining a hostile force bent on the US’s destruction” but anyone convicted of treason isn’t stripped of citizenship or denied any other due process rights (which aren’t predicated on citizenship anyway). Unless, it seems, you are declared to be an “illegal combatant.” It seems you can be stripped of life and liberty regardless of citizenship in that case. Thank you, George W. Bush. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27357 "2016-02-15T18:13:03Z")
Loss of citizenship is not covered by the Constitution, it’s covered by US law. The law allows the INS to revoke citizenship, by a preponderance of evidence. And since it is a mere statute, it can be changed to make it automatic if someone joins a terrorist group. > [@](#): > > However, a person will no longer be a U.S. citizen if, by a preponderance of the evidence, officials can prove that the individual intended to renounce his U.S. citizenship. [http://blogs.findlaw.com/law\_and\_life/2012/06/can-you-lose-us-citizenship-renounce-it.html](http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2012/06/can-you-lose-us-citizenship-renounce-it.html) And the burden of appeal is actually on the one stripped of citizenship: > [@](#): > > [Section 349(b) provides that any person who performs, with intention to relinquish his or her citizenship, any of the above actions **is presumed to have done so voluntarily.** The person may rebut the presumption of voluntariness with a showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the actions he or she performed were not done voluntarily. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27358 "2016-02-15T18:27:06Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Loss of citizenship is not covered by the Constitution, it’s covered by US law. The law allows the INS to revoke citizenship, by a preponderance of evidence. And since it is a mere statute, it can be changed to make it automatic if someone joins a terrorist group. > > [http://blogs.findlaw.com/law\_and\_life/2012/06/can-you-lose-us-citizenship-renounce-it.html](http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2012/06/can-you-lose-us-citizenship-renounce-it.html) > > And the burden of appeal is actually on the one stripped of citizenship: You missed this part. > [@](#): > > Federal law lists a number of “potentially expatriating acts.” If done voluntarily **_and_ with the intent to relinquish citizenship,** the following acts will cause you to lose citizenship: > > ``` > Serving in the armed forces of a foreign country engaged in hostilities against the U.S. > Taking an officer position in the armed forces of a foreign state > Being convicted of treason > Taking an oath or affirmation to a foreign state > Working for a foreign government when you are of that nationality > > ``` So even if you join ISIS, you have to plan on renouncing citizenship. Joining ISIS is not an act of renouncement in itself. Also, in the case of ISIS, they are not a foreign country with an armed forces/military ---
**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:** [February 15, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27359 "2016-02-15T19:59:57Z")
So all those “patriots” who stormed and held the Malheur Refuge should be treated as non-citizens, given that they already do not recognize the validity of the state and federal governments? Can we send them to Guantanamo Bay? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27360 "2016-02-15T20:03:22Z")
As my cite shows, intent is assumed and must only be proved by a preponderance of evidence. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27361 "2016-02-15T20:04:51Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > So all those “patriots” who stormed and held the Malheur Refuge should be treated as non-citizens, given that they already do not recognize the validity of the state and federal governments? Can we send them to Guantanamo Bay? What they did didn’t fall under the criteria, but feel free to add an amendment to Cruz’s bill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1367) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1369)