# 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:** 1400
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27982 "2016-03-21T13:51:57Z")
> [@j666](#): > > Why would you say that? Whether a license is issued or the record is generated another way, the marriage is a legal fact. I don’t see anything wrong with this; lots of people think the religious ceremony and the legal contract should be separated. Reading the [dry text](https://legiscan.com/AL/text/SB143/2016) of the [Alabama marriage license abolishment] bill itself, it actually looks like a very good idea. If I have a problem with it, it is only that I suspect the proponents have ulterior motives. ---
**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:** [March 21, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27983 "2016-03-21T14:17:25Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Reading the [dry text](https://legiscan.com/AL/text/SB143/2016) of the [Alabama marriage license abolishment] bill itself, it actually looks like a very good idea. If I have a problem with it, it is only that I suspect the proponents have ulterior motives. Well at least they are still allowing child marriage. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27984 "2016-03-21T14:23:09Z")
As long as it isn’t interracial. ---
**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:** [March 21, 2016, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27985 "2016-03-21T17:53:00Z")
Keith Ablow, Fox News’s medical “expert”, says [of course men hit women, what do you expect when women want all that equality nonsense?](http://wonkette.com/590640/fox-doctor-keith-ablow-men-punch-ladies-because-we-let-girls-do-sports) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27986 "2016-03-21T19:29:00Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Keith Ablow, Fox News’s medical “expert”, says [of course men hit women, what do you expect when women want all that equality nonsense?](http://wonkette.com/590640/fox-doctor-keith-ablow-men-punch-ladies-because-we-let-girls-do-sports) Sounds like he needs a few good ab-blows from Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, simultaneously. I’m kidding, violence never solved anything, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27987 "2016-03-21T19:49:56Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Keith Ablow, Fox News’s medical “expert”, says [of course men hit women, what do you expect when women want all that equality nonsense?](http://wonkette.com/590640/fox-doctor-keith-ablow-men-punch-ladies-because-we-let-girls-do-sports) Dear Lord, yes everything was better “back in the old days” when if my son wanted to watch “My Little Ponies” the proper response was to smack him and yell “Hell no you pussy! You need to be learning how to play football!” Then I delete Minecraft off my daughter’s Kindle because video games aren’t for girls. Anywho, [North Carolina is again worried about all the guys sneaking into female bathrooms to](http://www.wral.com/lawmakers-consider-coming-back-for-bathroom-ordinance/15573050/) . . . rape them? Look at them? Something. Or maybe they’re actually worried about women sneaking into the men’s room! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27988 "2016-03-21T20:20:26Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Or maybe they’re actually worried about women sneaking into the men’s room! Sneaking, shmeaking! When the line for the ladies’ room gets long enough, some women enter the men’s room quite openly. 🙂 ---
**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:** [March 21, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27989 "2016-03-21T20:22:43Z")
I’m more worried about male Republican legislators toe-tapping into Men’s rooms. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27990 "2016-03-21T20:40:16Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > I’m more worried about male Republican legislators toe-tapping into Men’s rooms. That probably happens more than: 1. Guy lies about being transgendered 2. Goes into ladies room 3. Harrasses women Seems like a wasted step. Couldn’t a guy just walk into a ladies room anyway? I know the design of the women’s restroom symbol was concocted to ward away most male sexual offenders, but how many bathroom creeps are only stopped because they can’t lie about their gender? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27991 "2016-03-21T20:46:59Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > Sounds like he needs a few good ab-blows from Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, simultaneously. I’m kidding, violence never solved anything, etc. You’re aiming too high… ---
**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:** [March 21, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27992 "2016-03-21T22:13:25Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > Sounds like he needs a few good ab-blows from Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, simultaneously. I’m kidding, **violence never solved anything,** etc. Tell that to the Carthaginians, Cherokee, Thervingi, etc., etc. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27993 "2016-03-21T23:40:23Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > That probably happens more than: > > 1. Guy lies about being transgendered > 2. Goes into ladies room > 3. Harrasses women > > Seems like a wasted step. Couldn’t a guy just walk into a ladies room anyway? I know the design of the women’s restroom symbol was concocted to ward away most male sexual offenders, but how many bathroom creeps are only stopped because they can’t lie about their gender? Move step 1 to the end and you’ll get the idea: they’re arguing that these laws will somehow legally shield dudes who do step 2 and 3, then do step 1 to get out of trouble. Never mind that none of these laws shield people from being arrested for harassment, no matter what their gender. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27994 "2016-03-21T23:50:41Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Move step 1 to the end and you’ll get the idea: they’re arguing that these laws will somehow legally shield dudes who do step 2 and 3, then do step 1 to get out of trouble. Never mind that none of these laws shield people from being arrested for harassment, no matter what their gender. Oh, so a woman harassing other women in a bathroom can’t be arrested! I get it! :rolleyes: ---
**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:** [March 22, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27995 "2016-03-22T00:31:44Z")
HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE South Carolina legislators calling a SPECIAL session to [del]hate[/del] block LGBT anti-discrimination bill in Charleston. > **[House, Senate leaders call for Special Session on Charlotte...](https://www.wect.com/story/31530718/house-senate-leaders-call-for-special-session-on-charlotte-non-discrimination-ordinance/)** > > Lt. Governor Dan Forest and state House Speaker Tim Moore say they have the required support to call for a special session of the General Assembly, to address a controversial ordinance passed by leaders in Charlotte regarding transgender individuals... It’s really for good reasons; for some measure of good. "We aim to repeal this ordinance before it goes into effect to provide for the privacy and protection of the women and children of our state.” ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27996 "2016-03-22T02:05:18Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Reading the [dry text](https://legiscan.com/AL/text/SB143/2016) of the [Alabama marriage license abolishment] bill itself, it actually looks like a very good idea. If I have a problem with it, it is only that I suspect the proponents have ulterior motives. An actual link! Thank you, Brother! or Sister! or gender non specific sibling term indicating shared values! I think the actual ulterior motive is to provide a face-saving mechanism for adherence to the law. I know I’m from the first state to legalize SSM, and I got married in the first state to allow civil unions, so I’m not as sensitive as some. I understand that people who have a visceral rejection of issuing an SSM license are no different from those who rejected issuing a … I don’t even know what term to use … a non-SRCM (non-single racial construct marriage?). But I don’t care; people can get married and start their families and get health insurance and that’s what matters. Maybe instead of pushing back, people should make Alabama a Wedding Destination state, like Vermont was when I got married. ---
**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:** [March 22, 2016, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27997 "2016-03-22T04:12:30Z")
I haven’t looked into this. It may be as simple as “if we don’t call it a marriage license, the sanctity of marriage is unsullied” (or whatever). Which is dumb. But say the married same-sex couple moves and another state asks to see their marriage license and they say, well, it was recorded… Would they have the correct documents to make sure they are married no matter where in the country they might live? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27998 "2016-03-22T05:15:49Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > “Nein! I mean No! Those are pictures of Hilter! Stan Hilter, and old family friend!” Come to think of it, why does Donald keep insisting that “Historically, Taunton is part of Minehead already!”?! 😕 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/27999 "2016-03-22T05:18:48Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Oh, so a woman harassing other women in a bathroom can’t be arrested! Well, no, but she **can** get film-deals! Win-win! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/28000 "2016-03-22T06:30:09Z")
One (or at least I) suspect that along with the “recording” will come some regulations (not laws) on what sorts of institutions will be “recognised” to be able to marry people for the marriage to be recorded… That would be my bet. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/28001 "2016-03-22T07:36:23Z")
Guidelines. Those are guidelines. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1399) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1401)