# 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:** 1464
**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:** [May 22, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29262 "2016-05-22T12:29:56Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > This probably belongs in the Malicious Republicans thread but I’ll post it here. > > [An amendment making it harder for federal contractors to discriminate against LGBT workers passed the House with a vote of 217-206.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbt-discrimination-ndaa_us_573de95de4b0ef86171d8400) > > Or rather it would have passed, had the man in the Speaker’s chair followed the rules and pounded his gavel when time expired. Instead he kept the vote open improperly for several more minutes while GOP whips hassled members who weren’t anti-LGBT enough (perhaps blackmailing them about their own sexual indiscretions?) while Democrats chanted “Shame Shame Shame.” > > When the vote finally went to 212-213, _then_ the gavel was pounded. Why is that item too shy to name the representative holding the Speaker’s gavel? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29263 "2016-05-22T14:53:53Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Why is that item too shy to name the representative holding the Speaker’s gavel? I wondered the same thing. Maybe the reporter just didn’t recognize the guy and didn’t want to spend time tracking down his name. And why wasn’t the Ayn Rand devotee who has become the GOP’s paragon of sanity — Paul Ryan — sitting in the Speaker’s chair? Maybe he anticipated the “need” for shenanigans and wanted to disassociate himself from them. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29264 "2016-05-22T16:18:17Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Transcript of a conversation with Trump, in which he manages to avoid answering even one question: > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2016/03/21/a-transcript-of-donald-trumps-meeting-with-the-washington-post-editorial-board/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2016/03/21/a-transcript-of-donald-trumps-meeting-with-the-washington-post-editorial-board/) “I buy a slightly smaller than large glove” And this little part of the exchange: MARCUS: You chose to raise it … TRUMP: No, I chose to respond. MARUS: You chose to respond. TRUMP: I had no choice. Were probably my favorite bits. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29265 "2016-05-22T16:25:45Z")
It still astounds me that the part of “short-fingered vulgarian” that really offends him is “short-fingered”. ---
**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 22, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29266 "2016-05-22T16:38:21Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > This probably belongs in the Malicious Republicans thread but I’ll post it here. > > [An amendment making it harder for federal contractors to discriminate against LGBT workers passed the House with a vote of 217-206.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbt-discrimination-ndaa_us_573de95de4b0ef86171d8400) > > Or rather it would have passed, had the man in the Speaker’s chair followed the rules and pounded his gavel when time expired. Instead he kept the vote open improperly for several more minutes while GOP whips hassled members who weren’t anti-LGBT enough (perhaps blackmailing them about their own sexual indiscretions?) while Democrats chanted “Shame Shame Shame.” > > When the vote finally went to 212-213, _then_ the gavel was pounded. Even more fun, [Paul Ryan knee-jerked.](http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/280542-dems-cry-foul-after-house-gop-votes-down-lgbt-measure) > [@](#): > > He defended the provision in the defense bill. > > "This is federalism; the states should do this. The federal government shouldn’t stick its nose in its business,” he said. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29267 "2016-05-22T16:40:13Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > It still astounds me that the part of “short-fingered vulgarian” that really offends him is “short-fingered”. That’s because he thinks “vulgarian” means that alien who used to be on Star Trek. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29268 "2016-05-22T17:18:56Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > That’s because he thinks “vulgarian” means that alien who used to be on Star Trek. The one with the short fingers? ---
**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 23, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29269 "2016-05-23T02:30:33Z")
Fox “reporter” Ed Henry has made a recent career out of spending his time annoying Hillary, especially about Bill’s alleged affairs. [Now turns out he’s been having an affair of his own.](http://news.groopspeak.com/anti-hillary-fox-news-host-in-hot-water-mistress-comes-forward-with-career-ending-texts-2/) May I just say, yowza! ---
**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 23, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29270 "2016-05-23T02:32:36Z")
[Former Georgia state GOP chairman arrested for molesting children in three states.](http://bipartisanreport.com/2016/05/21/just-in-ex-gop-chairman-arrested-and-charged-in-3-states-for-molesting-children-as-young-as-four/) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29271 "2016-05-23T02:44:40Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Fox “reporter” Ed Henry has made a recent career out of spending his time annoying Hillary, especially about Bill’s alleged affairs. [Now turns out he’s been having an affair of his own.](http://news.groopspeak.com/anti-hillary-fox-news-host-in-hot-water-mistress-comes-forward-with-career-ending-texts-2/) > > May I just say, yowza! > [@](#): > > Henry then responded by sending his own emojis – three unpeeled bananas and three pairs of female lips. Stay classy, dude. ---
**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 23, 2016, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29272 "2016-05-23T02:48:16Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Fox “reporter” Ed Henry has made a recent career out of spending his time annoying Hillary, especially about Bill’s alleged affairs. [Now turns out he’s been having an affair of his own.](http://news.groopspeak.com/anti-hillary-fox-news-host-in-hot-water-mistress-comes-forward-with-career-ending-texts-2/) > > May I just say, yowza! > [@](#): > > after his mistress did a tell-all of their 5-year relationship. According to In Touch Weekly, who had the exclusive, the affair turned sexual 10-months ago Yeah, right. > [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Former Georgia state GOP chairman arrested for molesting children in three states.](http://bipartisanreport.com/2016/05/21/just-in-ex-gop-chairman-arrested-and-charged-in-3-states-for-molesting-children-as-young-as-four/) He thought loving children _was_ a family value. _blurf_ ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29273 "2016-05-23T14:41:16Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Former Georgia state GOP chairman arrested for molesting children in three states.](http://bipartisanreport.com/2016/05/21/just-in-ex-gop-chairman-arrested-and-charged-in-3-states-for-molesting-children-as-young-as-four/) That’s the Super Adventure Club for ya. ---
**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 23, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29274 "2016-05-23T19:54:38Z")
[Evangelicals think Trump is flashing them secret signs to show he’s really a Christian.](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/evangelicals-think-trump-uses-secret-hand-signals-to-show-hes-really-a-devout-christian/) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29275 "2016-05-23T20:03:06Z")
Secret signals?? Do they think they’re in _Quo Vadis?_ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29276 "2016-05-23T20:15:41Z")
No. There are theoretical limits, it is simply not possible to be that stupid. ---
**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 23, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29277 "2016-05-23T20:25:13Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Evangelicals think Trump is flashing them secret signs to show he’s really a Christian.](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/evangelicals-think-trump-uses-secret-hand-signals-to-show-hes-really-a-devout-christian/) > [@](#): > > In a Bloomberg report on Trump’s courting of the Evangelical vote, we learn that “at one recent meeting with Trump, evangelical leaders noted how he often flashes a signature hand gesture, **with a thumb out and a finger point to the sky** , as he enters and exits rallies.” “I’m coming for you next.” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29278 "2016-05-23T20:26:39Z")
They’re grasping at straws, because it is abundantly clear that the Conservative Christian Agenda got crushed in the mad rush for an “Outsider”. Trump is not, nor was he ever a Christian. The only God he has is his own ego. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29279 "2016-05-23T20:44:24Z")
Of course they are secret symbols. Trump is nothing if not subtle and circumspect about what he believes. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29280 "2016-05-23T20:52:34Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [Evangelicals think Trump is flashing them secret signs to show he’s really a Christian.](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/evangelicals-think-trump-uses-secret-hand-signals-to-show-hes-really-a-devout-christian/) Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb In the shape of an “L” on her forehead . . . ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/29281 "2016-05-23T21:52:57Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > They’re grasping at straws, because it is abundantly clear that the Conservative Christian Agenda got crushed in the mad rush for an “Outsider”. > > Trump is not, nor was he ever a Christian. The only God he has is his own ego. And [more serious evangelical thinkers are not impressed](http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/march-web-only/theology-of-donald-trump.html). > [@](#): > > Vague on doctrine, infiltrated by consumerism and a sentimental moralism intent on helping us all “become a better you,” and sort of interested in “family values” as long as they don’t interfere with our own family breakdowns, many cultural evangelicals are tired of losing the culture wars. They want a winner—“a strong leader.” I’m hardly the first to point out that it’s the stuff of which demagogues are made. > > It is not that Trump has caused this transformation in portions of the so-called “evangelical electorate.” Rather, his candidacy has revealed the inner secularization of significant portions of the movement, which surveys have documented for some time now. […] > > Trump reveals that many evangelicals have come to embrace a new doctrine of creation, according to which the state accords basic rights instead of recognizing their dignity as fellow image-bearers of God. Hence, the support of the torture of human beings (and perhaps their relatives) as legitimate state policy; this is entirely justified to some by the circumstances of an unlimited war on terror. […] > > Trump reveals that many evangelicals have come to embrace a different idea of sin than evangelicals have in the past. […] Card-carrying evangelicals should have gotten it when Trump announced that he has never asked God for forgiveness because he doesn’t really do anything that would require it. […] > > First, even if we were to reduce sin (a condition) to sins, the latter no longer include multiple divorces, significant past support of the abortion industry, lack of any church membership, and unabashed dedication to a “Me First” ethic. Widespread evangelical support suggests that we’re fine with these practices now—they’re normal. > > Second, and even more troubling, “sinners” are now apparently the “others” whose very presence makes us feel afraid and disenfranchised. Deflecting sin from ourselves to others, we have helped to provide a foundation for whatever demagogue can rally people “like us” to self-righteous anger against outsiders. […] > > Trump reminds us that many who call themselves evangelicals today find their ultimate loyalty in preserving or regaining a lost socio-political and cultural, perhaps even racial, hegemony in an increasingly diverse society. […] > > Trump reveals that “godly leadership” is apparently for some evangelicals the celebration of narcissism, greed, and deceitfulness in the pursuit of power. They like Trump’s “strong leadership” and ability to “get things done.” They seem to value pragmatism over anything else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1463) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1465)