# 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:** 154
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3061 "2011-05-27T07:29:58Z")
> [@Double\_Foolscap](#): > > I read in some trivia book that a full grown tree does produce more carbon dioxide through respiration than it uses up in photosynthesis - maybe that’s the fact Dana is working off? Even so, it exposes his ignorance about greenhouse gases. Trees neither increase nor decrease the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, because the same CO2 is being constantly recycled by photosynthesis and decomposition; there is no net increase in atmospheric CO2. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere only increase when previously sequestered CO2 from fossil fuels is reintroduced to the atmosphere through combustion. Rohrabacher is the poster boy for weapons grade stupid. ---
**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:** [May 27, 2011, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3062 "2011-05-27T09:59:48Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > So… She’s simply deluded about the facts? Or is she lying? I think the jury is still out on that one. Well, retarded as his reasoning is he’s not completely off something almost, but not quite, entirely unlike a fact. Trees act as “oxygen generators” because they take CO[sub]2[/sub] from the atmosphere, release the oxygen back and fixate the C in the form of more tree. And this process results in more oxygen out than CO[sub]2[/sub] is output by the tree’s respiration. When the tree dies & rots or burns however, all that carbon is released back. In the long run, unattended trees are merely temporary carbon fixators. Unless you turn them into furniture ! In which case they get treated not to rot away, and arbitrarily extend this temporary fixation. So if we want to reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, a solution would be to sic IKEA on the rainforest, then plant new trees there. It’s not a quick solution, mind. But it _would_ work [sub]although you’d probably output more greenhouse gas from fossil fuels in chainsawing, transporting, and furnituring up all those trees than you’d fixate by planting a new rainforest. Damn, it was so elegant ![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3063 "2011-05-27T13:49:02Z")
One of the best descriptions I recall of the manner in which George W. Bush spoke about most topics was that he typically discussed them as if he had himself just had everything explained to him a few moments before. I would extend that generally to the GOP at large. I think they struggle with their own comprehension of topics and issues, and end up generating very simplistic and often obviously erroneous discussion of issues. I’ve also certainly called their written material bereft of substance in the past. However, I don’t remember thinking that anything of theirs actually resembled a children’s book before. Check out the House GOPs plan for jobs creation; huge font and giant pictures pad the thing out to a full 10 pages! [http://majorityleader.gov/Jobs/HRP\_JOBS.pdf](http://majorityleader.gov/Jobs/HRP_JOBS.pdf) As far as I know, the physical version doesn’t have any pop-ups, but you never know. ---
**Author:** ![Profound\_Gibberish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3064 "2011-05-27T15:06:18Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Soybeans don’t fart. That really belongs on a T-Shirt 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3065 "2011-06-01T18:03:34Z")
[Chris Christie, small government conservative.](http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_christie_arrives_at_sons_h.html) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3066 "2011-06-01T20:57:30Z")
I’m impressed that a helicopter had the power to lift him, though I’m sure the hot air helped. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3067 "2011-06-01T23:42:29Z")
Isn’t he the one that [pulled out of the emissions reduction pact](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/nyregion/christie-pulls-nj-from-greenhouse-gas-coalition.html?_r=1)a few weeks ago? He’s just doing his part to flip the bird to all the poor, mostly brown people out there. Is it spelled cockknocker or cocknocker? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3068 "2011-06-02T02:04:55Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > [Chris Christie, small government conservative.](http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_christie_arrives_at_sons_h.html) Stop making us fat people look bad, you lazy, fat fuck! ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3069 "2011-06-02T06:10:14Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > [Chris Christie, small government conservative.](http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_christie_arrives_at_sons_h.html) I found it more hysterical that the helicopter landed 100 yards from the field and he got in a car and _drove_ there. Reminds me of an episode of Candid Camera where this guy loads about 75 lbs. of luggage into a cab and then gives the driver the address of the house behind the one he’s already at. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3070 "2011-06-02T06:20:50Z")
And according to Jon Stewart’s story, held both the car and the copter while he watched 5 innings, got back in the car, drove back to the copter and flew away. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3071 "2011-06-02T10:16:28Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > And according to Jon Stewart’s story, held both the car and the copter while he watched 5 innings, got back in the car, drove back to the copter and flew away. . . .to a fundraiser. Held for energy interests. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3072 "2011-06-02T14:05:38Z")
The best part is that it was a _British_ built helicopter. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3073 "2011-06-03T16:30:23Z")
[Sarah Palin gives a history lesson](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8insI0Ab9I&feature=player_embedded) on Paul Revere… > [@](#): > > “…he who warned, uh, the…the British that they weren’t gonna be takin’ away our arms…uh, by ringin’ those bells and um…makin’ sure as he’s ridin’ his horse through town…to send those warning shots and bells…that, uh, we were gonna be secure and…and we were gonna be free…and we were gonna be armed." EXACTLY! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3074 "2011-06-03T16:38:41Z")
I think my brain exploded from hearing that. She also said [some other stuff](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/sarah-palin-collects-a-bushel-of-pinocchios-on-her-bus-tour/2011/06/02/AGkNAbHH_blog.html) of varying levels of truthfulness. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3075 "2011-06-03T16:46:10Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I think my brain exploded from hearing that. > > She also said [some other stuff](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/sarah-palin-collects-a-bushel-of-pinocchios-on-her-bus-tour/2011/06/02/AGkNAbHH_blog.html) of varying levels of truthfulness. That’s truth **y** ness. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3076 "2011-06-03T19:15:53Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > That’s truth **y** ness. That’s truth[**i**](http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/24039/october-17-2005/the-word---truthiness)ness. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3077 "2011-06-03T19:37:46Z")
That’s what I said. Someone must have hacked my account! My i is bigger than that. ---
**Author:** ![Profound\_Gibberish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3078 "2011-06-03T19:40:44Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > That’s what I said. Someone must have hacked my account! My i is bigger than that. Thanks for that one! Great way to end a Friday! ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3079 "2011-06-07T21:55:27Z")
[Latest Republican fiscal idea – a billion-dollar tax on American inventors](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304432304576371722123551908.html): > [@](#): > > Legislation that would launch the most sweeping overhaul of patent laws in six decades could be derailed by a dispute in the House over funding for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. > > Two powerful House Republicans, Rep. Hal Rogers (R., Ky.), chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.), chairman of the Budget Committee, called this week for changes in the legislation that would restrict the patent office’s ability to keep its own fees. The Obama administration wants to allow the office to retain its fees to help the agency tackle a years-long backlog of patent applications. Congress has in the past diverted patent fees to other spending measures… > > …Congress has diverted nearly $1 billion in patent fees over the past 20 years… ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/3080 "2011-06-07T22:18:12Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [Latest Republican fiscal idea – a billion-dollar tax on American inventors](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304432304576371722123551908.html): You know, i’m generally willing to get on board with bashing the Republicans, but the substance of that article isn’t even close to saying that Republicans want a “billion-dollar tax on American inventors.” I think the USPTO is pretty fucked up in a lot of ways, and needs a major overhaul, and i also think that the Obama administration’s proposal to let the Office keep its fees in order to expedite applications is probably a good idea. But if Congress has diverted $1 billion of those fees over the past 20 years, it’s not exactly fair to blame it only on Republicans. Also, it’s hard even to evaluate the wisdom of such fund diversion without knowing what the $1 billion was used for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=153) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=155)