# 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:** 1770
**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:** [October 24, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35382 "2017-10-24T20:06:29Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > [Two person Montana firm in Ryan Zinke’s home town lands Puerto Rico’s biggest contract ($300 million) to get the power back on](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/small-montana-firm-lands-puerto-ricos-biggest-contract-to-get-the-power-back-on/2017/10/23/31cccc3e-b4d6-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html) > > Of course it’s totally not possible Zinke got a kickback. I wonder if Richard Spencer is involved somehow. He’s from Whitefish, just like Zinke. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35383 "2017-10-24T22:25:25Z")
> [@Greathouse](#): > > [House GOP Probing Obama-Era Uranium Sale to Russia](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/house-gop-probing-obama-era-uranium-sale-russia-n813776) > > Hasn’t the whole Hillary/Obama selling Russia Uranium thing been thoroughly debunked by now? Their distraction tactics are so fucking obvious. I can’t believe that conservatives fall for this shit. Like the search for the Holy Grail, the Ark, Yeti, and Bigfoot, this will never be over… ---
**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:** [October 25, 2017, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35384 "2017-10-25T09:05:25Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > You mean the investigation into the lying widows? Ya, we’ve gotta get to the bottom of that. Also, that one Congresswoman has a funny hat. Gotta investigate that shit. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2017, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35385 "2017-10-25T11:55:37Z")
Conform to Texas politics if you want hurricane relief. \* "The city of Dickinson, in Galveston County, was among the hardest-hit places when Hurricane Harvey’s torrential rains slammed Texas. Residents now seeking Harvey relief face a strange ultimatum: agree not to boycott Israel, or your application for aid will be denied. "\* > [@Snopes.com](#): > > CLAIM … As of October 2017, would-be recipients of a repair grant from Dickinson, Texas, must promise not to boycott Israel. > > RATING … TRUE > [@Houston Chronicle](#): > > A recently passed state law prohibits Texas governmental entities — including cities — from contracting with or investing certain public funds in companies that boycott Israel. > > “Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies, and we will not tolerate such actions against an important ally,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news release earlier this year. > > Dickinson’s application for aid to rebuild homes and businesses requires residents to state that they will not boycott Israel during the term of the agreement, according to a form on the city’s website. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2017, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35386 "2017-10-25T11:59:42Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Bill O’Reilly is mad at God for not covering up his sexual harassment allegations.](http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/23/media/bill-oreilly-misconduct-allegations/index.html) [God answers back.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Y5WyZ36iU) ---
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35387 "2017-10-25T12:16:14Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Conform to Texas politics if you want hurricane relief. \* "The city of Dickinson, in Galveston County, was among the hardest-hit places when Hurricane Harvey’s torrential rains slammed Texas. Residents now seeking Harvey relief face a strange ultimatum: agree not to boycott Israel, or your application for aid will be denied. "\* That is seriously fucked up. I understand it has to do with a law that Abbott signed into law stating the state couldn’t do business with companies that boycott Israel, which itself is fucked up, but denying hurricane relief funds to someone without having them first take basically a fucking loyalty pledge is complete bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35388 "2017-10-25T12:26:50Z")
What is that stupid shit? Who the hell puts preconditions on disaster relief? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35389 "2017-10-25T12:30:13Z")
I just looked at that form on the Dickinson web site. First, why the fuck does anyone in Dickinson, Texas give two shits about who does or does not boycott Israel? How would the average Dickinson resident be in a position to boycott Israel anyway? Second, it’s just a paragraph on the form. How are they even going to check that anyway? The whole thing is just stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35390 "2017-10-25T12:35:13Z")
How exactly do you boycott Israel? Stop buying olives? ---
**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:** [October 25, 2017, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35391 "2017-10-25T12:38:02Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > How exactly do you boycott Israel? Stop buying olives? Don’t buy an Uzi. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35392 "2017-10-25T12:45:31Z")
Or microprocessors. Or thumb drives. Or CAT scans. It’s a bullshit law, but not because you can’t find stuff to buy from Israel - you all probably have at least several dozen of pieces of hardware or software designed or manufactured in Israel in your homes right now. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35393 "2017-10-25T12:55:58Z")
> [@Greathouse](#): > > That is seriously fucked up. I understand it has to do with a law that Abbott signed into law stating the state couldn’t do business with companies that boycott Israel, which itself is fucked up, but denying hurricane relief funds to someone without having them first take basically a fucking loyalty pledge is complete bullshit. Not only that, but a pledge of loyalty to a foreign country. How can that even be constitutional? > [@manson1972](#): > > I just looked at that form on the Dickinson web site. First, why the fuck does anyone in Dickinson, Texas give two shits about who does or does not boycott Israel? How would the average Dickinson resident be in a position to boycott Israel anyway? > > Second, it’s just a paragraph on the form. How are they even going to check that anyway? The whole thing is just stupid. It’s pretty clear that Dickinson misinterpreted the law, which, as stated above, is directed at contractors working with the state. But yeah, this whole thing seems completely idiotic. More here: [Need Hurricane Aid? In One Texas City, If You Boycott Israel, You May Be Out Of Luck : The Two-Way : NPR](http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/20/559070267/need-hurricane-aid-in-one-texas-city-if-you-boycott-israel-you-may-be-out-of-luc) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35394 "2017-10-25T13:33:09Z")
> [@Greathouse](#): > > [House GOP Probing Obama-Era Uranium Sale to Russia](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/house-gop-probing-obama-era-uranium-sale-russia-n813776) > > Hasn’t the whole Hillary/Obama selling Russia Uranium thing been thoroughly debunked by now? Their distraction tactics are so fucking obvious. I can’t believe that conservatives fall for this shit. Holy crap. Why is all the power and majesty of the federal government focused on Hillary Clinton, yet again? When does this cross the line into harassment? ---
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35395 "2017-10-25T13:43:33Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Holy crap. Why is all the power and majesty of the federal government focused on Hillary Clinton, yet again? When does this cross the line into harassment? When will the day come when the current administration stops trying to blame everything on the previous administration and start owning the state of things? I mean every time Trumps fucks up (which is fucking constantly) how long are they going to be able to say “But, Hillary…” or “Yeah, but the Obama administration left me a mess…” and have conservatives fall for it? They’re like a bunch of ADHD kids who are so easily distracted by the big scary black man and his cronies who used to run things that they can’t see what is actually happening. All SHS or Trump has to say is “Hey, look over there!” and they don’t pay any attention to the current face raping that Trump is doing to the country. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35396 "2017-10-25T14:02:07Z")
In fairness, they’re doing the only thing they know how to do. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35397 "2017-10-25T14:12:59Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > What is that stupid shit? Who the hell puts preconditions on disaster relief? The current idiot asshole pussy-grabber-in-chief, that’s who! ---
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35398 "2017-10-25T14:16:28Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > The current idiot asshole pussy-grabber-in-chief, that’s who! Actually, as much as I would love to blame Trump for this, it is purely a stupid TX thing rather than a federal BS law. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35399 "2017-10-25T14:52:41Z")
> [@Greathouse](#): > > When will the day come when the current administration stops trying to blame everything on the previous administration and start owning the state of things? … I can tell you exactly when: the 12th of Never. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35400 "2017-10-25T15:13:40Z")
If I were Hillary I would hope I’d be subpoenaed by a congressional committee just so I could say: oh, hell no. Hit me with contempt of Congress. I don’t give a shit. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35401 "2017-10-25T15:54:25Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Or microprocessors. Or thumb drives. Or CAT scans. It’s a bullshit law, but not because you can’t find stuff to buy from Israel - you all probably have at least several dozen of pieces of hardware or software designed or manufactured in Israel in your homes right now. And not all of them placed there by Mossad! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1769) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1771)