# 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:** 1777
**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:** [November 3, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35522 "2017-11-03T23:18:38Z")
The air is TOO clean??? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35523 "2017-11-05T03:12:04Z")
This sounds like a job for [HORMESIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormesis)! The idea is neither a stupid or Republican idea. But the potential result may be. This is a field (not without controversy) which studies how organisms respond “biphasically” to a substance or condition. I first heard about this subject when reading an magazine article about a scientist testing a herbicide of increasingly higher concentrations on a series of plants. The expectation was that as each plant got a higher dosage of the herbicide, the resulting damage would increase. Unexpectedly, the plants with the lowest doses were actually invigorated when compared to the control plant that had no herbicide applied; beyond a certain concentration, however, the damaging effects were what you would have expected. What Dr. Phalen is talking about is that a small amount of air pollution may actually enhance pulmonary health. If it has merit, then it should be studied. That being said, however, me hopes Dr. Phalen understands what the Evil Mr. Pruitt is really up to. If Dr. Phalen demonstrates that there is an overwhelming scientific evidence to support his assertion–the end result will be the typical American mythology that if a little is good, a lot is so much better… You can picture industry lobbyist telling Congress why it’s a win/win: > [@](#): > > “Well, it’s been shown by the EPA that if we increase pollutants in the air by 1%, the average lung function increases by 5%! So, if we increase pollutants by twenty percent…why…why that means we only have to breath half as much!” ---
**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:** [November 5, 2017, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35524 "2017-11-05T03:26:00Z")
Somebody they’re calling “a neighbor” was arrested for hitting Rand Paul in his house in KY today. I haven’t been able to find any details. ---
**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:** [November 5, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35525 "2017-11-05T03:40:47Z")
This is being reported by Newsweek, but Newsweek’s site seems to be down right now. Don’t know if somebody’s dong a DOS attack on them or not, but anyway, other sites that I’m not sure are particularly neutral are reporting it, too, so here goes. [Republicans think middle class Americans earn $450,000 a year](https://www.metro.us/news/the-big-stories/republicans-tax-bill-middle-class-450000) ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35526 "2017-11-05T05:26:03Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > This is being reported by Newsweek, but Newsweek’s site seems to be down right now. Don’t know if somebody’s dong a DOS attack on them or not, but anyway, other sites that I’m not sure are particularly neutral are reporting it, too, so here goes. > [Republicans think middle class Americans earn $450,000 a year](https://www.metro.us/news/the-big-stories/republicans-tax-bill-middle-class-450000) Why is it every time I think I’ve created a parody of the right that can’t possibly be matched in reality… I called this in the tax thread, but I said they must think middle class meant $500,000 per year. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35527 "2017-11-05T12:29:24Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > This is being reported by Newsweek, but Newsweek’s site seems to be down right now. Don’t know if somebody’s dong a DOS attack on them or not, but anyway, other sites that I’m not sure are particularly neutral are reporting it, too, so here goes. > [Republicans think middle class Americans earn $450,000 a year](https://www.metro.us/news/the-big-stories/republicans-tax-bill-middle-class-450000) There’s also a lot that is technically true but completely deceptive in that fact sheet: “Significantly increases the standard deduction”: Yeah, but it apparently gets rid of the personal exemption, which was almost as large as the standard deduction. So, the net effect is only a small increase in the sum of the two…and by calling it all the standard deduction, which you only get if you don’t itemize, it will actually raise taxes for some people who used to be able to claim a bigger deduction by itemizing but won’t be able to any more. “Continues the deduction for charitable contributions”: Except that it is still only available to those who itemize, which is going to be the best choice for way fewer taxpayers than it was before. And then there are the lies they use to sell their tax break for the rich, i.e., the repeal of the AMT and the Estate Tax… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35528 "2017-11-05T19:57:47Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Somebody they’re calling “a neighbor” was arrested for hitting Rand Paul in his house in KY today. I haven’t been able to find any details. At his home in a gated neighborhood in Bowling Green. Tackled by his neighbor, a fellow physician. Hmm. Bowling Green. This must be what Kellyanne was referring to - she must be prescient. ---
**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:** [November 5, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35529 "2017-11-05T20:16:11Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > At his home in a gated neighborhood in Bowling Green. Tackled by his neighbor, a fellow physician. > > Hmm. Bowling Green. This must be what Kellyanne was referring to - she must be prescient. I didn’t realize she was psychic. Psych_ **o** _, yes… ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35530 "2017-11-05T20:51:02Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Somebody they’re calling “a neighbor” was arrested for hitting Rand Paul in his house in KY today. I haven’t been able to find any details. The Blaze is reporting that the FBI says it was politically motivated and that the neighbor’s Facebook page is covered in Liberal slogans. I can’t remember who The Blaze is, and it seems to be mostly Red sites repeating this. So we’ll see. I’m going to choose to believe that the neighbor is a good man who was driven to Hulk out by never-ending yardwork noises. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35531 "2017-11-05T21:08:44Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > I’m going to choose to believe that the neighbor is a good man who was driven to Hulk out by never-ending yardwork noises. [Lawnmower](https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/sen-rand-paul-recovering-from-injuries-suffered-in-alleged-assault/2017/11/05/6380c78a-c250-11e7-84bc-5e285c7f4512_story.html?utm_term=.2f78759166b2)? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35532 "2017-11-06T01:52:58Z")
Christ, if I lived near Rand Paul, I would be enticed to walk over and put the hurt on him every time I’d had one beer too many. If I lived near Ted Cruz, I would bring a pole axe. Also, why am I not surprised that all of these shits live in “gated communities?” ---
**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:** [November 6, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35533 "2017-11-06T01:55:43Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > The Blaze is reporting that the FBI says it was politically motivated and that the neighbor’s Facebook page is covered in Liberal slogans. > > I can’t remember who The Blaze is, and it seems to be mostly Red sites repeating this. So we’ll see. I’m going to choose to believe that the neighbor is a good man who was driven to Hulk out by never-ending yardwork noises. FTR, the Blaze is Glenn Beck’s site. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35534 "2017-11-06T02:16:50Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Also, why am I not surprised that all of these shits live in “gated communities?” Lamentably, they are able to unlock the gates from the inside. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35535 "2017-11-06T04:03:31Z")
26 people assassinated by a good guy with a gun in a church in Texas today and Paul Ryan calls for thoughts and prayers. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2017, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35536 "2017-11-06T04:09:33Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > 26 people assassinated by a good guy with a gun in a church in Texas today and Paul Ryan calls for thoughts and prayers. What makes him a good guy? The good guy with a gun, though he was too late to stop the massacre, arguably might have prevented further carnage elsewhere. The only way to parse what you said is that you think killing the religious is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35537 "2017-11-06T04:13:16Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > What makes him a good guy? IAN **Rick Kitchen** and cannot yadda yadda yadda, but I thought the reference was to the fact that the shooter was white and ex-military, so obviously one of the “good guys”. Until he unexpectedly turned out not to be. Oops. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35538 "2017-11-06T04:18:41Z")
no one is a murderer until they kill someone ---
**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:** [November 6, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35539 "2017-11-06T04:28:39Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > IAN **Rick Kitchen** and cannot yadda yadda yadda, but I thought the reference was to the fact that the shooter was white and ex-military, so obviously one of the “good guys”. Until he unexpectedly turned out not to be. Oops. Zackly. ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35540 "2017-11-06T05:14:22Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > IAN **Rick Kitchen** and cannot yadda yadda yadda, but I thought the reference was to the fact that the shooter was white and ex-military, so obviously one of the “good guys”. Until he unexpectedly turned out not to be. Oops. Also since he’s white and non-Muslim this is a “mass shooting” by a “lone wolf” - not a terrorist attack. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35541 "2017-11-06T11:57:29Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > What makes him a good guy? The good guy with a gun, though he was too late to stop the massacre, arguably might have prevented further carnage elsewhere. > > The only way to parse what you said is that you think killing the religious is a good thing. I think the irony is that if you consider that the 26 dead were killed while actively praying you have to infer that prayer is demonstrably useless in these situations. I don’t know, maybe they just weren’t praying hard enough? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1776) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1778)