# 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:** 1779
**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:** [November 6, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35562 "2017-11-06T23:35:14Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Blessed are the Peacemakers! That’s _Scripture_, right there! [The Peacemaker](https://truewestmagazine.com/the-peacemaker/) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35563 "2017-11-06T23:39:42Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Texas Attorney General: This shooting shows that more people should start carrying guns to church. > [After Texas Massacre, The State's Attorney General Calls For More Guns At Church](https://www.yahoo.com/news/texas-massacre-state-apos-attorney-112422029.html) I love this drooling sister-fucking right wing logic. I probably should have put quote marks around the word logic. ---
**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, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35564 "2017-11-06T23:46:22Z")
There was that scene in _Tombstone_, where Mr. Fabian was reciting from _Henry IV_ and the audience were applauding by shooting holes in the roof. So maybe that is how church services ought to play out, with praise the lord bang bang. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35565 "2017-11-07T00:09:15Z")
“Next Saturday, another bake sale for fixing the roof. That makes eight this year, so far…” ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35566 "2017-11-07T01:44:03Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I love this drooling sister-fucking right wing logic. I probably should have put quote marks around the word logic. That whole dialogue quoted in the link is just so pathetic in a weird way. > [@](#): > > “This is going to happen again,” Paxton told Fox News on Sunday, since “you can’t necessarily keep guns out of the hands of people who are going to violate the law.” […] > > “All I can say is in Texas, at least we have the opportunity to have conceal carry,” Paxton said. “There’s always the opportunity that the gunman will be taken out before he has the opportunity to kill very many people.” > > Fox News anchor Eric Shawn pushed back, arguing that a firearm and the church are “two potentially diametrically opposed concepts.” > > Paxton disagreed and called for more armed security guards in church or “at least arming some of the parishioners so they can respond to something like this.” ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35567 "2017-11-07T02:24:13Z")
Since I think we can safely assume that several of his parishioners already own guns, I guess he’s talking about _requiring_ that guns be carried into church. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35568 "2017-11-07T02:29:59Z")
Ok now THAT is moronic… gunfire os not making a joyful noise unto the Lord ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35569 "2017-11-07T05:28:14Z")
So, OK, Jesus packs heat. 9mm Glock in a shoulder holster, or a compact snub-nosed .38 tucked under the toga? Couldn’t he just smite? Lay on some boils or irritable bowel syndrome, let 'em know who they are screwing around with! ---
**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:** [November 7, 2017, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35570 "2017-11-07T05:32:18Z")
Some folks are mathematically impaired. In a [full democracy](https://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index), if the proportion of nutters in society remains constant, the more guns available in society, the more gun deaths there will be, and the fewer guns available in society, the fewer gun deaths there will be. It’s that simple. Running about shoot off mouths (literally, not just figuratively) about freedum does not change simple math, let alone save lives in the aggregate. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35571 "2017-11-07T11:11:41Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Also, why am I not surprised that all of these shits live in “gated communities?” Normally in the Gulch, Rand Paul and the neighbor would have their dispute resolved by Judge Narragansett. Trouble is, the neighbor _was_ Judge Narragansett. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35572 "2017-11-07T15:55:09Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > So, OK, Jesus packs heat. 9mm Glock in a shoulder holster, or a compact snub-nosed .38 tucked under the toga? > > Couldn’t he just smite? Lay on some boils or irritable bowel syndrome, let 'em know who they are screwing around with! Just think if the Apostles had had automatic weapons. They could have mowed down those Roman soldiers (Pontius Pilate included), and Jesus would be alive today! You know how churches have those Bible/prayer book holders on the backs of the pews? In some churches there are extra brackets with holes for pencils. Just make those holes bigger and the barrel of a gun will fit in nicely–all handy like. :smack: ---
**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 7, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35573 "2017-11-07T17:19:25Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Just think if the Apostles had had automatic weapons. They could have mowed down those Roman soldiers (Pontius Pilate included), and Jesus would be alive today! > > You know how churches have those Bible/prayer book holders on the backs of the pews? In some churches there are extra brackets with holes for pencils. Just make those holes bigger and the barrel of a gun will fit in nicely–all handy like. > > :smack: …or, if you put an extra-long pencil in the hole, the other end of the pencil can go inside the gun barrel… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35574 "2017-11-07T17:52:52Z")
And threaten the pristine purity of the barrel, not to mention scuffing the delicate perfection of the rifling? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35575 "2017-11-07T17:58:17Z")
> [@](#): > > At first blush, the Republicans’ push for massive tax breaks, disproportionately benefiting the wealthy, seems politically unwise. The American mainstream isn’t exactly clamoring for the GOP tax plan – polls show broad public opposition to the Republican proposal – and no party ever became more popular by doing something unpopular. > > What’s more, the country can’t afford the Republican plan; there’s no reason to believe it’d make a significant difference on the economy; and it’s having the unintended effect of dividing the GOP at a difficult time. > > So why focus so much time, energy, and resources in the idea? Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) spoke to The Hill this morning and gave away the game. > **[House Republican: Donors are helping driving push for tax breaks](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/house-republican-donors-are-helping-driving-push-tax-breaks-msna1035851)** > > Why are House Republicans pushing a tax plan the public doesn't want? Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) effectively gave away the game this morning. > [@](#): > > A House Republican lawmaker acknowledged on Tuesday that he’s facing pressure from donors to ensure the GOP tax-reform proposal gets done. > > Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) had been describing the flurry of lobbying from special interests seeking to protect favored tax provisions when a reporter asked if donors are happy with the tax-reform proposal. > > “My donors are basically saying, ‘Get it done or don’t ever call me again,’ ” Collins replied. > … > > “Every special interest is out in force,” Collins said as he spoke to reporters outside a House GOP conference meeting Tuesday morning. “I’d say the more they come out, it’s an indication we’re doing a darn good job.” The logic of that last sentence escapes me. If they “were doing a darn good job” (from the point of view of the donors), the donors wouldn’t have to “come out” [http://thehill.com/homenews/house/359110-gop-lawmaker-donors-are-pushing-me-to-get-tax-reform-done](http://thehill.com/homenews/house/359110-gop-lawmaker-donors-are-pushing-me-to-get-tax-reform-done) It is refreshing to see the reasons set out so cleanly and clearly. Apparently, though, it’s not just the Big Rollers pushing this: > [@](#): > > And it’s not just corporate lobbyists, Collins said: he gave an example of his niece urging him to restore the adoption tax credit. > > “We are getting lobbied by our families, our neighbors, our friends,” Collins said. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35576 "2017-11-07T18:25:58Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > The logic of that last sentence escapes me. If they “were doing a darn good job” (from the point of view of the donors), the donors wouldn’t have to “come out” The ‘donors’ aren’t a monolith - they have competing priorities. The theory would be that if lots of folks are unhappy, then it must be fair (all oxen being gored). The time to worry (or worry more) would be if all the big players were cheering it on. My attorney father used to say he knew he’d negotiated a fair deal if everyone was upset at the end. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35577 "2017-11-07T21:10:04Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > The ‘donors’ aren’t a monolith - they have competing priorities. The theory would be that if lots of folks are unhappy, then it must be fair (all oxen being gored). > > The time to worry (or worry more) would be if all the big players were cheering it on. > > My attorney father used to say he knew he’d negotiated a fair deal if everyone was upset at the end. I don’t see that the donors have competing priorities – they all seem to want the taxes cut. Or are you seeing something different? In any event, your attorney father’s saying is similar to my own _Scadenfreude Theory of Compromise_ – In making a Compromise, you don’t play to everyone’s Altruism. Most people have a stunted sense of altruism, and don’t particularly care if everyone is treated equally. Everyone does, however, have a powerful sense of their own status, and they’ll complain if they feel they’re getting shorted relative to anyone else. The ideal compromise is one in which everyone feels equally dissatisfied. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35578 "2017-11-07T21:43:33Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I don’t see that the donors have competing priorities – they all seem to want the taxes cut. Or are you seeing something different? I guess what I see is people seeing their pet priority not being maintained (e.g. the daughter wanting the adoption credit back or builders upset about limiting the mortgage deduction). So I guess everyone is liking the cuts, and no one is liking the pay-fors. And some of the donors are getting hit by the pay-fors? I don’t if that is true, but seems likely. And it sounds like the really upset donors are the ones who want Congress to show it can do something big - I’m not sure they care a whole lot what, as long as it at least looks like a tax cut. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35579 "2017-11-08T00:42:46Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Texas Attorney General: This shooting shows that more people should start carrying guns to church. > [After Texas Massacre, The State's Attorney General Calls For More Guns At Church](https://www.yahoo.com/news/texas-massacre-state-apos-attorney-112422029.html) 'pubs solemnly promise not to do jack shit about shootings: > **[Republicans piously pledge to do absolutely nothing about latest mass shooting](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/7/1713492/-Republicans-piously-pledge-to-do-absolutely-nothing-about-latest-mass-shooting)** > > Week by week, Republicans take steps toward confirming that there is literally no number of mass shooting deaths high enough to make them reconsider their position on gun laws. (Namely, that there basically shouldn’t be any.) In the wake of the... Besides, Gov. Abbott points out that the shooting wasn’t even close to being as bad as Hitler and other crap, so no big deal. > **[Death and Taxes Archives - SPIN](https://www.spin.com/death-and-taxes/)** > > Culture & Politics And then there’s the always reliable Paul Ryan, who reminds us that praying is more than enough action when it comes to guns and shootings: > **[Paul Ryan shuts down Texas prayer critics: 'People who do not have faith...](https://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/11/07/paul-ryan-shuts-down-texas-prayer-critics-people-who-do-not-have-faith-dont-understand-faith)** > > Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) spoke to Fox News' Laura Ingraham on "The Ingraham Angle" Monday and discussed the backlash he received after calling for prayers in the wake of the deadly Texas shooting. > What did Ryan say? > Ryan... ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35580 "2017-11-08T01:07:39Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > …Paul Ryan, who reminds us that praying is more than enough action when it comes to guns and shootings: So, its like the Ghost Dance, but for white people. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/35581 "2017-11-08T13:28:56Z")
And it doesn’t actually work in churches. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1778) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1780)