# 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:** 1864
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37262 "2018-04-09T06:37:10Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Talk radio requires people to phone in, doesn’t it? You’re confusing a whole form for one specific iteration of that form. It’s like you think cars are defined by having crank starters and a lever on the steering wheel to control the throttle. The kind of talk radio you’re talking about is modern conservative talk radio, the place Rush Limbaugh made his bones, the creation of which was driven by two factors: Music AM radio dying to FM radio and the 1987 repeal of the Fairness Doctrine. With the music moving to FM (or, in the case of radio centered on pre-rock pop which used to be known as Middle-Of-The-Road, or MOR, dying off entirely) AM stations needed _something_, and, after the Fairness Doctrine was repealed, they could be political without presenting opposing sides, which opened the door to big right-wing funders being able to skirt campaign finance laws by bankrolling conservative talk radio hosts. This reached its purest form in the form of INFOWARS! DOT! COM! (yes, it must be screamed, ideally by a complete asshole) and its owner/operator/trained crackmonkey on wheels Alex Jones. It’s an online video series, but it has the production budget of a radio show, so it qualifies. It’s also Paul Harvey-esque in how seamlessly it transitions from insane ranting to selling you shit Alex Jones profits from, like kits to purify water which would otherwise turn your fricken’ frogs gay. Anyway, talk radio is… well, it’s pretty much any radio other than music and radio plays. It’s been around since the birth of the medium, and will be around until the medium is dead. The modern iteration of conservative talk radio, which consists of angry ranters whipping each other up into a froth, is the result of a specific confluence of factors, is not nearly as old, and will not last nearly as long. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37263 "2018-04-09T07:11:01Z")
Senator Mike Rounds (R-idiot) stands up for Scott Pruitt "Pruitt has at least one defender in the Senate Republican Caucus, though, as South Dakota **Sen. Mike Rounds argued that Pruitt’s corruption doesn’t matter** as long as he’s succeeding in his mission to stop the EPA from doing anything that might be seen as useful. “Let’s take a look at how many dollars the E.P.A. can actually save. The big picture. You know, we’ll nitpick little things,” Rounds said on Meet the Press. “He has too many people on his security detail. It may add up to more than what the previous guy did.” (Quick note: the “previous guy” was Gina McCarthy, and before her, Lisa P. Jackson. There hasn’t been a “previous guy” since the Bush administration.)" Bolding mine. Too many guys on his security detail? Shit, that ain’t the problem asshole. Multi-millions for travel expenses to get back to his beloved shithole state - Derplahoma. Using an old Clean Water law exemption to skirt hirings requiring Senate confirmations (and the individuals do not meet the intent of the law’s intent). Actively skirting Agent Orange’s own sort-of-policy-for-the-moment edicts on hiring. Actively violating promotion policies. $40,000.00 for a bullet-proof desk (actually two of these $40k beauties). on and on Sessions has been long on talk but not much action (Drump’s MO so far). Pruitt is the most effective (evil) cabinet member so far. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37264 "2018-04-09T13:56:57Z")
At last, an answer to the question: When is a raven like a writing-desk? When the raven is armored, bullet-proof, and retails for $40K. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37265 "2018-04-09T14:24:53Z")
[Fringe talk of South Carolina seceding over gun laws.](https://www.politicususa.com/2018/04/09/bill-introduced-to-allow-south-carolina-to-secede-over-gun-laws.html) Let’s not repeat the mistake of the Civil War. If it comes to it, tell them not to let the door hit them in the ass and take Alabama and Mississippi with them. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37266 "2018-04-09T15:03:08Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > [Fringe talk of South Carolina seceding over gun laws.](https://www.politicususa.com/2018/04/09/bill-introduced-to-allow-south-carolina-to-secede-over-gun-laws.html) Let’s not repeat the mistake of the Civil War. If it comes to it, tell them not to let the door hit them in the ass and take Alabama and Mississippi with them. Some folks have no sense of perspective. [https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess122\_2017-2018/hintro18/20180405.htm](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess122_2017-2018/hintro18/20180405.htm) > [@](#): > > [House Intros 4/5/18 - South Carolina Legislature Online](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess122_2017-2018/hintro18/20180405.htm) > Referred to Committee on Judiciary > H. 5217 (Word version) – Reps. Pitts, Hill and Trantham: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 23 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL CONVENE TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO SECEDE FROM THE UNITED STATES BASED UPON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S UNCONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONFISCATES LEGALLY PURCHASED FIREARMS IN THIS STATE. > Document Name L:\Council\Bills\GT\5503CM18.Docx > > Referred to Committee on Judiciary > H. 5218 (Word version) – Rep. Pitts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-790 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO SELL VIDEO GAMES, WHETHER IN PERSON OR ONLINE, IN THIS STATE DEPICTING ANY FORM OF GUN VIOLENCE AND TO PROVIDE A FINE FOR A VIOLATION. > Document Name L:\Council\Bills\BH\7220AHB18.Docx > > Referred to Committee on Judiciary > H. 5219 (Word version) – Rep. Pitts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-780 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A MOVIE THEATRE OPERATOR, OR OTHER PERSON WHO PROFITS FROM THE EXHIBITION OF A MOVIE, TO SHOW A MOVIE IN THIS STATE DEPICTING ANY FORM OF GUN VIOLENCE AND TO PROVIDE A FINE FOR A VIOLATION. > Document Name L:\Council\Bills\BH\7219AHB18.Docx ---
**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:** [April 9, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37267 "2018-04-09T15:16:47Z")
If at first you don’t secede… Is it just me or would that third bill basically ban most to all action films, murder mysteries and suspense films, horror films, and in fact almost everything except family films and romantic comedies? I bet the people of South Carolina would be thrilled by that - particularly the male half of the population. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37268 "2018-04-09T15:30:34Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > And it wouldn’t surprise me if there was hate speech in cuneiform tablets. You would be correct, sir - I forget the exact specifics as it was one very minor topic covered in passing in a very packed course ; but my Ancient Fertile Crescent Civs teacher regaled us with the tale that one particular set of ruins was the source of something like 80% of all known Babylonian (or was it pre-Babylonian ? Shit, I took that course a mere two years ago, and already I remember next to nothing of it :() writing ; and it was all recovered from the same well-preserved administrative centre/granary so the majority of it is in the form of inventories, tax registers and such like - but there is also one formal complaint accusing such and such merchant from the next town over of being a lying thieving no-goodnik who sold the complaint-writer substandard or otherwise watered down goods ; using what is believed to be the first historically recorded use of profanity. So fuck \*that \*guy almost literally forever 😃 ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37269 "2018-04-09T16:02:09Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > You would be correct, sir - I forget the exact specifics as it was one very minor topic covered in passing in a very packed course ; but my Ancient Fertile Crescent Civs teacher regaled us with the tale that one particular set of ruins was the source of something like 80% of all known Babylonian (or was it pre-Babylonian ? Shit, I took that course a mere two years ago, and already I remember next to nothing of it :() writing ; and it was all recovered from the same well-preserved administrative centre/granary so the majority of it is in the form of inventories, tax registers and such like - but there is also one formal complaint accusing such and such merchant from the next town over of being a lying thieving no-goodnik who sold the complaint-writer substandard or otherwise watered down goods ; using what is believed to be the first historically recorded use of profanity. > > So fuck \*that \*guy almost literally forever 😃 Thank you (and **Chimera** ). I’m not sure how much of my suggestion was meant to be humorous, but in any case I’m not surprised that there are denizens of the SDMB who can confirm it with citations. Now all we need are cave drawings depicting the people in the next cave over with horns & tails (I have no doubt that was the prevailing attitude) ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37270 "2018-04-09T17:49:25Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > You would be correct, sir - I forget the exact specifics as it was one very minor topic covered in passing in a very packed course ; but my Ancient Fertile Crescent Civs teacher regaled us with the tale that one particular set of ruins was the source of something like 80% of all known Babylonian (or was it pre-Babylonian ? Shit, I took that course a mere two years ago, and already I remember next to nothing of it :() writing ; and it was all recovered from the same well-preserved administrative centre/granary so the majority of it is in the form of inventories, tax registers and such like - but there is also one formal complaint accusing such and such merchant from the next town over of being a lying thieving no-goodnik who sold the complaint-writer substandard or otherwise watered down goods ; using what is believed to be the first historically recorded use of profanity. > > So fuck \*that \*guy almost literally forever 😃 I’m pretty sure you’re talking about [the complaint tablet to Ea-nasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complaint_tablet_to_Ea-nasir): > [@](#): > > Ea-Nasir travelled to the Persian Gulf to buy copper and return to sell it in Mesopotamia. On one particular occasion, he had agreed to sell copper ingots to Nanni. Nanni sent his servant with the money to complete the transaction.[3] The copper was sub-standard and not accepted. In response, Nanni created the cuneiform letter for delivery to Ea-nasir. Inscribed on it is a complaint to Ea-nasir about a copper ore delivery of the incorrect grade, and issues with another delivery.[4] He also complained that his servant (who handled the transaction) had been treated rudely. He stated that, at the time of writing, he had not accepted the copper but had paid the money. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37271 "2018-04-09T19:44:14Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I’m pretty sure you’re talking about [the complaint tablet to Ea-nasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complaint_tablet_to_Ea-nasir): That’s the one ! 18th century BC diss tape in the house, yo. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37272 "2018-04-09T23:13:02Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Talk radio requires people to phone in, doesn’t it? > [@Derleth](#): > > You’re confusing a whole form for one specific iteration of that form. **It’s like you think** cars are defined by having crank starters and a lever on the steering wheel to control the throttle. It’s not _quite_ like that. Here’s the Ngram for “talk radio” between 1900 and 2010: > **[Google Books Ngram Viewer](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=talk%2Bradio&case_insensitive=on&year_start=1900&year_end=2010&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t4%3B%2Ctalk%20radio%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Btalk%20radio%3B%2Cc0%3B%3BTalk%20Radio%3B%2Cc0%3B%3BTalk%20radio%3B%2Cc0%3B%3BTALK%20RADIO%3B%2Cc0)** > > Google Books Ngram Viewer There’s a barely-perceptible showing in the 1940s but that could have been a couple of books of dating advice, as in ‘if you’re too nervous to talk radio can be a good way to pass the time’ or such. The 1970s is when a few consistent uses begin, but widespread usage isn’t apparent until the mid-1990s. Now we know that radio that consisted of talk instead of music has been around since radio has been around. So it doesn’t appear that what the term “talk radio” is generally used for–generally understood to mean–is ‘radio consisting of talk instead of music.’ (Yes, no matter _what_ wikipedia says.) If that were the case, the usage would be consistent for the decades that radio has existed. The evidence of the Ngram is that _ **what most people understand the term to mean is what it’s meant since the 1990s: the result of the 1987 repeal of the Fairness Doctrine.** _ Derleth mentioned the repeal, but the Ngram makes clear that that particular change—from ‘radio that features people talking’ to conservative ranting and listener calls\*—IS what is meant by ‘talk radio.’ The claims “talk radio is… well, it’s pretty much any radio other than music and radio plays” and “it’s been around since the birth of the medium” are not supported by the evidence of the Ngram. Those definitions are not what most people mean by “talk radio.” Aside from that: This discussion began as commentary on Hannity. Hannity is a creature who differs fundamentally from the radio ranters of the past. Coughlin, revolting as his beliefs were, was at least consistent in his presentation of them. Hannity will turn on a dime–stating one day that \_\_\_\_\_\_ is terrible, but then the next day when his idol of the moment is doing \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_\_ will suddenly be Hannity’s favorite thing. So many of Trump’s apologists follow that pattern that it’s difficult to believe it’s accidental. \*Rush Limbaugh created the template: > [@](#): > > His talk show began in 1984 at Sacramento radio station KFBK, featuring his ongoing format of political commentary and listener calls. > **[Rush Limbaugh - MusicBrainz](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/737baa66-773f-422c-8532-4b6e540576f5)** > > Type: Person, Gender: Male, Born: 1951-01-12 in Cape Girardeau, Died: 2021-02-17, Area: United States ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37273 "2018-04-09T23:53:52Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I’m pretty sure you’re talking about [the complaint tablet to Ea-nasir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complaint_tablet_to_Ea-nasir): I recently read (I forget where), that Ea-nasir actually stored all the complaints he received in a special room in his house. He was apparently into a lot of different businesses, and regularly ticked his customers off. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37274 "2018-04-10T00:00:18Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I recently read (I forget where), that Ea-nasir actually stored all the complaints he received in a special room in his house. He was apparently into a lot of different businesses, and regularly ticked his customers off. OMG! Could it be that he discovered the secret of immortality, acquired a straw-colored comb-over and orange spray tan, and… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37275 "2018-04-10T00:40:57Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > OMG! Could it be that he discovered the secret of immortality, acquired a straw-colored comb-over and orange spray tan, and… > > :eek: That’d be a real waste, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37276 "2018-04-10T03:59:47Z")
And eluded assassins for four thousand years? ---
**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:** [April 10, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37277 "2018-04-10T04:26:17Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I recently read (I forget where), that Ea-nasir actually stored all the complaints he received in a special room in his house. He was apparently into a lot of different businesses, and regularly ticked his customers off. > [@Sherrerd](#): > > OMG! Could it be that he discovered the secret of immortality, acquired a straw-colored comb-over and orange spray tan, and… > > :eek: What if the secret of immortality IS a straw-colored combover and an orange spray tan? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37278 "2018-04-10T05:59:22Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > What if the secret of immortality IS a straw-colored combover and an orange spray tan? > > :eek: Then I’ll be greatly disappointed when I look like everyone else in the future. Do I really have to wear a long-ass tie that looks like a child tied it? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37279 "2018-04-10T22:24:28Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > That’d be a real waste, wouldn’t it? It would at least be proof that the universe IS sentient (and hates us). > [@elucidator](#): > > And eluded assassins for four thousand years? More of the doings of that hostile sentient universe. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > What if the secret of immortality IS a straw-colored combover and an orange spray tan? > :eek: If that’s the price of immortality, I pass. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37280 "2018-04-10T22:27:21Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > Then I’ll be greatly disappointed when I look like everyone else in the future. Do I really have to wear a long-ass tie that looks like a child tied it? Yes, and don’t forget the obligatory bit of Scotch tape on the back to hold it in place. Meanwhile, those of us who have chosen eventual death as the preferable alternative will be picking out our caskets and laughing at you as your hair flaps up in the wind. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37281 "2018-04-10T23:23:42Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Yes, and don’t forget the obligatory bit of Scotch tape on the back to hold it in place. > > Meanwhile, those of us who have chosen eventual death as the preferable alternative will be picking out our caskets and laughing at you as your hair flaps up in the wind. Oh, then never mind. Hair was a pain in the ass when I had it 20 years ago. 😃 That would be the best prank on Donny Two-Scoops yet-- someone shaving his head at night. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1863) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1865)