# 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:** 1883
**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:** [May 11, 2018, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37642 "2018-05-11T01:17:52Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Former Air Force Lieutenant General Thomas McInerny, an early Trump supporter, was on Fox News last night, saying that it’s been proven that torture works. “The fact is, is John McCain – it worked on John. That’s why they call him ‘Songbird John.’” When has he ever been called Songbird John? > [https://www.mediamatters.org/video/2018/05/10/fox-analyst-calls-america-embrace-torture-because-it-worked-sen-john-mccain-thats-why-they-call-him/220182](https://www.mediamatters.org/video/2018/05/10/fox-analyst-calls-america-embrace-torture-because-it-worked-sen-john-mccain-thats-why-they-call-him/220182) It would appear that characterizing McCain as “Songbird John” is some sort of trial balloon, to test whether a flat-out lie will gain traction. Of course ‘Obama born in Kenya’ was a flat-out lie, too, but it at least had the under-girding of ‘his father actually is a Kenyan’ behind it. McCain is well known not only for _not_ talking under torture, but for refusing to accept an early release (offered because of the PR possibilities involved in freeing an admiral’s son), because his fellow-prisoners were not offered the same. This is a new landmark in vile conduct for the right. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37643 "2018-05-11T02:17:28Z")
Given the modern Republican Party, I’m not in the least expecting to reach a “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” moment anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37644 "2018-05-11T02:35:31Z")
Such a moment could come at any time, but the answer will be “no”. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37645 "2018-05-11T02:55:15Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Given the modern Republican Party, I’m not in the least expecting to reach a “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” moment anytime soon. The true Republicans are either completely ignorant about such things because they’re entirely focused on one or two issues and ignore everything else, are so divorced from normal morality they think beating a trans person to death is ‘based’ and truly a great good time and have no political feeling beyond trolling their idiotic mental image of lefties, or feel so constantly besieged the modern world they’ll fall in line behind anyone who promises to make the mean nasty brown people and he-shes leave them alone. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37646 "2018-05-11T03:58:58Z")
I have never heard the term “Songbird John” applied to McCain. Not even after his rendition of “People” on SNL. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37647 "2018-05-11T12:31:19Z")
[Mitch McConnell masterfully trolls Don Blankenship](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mcconnell-blankenship-tweet-20180509-story.html) in an event that represents the first and probably last time the words “Mitch McConnell” and “masterfully” are used together in a sentence. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37648 "2018-05-11T14:05:04Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [Mitch McConnell masterfully trolls Don Blankenship](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mcconnell-blankenship-tweet-20180509-story.html) in an event that represents the first and probably last time the words “Mitch McConnell” and “masterfully” are used together in a sentence. You may think that McConnell is a rat bastard destroying the political norms of American politics for fleeting partisan advantage (and all right-thinking people would agree with you), but he has masterfully gamed the rules and norms of the Senate to achieve his goals. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37649 "2018-05-11T14:17:01Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > You may think that McConnell is a rat bastard destroying the political norms of American politics for fleeting partisan advantage (and all right-thinking people would agree with you), but he has masterfully gamed the rules and norms of the Senate to achieve his goals. “His goals” to what ultimate end? That’s what I can’t figure out. He doesn’t seem to aspire to great wealth or even to global power. So what’s the point of it? To be the Ultimate Puppetmaster? To make the other boys feel like losers? Wait, no, that’s his boss’s mission in life. I don’t get it. I GET what thump’s goal is. He’s as transparent as a greasy piece of waxed paper. It’s twofold: to make the other boys feel like losers and to prove to (dead) Daddy that he’s better than his (dead) brother. And to prove, of course, that his dick is better than anyone else’s, especially any woman’s (you know who I mean), but that is a pointless mission in a cheeseless tunnel. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37650 "2018-05-11T14:20:40Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > At least McCain has a brain to get cancer in. [“He’s dying anyway.”](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/11/610325611/mccain-irrelevant-he-s-dying-anyway-white-house-official-reportedly-says) > [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [Mitch McConnell masterfully trolls Don Blankenship](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mcconnell-blankenship-tweet-20180509-story.html) in an event that represents the first and probably last time the words “Mitch McConnell” and “masterfully” are used together in a sentence. First, sure, but last? I don’t know about that. There are morticians that can do masterful jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37651 "2018-05-11T16:27:22Z")
… “Cheeseless tunnel”…? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37652 "2018-05-11T16:35:06Z")
I assume that was a rat/maze joke. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37653 "2018-05-11T16:37:48Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > … “Cheeseless tunnel”…? Hehe. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37654 "2018-05-11T16:43:47Z")
My own reaction was juvenile, crude and sexual. Possibly because I _really_ like cheese. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37655 "2018-05-11T17:13:36Z")
[only of the highest character](http://www.newsweek.com/republican-holocaust-gay-men-massachusetts-918360), this guy earned a spot on the primary ballot. I heard that nearly a third of the party convention supported his candidacy. > [@](#): > > Lively wrote a 1995 book, titled _The Pink Swastika_, in which he asserted that the Nazi Party that took power in Germany in the 1930s was controlled by “militaristic” homosexuals who inspired the murder of around six million European Jews. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37656 "2018-05-11T17:20:37Z")
He exaggerates their influence, but he’s not really wrong on that specific point. They were mostly eliminated in the Night of the Long Knives, though. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37657 "2018-05-11T17:27:17Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It would appear that characterizing McCain as “Songbird John” is some sort of trial balloon, to test whether a flat-out lie will gain traction. > > Of course ‘Obama born in Kenya’ was a flat-out lie, too, but it at least had the under-girding of ‘his father actually is a Kenyan’ behind it. McCain is well known not only for _not_ talking under torture, but for refusing to accept an early release (offered because of the PR possibilities involved in freeing an admiral’s son), because his fellow-prisoners were not offered the same. > > This is a new landmark in vile conduct for the right. Maybe the party has some sanity left. [Fox Cuts Ties With Guest Who Cited John McCain To Defend Torture](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/fox-cuts-ties-with-guest-who-cited-john-mccain-to-defend-torture/ar-AAx7wnX?li=BBnbfcL) > [@](#): > > “McInerney will no longer be on Fox Business Network or Fox News Channel,” a Fox Business Network spokeswoman confirmed to HuffPost Friday morning, adding that his contract as a contributing military analyst for the network ended last August. > [@](#): > > The host of Thursday’s segment, FBN anchor Charles Payne apologized for failing to push back on McInerney’s claim. > > My Apology to Senator McCain and his Family > > “This morning on a show I was hosting, a guest made a very false and derogatory remark about Senator John McCain. At the time, I had the control room in my ear telling me to wrap the segment, and did not hear the comment. > > — Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) May 10, 2018 > I regret I did not catch this remark, as it should have been challenged. As a proud military veteran and son of a Vietnam Vet these words neither reflect my or the network’s feelings about Senator McCain, or his remarkable service and sacrifice to this country.” > > Charles V. Payne > > — Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) May 10, 2018 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37658 "2018-05-11T17:39:31Z")
Oh, right! He wasn’t listening! Well, that’s all sorted out then… ---
**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:** [May 11, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37659 "2018-05-11T18:02:02Z")
Right. McInerny has made a career of making nasty attacks on Democrats, but make one attack on a Republican, and he’s out on his ass. Till next week. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37660 "2018-05-11T18:04:18Z")
[Hard to believe, I know.](https://apnews.com/b01b7b389dfb47cdafae4eb341ee0f5c/Cheney:-US-should-restart-harsh-interrogations,-back-Haspel) > [@](#): > > Former Vice President Dick Cheney said the U.S. should restart the harsh detention and interrogation practices used on terror suspects after 9/11, and called on the Senate to confirm CIA nominee Gina Haspel. > [@](#): > > Trump has agreed with Cheney, saying during his campaign that “torture works.” > > Cheney told Fox Business on Thursday that if it were up to him, he would have the program active and ready to be employed if needed. He says the program was necessary to keep the U.S. safe from attacks and that he doesn’t think the techniques used amounted to torture. > > “I think the techniques we used were not torture. A lot of people try to call it that, but it wasn’t deemed torture at the time,” Cheney said. “People want to go back and try to rewrite history, but if it were my call, I’d do it again.” I don’t like Mr. Cheney. It _was_ torture. It doesn’t matter that you lie to yourself and say it wasn’t, because it was. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/37661 "2018-05-11T18:09:09Z")
Cheney is too evil to die. Hell, so is Kissinger. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1882) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1884)