# 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:** 1947
**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:** [September 12, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38922 "2018-09-12T22:39:06Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Why “_three_ shekels,” particularly? Three shekels ostracon > **[Three shekel ostracon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_shekel_ostracon)** > > The three shekel ostracon is a pottery fragment bearing a forged text supposedly dating from between the 7th and 9th centuries BCE. It is 8.6 centimeters high and 10.9 centimeters wide and contains five lines of ancient Hebrew writing. The inscription mentions a king named Ashyahu (אשיהו ’Ašyahu) donating three shekels (about 20–50 grams of silver) to the House of Yahweh. No king named Ashyahu is mentioned in the Bible, but some scholars believe it may refer to Jehoash (יהואש Yəhō’āš), who The o... ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38923 "2018-09-12T22:43:31Z")
Gotta love the [Republicans complaining](https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-cant-bribe-susan-collins-1536707466)that a crowdsourcing campaign to provide money to Susan Collins’ opponent if she doesn’t oppose Kavanaugh is considered “bribery” or “extortion” as if that isn’t how our entire political system works. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2018, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38924 "2018-09-12T22:47:06Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Gotta love the [Republicans complaining](https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-cant-bribe-susan-collins-1536707466)that a crowdsourcing campaign to provide money to Susan Collins’ opponent if she doesn’t oppose Kavanaugh is considered “bribery” or “extortion” as if that isn’t how our entire political system works. Well, the quo for the quid isn’t usually stated so loudly - although the right-wing billionaires threat to withhold funding if no tax cut was passed seems to be pretty much the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38925 "2018-09-13T00:29:55Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Three shekels ostracon > > [Three shekel ostracon - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_shekel_ostracon) … Really? You think Erik Trump was thinking about a late 90’s Jewish antiquities forgery? I did enjoy this line from that wiki link, though: > [@wiki link](#): > > … in 2003 Professor Christ Rollston, a leading authority on Northwest Semitic inscriptions, said he is “confident beyond a reasonable doubt” that the “three shekel ostracon” is a forgery.[4] Well, I guess you would know, your Messiaship. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38926 "2018-09-13T00:49:59Z")
I think that Tiffany is the only one that may have any brains at all. It seems that she has managed to distance herself from this family or morons and stay out of the news. Or perhaps she is lounging somewhere, with out a care in the world as long as she gets her allowance. Perhaps both. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38927 "2018-09-13T01:03:24Z")
The NRA put [KKK garb on Thomas the Tank Engine](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/12/us/nra-tv-thomas-tank-engine.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur)to make some point about diversity or something. Not sure what that has to do with the mission statement of encouraging the shooting of as many first graders in the face as possible, but apparently they are branching out into overt racism as a platform. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38928 "2018-09-13T01:10:50Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Pat Robertson has declared his protection for his studios from Hurricane Florence and has ordered the hurricane back to sea. > [Pat Robertson Establishes A 'Shield of Protection' Against Hurricane Florence | Right Wing Watch](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/pat-robertson-establishes-a-shield-of-protection-against-hurricane-florence/) So it looks like Virginia is going to be spared the worst of the destruction. And god says “Sucks to be you, North and South Carolina.” ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38929 "2018-09-13T01:31:31Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > So it looks like Virginia is going to be spared the worst of the destruction. And god says “Sucks to be you, North and South Carolina.” That is a traditional attitude on the part of Virginians. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38930 "2018-09-13T02:51:11Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Gotta love the [Republicans complaining](https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-cant-bribe-susan-collins-1536707466)that a crowdsourcing campaign to provide money to Susan Collins’ opponent if she doesn’t oppose Kavanaugh is considered “bribery” or “extortion” as if that isn’t how our entire political system works. It’s only bribery when the poors do it. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38931 "2018-09-13T03:50:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It’s only bribery when the poors do it. Well, it’s only class war when the poor do it, too, so… ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38932 "2018-09-13T04:53:41Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Gotta love the [Republicans complaining](https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-cant-bribe-susan-collins-1536707466)that a crowdsourcing campaign to provide money to Susan Collins’ opponent if she doesn’t oppose Kavanaugh is considered “bribery” or “extortion” as if that isn’t how our entire political system works. IANAL but I think bribery involves giving money to someone, not to someone else. And extortion involves taking money. But maybe I have that wrong. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38933 "2018-09-13T06:17:44Z")
NJ Republican Thinks Orphanages Are Better for Kids Than Being Adopted by LGBTQ Parents “Back in 2015, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican who represents New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District, said he doesn’t “construe homosexual rights as human rights.” Turns out that things haven’t changed much in the last three years!” Smith, addressing a group of high school students: The student, Valdes said, asked Smith if he would still vote in support of banning gay adoption, and whether his views have changed since 1999. In response, Valdes said, Smith said his position hasn’t changed. “Rep. Smith responded by saying that he does not approve of gay adoption because gay households are not healthy environments for children to grow up in,” Valdes said. “He then stated that ‘numerous household studies’ show that children that have heterosexual parents have better lives than children that have homosexual parents.” Actual studies find the children do just fine, no different than other kids. THE REAL BAD NEWS: He was first elected in 1980 and won the last election by 30 points. HOWEVER: He is/was strongly against separation of children at the border. AND: While supporting gun rights; he is in favor of universal expanded background checks in response to school shootings. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38934 "2018-09-13T06:50:27Z")
Any given Republican in Congress, no matter how moderate or acceptable their views might be, still provides support for the party apparatus and enables their tea-shirts. The only good Republican, these days at least, is one not in office. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38935 "2018-09-13T08:51:31Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Any given Republican in Congress, no matter how moderate or acceptable their views might be, still provides support for the party apparatus and enables their tea-shirts. **The only good Republican, these days at least, is one not in office.** Necessary but not sufficient. Must also not espouse odious and indefensible policy positions. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38936 "2018-09-13T09:38:40Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Pat Robertson has declared his protection for his studios from Hurricane Florence and has ordered the hurricane back to sea. > [Pat Robertson Establishes A 'Shield of Protection' Against Hurricane Florence | Right Wing Watch](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/pat-robertson-establishes-a-shield-of-protection-against-hurricane-florence/) As an aside, could someone explain the theology here to me, a non-Christian? Robertson claims that he “commanded” the storm to turn away. Shouldn’t he instead be beseeching God to use \*His \*power to protect him from the storm? Does Robertson claim to have the power to command the weather? Does he, in fact, think that he’s God? ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38937 "2018-09-13T10:49:09Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > [Cnut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Canute_and_the_tide) gets a bad rap for that. He wasn’t trying to show he \*could \*stop the tide, but to show his flattering courtiers that he _couldn’t_, that his powers were limited and God’s will would prevail. Yes and no. You have to remember who did the writing down of what happened at the time - i.e., monks and assorted god-botherers. It is plausible that he might have tacked on the god business as he’s recorded as being a devout Christian ; at the same time Christianity was still very much struggling to have an impact in the Northern lands under his reign (in fact people still practiced pagan rites there well into the 18th century) so it might also very plausibly be a case of embellishment and agit-prop. In any event, god-bit or no god bit, the first and foremost point he was trying to make was that his courtiers were disgracing themselves by being humongous suck-ups and were bad at their job as counsellors (and they had ONE job !) as long as they kept assuring him he could do anything he wished and it would succeed because he was just that awesome. So he took them all by the seaside and ordered the tides to recede to make the point that “you arseholes, I jolly well _know_ that I can’t make shit\* happen \*just by my say-so, you know it too, so would you please stop falling over yourselves telling me this because it’s getting fucking tiresome ?”. A point which, evidently, many many people have missed since then. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38938 "2018-09-13T10:55:01Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > In any event, god-bit or no god bit, the first and foremost point he was trying to make was that his courtiers were disgracing themselves by being humongous suck-ups and were bad at their job as counsellors (and they had ONE job !) as long as they kept assuring him he could do anything he wished and it would succeed because he was just that awesome. So he took them all by the seaside and ordered the tides to recede to make the point that “you arseholes, I jolly well _know_ that I can’t make shit\* happen \*just by my say-so, you know it too, so would you please stop falling over yourselves telling me this because it’s getting fucking tiresome ?”. “I made the tides recede further than they ever did under Obama, or would under Crooked Hillary. Why doesn’t the Fake News report, or Sessions investigate? SAD!” ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38939 "2018-09-13T10:55:25Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > As an aside, could someone explain the theology here to me, a non-Christian? > > Robertson claims that he “commanded” the storm to turn away. Shouldn’t he instead be beseeching God to use \*His \*power to protect him from the storm? Does Robertson claim to have the power to command the weather? Does he, in fact, think that he’s God? Well you know, triune divinity and that. And we can assume Robertson is not Christ (please don’t imagine Pat Robertson in just a loinclo… oh dear), and he’s not a woman so he can’t be God. I think we can therefore safely conclude he’s the Holy Spirit. Which is consistent with scripture and my own religious education, because I always wondered what the fuck the Holy Spirit was supposed to be or do, as It always seemed wholly superfluous to the whole business ; and I still don’t know what the point of Pat Robertson being allowed to speak is either. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2018, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38940 "2018-09-13T10:57:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > “I made the tides recede further than they ever did under Obama, or would under Crooked Hillary. Why doesn’t the Fake News report, or Sessions investigate? SAD!” “That’s what happens right before a tsunami though, isn’t it ?”, remarked the Failing New York Times ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/38941 "2018-09-13T11:13:16Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The administration is dreadfully underexposed and needs all the coverage the media can offer, including broadcasting the “thoughts” of the rugrats. I disagree. I think the media should be focusing on policies and corruption. The various tweets are deliberate distractions from more immediate and significant issues. The media has to stop feeding the trolls, even if they are in the White House. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1946) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1948)