# 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:** 1984
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39662 "2018-11-23T17:24:52Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The lame duck Republican-controlled House has issued subpoenas for James Comey and Loretta Lynch to ask them whatever stupid questions they think they should be asked, in private. Comey said “ask me whatever you want, but I will only participate if the hearing is public.” Lynch has yet to respond. [Comey’s Tweet:](https://twitter.com/Comey/status/1065626331990409217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1065626331990409217&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2018%2F11%2F23%2F670362400%2Fcomey-vows-to-resist-subpoena-from-house-republicans-for-closed-door-session) Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a “closed door” thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see. ---
**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 23, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39663 "2018-11-23T18:48:39Z")
Hmmm… I’m not satisfied with the wimpy word “resist.” He should have said “refuse.” ---
**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:** [November 23, 2018, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39664 "2018-11-23T22:45:56Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Hmmm… I’m not satisfied with the wimpy word “resist.” He should have said “refuse.” That’s kinda illegal. He’d know that. (Also, it sets a really, really bad precedent for all the people Democrats plan to subpoena, come January.) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2018, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39665 "2018-11-23T23:24:25Z")
Comey is handlining it properly. “Sure, let’s talk. And let everyone hear the questions and answers.” If the craven republicans are afraid of that. OK. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39666 "2018-11-23T23:30:10Z")
Bill Kristol, who is the kind of person who passes for a sensible Republican these days, casually calls for the US to pursue “regime change” in China. > > > Nicholas A. Christakis @NAChristakis This could work out. Nuclear winter could counteract climate change. Looking long term, of course. ---
**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 23, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39667 "2018-11-23T23:33:01Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > That’s kinda illegal. He’d know that. > > (Also, it sets a really, really bad precedent for all the people Democrats plan to subpoena, come January.) It’s not illegal to SAY it. ---
**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 24, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39668 "2018-11-24T00:25:53Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Hmmm… I’m not satisfied with the wimpy word “resist.” He should have said “refuse.” I could imagine a sign with both words on it RESIST REFUSE ! although the message might be a bit ambiguous. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39669 "2018-11-24T00:55:30Z")
[US Evangelicals Ask Americans To Pray For Saudi Arabia’s Murderous Crown Prince](https://mavenroundtable.io/theintellectualist/news/us-evangelicals-ask-americans-to-pray-for-saudi-arabia-s-murderous-crown-prince-xaezMhfaH0SQwRo7rcnMrw/) > [@](#): > > The delegation was led on Thursday by communications strategist Joel Rosenberg and included _former US congresswoman Michele Bachmann_, according to an emailed statement from the group, as well as heads of American evangelical organisations, some with ties to Israel. It boggles the mind. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39670 "2018-11-24T03:51:37Z")
Serious question: Why is it “election interference” when it’s done to us, but “regime change” when we do it? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39671 "2018-11-24T04:05:29Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Serious question: > > Why is it “election interference” when it’s done to us, but “regime change” when we do it? Same reason our friends are “freedom fighters” and the other guys are “terrorists”. ---
**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:** [November 24, 2018, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39672 "2018-11-24T08:54:42Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > [US Evangelicals Ask Americans To Pray For Saudi Arabia’s Murderous Crown Prince](https://mavenroundtable.io/theintellectualist/news/us-evangelicals-ask-americans-to-pray-for-saudi-arabia-s-murderous-crown-prince-xaezMhfaH0SQwRo7rcnMrw/) > It boggles the mind. Remember when _Democrats_ were Muslim sympathizers who were bowing to the Saudis and planning to institute Sharia? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39673 "2018-11-24T11:23:10Z")
Ah…you mean the “good old days?” ---
**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 24, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39674 "2018-11-24T18:56:34Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > [US Evangelicals Ask Americans To Pray For Saudi Arabia’s Murderous Crown Prince](https://mavenroundtable.io/theintellectualist/news/us-evangelicals-ask-americans-to-pray-for-saudi-arabia-s-murderous-crown-prince-xaezMhfaH0SQwRo7rcnMrw/) > It boggles the mind. Bachmann should take this delegation to North Sentinel Island. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39675 "2018-11-24T19:00:26Z")
If the House does drag Comey into a closed-doors questioning, would it be legal for him to bring a microphone and record it himself (openly and/or secretly)? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39676 "2018-11-24T19:39:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If the House does drag Comey into a closed-doors questioning, would it be legal for him to bring a microphone and record it himself (openly and/or secretly)? DC is a one party consent state with regard to recording a conversation. I would assume that Comey would be ok with recording this. Shouldn’t matter though should it. Are they asking about state secrets? No. Gosh, lets see if the lame duck congress has a problem with this. Hey, let’s get Trump on national TV again and have him admit again to obstruction of justice. Doesn’t mater either. His supporters don’t care. They all must have been abused as children. ---
**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:** [November 25, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39677 "2018-11-25T00:14:55Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > It’s not illegal to SAY it. > [@enipla](#): > > Comey is handlining it properly. “Sure, let’s talk. And let everyone hear the questions and answers.” If the craven republicans are afraid of that. OK. I agree that it’s a good thing that Comey is calling for public testimony. And it’s a very good thing that he’s openly questioning the Republicans’ motivations for wanting the testimony to take place behind closed doors. I’m just saying that he would be on shaky ground if he talked about refusing to appear; so far I don’t think he’s done so (though some are urging him to). We want it clearly understood that those called in January are expected to appear. And, frankly, like Comey, they will not have a right to dictate the conditions of their appearances. Still, for all of them, it’s fair and reasonable for them to call for transparency in the proceedings. I hope Comey continues to do so. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39678 "2018-11-25T00:40:04Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Remember when _Democrats_ were Muslim sympathizers who were bowing to the Saudis and planning to institute Sharia? No, but I remember when it was falsely claimed that they were. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39679 "2018-11-26T13:58:12Z")
Would you believe that the Romaine lettuce recall is an unintended consequence of a stupid Republican idea? > [@](#): > > For more than a decade, it’s been clear that there’s a gaping hole in American food safety: Growers aren’t required to test their irrigation water for pathogens such as E. coli. As a result, contaminated water can end up on fruits and vegetables. > > After several high-profile disease outbreaks linked to food, Congress in 2011 ordered a fix, and produce growers this year would have begun testing their water under rules crafted by the Obama administration’s Food and Drug Administration. > > But six months before people were sickened by the contaminated romaine, President Donald Trump’s FDA – responding to pressure from the farm industry and Trump’s order to eliminate regulations – shelved the water-testing rules for at least four years. > > [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/the-science-is-clear-dirty-farm-water-is-making-us-sick/) ---
**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 26, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39680 "2018-11-26T15:24:15Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Would you believe that the Romaine lettuce recall is an unintended consequence of a stupid Republican idea? :smack: Wait! Somehow this has to be spun so that it’s Obama’s fault. Or Hillary’s. Preferably both. \<_Puts on thinking cap\>_ Give me a minute. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/39681 "2018-11-26T15:53:49Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > > > Would you believe that the Romaine lettuce recall is an unintended consequence of a stupid Republican idea? > > :smack: > > Wait! Somehow this has to be spun so that it’s Obama’s fault. Or Hillary’s. Preferably both. \<_Puts on thinking cap\>_ Give me a minute. If Obama’s FDA hadn’t come up with the irrigation water testing rule, there wouldn’t have been a rule to freeze; therefore the entire incident wouldn’t have happened. There — simple, isn’t it? Provided you can twist your mind into a combination Möbius strip and pretzel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1983) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=1985)