# 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:** 2024
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40463 "2019-02-20T15:11:27Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-covington-suit/teen-in-lincoln-memorial-protest-sues-washington-post-for-250-million-idUSKCN1Q82SW](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-covington-suit/teen-in-lincoln-memorial-protest-sues-washington-post-for-250-million-idUSKCN1Q82SW) > > Whatever sympathy I had for this little cunt - and it wasn’t much - is gone. > > Looks like he went straight to the martyr card. > > Fuck him, and fuck conservatives. I would LOVE for this to go trial, have the jury find for the plaintiff and award him…one dollar. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40464 "2019-02-20T18:26:49Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > I would LOVE for this to go trial, have the jury find for the plaintiff and award him…one dollar. And… A boot to the head. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tfMcxmOBmpk/hqdefault.jpg "The Frantics Last Will and Temperment [Better Audio]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfMcxmOBmpk) ---
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40465 "2019-02-20T20:40:54Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > I would LOVE for this to go trial, have the jury find for the plaintiff and award him…one dollar. It is a messed up world where I am rooting for the billionaire… but, here I am. I hope that it gets thrown out as a frivolous suit, and he has to pay Bezo’s legal fees. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40466 "2019-02-20T21:03:05Z")
OK, legal question. We all know that a Judge can reduce the amount awarded by a jury, Can a Judge _increase_ an amount awarded by a jury? ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40467 "2019-02-21T17:01:29Z")
[Arkansas senator proposes bill to cut school lunches to improve reading](https://wreg.com/2019/02/20/arkansas-senator-proposes-bill-to-cut-school-lunches-to-improve-reading/) > [@](#): > > Rep. Alan Clark (R-Lonsdale) proposed a bill that would cut lunch funding in schools that struggle with reading, and he is working to get others to support the idea. > > Clark’s proposed bill, if passed, would reduce a district’s “national school lunch funding” if they’re struggling in the reading department over a period of time. Because nothing helps a kid struggling to read better than starvation. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40468 "2019-02-21T17:29:37Z")
Can’t wait for the bill that authorizes police to punch kids in the face if they are suffering from bullying. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40469 "2019-02-21T18:34:43Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > [Arkansas senator proposes bill to cut school lunches to improve reading](https://wreg.com/2019/02/20/arkansas-senator-proposes-bill-to-cut-school-lunches-to-improve-reading/) > > Because nothing helps a kid struggling to read better than starvation. Let them eat books. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40470 "2019-02-21T19:07:59Z")
Ann Coulter: All hate crimes are hoaxes. [https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/430978-ann-coulter-all-hate-crimes-are-hoaxes](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/430978-ann-coulter-all-hate-crimes-are-hoaxes)? ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40471 "2019-02-21T19:31:05Z")
Montana state legislator Joe read [introduced a bill](https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/02/montana-legislator-introduces-bills-to-give-his-state-its-own-science/) that would require the state to ignore federal rules aimed at addressing climate change. He claims that the federal rules violate the 10th Amendment and, I guess, what ever happens in Montana stays in Montana (would that that were so, sometimes). There is a companion bill as well, _But if you thought Read’s grasp of constitutional law was shaky, you should check out his reason for objecting to doing anything about climate change. That’s laid out in his second bill, which targets both science education and in-state programs designed to reduce carbon emissions. And it doesn’t mince words, suggesting that pretty much all the scientists have it wrong: “the [US] National Climate Assessment makes the same errors as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the National Academy of Sciences is also fundamentally wrong about climate change.”_ Because, he is smarter than everyone else. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40472 "2019-02-21T20:17:57Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > …Because, he is smarter than everyone else. There appears to be a lot of that going around. :dubious: ---
**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:** [February 22, 2019, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40473 "2019-02-22T14:03:16Z")
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is supposedly a “non-partisan professional association of physicians” that has been around since 1948. In reality, they are “recognized as politically conservative or ultra-conservative, and its publication advocates a range of scientifically discredited hypotheses, including the belief that HIV does not cause AIDS, that being gay reduces life expectancy, that there is a link between abortion and breast cancer, and that there is a causal relationship between vaccines and autism.” ([Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_American_Physicians_and_Surgeons)) Their website has [an editorial](https://aapsonline.org/do-not-be-deceived-medicare-for-all-will-crash-the-system/) by Dr. Kristin S. Held, an ophthalmologist from Texas.The headline breathlessly screams ‘Do Not Be Deceived! Medicare For All Will Crash the System’ but it’s her reasoning that makes this a stupid Republican idea of the day: > [@](#): > > The most frightening part of all is this: the Medicare For All Bill establishes the National Board of Universal Quality and Access, and not even one actual physician is guaranteed to be on it. The Board might include a dietician, a long-term care facility administrator, the head of Planned Parenthood, a labor union representative, and a patient advocate (_**perhaps an Antifa member)**_, making all our medical decisions for us. They serve six-year terms, but there are no term limits. Emphasis mine. So not only are there death panels, but the panels may have Antifa members on them. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40474 "2019-02-22T17:18:47Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > So not only are there death panels, but the panels may have Antifa members on them. We wouldn’t want Antifa on death panels, they have no idea what they are doing. The want the fascists to be on the death panels, that will keep the trains running. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40475 "2019-02-24T22:45:11Z")
Pennsylvania State Representative Daryl Metcalfe [says reducing carbon dioxide emissions will kill his vegetables](https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/state-rep-daryl-metcalfe-says-reducing-carbon-dioxide-emissions-will-kill-his-vegetables/Content?oid=13785614): That’s the level of ignorance we are dealing with. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40476 "2019-02-25T00:34:19Z")
[**Emails reveal coordination between Chao, McConnell offices**](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/19/mitch-mcconnell-elaine-chao-relationship-1163655) > [@](#): > > A trove of more than 800 pages of emails sheds new light on the working relationship between Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, one of the most potent power couples in Washington — including their dealings with McConnell supporters from their home state of Kentucky. > > Chao has met at least 10 times with politicians and business leaders from the state in response to requests from McConnell’s office, according to documents provided to Politico by the watchdog group American Oversight. In some cases, those people later received what they were hoping for from Chao’s department, including infrastructure grants, the designation of an interstate highway and assistance in getting state funds for a highway project — although the documents don’t indicate that the meetings led to those outcomes. > … Raise your hand if you’re surprised by this. I didn’t think so. :dubious: ---
**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:** [February 26, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40477 "2019-02-26T20:33:01Z")
The complaint: > [@Rep. Tom Cole](#): > > We’ve had no time to review the bill The bill, in its entirety: > [@House Joint Resolution](#): > > Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, pursuant to section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), the national emergency declared by the finding of the President on February 15, 2019, in Proclamation 9844 (84 Fed. Reg. 4949) is hereby terminated. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2019, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40478 "2019-02-26T20:52:50Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > The complaint: > > > [@](#): > > > > Quote: > > Originally Posted by Rep. Tom Cole, R-OK > > We’ve had no time to review the bill > > The bill, in its entirety: > > > [@](#): > > > > Quote: > > Originally Posted by House Joint Resolution > > Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, pursuant to section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), the national emergency declared by the finding of the President on February 15, 2019, in Proclamation 9844 (84 Fed. Reg. 4949) is hereby terminated. Oh, that’s WAAAAY too complicated for today’s Republicans to take at face value. At least three committees should be formed immediately to study this resolution, look for precedents and LACK of precedents. Is Hillary behind this? Or maybe that Kenyan Muslim? It sounds like language from the Koran. It will take at least, oh… TWO YEARS to study this fully and decide [del]what action to take[/del] to shelve it for MORE study. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2019, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40479 "2019-02-26T21:09:53Z")
Texas state legislators have introduced a bill requiring that any person who has ever told a government official that they are not a citizen be removed from the voting rolls. That seems to imply newly-naturalized citizens. > **[GOP Bills Would Force Registrars To Remove People Flagged As Potential...](https://www.kut.org/politics/2019-02-25/gop-bills-would-force-registrars-to-remove-people-flagged-as-potential-noncitizens-from-voter-rolls)** > > As the nomination of Texas Secretary of State David Whitley faces tough prospects in the Senate, two Republican senators filed bills raising the stakes… ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40480 "2019-02-27T00:19:21Z")
Rep. Matt Goetz (R-Florida) decides to engage in witness tampering: [Trump ally Gaetz apologizes for threatening Michael Cohen ahead of hearing - POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/26/matt-gaetz-michael-cohen-1189581) ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40481 "2019-02-27T00:30:51Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > Rep. Matt Goetz (R-Florida) decides to engage in witness tampering: [https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/26/matt-gaetz-michael-cohen-1189581](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/26/matt-gaetz-michael-cohen-1189581) [Nice to have a family. A man should take care . . .](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4lgW1WwvLc) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40482 "2019-02-27T15:01:08Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > OK, legal question. > > We all know that a Judge can reduce the amount awarded by a jury, Can a Judge _increase_ an amount awarded by a jury? Yes. It’s called _remittitur_ (reducing an award) and _additur_ (increasing). However, the symbolic $1 jury awards are for cases when the jury finds the defendant liable but also finds that the plaintiff suffered no actual damages, or [failed to prove the amount](https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/30/sports/usfl-loses-in-antitrust-case-jury-assigns-just-1-in-damages.html) of damages. Well, usually. [Sometimes](http://time.com/5297891/gregory-hill-jury-awards-4-dollars-police-shooting/) it’s just because the jurors are assholes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2023) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2025)