# 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:** 203
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4041 "2011-12-24T13:21:55Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > That was one of the reasons why I was saying this is so idiotic, the republicans willfully ignored the evidence. What I find most idiotic about this lightbulb shit is that the lightbulb manufacturers don’t even want it. They surely would have liked it if the Republicans were fighting for inefficiency back when it was passed, under Bush. But now weeks before the 100 watt ban goes into effect they’ve already spent lots of money preparing. So they’re actually not even fighting for the interests of Big Lightbulb, they’re fighting for petulance. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4042 "2011-12-24T15:04:32Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](#): > > What I find most idiotic about this lightbulb shit is that the lightbulb manufacturers don’t even want it. They surely would have liked it if the Republicans were fighting for inefficiency back when it was passed, under Bush. But now weeks before the 100 watt ban goes into effect they’ve already spent lots of money preparing. So they’re actually not even fighting for the interests of Big Lightbulb, they’re fighting for petulance. Petulance, yes; but it also lets them trumpet the message that the Big Bad Evil Government is sticking its grimy fingers into your precious [DEL]bodily fluids[/DEL] light sockets. This serves to fire up their base and keep them engaged in an election cycle in which the presumptive GOP candidate can’t seem to catch on. Personally, I expect periodic outbursts of this sort of bushwa as we get closer to November. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4043 "2011-12-24T17:15:52Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > Personally, I expect periodic outbursts of this sort of bushwa as we get closer to November. In that case, it would be nice to see some ads along the lines of: “Why do the Republicans want to destroy America’s industries? Why do they want to cripple American companies by suddenly reversing course on decisions made when Bush was president? What is wrong with the current crop of Republicans in congress anyway?” ---
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4044 "2011-12-24T18:26:32Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > If you check the rest of the article you will notice that demos from industry were made to the congress critters to show that the improvements that you refer to are here already. > > That was one of the reasons why I was saying this is so idiotic, the republicans willfully ignored the evidence. Maybe I need to try them again because when I last bought the ones that are supposed to be close to incandescents, it was still uncomfortable. I’m not all upset about the switch, it just irks me when people say there couldn’t possibly be any reason for anyone to prefer incandescent bulbs. (Jesus christ I hope LEDs don’t become standard on everything. Those things are like knives.) ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4045 "2011-12-24T18:38:09Z")
> [@grayhairedmomma](#): > > Maybe I need to try them again because when I last bought the ones that are supposed to be close to incandescents, it was still uncomfortable. I’m not all upset about the switch, it just irks me when people say there couldn’t possibly be any reason for anyone to prefer incandescent bulbs. Have you read this thread? There are incandescent bulbs that meet the new standards. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4046 "2011-12-25T02:28:14Z")
What about 3 Way bulbs? Are they too kinky? I use lots of those, so I’ll be screwed. Do CFLs work in dimmer switches? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2011, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4047 "2011-12-25T02:58:25Z")
> **[Lighting FAQ](https://www.gelighting.com/lighting-faq)** > > Visit our lighting FAQ section to find detailed information and answers to all your common GE Lighting & CYNC product questions. > [@](#): > > To use a compact fluorescent bulb on a dimmer switch, you must buy a bulb that’s specifically made to work with dimmers (check the package). GE makes a dimming compact fluorescent light bulb (called the GE Longlife Plus Soft White Energy Saving Bulb) that is specially designed for use with dimming switches. We don’t recommend using regular compact fluorescent bulbs with dimming switches, since this can shorten bulb life. BTW someone early pointed out that they hum and take time to turn on, I’m only sure that the one I put on my table light does not hum and it turns on right away. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4048 "2011-12-25T03:11:47Z")
We only have fluorescent lights, none hum or flicker. I have using them for more years than I can remember. Electricity is obscenely expensive here, so CFLs are my friends. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4049 "2011-12-28T16:09:41Z")
Lambasting Republican stupidity may be fun, but it’s only fair to give them credit when one of them does something smart. Recently Michelle Bachmann discovered that Obama’s military has changed its rules, apparently to encourage our soldiers to fraternize with Afghan goats. (Anyone who doubts this is a growing problem may want to [view this video](http://patdollard.com/2011/12/horny-twin-afghan-goats-assault-swiss-soldiers/).) Not only are soldiers at risk but, as Bachmann specifically pointed out, the policy change could encourage children to try bestiality: [QUOTE=BACHMANN] It’s absolutely abhorrent, reprehensible and you think, this is the kind of thing parents try to keep from their children because parents want to have their children enjoy innocence. Children need that latency period, they need innocence and your own government legalizes this? … Are we really going to say ho hum and laugh and go back to sleep? There’s got to be something we stand for. [/QUOTE] Lt. Col Todd Breasseale, defense spokesman, claims that bestiality remains punishable under Article 134 of the UCMJ, even after Article 125 is repealed; and moreover that past instances of bestiality have been charged under the former Article, rather than Article 125. But this reminds us that the Democrats are the Party bought and paid for by lawyers. Perhaps increasing the ambiguity of military law is a make-work project for these constituents. [QUOTE=Gen. James Amos, who originally opposed repeal] “Marines across the globe have adapted smoothly and embraced the change.” [/QUOTE] Well, that’s rather the concern, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4050 "2011-12-28T17:17:15Z")
Oh yeah, it was played out in a deleted scene from Three Kings: Troy Barlow: Hey, goat. It’s good to see you. I like your beard. You’re kind of sexy goat, do you know that? Do you know where the gold is? Do you goat? Do you know where the gold is? I’ll buy you a convertible Lexus if you tell me. No? OK, fine sexy goat. Say hello to your mother for me. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4051 "2011-12-28T17:25:22Z")
Clearly, we need our soldiers to have more acceptable sexual opportunities. Let us keep them well supplied with wholesome intra-species porn! And for those too lazy to jerk off, Michelle Bachman. ---
**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:** [December 28, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4052 "2011-12-28T18:00:45Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Oh yeah, it was played out in a deleted scene from Three Kings: > > Troy Barlow: Hey, goat. It’s good to see you. I like your beard. You’re kind of sexy goat, do you know that? Do you know where the gold is? Do you goat? Do you know where the gold is? I’ll buy you a convertible Lexus if you tell me. No? OK, fine sexy goat. Say hello to your mother for me. Let’s go to the quarry and throw stuff down there! ETA: Bonus points for tying 2 different but subtly related pieces of pop culture together in such an excellently mocking fashion! Well done! ---
**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:** [December 28, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4053 "2011-12-28T19:36:55Z")
Apparently, Rick Perry is suffering some confusion about which country he lives in. > [@](#): > > The audiences at Mr. Perry’s events seemed somewhat unmoved by parts of his speech that talked about job creation. But when it came to energy and oil, they perked up. > > “ **Every barrel of oil that comes out of those sands in Canada is a barrel of oil that we don’t have to buy from a foreign source** ,” Mr. Perry said in Clarinda, earning a loud round of enthusiastic applause. > > Later, the audience reacted again to Mr. Perry’s assertion that buying so much energy from foreign countries is “not good policy, it’s not good politics and frankly it’s un-American.” [http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/what-moves-republican-crowds-in-iowa/?smid=tw-thecaucus&seid=auto#](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/what-moves-republican-crowds-in-iowa/?smid=tw-thecaucus&seid=auto#) For myself, I think he’d make a fine Republican nominee. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4054 "2011-12-28T19:52:16Z")
He knows what country he lives in. Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4055 "2011-12-28T19:52:32Z")
After failing to collect enough signatures to make it on the ballot for the Republican primary in Virginia, Rick Perry has done what any responsible, states-rights, no-overreaching-activist-federal-judges conservative would do: > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Texas Governor Rick Perry filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to get on Virginia’s 2012 primary election ballot after failing to qualify by last week’s deadline. From [here](http://news.yahoo.com/perry-campaign-sue-virginia-2012-ballot-040834578.html). ---
**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:** [December 28, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4056 "2011-12-28T21:34:09Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > He knows what country he lives in. > > Texas. In a rather odd quirk of fate, Canada and Texas have become solid trade partners. [http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/buffalo/commerce\_canada/fact\_sheets-fiches\_documentaires/tx.aspx?view=d](http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/buffalo/commerce_canada/fact_sheets-fiches_documentaires/tx.aspx?view=d) •625,000 jobs in Texas depend on trade with Canada •Texas exports to Canada: $12.4 billion •Texas imports from Canada: $13.4 billion •Bilateral trade: $25.8 billion I hadn’t realized that we Kanukistanis had been annexed. Kudos to Mr. Perry for fighting ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4057 "2011-12-28T23:10:04Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > After failing to collect enough signatures to make it on the ballot for the Republican primary in Virginia, Rick Perry has done what any responsible, states-rights, no-overreaching-activist-federal-judges conservative would do:From [here](http://news.yahoo.com/perry-campaign-sue-virginia-2012-ballot-040834578.html). I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed this to share with my FB friends. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4058 "2011-12-28T23:12:03Z")
[Gingrich: Campaign worker’s signature fraud cost slot on Virginia ballot](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/gingrich-campaign-workers-signature-fraud-cost-slot-on-virginia-ballot/) That’s what he’s going with. Unfortunately, he’s relying on the dreaded _ACORN Defense_; his fellow Republicans didn’t fall for that the first time, why would they fall for it again? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4059 "2011-12-28T23:38:54Z")
I have no idea if it’s true, but I think it would be pretty damn funny if Virginia’s laws were put in place by a Republican dominated legislature in the name of preventing “voter fraud”. That would just be tooooo good. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4060 "2011-12-28T23:42:09Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > [Gingrich: Campaign worker’s signature fraud cost slot on Virginia ballot](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/gingrich-campaign-workers-signature-fraud-cost-slot-on-virginia-ballot/) > > That’s what he’s going with. > > Unfortunately, he’s relying on the dreaded _ACORN Defense_; his fellow Republicans didn’t fall for that the first time, why would they fall for it again? The story says they used _paid_ volunteers? Ummm… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=202) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=204)