# 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:** 216
**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:** [January 26, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4301 "2012-01-26T18:52:46Z")
There was nobody to do the gathering once all the slaves were emancipated. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4302 "2012-01-26T21:21:41Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The Civil War didn’t end slavery. The 13th Amendment did. From a legal perspective, we _should_ have compensated slaveowners for the loss of their property, since the constitution specifically provided for their right to own people. The Constitution contained a fugitive slave clause in Art. 4, section 2, which gave slaveowners the right to demand the extradition of their escaped slaves; there was no constitutional right to own anyone. The Thirteenth Amendment superseded this clause and extinguished any property rights in slaves, so slaveowners weren’t entitled to anything. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4303 "2012-01-26T22:53:18Z")
It also appears twice in Article I - the 3/5 compromise, for example. The point is that extinguishing property rights was a taking. Not that I really give a shit about the rights of slaveowners; I’m just saying. It’s worth noting that the UK Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 provided for compensation to slaveowners. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4304 "2012-01-26T22:58:10Z")
It wasn’t a taking either. A taking is government appropriation of private property for public use. The government didn’t take ownership of the slaves - it freed them. > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It’s worth noting that the UK Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 provided for compensation to slaveowners. But the UK had less slaves, and none of them were on mainland Britain (AFAIK). Much more workable in their case. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4305 "2012-01-27T01:44:18Z")
If they had demanded payment, I’m sure the Union Army would have given each slave owner 455 grains of metal, payable on demand. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4306 "2012-01-27T02:54:42Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Newt Gingrich promises that America will establish a permanent moon base by the end of his presidency.](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/25/gingrich-shoots-for-the-moon/) > > I applaud Newt for being a futurist, but it seems a bit incongruous to me to say “The government is spending too much money and we need to cut taxes” out one side of your mouth, and propose what would probably be the most expensive government project in American history out the other. Better yet, he thinks the 51st state should be the Moon, and has a long record of opposing statehood for Washington, DC. > **[Gingrich Supports Statehood For Moon Residents, Not District](https://dc.curbed.com/2012/1/26/10402680/gingrich-supports-statehood-for-moon-residents-not-district)** > > At a political rally near Cape Canaveral last night New Gingrich told the audience he would "establish a permanent colony on the moon, and develop a spacecraft that can get to Mars, by the end of... ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4307 "2012-01-27T03:29:46Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Better yet, he thinks the 51st state should be the Moon… For some reason I feel more drawn to him. (a few hours later) Okay, I’m over it. (a few hours later) I’m back, but what is in this warlock’s spell? He’s still fat and ugly, but not so attractive. (a few hours later) Again, that has passed. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4308 "2012-01-27T03:47:45Z")
[QUOTE=Ravenman] Better yet, he thinks the 51st state should be the Moon, and has a long record of opposing statehood for Washington, DC. [/QUOTE] I have to wonder if this is some kind of weird dog whistle for people that don’t like the fact that we have signed [treaties](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty) agreeing not to claim “celestial resources” such as the moon. Maybe this is a move intended to appeal to the type who want to abolish the UN. Or Gingrich could just be a yogurt head. Yeah, it’s probably that. Actually, I’d love love love to see us return to the moon, but I have a hard time believing Gingrich’s suggestion isn’t 90% self serving in some way. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4309 "2012-01-27T06:59:07Z")
A permanent colony. On the moon. So, we would have one rocket lifting off from Canaveral every ten minutes, half of them filled with water, the other half with Doritos. You just keep thinking, Newt, that’s what you’re good at. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4310 "2012-01-27T09:54:54Z")
I though Nasa had discovered that the moon contains vast underground reserves of Doritos? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4311 "2012-01-27T13:54:01Z")
I think Newt just wants to leave this sick planet for new one. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4312 "2012-01-27T13:54:14Z")
We can just send welfare recipients to work the Lunar Doritos mines. Win-win-win! ---
**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:** [January 27, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4313 "2012-01-27T14:37:50Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > Actually, I’d love love love to see us return to the moon, but I have a hard time believing Gingrich’s suggestion isn’t 90% self serving in some way. Wouldn’t take a lot of work to decorate the moon to resemble Newt’s head, I’m thinking. He’s got bigger plans than being the fifth face on Mount Rushmore. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4314 "2012-01-27T15:41:48Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Wouldn’t take a lot of work to decorate the moon to resemble Newt’s head It’s be easier for him to lay off the Rogaine and make his head more closely resemble the moon. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4315 "2012-01-27T16:13:32Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > I have to wonder if this is some kind of weird dog whistle for people that don’t like the fact that we have signed treaties agreeing not to claim “celestial resources” such as the moon. Maybe this is a move intended to appeal to the type who want to abolish the UN. It could be that he is trying to sew up the [Heinlein Libritarian](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_Is_a_Harsh_Mistress) vote ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4316 "2012-01-27T23:44:46Z")
It’s not a new obsession with him. One of his first acts as a Congressman, in 1981, was to introduce [a bill defining procedures for admitting space colonies into the Union.](http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/newt-gingrichs-laws-for-governing-a-space-colony) ---
**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:** [January 28, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4317 "2012-01-28T01:50:39Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > For some reason I feel more drawn to him. > > (a few hours later) > > Okay, I’m over it. > > (a few hours later) > > I’m back, but what is in this warlock’s spell? He’s still fat and ugly, but not so attractive. > > (a few hours later) > > Again, that has passed. Tides? ---
**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:** [January 28, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4318 "2012-01-28T02:20:31Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Wouldn’t take a lot of work to decorate the moon to resemble Newt’s head, I’m thinking. He’s got bigger plans than being the fifth face on Mount Rushmore. And just throw away all the money we spent decorating it to look like [Jackie Gleason?](http://tvland.classictvhits.com/Honeymooners/Pics/Honeymooners02.JPG) I think not. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4319 "2012-01-28T02:29:19Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > And just throw away all the money we spent decorating it to look like [Jackie Gleason?](http://tvland.classictvhits.com/Honeymooners/Pics/Honeymooners02.JPG) > > I think not. Newt is the [Man in the Moon](http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/files/2012/01/daily-show-newt-moonbase.jpg). Sorry about the eye thing. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/4320 "2012-01-28T02:34:43Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Tides? You can’t explain that! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=215) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=217)