# 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:** 2163
**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:** [January 4, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43249 "2020-01-04T14:57:14Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Aside: Am I the only one tired of news stories beating around the bush? If the story is someone saying something offensive, then quote them. Let everyone know _exactly_ what they said. Don’t just mumble-mumble about “He used a term derogatory to…”. Especially when the defense is “that word used to mean something else”. I see your point-- let them twist publicly in the wind while eating their words, eh? (Excuse the mixed metaphor.) OTOH why give them any more air time? It’s not like most of us can’t figure out what they likely said. Is it really newsworthy to repeat garden-variety insults and slurs? I hate euphemisms when they actually mask truth-- like calling trump’s lies “mistakes,” “misstatements,” etc. They’re LIES. Period. But I don’t see refraining to repeat “Joe Blow called Jack Sprat a _$#%@&-%&$$, #%@-^%_\* during the meeting.” Yeah, it’s a fine line, but it’s what we do here. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43250 "2020-01-04T19:08:31Z")
> [@margin](#): > > In jail? Natch. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43251 "2020-01-04T19:15:24Z")
Iran has raised a red flag over one of its major mosques. I’m told this means a declaration of jihad. News reports are that [they have announced plans to retaliate against 35 US targets](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10670210/iran-unfurls-red-flag-ready-for-war/) (oddly specific number, is it symbolic of anything?) in revenge for the assassination of General Soleimani. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2020, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43252 "2020-01-05T00:57:55Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Iran has raised a red flag over one of its major mosques. I’m told this means a declaration of jihad. > > News reports are that [they have announced plans to retaliate against 35 US targets](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10670210/iran-unfurls-red-flag-ready-for-war/) (oddly specific number, is it symbolic of anything?) in revenge for the assassination of General Soleimani. You will be shocked to learn that Trump, on hearing that the Iranians had declared 35 targets, announced that he had _52_: > [@](#): > > On Friday, an Iranian commander had threatened counter-strikes against the United States, saying Iran had identified 35 potential targets within striking distance. > > President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Twitter, saying the United States has pinpointed 52 Iranian sites — including cultural sites — if the nation retaliates. > **[Trump threatens to target 52 Iranian sites 'VERY FAST AND VERY HARD' if it...](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-threatens-52-iranian-sites-targeted-if-iran-retaliates-2020-1)** > > Trump said the 52 targets the US has identified represent the 52 American citizens held in Iran for more than a year during the hostage crisis. No doubt someone helped him with the math. ---
**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 5, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43253 "2020-01-05T01:14:45Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Iran has raised a red flag over one of its major mosques. I’m told this means a declaration of jihad. > > News reports are that [they have announced plans to retaliate against 35 US targets](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10670210/iran-unfurls-red-flag-ready-for-war/) (oddly specific number, is it symbolic of anything?) in revenge for the assassination of General Soleimani. I’m how close to O’Hare’s freight terminals? Two miles as the blast radius expands? Alrighty then. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43254 "2020-01-05T15:39:28Z")
[Pentagon officials reportedly presented Trump with the option of killing a top Iranian commander, not thinking he’d actually do it](https://www.yahoo.com/news/pentagon-officials-reportedly-presented-trump-031641749.html?guccounter=1) Jesus Fucking Christ, now we’re risking WWIII because the Pentagon decided to play Poke the Crazy Person? I thought he did it to have his own Osama Bin Laden moment and to show how he’s protecting America in his re-election bid. It was all just a game of Chicken. They were hoping he’d choose a less insane option. NEVER GIVE TRUMP AN INSANE OPTION. HE CAN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE. ---
**Author:** ![margin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@margin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/margin)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43255 "2020-01-05T16:09:47Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > A pro-Individual 1 who was running for state judge has been disbarred by the Florida bar for his anti-gay and anti-Muslin comments. > [https://www.comicsands.com/pro-trump-attorney-homophobia-islamaphobia-2643109777.html](https://www.comicsands.com/pro-trump-attorney-homophobia-islamaphobia-2643109777.html)? Why do these guys always sound the world’s most evil 12-year-old? This guy capped every bigoted, hateful, statement with multiple exclamation points. It was like reading a genocidal slam book by junior high schoolers. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43256 "2020-01-05T16:16:22Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > You will be shocked to learn that Trump, on hearing that the Iranians had declared 35 targets, announced that he had _52_: > > [Trump Threatens Iran Over Retaliation, Says US Has Targeted 52 Sites](https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-threatens-52-iranian-sites-targeted-if-iran-retaliates-2020-1) > > Quote: > On Friday, an Iranian commander had threatened counter-strikes against the United States, saying Iran had identified 35 potential targets within striking distance. > > President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Twitter, saying the United States has pinpointed 52 Iranian sites — including cultural sites — if the nation retaliates. > > No doubt someone helped him with the math. Wouldn’t intentionally attacking cultural sites be considered a war crime? I doubt Mango Mussolini cares, but most Americans should. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43257 "2020-01-05T16:16:57Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Iran has raised a red flag over one of its major mosques. I’m told this means a declaration of jihad. Told by whom? IIRC that flag is raised every year, during Ashura, without any “declaration of jihad” being issued. Granted, now ain’t Ashura, so it’s certainly significant. But “a declaration of jihad”? That’s a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43258 "2020-01-05T16:18:29Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Wouldn’t intentionally attacking cultural sites be considered a war crime? I doubt Mango Mussolini cares, but most Americans **should**. Should, yes. Would, no. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43259 "2020-01-05T16:49:04Z")
> [@Steken](#): > > Told by whom? > > IIRC that flag is raised every year, during Ashura, without any “declaration of jihad” being issued. Granted, now ain’t Ashura, so it’s certainly significant. But “a declaration of jihad”? That’s a new one. This article says first time in recent history over this mosque, and while not jihad, it means “a severe battle to come.” > **[Iran unfurls symbolic 'red flag', vows to avenge Qassim Suleimani's killing -...](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/iran-hoists-red-flag-on-mosque-to-avenge-killing-of-commander-qassim-suleimani/articleshow/73106490.cms)** > > Middle East News: Iran on Saturday underlined the seriousness in avenging the death of its commander Qassim Suleimani by unfurling the symbolic red flag at a mosque in I don’t know how accurate it is, but there are other articles that indicate the same thing. ---
**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 5, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43260 "2020-01-05T16:53:43Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Wouldn’t intentionally attacking cultural sites be considered a war crime? I doubt Mango Mussolini cares, but most Americans should. On the one hand its a war crime, but on the other hand it will piss off multiculturalist liberals, so from a cost benefit analysis it’s clearly the right thing to do. ---
**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 5, 2020, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43261 "2020-01-05T19:11:33Z")
Anybody want to bet Iran makes a major retaliatory strike on February 4th, right before (or during) the State of the Union address? ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43262 "2020-01-05T19:23:44Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Anybody want to bet Iran makes a major retaliatory strike on February 4th, right before (or during) the State of the Union address? If they calculate doing so will help keep him in office, maybe. Like Russia, China, NoKo they want the weakest and worst US president they can get. Putin’s _Mission Accomplished_… ---
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43263 "2020-01-05T21:37:44Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > On the one hand its a war crime, but on the other hand it will piss off multiculturalist liberals, so from a cost benefit analysis it’s clearly the right thing to do. And of course only a true patriot is aiming to piss of his fellow countrymen. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43264 "2020-01-05T22:07:56Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Wouldn’t intentionally attacking cultural sites be considered a war crime? I doubt Mango Mussolini cares, but most Americans should. > [@Steken](#): > > Should, yes. > > Would, no. Yep. Bill Barr will give him a pass, the International Criminal Court, probably not. (The Scots might even push for it as a way to keep him from visiting his Golf resort in Scotland :D) ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43265 "2020-01-05T22:13:50Z")
[Reports](https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/congresswoman-disturbed-by-reports-of-iranian-americans-being-detained/) of US citizens of Iranian ancestry being detained in New York and Washington state. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43266 "2020-01-05T23:41:27Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > [Reports](https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/congresswoman-disturbed-by-reports-of-iranian-americans-being-detained/) of US citizens of Iranian ancestry being detained in New York and Washington state. :smack: I guess camps are next, amirite? At least that will create jobs for the out of work miners. ---
**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:** [January 6, 2020, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43267 "2020-01-06T00:22:31Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Yep. Bill Barr will give him a pass, the International Criminal Court, probably not. My theory is that Vlad has been pushing Donald to commit war crimes for months. Donald is _so_ easy to manipulate! Just tell him ‘_Obama was too much of a pussy to do these very manly things that only manly men with big hands (etc) can do._…’ If the US gets mired in resisting calls for Donald to appear in the ICC in The Hague, plus calls for the US to be declared a Rogue State, etc., then surely the sanctions against Russia will be allowed to slip away… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43268 "2020-01-06T00:35:22Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > :smack: > > I guess camps are next, amirite? At least that will create jobs for the out of work miners. Helping the prisoners tunnel out? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2162) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2164)