# 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:** 2171
**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 2, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43409 "2020-02-02T14:06:47Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > It’s not the “s-word” when the state takes over the means of production in order to protect it from being shut down by libtards and ee-co-terrists. > > (Oddly, while Montana in general skews more rightward than the SoW, it has the same kind of geographic split: “East of the [Continental] Divide” tends to be more agricultural and conservative than the west side. So the location of this dingbat comes as no surprise to me.) AND it’s okay when it’s a Republican idea. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43410 "2020-02-02T14:14:33Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > A Republican state legislator in Montana claims that [the Constitution says to shoot anyone “found guilty of being a socialist member”](https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/billings-legislator-insists-constitution-says-it-s-ok-to-shoot/article_99c1947f-977d-501d-9396-b91db203fb8a.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_billingsgazette). “We are a constitution republic”? WTF; is Trump ghostwriting for this clown? ---
**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:** [February 2, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43411 "2020-02-02T16:06:55Z")
Fun times in Virginia. > [@](#): > > Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, introduced a bill at the start of the General Assembly session calling for the removal of the statue of former governor and U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd from Capitol Square. > > “The reason I put that in was more of a political reason,” Walker said. > > \ > > Byrd is considered the architect of Massive Resistance, a set of policies that aggressively pushed back against racial integration of public schools following the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. > > \ > > Quite a few Democrats said they looked forward to voting for Walker’s bill. > > “I’d love to vote for the bill,” said Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax > **[General Assembly notebook: Lynchburg legislator learns to beware of what you...](https://newsadvance.com/news/local/in-richmond-lynchburg-legislator-learns-to-beware-of-what-you-ask-for/article_47d24978-0fbb-583d-8df8-c8dca9eed4ac.html)** > > RICHMOND — Why would a legislator file a bill to do something he doesn’t want done? The article is short. I won’t spoil it, but you have to read it to the end. Many Republicans don’t understand – or pretend not to understand – that the parties have swapped positions on race since the middle of last century. As Upton Sinclair observed, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43412 "2020-02-02T23:04:49Z")
My Republican congressman can’t seem to figure out where he lives. (And may have violated state election laws.) > **[GOP Kansas Rep. Watkins changes voter registration 2nd time](https://www.wibw.com/content/news/GOP-Kansas-Rep-Watkins-changes-voter-registration-2nd-time-567295251.html)** > > A freshman Kansas congressman has changed his voter registration for the second time in six weeks after coming under investigation for potentially violating state election laws for previously listing a UPS Inc. store as his residence. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43413 "2020-02-03T02:33:24Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Fun times in Virginia. > > [In Richmond, Lynchburg legislator learns to beware of what you ask for](https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/in-richmond-lynchburg-legislator-learns-to-beware-of-what-you/article_47d24978-0fbb-583d-8df8-c8dca9eed4ac.amp.html) > > The article is short. I won’t spoil it, but you have to read it to the end. > > Many Republicans don’t understand – or pretend not to understand – that the parties have swapped positions on race since the middle of last century. As Upton Sinclair observed, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” They’ve taken to pretending the Southern strategy is just a liberal ruse to make liberals feel better about liberal racism. Basically, trying to get in front of their false narratives by telling more lies. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43414 "2020-02-03T06:13:27Z")
Just now I clicked to Google News to read the headlines. I see: **A Republican lawmaker in Montana said he believes the U.S. Constitution allows for the shooting or jailing of people who identify as socialists.** **GOP senator warns Republicans could impeach Biden if he wins White House.** **Trump calls Bernie Sanders a ‘communist’ in pre-Super Bowl interview.** I live in a “banana republic” where political discourse is is much less stupid and venomous than this. Heaven help America. ---
**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 3, 2020, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43415 "2020-02-03T07:03:27Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > They’ve taken to pretending the Southern strategy is just a liberal ruse to make liberals feel better about liberal racism. Basically, trying to get in front of their false narratives by telling more lies. It appears that their overall strategy is working, in that it is fomenting bullshit-fatigue. Much like the related outrage-fatigue, the reasoned opposition, pummeled with an overwhelming onslaught of bullshit, typically heavily steeped in viciousness, become exhausted trying to fight it. The bullshit in combination with the breathtaking stupid in volumes of enormity, looks like it may prove a successful strategy, inasmuch as the goal of the RW is nihilistic. At present, the only effective countermeasure may be to simply yell back at them, keep reminding everyone that these people are ATFMs. Which is sad, if one values discourse. But really, the only road to restoring discourse is to eviscerate those who are trying to destroy it. Be not afraid to offer, “_You are a fucking idiot_” (or whatever the forum will allow, up to the limit) whenever the reeking flow refuses to abate. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43416 "2020-02-03T09:59:39Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > “We are a constitution republic”? WTF; is Trump ghostwriting for this clown? He actually said “We’re not a democracy, we’re a Republic Constitution”, which makes even _less_ sense. My guess is he heard the phrase “constitutional republic” once, never bothered to look into what either of those words mean, and promptly filed it away in the part of his brain that says the right to bear arms is in the Ten Commandments and the Revolution happened because King George forced schools to teach evolution. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43417 "2020-02-03T16:15:20Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > It appears that their overall strategy is working, in that it is fomenting bullshit-fatigue. Much like the related outrage-fatigue, the reasoned opposition, pummeled with an overwhelming onslaught of bullshit, typically heavily steeped in viciousness, become exhausted trying to fight it. > > The bullshit in combination with the breathtaking stupid in volumes of enormity, looks like it may prove a successful strategy, inasmuch as the goal of the RW is nihilistic. At present, the only effective countermeasure may be to simply yell back at them, keep reminding everyone that these people are ATFMs. > > Which is sad, if one values discourse. But really, the only road to restoring discourse is to eviscerate those who are trying to destroy it. Be not afraid to offer, “_You are a fucking idiot_” (or whatever the forum will allow, up to the limit) whenever the reeking flow refuses to abate. Brain needs a jumpstart. Please parse ATFMs. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43418 "2020-02-03T16:31:49Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Fun times in Virginia. > > [In Richmond, Lynchburg legislator learns to beware of what you ask for](https://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/in-richmond-lynchburg-legislator-learns-to-beware-of-what-you/article_47d24978-0fbb-583d-8df8-c8dca9eed4ac.amp.html) > > The article is short. I won’t spoil it, but you have to read it to the end. > > Many Republicans don’t understand – or pretend not to understand – that the parties have swapped positions on race since the middle of last century. As Upton Sinclair observed, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” I’m looking forward to the follow-up story where he votes against his own bill. ---
**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 3, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43419 "2020-02-03T18:13:57Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Brain needs a jumpstart. Please parse ATFMs. absolute total fucking morons ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43420 "2020-02-03T18:41:17Z")
GOP insists that Kansas City is indeed in Kansas and Trump was actually right… > **[Republicans Say Trump Was Right, Kansas City Chiefs Indeed Based in Kansas](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/trump-kansas-city-chiefs-wrong-state-missouri-super-bowl.html)** > > The conservative cult of anti-intellectualism. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43421 "2020-02-03T18:59:07Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > GOP insists that Kansas City is indeed in Kansas and Trump was actually right… > > [Republicans: Trump Was Right, K.C. Chiefs Indeed from Kansas](http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/trump-kansas-city-chiefs-wrong-state-missouri-super-bowl.html) Trump has said and done a million things that are way worse/stupider than this. And, even though I live in Missouri and love KC, I wouldn’t care about this much if it were an isolated incident. But of course it’s not an isolated incident. And, although not the stupidest thing he’s ever said, I think this and the reaction to it are the most emblematic moment in the Emperor’s New Clothes narrative of this presidency ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43422 "2020-02-03T19:54:19Z")
It’s the sycophancy that bothers me: Dear leader cannot be wrong…it must be you or reality that is wrong! ---
**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 3, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43423 "2020-02-03T21:08:31Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > It’s the sycophancy that bothers me: Dear leader cannot be wrong…it must be you or reality that is wrong! As the article says, Stupidity is actually the point. In defending Trump, these people are identifying as part of the tribe. If being part of the tribe means that you have to say incredibly stupid things - so be it. “Look how powerful we are! We can change objective reality by _just being stupid!_” ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43424 "2020-02-03T21:34:32Z")
That’s what worries me\* — the effect that their rampant stupidity may have (hell, **is having** ) on objective reality. \*Not so much for myself — I’ll be shuffling off soon enough — but for my daughters, who may have 60-70 years to deal with the shock effects. ---
**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 4, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43425 "2020-02-04T00:18:57Z")
For a change of pace, this one is kinda fun: [Virginia GOP delegate tries to kill own bill to remove Democratic segregationist statue](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/481167-virginia-gop-delegate-tries-to-kill-own-bill-to-remove-democratic)] Republican (in bill): "Well, if you remove Confederate statues, you’d have to remove that statue of that _Democratic_ governor who supported segregation: Democrats: “Sounds good to us. Glad we could work together.” Republican: “Wait, I didn’t really mean it!” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43426 "2020-02-04T01:08:51Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > For a change of pace, this one is kinda fun: > > [Virginia GOP delegate tries to kill own bill to remove Democratic segregationist statue](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/481167-virginia-gop-delegate-tries-to-kill-own-bill-to-remove-democratic)] > > Republican (in bill): "Well, if you remove Confederate statues, you’d have to remove that statue of that _Democratic_ governor who supported segregation: > > Democrats: “Sounds good to us. Glad we could work together.” > > Republican: “Wait, I didn’t really mean it!” A lack of any sense of history bites 'em in the butt yet again. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43427 "2020-02-04T04:19:12Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > For a change of pace, this one is kinda fun: > > [Virginia GOP delegate tries to kill own bill to remove Democratic segregationist statue](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/481167-virginia-gop-delegate-tries-to-kill-own-bill-to-remove-democratic)] > > Republican (in bill): "Well, if you remove Confederate statues, you’d have to remove that statue of that _Democratic_ governor who supported segregation: > > Democrats: “Sounds good to us. Glad we could work together.” > > Republican: “Wait, I didn’t really mean it!” So it’s not an act. They truly are that clueless. ---
**Author:** ![agzem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@agzem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agzem)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/43428 "2020-02-04T13:19:22Z")
Student were throwing Michelle’s lunches in the garbage and going hungry. Meanwhile test scores have been declining. Coincidence? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2170) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2172)