# 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:** 327
**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:** [August 22, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6521 "2012-08-22T14:14:59Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](http://imgur.com/a/biLZf) Appreciated but bewildering. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6522 "2012-08-22T14:44:10Z")
I suspect it’s a response to Ludovic’s my cunt joke. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6523 "2012-08-22T14:59:20Z")
Hmm, I remember a TED talk posted here a while back about how people tend to remember debunked facts as being true. Like someone might hear about the birthers being stupid and go “oh yeah, I remember hearing Obama was born in Kenya”. Perhaps Akin got a little primer about how women can become pregnant as a result of rape and then encountered the same effect? That’s about as sympathetic a light as I can put his comments in. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6524 "2012-08-22T19:04:55Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > Without bothering to seek the approval of Jefferson Starship, of course. Given the number of right-wing supporting musicians out there, why can Republican campaigns never find a campaign song by a group/singer who actuallly _supports_ them? Does no one in the GOP listen to Alice Cooper or Dave Mustaine or [Hank Williams, Jr.?](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57497290-10391698/hank-williams-jr-obama-is-muslim-who-hates-the-u.s./) ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6525 "2012-08-22T19:56:48Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Given the number of right-wing supporting musicians out there, why can Republican campaigns never find a campaign song by a group/singer who actuallly _supports_ them? Because Pat Boone makes \*really \*shitty music :p. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6526 "2012-08-22T19:57:44Z")
The Derp Is Strong With This One: > [@](#): > > [Texas Judge Preparing For ‘Civil War’ If Obama Re-Elected](http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/08/22/texas-judge-preparing-for-civil-war-if-obama-re-elected/) > > Lubbock County Judge Tom Head is convinced that Mr. Obama winning a second term would lead to a revolt by the American people and he’s is pushing a tax increase for the district attorney’s office and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. He says the money is needed to “beef up” it’s resources in case President Obama wins the November election… > > The republican[sic] judge said that he himself will meet the enemy, “in front of their armored personnel carriers” to tell them they are not welcome, and has the county sheriff to back him up. “I don’t want U.N. troops in Lubbock County,” he said… I’m sure that the Republican Party will immediately denounce this crackpot. I mean… he’s _pushing a tax increase_, and that’s just crazy talk, not to mention blasphemy that makes the Baby Jesus cry. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6527 "2012-08-22T21:59:24Z")
Sounds like UN troops in Lubbock County might not be a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6528 "2012-08-22T22:25:56Z")
Ryan dodges questions about his support for redefining rape by saying “Rape is rape”. > [@CBS Pittsburgh](#): > > Delano: “You sponsored legislation that has the language ‘forcible rape.’ What is forcible rape as opposed…” > > Ryan: “Rape is rape. Rape is rape, period. End of story.” > > Delano: “So that forcible rape language meant nothing to you at the time?” > > Ryan: “Rape is rape and there’s no splitting hairs over rape.” Sure, when you’re convinced that rape only counts when you can prove it was forced and you fought back, then it makes sense to say “rape is rape”. After all, things like being drugged don’t count as rape so they’re not included in “rape is rape”. At least I assume that’s what Ryan meant. Because otherwise answering “why did you co-sponsor a bill with the language ‘forcible rape’” with “Rape is rape” makes absolutely no sense. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6529 "2012-08-22T22:53:12Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Given the number of right-wing supporting musicians out there, why can Republican campaigns never find a campaign song by a group/singer who actuallly _supports_ them? > > [Hank Williams, Jr.?](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57497290-10391698/hank-williams-jr-obama-is-muslim-who-hates-the-u.s./) Don’t forget the stooge – err, Nooj… ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6530 "2012-08-22T23:58:51Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Ryan dodges questions about his support for redefining rape by saying “Rape is rape”. > > Sure, when you’re convinced that rape only counts when you can prove it was forced and you fought back, then it makes sense to say “rape is rape”. After all, things like being drugged don’t count as rape so they’re not included in “rape is rape”. > > At least I assume that’s what Ryan meant. Because otherwise answering “why did you co-sponsor a bill with the language ‘forcible rape’” with “Rape is rape” makes absolutely no sense. I suspect he meant “Rape is rape because if I say anything else my poll numbers will dip even further.” ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6531 "2012-08-23T00:34:43Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Sure, when you’re convinced that rape only counts when you can prove it was forced […] Isn’t that kind of the definition ? Unless by “forced” you meant “violent” of course. [QUOTE=SteveMB] The Derp Is Strong With This One: [/QUOTE] …“Daffuq ?!” for $400, Alex ! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6532 "2012-08-23T01:18:54Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Isn’t that kind of the definition ? Unless by “forced” you meant “violent” of course. Not quite. Statutory rape, for example, is defined as rape based on the presumption that certain people (such as children) are unable to give informed consent to sex irrespective of their feelings about it. So a statutory rape victim may not have been forced into the act at all, much less violently forced, but they are still considered to have been raped. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6533 "2012-08-23T01:45:11Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Statutory rape, for example, is defined as rape based on the presumption that certain people (such as children) are unable to give informed consent to sex irrespective of their feelings about it. Does statutory rape always involve actual intercourse/penetration? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6534 "2012-08-23T02:45:09Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Not quite. Statutory rape, for example, is defined as rape based on the presumption that certain people (such as children) are unable to give informed consent to sex irrespective of their feelings about it. > > So a statutory rape victim may not have been forced into the act at all, much less violently forced, but they are still considered to have been raped. Eh, statutory rape is kind of its own thing in my mind. I mean, I (very unexpectedly, I might add) lost my cherry to an eager 17 year old. I was 21 at the time, and shier than a squirrel. Lord knows I didn’t talk or manipulate her into it - I daredn’t even touch her lower than the neck before she moved my hand, man. And yet, technically speaking, I still are rapez0r. It didn’t dawn on me until years later, either - that had her parents been assholes, they could have landed me in frickin’ jail over it. So, anyway, yeah. I understand that, as a society, we have to lay some lines in the sand, arbitrary as they may be. And I grok that adults sleeping with “jailbait” can be very skeevy, that there are plenty of underhanded ways to rape someone, sometimes even without their realizing it etc… Still, I never raped nobody :o ! ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6535 "2012-08-23T02:47:47Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > The Derp Is Strong With This One: > > [Texas Judge Preparing For ‘Civil War’ If Obama Re-Elected](http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/08/22/texas-judge-preparing-for-civil-war-if-obama-re-elected/) Wow. Did you read the comments section for that story? Is Texas still in the 1950s? Post after post of racist and ignorance-laden rants. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6536 "2012-08-23T03:02:36Z")
Dude. Rule #1 of the Internet: don’t read the comments, you’ll just end up shooting yourself. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6537 "2012-08-23T03:28:08Z")
I’m starting to think that the Republican Party is coming up with its own science. Not just the nutters on Conservapedia who have [pages on the reasons that atheists are so fat](http://conservapedia.com/Atheism_and_obesity), and not just the usual global warming denial and creationism. As already noted, they’re willing to pass legislation based on hearsay about the magical powers of ladyparts. Now we’ve got Kevin Williamson of _National Review_ [saying that](http://wonkette.com/481728/nro-ladies-should-love-mitt-romney-because-of-gold-digging-and-having-daughters-made-obama-gay) “From an evolutionary point of view, Mitt Romney should get 100 percent of the female vote.” > [@](#): > > It is a curious scientific fact (explained in evolutionary biology by the Trivers-Willard hypothesis — Willard, notice) that high-status animals tend to have more male offspring than female offspring, which holds true across many species, from red deer to mink to Homo sap. The offspring of rich families are statistically biased in favor of sons — the children of the general population are 51 percent male and 49 percent female, but the children of the Forbes billionaire list are 60 percent male. Have a gander at that Romney family picture: five sons, zero daughters. Romney has 18 grandchildren, and they exceed a 2:1 ratio of grandsons to granddaughters (13:5). When they go to church at their summer-vacation home, the Romney clan makes up a third of the congregation. He is basically a tribal chieftain. > > Professor Obama? Two daughters. May as well give the guy a cardigan. And fallopian tubes. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6538 "2012-08-23T04:07:51Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > Now we’ve got Kevin Williamson of _National Review_ [saying that](http://wonkette.com/481728/nro-ladies-should-love-mitt-romney-because-of-gold-digging-and-having-daughters-made-obama-gay) “From an evolutionary point of view, Mitt Romney should get 100 percent of the female vote.” Obviously an inspired piece of political satire, snuck into the _National Review_ under the noses of its editors. Right? C’mon, “R-MONEY”? Though [The Onion](http://www.theonion.com/video/romney-now-flaunting-his-wealth-to-impress-voters,27557/) (warning: video) did it first. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6539 "2012-08-23T04:17:04Z")
Snuck it right onto [the cover](http://www.nationalreview.com/nrd/issues/313492). ---
**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:** [August 23, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/6540 "2012-08-23T04:23:00Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Isn’t that kind of the definition ? Unless by “forced” you meant “violent” of course. > > …“Daffuq ?!” for $400, Alex ! > [@Kobal2](#): > > Eh, statutory rape is kind of its own thing in my mind. Leaving aside statutory rape, there’s also rape by intoxication and the like. I assume he means _forcible_, rather than _forced_, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=326) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=328)