# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/61 "2009-04-30T13:50:32Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > And this bitch had the nerve to say all this while Shepard’s mother sat in the chamber? Congress needs to pass a law that allows a mother in such a situation to carry an assault weapon, with a clip holding 40 rounds. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/62 "2009-04-30T14:48:42Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I guess all the white people who supported white presidents get their popularity counted, but for some reason, black people who support a black president don’t count at all. > > Disgusting vermin. But I repeat myself. I believe that a black person’s support counts for 3/5 of a white person’s support. I think it is in the Constitution or something. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/63 "2009-04-30T17:09:07Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Congress needs to pass a law that allows a mother in such a situation to carry an assault weapon, with a clip holding 40 rounds. This is a disgusting suggestion. She only would need one round. Why needlessly drive up the price of ammunition when there are already shortages? ---
**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:** [April 30, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/64 "2009-04-30T17:39:18Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Elsewhere, Byron York doesn’t think black people are people too. > > [York: Obama is “Actually” Not So Popular, Because Some People Who Like Him Are Black](http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/04/york-obama-is-actually-not-so-popular-because-some-people-who-like-him-are-black.php) He also thinks black people are responsible for the recessession, since they’re the only ones who couldn’t afford their mortgages, or something. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/65 "2009-04-30T20:38:32Z")
The full crock is a bit more “reasonable”, having a few grains of probobilium-126: its not toally off the wall. The song goes like this: Clinton’s housing laws put an end to red-lining, limiting a banks discretion in offering, or not offering, mortgages in the unsavory part of town. This put them in the awkward position of offering mortgages to people they had recently tipped. As a result, a financial debacle was inevitable. As simple as one-\*-three. (Me old man, who worked at HUD for a while, believe this right down to his toes…) ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/66 "2009-04-30T20:48:49Z")
I think we should also require Sentate confirmation of the First Lady. Why does the president get to hand-pick who he wants in that position? We really need to vet candidates to be sure they’re fully qualified. ---
**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:** [April 30, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/67 "2009-04-30T20:51:05Z")
Totally. You can’t tell me having a First Lady named “Lady Bird” didn’t massively detract from the nation’s dignity. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/68 "2009-04-30T21:04:52Z")
We shouldn’t have a first lady. Was Dennis Thatcher Britain’s first anything? ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/69 "2009-04-30T21:09:30Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > I think we should also require Sentate confirmation of the First Lady. Why does the president get to hand-pick who he wants in that position? We really need to vet candidates to be sure they’re fully qualified. Laura, having caused the death of someone, would have been right out. Has any other First Lady ever killed anyone? Cue Starving Artist: “Hillary. VINCE FOSTER!” ---
**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:** [April 30, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/70 "2009-04-30T21:10:16Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > We shouldn’t have a first lady. Was Dennis Thatcher Britain’s first anything? Reactionary? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/71 "2009-04-30T22:25:57Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > … We really need to vet candidates to be sure they’re fully qualified. Senator Horndog (R-Hooha): Clearly, the job of thoroughly vetting the First Lady should go the Senator with the most seniority. Now, who might that be? Well, I’ll be, its me! Stern duty calls, gentlemen… Congressman Cravenlust (D-etroit): Back off, slim! I’m Chair of the Subcommittee on Urban Gentrification and Arena Acquisition, so, clearly, the job belongs to me! Senator Horndog: What the fuck does Urban Gentrification have to do with vetting the First Lady? Congressman Cravenlust: Nothin’. But I got a gun… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/72 "2009-04-30T22:28:28Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > …Cue Starving Artist: “Hillary. VINCE FOSTER!” To be ruthlessly fair, I don’t recall **Starkers** ever saying anything quite so brain-dead. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/73 "2009-05-01T00:06:45Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > We shouldn’t have a first lady. Was Dennis Thatcher Britain’s first anything? And don’t EVEN get me started on that Prince Phillip guy. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/74 "2009-05-01T06:28:18Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > To be ruthlessly fair, I don’t recall **Starkers** ever saying anything quite so brain-dead. To [jog your memory](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4979005&postcount=10)… [QUOTE=Starving Artist] Then there were the numerous questions of propriety concerning **Hillary’s** law practice and stock profits; Whitewater; **Hillary’s** secret health care machinations; disappearing files; **and of course, Vince Foster’s odd death.** [/QUOTE] And [most recently](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10522562&postcount=107) (that I know of): > [@](#): > > The history books are full of **Clintonian skullduggery** that couldn’t be proven but which anybody with half a brain knows happened. **Whitewater, dissapearing documents in the aftermath of Vince Foster’s death which suddenly appeared in the White House living quarters** , Clinton’s behavior toward various women he regarded as bimbos (and which would have people screaming for prison time had he been a Republican), etc., etc. If it weren’t for the blue dress, he’d be wagging his finger and denying Lewinski to this day. That last one was a fun thread. So, ok, he’s very careful about actually coming out and _saying_ it (Hillary killed Vince, or more accurately, Hillary had Vince killed), but if you read between the lines, well… ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/75 "2009-05-01T07:04:51Z")
Well, I for one like the general concept. Nothing wrong with more transparency and accountability in government, even if it’s only the semi-official “duties” of the First Lady. But it would at least be better to propose that any such measures take effect after the next presidential election, so it doesn’t seem so blatantly targeted against Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/76 "2009-05-01T07:56:11Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > That last one was a fun thread. So, ok, he’s very careful about actually coming out and _saying_ it (Hillary killed Vince, or more accurately, Hillary had Vince killed), but if you read between the lines, well… Yes…if you read between the lines - and you are a biased, unthinking hothead - you might come to that conclusion. A more calm and reasoned reading of my posts reveals only that I feel many questions have been raised about the Clintons’ behavior and character and curiously missing documents, and that they remain unanwered to this day. Among the questions raised by the Clintons’ skullduggery is what really happened to Vince Foster. This is not the same as saying that Hillary engineered his murder. For the record, I have never been of the slightest opinion that Hillary Clinton either killed Vince Foster or had him killed. Further, I would think - knowing my history as you do - that I’d have been trumpeting it to the heavens had I actually believed such a thing. So, so much for your critical thinking abilities, eh? And thanks, **luci**. I can only imagine how it must have pained you to come to my defense (such as it was). Still, men of good character and all that . . . ---
**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:** [May 1, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/77 "2009-05-01T08:13:24Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Yes…if you read between the lines - and you are a biased, unthinking hothead - you might come to that conclusion. > > A more calm and reasoned reading of my posts reveals only that I feel many questions have been raised about the Clintons’ behavior and character and curiously missing documents, and that they remain unanwered to this day. Only to people that depend on glurge for their information. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/78 "2009-05-01T08:41:39Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > We shouldn’t have a first lady. Was Dennis Thatcher Britain’s first anything? Arne Olav Brundtland wrote a humorous memoir about being married to Norway’s first (and so far only) female prime minister. He was expected to accompany his wife on official business from time to time, and found that his hosts had often never dealt with a man in his position before and were doing their best to wing it. One incident I remember from the book involved a letter from Nancy Reagan, a mass mailing inviting the spouses of heads of government in friendly nations to join in her Just Say No program. Arne Olav opened the envelope to find a letter addressed to **Dear Fellow First Lady:** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/79 "2009-05-01T09:17:48Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > [Regulating the First Lady](http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0309/GOP_transparency_push_seen_as_attack_on_Michelle_O.html) > > What the hell? So, they don’t like Michelle’s supporting girls in high school, vegetable gardens or military families? Or they just want to know what she’s doing in advance so protesters can show up? What is the “historic role of the first lady” anyway? Have they ever heard of Eleanor Roosevelt? I know that criticizing the First Lady isn’t off-limits, but legislating her behavior? Why are Republicans so eager to look so fucking stupid? I think the issue they have is that she is not a “traditional” first lady as they think would be proper, in the sense that she has an education, a law career, isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and worst of all, she is a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/80 "2009-05-01T09:36:38Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Yes…if you read between the lines - and you are a biased, unthinking hothead - you might come to that conclusion. Man, you’re 5 years behind the times. I’m not a hothead, not anymore. I certainly used to be. You used to call me that and you were right, back then. Before the 2004 election I was angry, seething all the time about what was going on on a day to day basis that should have made any normal person burst multiple blood vessels. Lies, Death, Destruction. Every single day! When Bush won again, all my anger drained away when I realized that events just had to play themselves out, that people had to come to their own realization what a massive, horrifying clusterfuck Bush was, and there wasn’t anything I could do to hurry it along, so why be angry? I was just making myself sick. A couple of years later, give or take, it finally started to happen. People finally started to wake up to a bit of what many of us knew before the 2004 election, though the general public still didn’t know a fraction of it. Still doesn’t (for instance, ask a man on the street if he knows that billions in cash, _ **pallets** _ of actual American dollars, went missing in Iraq before the election, something that, had it happened on a Democrat’s watch, every person in the universe would know about). I pretty much gave up following politics after the 2004 election, and beyond happening to glance at headlines as I passed by a paper box or seeing the odd Subject Line, paid no attention whatsoever to the primaries or the Democratic convention (didn’t watch one second of it except by accident when it happened to be on in a restaurant when I walked in. Michelle was speaking. I glanced up at the TV and then walked away, a far cry from recording _every single second_ of the 2004 convention, I loved my Tivo), and why? Because during the primaries I just assumed Hillary would win, and then up to and during the convention I just assumed McCain would win. I wasn’t going to get involved, no way no how. The loss would hurt too much. Better to keep a distance from it all. Then everything changed when Palin came onboard. For the first time, I paid _attention_! God I love Palin. She got me to open my eyes, and boy I’ve had fun since. Every day is a new adventure politically. I have such joy and glee watching politics now and I’m sorry now I wasn’t part of the process of making President Obama’s presidency happen in the early and mid stages. I envy those people who _believed_ from the start and all along, and made it happen. I thank them profusely and apologize for not doing my part (other than donating money). > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > A more calm and reasoned reading of my posts reveals only that I feel many questions have been raised about the Clintons’ behavior and character and curiously missing documents, and that they remain unanwered to this day. Among the questions raised by the Clintons’ skullduggery is what really happened to Vince Foster. Uh, Vince Foster committed suicide. And, pardon me, but the rest of that paragraph is nothing more than wingnuttery gone wild. “skullduggery” kills me! You’re so funny! > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > This is not the same as saying that Hillary engineered his murder. Well I guess you got me there. You’re right and I’m sorry. Not a lot, but a little bit. > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > For the record, I have never been of the slightest opinion that Hillary Clinton either killed Vince Foster or had him killed. Further, I would think - knowing my history as you do - that I’d have been trumpeting it to the heavens had I actually believed such a thing. Good for you then, maybe there’s hope for you yet. > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > So, so much for your critical thinking abilities, eh? Have I ever crowed about my critical thinking abilities? I don’t think so. I’m not exactly one of the most respected members of the Dope, but I have fun. You provide a lot of it. Thank you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=5)