# 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:** 621
**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 16, 2014, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12401 "2014-01-16T23:05:54Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Doesn’t this _intend_ a conflict? Would the SCOTUS swat this down quickly? And if so, would it have done anything except waste time and cost money? It depends on your definition of waste. If it gets swatted down, then the legislators can say that they tried to stop the evil that is Obamacare, but were only prevented by the activist liberal courts. This is a much better position for them than if it actually passes constitutional muster, and they get blamed for the results. ---
**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 17, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12402 "2014-01-17T00:47:44Z")
> [@](#): > > [California Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R) wants voters to know that his testicles are very large.](http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/01/16/3168151/tea-party-candidates-touts-sexy-wife-large-testicles/) He wants them to know it so much, he’s made their size part of a bilingual campaign ad that, apparently, is supposed to get Latinos to support his Minuteman ass. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12403 "2014-01-17T01:01:30Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > He wants them to know it so much, he’s made their size part of a bilingual campaign ad that, apparently, is supposed to get Latinos to support his Minuteman ass. He wants McDonald’s to pay Californians $20/hour. Um, someone slap me. ---
**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 17, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12404 "2014-01-17T03:55:06Z")
Funny that his costar in that commercial also appeared with another California governor in a different context. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12405 "2014-01-17T05:14:04Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > _sigh_ My own state senator **Mae Beavers** sponsored this new bill to the TN Legislature … NO! no. What? No… no? Nooooo … no! Noooooooh! I don’t even - I mean - what? How? I give up. This isn’t beyond parody, this is \*beyond \*beyond parody. They’re just making shit up at this point. ---
**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 17, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12406 "2014-01-17T05:15:30Z")
Ah, lovely. Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern (R), thinks that homosexuality is [a human wrong.](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/16/oklahoma-lawmaker-being-gay-is-not-a-civil-right-its-a-human-wrong/) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12407 "2014-01-17T11:06:10Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Ah, lovely. Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern (R), thinks that homosexuality is [a human wrong.](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/16/oklahoma-lawmaker-being-gay-is-not-a-civil-right-its-a-human-wrong/) You just _know_ she patted herself on the back for making such a clever play on words. ---
**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 17, 2014, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12408 "2014-01-17T14:32:24Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Maybe one of the legal minds on the board can help out with this one. Leaving aside any feelings on Obamacare, what are the ramifications of a state law that, on it’s face, is intended to thwart federal law? > > Doesn’t this _intend_ a conflict? Would the SCOTUS swat this down quickly? And if so, would it have done anything except waste time and cost money? It’s not _entirely_ clear that this would violate the Supremacy Clause. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12409 "2014-01-17T15:22:06Z")
As a recent citizen of Tennessee, I am not that surprised. They REALLY hate Mr. Obama around these here parts. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12410 "2014-01-17T15:28:42Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Never mind that other stuff: this is what set the hairs on the back of my neck standing:There’s excusing rape and then there’s openly fantasizing about it, especially when you’re the guy who is supposed to be responsible for prosecuting the rapists. Holy shit, Dick, but you’re a massive creep who shouldn’t be allowed out without a chaperone. No, I don’t think his comments must be meant as excusing or fantasizing about rape. He’s merely explaining why it’s common in the military. That doesn’t imply that he approves of it. ---
**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 17, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12411 "2014-01-17T15:31:41Z")
At the very least, he’s excusing it. It sounds very much like he’s making a “boys will be boys” argument. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12412 "2014-01-17T15:38:06Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > No, I don’t think his comments must be meant as excusing or fantasizing about rape. He’s merely explaining why it’s common in the military. That doesn’t imply that he approves of it. I’m having a hard time reading "“Wouldn’t you love to have a group of 19-year-old girls under your control, day in, day out?” as anything but portraying military rape in a positive (for the rapist) fantasy light, whether from his own younger-self perspective or another 25-year-old. It is definitely sympathetic in tone, and not remotely prosecutorial. He is supposed to be defending the 19-year-old girl victims, not the assailants. It is also creepy. Really, really creepy. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12413 "2014-01-17T15:41:18Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > As a recent citizen of Tennessee, I am not that surprised. > They REALLY hate Mr. Obama around these here parts. Do they say why? ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12414 "2014-01-17T16:24:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Do they say why? Well, it is primarily because “he ain’t our kind”. I didn’t move here because it is a progressive community. The place is beautiful and peaceful. The land and the people I know are wonderful. But, the folks who have lived here for generations are somewhat backwards. It is something of a timewarp to drive into town and shop for groceries. The supermarket is relatively modern, but the clientele? Less so. It was only a decade ago that I first spotted a real live black couple shopping here. Two of my close friends shopping with me (who happen to be black) noticed them first. We debated whether we should say, “Hello” or just smile when we saw them. We ended up saying “Hello” and gained a couple of new friends. They are from Indiana and apparently intend to retire here. Things have changed for the better since the 1990s but still, there is a strong residue of bigotry and racism remaining. But, I am from the city and was raised as anti-racist as it was possible to be in Atlanta in the mid 20th century. I am a fish out of water. I am sure all the folks around here consider themselves to be good people who are just worried about somebody they don’t feel comfortable with being President. And they vote. ---
**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 17, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12415 "2014-01-17T16:27:49Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > He wants them to know it so much, he’s made their size part of a bilingual campaign ad that, apparently, is supposed to get Latinos to support his Minuteman ass. Actually I must admit that watching that ad improved my image of him. Before watching it I would have thought he was a bigoted asshole, now I think he’s a bigoted asshole with a sense of humor. It was actually quite funny, which is hard to find in the right side of the aisle. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12416 "2014-01-17T16:43:26Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I’m having a hard time reading "“Wouldn’t you love to have a group of 19-year-old girls under your control, day in, day out?” as anything but portraying military rape in a positive (for the rapist) fantasy light, whether from his own younger-self perspective or another 25-year-old. It is definitely sympathetic in tone, and not remotely prosecutorial. He is supposed to be defending the 19-year-old girl victims, not the assailants. It’s possible that he’s not saying that he would like it, he’s saying the rapists like it. Doesn’t mean he approves of what they like. He’s explaining their state of mind. You have to consider veracity. Is it that he’s simply explaining, or do you really believe that this guy, who is supposed to defend victims, is openly sympathizing with rapists and enying them? (Though reading all the crap in this thread has certainly made me realize that there are some real crazies out there who really do mean what they say, I’ll give you that.) > [@](#): > > It is also creepy. Really, really creepy. It is. He should choose his words better. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12417 "2014-01-17T16:47:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Black "called military rape “as predictable as human nature.” “Think of yourself at 25,” Black told a newspaper in 1996. “Wouldn’t you love to have a group of 19-year-old girls under your control, day in, day out?” " I think he’s explaining human nature, and why rape is so common in the military. He’s not sympathizing with it. He should have said it better though. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12418 "2014-01-17T16:51:37Z")
Fine, but his solution, intrinsic in his poorly stated thought, seems to be, “get those hot pieces of tail away from the strapping boys,” not, “get those boys to stop fucking raping people.” ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12419 "2014-01-17T16:57:56Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Fine, but his solution, intrinsic in his poorly stated thought, seems to be, “get those hot pieces of tail away from the strapping boys,” not, “get those boys to stop fucking raping people.” Again, I don’t see that implication at all. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/12420 "2014-01-17T17:00:00Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > I think he’s explaining human nature, and why rape is so common in the military. He’s not sympathizing with it. He should have said it better though. Right. In the same way that marital rape is “just human nature”. That’s the “boys will be boys” argument and even if it isn’t a full excuse it is minimizing the seriousness of the offense. Plus, of course, if there’s one thing soldiers are supposed to have it’s a little goddamn self-discipline. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=620) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=622)