# 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:** 722
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14421 "2014-04-30T21:58:32Z")
[South Dakota Senate candidate compares poor people to wild animals.](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/30/1295901/-Republican-Senate-candidate-in-North-Dakota-compares-poor-Americans-to-animals?detail=facebook) ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14422 "2014-04-30T23:22:15Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [South Dakota Senate candidate compares poor people to wild animals.](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/30/1295901/-Republican-Senate-candidate-in-North-Dakota-compares-poor-Americans-to-animals?detail=facebook) Sometimes it is so obvious where a well-intentioned but poorly phrased comment goes wrong. This is not one of those times. No, there is no way this is not 100% wrong, unless the quote is missing ellipses. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14423 "2014-04-30T23:58:43Z")
> [@j666](#): > > In general I disapprove of, or at least am reluctant to revel in schadenfreude, if for no other reason that it’s really tempting fate, but this one is just delicious. I love the fact that Scalia apparently gave the section with the mistake the pompous title “Plus Ça Change: EPA’s Continuing Quest for Cost-Benefit Authority,” which has now been changed to “Our Precedent” after it was revealed that the EPA had not been seeking cost-benefit authority in the previous case. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14424 "2014-05-01T00:34:28Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > I love the fact that Scalia apparently gave the section with the mistake the pompous title “Plus Ça Change: EPA’s Continuing Quest for Cost-Benefit Authority,” which has now been changed to “Our Precedent” after it was revealed that the EPA had not been seeking cost-benefit authority in the previous case. Total side track, but yes, what could be more English than the language of the law in this country? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14425 "2014-05-01T00:49:05Z")
I share a quality with Mr. Scalia, neither of us is as smart as he thinks, but in my case, its only a wild exaggeration. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14426 "2014-05-01T01:02:30Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > It’s hard to be religious when certain people never get struck by lightning. I’m writing this down. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14427 "2014-05-01T01:38:36Z")
> [@bup](#): > > > [@Shayna](#): > > > > The joke (sic), > > LOL Tee hee. Still can’t get over what an utter tool Scalia is, misquoting his own damn ruling. Someone should test him for dementia and get his ass off the bench due to incompetency. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2014, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14428 "2014-05-01T05:24:37Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [South Dakota Senate candidate compares poor people to wild animals.](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/30/1295901/-Republican-Senate-candidate-in-North-Dakota-compares-poor-Americans-to-animals?detail=facebook) It’s not the first time I stumble upon this right wing meme - it’s a regular of glurge emails. FTR, It’s not just offensive, it’s also fundamentally dishonest and based on a false premise. The reason DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS is a thing is not because bears along the trail will “grow dependent on handouts and won’t learn to feed themselves”. They’re animals, not _stupid_. Rather, it’s because when they learn to associate humans with yummy food, they become aggressive towards humans to try and get to the treats they’re obviously secreting somewhere on their persons. But I suppose it’s not the first, or the last, time Republicans twist reality and facts to better fit with a preconceived ideology… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14429 "2014-05-01T05:30:26Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > But I suppose it’s not the first, or the last, time Republicans twist reality and facts to better fit with a preconceived ideology… I’m pretty sure that this is the explicit purpose of the GOP nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14430 "2014-05-01T14:46:54Z")
> [@j666](#): > > Total side track, but yes, what could be more English than the language of the law in this country? There once was a lawyer named Rex With minuscule organs of sex. Arraigned for exposure, He maintained with composure, _“De minimis non curat lex.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14431 "2014-05-01T15:03:55Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > There once was a lawyer named Rex > With minuscule organs of sex. > Arraigned for exposure, > He maintained with composure, > _“De minimis non curat lex.”_ Please tell me this is original-I’d like to know who I’m stealing it from. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14432 "2014-05-01T15:22:01Z")
Do you carry your gun everywhere? Do minorities make you skittish? Do you want to exercise your second amendment rights but are living in fear of the way people overreact when you kill their kids? Is fear of financial ruin making you turn and walk away instead of standing your ground? Ken Cuchinelli has a deal for you ! > **[Cuccinelli, 3 others start Virginia Self Defense Law firm, defending gun rights](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/2014/02/27/fdce2b8e-9fbd-11e3-b8d8-94577ff66b28_story.html)** > > Va. ex-attorney general, 3 partners work for bargain retainers for people charged in self-defense cases. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14433 "2014-05-01T15:34:53Z")
> [@](#): > > Gun owners who pay the monthly fee can count on the firm’s lawyers to represent them for free in court in self-defense and right-to-carry cases. If they pick up a weapons charge while dealing drugs or engaging in some other sort of illegal activity, all bets are off. The firm has an out through what Cuccinelli calls the “sex, drugs, rock-n-roll clause.” > > “Shoot somebody [in a] gun deal [that] goes bad, we don’t owe him anything,” Garrett said. This sounds like a recipe for endless “duty to defend” litigation. Accused of _any_ crime in addition to a gun crime? Man, sucks to be you. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14434 "2014-05-01T15:36:22Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’ll admit that I don’t know quite what a law clerk does . . . Legal research and analysis, mostly. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14435 "2014-05-01T15:37:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please tell me this is original-I’d like to know who I’m stealing it from. 😃 Not original with me and I have no idea with whom, sorry. Limerix is memez. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14436 "2014-05-01T16:07:10Z")
[Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn wants to abolish the federal minimum wage entirely.](http://www.salon.com/2014/05/01/gop_sen_tom_coburn_wants_to_abolish_the_federal_minimum_wage/) Because “It goes against the free market principle.” (Which means, presumably, that he’d be against state/local-level MW laws as well.) ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14437 "2014-05-01T18:10:40Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Rather, it’s because when they learn to associate humans with yummy food, they become aggressive towards humans to try and get to the treats they’re obviously secreting somewhere on their persons. I gave my cat Cuthbert new catnip treats last night. I thought I was gonna lose a leg. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way while sending a check to the IRS. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14438 "2014-05-01T20:29:35Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please tell me this is original-I’d like to know who I’m stealing it from. 😃 It’s not (as **BG** admits above). It’s in William S. Baring-Gould’s **The Lure of the Limerick** p. 210, from 1967. I don’t have Gershon Legman’s encyclopedic collection, but I’ll bet it’s in there, too. Baring-Gouid gives, as the translation of the last line “The Law is not concerned with trifles”, which you need to understand in order to get the joke. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14439 "2014-05-01T20:40:26Z")
Please note that I’m not attributing its origin to Baring-Gould – he was only a collector of Limericks (as was Legman). But the 1967 publication date at least sets one point in its known history. I did a quick search on Google N-gram, using the latin phrase, but not one citation refers to the poem. This is one problem with dating licentious limericks – people were generally unwilling to publish them openly until the 1950s or so. . Sorry for the hijack. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/14440 "2014-05-01T21:28:09Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I gave my cat Cuthbert new catnip treats last night. I thought I was gonna lose a leg. > > I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way while sending a check to the IRS. You just aren’t sending them the right treats. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=721) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=723)