# 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:** 829
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16561 "2014-09-09T16:14:29Z")
That’s like saying that freedom of speech gives you the right to be free from speech. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16562 "2014-09-09T16:16:15Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That’s like saying that freedom of speech gives you the right to be free from speech. You’re practicing freedom of thought. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16563 "2014-09-09T16:31:32Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That’s like saying that freedom of speech gives you the right to be free from speech. We can find plenty of Republican stupidity on our own. It’s nice of you to prepackage it and deliver it right to the thread, but it really isn’t necessary. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16564 "2014-09-09T16:33:40Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You’re practicing freedom of thought. Of? _From_. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16565 "2014-09-09T17:05:06Z")
Re-read the **adaher** post that **running coach** was responding to. It’s beautifully subtle. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16566 "2014-09-09T17:27:05Z")
Well, you _do_ have the right to remain silent. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16567 "2014-09-09T17:27:39Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, it isn’t. The purpose of the 2nd Amendment was not to facilitate armed rebellion. The “militia” – which Congress can call into federal service and the President command – was meant to be an arm of the government, never a countervailing force against it. The purpose of the 2nd Amendment was indeed to prevent federal tyranny – i.e., to prevent reliance on a large standing federal army by making sure the state/citizens’ militias would always be armed to fight. A large army was feared as a potential instrument of tyranny, understandable after the Americans’ experiences with the Redcoats – the same accounted for the 3rd Amendment against compulsory quartering of troops in homes. As it turned out, their fears were unfounded; we have had a large standing army for a long time, and it has never questioned its subordination to civilian authority, and (unless you count Reconstruction, and, no, don’t; and Indian wars are another discussion) civilian authority has never used it to oppress the people, and in most wars the militia/NG plays an afterthought role, if any – not to downplay its value, but it never provides the bulk of forces as the authors of the 2nd intended. The 2nd Amendment is pretty much as useless as the 3rd. [Some studies](http://truth-out.org/news/item/13890-the-second-amendment-was-ratified-to-preserve-slavery) hold that the Second Amendment was written to appease the slaveholding South, where militias were meant to protect against slave uprisings. Madison did not think that the Bill of Rights was necessary–not because he didn’t believe in “rights”–but because he thought they were inherent in the Constitution. However, his political career was on the line–Patrick Henry ran Virginia politics & supported the Bill as a way to avoid Ratification. Other fans of the Bill wanted another Continental Congress. Madison decided a well-worded Bill of Rights was preferable to letting the yahoos destroy his work. I love Jefferson’s glib phrases about “the blood of patriots.” He, of course, never shed his blood or anybody else’s during the Revolution. He did serve as [Governor of Virginia](http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/123810) during the war. Were the Virginia militia who failed to turn out in a timely fashion more concerned about their slaves than the British invaders? When discussing the Constitution, it’s smart to remember that Jefferson was in Paris when it was written & ratified. He was agin’ many points, especially the strong Executive branch. Until he became head of that branch. (FDR became a very public fan of Jefferson to win over Southern Democrats; the Jefferson monument was built during his administration. I’d read that the monument was also built to counter the one for Lincoln, identified with the Republicans in those days. Studying Jefferson’s career after the Declaration–& considering the Republicans seem to have abandoned that “Party of Lincoln” stuff–I’d like to switch.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16568 "2014-09-09T17:29:49Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, you _do_ have the right to remain silent. And you have the right to stick your fingers in your ears and go “LALALALALA!” (A right **adaher** appears to exercise lavishly, in a selective metaphorical-intellectual sense.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16569 "2014-09-09T17:35:09Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > (FDR became a very public fan of Jefferson to win over Southern Democrats; the Jefferson monument was built during his administration. I’d read that the monument was also built to counter the one for Lincoln, identified with the Republicans in those days. Studying Jefferson’s career after the Declaration–& considering the Republicans seem to have abandoned that “Party of Lincoln” stuff–I’d like to switch.) Switch what? The monuments? ---
**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:** [September 9, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16570 "2014-09-09T18:25:50Z")
Georgia Republican House Whip: “[It shouldn’t be so convenient for blacks to vote](http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/09/09/3565073/georgia-senator-early-voting-suppression/).” He’s also against churches running buses to voting places as a violation of separation of church and state. Which is the first time I’ve ever heard a Republican object to that. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16571 "2014-09-09T18:30:39Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That’s like saying that freedom of speech gives you the right to be free from speech. Well, yeah, that’s right. I can turn off the TV, throw away the newspaper, and tell the evangelist at my door to go away. We do have a kind of freedom from speech. I can put in my ear-buds and connect to my mp3 player, and simply not hear what anyone else is saying. Wouldn’t it be a hell of a situation if that freedom were denied us? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16572 "2014-09-09T18:44:27Z")
The point is that you don’t have the right to make the law punish those who say things you don’t want to hear, or keep them away from you in the public square. Religion is the same way. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16573 "2014-09-09T21:13:49Z")
Back on track to Republican Stupidity from outside the Straight Dope, instead of homegrown… A republican state senator from the great state of Georgia has vowed to end Sunday voting in DeKalb County because that area is [“dominated by African American shoppers and it is near several large African American mega churches.”.](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fran-millar-dekalb-county-sunday-balloting) No really, he said that. On Facebook, no less. Although I like it when racists are out in the open, it’s a bit jarring when the dog whistle becomes a bullhorn. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16574 "2014-09-09T21:26:05Z")
Sounds more to me like he’s complaining that Democrats are trying to boost their turnout by manipulating the system. THat’s not how things are supposed to work. Are they also making it easier to vote in whiter areas? ---
**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:** [September 9, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16575 "2014-09-09T21:33:30Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Sounds more to me like he’s complaining that Democrats are trying to boost their turnout by manipulating the system. THat’s not how things are supposed to work. Are they also making it easier to vote in whiter areas? Sounds more to me like he’s just being flagrantly racist in his disenfranchisment efforts and you are trying to make excuses for his bigotry. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16576 "2014-09-09T21:41:53Z")
I don’t think [this one](http://fortressamerica.gawker.com/georgia-lawmaker-vows-to-end-early-voting-because-black-1632514682/+laceydonohue) has been mentioned yet. > [@](#): > > Georgia Sen. Fran Millar, Republican of Dunwoody, has vowed to fight a plan to allow voting on Sunday because precincts will be “dominated by African American shoppers and… several large African American mega churches,” and he “would prefer more educated voters.” According to the article, even some of his own Facebook followers and supporters were a bit put off, noting that the racial component in his argument was problematic, and pointing out that a better strategy would have been to suggest that other precincts also be allowed to have Sunday mall voting. I think that what is most amazing to me in all this is the idea that democracy somehow suffers if _more_ people have a chance to register their vote. I grew up in a country where voting (or, at least, turning up to the ballot box) is compulsory, and where people on both sides of the political fence do their best to ensure that everyone has a chance to vote. I’m not naive enough to think that compulsory voting will ever come to the United States, but it would at least be nice if there weren’t so many people going out of their way to make political participation difficult for those they don’t like or don’t agree with. _ **Edit: Well, crap, it was right there three posts above mine. Sorry!** _ > [@adaher](#): > > Sounds more to me like he’s complaining that Democrats are trying to boost their turnout by manipulating the system. THat’s not how things are supposed to work. Are they also making it easier to vote in whiter areas? I would be quite happy if they did this. Voting should be easy and convenient for EVERYONE. As i said, I grew up in a country where everyone has to vote, and despite turnouts over 96%, it never took me more than five minutes to vote. Contrast that to the US, where barely 50 percent of the voters turn out, and many still wait hours for the privilege of casting a ballot. It’s a disgrace to the nation. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16577 "2014-09-09T21:43:33Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Sounds more to me like he’s complaining that Democrats are trying to boost their turnout by manipulating the system. THat’s not how things are supposed to work. Are they also making it easier to vote in whiter areas? African American=Democrat. White=Republican. Have I got that right? And white areas can’t vote on Sunday? \*Only \*the black areas? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16578 "2014-09-09T21:56:16Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Sounds more to me like he’s complaining that Democrats are trying to boost their turnout by manipulating the system. THat’s not how things are supposed to work. Anything that boosts voter turnout **is** how things are supposed to work. > [@adaher](#): > > Are they also making it easier to vote in whiter areas? Is there any need? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16579 "2014-09-09T21:58:07Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The point is that you don’t have the right to make the law punish those who say things you don’t want to hear, or keep them away from you in the public square. Religion is the same way. A street preacher in the public square is one thing, and tolerable; school prayer or a 10-Commandments monument in the courthouse is quite another thing, and not tolerable. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/16580 "2014-09-09T22:09:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Are they also making it easier to vote in whiter areas? **adaher** is totally right on this one! What we need is a massive Federal effort to ensure that access to voting and convenience of voting is made equal for all voters in all states, counties, parishes and so forth! I commend his commitment to equality and justice, despite his certain knowledge that this would lead to Republicans getting clobbered from one end of the country to the other. Such selfless commitment is rare, and is deserves heartfelt applause and unanimous praise! Let us all commit ourselves to going forward with the **adaher** Plan! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=828) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=830)