# 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:** 893
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17841 "2014-11-11T01:32:36Z")
Tell us, adaher, did the government get shut down over a dispute about paying the bills Congress had run up, or didn’t it? What was McConnell’s role, and what was Cruz’s, aka the acting Speaker’s? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17842 "2014-11-11T02:09:08Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Tell us, adaher, did the government get shut down over a dispute about paying the bills Congress had run up, or didn’t it? What was McConnell’s role, and what was Cruz’s, aka the acting Speaker’s? Well, to be fair, all McConnell really had to do was not obstruct and let Reid deal with the Senate (and the bullshit mini-bills coming from the House). It’s Boehner who both had no control over his caucus and couldn’t act against Cruz, as well as refusing to put up a clean bill. Now, McConnell probably should have told Cruz to sit down and shut up, but I’m not sure what leverage McConnell (or any minority leader) would have had. ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17843 "2014-11-11T02:09:36Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That’s middle age for a tortoise. Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17844 "2014-11-11T02:54:35Z")
About once every ten years. Takes two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17845 "2014-11-11T15:15:12Z")
The new majority is [already planning](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/us/politics/republicans-vow-to-fight-epa-and-approve-keystone-pipeline.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news) to gut the EPA regs on carbon emissions: > [@](#): > > At this point, Republicans do not have the votes to repeal the E.P.A. regulations, which will have far more impact on curbing carbon emissions than stopping the pipeline, but they say they will use their new powers to delay, defund and otherwise undermine them. Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, a prominent skeptic of climate change and the presumed new chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is expected to open investigations into the E.P.A., call for cuts in its funding and delay the regulations as long as possible. The science deniers are in charge and god help us all. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17846 "2014-11-11T15:19:33Z")
[Rand Paul is worried that Hillary Clinton is too old to run for president.](http://www.salon.com/2014/11/11/rand_paul_is_worried_that_hillary_clinton_is_too_old_to_run_for_president/) So, the GOP nominating Reagan in 1980 was a mistake, then? ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17847 "2014-11-11T16:28:57Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Rand Paul is worried that Hillary Clinton is too old to run for president.](http://www.salon.com/2014/11/11/rand_paul_is_worried_that_hillary_clinton_is_too_old_to_run_for_president/) > > So, the GOP nominating Reagan in 1980 was a mistake, then? To be charitable, I think he’s probably only looking out for her health. I mean, \_Benghazi!!!_\ must have aged her terribly. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17848 "2014-11-11T16:30:14Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Let’s see, aging 10 years in six months means that by 2016 he’ll be 40 years older which would make him 112 or so. He’ll probably be dead of old age well before then. [insert your own turtle/tortoise longevity joke here] ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17849 "2014-11-11T17:56:34Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The new majority is [already planning](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/us/politics/republicans-vow-to-fight-epa-and-approve-keystone-pipeline.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news) to gut the EPA regs on carbon emissions: > > > [@](#): > > > > At this point, Republicans do not have the votes to repeal the E.P.A. regulations, which will have far more impact on curbing carbon emissions than stopping the pipeline, but they say they will use their new powers to delay, defund and otherwise undermine them. Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, a prominent skeptic of climate change and the presumed new chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is expected to open investigations into the E.P.A., call for cuts in its funding and delay the regulations as long as possible. > > The science deniers are in charge and god help us all. We should make them live in Beijing for a few months, sans the air cleaning China performs anytime they expect important visitors. And provide them water only from the lower reaches of the Ganges river without benefit of going through a modern sanitation plant. ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17850 "2014-11-11T19:06:50Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Rand Paul is worried that Hillary Clinton is too old to run for president.](http://www.salon.com/2014/11/11/rand_paul_is_worried_that_hillary_clinton_is_too_old_to_run_for_president/) > > So, the GOP nominating Reagan in 1980 was a mistake, then? America electing him sure was; I’ll tell you that for free. ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17851 "2014-11-11T19:09:23Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Let’s see, aging 10 years in six months means that by 2016 he’ll be 40 years older which would make him 112 or so. He’ll probably be dead of old age well before then. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [insert your own turtle/tortoise longevity joke here] Ummm… > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That’s middle age for a tortoise. What, are you giving free “ninja yourself” lessons this week? ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17852 "2014-11-11T19:46:49Z")
Thought you guys might like this site I just stumbled upon … > **[assholeoftheday.us](http://ww38.assholeoftheday.us/)** > > This domain may be for sale! ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17853 "2014-11-11T20:42:22Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > We should make them live in Beijing for a few months, sans the air cleaning China performs anytime they expect important visitors. And provide them water only from the lower reaches of the Ganges river without benefit of going through a modern sanitation plant. Or send them to Moscow, right now, where clouds of hydrogen sulfide are driving people inside. Putin doesn’t hold with sissy stuff like regulation! ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17854 "2014-11-11T21:39:01Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Thought you guys might like this site I just stumbled upon … > > [http://assholeoftheday.us/](http://assholeoftheday.us/) Pretty nice. Still, 124 pages, going back to May 2013? N00BZ. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17855 "2014-11-11T22:16:04Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Ummm… > What, are you giving free “ninja yourself” lessons this week? No, I ninja’d **Elvis** first! Look upthread for the post where I did it – you can’t see it at all, can you? **That’s** ninja! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17856 "2014-11-11T22:58:48Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Rand Paul is worried that Hillary Clinton is too old to run for president.](http://www.salon.com/2014/11/11/rand_paul_is_worried_that_hillary_clinton_is_too_old_to_run_for_president/) > > So, the GOP nominating Reagan in 1980 was a mistake, then? Wait. How old was his dad in 2012? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17857 "2014-11-11T23:04:01Z")
Until Bob Dole shuffles off this mortal coil, no Presidential candidate should be accused of being too old. In today’s world, anyone under 80 is perfectly fine to run for President if they are otherwise healthy. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17858 "2014-11-11T23:22:00Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Wait. How old was his dad in 2012? Jack Reagan? 127, I think. But not eligible, on account of being dead. ---
**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:** [November 11, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17859 "2014-11-11T23:27:36Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Jack Reagan? 127, I think. But not eligible, on account of being dead. Pfft. That didn’t stop Mitt Zomney. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/17860 "2014-11-12T00:01:40Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Wait. How old was his dad in 2012? > [@bup](#): > > Jack Reagan? 127, I think. But not eligible, on account of being dead. At the risk of being whooshed, **bup** , I think “his dad” refers to Rand Paul’s dad, Ron, who turned 77 in 2012. Hillary will turn 69 in 2016. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=892) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=894)