Stupid Republican idea of the day

[TonySinclair]

I, for one, strongly support Ted Cruz in his efforts:

Cruz’s Constant References to Jesus Drive Millions to Atheism

[eschereal]

@BrainGlutton

Don’t forget to measure their facial features.

Phrenology raises its ugly, uh, spectre.

[slumtrimpet]

@BrainGlutton

For a change of pace: “Why I Left the GOP,” by Jeremiah Goulka; a fascinating account of a recovering conservative’s journey of political education and discovery.

Every once in a while I think that maybe I live in an echo chamber since I mostly get my news and opinions from the BBC, and The Guardian and I read the Dope as well as Tom Dispatch and other recognized dirty librul sources. Then I read something like this and I realize that no, I actually do live in the reality based world.
Sadly, it’s not a happy place.

[kaylasdad99]

@BrainGlutton

For a change of pace: “Why I Left the GOP,” by Jeremiah Goulka; a fascinating account of a recovering conservative’s journey of political education and discovery.

@a35362

Wow. Thanks for sharing that, BG.

Agreed. I hope it’s not considered poor form for me to point out that the article dates from September, 2012.

[Typo_Negative]

@eschereal

Alaska state senator thinks we can determine by middle school who will become criminals, so we should collect and archive DNA samples from those kids because law enforcement will need that down the line.

And THAT’s not Big Government???

[Kobal2]

Why no, of course not. That’s Big Police, which can be privatized in due time.

[Steve_MB]

@eschereal

Alaska state senator thinks we can determine by middle school who will become criminals, so we should collect and archive DNA samples from those kids because law enforcement will need that down the line.

After deciphering the code language (which doesn’t exactly require a consult with the NSA or anything), my conclusion is that the senator needs to consult his optometrist – most of us can distinguish blacks and Hispanics from whites at a much earlier age.

[Onomatopoeia]

@BrainGlutton

For a change of pace: “Why I Left the GOP,” by Jeremiah Goulka; a fascinating account of a recovering conservative’s journey of political education and discovery.

Good article, BG. Thanks for linking to it.

[BrainGlutton]

@kaylasdad99

Agreed. I hope it’s not considered poor form for me to point out that the article dates from September, 2012.

Got it off the “Most Read” column of Salon’s welcome page . . . but, it ain’t stale yet, is it? I mean, it isn’t about the 2012 election or something.

[silenus]

We’ve known it for years, but now they’ve proven it: Republicans are delusional.

• Nyhan and Reifler found that when conservatives who thought there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq were exposed to news stories correcting that view, “the correction backfired.” That is, “conservatives who received a correction telling them that Iraq did not have WMDs were more likely to believe that Iraq had WMD than those in the control condition.”

This means that exposure to the truth not only failed to adjust their views to reality, it actually made them believe in their false ideas even more strongly.*

So engagement will always fail, and adaher, Clothy and the rest will never be convinced.

Happy Tuesday.

[BrainGlutton]

@silenus

This means that exposure to the truth not only failed to adjust their views to reality, it actually made them believe in their false ideas even more strongly.

Hm. That is exactly how conspiracy theorists think.

Denial is strongly linked with conspiracies in two senses. In one, the conspiracy theorist is in denial of the “official story,” which is more often than not the one supported by facts. However, in the second sense, anyone denying the existence of a conspiracy inadvertently proves that it must exist. Denial of on-going conspiracies can be taken as proof that said employees are “in on” whatever conspiracy they are busily denying. Usually, the more they deny, the more conspiracy theorists will take it as proof — because, well, “they would say that, wouldn’t they!” Furthermore, if people do not deny the theory, this can also be taken as proof on the grounds that “it has never been denied.” This applies equally to anyone involved in a large, perhaps mysterious, enterprise, such as “scientists,” “the Army,” “automobile manufacturers,” “Big Science/Petroleum/Tobacco/Florists” etc. That this entire line of reasoning is circular hardly needs pointing out.

A conspiracy theory becomes a total crackpot conspiracy theory when all evidence that might disprove the theory instead becomes co-opted as proof of the “cover-up” of said theory; requiring loyalty, resources, and competence on the part of the conspirators far in excess of what any actual conspiracy can muster.

[ElvisL1ves]

As the saying goes, you can’t reason someone out of a position he didn’t reason himself into.

[hotflungwok]

Carly Fiorina: Environmentalists To Blame For ‘Man-Made’ Drought In California

“For a science denier to opine that Democrats caused the drought in California is about as irrational as believing someone who failed at running a business in California and then failed as a candidate for office in California has any cause to be running for the highest office in the land,” Bobby Whithorne, the group’s spokesman, said in a statement.

[Steve_MB]

OK, remind me again – is this guy the son of Ron Paul or Ron Popeil?

Rand Paul is set to announce his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination later Tuesday in Louisville, and for just $20.16, you can own a Paul-themed eye chart featuring his campaign slogan: “Defeat the Washington machine. Unleash the American Dream.”…

For $15, supporters can pick up the “NSA Spy Cam Blocker,” a plastic shield that goes over webcams on electronic devices.

“That little front facing camera on your laptop or tablet can be a window for the world to see you – whether you know it or not!” the description reads. “Stop hackers and the NSA with this simple camera blocker. Safe and practical.”…

[Gyrate]

Or people could do what the rest of us do and stick a post-it note or piece of tape over the webcam, for a fraction of a cent.

[wonky]

Gyrate hates technology, America, and puppies.

[running_coach]

@Gyrate

Or people could do what the rest of us do and stick a post-it note or piece of tape over the webcam, for a fraction of a cent.

Where’s the profit in that?

[Robot_Arm]

@Gyrate

Or people could do what the rest of us do and stick a post-it note or piece of tape over the webcam, for a fraction of a cent.

So, you want a Post-It Note to run for president? Hmm, would probably do less damage than Rand Paul. I’m in!

Vote Post-It in '16!

[BrainGlutton]

@Steve_MB

OK, remind me again – is this guy the son of Ron Paul or Ron Popeil?

@Gyrate

Or people could do what the rest of us do and stick a post-it note or piece of tape over the webcam, for a fraction of a cent.

Anyone who attaches a webcam to his computer intends to use it sometimes, right? So this makes sense only if you think the NSA can see you through your webcam even when you are not using it, perhaps even when the computer is turned off. Does anybody really think that?!

[purplehorseshoe]

This thread is proof people think & believe all sorts of stupid shit.