# The Republican Party is the Party of Evil **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 4, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187 "2021-03-04T17:43:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 147
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2922 "2024-09-18T19:34:23Z")
She was not being evasive. At all. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2923 "2024-09-18T19:45:56Z")
> [@Mr.Greenjeans](#): > > Why is “Congressman, don’t be silly” or “Congressman, don’t be an idiot” not a legitimate response? On normal speech, it would be. But the Congressional hearing is the baliwick of the Senator for rhetorical flourish. If it’s not an unqualified “no” full stop, he can spin however he likes. His bullying, however, is blatant and recorded. > [@Akaj](#): > > But why couldn’t she simply say “no” before starting to lecture Kennedy? He’s actually right – she doesn’t seem to be able to say “no, I do not support Hamas/Hezbollah.” She veers off into talking about Iran. I know he’s an idiot and a bigot, but why give him the fuel to make her seem weaselly? First, she thought she was at a hearing to examine a topic of concern, not serve as a political punching bag. Second, she clearly does say no, and other statements are semantic equivalents, and in fact are more blanket in nature. She says she does not support terrorist organizations, and Senator Kennedy procedes to itemize organizations. Third, she didn’t veer off to talk about Iran. He asked her about Iran. She only sounds weasely to someone not giving her a chance to answer in her own terms. “Answer yes or no” is the refuge of someone who doesn’t understand nuance or wants to manipulate the response. A less polite response might be, " No, do you support the Aryan Brotherhood, because you sound like a racist." But I’m sure that would get her more criticism than him, too. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2924 "2024-09-18T19:47:51Z")
And she gave _me_ the impression that she was trying to give complete answers as a guest, _not a hostile witness_, of that committee. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2925 "2024-09-18T19:54:22Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > She only sounds weasely to someone not giving her a chance to answer in her own terms. “Answer yes or no” is the refuge of someone who doesn’t understand nuance or wants to manipulate the response. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > And she gave _me_ the impression that she was trying to give complete answers as a guest, _not a hostile witness_, of that committee. Fair enough. I don’t mind disagreeing about the absolute effectiveness of her responses, since I think we can all agree she came off better than Kennedy. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2926 "2024-09-18T20:16:51Z")
I had a thought: I wonder if there’s any chance that the majority of _actual_ Hamas supporters (or at least those who think of them as a non-malignant organization) in this country are white…? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2927 "2024-09-18T20:52:57Z")
I know a LOT of Hamas supporters in America. None off them are white. Most of them are Muslims either from Pakistan or children of parents from Pakistan. They don’t rock their genocidal antisemitism on LinkedIn, but on WhatsApp. I have attended a dinner of the Association of Pakistani-American Physicians and the table conversation was EXTREMELY antisemitic and dehumanizing. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2928 "2024-09-18T22:31:20Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I thought she came across as evasive, frankly. Just fucking say **no**. She said no clearly, and unequivically. I don’t understand why you’re giving this prick any slack. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2929 "2024-09-18T22:41:04Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > My only critique was that, by not answering each question with an immediate, clear and unambiguous “no,” she gave _me_ the impression of evasiveness. It’s a good thing that she did give a clear, unambiguous “no” to every question, then. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2930 "2024-09-18T23:32:31Z")
That’s very disappointing. Thanks for sharing (no snark intended). ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2931 "2024-09-19T00:31:50Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > His bullying, however, is blatant and recorded. So? His people won’t care and there will be no repercussions. He could have called her every slit in the book and it would not matter. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2932 "2024-09-19T01:41:19Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Please keep blaming her for being too polite to an ignorant, boorish bigot. Clearly she brought the abuse down on herself by remaining civil and giving complete answers. I’m sure that if she had just started every sentence with “No” we certainly wouldn’t be talking about how defensive and argumentative she was instead. And don’t forget the quarterwit politician’s comment about “hide [her] head in a bag”. Yeah, that’s not a bigoted comment. Like Hell it’s not. > [@](#): > > \< checks forum \> > > Oh, and fuck you. I’m still curious how the fuck the other poster gets the idea she’s been evasive. I find her answer to that bigot eighthwit to be clear and her denial of supporting terrorists came through bright and shining. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2933 "2024-09-19T01:53:34Z")
The answer given, _“You support Hamas, do you not?” Kennedy asked,_ _“Hamas is a foreign terrorist organization that I do not support …” Berry responded._ is a far stronger response than, _“You support Hamas, do you not?” Kennedy asked,_ _“No.” Berry responded._ could ever hope to be. Since, ya know, the answer given clearly states that Hamas is a terrorist organization while the simple ‘no’ does not. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2934 "2024-09-19T01:55:36Z")
I’m honestly surprised Kennedy didn’t accuse her of lying because her faith demands it. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2935 "2024-09-19T02:37:08Z")
Chairperson Dick Durbin apparently weaseled his way through this one. From [GOP Sen. John Kennedy To Arab American Witness: 'You Support Hamas, Don't You?’](https://www.yahoo.com/news/gop-sen-john-kennedy-arab-184501078.html) > [@](#): > > Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the chairman, was there though. He didn’t say anything to Kennedy, but told Berry she could respond to anything he had just said. > > (Snip) > > Durbin seemed to allude to Kennedy’s offensive remarks before gaveling out the hearing, but didn’t seem particularly angry about them. > > “I regret some of the things that were said today at this hearing,” the Illinois senator said. “But we are a free nation, and that’s what happens in a democracy.” > > Asked why nobody pushed back on Kennedy’s line of questioning, a Durbin spokesperson said Wednesday that the GOP senator’s comments were way out of line. > > “The vile and horrific remarks made by Sen. Kennedy yesterday were completely unacceptable and have no place in our dialogue, let alone a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing,” Durbin’s spokesperson said in a statement. > > “Political leaders must not fan the flames of hatred and division, and Senator Kennedy failed to meet this responsibility yesterday,” said the spokesperson. “Chair Durbin was deeply offended by how Ms. Berry was treated and made a point of speaking to her once the hearing concluded to thank her for her participation and her insights on the need to fight hate in all of its forms.” Way to be a champion there, buddy boy. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2936 "2024-09-19T12:49:07Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > She said no clearly, and unequivically. I don’t understand why you’re giving this prick any slack. Her very first response wasn’t “no,” it was (not going back to watch again) something like “I’m glad you asked that question …” _ **In my opinion** _ (which is obviously a minority view) that came across as somewhat evasive and gave the prick the slack he needed to treat her subsequent answers as equivocal. > [@Chronos](#): > > It’s a good thing that she did give a clear, unambiguous “no” to every question, then. Not as clear and unambiguous as beginning each response with “no.” > [@Monty](#): > > I’m still curious how the fuck the other poster gets the idea she’s been evasive. I find her answer to that bigot eighthwit to be clear and her denial of supporting terrorists came through bright and shining. We’ll just have to agree to disagree. > [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > The answer given, > _“You support Hamas, do you not?” Kennedy asked,_ > _“Hamas is a foreign terrorist organization that I do not support …” Berry responded._ > is a far stronger response than, > _“You support Hamas, do you not?” Kennedy asked,_ > _“No.” Berry responded._ But that wasn’t her first answer (see above). And we may just have to disagree on whether saying “no” immediately would have been the best response. Can I respectfully ask for a truce on this point? We all agree Kennedy is a monumentally stupid and bigoted asshole who should probably be censured for his behavior and comments. Louisiana should be ashamed for electing him. My only argument is that _ **in my opinion** _ Berry could have been even more effective at highlighting his behavior by answering his questions more directly. I’ll gladly concede that I’m in the minority on this, and urge everyone to move on to the myriad ways in which Republicans are evil. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2937 "2024-09-19T13:08:24Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > urge everyone to move on to the myriad ways in which Republicans are evil Sadly and stunningly, there is no lack of such ways for them. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2938 "2024-09-19T13:12:18Z")
Up next from Senator Kennedy: ‘I know we’re here to talk about anti-Semitism but I’m more interested in you Jews explaining why you killed Christ?’ ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2939 "2024-09-19T13:15:21Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > _ **In my opinion** _ (which is obviously a minority view) that came across as somewhat evasive Late to the discussion, but I agree with @Akaj insofar as her response would have been unequivocal had she been responding to normal people, but she wasn’t. She was responding to nasty, evil, vile people who will find something to attack wherever they can, regardless of accuracy, logic, ethos, honesty or whatever. That doesn’t make her wrong in how she responded, and in these vile times there are very few effective ways of responding to these people. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2940 "2024-09-19T13:23:35Z")
I understand getting the _initial_ impression that the answers were weaselly, because it is in a political context and usually when people in a political context do not immediately answer the question as posed, they never actually get around to answering the question. So you’re primed to believe that she also never answered the question directly, even though she did. It’s _less_ ambiguous than most answers are in a political context. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187/2941 "2024-09-19T13:36:23Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Her very first response wasn’t “no,” it was (not going back to watch again) something like “I’m glad you asked that question …” > > _ **In my opinion** _ (which is obviously a minority view) that came across as somewhat evasive and gave the prick the slack he needed to treat her subsequent answers as equivocal. And in mine, it was her making the point in diplomatic language that what Kennedy was doing was **exactly** the problem she was there to address. It was intended as a shot across his bow. Nevertheless, he persisted in being an asshole. Sadly, when testifying in front of Congress one is not allowed to openly call out the malign intentions of the committee members questioning you, no matter how obvious. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187.md?page=146) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-party-is-the-party-of-evil/937187.md?page=148)