# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1216 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1217 --- ## [A solution to the impasse in Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-solution-to-the-impasse-in-congress/670510)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-solution-to-the-impasse-in-congress/670510 "2013-10-08T09:00:27Z")
The Republicans want to shut down the Affordable Care Act, and they’re willing to destroy the country to do it. I have a solution: Give in. Of course our system of government is (supposed to be) built on compromise. … --- ## [Is it okay to get a single kitten?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-get-a-single-kitten/670230)
**Author:** [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-get-a-single-kitten/670230 "2013-10-08T08:29:38Z")
I think I’m going to get a cat, but I keep reading that you should always get two kittens instead of just one because they need to socialize with each other. So I might do that, but if it was fine for the cat, I think I’… --- ## [Exporting braiiinnnsss!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exporting-braiiinnnsss/670601)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exporting-braiiinnnsss/670601 "2013-10-08T07:56:32Z")
Usual “End of the world, decide who gets to go to New Earth” scenario. You are assigned the task of gathering the top ten geniuses(besides yourself, Skald) to make the trip. Other geniuses may get picked by others, but… --- ## [Do Americans want cheap, efficient cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-want-cheap-efficient-cars/669923)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-americans-want-cheap-efficient-cars/669923 "2013-10-08T04:40:55Z")
Sorry for the long set-up… When I commute, I often see a sign off the freeway that reads: ‘GOT 50 MPG?’ It’s for Jeff’s Geo Metro, which specialises in maintaining, restoring, and modifying Chevrolet Sprint/Sprint Metr… --- ## [What job can I get to hasten the Singularity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-job-can-i-get-to-hasten-the-singularity/670486)
**Author:** [@Came\_in\_like\_a\_Wrecking\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Came_in_like_a_Wrecking_Ball)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-job-can-i-get-to-hasten-the-singularity/670486 "2013-10-08T03:02:41Z")
The only thing I want to do in life is hasten the coming of the technological Singularity. What job can I get to do this? What degree can I get to do this? And: is there a state-by-state list of laboratories working on … --- ## [HR Types, is this necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hr-types-is-this-necessary/670645)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hr-types-is-this-necessary/670645 "2013-10-08T02:45:08Z")
I do seasonal work for a large company. I keep my same employee # year after year (so they keep info on me in the system); however, every year I have to fill out the ‘full’ application, including going thru the I-9 empl… --- ## [Are police stings offering sex with 15 year old HS girls a good use of law enforcement budgets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-police-stings-offering-sex-with-15-year-old-hs-girls-a-good-use-of-law-enforcement-budgets/670457)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-police-stings-offering-sex-with-15-year-old-hs-girls-a-good-use-of-law-enforcement-budgets/670457 "2013-10-08T02:06:51Z")
I saw this news item and wondered how far police should go with this. It’s a sting like most stings where an illegal service/good is being offered, in this case sex with a presumably hot 15 year old girl. Predictably th… --- ## [The science behind Solo cat vs multiple cats.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-science-behind-solo-cat-vs-multiple-cats/670634)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-science-behind-solo-cat-vs-multiple-cats/670634 "2013-10-08T00:34:39Z")
Just thought I’d share since this question has come up a couple of times lately. Link --- ## [What can I do to help people directly affected by the US Government shutdown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-help-people-directly-affected-by-the-us-government-shutdown/670433)
**Author:** [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-help-people-directly-affected-by-the-us-government-shutdown/670433 "2013-10-08T00:00:55Z")
I’m fortunate enough to not be directly affected by the shutdown, myself. But these furloughs have got to be incredibly crappy to deal with, especially if one is living paycheck to paycheck. I’m wondering what charitie… --- ## [Colonoscopy in a week](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonoscopy-in-a-week/670037)
**Author:** [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonoscopy-in-a-week/670037 "2013-10-07T23:55:24Z")
I am lucky enough to be undergoing my first colonoscopy next Monday. I do have most of the prep stuff and was wondering what to expect from the whole process. I understand that Pico-Salax is industrial strength, how lo… --- ## [What is it like to work remotely at home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-like-to-work-remotely-at-home/670455)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-like-to-work-remotely-at-home/670455 "2013-10-07T23:42:24Z")
Might have a job offer to work at home on software. I am in NC, company is in CA. I am concerned it might be hard to work that way, only using email and IM and phone to communicate . The upside is no commuting… --- ## [Jerry: Harmless Simpleton or Malevolent Timebomb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-harmless-simpleton-or-malevolent-timebomb/267001)
**Author:** [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-harmless-simpleton-or-malevolent-timebomb/267001 "2013-10-07T23:14:58Z")
Just canvassing for opinions… There’s a guy in our neighbourhood called Jerry. He’s apparently retarded and spends his days standing at the corner of his street or strolling slowly back and forth along the road. He’s fr… --- ## [Caring for a dementia patient 12 hours a day in exchange for room & board in her house - Fair deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caring-for-a-dementia-patient-12-hours-a-day-in-exchange-for-room-board-in-her-house-fair-deal/670273)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caring-for-a-dementia-patient-12-hours-a-day-in-exchange-for-room-board-in-her-house-fair-deal/670273 "2013-10-07T22:13:21Z")
Just curious. This is what this local facebook person is looking for someone to do. Is this a fair deal? --- ## [Why do people 'fight the hypothetical'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-fight-the-hypothetical/668210)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-fight-the-hypothetical/668210 "2013-10-07T21:39:40Z")
Just wondering what the basis behind this behaviour is, you see it in almost all threads where someone posits a hypothetical scenario or question, no matter how specific and closed the conditions are someone or more usua… --- ## [How meaningful is the roscharch test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-meaningful-is-the-roscharch-test/670525)
**Author:** [@grama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grama)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-meaningful-is-the-roscharch-test/670525 "2013-10-07T21:32:51Z")
Is it reliable?, a couple of days ago, before being discharged from the hospital, I took the roscharch test. Curious as I am since I have nothing to do, I started looking into it and found very conflicting opinions about… --- ## [Is Science Proving The Value Of Positive Thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-science-proving-the-value-of-positive-thinking/670516)
**Author:** [@Phil\_CostaMesa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phil_CostaMesa)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-science-proving-the-value-of-positive-thinking/670516 "2013-10-07T19:41:31Z")
Linked below is a vid of Robert Hanson PhD neuroscientist explaining how science appears to be proving that how one thinks and feels affects one’s ability to function at higher levels. Relaxation enhances DNA allowing i… --- ## ["Yid" chants in football (soccer)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yid-chants-in-football-soccer/670402)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yid-chants-in-football-soccer/670402 "2013-10-07T19:38:06Z")
There’s been a bit of a fuss kicked up over the club Tottenham Hotspur - supporters of whom are known informally as the “Yid Army” since the 1890s/1900s stemming from London’s East End having a large Jewish community, an… --- ## [What critiera to put something into a safe deposit box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-critiera-to-put-something-into-a-safe-deposit-box/670494)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-critiera-to-put-something-into-a-safe-deposit-box/670494 "2013-10-07T19:37:37Z")
After I got my safe deposit box, I started looking around for stuff to put into it. Obviously, any kind of precious metals should go in there, right? Well, a mercury dime has a grand total of 2.25 grams of silver for abo… --- ## [I got thrown in the deep end \[developing an app\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-thrown-in-the-deep-end-developing-an-app/670467)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-thrown-in-the-deep-end-developing-an-app/670467 "2013-10-07T18:52:49Z")
I’ve gotten sucked into a project that is driving me crazy. I’m a SQL Server DBA by trade, so doing the back-end work isn’t going to be an issue. My problem is that I am NOT a web guru. I have to convert an app that c… --- ## [How well known is this aspect of American foreign policy? \[Bangladesh\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-known-is-this-aspect-of-american-foreign-policy-bangladesh/670309)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-known-is-this-aspect-of-american-foreign-policy-bangladesh/670309 "2013-10-07T18:16:41Z")
Much of American foreign policy is, I think, pretty widely agreed to be…less than optimal, even by most Americans, at least on this board. The Economist has recently highlighted an entirely new aspect of this to me - Ame… --- ## [Non-teachers: do you expect teachers to work during off-hours?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-teachers-do-you-expect-teachers-to-work-during-off-hours/670298)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-teachers-do-you-expect-teachers-to-work-during-off-hours/670298 "2013-10-07T17:51:58Z")
And for the poll I split it into parents and non-parents. For those of you that don’t know how teaching contracts work, we are required to be on school ground or on official school business between certain hours so let’… --- ## [My issue with federalizing government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-issue-with-federalizing-government/670380)
**Author:** [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-issue-with-federalizing-government/670380 "2013-10-07T17:44:55Z")
I live in a red state. There are plenty of conservative ideas that I completely disagree with just as there are plenty of liberal ideas that I disagree with. What really chaps my hide, however, is the insistence on con… --- ## [Men: for a large cash payment, would you agree to wear only traditional women's garb for one year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-for-a-large-cash-payment-would-you-agree-to-wear-only-traditional-womens-garb-for-one-year/670387)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-for-a-large-cash-payment-would-you-agree-to-wear-only-traditional-womens-garb-for-one-year/670387 "2013-10-07T17:29:32Z")
By traditional women’s garb, I mean dresses, skirts, blouses, and so forth. No slacks or pantsuits allowed, nor anything that would be considered unisex. You needn’t wear stiletto heels, but you must wear women’s shoes/b… --- ## [Best metal to make a sword out of.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-metal-to-make-a-sword-out-of/670571)
**Author:** [@DominusAelfinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DominusAelfinn)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-metal-to-make-a-sword-out-of/670571 "2013-10-07T17:26:02Z")
Using any modern technique available and any metal available, what metal would a functional sword be made of. If I had to put it to a scenario I’m thinking if fighting came down to only melee fights and there was a push… --- ## [iGoogle Is Going "Bye-Bye" On November 1st - Alternatives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/igoogle-is-going-bye-bye-on-november-1st-alternatives/670331)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/igoogle-is-going-bye-bye-on-november-1st-alternatives/670331 "2013-10-04T20:20:02Z")
I really like my iGoogle - opens to a nice page with Google (of course) and the headline news stories, calendar, Gmail and a few other things I have chosen to be on that opening page. It is my home page and yes, it real… --- ## [Best country for this family?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-country-for-this-family/670496)
**Author:** [@asta492](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asta492)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-country-for-this-family/670496 "2013-10-07T16:28:04Z")
Been a lurker for a LOONG time, but I figure no better place to ask for some intelligent input. We’re currently in the US. I am a US permanent resident (citizen of India), wife is US citizen, we have 3 kids 6 and under.… --- ## [Can codeine make some people mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-codeine-make-some-people-mean/670560)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-codeine-make-some-people-mean/670560 "2013-10-07T15:56:59Z")
I know someone who has a prescription of very long standing for codeine as a prophylactic against migraine. He will have episodes (I guess you’d call them) when he will be capable of being just breathtakingly mean and/o… --- ## [Would you erase your memory before entering the Matrix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-erase-your-memory-before-entering-the-matrix/670487)
**Author:** [@Came\_in\_like\_a\_Wrecking\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Came_in_like_a_Wrecking_Ball)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-erase-your-memory-before-entering-the-matrix/670487 "2013-10-07T13:33:24Z")
Let’s say someday scientists create a Matrix-type simulated world that you could enter; and let’s say this simulated world is so much better than the real one you inhabit that you want to jack in and never go back. So yo… --- ## [What was Schrodinger's cat's name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-schrodingers-cats-name/658203)
**Author:** [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-schrodingers-cats-name/658203 "2013-10-07T13:07:10Z")
I like to think that he wouldn’t have picked something as mundane as Fluffy for the half dead cat. What you do you folks think? --- ## [Switching gmail settings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-gmail-settings/670452)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-gmail-settings/670452 "2013-10-07T09:41:46Z")
I have two main gmail accounts, my SDMB mod account and my (freelance) work account. I prefer to keep them separate and not have one feed into the other because they’re both extremely active but completely different from… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1215) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1217)