# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1390 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1391 --- ## [What's on top?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-top/644209)
**Author:** [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-top/644209 "2012-12-20T12:09:39Z")
Those of you who put up a Chirstmas tree: What’s at the top? I’m from a star family, but my husband feels that the tree’s all wrong without an angel on top, despite the fact that he’s totally nonreligious. It’s traditio… --- ## [The precentage of people whose lives were save, comparied to those killed by having a Gun.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-precentage-of-people-whose-lives-were-save-comparied-to-those-killed-by-having-a-gun/644417)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-precentage-of-people-whose-lives-were-save-comparied-to-those-killed-by-having-a-gun/644417 "2012-12-20T12:09:03Z")
In the recent carnage in Ct. The woman who bought guns for her protection was killed by her own son , who then went and killed 25 others, and himself. It didn’t protect his mother and did kill many more, plus injured som… --- ## [British Dopers, want a free Oyster card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-dopers-want-a-free-oyster-card/635737)
**Author:** [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-dopers-want-a-free-oyster-card/635737 "2012-12-20T10:18:26Z")
Hi! Over in this thread I tell a rather boring story of my malfunctioning Oyster card. I did in fact send the uncashable refund check back with a request for an Oyster card. I finally got a reply that they do not send… --- ## [Recommend me a martial art](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-martial-art/644496)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-martial-art/644496 "2012-12-20T07:31:00Z")
I’m going to start off the new year trying to lose weight and get myself fitter. One big problem I have is I get bored easily with repetitive exercise, walking, swimming etc. I’m going to be doing some weights to break i… --- ## [Any good way to add "workspaces" to Windows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-way-to-add-workspaces-to-windows/644611)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-way-to-add-workspaces-to-windows/644611 "2012-12-20T06:32:30Z")
Both Cinnamon and GNOME, as well as whatever they call OSX’s proprietary desktop environment have “workspaces” in varying capacities. With a quick motion (a multi-fingered touchpad swipe on OSX ctrl+alt+arrow on GNOME/Ci… --- ## [can you "teach yourself" how to whistle, or is it a thing where "you either have it or you don't"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-teach-yourself-how-to-whistle-or-is-it-a-thing-where-you-either-have-it-or-you-dont/644490)
**Author:** [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-teach-yourself-how-to-whistle-or-is-it-a-thing-where-you-either-have-it-or-you-dont/644490 "2012-12-20T06:32:02Z")
For the life of me, I’ve never been able to whistle “for shit”. Whether it’s the “bend your tongue funny, and do it through your top two teeth (or is it through your bottom two teeth?)”, or sticking your thumb and ring-… --- ## [Damnit CNN, there has to be other news happening somewhere.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-cnn-there-has-to-be-other-news-happening-somewhere/644197)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-cnn-there-has-to-be-other-news-happening-somewhere/644197 "2012-12-20T04:43:33Z")
Stop with the Newtown tragedy. Hour after hour after hour of airing the same shit. 5 minutes an hour would be enough. More than enough. By this process of non stop airing of these tragedies, you’ve made the names… --- ## [Two questions: Transcribing interviews (cost) and coding data](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-transcribing-interviews-cost-and-coding-data/644599)
**Author:** [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-transcribing-interviews-cost-and-coding-data/644599 "2012-12-20T04:30:06Z")
I’m starting my research in the new year and am considering hiring a transcriptionist to transcribe the video tapes of the interviews. How much should this cost, in your opinion? I am in Calgary, Alberta, but could proba… --- ## [City, suburbs, or country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-suburbs-or-country/644139)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-suburbs-or-country/644139 "2012-12-20T03:14:06Z")
I’ve been looking at houses lately, so this has been on my mind. I want to live out in the country. Where do you guys want to live? --- ## [Crazy Cats. Do they actually trip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-cats-do-they-actually-trip/243849)
**Author:** [@RainGrowsBrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainGrowsBrite)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-cats-do-they-actually-trip/243849 "2012-12-20T02:56:43Z")
For some reason there seem to be quite a few Cat threads as of late. I thought I would add to it… I heard from a few friends that cats hallucinate 70% of the time. I mean, I see cats freaking out and doing crazy things… --- ## [Overcoming negativity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overcoming-negativity/643615)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overcoming-negativity/643615 "2012-12-20T01:02:27Z")
If you recognize my username, you will know I harbor a great deal of negativity. There are ways to do it, but each has its pitfalls. One wonders whether there is a process of doing it that’s compatible with self-care, o… --- ## [Recommendations for books on depression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-books-on-depression/644448)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-books-on-depression/644448 "2012-12-20T00:31:55Z")
Some urgency in this request. I know we have some Dopers who suffer from this debilitating illness. My son has had bouts with this for years and is presently undergoing a fairly serious bout with it, to the point where… --- ## [People who are rabidly anti-ecig. Need counterarguments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-rabidly-anti-ecig-need-counterarguments/644462)
**Author:** [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-rabidly-anti-ecig-need-counterarguments/644462 "2012-12-19T23:41:50Z")
After announcing the order I placed for an electronic cigarette over the weekend, a friend of a friend exploded ragefully all over my facebook wall. Smoking is immoral, e-cigs look too much like smoking and are obviously… --- ## [What the F\*\*\* is wrong with Thedailyshow.com videos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-f-is-wrong-with-thedailyshow-com-videos/644485)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-f-is-wrong-with-thedailyshow-com-videos/644485 "2012-12-19T23:24:00Z")
The video streaming at thedailyshow.com and colbertnation.com does NOT work very well. I love to watch these shows, but it’s often almost impossible. (IIRC, these shows are available at another site which is not availa… --- ## [Why is Firefox suddenly malfunctioning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-firefox-suddenly-malfunctioning/644315)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-firefox-suddenly-malfunctioning/644315 "2012-12-19T23:22:02Z")
(This may belong in GD.) Just within the last day or so, Firefox browser has developed a number of strange symptoms. I was running version 16.whatever, so clicked Upgrade to get 17.0.1 but the symptoms didn’t improve. … --- ## [What to write for a reference - need answer quick(ly)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-write-for-a-reference-need-answer-quick-ly/644526)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-write-for-a-reference-need-answer-quick-ly/644526 "2012-12-19T22:43:05Z")
A friend needs two references for an apartment she’s renting. What should I write that a landlord wants to hear? StG --- ## [SBIR 2012 Christmas Card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sbir-2012-christmas-card/644520)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sbir-2012-christmas-card/644520 "2012-12-19T21:07:38Z")
Maybe I’m just hypersensitive, but this year’s Christmas card from SBIR (Santa Barbara Infrared) and IFC cameras seems particularly tasteless: http://www.sbir.com/card12.asp \[spoiler\] In a time when a lot of people are… --- ## [Free online family tree software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-family-tree-software/644332)
**Author:** [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-family-tree-software/644332 "2012-12-19T20:00:54Z")
Does anyone have recommendations for a decent family tree platform? I will need something that’s free indefinitely (so free trial periods leading to paid subscriptions are out). I’ve never tried to build a family tree … --- ## [Back Surgery: what are the odds of success?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-surgery-what-are-the-odds-of-success/641789)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-surgery-what-are-the-odds-of-success/641789 "2012-12-19T17:04:37Z")
Simply put, lets say a disk in your lumbar is very badly damaged & you need surgery. What are the odds of true success & recovery? Odds of still walking? Odds of walking w/o a cane? Odds of winning the wheelchair sea… --- ## [Depression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depression/644313)
**Author:** [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depression/644313 "2012-12-19T15:45:38Z")
I think I’ve got myself a mild to moderate case of depression, and its very frustrating. I’m not sure what brought it on, but it’s nearing the two-week mark in duration. Maybe it’s related to poor quality of sleep - I’ve… --- ## [How Many Dopers Would It Take To Change A Light Bulb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-would-it-take-to-change-a-light-bulb/642720)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-would-it-take-to-change-a-light-bulb/642720 "2012-12-19T15:21:15Z")
Just wondering. --- ## ["Black" as a lifestyle signifier, anyone else hate it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-as-a-lifestyle-signifier-anyone-else-hate-it/644451)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-as-a-lifestyle-signifier-anyone-else-hate-it/644451 "2012-12-19T14:21:10Z")
Seems from this thread the only way to have a pure black president is if he grows up in tha’ ghetto and slings crack. Fact is anyone elected president is going to have a wealthier and more privileged background than av… --- ## [I'm going to buy $700+ in gift cards. Is there a retail chain who will reward me if I buy from them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-buy-700-in-gift-cards-is-there-a-retail-chain-who-will-reward-me-if-i-buy-from-them/644467)
**Author:** [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-buy-700-in-gift-cards-is-there-a-retail-chain-who-will-reward-me-if-i-buy-from-them/644467 "2012-12-19T07:39:29Z")
I will be buying an unprecedented amount (for me) of gifts this Christmas. Almost all of it will be in the form of gift cards. I’m leaning toward Amazon cards, but I’m open to other ideas (more about that later). Now, t… --- ## [Do you know anyone who likes babies--just not those of their own "race"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-who-likes-babies-just-not-those-of-their-own-race/644440)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-who-likes-babies-just-not-those-of-their-own-race/644440 "2012-12-19T06:41:50Z")
I put race in parentheses because I don’t really believe it exists as a valid category, but most people do, and anyway it’s the best shorthand for complexion/facial features, which is what I want to discuss; in addition,… --- ## [Cell phone blues - need help choosing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-blues-need-help-choosing/643684)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-blues-need-help-choosing/643684 "2012-12-19T04:19:52Z")
Actually, i need help understanding, also. Right now, the choices are overwhelming, so i’m looking for some advice. I am not big on texting, but i think part of the reason for this is the crappy phones ive had in the p… --- ## [I may be getting a pet rabbit......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-getting-a-pet-rabbit/644383)
**Author:** [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-getting-a-pet-rabbit/644383 "2012-12-19T02:58:17Z")
Long story short, my sister has a pair of rabbits, she was told when she got them that they were both female… Turns out they were only half right… The rabbits did what rabbits do, and she ended up with a small litter o… --- ## [what kind of gun nut RU? (2nd try)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-gun-nut-ru-2nd-try/644155)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-gun-nut-ru-2nd-try/644155 "2012-12-19T02:34:16Z")
Since I left 2nd Amendment shit off my “RUA nut?” query, I’m making up a special poll for it here. Change wording if you like, but LMK what you’re changing. This is only for people with rightwing positions so it may not… --- ## [Should I be worried about my boss's intentions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-my-bosss-intentions/644174)
**Author:** [@Anafiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anafiel)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-my-bosss-intentions/644174 "2012-12-19T02:20:11Z")
Here’s the background: I just started a new job about 6 weeks ago. I telecommute, and my boss lives in another state, so we chat daily (sometimes multiple times a day) over Skype, always IM or audio and never video. My… --- ## [Hoarding for 12/21/12](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoarding-for-12-21-12/644318)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoarding-for-12-21-12/644318 "2012-12-19T01:45:43Z")
Are you hoarding anything for 12/21/12? --- ## [Who would you save? Anne Hathaway or Natalie Portman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-save-anne-hathaway-or-natalie-portman/644272)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-save-anne-hathaway-or-natalie-portman/644272 "2012-12-19T01:32:33Z")
Yeah, the drowning scenario that’s in a couple of other threads. For me, it’s Anne all the way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1389) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1391)