# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1403 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1404 --- ## [Christmas season dates poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-season-dates-poll/642575)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-season-dates-poll/642575 "2012-12-01T23:16:11Z")
Just curious: When does the Christmas season start and end for you? I’m not talking about when the merchants start trying to sell it, but when you personally feel it is appropriate to start decorating and celebrating. As… --- ## [Airlines sued for not accepting an obese passenger who later died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-sued-for-not-accepting-an-obese-passenger-who-later-died/642274)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-sued-for-not-accepting-an-obese-passenger-who-later-died/642274 "2012-12-01T23:01:44Z")
The whole story makes me cringe a bit. Long story short: A US-woman who was in Hungary (apparently her husband was Hungarian and she had gone there to their holiday home), weighing close to 200 kg, sick with diabetes … --- ## [How Should I Help a Friend that is Drinking too Much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-help-a-friend-that-is-drinking-too-much/642626)
**Author:** [@Crab\_Rangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crab_Rangoon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-help-a-friend-that-is-drinking-too-much/642626 "2012-12-01T23:01:03Z")
I have a question for those of you who have dealt with drinking from either side of the issue. I have a friend that I work with - he stopped by my desk today and I could tell he had been drinking. It was 9:00AM. I have … --- ## [Question about paying off a mortgage vs making monthly payments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-paying-off-a-mortgage-vs-making-monthly-payments/642692)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-paying-off-a-mortgage-vs-making-monthly-payments/642692 "2012-12-01T22:44:31Z")
My husband and I are looking at retiring in about 3 years. I’m drawing a pension from my 37 years of federal service, and I’ve gone back to work as a temp to pad our savings a bit. I’ve got a nice TSP balance (the gov’… --- ## [Is it ethical to kill a sadistic criminal who hasn't actually killed anybody?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-kill-a-sadistic-criminal-who-hasnt-actually-killed-anybody/641964)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-kill-a-sadistic-criminal-who-hasnt-actually-killed-anybody/641964 "2012-12-01T21:22:12Z")
I’ve run about 15 miles in the past few days, which my calves are informing me was a very bad idea. I’ve decided to blame all of you for not magically apprehending my folly and talking sense into me. A new hypothetical i… --- ## [Pregnant Nanny](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-nanny/642617)
**Author:** [@kellyme2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellyme2)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-nanny/642617 "2012-12-01T21:06:48Z")
Hi, Our nanny of beloved nanny of 6 months just told us that she is expecting a child. We’re happy for her and want to keep her employed. We have a one year old and a four year old. She’ll be bringing the baby to work … --- ## [When's the last time you did a genuine double-take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-last-time-you-did-a-genuine-double-take/642667)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-last-time-you-did-a-genuine-double-take/642667 "2012-12-01T20:49:15Z")
I was driving to work the other day on quite a cold morning when I slowed down on approach to a roundabout, glanced right to make sure no traffic was coming, looked back and quickly glanced right again…wtf, does that wom… --- ## [Help me spend money on Toys for Tots!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-money-on-toys-for-tots/642351)
**Author:** [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-money-on-toys-for-tots/642351 "2012-12-01T19:10:33Z")
My mom gave me a hundred bucks to spend on the Toys for Tots box at my workplace. But I haven’t spent any time around kids in years, and I haven’t seen a commercial in a long time. So I don’t know what’s cool. I also don… --- ## [Do psychologists know how to be happy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-psychologists-know-how-to-be-happy/642366)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-psychologists-know-how-to-be-happy/642366 "2012-12-01T19:00:56Z")
I think I’m starting to doubt why we have psychologists. I used to think that you’d go to see one if you were unhappy and wanted to learn how to be happy. I used to think that if a psychologist knew how to make me happy,… --- ## [Recommend a laptop/tablet for my parents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-laptop-tablet-for-my-parents/642193 "2012-12-01T17:34:19Z")
If this is the wrong forum I apologise. I’d like to buy a laptop or tablet for my parents for Christmas but I’m not really up on current technology (if I do buy them one they’ll be further ahead on the tech curve than m… --- ## [What is your IQ (Mensa+ Edition)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-iq-mensa-edition/642689)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-iq-mensa-edition/642689 "2012-12-01T16:53:07Z")
Ignore --- ## [Any experience with sensory processing disorder in kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experience-with-sensory-processing-disorder-in-kids/642686)
**Author:** [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experience-with-sensory-processing-disorder-in-kids/642686 "2012-12-01T16:16:40Z")
So, in a couple of earlier threads, I mentioned that the school had recommended testing my son for ADD. Our pediatrician preferred not to test him at such a young age (he was 5 at the time), but I did agree to some less … --- ## [Recommend a cheap, reliable online pharmacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-cheap-reliable-online-pharmacy/622867)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-cheap-reliable-online-pharmacy/622867 "2012-12-01T15:09:22Z")
Long story short, my ortho is recommending an injection of Synvisc-1 into my left ankle joint, which has been very screwed up (I believe that’s the technical term) since a 1996 accident. But his office wants me to buy t… --- ## [Mother inherits dead son's school loans, 200,000 people sign petition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-inherits-dead-sons-school-loans-200-000-people-sign-petition/642525)
**Author:** [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-inherits-dead-sons-school-loans-200-000-people-sign-petition/642525 "2012-12-01T15:02:03Z")
http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2583616 I don’t really see the big deal. Sure it would be nice for the lender to forgive the loan, but the whole point of requiring a cosigner is so you can get your money back in the… --- ## [What keeps you going?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keeps-you-going/642449)
**Author:** [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-keeps-you-going/642449 "2012-12-01T14:48:21Z")
Some days, I look at the world and life in general, and wonder why anyone bothers. It’s obviously a crappy setup (red in tooth and claw and all that, even before we get into human depravity), and in the end everything’s … --- ## [Briffault's Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/briffaults-law/642624)
**Author:** [@Modern\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern_Master)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/briffaults-law/642624 "2012-12-01T12:37:11Z")
What’s your opinion of Briffault’s Law? I’ll briefly explain the law. Briffault’s Law states that women will only associate with a man so long as the man continues to benefit the woman. Once the man proves that he can n… --- ## [Did you ever have an Advent calendar as a child?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-have-an-advent-calendar-as-a-child/642560)
**Author:** [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-have-an-advent-calendar-as-a-child/642560 "2012-12-01T08:00:43Z")
And if so, what kind was it? (You can vote for more than one.) If you’d like, you can mention about when you were a child… Me: Yes, I had one most years. It was always a cardboard one with pictures behind the doors. (… --- ## [Mom-friendly Blu-ray player?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-friendly-blu-ray-player/642649)
**Author:** [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-friendly-blu-ray-player/642649 "2012-12-01T05:40:49Z")
I’m looking for a Blu-ray player for less than $100 that’s suitable for someone who’s not at all tech-savvy. No 3D would be preferred, streaming capacity is expected to be unimportant, and above all, it needs to be easy.… --- ## [Ever got a ticket for this driving infraction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-got-a-ticket-for-this-driving-infraction/642452)
**Author:** [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-got-a-ticket-for-this-driving-infraction/642452 "2012-12-01T04:58:05Z")
Do people ever get pulled over/ticketed, under normal circumstances, for turning into the wrong lane? Like you’re turning left and don’t go into the leftmost lane. Because I and everyone else in the world do that constan… --- ## [i need help \[lawyer for guy in jail\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-lawyer-for-guy-in-jail/642645)
**Author:** [@mrsharper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrsharper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-lawyer-for-guy-in-jail/642645 "2012-12-01T04:00:18Z")
To whom it may concern, I am married to a man in prison, he was suppose to be released in August 2012, a pshycologist extened his stay for three months till the board conviened in November, this week 28th of November th… --- ## [How Would I Go About Breedings Frost-Tolerant Palm Tree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-go-about-breedings-frost-tolerant-palm-tree/642590)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-go-about-breedings-frost-tolerant-palm-tree/642590 "2012-12-01T01:19:59Z")
OK, suppose I have access to amodern lab, and I can make all the trans-genic plants I feel like. What would be the challenges in makingb a palm tree that couold survive the NE winter? Could I just put some spruce t… --- ## [What would you do? New Marriage Situation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-new-marriage-situation/642473)
**Author:** [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-new-marriage-situation/642473 "2012-12-01T01:12:32Z")
One of my student workers is getting married. They are having in their words “a small, quiet wedding”. They are getting married at the courthouse. There is a lot of speculation that this is a green card marriage. On … --- ## [Were you sedate until someone enticed you to work out? How did they do it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-sedate-until-someone-enticed-you-to-work-out-how-did-they-do-it/642296)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-sedate-until-someone-enticed-you-to-work-out-how-did-they-do-it/642296 "2012-12-01T00:54:37Z")
My brother is sedate and very overweight. I’d like to somehow encourage him to start exercising. Even if he doesn’t lose a pound, the physiological changes from exercise would be beneficial. I’d like to hear stories fr… --- ## [Doper Ladies - help me with my (new) wrinkles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596)
**Author:** [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596 "2012-12-01T00:48:35Z")
So I had weight loss surgery this summer. I’m about 5 1/2 months postop and have lost about 83 lbs. I weigh about 30 lbs less now than I did when I graduated from high school. Still a long way to go, of course, but it… --- ## [Nursing school and school loans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618 "2012-12-01T00:31:03Z")
Mostly advice, so IMHO but there’s some GQ in here too. I have in mind to go back to school for an RN degree (that’s better than LPN right?). Hopefully I can just do a two year or less program since I already got a BA y… --- ## [Do you drive a Suzuki SX4?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-suzuki-sx4/642610)
**Author:** [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-suzuki-sx4/642610 "2012-11-30T21:11:18Z")
With Suzuki Auto going bankrupt in the USA dealers are trying to unload the four models sold here. I’m interested in the SX4 Crossover, which is a small hatchback with AWD sold with a manual transmission or CVT. Anyone h… --- ## [Should I put in my notice? How and when?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-put-in-my-notice-how-and-when/642482)
**Author:** [@Retrograde\_Wandering\_Stars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retrograde_Wandering_Stars)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-put-in-my-notice-how-and-when/642482 "2012-11-30T20:33:26Z")
My job situation is beyond crazy right now. I have had a suspicion for most of the year that my job (IT help desk) is being slowly phased out. Even if it’s not eliminated entirely, the conditions and atmosphere around h… --- ## [Going to eastern Australia for a working vacation in November. Recommend restaurants and activities.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-eastern-australia-for-a-working-vacation-in-november-recommend-restaurants-and-activities/633306)
**Author:** [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-eastern-australia-for-a-working-vacation-in-november-recommend-restaurants-and-activities/633306 "2012-11-30T18:21:47Z")
Mid-November through the end of the month I’m going on a two week tour of a few cities on the east coast of the continent (Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Newcastle are some of the cities) to do some training for an event. W… --- ## [Christmas gift registries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-gift-registries/642526)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-gift-registries/642526 "2012-11-30T17:14:37Z")
Is this a common thing now that so many people keep online profiles or family websites? Is it the new etiquette or is it a little too “gimme”? --- ## [Grammar Q: Is "going to go" redundant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-q-is-going-to-go-redundant/642464)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-q-is-going-to-go-redundant/642464 "2012-11-30T14:27:13Z")
Most of us know that the future simple tense can be expressed informally by using “going to” in place of will or shall. Regard: I will/shall go eat now. I am going to eat now. In fact, this usage probably dominates in… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1402) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1404)