# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=160 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 161 --- ## [Is it Too Risky to Travel for Christmas with Blizzard and Very Cold Weather?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-risky-to-travel-for-christmas-with-blizzard-and-very-cold-weather/976802)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2022, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-too-risky-to-travel-for-christmas-with-blizzard-and-very-cold-weather/976802 "2022-12-27T01:59:24Z")
Locally a forecast for a blizzard on Thursdays and extremely cold weather following that such that I don’t think salt on the roads will melt the snow and ice–as I was planning to travel on Saturday. \[and the possibility … --- ## [My car brakes are squeaking loudly...but stop after they warm up a bit. Normal cold weather behavior or do they need servicing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-car-brakes-are-squeaking-loudly-but-stop-after-they-warm-up-a-bit-normal-cold-weather-behavior-or-do-they-need-servicing/977070)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-car-brakes-are-squeaking-loudly-but-stop-after-they-warm-up-a-bit-normal-cold-weather-behavior-or-do-they-need-servicing/977070 "2022-12-26T21:21:47Z")
Title kinda says it all. Although I should say I do not think this is “normal” cold weather behavior. I have lived in cold climates most of my life and this is a first. When I get in my car and start driving the brake… --- ## [Please recommend a good, durable coffeemaker {Purchase made 12-25-2022}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-durable-coffeemaker-purchase-made-12-25-2022/977077)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-good-durable-coffeemaker-purchase-made-12-25-2022/977077 "2022-12-26T21:10:27Z")
Our drip coffeemaker just died. It seems like we go through coffeemakers every year or two. And our latest one was not cheap- it was a fairly high-end Cuisinart model. Is it normal for coffeemakers to die after a year o… --- ## [Anyone Have An Oculus Go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-have-an-oculus-go/977080)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-have-an-oculus-go/977080 "2022-12-26T20:12:22Z")
Thinking of spending my Christmas money on a VR headset. Only the Oculus Go is within my budget. a) I have glasses. Does this machine have a system that allows me to move the lenses to adjust to my vision? b) Can I wat… --- ## [I need new tires - is there really such a difference in quality between cheap & expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-new-tires-is-there-really-such-a-difference-in-quality-between-cheap-expensive/956887)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2022, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-new-tires-is-there-really-such-a-difference-in-quality-between-cheap-expensive/956887 "2022-12-26T04:12:01Z")
I have a 2012 Rav4. The cost of tires that fit (225/65R17) varies widely. I have Michelins on now, which were new when I bought the used car. I’ve never been thrilled with the traction, but I don’t know if it’s the tires… --- ## [Do You Think Google Search Has Changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-google-search-has-changed/966694)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-google-search-has-changed/966694 "2022-12-25T22:29:14Z")
There’s an Atlantic article basically saying Google Search has been getting worse over the years. I do not really agree. Going back to the days of Netscape, Google simply offered more relevant results. While it is tru… --- ## [What would communication look like we used all the same nouns for; nudity, Marihiunna, and the German language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-communication-look-like-we-used-all-the-same-nouns-for-nudity-marihiunna-and-the-german-language/976932)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-communication-look-like-we-used-all-the-same-nouns-for-nudity-marihiunna-and-the-german-language/976932 "2022-12-25T20:20:10Z")
What would communication look like if we used all the same nouns for; nudity, Marihiunna, and the German language? --- ## [Stock 2022 Hyundai Elantra had registration pulled by officer over noise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-2022-hyundai-elantra-had-registration-pulled-by-officer-over-noise/973355)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-2022-hyundai-elantra-had-registration-pulled-by-officer-over-noise/973355 "2022-12-25T19:28:37Z")
Video here, A Riverside Police Officer pulls over a driver for a loud car. The officer didn’t look under the hood to see if it had any modifications and suspended his registration until the state certified it was repai… --- ## [Question for US constitutional experts and historians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-us-constitutional-experts-and-historians/977040)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-us-constitutional-experts-and-historians/977040 "2022-12-25T17:35:51Z")
IANA American or historian and I am curious about the nature of the US and its founding principles. Does anyone know if there was an intent of the founding fathers to actually create a/one country or was their intent to… --- ## [Start Lyft Work. Any advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/start-lyft-work-any-advice/973968)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/start-lyft-work-any-advice/973968 "2022-12-25T13:49:10Z")
I got tired of getting messed with, and I was accepted by the ride-share service Lyft. I intend to do this daylight hours only, part time. Any advice? --- ## [Adaptive Cruise control or Cross-traffic alert pick one (need answer sorta quick)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adaptive-cruise-control-or-cross-traffic-alert-pick-one-need-answer-sorta-quick/977010)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adaptive-cruise-control-or-cross-traffic-alert-pick-one-need-answer-sorta-quick/977010 "2022-12-25T11:54:45Z")
So I’m in the market for a recent used car and I have a couple of options (Kia K5 vs Hyundai Sonata) that I like pretty much equally well. The main difference is that one has adaptive cruise control and the other has Cro… --- ## [Can someone give me a "meditation-for-dummies" explanation of what meditation is? (I am trying it)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-give-me-a-meditation-for-dummies-explanation-of-what-meditation-is-i-am-trying-it/976388)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-give-me-a-meditation-for-dummies-explanation-of-what-meditation-is-i-am-trying-it/976388 "2022-12-25T04:00:22Z")
It’s one of those words that seems to mean 10 different things in 10 different contexts. But when people talk a lot about meditation these days, what exactly is it, in dumbed-down form? Apparently, from the little I can… --- ## [2013 Chevy Equinox, blown engine, dealer won't honor warranty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-chevy-equinox-blown-engine-dealer-wont-honor-warranty/976701)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-chevy-equinox-blown-engine-dealer-wont-honor-warranty/976701 "2022-12-25T03:49:22Z")
Last November, my stepdaughter bought a 2013 Chevy Equinox from a local dealership, along with an extended warranty. Just a couple months later (Jan or Feb of this year) she had it back at the dealership because the engi… --- ## [Dr. House's crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-houses-crime/977060)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-houses-crime/977060 "2022-12-25T03:41:02Z")
Question for lawyer types: In season 3 of the TV show House, opioid-addicted Dr. House is brought to trial because he fraudulently acquired some oxycodone intended for a patient at his hospital. House presented a valid p… --- ## [Vulnerability of having everything on your phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vulnerability-of-having-everything-on-your-phone/976456)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2022, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vulnerability-of-having-everything-on-your-phone/976456 "2022-12-25T01:05:55Z")
Over dinner some friends of ours were telling us about friends of theirs who were robbed by three young men (maybe even teens) at gunpoint in Baltimore. It’s one thing to give up whatever cash you have on you but these g… --- ## [What are you personally willing to give up to combat Climate Change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-personally-willing-to-give-up-to-combat-climate-change/976906)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2022, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-personally-willing-to-give-up-to-combat-climate-change/976906 "2022-12-24T21:26:26Z")
There was recently a quiz in the NYT which compared lifestyle changes Americans thought would have a positive effect on climate change versus what actually would. The results showed an inverse relationship, as well as s… --- ## [Technology vs Innate Talent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-vs-innate-talent/976203)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2022, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-vs-innate-talent/976203 "2022-12-24T18:16:39Z")
Mrs. Cardigan popped my bubble one day when commenting on the Pentatonix acapella version of Hallelujah I happen to have perfect pitch and remarked one day that the way they hit every note ‘squarely in the center’ was a… --- ## [Why is buying EV replacement tires so hard and frustrating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2022, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-buying-ev-replacement-tires-so-hard-and-frustrating/976664 "2022-12-24T17:51:35Z")
I got under 20K miles on my OEM tires for my EV and I’ve been having a heck of a time finding good replacement tires (for multiple reasons). The tires that I HAVE found so far are not available yet, not sold in this cou… --- ## [Is this how Jews felt in pre-Nazi Germany?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-how-jews-felt-in-pre-nazi-germany/976071)
**Author:** [@Mortimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mortimus)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-how-jews-felt-in-pre-nazi-germany/976071 "2022-12-24T16:22:05Z")
I’m not Jewish but I’m a liberal living in a blood red area. We used to get along with our neighbors very well, block parties, card night once a week, cook outs, that sort of thing. That all came to a screeching halt, … --- ## [Can I make use of a cell phone from a provider I no longer use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-use-of-a-cell-phone-from-a-provider-i-no-longer-use/976969)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-use-of-a-cell-phone-from-a-provider-i-no-longer-use/976969 "2022-12-24T15:27:07Z")
I am changing cell phone service providers (no contracts involved). The old provider sold me the old phone, and the new provider can’t use the old provider’s phone. So I have ordered a new phone from the new provider, an… --- ## [Could we survive another snowball earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-survive-another-snowball-earth/976915)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-survive-another-snowball-earth/976915 "2022-12-23T22:39:22Z")
Let me get this out of the way, I realize the past snowball earths are not universally recognized as being fact. But for the sake of the hypothetical, let’s assume they were a thing. Anyway, if the earth headed back int… --- ## [Can you defeat the evil genie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-defeat-the-evil-genie/976903)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-defeat-the-evil-genie/976903 "2022-12-23T22:39:04Z")
Assume you find an old lamp and rub it, as you would (just in case). It’s your “lucky” day, you’ve released a genie. Unfortunately you’re not going to get 3 wishes, this guy is offering you only 1. He lays out the rules… --- ## [My rescue cat is hiding, what if it never comes out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rescue-cat-is-hiding-what-if-it-never-comes-out/976723)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rescue-cat-is-hiding-what-if-it-never-comes-out/976723 "2022-12-23T18:47:09Z")
Could it die under there?? It’s been over 24 hours. I’ve pushed some water under there, and some food, I think both have been ignored, it hasn’t used the litter. It was a young cat, maybe 3 - 4 mos. old, the guy who gave… --- ## [Do you have a "usual" chair? At the table?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-usual-chair-at-the-table/975531)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-usual-chair-at-the-table/975531 "2022-12-23T14:24:12Z")
In a thread about peoples’ phones, someone mentioned their “usual place on the sofa.” Made me wonder whether most folk had a “usual” place where they sat when at home and, if so, what it was like. And, on a related poi… --- ## [How to find out about a relative who died in WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-about-a-relative-who-died-in-ww2/925011)
**Author:** [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-about-a-relative-who-died-in-ww2/925011 "2022-12-23T04:03:16Z")
I understand that a somewhat distant relative of mine died in the Pacific Theater in WW2 while serving with the US Armed Forces. I don’t know which branch - Army, Marines, Navy. Here’s what I know: his name: Patrick S… --- ## [W-4 confusion (need answer fast-ish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/w-4-confusion-need-answer-fast-ish/976971)
**Author:** [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/w-4-confusion-need-answer-fast-ish/976971 "2022-12-23T03:52:29Z")
The company that I work for is being purchased by another company, which means a stack of paperwork of course. The only thing I am confused about is the W-4 that I need to fill out. This is the form in question (PDF war… --- ## [What or where was the shi\*\*iest place you've ever lived?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-or-where-was-the-shi-iest-place-youve-ever-lived/970811)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-or-where-was-the-shi-iest-place-youve-ever-lived/970811 "2022-12-22T19:14:50Z")
I was just watching a US movie (name not important or anything) but it showed a trailer-park in the middle of a dustbowl and it got me thinking. I’ve NEVER lived in a place like that, well, especially as trailer-parks a… --- ## [Give up your fossil fuel furnace and get a heat pump instead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-up-your-fossil-fuel-furnace-and-get-a-heat-pump-instead/974759)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-up-your-fossil-fuel-furnace-and-get-a-heat-pump-instead/974759 "2022-12-22T15:54:21Z")
This is part of my state’s (NY) ‘green-ness’. NY has a significant rebate program (or tax credit) for putting in a heat pump, however to qualify you have to trash your current central fossil fuel way of heating your hom… --- ## [I'm looking for a model of the 8 planets and earth's moon that are TO SCALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-model-of-the-8-planets-and-earths-moon-that-are-to-scale/976801)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-model-of-the-8-planets-and-earths-moon-that-are-to-scale/976801 "2022-12-22T15:53:40Z")
I’m looking for a model of the 8 planets and earth’s moon where the sizes of the planets are TO SCALE. I’ve searched Amazon and haven’t found any to scale. I realize there is a big difference in sizes, which is what is… --- ## [Photoshop experts: removing bleed-through from a scanned magazine page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-experts-removing-bleed-through-from-a-scanned-magazine-page/976921)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photoshop-experts-removing-bleed-through-from-a-scanned-magazine-page/976921 "2022-12-22T04:43:52Z")
I would like to have a clean version of the image on this page, scanned from a 1991 magazine: However, you’ll notice that there is quite a lot of bleed-through from the back side of the page. Here is that page: Is … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=159) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=161)