# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=331 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 332 --- ## [Covering concrete retaining wall in faux stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covering-concrete-retaining-wall-in-faux-stone/850054)
**Author:** [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covering-concrete-retaining-wall-in-faux-stone/850054 "2020-03-26T21:50:06Z")
We have a smooth-surfaced painted concrete retaining wall in the back yard, about 9 feet high in most places, and running for 20-50 feet (not sure how much we want to resurface, but at least 20 linear feet, so figure 200… --- ## [Is 'employment hoarding' a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-employment-hoarding-a-thing/850089)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-employment-hoarding-a-thing/850089 "2020-03-26T20:45:05Z")
In times of social and health crisis such as exists now, is it proper or ethically questionable for me to get a second job when many people have just lost their primary source of employment? My current job is pretty sta… --- ## [Do you think that learning to drive is a rite of passage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-learning-to-drive-is-a-rite-of-passage/850271)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-learning-to-drive-is-a-rite-of-passage/850271 "2020-03-26T20:04:57Z")
Well I was wondering if you think learning to drive a car is a rite of passage similar to an 18th birthday party or a 21st birthday party or getting married. And if you think someone doesn’t have disabilities people have… --- ## [Ever made a friction fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-made-a-friction-fire/850342)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-made-a-friction-fire/850342 "2020-03-26T19:32:52Z")
Have you ever made, or at least attempted, to make a friction fire? What method did you use? Were you successful? Been watching a lot of survival shows during self-quarantine. Mostly “Dual Survival,” but a few others to… --- ## [Night workers - what is/was your life schedule like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/night-workers-what-is-was-your-life-schedule-like/850093)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/night-workers-what-is-was-your-life-schedule-like/850093 "2020-03-26T16:52:40Z")
I think it’s safe to say that folks who work a more or less normal day job have a typical routine:\[ul\] \[li\]Get up\[/li\]\[li\]Go to work\[/li\]\[li\]Come home\[/li\]\[li\]Do stuff till bedtime\[/li\]\[/ul\] When I was younger and sing… --- ## [Advice sought re chiropractor visit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-re-chiropractor-visit/850219)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-re-chiropractor-visit/850219 "2020-03-26T15:12:07Z")
Should I keep my chiropractor appointments? She’s treating my painful shoulders: the pain does make life hard, but not impossible. The office has told me they’ve upgraded their sterilization procedures at this time. Th… --- ## [Spicy food = Good or bad for asthma/asthma-related conditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spicy-food-good-or-bad-for-asthma-asthma-related-conditions/816388)
**Author:** [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spicy-food-good-or-bad-for-asthma-asthma-related-conditions/816388 "2020-03-26T15:01:48Z")
This question’s more asking about people’s personal experiences, rather than medical advice. I tried to search on Google but mostly got a bunch of clickbait B.S. During the last few weeks, I’ve been suffering from chem… --- ## [People who divorce after decades together:why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-divorce-after-decades-together-why/679499)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-divorce-after-decades-together-why/679499 "2020-03-26T12:13:40Z")
The news that the Captain and Tenille are divorcing after 39 years of marriage got me thinking about people who divorce after lengthy marriages. Most divorces happen after a few years. After learning to live with each … --- ## [Trump's economy is NOT great.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-economy-is-not-great/850259)
**Author:** [@scarface54345](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scarface54345)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-economy-is-not-great/850259 "2020-03-26T06:12:05Z")
All I keep hearing people rambling on about is how Trump supposedly created lots and lots of jobs and that the unemployment rate is supposedly the lowest in history. Even if both of those claims are true, they don’t real… --- ## [Impact on deficit if no coronavirus relief bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-on-deficit-if-no-coronavirus-relief-bill/850291)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-on-deficit-if-no-coronavirus-relief-bill/850291 "2020-03-26T00:33:12Z")
Certainly the coronavirus relief bill will cost a lot of money which will increase the federal deficit. What would happen to the deficit if no bill is passed? If people are left to manage as best they can with no incom… --- ## [Inappropriate to ask who a person voted for before contributing to a medical expense GoFundMe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929)
**Author:** [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-to-ask-who-a-person-voted-for-before-contributing-to-a-medical-expense-gofundme/849929 "2020-03-25T23:58:30Z")
Several Facebook groups I’m in sometimes have GoFundMe requests for medical bills and I like to ask who they voted for before donating money to the request. I’ve received a lot of flack for asking that, and I don’t unde… --- ## [Buddhism seems like victim blaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buddhism-seems-like-victim-blaming/850272)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buddhism-seems-like-victim-blaming/850272 "2020-03-25T20:25:18Z")
I’m sure I’m getting this wrong in some way but for a religion based on compassion they seem to blame people a lot for their own misfortunes. Like in the above talking about how stress is an overreaction to… --- ## [Why, Kitty? Why you gotta put dead stuff in my shoes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-kitty-why-you-gotta-put-dead-stuff-in-my-shoes/849530)
**Author:** [@Fiveroptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveroptic)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-kitty-why-you-gotta-put-dead-stuff-in-my-shoes/849530 "2020-03-25T18:47:06Z")
I know there’s a logical explanation to why I step in grossness when I put on my slippers without checking them first. The answer, “because the cat put it there” has not escaped me; I’m more wondering why the slipper, in… --- ## [COVID-19 and the Hillary Presidency. How do you think it unfolds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-and-the-hillary-presidency-how-do-you-think-it-unfolds/850117)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-19-and-the-hillary-presidency-how-do-you-think-it-unfolds/850117 "2020-03-25T18:38:50Z")
Given that too much time has passed since 2016, I don’t want to put a lot of preconditions on this one… like “assume everything is the same, but HRC is now President in 2019” (because if she were President, things wouldn… --- ## [Is this laptop acceptable? (again!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-laptop-acceptable-again/849844)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-laptop-acceptable-again/849844 "2020-03-25T17:12:16Z")
Amazingly, two years ago, I sought out help here about a laptop computer. Great advice given, but ultimately, I returned the laptop I bought due to it having countless issues. I have hung on to my Toshiba Satellite comp… --- ## [Seniors-only shopping times - An ethical question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seniors-only-shopping-times-an-ethical-question/850055)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seniors-only-shopping-times-an-ethical-question/850055 "2020-03-25T14:15:22Z")
As you probably know, many grocery-type stores have instituted set times - typically an hour - for seniors-only shopping. The idea is to give older folks a fighting chance in these troubled times. The minimum ages for t… --- ## [If Washington DC became a state, what would it be called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-washington-dc-became-a-state-what-would-it-be-called/850100)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-washington-dc-became-a-state-what-would-it-be-called/850100 "2020-03-25T04:20:35Z")
The District of Columbia is shamefully undemocratically governed, having no representation in the U.S. Congress. It really should be a state, but what would it be called? “District of Columbia” seems unwieldly. Would … --- ## [SSRIs and libido - totally TMI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssris-and-libido-totally-tmi/613761)
**Author:** [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2012, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssris-and-libido-totally-tmi/613761 "2012-02-28T12:24:47Z")
So, I was depressed and anxious. I started taking cipralex and I am not so much depressed (yea!) and my anxiety has reduced somewhat (yea!). Before I started on the pills I had zero sex drive. Now, it’s really weird. On… --- ## [How long will major digital media platforms remain? Consequences after?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-major-digital-media-platforms-remain-consequences-after/849939)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-major-digital-media-platforms-remain-consequences-after/849939 "2020-03-24T22:35:34Z")
One of the big reasons I prefer to get physical media is the nagging thought that if the digital media platform I get it from ever fails (or if they ever feel like it), they’ll take the media away forever. I got to wonde… --- ## [Axe handle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/axe-handle/850030)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/axe-handle/850030 "2020-03-24T20:48:57Z")
The 36-inch handle on my 3.5 pound Collins single-bit axe broke last week. Since a brand new axe was only $5 more than a new handle, I bought a new axe. But I decided, ‘To Hell with it. I’ll fix the old axe.’ I took … --- ## [Sold stock -confused about my 1099-B](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sold-stock-confused-about-my-1099-b/850048)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sold-stock-confused-about-my-1099-b/850048 "2020-03-24T16:41:55Z")
Disclaimer – you are not my tax preparer I sold some stock (was a stock purchase plan at work. We got a new plan, and the old plan was closing with no way to transfer to new plan, had to either sell or create a brokerag… --- ## ["The people of the State must 'heed' the Governors orders"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-people-of-the-state-must-heed-the-governors-orders/849979)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-people-of-the-state-must-heed-the-governors-orders/849979 "2020-03-24T16:06:54Z")
Do you think most people in English speaking countries believe the word “heed” in this sentence means “obey”? When used together with the word “must”, it gives the impression that “heed” means “obey” which, of course, it… --- ## [Prager U: Vitamin N](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prager-u-vitamin-n/849625)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prager-u-vitamin-n/849625 "2020-03-24T13:44:41Z")
Here’s a dose of The Painful Truth: --- ## [Red Lump on My Inner Right Thigh.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lump-on-my-inner-right-thigh/850015)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lump-on-my-inner-right-thigh/850015 "2020-03-24T08:25:51Z")
Just so you all know, I am under a doctor’s care. I am seeing him next month barring unforeseen circumstances. And I have had this bump for a couple of weeks, and I think it’s getting smaller. So it’s clearly not life th… --- ## [What can I make out of 200 spent NO2 canisters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-make-out-of-200-spent-no2-canisters/848758)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-make-out-of-200-spent-no2-canisters/848758 "2020-03-24T07:56:49Z")
So the kids are all doing ‘whip-its’ - that is, inhaling Nitrous Oxide for recreational purposes (decanting first into a balloon from small metal canisters intended to fit whipped cream dispensers) Someone dumped a box … --- ## [TP - how much do you have? How much do you use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tp-how-much-do-you-have-how-much-do-you-use/850090)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tp-how-much-do-you-have-how-much-do-you-use/850090 "2020-03-23T19:48:11Z")
Inspired by this thread, and I hope this isn’t duplicative. I wondered how much TP you have on hand, and how quickly you expect to go through it. It is just the 2 of us at home. Yesterday I counted the TP in our 3 bat… --- ## [Does your dog do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-dog-do-this/849994)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2020, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-dog-do-this/849994 "2020-03-23T07:13:08Z")
Across the street from my home, there is a family that has a largish boxerish/mixed breed something or other dog contained within a large, fenced in front yard. The dog seems to be used to me and my truck. Most of the ti… --- ## [Quality-wise, is American healthcare good compared to the rest of the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quality-wise-is-american-healthcare-good-compared-to-the-rest-of-the-world/849999)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quality-wise-is-american-healthcare-good-compared-to-the-rest-of-the-world/849999 "2020-03-23T05:30:18Z")
Most of the complaints about U.S. healthcare are on the billing side - horrifically high medical bills, perverse incentives, the insurance industry, lack of transparency, the fact that we spend 17% of GDP on healthcare, … --- ## [Laptop: Dell vs HP ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-dell-vs-hp/849943)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-dell-vs-hp/849943 "2020-03-22T20:39:45Z")
Opinions please. My understanding has been that HP and Dell laptops aren’t especially good, but that opinion goes back over 20 years. I’m wondering if times have changed- in your considered opinions, are laptops from … --- ## [Online educational resources during school closures.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-educational-resources-during-school-closures/850034)
**Author:** [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2020, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-educational-resources-during-school-closures/850034 "2020-03-22T17:26:02Z")
I’m working with a kindergartener at home now. We are using Khan Academy (free), Fry’s sight words, and the free service just made available by scholastic.com. Curious as to what others may be using. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=330) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=332)