# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=444 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 445 --- ## [How would you categorize yourself on the U.S. political spectrum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-categorize-yourself-on-the-u-s-political-spectrum/824977)
**Author:** [@Stuntman\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuntman_Mike)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-categorize-yourself-on-the-u-s-political-spectrum/824977 "2018-11-27T20:20:24Z")
After being here for a couple weeks, I’m starting to taste a little more wacky juice than I’m usually willing to tolerate. Truthfully, I’m unsure if I belong here. But rather than speculate, I figure why not just ask? … --- ## [Sleazy car salesman: Would you be as upset as I?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleazy-car-salesman-would-you-be-as-upset-as-i/824841)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleazy-car-salesman-would-you-be-as-upset-as-i/824841 "2018-11-27T14:53:46Z")
Sleazy car salesman: What would you do now? Would you be as pissed as I am? I went shopping for a Honda Accord because of a recommendation. One dealer gave me an over-the-phone quote better than any other. At the en… --- ## ["I am not anti-guns. I am anti-bullet holes in my patients."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-anti-guns-i-am-anti-bullet-holes-in-my-patients/824268)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 408\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-anti-guns-i-am-anti-bullet-holes-in-my-patients/824268 "2018-11-27T14:48:38Z")
I just heard this quote, via Twitter, on NBC News. I totally agree. It was in response to the NRA asshats saying something stupid about ER doctors. I also wish I could reach through the TV and hug the mother of that G… --- ## [A Friend Has Challenged Me To Eat A Raw Carolina Reaper - Surely I Can Game This And Do It Safely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-has-challenged-me-to-eat-a-raw-carolina-reaper-surely-i-can-game-this-and-do-it-safely/823216)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-has-challenged-me-to-eat-a-raw-carolina-reaper-surely-i-can-game-this-and-do-it-safely/823216 "2018-11-27T04:39:46Z")
As you can see by reading the thread title, a friend is offering me a very generous reward\* if I’ll eat one of his Carolina Reaper peppers raw. I figure that, using the collective resources of the Straight Dope’s medicin… --- ## [Recommend Inexpensive furniture - searchable by size?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-inexpensive-furniture-searchable-by-size/825135)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-inexpensive-furniture-searchable-by-size/825135 "2018-11-27T04:24:37Z")
We need a kitchen table with a very specific size: 60" by 32". It can be very slightly larger or smaller than that, but… not much. Most dining tables tend to be 35" wide, which just won’t reasonably fit. Ikea has this … --- ## [In 2018 are political differences a dealbreaker WRT to new romantic relationships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2018-are-political-differences-a-dealbreaker-wrt-to-new-romantic-relationships/824748)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2018-are-political-differences-a-dealbreaker-wrt-to-new-romantic-relationships/824748 "2018-11-27T00:27:49Z")
Back in the day I could have dated a George W. Bush supporter. I could certainly have dated an ordinary conservative Republican. The political divide was not so vast as it is now. Today, things are different. I recently… --- ## [What charities might want a wooden jigsaw puzzle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-charities-might-want-a-wooden-jigsaw-puzzle/825040)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-charities-might-want-a-wooden-jigsaw-puzzle/825040 "2018-11-26T22:34:21Z")
Toy drives would seem to be the obvious answer, but the puzzles in question are meant for adults and might be too hard for kids. --- ## [How does the body burn fat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-body-burn-fat/824257)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-body-burn-fat/824257 "2018-11-26T21:45:00Z")
I’ve been fasting now for a few days (nothing but water thus far). I would assume that by now I must be in ketosis, so I should be using fat reserves for energy, by my simplistic understanding. How does that work? Is … --- ## [Is there any point in trying to get my TV fixed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-in-trying-to-get-my-tv-fixed/825017)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-in-trying-to-get-my-tv-fixed/825017 "2018-11-26T20:34:26Z")
I doubt there is, but I figure there are folks here who know more about TVs than I do. My TV is a Samsung 50" LED smartTV that I bought a little less than 2 years ago at Best Buy for about $450. I did not get the exten… --- ## [Termites flying around my backyard. Time to call in an exterminator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/termites-flying-around-my-backyard-time-to-call-in-an-exterminator/824996)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/termites-flying-around-my-backyard-time-to-call-in-an-exterminator/824996 "2018-11-26T20:27:20Z")
I went into my backyard Thanksgiving morning and found a large swarm of termites flying about. I managed to kill a large number of them with my hands and crushed a few hundred more that had lost their wings and were cr… --- ## [Advice on knee braces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-knee-braces/824984)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-knee-braces/824984 "2018-11-26T20:20:00Z")
I’ve noticed that my right knee tends to hurt sometimes. I tend to reflexively bend my right leg over my left and I recently started using an exercise bike. I also hear that they can help for running. Some are 20$ and o… --- ## [How many currencies can you think in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-currencies-can-you-think-in/825073)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-currencies-can-you-think-in/825073 "2018-11-26T19:39:04Z")
I’m from the USA, but I can ‘think’ in British Pounds, Euros, and Canadian dollars. In other words, I don’t have to do a mental currency conversion. I kinda know the Swiss Franc and Australian dollars as well, but I’d pr… --- ## [Bitcoin's going to crash. What now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoins-going-to-crash-what-now/804791)
**Author:** [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoins-going-to-crash-what-now/804791 "2018-11-26T19:15:28Z")
If you’re not living in a cave, you’re aware that bitcoin has been going crazy the past few weeks, with current prices hovering between $10,000 and $20,000 per coin. This is for an easily replaceable cryptocurrency with… --- ## [Bedroom sizes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedroom-sizes/825006)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedroom-sizes/825006 "2018-11-26T17:33:08Z")
Having just endured the less-than-comfy bed at my inlaws’, I began to reflect on the relative sizes of bedrooms in places we have lived or visited. Pretty much all of them have been 3-bedroom houses. It always seems th… --- ## [Ever been to a "good" buffet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-to-a-good-buffet/824676)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-to-a-good-buffet/824676 "2018-11-26T16:05:33Z")
Most buffets emphasize quantity over quality. Yes, there is lots of food but often little is very good. Wife and I went to a chinese buffet last night. I like those because I can never get enough crab rangoon. Anyhow th… --- ## [Car died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-died/825100)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-died/825100 "2018-11-26T14:44:10Z")
I bought a 2006 Corolla with 200,000 kilometers on lt. The seller volunteered how he religiously changed the oil every 4,000 kilometers. The oil was clean, and i drove it about 2,000 kilometers then changed the oil and … --- ## [Do you ever get into political arguments with family at Thanksgiving?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-into-political-arguments-with-family-at-thanksgiving/824920)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-into-political-arguments-with-family-at-thanksgiving/824920 "2018-11-26T14:10:56Z")
It’s never come up for me. My family are all Democrats though, so we don’t really have anything to argue about. --- ## [Your examples of overthinking things](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-examples-of-overthinking-things/825083)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-examples-of-overthinking-things/825083 "2018-11-26T04:04:36Z")
Have you ever spent hours doing something the hard way, only to finally realize there was a much quicker and simpler way to do it? My latest example is that I need to make a cardboard five pointed star; I spent I don’t k… --- ## [How much are you planning to spend on thanksgiving dinner this year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-planning-to-spend-on-thanksgiving-dinner-this-year/823181)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-planning-to-spend-on-thanksgiving-dinner-this-year/823181 "2018-11-26T01:23:24Z")
And how many people will you serve? I haven’t made thanksgiving dinner in a long while (probably 4 years). When I did, the turkey was something like $0.70 a pound. So about $10 for the turkey. About $4 for the rolls. … --- ## [Here's an idea for what to do with those Confederate statues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-an-idea-for-what-to-do-with-those-confederate-statues/824958)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-an-idea-for-what-to-do-with-those-confederate-statues/824958 "2018-11-25T20:41:07Z")
I kind of think the Bulgarians have the right idea. Make them into street art! --- ## [Please tell me why \[Honesty in family conversations\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-why-honesty-in-family-conversations/825054)
**Author:** [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-why-honesty-in-family-conversations/825054 "2018-11-25T16:50:43Z")
If your family doesnt want to tell you something, they pussyfoot around the language and seems to talk behind your back? I would rather know than have siblings talking behind my back My sister said everything but, dont… --- ## [A question for Girls, what is physical attraction? It doesn't make sense to me, what is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-girls-what-is-physical-attraction-it-doesnt-make-sense-to-me-what-is-it/825048)
**Author:** [@gisaaanr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gisaaanr)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-girls-what-is-physical-attraction-it-doesnt-make-sense-to-me-what-is-it/825048 "2018-11-25T12:58:06Z")
I want to know about what is physical attraction. I search on internet that “What is physical attraction or Physical Attraction” but there is no clear-cut definition of physical attraction. Rather there is more confusing… --- ## [I would like recommendations for rotating Christmas Tree stand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-recommendations-for-rotating-christmas-tree-stand/825029)
**Author:** [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-recommendations-for-rotating-christmas-tree-stand/825029 "2018-11-24T22:43:45Z")
Don’t say “No, don’t get one”. I’ve had one and I really liked it but it ‘burnt out’ in just one season. (The cats do treat the tree as a Christmas Carousal, maybe that is why) Do any of you use a rotating stand and … --- ## [New laptop - thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-thoughts/824975)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-thoughts/824975 "2018-11-24T19:11:51Z")
The time has come to buy a new gaming laptop. Old one is going on 5 years and while it does fine with most games, it just can’t cut it with new ones. This one is on sale for Black Friday. I’ve upgraded a few things fr… --- ## [What strategic value did Vietnam have to be worth a significant effort to defend it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-strategic-value-did-vietnam-have-to-be-worth-a-significant-effort-to-defend-it/824345)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-strategic-value-did-vietnam-have-to-be-worth-a-significant-effort-to-defend-it/824345 "2018-11-24T18:45:46Z")
So ignoring the other faults of the Vietnam war : poor tactical and strategic planning, failure to deal with the enemy on a strategic level, the unfairness and cruelty of the draft : why fight over the territory at all? … --- ## [Termite inspector recommends fumigator ( unethical?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/termite-inspector-recommends-fumigator-unethical/824998)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/termite-inspector-recommends-fumigator-unethical/824998 "2018-11-24T16:54:32Z")
I wonder if an independent inspector could be suspected of getting kickbacks if he recommended a termite exterminator? To me it looks like a cut and dry conflict of interest. I know a guy who used to do inspections and r… --- ## [Just started an SSRI anything I should know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-started-an-ssri-anything-i-should-know/824948)
**Author:** [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-started-an-ssri-anything-i-should-know/824948 "2018-11-24T09:45:11Z")
It all in the title really. I havent taken any prescribed meds except the occasional mild pain killer in twenty years. --- ## [Phishing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phishing/824905)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phishing/824905 "2018-11-23T17:58:56Z")
Is there any possibility that this message isn’t phishing? I did take a US trip between 2011 and now. Our records show you may have purchased a domestic airline ticket from American, Delta, Southwest, United, Continent… --- ## [Resources for learning Mandarin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resources-for-learning-mandarin/824799)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resources-for-learning-mandarin/824799 "2018-11-23T16:20:08Z")
My niece has recently started learning Mandarin, and it appears that she is not dyslexic in the script - unlike Roman script, of which I have written previously. And she seems to be enjoying it. This, of course, is most … --- ## [Looking for good slip-on shoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-good-slip-on-shoes/824962)
**Author:** [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-good-slip-on-shoes/824962 "2018-11-23T15:59:04Z")
That aren’t butt-ugly, that is. The best on the market seem to be Merrill Jungle Mocs, but I don’t like the look for everday wear. I need something that covers the arch since loafers are too prone to walking out of. I’m … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=443) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=445)