# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=62 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 63 --- ## [What does "My song is a parody" do to protect me from committing copyright violation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-my-song-is-a-parody-do-to-protect-me-from-committing-copyright-violation/1014462)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-my-song-is-a-parody-do-to-protect-me-from-committing-copyright-violation/1014462 "2025-02-19T18:33:36Z")
Say I’m a songwriter (which I am, strictly amateur) and I’ve written a song (I have, two songs in fact) that use someone else’s music but original lyrics. Both songs make fun of the originals—think “Al Yankovich” or “Tom… --- ## [Americans living in the U.S.: what would make you take concrete action to expatriate yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-living-in-the-u-s-what-would-make-you-take-concrete-action-to-expatriate-yourself/1014372)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-living-in-the-u-s-what-would-make-you-take-concrete-action-to-expatriate-yourself/1014372 "2025-02-19T17:34:22Z")
Now that I am also Canadian and it’s a real possibility, Tom\_Scud and I are talking about it. Even had a consultation with a Canadian immigration attorney yesterday to iron out some of his problematic documentation issue… --- ## [Major appliance shopping (washer) for the first time. Recommendations and advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-appliance-shopping-washer-for-the-first-time-recommendations-and-advice/1014432)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-appliance-shopping-washer-for-the-first-time-recommendations-and-advice/1014432 "2025-02-19T15:05:00Z")
My condo came with a Samsung washer and dryer, circa 2017. The washer has been having issues with vibration in the spin cycle bad enough to significantly move the entire thing (something I hear is common with this compan… --- ## [Is this a good lease deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-good-lease-deal/1014288)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-good-lease-deal/1014288 "2025-02-19T13:25:43Z")
I’m completely new to leases and I’d like to ask you experts your opinion. I just received this lease deal for a new 2025 car: Market value $73,225 Dealer discount $5075 Tint $574 (I’m going to remove this) Rebates $8… --- ## [Feel the bullet before hearing the gunshot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feel-the-bullet-before-hearing-the-gunshot/1014377)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feel-the-bullet-before-hearing-the-gunshot/1014377 "2025-02-19T10:36:40Z")
After a random search for the “speed of a bullet at impact 50 feet away”, I noticed that the speed of a bullet can be 2x to 3x the speed of sound. So I wondered if folks who have, unfortunately, been shot actually feel … --- ## [Window & Door Trim, Dealing with a Gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/window-door-trim-dealing-with-a-gap/1014087)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/window-door-trim-dealing-with-a-gap/1014087 "2025-02-19T01:40:45Z")
Hi Folks I’m redoing a room, and the plasterers left all the walls 1/16 to 1/4 proud of the windows and doors. So as I go to hang the moldings I have to deal with this. If I pull them tight in the window frame the gap j… --- ## [Santorini Earthquakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorini-earthquakes/1014255)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorini-earthquakes/1014255 "2025-02-19T01:28:30Z")
I’m interested to hear what information and opinions folks can share about this situation. Some reports are showing over 10k earthquakes in less than three weeks. I’ve done my best to collect information and there seem… --- ## [What other part time jobs should Trump take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-part-time-jobs-should-trump-take/1014353)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-part-time-jobs-should-trump-take/1014353 "2025-02-18T21:42:50Z")
Apparently being the president of the United States of America leaves you with a lot of spare time: Trump made chair of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Our local Dairy Queen starts hiring for the summer in Apri… --- ## [What’s your best serious life advice right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-best-serious-life-advice-right-now/1014218)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-best-serious-life-advice-right-now/1014218 "2025-02-18T21:37:33Z")
Something I alluded to in a previous thread of mine that’s kind of at the heart of a lot of what I’ve been interested in here. A Pit thread inspired me to ask directly. Suppose someone in your life who you care about de… --- ## [Government layoffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-layoffs/1014303)
**Author:** [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-layoffs/1014303 "2025-02-18T00:54:01Z")
What effect (if any) have all these government layoffs had on the real estate market in the D.C. area (including northern VA & southern MD). Have the government layoffs had secondary effects, such as retail stores, etc. … --- ## [Cats losing legs -- how well did it turn out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-losing-legs-how-well-did-it-turn-out/1014391)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-losing-legs-how-well-did-it-turn-out/1014391 "2025-02-17T14:55:51Z")
Our cat is scheduled for surgery Thursday to remove what is almost certainly a cancerous tumor on the back of her thigh. However, when she’s sedated they will do X-rays and blood work before the surgery. Depending on the… --- ## [Android help? My on-screen keyboard disappeared](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-help-my-on-screen-keyboard-disappeared/1014397)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-help-my-on-screen-keyboard-disappeared/1014397 "2025-02-17T13:27:39Z")
I have a Vortex HD65 Android phone. When I try to text, instead of the on-screen keyboard appearing, I’m getting “Tap to speak” with a red circle around a microphone icon. I must have changed a setting or something, but … --- ## [Do you anagram words as you read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-anagram-words-as-you-read/1013484)
**Author:** [@mattgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattgg)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-anagram-words-as-you-read/1013484 "2025-02-17T09:10:17Z")
I’ve always been a slow reader. A large part of the problem is that I tend to anagram words as I’m reading. I’m not doing this consciously. That is, I don’t stop and think of an anagram. I read the word the correct way a… --- ## [Do you think we could train or tame dinosaurs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-could-train-or-tame-dinosaurs/1014140)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-could-train-or-tame-dinosaurs/1014140 "2025-02-17T07:53:50Z")
I have seen a few alligator acts where a guy puts his head in the beastie’s mouth but I’m not sure how well trained they really are. I don’t think I have seen one dance or do much in the way of a trick. Has anyone even t… --- ## [Why do truckers cut people off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-truckers-cut-people-off/280368)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-truckers-cut-people-off/280368 "2025-02-16T22:52:58Z")
I see this all the time on a long drive. I’ll be on cruise control overtaking a couple of trucks. There’s no one behind me. Just as I get to the back end of the rear truck, he decides to change lanes to pass the truck… --- ## [Hitler, did life get any better for the so called "right kind" of Germans?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-did-life-get-any-better-for-the-so-called-right-kind-of-germans/1014238)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitler-did-life-get-any-better-for-the-so-called-right-kind-of-germans/1014238 "2025-02-14T05:12:29Z")
Sorry if The question seems a little dark. With all that’s going on today it just got me to thinking: why do people willingly give up their freedom for a dictatorship? And the best answer I could come up with is they t… --- ## [Searching for a Remote Job Later In Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-a-remote-job-later-in-life/1014282)
**Author:** [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-a-remote-job-later-in-life/1014282 "2025-02-16T17:34:17Z")
Hi. I don’t normally post in FQ (and I’m a little nervous). I’m around 60 and I need to find a remote job. My driving skills aren’t the best so I need it to be remote. I’ve gone the LinkedIn / CareerBuilder / Monster… --- ## [What the heck is an "escape room"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-an-escape-room/1014038)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2025, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-an-escape-room/1014038 "2025-02-16T05:03:06Z")
I came across this term and Googled it: But that isn’t everything I need to know. Dopers, help me out. Obviously, I’m completely stuck in fuddy-duddy land. Have you escaped to one of these? --- ## [Manufacturer Of The Jytmus Steel Tongue Drum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manufacturer-of-the-jytmus-steel-tongue-drum/1014369)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manufacturer-of-the-jytmus-steel-tongue-drum/1014369 "2025-02-16T04:01:05Z")
I bought my beloved a Jytmus and gave it to her for Valentine’s day. I bought the Jytmus at Goodwill. I knew before buying that the box contained only the actual drum. It was missing the drum bag, music book, drum mallet… --- ## [What's with "Consensus Culture" at the office leading to nothing getting done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-consensus-culture-at-the-office-leading-to-nothing-getting-done/1013807)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-consensus-culture-at-the-office-leading-to-nothing-getting-done/1013807 "2025-02-15T13:21:18Z")
The break room fridge at my work broke. Since it wasn’t provided by the job rather by an employee our job as no reason to replace it. The moment it happened an employee went around asking if we should take up money and … --- ## [North Korea is back open for tourists-Would you go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-is-back-open-for-tourists-would-you-go/1014240)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2025, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-is-back-open-for-tourists-would-you-go/1014240 "2025-02-15T10:52:25Z")
Interestingly, there have been no Chinese tourists as of yet, only Russians. I personally would never go, and I’ve heard too many horror stories in the media and it sounds like such a grim place. --- ## [What can you tell me about hologram fans and the pictures they create](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-about-hologram-fans-and-the-pictures-they-create/1014337)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2025, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-tell-me-about-hologram-fans-and-the-pictures-they-create/1014337 "2025-02-15T05:46:07Z")
I’ve seen videos of them creating beautiful creatures, famous people and even Christmas trees. Do they work? Are there drawbacks? Tell me the good and the bad, please. --- ## [Dry cat food for weight gain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-cat-food-for-weight-gain/1014294)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-cat-food-for-weight-gain/1014294 "2025-02-14T19:04:24Z")
Our (almost) 12-year-old female cat, Goo, weighs like 9 ½ pounds. Her thyroid T4 levels are on the high side of normal, and we’re taking her in for another blood draw in a month. She is active and happy, but we want he… --- ## [Acupuncture for lower back pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture-for-lower-back-pain/1013690)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture-for-lower-back-pain/1013690 "2025-02-14T15:32:21Z")
I’m not a believer in woo of any kind, and particularly not a believer in non-western medicine, but I’m desperate. A friend has urged me to try acupuncture to relieve the constant ache in my lower back after as little a… --- ## [Programming languages you learned or once used, but are now rarely encountered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/programming-languages-you-learned-or-once-used-but-are-now-rarely-encountered/1013640)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/programming-languages-you-learned-or-once-used-but-are-now-rarely-encountered/1013640 "2025-02-14T04:20:22Z")
There was a thread on this topic back in 2010 (link), but it only garnered four replies. So I decided to start a new one. Back in college (late 1980s) I had to learn Fortran 77, Pascal, and C as part of the EE curriculu… --- ## [Health Tracker Suggestions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-tracker-suggestions/1013926)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-tracker-suggestions/1013926 "2025-02-14T01:19:49Z")
My Fitbit is dying after years of loyal, reliable service. I would automatically buy a new Fitbit except for one thing. Fitbit moved all of their health dashboard services to a mobile app and removed it from the web. … --- ## [When is the earliest date military technology transfer by time travel should work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-earliest-date-military-technology-transfer-by-time-travel-should-work/1014080)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-earliest-date-military-technology-transfer-by-time-travel-should-work/1014080 "2025-02-14T00:33:04Z")
So one of the (IMO rather silly) counterfactuals that comes up is the “what if a time travelling SEAL team fought a roman legion” or “what if a F-16 travelled back to WW2”? My take is it would change very little, some pe… --- ## [Is there an alternative to truthfinder to do background checks that charges per check instead of per month](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-alternative-to-truthfinder-to-do-background-checks-that-charges-per-check-instead-of-per-month/1014289)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2025, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-alternative-to-truthfinder-to-do-background-checks-that-charges-per-check-instead-of-per-month/1014289 "2025-02-14T00:03:43Z")
Truthfinder is a good website to do background checks, but they charge a flat fee a month and you get unlimited checks with that. Is there a website that has the same information, but maybe only charges $1 or $2 per che… --- ## [Why is the car sales profession so sleazy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-car-sales-profession-so-sleazy/1013958)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2025, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-car-sales-profession-so-sleazy/1013958 "2025-02-13T03:52:03Z")
What is unique about car sales that seems to create a breeding ground for pathogens? It’s not that cars are one of the most expensive things you’ll ever buy, because real estate is not this sleazy. It’s not that people… --- ## [Where do you go for advice and discussion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-go-for-advice-and-discussion/1014242)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-go-for-advice-and-discussion/1014242 "2025-02-12T22:01:06Z")
My other thread sparked thought on advice in general and its sources. Where and to whom do you turn when you’re unsure and want advice, or just need to discuss/vent whatever is on your mind? This could be an individual,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=61) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=63)