# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=723 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 724 --- ## [Flowering cherry tree - should we save for firewood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flowering-cherry-tree-should-we-save-for-firewood/759904)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flowering-cherry-tree-should-we-save-for-firewood/759904 "2016-07-16T03:21:48Z")
We’ve got a flowering cherry tree in our front yard - exact species unknown. It’s quite dead: it flowered and grew leaves but about a week ago noticed the leaves looked a bit wilted. As of yesterday it was clear the only… --- ## [Underrated wars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-wars/759966)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-wars/759966 "2016-07-16T02:22:08Z")
I’ll start this off: For four years, from 6 AD to 9 AD, the Romans were busy fighting a giant war in Illyria: The Bellum Batonianum. It is also known as the Great Illyrian Revolt, which is what I prefer to call it, sinc… --- ## [How would people know you've been replaced by an impostor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-people-know-youve-been-replaced-by-an-impostor/759824)
**Author:** [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-people-know-youve-been-replaced-by-an-impostor/759824 "2016-07-16T00:34:54Z")
Inspired by a friend who posted on Facebook that if you’re showering with him and he doesn’t wash his left arm first, it isn’t him, it’s an impostor. So your double looks exactly like you, right down to the birthmarks. … --- ## [Would you let your friend do this degrading, deperate deed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-let-your-friend-do-this-degrading-deperate-deed/759691)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-let-your-friend-do-this-degrading-deperate-deed/759691 "2016-07-15T20:49:33Z")
Lack of sleep = a darker hypothetical than normal. I think, my judgment may be compromised by little REM. Today’s story, which is set in 2004, is about EMMA, a dear friend of the hypothetical you. At 22 years old, Emma … --- ## [What if you don't like your stepchild?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-dont-like-your-stepchild/759675)
**Author:** [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-dont-like-your-stepchild/759675 "2016-07-15T20:34:20Z")
Sorry in advance for length. I’ve been in a relationship with a single mom, and I love her very much. The issue is her daughter (7 yo), who is very challenging to deal with. I used to think that stepkids would be like t… --- ## [Other than Hitler, name a figure associated with WWII](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-hitler-name-a-figure-associated-with-wwii/759637)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-hitler-name-a-figure-associated-with-wwii/759637 "2016-07-15T19:08:36Z")
Sister thread to the one on WWI which recently got bumped. Obviously 99% of people will immediately name Hitler as a person associated with WWII, so Adolf’s off the table. What’s the next name that comes to mind? I thou… --- ## [Investor Bill Ackman takes another run at demolishing Herbalife. Stock manipulation or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investor-bill-ackman-takes-another-run-at-demolishing-herbalife-stock-manipulation-or-not/693694)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investor-bill-ackman-takes-another-run-at-demolishing-herbalife-stock-manipulation-or-not/693694 "2016-07-15T17:58:36Z")
Herbalife Shares Tumble As Bill Ackman Promises Game Changer His last presentation re Herbalife at the end of 2012 was interesting and seemed to paint them as a sketchy company, but even after that several big investors… --- ## [Why Are These Annoying Jingles So Gripping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-annoying-jingles-so-gripping/759984)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-annoying-jingles-so-gripping/759984 "2016-07-15T17:57:31Z")
I’m not talking about the ones that start off OK and then become annoying from overexposure. There are some of these jingles that are annoying from the first listen. The lyrics are insipid, the tune has nothing to it, et… --- ## [Do doctors really provide estimated death times to those who are terminally ill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-doctors-really-provide-estimated-death-times-to-those-who-are-terminally-ill/759799)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-doctors-really-provide-estimated-death-times-to-those-who-are-terminally-ill/759799 "2016-07-15T17:12:51Z")
On ESPN, today is Jimmy V. Day, a day dedicated to continuing his mission of promoting cancer awareness and public funding. I’ve already heard a couple of guest say “they gave me 6 months to live” or “the doctors gave h… --- ## [Has anyone else ever used Lanzador?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-else-ever-used-lanzador/744258)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-else-ever-used-lanzador/744258 "2016-07-15T17:02:12Z")
It is a software package similar to Active Directory. I used it when I worked on an upgrade project for a utility company. I have had a lot of job interviews where I was asked if I had experience with Active Directory.… --- ## [Best way to say I'm Improvising a Half Assed Fix for a problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-say-im-improvising-a-half-assed-fix-for-a-problem/544597)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-say-im-improvising-a-half-assed-fix-for-a-problem/544597 "2016-07-15T15:58:00Z")
When I grew up Nigger Rig was the common expression. It wasn’t an attack on people of color. It was simply an expression for sloppy and unprofessional repairs. These days we can’t say that anymore. Afro Engineering re… --- ## [The ex-slacker superhero and the hypocrisy issue.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ex-slacker-superhero-and-the-hypocrisy-issue/759916)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ex-slacker-superhero-and-the-hypocrisy-issue/759916 "2016-07-15T15:07:29Z")
Back to fantasy hypotheticals. If you don’t like these, go read about the Olympics or something. Today we’re back in the world of BOB X, the black, bisexual hero with Superman’s powers, no known weaknesses, and a public … --- ## [The UK Cabinet reshuffle thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-cabinet-reshuffle-thread/759798)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-cabinet-reshuffle-thread/759798 "2016-07-15T14:09:29Z")
So who’s going to be in May’s Cabinet? Who’s going to be cast out? I predict that Cameron will be totally out. He’ll return to the back benches. Osborne too will be gone. Johnson might be offered Culture, Media, and S… --- ## [What (English) accents do you find similar to your own? Which ones significantly different?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-english-accents-do-you-find-similar-to-your-own-which-ones-significantly-different/759895)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-english-accents-do-you-find-similar-to-your-own-which-ones-significantly-different/759895 "2016-07-15T11:07:48Z")
Inspired by the thread on Canadian vs. USA accents. What accents do you find most similar to your own accent? I was watching a cooking competition show once that had two chefs from Trinidad and another chef from Jamaica… --- ## [Homes and businesses in RNC security zone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homes-and-businesses-in-rnc-security-zone/759897)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homes-and-businesses-in-rnc-security-zone/759897 "2016-07-15T06:14:35Z")
A number of everyday items are banned from a 1.7 Sq mile area of Cleveland. What are people who live and work in the area going to do? --- ## [Does Pokeman mimic a primal human behavior?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pokeman-mimic-a-primal-human-behavior/759896)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pokeman-mimic-a-primal-human-behavior/759896 "2016-07-15T05:28:32Z")
Please don’t move this to games. It is not about the game. Pokeman has only been out for a few weeks and people all over town are walking around like zombies playing this game. People head out to work and never make it b… --- ## [Critique our plans for our Germany trip](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-our-plans-for-our-germany-trip/759600)
**Author:** [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-our-plans-for-our-germany-trip/759600 "2016-07-15T02:24:07Z")
The better half and I will be traveling to Germany at the end of August/beginning of September. We’ll have ten full days in country, and are staying with family just outside of Stuttgart. Here is the list of places we’… --- ## [Terror attack in France](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-in-france/759946)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-in-france/759946 "2016-07-15T01:56:09Z")
Haven’t seen a thread on this but it’s in all the news here so I assume at this point everyone knows at least some of what’s happened. Basically, some one (or possibly 2 people) drove a truck down a crowded street in Ni… --- ## [Congratulations! You've been turned into a vampire.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congratulations-youve-been-turned-into-a-vampire/759901)
**Author:** [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congratulations-youve-been-turned-into-a-vampire/759901 "2016-07-15T01:34:22Z")
Assuming the following rules: Vampires survive on the blood of mammals. Human blood is the most nutritious, but it is possible to survive on lesser mammals, it just takes a lot more of them and you will be weak (compar… --- ## [How long before computers are useless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-computers-are-useless/759842)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-computers-are-useless/759842 "2016-07-14T21:52:48Z")
On days when I’m in a somber mood, I think about the enormous amount of malware and spoofs and phishing schemes, and wonder how long it will be until computers can no longer be trusted to be secure. Will we go back to p… --- ## [Can I not keep my ex-wife on my health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-not-keep-my-ex-wife-on-my-health-insurance/230865)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-not-keep-my-ex-wife-on-my-health-insurance/230865 "2016-07-14T19:43:04Z")
I never thought this was a problem untill a friend of mine was telling me I can’t do this. I’m hoping he’s wrong, but still, now I’m too paranoid to call my insurance company to find out. I just left her on there after … --- ## [Need a (free) XML editor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-free-xml-editor/759814)
**Author:** [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-free-xml-editor/759814 "2016-07-14T15:13:51Z")
Here’s a factual question: What XML editor would you recommend? --- ## [DIY or PAY - where do you draw the line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-or-pay-where-do-you-draw-the-line/759726)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-or-pay-where-do-you-draw-the-line/759726 "2016-07-14T14:21:18Z")
For years and years, my husband and I took care of household maintenance and remodeling projects ourselves. He grew up with a DIY dad and I, having owned 2 houses before meeting him, learned to do some handy tasks, and … --- ## [When was the last time "groovy" was said unsarcastically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212)
**Author:** [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212 "2016-07-14T12:38:23Z")
I know I’ve seen episodes of various cop shows and sitcoms like Dragnet, Beverly Hillbillies and The Monkees where the word “groovy” was used by beatniks or hippies in the original manner. But I also know that by the ea… --- ## [Help with a Stalker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-stalker/674050)
**Author:** [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2014, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-stalker/674050 "2014-03-24T12:22:06Z")
A female friend of mine has an unwanted male who turns up ‘coincidentally’ at every pub and other venue that she visits. She did lend him her smartphone (in happier times) and thinks he is tracking her phone’s location v… --- ## [Should I buy my son this guitar on ebay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-buy-my-son-this-guitar-on-ebay/133774)
**Author:** [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-buy-my-son-this-guitar-on-ebay/133774 "2016-07-14T12:05:13Z")
My son is 12 and has fallen in love with this guitar. Not that he plays guitar yet, but he wants to learn. Another question: He’s left-handed and insists that he can just “switch the strings around” somehow. I have NO i… --- ## [Peripheral vision question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peripheral-vision-question/759807)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peripheral-vision-question/759807 "2016-07-14T08:31:16Z")
The last few years I have noticed an issue with my vision where out of the right side of my vision I will often think I see a small bug running. When I look directly at it there is nothing there. It usually happens when … --- ## [is august 8th too early to go back to school ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-august-8th-too-early-to-go-back-to-school/759712)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-august-8th-too-early-to-go-back-to-school/759712 "2016-07-14T04:29:41Z")
since my cousin told my aunt (the grandma) who watches him after school that my nephew who is starting first grade this year is going back to school on august 8th … I think that’s way too early I mean last year they we… --- ## [Why is auction a relatively rare way to sell a house in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-auction-a-relatively-rare-way-to-sell-a-house-in-the-us/759542)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-auction-a-relatively-rare-way-to-sell-a-house-in-the-us/759542 "2016-07-14T04:28:09Z")
In Australia, it seems like a substantial fraction of home sales, maybe even the majority happen via auction. Because there are multiple buyers directly competing with each other, auctions are considered a good way to ge… --- ## [The ability to read your loved ones' minds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ability-to-read-your-loved-ones-minds/759627)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ability-to-read-your-loved-ones-minds/759627 "2016-07-14T02:08:20Z")
All right - if you could, would you want to be able to read your loved ones’ minds? There are numerous people that could be called “loved ones,” so let’s narrow this down very specifically to only a few: Your parents, … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=722) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=724)