# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380 "2022-09-28T11:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 434
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8664 "2023-12-15T01:55:58Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > [@eschereal](#): > > > > That sounds like the ideal delivey system for Metformin. > > Nope. At least not the version I’m taking, or the one I was taking before that. Must be swallowed whole! I’m pretty sure that was a joke, based on metformin being usually taken for diabetes, and the cookies and stuff having lots of sugar. I’ve never had a problem swallowing even very large pills. I don’t take more than one of the giant vitamin C or fiber capsules, but i can down the vitamin D, E, and Omeprazole all in one swallow. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8665 "2023-12-15T02:25:47Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > I crush my pills and mix them in creamy vanilla frosting, which i then spread > between two soft gingerbread cookies. This only works if you don’t \* _checks notes_ \* scrape the frosting off before eating the cookies. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8666 "2023-12-15T03:26:37Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve never had a problem swallowing even very large pills. I don’t take more than one of the giant vitamin C or fiber capsules The Xigduo are about twice the size of the fiber capsules; at least, of the fiber capsules I’ve got. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8667 "2023-12-15T12:08:49Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I watched a few YouTube videos where a guy put a lobster from the supermarket into a tank in his home. He actually does some physical therapy so that the claws eventually work again. The lobster looks a bit better each video Leon the Lobster! It’s actually a pretty neat series, and I like the guy’s channel overall. He’s interested in a lot of varied things, and he does a great job filming (it’s his profession, I think). [Here’s his channel](https://www.youtube.com/@Bradybrandwood/videos). The Leon videos start about 2 years ago, and it’s not just Leon but a whole host of other aquatic friends. He also takes in cats, does old motorcycle work, kayaking, all sorts of stuff. I find it all very soothing to watch. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8668 "2023-12-15T16:47:52Z")
In the Senate, yes. I’m in New York State. In the House, very much no. I’m in a red district. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8669 "2023-12-15T18:36:42Z")
I had a knee-jerk reaction that no, I’m not being represented well. Then I realized that all of the people who actually represent **me** , the ones in Congress from my state, align with my politics and opinions pretty damn well and are doing all that they can. I’m just frustrated that the people who oppose my viewpoints completely have so much power to block every positive move. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8670 "2023-12-15T19:57:17Z")
I’m an American living outside of the country. Most Americans have no idea that American citizens living outside the U.S. have to file income tax returns and report all foreign assets ([FATCA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Account_Tax_Compliance_Act)), which means non-resident Americans get penalized for living outside the country. I still get to vote, but there are not enough non-residents to make much of a difference, which means the citizen based taxation of the U.S. government is probably here to stay. And, as long as it stays this way, I will feel very underrepresented. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8671 "2023-12-15T20:40:17Z")
The Producers starred the late great Zero Mostel, whose facial expressions alone could out act most highly paid actors, including Nathan Lane. Mind you, Uma Thurman and Matthew Broderick did great jobs, and the music was better. We have a die hard lying his ass off MAGA for congresscritter. He got elected by like a hundred votes. No, I am not well represented by an insurrectionist. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8672 "2023-12-15T21:50:52Z")
My dad had two sisters, one of whom had a daughter and two sons, and the other of whom had a daughter and a son. My mom had two sisters and two brothers. Sister 1 had two daughters, and Sister 2 had a son and a daughter. Brother 1 had a single son. Brother 2 had a son and a daughter. All of my first cousins are still alive, but I’m in regular touch with only half of them or so. I go years without seeing some of them. Our old dog doesn’t interfere in most domestic tasks except, occasionally, our cooking in the kitchen. I will gently nudge him out of the way, or even put him out of the kitchen and close the door if he gets too bothersome. I’d love to see a friend’s big home fishtank with live lobsters, crab, flounder, etc., but hope she’s actually taking good care of them after freeing them from certain death at the supermarket. My senior U.S. senator is great. My junior senator, after initially mocking Trump back in 2016, has totally drunk the MAGA Kool-aid and is now worthless, if you ask me. I have a progressive Democrat as my Congresswoman. I like her, know her personally from my local political engagement and even have her personal cellphone number! I try not to pester her, though. > [@markn\_1](#): > > Do they [flounders] send fan mail to TV shows? I don’t get it. My question is, do they attend Faber College and drink heavily? > [@kayaker](#): > > Pittsburgh seafood market, Wholey’s, has live fish occasionally. I once bought a live tilapia. After purchase they gut and filet it. I made tilapia ceviche. Hey, I was just at Wholey’s a few months ago! Sorry to see they no longer have their terrific stuffed shrimp, which I still remember from my childhood. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8673 "2023-12-15T23:19:26Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > My dad had two sisters, one of whom had a daughter and two sons, and the other of whom had a daughter and a son. My mom had two sisters and two brothers. Sister 1 had two daughters, and Sister 2 had a son and a daughter. Brother 1 had a single son. Brother 2 had a son and a daughter. All of my first cousins are still alive, but I’m in regular touch with only half of them or so. I go years without seeing some of them. I was pretty sure this was the beginning of a classic logic puzzle, but it no point did I find out who was wearing the red shirt, so I guess not. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8674 "2023-12-15T23:55:35Z")
When it comes to airports, I answered (accurately) for closest regularly scheduled flights… but no one I know actually flies out of Colorado Springs Airport. At least 2/3s of the flights just hop to DIA (Denver International) and stage on from there, often adding a substantial delay and/or razor thin connecting margins. Everyone and their brother instead does the 90+ minute drive to DIA, and flies out from there anyway. Which is frustrating as heck. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8675 "2023-12-16T00:11:03Z")
I though about adding a second question along the lines of “Is the closest airport the one you would actually use?” because I know lots of people who do that. My parents are 10 minutes away from the LaCrosse Regional Airport, but that airport only has a couple of regional jet flights to Chicago, and that’s it (There used to be flights to MSP as well, but Delta recently dropped those). They often make the 2.5 hour drive to the Twin Cities for flights, since that’s the closest big hub airport. That becomes sort of a chicken/egg problem for the smaller airport. If airlines don’t offer many flights, then people will just drive to another airport farther away. But if locals aren’t actually using they flights already have, then airlines don’t see a reason to add more flights, which would make using the smaller airport more appealing to the locals. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8676 "2023-12-16T00:18:36Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > > [@markn\_1](#): > > > > Do they [flounders] send fan mail to TV shows? > > I don’t get it. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/u2c9-LDP0t0/maxresdefault.jpg "Fanmail from some flounder") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2c9-LDP0t0) ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8677 "2023-12-16T00:55:36Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Tilapia? Ye gods, no! I have a fish phobia. Eew, eew. I’m going to have nightmares! Well, probably not. But I’m not going to have the tilapia either. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8678 "2023-12-16T01:46:52Z")
yeah, you should see what they pass off as scallops [![](https://media.istockphoto.com/id/483147137/photo/monkfish.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=PGN2h0a8bAPk8pvQ226Q723tQjbdKcH2D1u4E16bDIo=) ](https://media.istockphoto.com/id/483147137/photo/monkfish.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=PGN2h0a8bAPk8pvQ226Q723tQjbdKcH2D1u4E16bDIo=) ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8679 "2023-12-16T01:54:51Z")
I live so close to the local (international) airport, I once walked home from it. I can get there in about five minutes if I make all the lights. Forgot to mention that I take pills twice a day. I put the pills in my hand and pop them in my mouth all at once, and then, immediately take a big gulp of water and swallow them all. If I have any fear of it being too big a handful, I’ll divide the pills into two separate handfuls. I’m happy with my representatives! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8680 "2023-12-16T02:04:16Z")
If I’m going to BWI it’s about 40 minutes straight up 295 from here. I’m driving myself and parking at one of the off-site lots. DCA I’m taking the Metro and that’s basically the same amount of time. If it’s rush hour or I can get a ride or an Uber to Fort Totten, I can get on a Yellow Line train and I don’t have to transfer. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8681 "2023-12-16T02:05:43Z")
How long does it take me to get to the airport? I dunno, how much traffic is there? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8682 "2023-12-16T02:10:55Z")
I’m 1:15 to SeaTac without rush hour traffic (longer, but easier, if I take a ferry). It’s the only downside to living where we do. However, since COVID by two trips per month has dropped to about 3 trips per year. So, I can deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8683 "2023-12-16T03:24:54Z")
I live 15 minutes from Johnstown, PA airport and from there I can be in Chicago in an hour. I know because my husband had a librarian convention in June and I tagged along for all the free stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=433) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=435)