# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 324
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6462 "2025-04-19T21:08:37Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Sell them – but then donate the money to an organization or individual to be spent on proper medical care for trans people. Drop Rowling a note or email to tell her that you did so. Excellent idea, although I have no intention of engaging with her. I was leaning toward donating to a charity shop on the basis that someone else could buy them without giving JKR any money. But maybe I’ll sell them instead. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6463 "2025-04-19T21:18:21Z")
On the EV poll, I went with “Electric Lettuce,” because none of the options really fit us. We currently have three ICE vehicles: - 2007 Mazda CX-7 crossover SUV - 2012 Ford Mustang - 2015 Chevrolet Corvette (We had not sought out the Corvette; we inherited it from my late father-in law in 2019.) We’ve discussed, at some point in the next year or two, getting rid of both the CX-7 and the Mustang, both of which are getting long in the tooth (though are both still in good shape), and buying a Subaru, probably either an Outback or a Forester. They now offer a hybrid version of the Forester, as well as finally having introduced an EV (the Solterra), with a bigger EV (Trailseeker) coming out this year. I’m more interested in a hybrid than a full EV at this point, so when it comes time to buy, that’s likely what we’ll get. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6464 "2025-04-19T21:34:45Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Destroying books is a worse sin that being a “TERF”. Libraries and bookstores do it all the time. Burning them is bad symbolism. Attempting to prevent everybody else from reading them is terrible behavior. So is destroying rare copies. None of those apply to the suggestions I made. And being an influential TERF can help to destroy lives. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6465 "2025-04-20T00:32:14Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Libraries and bookstores do it all the time. When I worked at the bookstore- we never destroyed book- we donated them. My library sells them. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6466 "2025-04-20T00:40:35Z")
Tons of books are destroyed all the time. Extra copies no one wants. Worn out copies. My library destroys old books they don’t want any more, after selling a tiny fraction of them. Destroying some unwanted copies of a book that is readily available to anyone who wants it is really not a moral issue. It’s just clearing out space and resources. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6467 "2025-04-20T01:00:26Z")
I flew hang gliders for five years. No option for that. I don’t know what “got in and flew a paraglide kite” means, unless you mean a parasail behind a speed boat? I’ve also flown a paraglider, which is a wing-shaped parachute launched from a hillside, which free flies on thermals and ridge lift. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6468 "2025-04-20T01:27:16Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Destroying some unwanted copies of a book that is readily available to anyone who wants it is really not a moral issue. It’s just clearing out space and resources. Sure, but destroying a book as you dont like the politics within is another issue entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6469 "2025-04-20T02:00:15Z")
Characterizing transphobia as “politics” is more or less the same as characterizing racism as “politics.” The author has a problem with a group of people whose existence she does not like. Regardless of anyone else’s feelings about why they exist, and their category’s relation to science, they do in fact exist, and donating money to causes that make their lives more difficult, as well as crowing publicly when their lives are made more difficult, is a bit more than “politics.” ---
**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:** [April 20, 2025, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6470 "2025-04-20T02:27:41Z")
But also, no one is taking about destroying the book to prevent people from reading the bad ideas. The owner of the book no longer enjoys them because of the politics of the author, and no longer wants those books. Those are completely different situations. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2025, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6471 "2025-04-20T07:03:37Z")
Back to @thorny_locust’s and my solution though - it’s a three-fer. 1. You get the books out of your house where they won’t remind you anymore (true for almost all the options). 2. You are selling a used copy - that means whomever buys them to read the books didn’t buy them new (sure, they could have bought used from someone else, but someone down the line doesn’t buy new). Thus that money that would have gone to the author does not. 3. You donate the money to a cause that helps people hurt by the author’s attitudes. Whether or not you send the note to Rowling, they read it, or you just mention it all on social media and tag her, is just your little dig at the end. You’ve still accomplished three worthwhile goals. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6472 "2025-04-20T13:47:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sure, but destroying a book as you dont like the politics within is another issue entirely. But that’s not what we’re talking about here, is it? It would be a different question if people objected to what was _within_ the Harry Potter books. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6473 "2025-04-20T16:02:12Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I couldn’t answer any of @eschereal 's poll questions. Electric lettuce? No. > > I’m not really considering getting a new car of any type. I’ve had fleeting thoughts of buying an EV, but I can’t say they rose to the level of considering a purchase. We’re selling my Prius to my son this summer, after he graduates. **Mrs Magill** made the astute prediction that car prices are about to shoot up, so we bought its replacement, a Hyundai Ioniq 6. We already have a level 2 charger we installed for the Chevy Bolt we bought for our younger sons to use. We considered it a “proof of concept” car. It had shown that the shorter range EV was more than usable for regional purposes. The Hyundai has about 150 miles more in range than the Chevy. We’re going to take it out to Knoxville for our oldest graduation next month. There is a Buck-ees about halfway between Nashville and Knoxville that we’ll use to top off on the way back. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6474 "2025-04-20T19:24:25Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > But that’s not what we’re talking about here, is it? It would be a different question if people objected to what was _within_ the Harry Potter books. Which are gay friendly, and not bigoted, unless you are a muggle. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6475 "2025-04-20T20:27:18Z")
My wife and I currently own two older hybrids, and are in the process of purchasing one new hybrid to replace them. (We don’t need two cars anymore.) While we don’t do much long-range driving, you never know - and I still don’t trust the infrastructure enough to bet on being able to find a charging station if we were stuck away from home and in need of one. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6476 "2025-04-20T20:47:31Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > While we don’t do much long-range driving, you never know - and I still don’t trust the infrastructure enough to bet on being able to find a charging station if we were stuck away from home and in need of one. That’s my feeling, as well, and why I’m not yet willing to consider a pure EV. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6477 "2025-04-21T06:08:30Z")
I always put the lid down on the toilet, if there is one. I think it looks nicers. I did this before knowing anything about the plume. I’m somewhat concerned about plume and always put the lid down. If there’s no lid, I don’t take other measures to contain the plume. ---
**Author:** ![SailorHG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SailorHG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailorHG)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6478 "2025-04-21T11:12:39Z")
Same. I always put the lid down before flushing, but given I live alone I figure I’ve already got those bacteria on me so I’m not as worried about contamination. As for the new Pope, I keep hoping that one day that old joke will work out and we end up with a genuine Pope Sikola… so he can be “something for everyone” and really “change the game” in the church! 😇 ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6479 "2025-04-21T11:42:10Z")
There was a TV commercial a little while back warning us about the dreaded “Toilet Sneeze.” That commercial bothered me more than the actual toilet plume ever could. We put the lid down for aesthetic reasons as well. I usually do so _as_ the toilet is flushing, which I guess means I get a face full of whatever is spewing forth. This has yet to cause me any ill effects whatsoever. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2025, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6480 "2025-04-21T11:46:48Z")
I have zero worries at home, because consuming a handful of bacteria that already live in my gut is harmless. And my home has lots of bathrooms, so if anyone is sick enough to isolate from the rest of us, he’ll be using his own bathroom just because that’s how the house is designed. I prefer not to step into a public restroom immediately after someone else has flushed it, i guess partly because of the plume. But if there’s a line, I’ll do it, of course. And mostly the person before me only peed. I only close the lid in my house if I’m worried about small children or kittens falling into the toilet bowl. I always close the lid in outhouses, because it greatly reduces the odor for the next user. (No plume in an outhouse, though.) I try to leave other people’s toilets however i found them, because that feels polite. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6481 "2025-04-21T11:49:12Z")
I would like to see Pope Pielpocketfisherman. mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=323) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=325)