# First Rants Thread of 2015 - January Minirants **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681 "2015-01-01T15:55:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/41 "2015-01-03T20:26:32Z")
Yesterday, our furnace died. The apartment complex would have replaced it over the weekend, but their supplier was out of stock until Monday. They assure us it will be fixed on Monday. Thank goodness that the super-duper cold isn’t due until Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/42 "2015-01-03T21:58:25Z")
My god the CNN website just turned in a horrible, miserably unreadable piece of shit, that reminds me of ancient websites designed for monitors with no resolution. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/43 "2015-01-04T01:18:35Z")
> [@adhemar](#): > > St Jude does a lot of good work and it costs $1,000,000.00 per day to keep their doors open. They don’t turn anyone away that needs treatment beccasue they don’t have funds and also work to provide the families of the sick children a place to live while the kids are undergoing treatment. They are making amazing breakthroughs. > > I find the constant commercials annoying but give them somewhat of a pass because I know what they do. The point is that if they didn’t run an ad every ten minutes, they’d be spending a lot less money. Blanket attacks like that make me think they are in the same league with other organizations that do that and who have proven they are only in it for the $$. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/44 "2015-01-04T01:24:13Z")
Minor, but this is the place for it: WTF would one join an internet discussion forum just to bump a million zombie threads?! ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/45 "2015-01-04T01:58:50Z")
It’s snowing. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/46 "2015-01-04T04:10:37Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > Minor, but this is the place for it: > > WTF would one join an internet discussion forum just to bump a million zombie threads?! To get chicks? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/848f3c/32.png) [@The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Holdsworth_Effect)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/47 "2015-01-04T04:12:27Z")
Our biggest local hoarder had one of her barns (I’d guess 40x80) catch fire today. This person has been in conflict with the county over junk vehicles and large piles and accumulations in/on her houses/outbuildings/land for years. Today one of the larger barns burned, bringing in EIGHT fire departments for the sake of tankers. This includes two FD from across the Hood Canal Bridge!! I’m pitting her because she has been able to elude any action regarding her piles and piles of crap/vehicles/motorhomes, and this was a huge fire, visible for miles. Firefighters spent the same effort on this pile of shit as they would on someone’s home or business. State patrol had four cruisers and that many troopers managing traffic, as access to the fire was on a smaller county road and the tankers had to BACK in. I’m seriously glad there wasn’t an incident elsewhere…just luck. And glad none of the personnel are reported to have problems, so far- the remains are still quite live (I passed by both when the fire was active and after it was declared controlled/done) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/48 "2015-01-04T18:56:26Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I am so tired of the damned animal commercials, I swear I am feeling like I should get a case of prestamped postcards, and timestamp every commercial that makes me change channels to avoid the fucking things and email them off with the message that this commercial made me change my channel … and disinclines me to donate time or funding. I hear you. I love the Food Network but I just had to change the channel after the fifth repeat of the SPCA commercial. Every other commercial break, enough already! ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/49 "2015-01-04T20:31:40Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > My god the CNN website just turned in a horrible, miserably unreadable piece of shit, that reminds me of ancient websites designed for monitors with no resolution. Another site that can’t be arsed to have mobile view code on its pages. It’s pouring rain, with -16C temperatures forecast for tonight and the next few days. I bought two big bags of ice melter/grit mix Friday and will probably use both to try and reduce the ice buildup on the walk and on our sloping driveway. ---
**Author:** ![AHarris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@AHarris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHarris)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/50 "2015-01-05T07:19:00Z")
Why do people insist on giving clothes for Christmas? They obviously have no idea of my preferences or sizes. I received the following (note that I nowhere indicated that I wanted any of these): - Boots (1 size too big) - ‘They were the only ones that they had.’ (Then don’t fucking buy them). - Underwear - Too small - Rain jacket - Arms are too long (completely cover my hands). I can live with that, but I finally tried the hood and my first thought was that I need to cut eye holes so that I can see where I am going as the thing covers my entire face when I put it on. - ‘Oh, you’re supposed to wear a hat with it’. (The point of the hood is to keep the rain off of my head. Why should I have to wear a hat as well?) - Jacket liner - Supposed to be something that you could also wear as jacket when it is just cold out (Moving at a normal walking pace creates enough ‘wind’ that any insulating properties are lost). - Shirt - I already have lots that I don’t wear. Why do I need another one? (Haven’t even tried it on yet). ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/51 "2015-01-05T09:58:06Z")
Now this is a first-world problem if ever there was one, BUT… When I go online I see ads. In many cases I see ads for something I have already bought. Other times it’s for things I’ve looked at online. Earlier this year I went looking for sweaters. And, online, I found none that I cared to buy, and I was sorely disappointed. In stores, same thing, although I did buy one. NOW the ads are showing me the perfect sweater. The exact one I was looking for. Ralph Lauren. It says to click to shop now. So on the one hand I probably can’t afford this sweater. On the other hand, the last time I overpaid for a Ralph Lauren sweater it lasted so long and I wore it so often, and so happily, that the price per wearing went down to barely anything. So I’m willing to give it a try. So I click. And it’s not there. I end up at the website, seeing all the shit I rejected in the fall. I don’t see this sweater they are luring me with, and which I would certainly buy. This is some weird kind of bait and switch. If they don’t have the sweater, why are they showing it to me? Repeatedly? This is making me want to switch my allegiance to somebody else. Maybe Anthropologie. Maybe a consignment store. ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/52 "2015-01-05T15:18:03Z")
I bought a “Smart TV”. To set up the Smart Hub ™ you have to agree to the Terms and the Privacy Agreement for the TV. Plus the Third Party Terms and Privacy Agreements. Plus some other crap for a grand total of 7 different agreements. I read it all. The first one was 48 pages. The second 40. It went on and on. To save anyone else from having to read all this crap here’s a summary: You agree that you have no rights. The manufacturer can do anything it wants. You agree that you have no privacy. The manufacturer will collect any information that isn’t protected by the NSA and sell it on the Dark Web. Enjoy your new TV! ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/53 "2015-01-05T16:42:35Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > Now this is a first-world problem if ever there was one, BUT… > > When I go online I see ads. In many cases I see ads for something I have already bought. Other times it’s for things I’ve looked at online. > > Earlier this year I went looking for sweaters. And, online, I found none that I cared to buy, and I was sorely disappointed. In stores, same thing, although I did buy one. > > NOW the ads are showing me the perfect sweater. The exact one I was looking for. Ralph Lauren. It says to click to shop now. So on the one hand I probably can’t afford this sweater. On the other hand, the last time I overpaid for a Ralph Lauren sweater it lasted so long and I wore it so often, and so happily, that the price per wearing went down to barely anything. So I’m willing to give it a try. So I click. > > And it’s not there. I end up at the website, seeing all the shit I rejected in the fall. I don’t see this sweater they are luring me with, and which I would certainly buy. This is some weird kind of bait and switch. If they don’t have the sweater, why are they showing it to me? Repeatedly? > > This is making me want to switch my allegiance to somebody else. Maybe Anthropologie. Maybe a consignment store. No insult to you intended, but now I want to rant about Ralph Lauren. I wouldn’t wear anything from that company if I were paid to. Not after he fired a 5’10", 120lb. model with a BMI that put her in the medically underweight range FOR BEING FAT! If he considers clinically below healthy weight to be “too fat” to wear his clothes, he must puke his guts up at the sight of HEALTHY women. That kind of attitude toward female health sickens me. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/54 "2015-01-05T17:46:39Z")
I am looking for a new house to rent. I am driving around the different neighborhoods to see if I like them. We are trying to save some money, so the places we are looking aren’t the _best_, but…for the love of God, _pick up the trash on your front fucking lawn!!!_ You all pick up the trash, your neighborhood appearance improves dramatically. You might consider getting the hose and washing the mud from the front of the house. That would be good as well. But more important is that you do not leave your child’s broken toys, discarded Christmas decorations, a laundry basket (a fucking laundry basket??? For fuck’s sake!!!) and out and out trash. Not from the street, which would also help, but your front fucking yard! Do _ **NOT** _ get me started on the broken down vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/55 "2015-01-05T18:19:17Z")
> [@Marine\_One](#): > > Does the Science Channel only have 5 commercials to run??? > > I’m watching the Mythbusters marathon and I haven’t seen a new commercial in a week! Yesbut- there’s a _Mythbusters_ marathon!😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/56 "2015-01-05T18:20:47Z")
> [@adhemar](#): > > St Jude does a lot of good work and it costs $1,000,000.00 per day to keep their doors open. They don’t turn anyone away that needs treatment beccasue they don’t have funds and also work to provide the families of the sick children a place to live while the kids are undergoing treatment. They are making amazing breakthroughs. > > I find the constant commercials annoying but give them somewhat of a pass because I know what they do. Yeah, me too, those guys are wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/57 "2015-01-05T19:38:25Z")
What have I been doing while you were gone?! What have **I** been doing?!?! During that hour you were gone, dear Husband, I turned the mattress (king size,) remade the bed, and put the dirty linens in the washer. Folded and put away another load of laundry. Put together the new firewood rack. Washed the dishes. Cleaned the iron frying pans, oiled them, and heated them. Changed the baby, and fixed a snack for her and the pre-schooler. Answered a couple of phone calls. Fixed the stove, where one of the electric ignition posts had been fouled and wouldn’t light the burner. Please don’t gripe because you have to wait 5 minutes for me to brush my hair and teeth before we go find you some new jeans. Really. Or else I might decide that I have something really important to do on-line, and make you wait an extra five minutes while I post a mini rant! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/58 "2015-01-05T20:42:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, me too, those guys are wonderful. Just wondering - do you guys know from experience that the St Jude hsp is wonderful, or just from the ads? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/59 "2015-01-05T20:57:21Z")
> [@Marine\_One](#): > > Does the Science Channel only have 5 commercials to run??? > > I’m watching the Mythbusters marathon and I haven’t seen a new commercial in a week! Agreed. After 1 1/2 hours I can’t watch Mythbusters anymore because of the God D\*mn commercials. They drive me loopy. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681/60 "2015-01-05T21:04:59Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Just wondering - do you guys know from experience that the St Jude hsp is wonderful, or just from the ads? I know of two kids who lives were saved by St Judes and one of them at no cost to the parents. > **[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Jude_Children%27s_Research_Hospital#Awards_and_achievements)** > > St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded by entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962, it is a 501(c)(3) designated nonprofit medical corporation which focuses on children's catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. In the 2021 fiscal year, St. Jude received $2 billion in donations. Daily operating costs average $1.7 million, but patients are not charged for care. St. Jude’s covers some, but not St. Jude... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-rants-thread-of-2015-january-minirants/708681.md?page=4)