# Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 5, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657 "2024-01-05T16:15:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 433
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8641 "2026-09-24T16:48:17Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > I don’t have a problem listening to the car radio while Android Auto is engaged. As long as you don’t have any … musical aps running when you plug in, it leaves the car radio running. The only time Android Auto overrides my radio is when I have a streaming ap open at the time. It has them waiting to be used (when not open), but doesn’t automatically run. > > Of course, that’s my experience. YMMV. My experience is that it’s inconsistent. And sometimes the radio keeps working. And other times, a random YouTube audio, or the music app i hadn’t intentionally used in years, would open up. I was let confused when that music app started playing a square dance. And if something on the phone comes up, it takes a lot of mucking with menus to get the radio back. It’s not something i can safely do while I’m driving. So I’ve given up on Android Auto and use a phone mount so i can use the phone’s screen for GPS. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8642 "2026-09-24T16:49:39Z")
I haven’t listened to the right-wing talk rad… errr, _AM_ radio here for over 20 years. None of my kids listen to the radio (“What, like, with commercials?”), only music streamed or saved on their phones. ---
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8643 "2026-09-24T16:50:30Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > But if we are depending on the general public to get emergency info over an AM radio in a car, i think we’re in trouble. As I noted upthread (and, yeah, it’s been a long discussion), AM is not meant to be the _sole_ communications channel. But, it has several advantages, including being more likely to be reliably accessible in more remote locations than things like FM radio or cell service. Also, as noted upthread, there are well-documented examples of AM being what remains functional when other channels go offline in disasters. Until we come up with a new channel/system which minimizes the weaknesses of things like cell service, satellite service, wifi, etc., there is an important role that AM radio still plays for emergency communications. ---
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8644 "2026-09-24T17:05:57Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Until we come up with a new channel/system which minimizes the weaknesses of things like cell service, satellite service, wifi, etc., there is an important role that AM radio still plays for emergency communications. Sure. But i already answered that: > [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’m not saying that broadcasting emergency info on AM radio is completely useless. It’s probably helpful for organizations, like police departments. Heck, i have a friend who is part of a ham radio emergency network in SF, that is called up when the data lines are cut. When 911 is down, they are up. But if we are depending on the general public to get emergency info over an AM radio in a car, i think we’re in trouble. I think it’s great that we maintain emergency broadcast capacity on AM radio. Requiring every car carries an AM radio is dumb, though. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8645 "2026-09-24T18:21:51Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > but Android Auto doesn’t play well with the radio, it assumes you get your entertainment from your phone I suspect that’s more a matter of the software in your particular make & year of vehicle. I have none of those issues w Android Auto, AM or FM radio, and whether or not I was streaming off my phone on other occasions. It just works. Now that doesn’t help you, and that does suggest there are various systemic problems in phone / car integration all around the industry. ---
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8646 "2026-09-24T18:31:18Z")
Could be. There are a bunch of annoyances about software integration in my vehicle, including that a bunch of stuff is locked behind a paywall (you need to buy an annual subscription.) The radio isn’t paywall protected, but all the integration with Android Auto is clunky because if the paywall. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8647 "2026-09-24T19:13:43Z")
There is a protest movement in the U.K. - against implementation of mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid to prevent neural tube birth defects like spina bifida. Social media contains wildly exaggerated posts about alleged dangers, or just frame it as a “health freedom” issue to not be forced to get folate in addition to what occurs in other foods naturally. > **[Why folic acid is being added to the bread sold in our bakeries](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70d4lw70x4o)** > > The government says it must now be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour to prevent birth defects. Somehow, Canada and the U.S., which have had folic acid-fortified flour for nearly three decades, have escaped “poisoning” consumers. Incidence and severity of spina bifida cases have decreased markedly. Most bread sold in the U.K. is already fortified with iron and calcium without killing people. Apparently, folic acid being a “synthetic chemical” and an “acid” is oo, scary for some Britons. 🫣🙄 The person generating [this petition](https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/769589#main-content) is Clare Craig, a notorious antivax pathologist. Crank magnetism 🧲 in action. The government has an excellent response to Craig’s petition (same link), including how readily people can buy non-fortified flour if they wish. Note that concerns about folic acid “overload” are highly speculative even when they relate to people already taking high-dose folic acid supplements. This fooferaw has overtones of the continuing battle over water fluoridation, where cherry-picked and dubious science is used to fan public opposition to a safe practice that’s been very effective in preventing tooth decay. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8648 "2026-09-24T19:13:57Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > I haven’t listened to the right-wing talk rad… errr, _AM_ radio here for over 20 years. I listen to a few AM radio stations, but they are literally sports and news stations. The news station is great for traffic and weather as well as local news. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8649 "2026-09-24T19:17:38Z")
Yeah, AM stations still have a lot of younger sports radio listeners, many who use both radio and online broadcasts, depending on where they are. Or at least they do in larger markets where there’s still enough of a market to support them ---
**Author:** ![BostonBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bostonblue/32/21570_2.png) [@BostonBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BostonBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8650 "2026-09-24T19:22:18Z")
I’m just interested to know why the focus on an in-car system. How much time do folks spend in their vehicle as opposed to at home or work? Wouldn’t it be more use to have a battery powered radio in those locations? ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8651 "2026-09-24T19:31:37Z")
Fuck, that’s stupid. At least flouride is actually toxic at high doses. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8652 "2026-09-24T19:36:35Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > This fooferaw has overtones of the continuing battle over water fluoridation, where cherry-picked and dubious science is used to fan public opposition to a safe practice that’s been very effective in preventing tooth decay. You’d think after that little Oopsie involving General Jack Ripper, USAF and Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, RAF that both the USA & the UK would have learned of the dangers of fluoridation. Or rather the dangers of getting wacky about fluoridation. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8653 "2026-09-24T19:37:19Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > At least flouride is actually toxic at high doses. Even plain water is toxic in high doses. The dose makes the poison. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8654 "2026-09-24T20:25:05Z")
Well, I hope you woke activists are happy. A fine educator has been forced to quit over a mild indiscretion five years ago. From the Lexington Herald-Leader: > [@](#): > > Hazard Independent Schools Superintendent Sondra Combs, who in 2021 apologized for a high school homecoming “man pageant” that included simulated lap dances for staff from young males, girls in Hooters t-shirts pretending to carry beer, and students being paddled, will voluntarily surrender her educator’s certification. According to another news report “several male students dressed in lingerie and bikinis and gave male faculty members lap dances” which isn’t so bad, I guess. Combs is holding her head high despite the persecution. > [@](#): > > "For the last 5 years, I have been held hostage with fear of retribution as I have tried to focus on the work of educating our future workforce, and our future citizens,” Combs said. The principal at the time and current Hazard mayor, Donald “Happy” Mobelini, got off with only a reprimand. 😡 [https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article317357144.html#storylink=cpy](https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article317357144.html#storylink=cpy) Alternate link: > **[Kentucky superintendent to give up teaching certifications 5 years after...](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/09/23/kentucky-superintendent-give-up-teaching-certifications-5-years-after-homecoming-incident/)** > > A superintendent of a Kentucky school system is surrendering her educator certifications due to a 2021 incident. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8655 "2026-09-24T22:04:11Z")
These days, 4G/5G internet is what FM was 25 years ago - the default form of wireless communications - FM is what AM used to be, and AM is the equivalent of 8-tracks or telegraphs: legacy tech. Back during the first round with Iran in summer of 2025, before we set up wi-fi in our condo’s basement, we used an FM transistor radio for the all-clear. AM wasn’t something we even considered (although apparently Army Radio still uses it). It would have been an emergency backup to the emergency backup. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8656 "2026-09-24T22:07:41Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > rumor mongering, looting, etc. You say that like it’s a bad thing ---
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8657 "2026-09-24T22:32:24Z")
Yes, and i get that AM radio is more robust than cell phone coverage, but… I just can’t imagine it being a useful default form of communication for random civilians these days, so much so that we need to force every manufacturers to provide one in every car. > [@BostonBlue](#): > > I’m just interested to know why the focus on an in-car system. How much time do folks spend in their vehicle as opposed to at home or work? Wouldn’t it be more use to have a battery powered radio in those locations? Or provide one to every post office (those are federal) and offer them free to police stations, fire department, and elementary schools. Any location that asks for one will likely have an employee who’ll know to use it in an emergency. And most communities will have a couple they can rely on. ---
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8658 "2026-09-24T22:37:30Z")
I note that in the polls thread, even on this board of mostly old people, about half of us didn’t remember the last time we used AM radio. And if they aren’t in all EV vehicles… I’m not actually sure whether my car has an AM radio or not ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8659 "2026-09-24T22:41:45Z")
Did you know that Western Union sent its last telegraph in 2005? This was after fax had become mostly obsolete. Maybe that’s how it works: Once a new tech comes along, the previous tech becomes obsolete, and the tech from _before_ the previous tech finally disappears. ---
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657/8660 "2026-09-24T22:46:07Z")
Medical groups still depend on faxes! They are considered to have adequate privacy protection, unlike every modern form of communication. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=432) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-2/995657.md?page=434)