# Some folks are just dumber than a box of hammers.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 8, 2005, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349 "2005-10-08T22:31:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/21 "2005-10-09T17:27:29Z")
> [@Mr2001](#): > > Lowering or even eliminating fuel taxes wouldn’t have much effect, either. Taxes are what, maybe 20% of the cost of a gallon of gas? That’d bring prices back to where they were a few months ago, when everyone was still complaining about high gas prices. Not to mention, the law of supply and demand will just cause the price of gas to go to the old, after-tax price. The only way to reduce the price of gas is to reduce demand or increase supply. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/22 "2005-10-09T19:02:21Z")
An independent Congressional investigation into price-gouging by the oil companies would be nice. (Maybe after they establish a commission to investigate war profiteering.) Not going to happen. In any case, I don’t see how such a protest by truckers is going to change anything. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/23 "2005-10-09T19:49:12Z")
> [@Dr. Rieux](#): > > I thought it was “\*\*Bag \*\*of Hammers” and “Box of **Rocks**.” Don’t forget “barrel of hair.” Always liked that one because even the _idea_ of putting hair in a barrel is dumb. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/24 "2005-10-09T20:21:07Z")
> [@if6was9](#): > > and you take the lead… Wow, a personal potshot that has nothing to do with the thread subject, but rather a need by you to throw it in there like a turd on a stick. Good showing. Your post makes me feel better about my recent posts. You, sir, are a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/25 "2005-10-09T20:30:33Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > to throw it in there like a turd on a stick Like a what? How would you throw a turd on a stick? How would you even get a turd on a stick in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/26 "2005-10-09T20:35:01Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > Not to mention, the law of supply and demand will just cause the price of gas to go to the old, after-tax price. The only way to reduce the price of gas is to reduce demand or increase supply. Cite? Lower the tax by (say) 20 cents can be modelled as a shift in the supply curve (downwards) along a downward sloping demand curve. Quantity consumed would increase (relative to the amount before the tax cut). It’s true that the equilibrium after tax price will drop by less than 20 cents. To the extent that gas demand is inelastic (which it is over the short run, less so over the longer run), this effect will be small. Nonetheless, lowering the gas tax would be a bad idea. My understanding is that gas taxes don’t currently cover the external damages associated with driving. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/27 "2005-10-09T20:38:44Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > How would you throw a turd on a stick? You could try to overhand it, maybe put some spin on it. That runs the risk of spinning the turd off and possibly back in your direction. I’d suggest an underhand toss if it’s close, or a javelin style throw for distance. You could even get it to stick point first in the ground. > [@](#): > > How would you even get a turd on a stick in the first place? I’d lean against picking it up unless you’ve got gloves on. Try to skewer it the long way for better stability, and find a good solid piece. Any other questions? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/28 "2005-10-09T20:40:29Z")
> [@Baldwin](#): > > An independent Congressional investigation into price-gouging by the oil companies would be nice. (Maybe after they establish a commission to investigate war profiteering.) Not going to happen. In any case, I don’t see how such a protest by truckers is going to change anything. When there’s a freeze in Florida, California orange growers benefit. Krugman alluded to the current situation in Friday’s column. "Funny, isn’t it? During the California crisis, some of us deduced from economic evidence that electricity shortages were artificial, the result of market manipulation by energy producers and traders. This deduction was later confirmed by the Enron tapes, but at the time we were voices crying in the wilderness. Now, much of the public believes that corporate evildoers with close ties to the administration are conspiring to drive prices up. But this time they aren’t, at least so far. Just in case you think I’ve gone soft on the energy industry… \ In fact, the current crisis is nobody’s fault, except Mother Nature’s. Both Katrina and Rita were stronger hurricanes when they plowed through offshore oil and gas fields than when they made landfall. And because damaged refineries and other energy facilities are competing for a limited number of repair crews, it’s taking a long time to get those facilities back up and running. " I understand that natural gas production was hit even harder. Just wait until heating season… ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/29 "2005-10-09T21:12:41Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > More hammers = more dumber [nitpick] dumberer [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/30 "2005-10-10T03:44:34Z")
> [@if6was9](#): > > Maybe the “problem” is **clothahump** doesn’t think anyone but the administration shouldn’t have any say in anything… WOW! Someone who is an expert on my life and how I think and feel. I am so flattered that you have taken me on as your personal idol and have tried to find out so much about me that you can speak for me on issues. Huh? That’s not the case? Oh, sorry - I guess you’re just a dumb shit, instead. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/31 "2005-10-10T05:56:01Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Huh? That’s not the case? Oh, sorry - I guess you’re just a dumb shit, instead. Ouch! I’m in awe of your well-thought-out retort! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/32 "2005-10-10T11:28:27Z")
If a protest is supposed to bring attention to your cause, then I would say this one did what was intended. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/33 "2005-10-10T11:50:03Z")
> [@Who\_me?](#): > > If a protest is supposed to bring attention to your cause, then I would say this one did what was intended. On the other hand, if it’s also supposed to make people agree with you, have the potential to effect change, and generally not make everyone think you’re a bunch of arseholes, then it failed spectacularly. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/34 "2005-10-10T13:47:44Z")
We need to increase the hammer tax. ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/35 "2005-10-10T14:20:39Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > We need to increase the hammer tax. When you take it from my cold, dead fingers! ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/36 "2005-10-10T15:49:13Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > We need to increase the hammer tax. At what length do they cease being tax and start to be nails? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/37 "2005-10-10T16:32:15Z")
> [@Who\_me?](#): > > If a protest is supposed to bring attention to your cause, then I would say this one did what was intended. Indeed, I had no idea that fuel prices had gone up recently, when did that happen? [/sarcasm] ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/38 "2005-10-10T16:38:44Z")
> [@Dead Badger](#): > > On the other hand, if it’s also supposed to make people agree with you, have the potential to effect change, and generally not make everyone think you’re a bunch of arseholes, then it failed spectacularly. Until they do it again and again and again and again. If they do it enough then people will get so pissed off that they’ll agree with anything to make them stop. It seems to work for the French truckers who blockade ports on the drop of a hat. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/39 "2005-10-10T16:55:56Z")
> [@Dominic Mulligan](#): > > It seems to work for the French truckers who blockade ports on the drop of a hat. True, but they do it a) mostly to foreigners, b) in a manner which has a definite economic impact rather than merely pissing people off, and c) in a country much more accustomed to taking it up the ass from whatever lazy git happens to want to take three sickies a week and have the union strike for their right to do so. Oh, and they also generally protest about some form of government policy, rather than against the rather immutable laws of supply and demand. As well stage a go-slow in protest against gravity. After all, all that inconvenient friction is affecting our mileage! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349/40 "2005-10-10T16:59:00Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Because making everybody else late really rallies people to your side. The other day, I spend fifteen minutes at an intersection while hundreds of bicyclists sped past as part of a Critical Mass protest, aimed at getting drivers to think more about bicycle safety. I don’t think it worked quite the way they intended, though, because by the time they were done, all I wanted to do was run over a bicyclist. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-folks-are-just-dumber-than-a-box-of-hammers/325349.md?page=3)