Straight Dope Message Board

Straight Dope Message Board http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb en Wed, 16 May 2012 11:14:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/images/misc/rss.jpg Straight Dope Message Board http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb <![CDATA[Plain White T's (not the band)]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651961&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 09:46:02 GMT In the past I've only purchased your basic, cheap cotton T shirts; undershirts, if you will (and even if you won't).

After what seems like a couple of washings, they look like crap - not-so-white with lots of pilling.

I know nothing of fabrics. Should I look for some specific blend other than 100% cotton that would keep my whites white and fresh looking? Maybe a specific brand?

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience in this area?

thanks!

mmm ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) Mean Mr. Mustard http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651961 Straight through vs. crossover cable? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651960&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 09:35:20 GMT I am studying for CCNA and the book I'm reading lists the cases where crossover and straight thru cables are used.

But why? The book doesn't explain. ]]> General Questions Dog80 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651960 How do I find out who owns the rights to a very old song? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651959&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 09:08:23 GMT Specifically 'Over the Hills and Far Away' (of Sharpe fame) which was actually written in 1706.

I've spent the morning Googling for the existing rights but not found any definite leads. I'm guessing that the copyright on the song has expired?

Reason is I'm hoping to use it at my wedding in September, but they can't play copyrighted songs... ]]> General Questions Malden Capell http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651959 Best way to thicken packet-mix ranch? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651957&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 08:14:46 GMT Awhile back I discovered the sheer deliciousness that is old-fashioned Hidden Valley ranch dressing. Quite simply, there isn't a bottled ranch on the market that matches up to the flavor of mixing it up at home with buttermilk and mayonnaise. (I add some garlic powder in too for an extra kick.)

The only flaw is that, compared to bottled dressings, it always comes out too thin. The packet claims it thickens in the fridge, but i've never been able to get any to come out with a consistency other than "congealed milk", and all the ways I know of thickening a sauce involve heating it, which I assume would probably ruin the pure deliciousness.

Anyone out there know a way to make this stuff thicker? ]]> Cafe Society Smapti http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651957 Watching the Earth get hit by a giant asteroid from space http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651956&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 08:09:23 GMT Hey! Let's say that you were an astronaut that was flying in geosynchronous orbit, 36,000 miles above the surface of the Earth, and were flying over a region during the time that it was day for the people on the surface, and an asteroid 80 miles wide hit the Earth as you were watching it.

Explain, in a paragraph or two, or to whatever length you wish, the thoughts running through your head. Assuming you knew that everybody on Earth would be dead, and that your spacecraft wasn't destroyed or damaged by the impact (geosynchronous orbit is 36,000 miles away from Earth), or from its ejecta and debris, and that the time it would take for Earth to become habitable at any point on its surface would be 100 years, and you were the only person alive in the world (nobody else in the spacecraft but you). You have provisions and food, water, entertainment, to last you 40 years.

1) Call it quits, and press the self-destruct button on the spacecraft?
2) Live the rest of your life the only human being in the entire universe?

*I have never really thought about what it would be like to be actually the only person alive - not only that, the only life form that I know that exists within a light year. But if I could put some reasonable words to describe that, I think it would make me feel like Earth was an alien planet. It would mean an utter depersonalization, knowing that with your passing, the universe might have no sentient being, yet it would still exist. I would probably last for a year...

*1) is predicated on right-to-die legislation being passed. =) ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) supery00n http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651956 problem with Agility 3 60gb http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651955&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 08:05:55 GMT My OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD is slow according to the benchmarks.... I have a Sabertooth p67 motherboard and it is plugged into the brown Sata 6 slot (the intel). I've tried every slot and they seem to stay around 166 read and 51 write on sequential, and 16 4k read and 49 4k write...

What can I do?

foto galeri ]]> General Questions chikchui http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651955 Getting sweat smell out of a dry clean only suit http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651953&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 07:19:13 GMT One of my suits has a sweat smell in the crotch. Dry clean only. This happened years ago in another suit. I recall having it drycleaned but it still smelled afterward. I read some tips online such as baking soda paste, sunlight, and FeBreeze. Thoughts? Thanks. One of my suits has a sweat smell in the crotch. Dry clean only.

This happened years ago in another suit. I recall having it drycleaned but it still smelled afterward.

I read some tips online such as baking soda paste, sunlight, and FeBreeze.

Thoughts? Thanks. ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) Bearflag70 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651953 Samsung smart TV connectivity question http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651951&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 06:48:42 GMT I wish to purchase Samsung LED TV UA32D5900VR. 1) Is there a way to connect it to internet and use a wireless keyboard to surf, like I do with my PC? If yes, what do I need as additional hardware? My search does not give me a conclusive answer on this. 2) Also how is internet experience in... I wish to purchase Samsung LED TV UA32D5900VR.

1) Is there a way to connect it to internet and use a wireless keyboard to surf, like I do with my PC? If yes, what do I need as additional hardware?

My search does not give me a conclusive answer on this.

2) Also how is internet experience in these TVs? I am sure many dopers own these smart LED TVs.

Thanks in advance. ]]> General Questions indian http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651951 Should Prostitution Be Legal? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651950&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 06:42:16 GMT I think prostitution should be legal everywhere, and specifically in the US. In the US alot of things that are (supposedly) immoral are legal. As I saw one prostitute say tv, you can still be a slut. You just can't get "paid" for it.

Some background and terminology. "Decriminalization": simply removing the criminal penalties associated with prostitution. "Legalization": Carefully regulating prostitution activity (implies more than merely decriminalizing it).

Prostitution laws around the world. Notice esp. the chart at the beginning of the article (here's a closer look). In green countries, prostitution is legal and well-regulated. In red countries, it is strictly illegal. But (interestingly) in blue nations, it is in the gray area, kind of like pornography is in the US. In these countries, there are no laws against prositution per se. Buy allied activity like pimping, keeping a brothel or wandering the streets as a prostitute are illegal. Put another way, like pornography in the US (involving consenting adults of course), it is technically illegal. But you can easily find it available if you look;).

Also, some people (like St. Augustine) say, allowing things like prostitution give men a way to vent their sexual energies and frustrations. Making it strictly illegal leads in fact to greater harm (and often defiance of the law anyways).

Well, I think it should be legal. What do the rest of you think:)? ]]> Great Debates Jim B. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651950 <![CDATA[H&M Clothing: Quality Level?]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651949&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 06:36:16 GMT I was wondering about the clothing sold by the H&M store chain. It looks reasonably good, and the prices are reasonable. Is the clothing of good quality? Or is it meant to last one season only?
The store seems successful-what is your opinion?
Most of the clothing is made in 3rd-world countries-ones not usually known for high quality. ]]> Cafe Society ralph124c http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651949 Gaaaahh! Dreamweaver help, anyone? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651948&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 06:19:11 GMT I'm using Dreamweaver. Starting from their standard 2 column with header and footer "template" (I removed the footer and its associated stuff from the CSS file), I put in two images, stacked atop each other. But there are ugly padding gaps between the top of the page and the top image, and between the two images.

I've searched and searched for ways to remove that padding, but nothing I put into, or remove from, the CSS works. I've found similar questions in Google searches, but either the thread ends with no resolution or the suggestion just doesn't work! I'm getting really frustrated. Can anyone suggest anything? ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) Leaper http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651948 Tokyo Disney Resort Allows Same-sex Weddings http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651947&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 05:57:14 GMT It's been discovered that the local Disney theme parks allow same-sex weddings inside the Disney-brand hotels and the parks themselves. Yippee! :cool:

Quote:

Despite their having no legal status, same-sex couples are able to hold fairytale wedding ceremonies at hotels inside the popular Tokyo Disney Resort, including at the Cinderella Castle, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday.

]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) JpnDude http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651947 Cutest thing EVER! http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651946&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 05:40:25 GMT I looked but I didn't see that this had already been posted. If so mods, and mines a dup...please feel free to close this thread.

At any rate...let the "awwwwwwwws" begin.

http://www.viddler.com/v/18c49dd9 ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) CanvasShoes http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651946 In England, how long did Saxon nationalism survive after the Norman Conquest? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651944&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 05:14:39 GMT I know there were rebellions during William's reign, unsuprisingly . . . But, in Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott has Saxons plotting to put a Saxon prince on the throne as late as the reign of Richard the Lionhearted, which seems as hard to credit as Robin Hood's role in the story. When did Saxons and Normans stop thinking of each other as different nationalities? ]]> General Questions BrainGlutton http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651944 perfect storm question http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651943&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 04:12:38 GMT why is Billy Tyne constantly turning the wheel to the left? In every shot from the wheel house, he looks like he's doing all he can to control the ship.

If you've ever seen Deadliest Catch, the captains rarely steer at all, and never that hard.

Anyone else notice this, and know why he chose to act in this fashion? He was driving that boat in circles the entire trip. ]]> Cafe Society Stink Fish Pot http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651943 go dip a graham http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651942&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 04:12:17 GMT timing is everything.
take the lowly graham cracker. add milk to it and it becomes a comtemplation of timing.
bring the graham out of the milk too early, its just a cracker with a coating of milk.
forget for a bit about what you're doing, and the cracker doesn't rise above the milk.
you have to get a spoon and that's just wrong.
but! but if you get the timing right. you're consistent with the subtle complexity of the perfect milk to graham ratio,
you have a treat.
wonderful in its simplicity.
engaging in its complexities.
go dip a graham today. ]]> Cafe Society double p http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651942 Political Compass Test http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651941&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 04:06:58 GMT http://www.politicalcompass.org

I know that this political test has been brought up before, but I thought I'd share it again, just to see where everyone falls nowadays. Also, I had a couple of questions.

I just took the test. I was pretty much dead center; Economic Left/Right: 0.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.31. I'm not sure that's right, but... Apparently, according to this page, http://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection2012, I'm farther left than any current candidate, and farther down that anyone except Ron Paul. I find this ridiculous. I'm definitely right of Obama, at least slightly; I can see myself being very low, though. What I don't understand is, how did they arrive at these figures? So I wanted to see if you guys could take this test and see where it places you relative to political figures, and whether I'm the only one who doesn't agree with his own placement, so to speak. ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) Babale http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651941 Why did T-Rex have such teeny arms? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651936&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 03:15:46 GMT Why did T-Rex have such teeny arms? They couldn't reach it's mouth to help it eat. They couldn't help it get up if it fell over. It just seems so impractical! ]]> General Questions Palo Verde http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651936 Historical inaccuracies that are not minor http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651935&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 03:11:12 GMT OK, so, Edward the Prince of Wales (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_ii) (later King Edward II) did not marry Isabella of France (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_France) until 1308 (and they got married in France, not in England), and William Wallace... OK, so, Edward the Prince of Wales (later King Edward II) did not marry Isabella of France until 1308 (and they got married in France, not in England), and William Wallace was executed in 1305, so Wallace could not have met her, etc. But, what the heck, they could have cut that whole subplot and made Braveheart substantially the same story. Fine. Hollywood directors are not historians, artistic license, etc. (I actually have more trouble with the portrayal of the jus primae noctis; The Master Speaks.)

But, now I'm watching Becket (1964) (Richard Burton as Becket, Peter O'Toole as Henry II). And one thing repeated over and over -- the very key to Becket's character in this story -- is that he is a Saxon working for the Normans. Other Saxons despise him as a collaborator, Norman barons despise him as a common Saxon, and it's all indispensable to his character development.

Only, Thomas Becket was no Saxon, he was a Norman. On both sides. What excuse can there be for getting that wrong?! When it's so important to the story?!

Got any? (I'm not talking about Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter kinda stuff, I'm talking about films and novels that at least purport to be more or less historical.) ]]> Cafe Society BrainGlutton http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651935 Sacha baron Cohen staying in character while being interviewed by law enforcement. Is that legal http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651934&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:49:00 GMT In an NPR interview with Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali G, etc) he said that while filming Borat he was stopped and interviewed by law enforcement about 40 times. While being interviewed he said he stayed in character.

Is that legal (pretending to be someone you aren't to law enforcement)? Even if the intent isn't malicious? I know not talking to the police isn't illegal, but wouldn't giving them false information about your identity and motives be a crime?

If so how did he do it 40+ times? ]]> General Questions Wesley Clark http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651934 <![CDATA[Why don't female immune systems reject sperm?]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651933&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:43:32 GMT If it's foreign material, why isn't it fought off like an infection? ]]> General Questions Reply http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651933 Diablo 3: Gripes thread http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651932&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:31:57 GMT I wanted to start a thread for gripes to keep the thread shitting to a minimum in other D3 threads.

So with that said here are my early gripes (FWIW I did not play the beta)

1) You can't actually attack with weapons it appears. My witch doctor can equip all kinds of shit and you can see it in his hands, but he can only attack with "skills" like the blow dart. I thought I just didn't know what I was doing but looking around online it seems that many other people also can't attack with equipped weapons. If this is true its VERY disappointing.

2) The skill tree has been WAY dumbed down. There is no permanency to any of my decisions. It also doesn't seem to be possible to find gear that boosts a specific skill like there was in D2. It's all generic modifiers. Also disappointing. Is there even class specific gear? I can't tell.

3) The loot, at least in the first act of normal mode, is VERY slow coming. I'm not finding SHIT even when I have the magic shrines active.

4) The graphics are good, but not great. They are about on par with Titan's Quest, which is quite old now. I know they want it to be able to play on as many systems as possible but still...

Otherwise the game seems okay so far. It's not sucking me in so far like D2 did just trying to "find the next piece of loot".

I may restart the game with a Barbarian. Hopefully they can use all the gear as you pick it up.

ETA: Oh, opposite of a gripe, I haven't had any connection issues at all so far. ]]> The Game Room Cubsfan http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651932 Woulda been nice if I found my ATM card 12 hours ago! http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651931&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:14:33 GMT Just found my ATM card in my fanny pack! :smack: Needed to buy stamps and pay for CLEP exams! Wasted a trip to Dorchester! Just found my ATM card in my fanny pack! :smack: Needed to buy stamps and pay for CLEP exams! Wasted a trip to Dorchester! ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) etv78 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651931 Put downs with no disability definition http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651930&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:12:55 GMT Can you think of any putdown words with no definition related to disability? Can you think of any putdown words with no definition related to disability? ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) etv78 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651930 <![CDATA[Explain how cutting calories (no beer!) wouldn't result in weight loss...]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651929&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:04:54 GMT Basically I have decided to go alcohol free for a month to see how it feels. If the average beer has 150 calories and I drink 10 a week, I'm cutting out 1500 calories a week, 6000 for the entire month.

But here's the thing-I don't seem to have lost any weight and my 30 days is about up. I have weighed about 205 for the past 6 years and cutting out all alcohol has had no impact on my weight this past month. Is this not enough time? Is 205 my "healthy weight"? Obviously according to the BMI, I would be considered overweight, although I eat fairly well, walk at least 5 miles a day and do other more vigorous actives fairly often (basketball, biking,etc). I am by no means a muscular 205, I have love handles and a tree trunk build.

Can someone make sense of the math.....how is it possible to cut calories and not lose some fat?

And no, I am not eating more, I promise :-). ]]> General Questions ecoaster http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651929 What does Mormonism teach about the foundation of the USA? (formal or informal please) http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651928&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 02:03:32 GMT I have a very good friend who is a mormon, and he comes from a household completely ran by a very right wing father. My friend is very smart but basically grew up in a bubble of exposure to mormonism and right wing viewpoints only. During a discussion it seemed like my good friend, talked about... I have a very good friend who is a mormon, and he comes from a household completely ran by a very right wing father. My friend is very smart but basically grew up in a bubble of exposure to mormonism and right wing viewpoints only.

During a discussion it seemed like my good friend, talked about the founding fathers almost in the way non-mormon christians would talk about Christ...as if their "vision" for America 200+ years ago was something sacred that we could not change in any way. When I asked him why, he stammered and really had no response, but I didn't want to push him further.

I've caught him basically talking in right-wing talking points before, but I've also heard other mormons talk so highly of the founding fathers too. I know mormons skew extremely conservative overall, so it would be hard to divulge but I am curious whether:

a) Mormons overall don't worship the ground the founding fathers walked on, my anecdotes are not data,

b) Conservatives in general salivate over (their interpretation of) the visions of "founding fathers", and Mormons tend to be conservative,

or C) There is a doctrinal explanation for why Mormons tend to worship the conservative interpretation of the founding fathers and think that we can not and should not ever change the constitution or our understanding of it. I think since the mormons have an...alternate understanding of the history of the Americas compared to what science tells us, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case either. ]]> General Questions rogerbox http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651928 Prescription salt water. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651927&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 01:57:41 GMT Ok, I am a big mess physically. I have Neff tubes, they run from my kidneys to bags strapped to my legs. Twice a day, they need backflushed, injecting 10 ccs of 0.9 saline. We are about out and my wife check with Walgreens today. She was told she would have to have a prescription. Now I can... Ok, I am a big mess physically. I have Neff tubes, they run from my kidneys to bags strapped to my legs. Twice a day, they need backflushed, injecting 10 ccs of 0.9 saline. We are about out and my wife check with Walgreens today. She was told she would have to have a prescription. Now I can understand prescriptions for some stuff. My PCP just advised me to cut my dose of Lisinapril in half lest I collapse. But salt water? ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) thelabdude http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651927 God damn it, tbs!!! http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651925&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 01:56:36 GMT I'm watching a rerun of The Big Bang Theory on TBS, and they break away in the middle of the program to start playing a Clippers playoff game.

Apparently some other event is running long, and they feel if the Clippers are going to be on the teevee, they have to put it on a different channel, one that HAPPENS to be showing a program that's IMPORTANT.

Seriously, WHAT. THE. FUCK!!!???!!!

Don't you fucking Georgians have any concept of PRIORITIES?

Not everyone who lives in Georgia; just the ones that make decisions in the CNN Center.

Fuck. ]]> The BBQ Pit kaylasdad99 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651925 Web Developers - anybody have any experience with JRun? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651923&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 01:08:04 GMT Specifically with getting it to work on a Windows 2008 server and IIS 7. Yeah, I know, JRun is a product that is pretty much on life support, but it's what I'm stuck with at the moment.

Long story short - we have set of web servers at work (Windows 2003 servers) that use JRun to deploy a number of web sites for our customer. We are in the process of migrating to set of Windows 2008 virtual servers and I've been tasked with trying to get a test web server up and running.

I am not a server expert, and while I do have quite a bit of Java experience I don't have a lot of web development experience - mostly what I work on are our back-end processes. I do have some familiarity with how JRun is set up in our current server configuration but am running into a roadblock trying to get it set up on one of the new servers.

I think part of the problem is my unfamiliarity with IIS, plus the fact that the old 2003 servers have IIS 6 and the new servers have IIS 7. They are different-looking enough that I can't simply look at how the old server is set up and translate that to how it needs to be on the new server.

I can get one of our test websites to deploy under JRun correctly but when I try to get to it through IIS I keep getting a 404 not found error. So as best as I can tell it's a communications issue between JRun and IIS that's holding me up.

I realize this is kind of sketchy description of the problem. I'd be happy to provide more details about the setup if there is anyone out there who has been through this and has some idea how I might be able to get this to work.

I should add "need answer fast" - I'm supposed to have this working by the end of the week. I've already been struggling with it for over a week and am getting absolutely nowhere. Thanks in advance. ]]> General Questions Shoeless http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651923 Liberal capital cities http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651922&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 01:05:45 GMT Is it just my imagination, or do capital cities seem to be the most (or close to the most) liberal place in the areas they govern? Austin is well-known for being a liberal bastion in red-state Texas. The capital of Canada's Texas, Edmonton, Alberta, seems to be the one spot in the province that would provide the token legislators from other, non right-wing parties in either provincial or federal elections. And even the capital of the US, Washington DC, is long known as being a Democratic bastion. (This is, of course, comparing it to other states, which is somewhat unfair, but even compared to other cities, it seems to be quite solidly Democratic. Perhaps only San Francisco is more liberal than the nation's capital?)

If I'm actually right, why is this? It can't be due to the liberal nature of large cities (which has been discussed elsewhere, I'm pretty sure here on SDMB as well, where the increased population means increased exposure to other ideas and a preponderance towards liberalism, as Austin is the only large city in Texas (as Edmonton in Alberta) to have this trait, in fact much larger Texan cities (Dallas, Houston) are most decidedly not liberal (and Calgary, roughly the same size as Edmonton, is a predictably conservative bastion). So, what's up? ]]> General Questions dhkendall http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651922 Anybody else for Rat Race Drop Out or Off the Grid? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651921&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 01:04:19 GMT I've been thinking about this for years. A small community, maybe with a shared garden and car or something. Maybe a few essentially normal people that want to hook up and not be all alone and maybe be more self-sufficient. My idea is unclear; an "intentional" community?

But no I don't think a comet is going to take us out, or believe in the Mayan prediction, or that we need to stockpile arms or buy dehydrated rations...

But still.

Anybody know what I mean?

I've been meaning to bring it up but what pushed me was a call from my half-sister last night. (For some of my history maybe go to my posts and look at my Fios thread.) We talk maybe once a year. She was upset with spending 100 hours on the phone trying to resolve problems with companies that transfer and transfer and the tile people who gave her one year to pay in total for something or get hit with a 1600 buck interest fee and who just weeks before her "year" was up declined her single double triple triple payments... And the bank this and the credit card company that and, well, more...

This my life, I told her. We're surrounded by vultures. One needs an actuary just to pay the phone bill.

I have 5 acres in GA...

I can't do this any more. ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) cynyc http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651921 Top Baby Names for 2011 released http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651920&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 00:40:47 GMT The social security administration says Jacob was tops for boys and Sophia for girls. I like all the boys names but Mason and Jaden. The only girl's name I don't like is Madison. Our 2011 baby was a Charlotte. ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) LavenderBlue http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651920 Mundane changes to urban myths http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651919&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 00:26:02 GMT A follow-up to this CS thread, which was about comic book origins. Wasn't sure where to post this one.

The morning after a one-night stand, a man walks into the bathroom and finds "YOU'RE A LOUSY LAY" written on the mirror in lipstick. He never sees the woman again. ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) Dave Hartwick http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651919 money advice http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651918&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 00:23:13 GMT I've reached my 5,000 dollar Roth IRA limit for the year, and am looking for any ideas for someone in their 20's on other good ideas for saving?

I also have regular high-yield savings (like .08%) with a bunch of money there.

At work I contribute about 15% to my 401k.

Thank you! ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) seaptho http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651918 Could you make a ring out of diamond? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651917&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 00:22:42 GMT No, this not another Superman question. Can a wedding ring, say, be created out of nothing but the material itself? Or is this impossible by the very properties and definition of a crystal? It would be a nice gift, though. No, this not another Superman question.

Can a wedding ring, say, be created out of nothing but the material itself?

Or is this impossible by the very properties and definition of a crystal?

It would be a nice gift, though. ]]> General Questions Leo Bloom http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651917 South Africa - SIM cards upon arrival for foreigners http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651916&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 00:18:55 GMT I see a lot of conflicting information on this topic elsewhere, and Google's not being very helpful today.

I'll be arriving at Johannesburg Tambo early Sunday morning, and this time I don't have the luxury of a company world-wide phone, so now I need a SIM chip.

I remember a couple of Vodafone and/or MTS stores in the arrival area, but I'm unsure of the requirements for getting a useful SIM chip there. I've read on various (old) sites:

I can buy a SIM but I can't activate it.
I can't activate it without a passport and proof of physical address.

So my questions are

What's the current process today in mid-2012 so that I can have a working SIM as soon as possible?
Do I still need proof of a physical address?
Do I need proof of South Africa physical address?
Will proof of my foreign address suffice? (I think I have something in Chinese.)
Will a printed reservation confirmation from Amex suffice?
Are hotels used to this, and will print me a nice letter stating it's my address?

I think the USA is the only place that's harder to get a pre-paid SIM card! ]]> General Questions Balthisar http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651916 Ladies help me understand. Do women in general like to be dominated by men or not? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651915&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 00:07:55 GMT All men know that trying to understand women in general is a fool's exercise. This is far from a misogynist question however. I thought that I had things down much better than most men because I was raised by a very strong and successful mother as well as being the father of two young daughters. I thought things were heading in the general direction of sex equality and I understand that just fine and want it for my own children.

However, the recent phenomenal success of such works the Twilight Series and The Fifty Shades of Grey have left me confused once again. What primal female desire is driving these? Females are all over it in huge numbers although they are twisted versions of very old fairy tales or even horror stories yet today's females seem to crave it and are willing to pay for it.

Enough with the commentary. I put this is IMHO rather than Cafe Society for a reason. It isn't about these specific works.

The question is why would huge numbers of females like to see or read about male domination over female characters after decades of feminist crusades? ]]> In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) Shagnasty http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651915 Vinyl tiles in the bathroom http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651914&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 23:51:35 GMT We're doing some renovations in our bathroom in the Magill compound. We had wanted to use ceramic tiles, but the budget wouldn't allow. Second choice was vinyl flooring. Unfortunately, all the patterns in rolled vinyl was fugly. This leaves vinyl tiles. There are some very attractive patterns, but we have some concerns. How would we be able to prevent water from getting between the tiles and screwing up the floor? ]]> The Barn House Maus Magill http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651914 Glee 5/15: Props and Nationals http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651913&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 23:35:48 GMT We'll have two episodes tonight covering New Directions' preparations for and competition at Nationals. This is a major difference from last year, where they didn't prepare for Nationals.

Incidentally, neither of these episodes is the season finale. There's one more coming up next week, when we'll see the seniors graduate.

ETA: Since they haven't aired yet I don't know if they were written this way or not, but for polling purposes I figure it's easiest to just treat this as a two-hour episode. ]]> Cafe Society Lamia http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651913 <![CDATA[Anyone watch "Johnny Carson" on PBS American Masters?]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651912&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 23:28:02 GMT Like many Americans around my age I grew up watching Carson and I felt his death pretty deeply as celebrity deaths go. The AM segment on him which I watched last night was pretty interesting. Covered a lot of his early years that I never new much about. I knew a little about his interest in magic... Like many Americans around my age I grew up watching Carson and I felt his death pretty deeply as celebrity deaths go. The AM segment on him which I watched last night was pretty interesting. Covered a lot of his early years that I never new much about. I knew a little about his interest in magic and drums but didn't realize he was as good at that as he was. I was quite surprised to see him singing while playing guitar! Who knew?
One highlight for me was Drew Carey getting choked up while recounting his Tonight Show debut.
A pretty thorough overview of Johnny's life, I thought.
Anyone else watch? Anything left out? ]]> Cafe Society River Hippie http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651912 Hyperlinks. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651911&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 23:23:06 GMT I think thats what they are called. Where you hide the link and rename it in blue letters. I used to know how to do it, not anymore. I think thats what they are called.
Where you hide the link and rename it in blue letters.
I used to know how to do it, not anymore. ]]> About This Message Board Mewl Dear http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651911 Difference between WoW and Diablo? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651910&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 23:06:28 GMT I've played World of Warcraft but not Diablo and I'm wondering what the essential differences are. Skimming the Diablo site, the skills and magic and weapons, etc. all seem familiar. I've heard Diablo described as hack-and-slash, but isn't that what WoW basically boils down to? ]]> The Game Room With Rye http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651910 New Hampshire and State-Owned Liquor Stores http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651909&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:53 GMT Today I heard a radio broadcast wherein the host mentioned that he cannot patronize state-owned liquor stores in New Hampshire (where he lives), for reasons that I won't get into here. If he were to drive to a bordering state and buy his hooch, would he have a (even hypothetical) tax liability when he crossed the border back into NH? ]]> General Questions HeyHomie http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651909 <![CDATA[Question about Mediterranean Sea formation & Flood]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651908&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:58:51 GMT Hey guys...I have a question about whether you think the following article on Wikipedia that describes the Messinian Salinity Crisis and its termination in the Zanclean Flood is valid. This refers to the drying out of and subsequent refilling of the Mediterranean Sea. ---Quote--- In 1920, H.... Hey guys...I have a question about whether you think the following article on Wikipedia that describes the Messinian Salinity Crisis and its termination in the Zanclean Flood is valid. This refers to the drying out of and subsequent refilling of the Mediterranean Sea.

Quote:

In 1920, H. G. Wells published a popular history book in which it was suspected that the Mediterranean basin had in the past been cut off from the Atlantic. One piece of physical evidence, a deep channel past Gibraltar, had been noticed. Wells estimated that the basin had refilled roughly between 30,000 and 10,000 B.C.[40] The theory he printed was that:[40]

In the last Ice Age, so much ocean water was taken into the icecaps that world ocean level dropped[citation needed] below the sill in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Without the inflow from the Atlantic the Mediterranean would evaporate much more water than it receives, and would evaporate down to two large lakes, one on the Balearic Abyssal Plain, the other further east.
The east lake would receive most of the incoming river water, and may have overflowed into the west lake.
All or some of this seabed may have had a human population, where it was watered from the incoming rivers.
There is a long deep submerged valley running from the Mediterranean out into the Atlantic.
(Modern research, however, has shown that Wells' theory is incorrect. All the geological and plant-fossil evidence shows that the Mediterranean did not dry out during the last ice age. Sea levels were 120m lower than today, resulting in a shallower Strait of Gibraltar and a reduced water exchange with the Atlantic, but there was no cut-off.[41])

I think the last bullet point that says that the Mediterranean Sea could not have been cut off from the Atlantic Ocean during the last Ice Age is an unjustified conclusion, and I present a counterexample to show this:

First of all, the claim that the Strait of Gibraltar is today, at its deepest point, 900m below present-day sea level is entirely true. But the claim that given that the sea level was 120m lower during the last Ice Age, the Strait of Gibraltar would still be below the waterline (900m - 120m) by 780m at its deepest point during the Ice Age is, while seemingly a perfectly rational conclusion, in actuality contains a subtle assumption.

Here's the counterexample:

Imagine that the Strait of Gibraltar was 10m above the sea level 20,000 years ago, and that it was an isthmus which was rather narrow, and further, that this above-sea level isthmus had remained above the sea level for a time period of greater than 1,000 years, which is the amount of time that is estimated to be needed to dry out the Mediterranean Sea into a basin given that it is blocked from the Atlantic Ocean.

Then the Mediterranean Sea would, at the time of 20,000 years ago, be a dry basin; further, not merely just reduced some 120m below its present level, but reduced either completely down to its deepest basins, or some amount far greater than just 120m; perhaps 2 km.

We know that the Mediterranean region near the Strait of Gibraltar, is, today, a very tectonically active region. The 1755 earthquake offshore of Lisbon Portugal, which had a moment magnitude of around 8.7, is an example of how large earthquakes close to magnitude 9 can happen near that region.

Because the Mediterranean Sea would be a basin in that situation, it would be supporting the entire mass of the ocean water on its west side (the Atlantic Ocean), and only air on its east side (because the water had dried out in the Mediterranean). Even given the increased atmospheric density on the right side due to the greater depths in the Mediterranean basin, the mass of water on the left hand side would still have a density of some 500 times greater than the air on the right hand side, and a pressure even greater.

So you have a disequlibrium of forces, since pressure is force over area, and the area exposed on both sides of the isthmus underwater are probably reasonably similar, yet a static situation. If this net force exerted on the isthmus' exceeds the breaking strength of the isthmus, and the breakage that results either occurs below the water surface, reduces the height of the isthmus above the then sea level from 10m above to something even like -5m above, the Atlantic Ocean will spill over that reduced height isthmus.

Let us assume that given such an disequilibrium of forces, an earthquake on the scale of the 1755 Lisbon quake (8.7 magnitude estimate), could potentially be a trigger event that reduces the tensile/breaking stress of the rock that makes up the isthmus so that the net force exerted on the isthmus, which was prior to the quake, insufficient to exceed the breaking stress of the isthmus, but now exceeds the breaking stress; not because the net force on the isthmus (i.e. the level of the ocean in the Atlantic increased, but because the earthquake caused the breaking stress of the isthmus rock to decrease...so that the unchanged net force suddenly "found itself" above the decreased breaking stress.

Then, the Atlantic Ocean would intrude into the Mediterranean basin. Perhaps even at a trickle at first, but scientists who worked on the Mediterranean Sea flood and studied the one 5.33 million years ago have done geophysical modeling that showed that a trickle would soon grow into a torrent.

This torrent would flow at a tremendous speed, which I argue would be sufficient to carve down what was prior to the earthquake+breakthrough of Atlantic water an isthmus into a deep U-shaped canyon. Since the sea levels 20,000 years ago were 120m below present day sea level and the hypothetical isthmus above-water I supposed was 10m above the then sea level of 120m, the isthmus would originally have been located at 110m (-120m + 10m) below present-day sea level, yet still NOT underwater (that's my supposition). The earthquake+incursion of water would then erode a total vertical distance of (-110m - (-900m)) = 790m, so that we now look at the present-day vertical maximum depth of the Strait of Gibraltar and say the water level never went down to 900m below present, so the Mediterranean couldn't have been cut off...but what if in actuality, the reason the strait is so deep today was because it did dry out 20,000 years ago as H.G. Wells hypothesized, and the ensuing flood that refilled it actually carved what was an isthmus 10m or so above the sea level of -120m all the way down to the present depth of -900 m (a total of 790m)?

Do you think this is a valid counterexample to the widely-held conclusion that the Mediterranean Sea could not have dried out during the last Ice Age?

Thanks. ]]> General Questions supery00n http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651908 <![CDATA[Who's the most hated TV character?]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651907&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:41:25 GMT I saw a promo for the upcoming season of TrueBlood in June, with a brief shot of the cliffhanger from last season - Tara with a big gaping head-wound after being shot point-blank by Alcide's girlfriend. The cliffhanger was supposed to keep viewers in suspense, fretting over the fate of Sookie's best friend. But by then, Tara had become such an irritating character, most of the fans were elated by the thought that she might die.

Anyway, that got me to thinking about "hated" characters. I've been on the SDMB for many years now, and of course followed many of the same shows that much of CS denizens often discuss. Invariably, even the most beloved shows have at least one character who is the subject of intense hatred by viewers. I'm just wondering who is the most hated out of all the hated TV characters?

I'm limiting the topic of conversation here to scripted TV series, since reality TV seems to have no other purpose than depicting hateful vile people whom most rational folks would detest (presumably so that the viewing audience can feel superior to them.)

Also excluded are guest stars, or recurring characters (so Lwaxana Troi is out), or characters who have intentionally obnoxious personalities (like, say, Dwight Schrute.) I'm more interested in characters who are supposed to be sympathetic, and whom the audience is supposed to be like and have a vested interest in, yet most fans of the series just can't stand. The list of characters in the poll ought to give a good idea of what I mean. (I compiled the list based on years of reading CS threads about the various shows.)

It can be for any reason - badly written characters, characters with no direction, or characters played by bad actors. Who does the CS hate & despise more than any other? ]]> Cafe Society Don Draper http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651907 <![CDATA[It's mine and Suburbanplankton's 19th anniversary!]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651906&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:40:39 GMT Not mundane or pointless to us, but I thought I'd share it with you all. ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) Rhiannon8404 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651906 An SDMB Timeline http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651905&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:35:48 GMT Does such a thing already exist? If so, where? If not, I think it might be fun to build one with such details as: - Sequence of starting dates for the various fora - Vital statistics of Mods and Admins (etc.) --- Join Date --- Date of becoming whatever --- Number of posts - Major dates... Does such a thing already exist? If so, where? If not, I think it might be fun to build one with such details as:

- Sequence of starting dates for the various fora

- Vital statistics of Mods and Admins (etc.)
--- Join Date
--- Date of becoming whatever
--- Number of posts

- Major dates of significant events
--- Pay to Play
--- Changes in Board Software
--- Major crashes
--- Busiest day
--- Least busy day

Any help with topics?
Anybody want to help make such a thing happen, if it hasn't already? ]]> About This Message Board Zeldar http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651905 Who is the toughest man in pop? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651904&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:15:38 GMT From a pointless conversation I had a few months ago. In a physical fight, out of all present day musicians, singers etc in mainstream music. Who's the daddy? My friend and I decided that the toughest looking performer we could think of off the top of our heads was 50 cent. He's been shot as well so extra points. Somehow didn't seem like a fully satisfactory answer though. What about in rock? There must be some pretty tough drummers about surely. ]]> Cafe Society Mikeisskeptical http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651904 God Damn It Twickster! http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651903&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:04:13 GMT Okay I'll do it here instead of an e-mail where admin stuff is supposed to go:

God damn it Twickster, you're awesome! Keep up the good work. Moderating this place is never something I'd want to do but you keep on trucking after what would set me onto multiple shooting sprees. Keep doing your thang and keeping this place running smoothly.

Same goes for you other moderators too, so don't think you're off the hook just yet. If you catch my attention lawd knows you'll be hearing about it! Understood? ]]> About This Message Board Covered_In_Bees! http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651903 <![CDATA[New cow-orker prints out emails, etc. Never thought I'd see this!]]> http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651902&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 21:10:27 GMT I've heard stories of people printing out and filing emails but never thought I'd actually see it. This new cow-orker is in her mid-50s, and she is a supervisor (not my supervisor though). She just started, and I have had to show her how to do things like:

Open a web browser and open her email.
Change the subject of an email.
How to save a document.
How to copy and paste from a Word document into an email.
How to attach a document to an email.

She was also trying to send a document to our boss with a few paragraphs of comments regarding the document. Instead of attaching the document to an email and writing the comments in the body of the email, and she typed out a letter in Word, printed it, and wanted to scan it with the document, and email the scan. I showed her how to put the text of the message directly into an email. (That's when I had to show her how to copy/paste.)

Lastly, yesterday she asked me for a bunch of file folders, and I heard the printer going for a long time. I wondered what she was doing... I just discovered she is PRINTING OUT EMAILS and filing them. WTF?? :confused:

In addition to this new cow-orker, I have been amazed at my other cow-orkers' lack of technical skills, and they're in their 30s. They're unable to do simple things like correctly format a Word document. Things like they start typing and don't realize that their text is formatted as a heading, and the whole body of their document is in huge, bold font. Then they print it out and give it to me, with no realization that anything is out-of-whack.

Any other dinosaur cow-orker stories you'd like to share? ]]> Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) Green Cymbeline http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651902