# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=103 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 104 --- ## [Drunk drivers: protected by the crumple zone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-drivers-protected-by-the-crumple-zone/502661)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2009, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-drivers-protected-by-the-crumple-zone/502661 "2009-07-11T13:09:39Z")
A likely accident scenario is a drunk driver ramming another vehicle in the side. The drunk would be protected by the crumple zone of his car while his victim would be more likely to be injured. --- ## [Tornado Detection Via TV's; Incorrect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-detection-via-tvs-incorrect/502420)
**Author:** [@Factual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Factual)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-detection-via-tvs-incorrect/502420 "2009-07-09T19:47:47Z")
I was recently brought to one of this site’s articles (link), it intrigued me so I did a quick search and came upon theNSSL NOAA site which promptly debunked the entire article with: I have not been able to determine h… --- ## [Tunguska explosion .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tunguska-explosion/501160)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2009, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tunguska-explosion/501160 "2009-07-07T23:39:29Z")
Column by Cecil. New evidence emerges to pin it to an icy comet. --- ## [Date of Easter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/date-of-easter/501012)
**Author:** [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/date-of-easter/501012 "2009-07-07T20:38:16Z")
From How is the date of Easter determined? - The Straight Dope Just a small question. Cecil says in his explanation If the full moon after the equinox falls on Sunday, Easter follows a week later. At what point on the… --- ## [Something Missing...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-missing/501872)
**Author:** [@weiwei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weiwei)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-missing/501872 "2009-07-06T10:25:58Z")
Be Levon sounds the same as believe on… --- ## [Craters of the Moon National Monuument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craters-of-the-moon-national-monuument/501950)
**Author:** [@wtwilson3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wtwilson3)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2009, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craters-of-the-moon-national-monuument/501950 "2009-07-05T14:19:36Z")
What i want to know is if the astronauts ever really trained at Craters of the Moon National Monument? Been there, it’s wild. --- ## [Who Killed Jesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-killed-jesus/500714)
**Author:** [@endersshadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/endersshadow)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-killed-jesus/500714 "2009-07-02T16:08:21Z")
Just a couple things really worth mentioning. Did the response really have to be that long? The Jews wanted Jesus dead and pressured the Romans to kill Jesus. See how easy that was? Another thing, at that time people… --- ## [Bomb Craters in Alberta (Astronaut Training)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-craters-in-alberta-astronaut-training/501391)
**Author:** [@Bad\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-craters-in-alberta-astronaut-training/501391 "2009-07-01T22:56:49Z")
Column in question I live in Alberta and am curious as to the location of these craters - anyone know the story behind this? Are they still there? --- ## [pre-Presidential succession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-presidential-succession/501468)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-presidential-succession/501468 "2009-06-30T19:57:27Z")
I don’t personally subscribe to the view that Taylor didn’t become president until he took the oath. There’s nothing in the Constitution that says a president’s term begins at the instant he completes the oath; it beg… --- ## [Restrooms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restrooms/498251)
**Author:** [@lonv166](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonv166)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restrooms/498251 "2009-06-30T03:11:07Z")
While living and working in Europe, I came across the term ‘loo’ and was told a slightly different story. Mind you, I did not hear this story from any Brits, in fact, many (Brits) I told were thrilled, quizical or stunn… --- ## [Will sleeping in a closed room with an electric fan cause death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-cause-death/501326)
**Author:** [@moohalee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moohalee)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-cause-death/501326 "2009-06-30T02:48:52Z")
In Korea, the population is fortunate enough to have no depression, AIDS, homosexuality, female smokers, or suicide. (among many other evil western traits) ‘She slept in her room with the windows shut and the electric f… --- ## [Super glue for open wounds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-glue-for-open-wounds/501211)
**Author:** [@brewen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewen)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-glue-for-open-wounds/501211 "2009-06-29T15:39:39Z")
I just read a post on super glue and it oddly wont let me comment on it. Here it is. All of it was right except where the guy says. You cant use household super glue to close open wounds. LOL what a joke. I have us… --- ## [Here we go again!!!!!!! (Astrology)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-astrology/499546)
**Author:** [@BG43214\_YAHOO.COM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BG43214_YAHOO.COM)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2009, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-astrology/499546 "2009-06-27T08:12:06Z")
It seems to me that if you want to ‘prove’ astrology, just have your birth horoscope done, and see what it says about you… As the old saying goes, 'if you haven’t studied it, you shouldn’t knock it". I went to a profes… --- ## [4 color Maps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-color-maps/500175)
**Author:** [@a.t.w](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a.t.w)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-color-maps/500175 "2009-06-27T05:58:13Z")
In response to the recent article regarding maps that require 4 or more colors…What about Bolivia? It is bordered by Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. During the 1800s it also bordered the Pacific. I think… --- ## [In the song "Hotel California," what does "colitas" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/501139)
**Author:** [@moosedrink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moosedrink)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2009, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/501139 "2009-06-27T04:18:11Z")
Dear Cecil, I liked the irony of confusing hemp and pot on a forum entitled “The Straight Dope,” but you clearly have never tried putting cool whip in your hair. -moosedrink --- ## [The Lunar The Better](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lunar-the-better/500953)
**Author:** [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lunar-the-better/500953 "2009-06-26T07:06:29Z")
Column in question. Just wanted to highlight for any interested readers the excellent episode “Galileo Was Right” from the outstanding HBO miniseries\* From the Earth to the Moon\*, which focused on how NASA trained its l… --- ## [What is the purpose of eyebrows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-eyebrows/500981)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2009, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-eyebrows/500981 "2009-06-26T00:28:40Z")
From here: Went a little overboard in the tweezing department this weekend. And by that I mean…I have NO eyebrows. Like, three hairs tops. I haven’t noticed a lot of sweat issues, but my eyes feel a lot grittier–like … --- ## [Bush AWOL Correction.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-awol-correction/500943)
**Author:** [@bobklahn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobklahn)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-awol-correction/500943 "2009-06-25T22:32:01Z")
Ok, well… I do believe there are two corrections necessary. This is an old column, Apr 11, 2003, and I found it when checking out Microsoft’s new Bing search engine. The column says Bush was approved by his immediate s… --- ## [Schroedinger's cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schroedingers-cat/499844)
**Author:** [@leandroc76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leandroc76)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schroedingers-cat/499844 "2009-06-25T18:05:48Z")
This morning’s column was genius, thank you so much I enjoyed the rhyme, the rhythm, the eloquence and such I can’t rhyme or reason for understanding a word All I know its the best poem that I’ve ever heard Since rea… --- ## [How does wool keep you warm when it's wet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-wool-keep-you-warm-when-its-wet/499849)
**Author:** [@Hipoint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hipoint)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-wool-keep-you-warm-when-its-wet/499849 "2009-06-24T02:05:03Z")
I’m a little surprised you didn’t even MENTION lanolin… Duh ! --- ## [Nitrogen for Tires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-for-tires/469375)
**Author:** [@Labman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labman)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2009, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-for-tires/469375 "2009-06-24T00:27:20Z")
I beg to differ with Cecil on his opinion on whether to use nitrogen or not. Two years back I put new Goodyear tires on my daugher’s Monte Carlo. It sat outside during the cold mid-Illinois winter, and the tires became… --- ## [Martial artists learn to break things slowly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-artists-learn-to-break-things-slowly/500133)
**Author:** [@dmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmartin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-artists-learn-to-break-things-slowly/500133 "2009-06-22T16:12:31Z")
Having done a lot of breaking - boards, concrete, rocks, bricks and so forth on my way to black belt (got it, too), Here it is: it’s physics, but not just physics. The way I explain this to my students is, the force you… --- ## [Martial Artist column question differing from other thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-artist-column-question-differing-from-other-thread/500563)
**Author:** [@Crodley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crodley)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2009, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-artist-column-question-differing-from-other-thread/500563 "2009-06-22T11:15:43Z")
Hi all, regarding this column, Has martial arts training ever helped anybody defeat a mugger? I have a question about one of the references. I didn’t want to post in the other thread because I didn’t want to hijack the … --- ## [Well, if we really need a "correct" term for the room with the toilet in it...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-if-we-really-need-a-correct-term-for-the-room-with-the-toilet-in-it/498026)
**Author:** [@Histrion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Histrion)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-if-we-really-need-a-correct-term-for-the-room-with-the-toilet-in-it/498026 "2009-06-21T03:53:51Z")
Here’s the recent Staff Report, which refers back to earlier Master-penned columns about the various terms used for That Room In Which We Excrete. Cecil comments, at one point, that the English language appears to have b… --- ## [Is it true men can suffer penile fracture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-men-can-suffer-penile-fracture/499693)
**Author:** [@Sissy54](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sissy54)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-men-can-suffer-penile-fracture/499693 "2009-06-21T01:12:00Z")
Apparently in 1988 Cecil thought it was “goofy” that a man could suffer penile fracture. He classified such men as “Meatballs”. My husband recently had just such a traumatic experience and he said there is no person in… --- ## [Why is India 30 minutes out of step with everybody else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-india-30-minutes-out-of-step-with-everybody-else/500418)
**Author:** [@slieveen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slieveen)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-india-30-minutes-out-of-step-with-everybody-else/500418 "2009-06-20T21:20:43Z")
In this 1981 column, Cecil appears to be confusing the international acceptance of a universal prime meridian through Greenwich and adaptation of a 24 hour day with the establishment of standardized time zones around the… --- ## [Why Saudi Arabia Keeps Time the Way it Does](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-saudi-arabia-keeps-time-the-way-it-does/500104)
**Author:** [@OldManMolehill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldManMolehill)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-saudi-arabia-keeps-time-the-way-it-does/500104 "2009-06-20T20:48:52Z")
It is my understanding that the Saudis keep time the way they do because they believe this method of timekeeping is prescribed by Islam. (Comments by those with greater knowledge are solicited.) --- ## [It's "washroom" in Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-washroom-in-canada/500303)
**Author:** [@MtlWriterguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MtlWriterguy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-washroom-in-canada/500303 "2009-06-19T16:33:36Z")
In English-speaking Canada the term “washroom” is much more common than “restroom,” so it’s not an archaic Americanism, it’s a current Canadianism. In Canadian French, as in France, they use the entirely unambiguous “to… --- ## [Did astronaut Neil Armstrong muff his historic one small step line ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-astronaut-neil-armstrong-muff-his-historic-one-small-step-line/498672)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-astronaut-neil-armstrong-muff-his-historic-one-small-step-line/498672 "2009-06-19T14:41:24Z")
We still don’t know says cecil. New research says yes,he did muff it --- ## [Why is a Raven Like a Writing Desk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/500017)
**Author:** [@Tanuki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanuki)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/500017 "2009-06-18T16:09:58Z")
Apropos of Why is a raven like a writing desk? - The Straight Dope, I had always assumed the answer to be obvious (and the joke to be that they did not say the answer in the book, leaving it up to the reader to solve), a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=102) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=104)