# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=104 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 105 --- ## [The Cat Came Back...... NOT!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cat-came-back-not/499866)
**Author:** [@isgdre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isgdre)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cat-came-back-not/499866 "2009-06-17T22:03:03Z")
I do not have the time to put this to a rhyme. But a little time I’ll take to tell you of your mistake. And be it not that clever The Cat is the observer. So, he is dead or alive before we open the box based on his… --- ## [Government isn't supposed to 'Make a Profit'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-isnt-supposed-to-make-a-profit/498825)
**Author:** [@vantage49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vantage49)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-isnt-supposed-to-make-a-profit/498825 "2009-06-16T23:49:20Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2871/is-nasa-the-only-federal-agency-that-makes-a-profit I believe that government agencies and departments are not supposed to make a profit. It may even be illegal. If they did… --- ## [Why Metal Feels Colder Than Wood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-metal-feels-colder-than-wood/499510)
**Author:** [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-metal-feels-colder-than-wood/499510 "2009-06-14T17:54:39Z")
In this Straight Dope Classic, Cecil states that metal feels colder than wood because of its higher thermal conductivity, which pulls heat out of your hand faster. But conductivity itself is not the sole determinant - t… --- ## [Straight Dope on potato skins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-on-potato-skins/497052)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-on-potato-skins/497052 "2009-06-14T03:40:58Z")
In an old column, Cecil states the skin of the potato “consists mostly of dead cells filled with a waxy, largely vitaminless substance whose chief function is to protect the potato’s insides.” Wikipedia, while confirming… --- ## [Moving Venus or Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-venus-or-mars/499056)
**Author:** [@kknott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kknott)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-venus-or-mars/499056 "2009-06-13T21:07:04Z")
Cecil states, "We’ve already got one planet pretty much hosed. " Is Cecil a tree-hugger, or what? This planet is nowhere close to being hosed. The Q & A on this topic is indicitive of the culturally accepted “the Eart… --- ## [Glass; what is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-what-is-it/498856)
**Author:** [@FreeTheBirds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreeTheBirds)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-what-is-it/498856 "2009-06-13T18:45:54Z")
:confused: I know Cecil’s column on glass was a classic from 1982, but I have a question that dates back to then. In the early 80’s I lived in Europe becasue of my father’s job, and my parents took us everywhere. I rem… --- ## [More on Vaccines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-vaccines/499645)
**Author:** [@bgordski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bgordski)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-vaccines/499645 "2009-06-13T14:54:27Z")
See Dr Val Jones’s response: Hostility toward Science People who refuse to vaccinate their children should be treated as the child abusers that they have become. --- ## [glass transparency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-transparency/499314)
**Author:** [@evanherk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evanherk)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-transparency/499314 "2009-06-12T18:00:43Z")
‘because it is a liquid’ is a nonsense answer; as there are solids, e.q. quartz crystals and diamond which are perfectly ordered crystals and yet are perfectly transparent; and many fluids that are strongly opaque. In s… --- ## [Reading left to right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-left-to-right/497167)
**Author:** [@rblocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rblocher)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2009, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-left-to-right/497167 "2009-06-12T09:24:24Z")
First off, I think the real reason we read left to right is that we write that way. That changes the question a bit. Looking at how left-handed people are forced to contort when they write, I had always assumed that we… --- ## [Do some Irish names come from Spanish Armada survivors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-irish-names-come-from-spanish-armada-survivors/497348)
**Author:** [@Rohequi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rohequi)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2009, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-irish-names-come-from-spanish-armada-survivors/497348 "2009-06-12T08:00:09Z")
I believe that the Irish kept extremely good relations with Spain. Spain was traditionally an enemy of England, and just because of that, the irish would have kept Spain in high regard. There was also Catholicism (after… --- ## [Cross was a symbol of unity in pre-christian era](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-was-a-symbol-of-unity-in-pre-christian-era/499317)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-was-a-symbol-of-unity-in-pre-christian-era/499317 "2009-06-11T20:33:28Z")
From Dex’s report on " keeping the fingers crossed " . What is the origin of cross ? I remember reading that it originated from swastika . --- ## [Aluminum Coke Cans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aluminum-coke-cans/499439)
**Author:** [@dpbanana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dpbanana)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aluminum-coke-cans/499439 "2009-06-11T14:29:40Z")
So, if the ph of Coke is 2.7 and it strongly reacts with aluminum, why aren’t aluminum Coke cans dissolved by the Coke? Do they have an invisible coating shielding them from the acid? How does this work? --- ## [particle and wave???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/particle-and-wave/166204)
**Author:** [@xcalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xcalibre)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/particle-and-wave/166204 "2009-06-11T00:43:33Z")
link to report http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlightwaveparticle.html If you read any of the Hawking’s books, there is one thing he mentions quite frequently. Hawkings describes a view of science (the name eludes m… --- ## [re ketchup and aluminium foil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-ketchup-and-aluminium-foil/499313)
**Author:** [@evanherk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evanherk)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-ketchup-and-aluminium-foil/499313 "2009-06-11T00:32:14Z")
The aluminium is eaten away by the acid, producing not Al2O3 but aluminium acetate, or whatever acid is used in ketchup. citric? ‘oxidation’ in this sense does not mean react with oxygen but in the extended sense means ‘… --- ## [NASA's balance sheet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasas-balance-sheet/498801)
**Author:** [@magpye100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magpye100)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasas-balance-sheet/498801 "2009-06-10T21:18:06Z")
While it is true that a look at the current balance sheet will show an operating deficit, it is important to remember that NASA, especially during the heydey of the space program, was essentially one big procurement agen… --- ## [Federal Agency that Makes money: PTO](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-agency-that-makes-money-pto/499171)
**Author:** [@Pencil\_Pusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pencil_Pusher)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-agency-that-makes-money-pto/499171 "2009-06-10T18:59:18Z")
The Patent and Trademark Office is completely fee-based and for years and years was subject to “fee diversion” to the general fund. I think the number was typically 10% of the $1-2 B budget was “profit.” For the past 5… --- ## [Joe Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-kennedy/499262)
**Author:** [@mousey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mousey)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-kennedy/499262 "2009-06-10T18:55:34Z")
Joe Kennedy did make a lot on insider trading also smuggling bootleg whiskey into the states. The question as to why the Kennedys have all these millions when none of them have ever worked a day in their life goes back t… --- ## [male ballet dancers on tips of toes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-ballet-dancers-on-tips-of-toes/498795)
**Author:** [@evanherk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evanherk)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-ballet-dancers-on-tips-of-toes/498795 "2009-06-09T23:10:39Z")
The reason is really obvious to me: male dancers (ballerinos?) would look sissy hopping about on their toes, innit? Bart van Herk --- ## [Does stuff cool faster in the freezer than in the fridge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-stuff-cool-faster-in-the-freezer-than-in-the-fridge/498604)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-stuff-cool-faster-in-the-freezer-than-in-the-fridge/498604 "2009-06-09T22:50:42Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/109/does-stuff-cool-faster-in-the-freezer-than-in-the-fridge While the equation is impressive, a simple thought experiment should reveal the folly of the correspondent’s supposit… --- ## [Mid-word "s" and end-word "s"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mid-word-s-and-end-word-s/498937)
**Author:** [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mid-word-s-and-end-word-s/498937 "2009-06-08T02:44:23Z")
Reading Cecil’s column about the different letters of “s” Why did 18th-century writers use F inftead of S? - The Straight Dope I was a bit surprised that he traced the two s-forms only back to the Romans. I thought (no … --- ## [Toejam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toejam/168)
**Author:** [@PatronAnejo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatronAnejo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toejam/168 "2009-06-07T23:50:54Z")
\< !doctype html public “-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en”\> \ \ \ \ **Author:** [@David\_Frishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Frishman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-makes-money/498802 "2009-06-07T16:39:02Z") The column on NASA making money mentions that the FCC sold off the 700MHz analog television band and took in $19.6 billion. Who did they sell it to? Their propaganda says they freed up the band to provide police, fire,… --- ## [Link to Cecil's column on autoerotic asphixiation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/link-to-cecils-column-on-autoerotic-asphixiation/498800)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2009, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/link-to-cecils-column-on-autoerotic-asphixiation/498800 "2009-06-06T08:56:53Z")
Since the subject has come up with the death of David Carradine, here is the Straight Dope on the subject. --- ## [Is the date on MDA column correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-date-on-mda-column-correct/497917)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-date-on-mda-column-correct/497917 "2009-06-05T21:41:53Z")
I’m having trouble believing the date on this MDA question and answer, for a couple of reasons. The writer first asks: If he was writing in 1975, why would he say “the early 70s” instead of “last year” or “a couple o… --- ## [Straight Dope columns will now include references](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-columns-will-now-include-references/474630)
**Author:** [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-columns-will-now-include-references/474630 "2009-06-05T02:45:54Z")
From here on out, Straight Dope columns will include references - while Cecil knows everything, in this justly skeptical age we can’t expect you to take his word for it. We’ll add references to old columns as time permit… --- ## [The stickiness of tape and the lighting of matches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stickiness-of-tape-and-the-lighting-of-matches/498690)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stickiness-of-tape-and-the-lighting-of-matches/498690 "2009-06-04T23:33:41Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/106/what-makes-tape-stick-and-matches-light A 1974 column, eh? Any more recent research on how adhesive tape really works? --- ## ["sqaw" derivation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sqaw-derivation/497842)
**Author:** [@jennywren2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jennywren2)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sqaw-derivation/497842 "2009-06-04T20:35:49Z")
Found you looking for the word “squaw” and its history. I like your research and objectivity. I live in Canada where it was a matter of life and death whether or not there was a First Nations woman with an ignorant p… --- ## [blood test / marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-test-marriage/498540)
**Author:** [@montims](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/montims)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-test-marriage/498540 "2009-06-03T17:07:46Z")
I was reading a much earlier thread on this subject, but it didn’t let me add to the thread, so I hope it’s ok that I started a new one. You said that in a few states, blood tests are still required for marriage in the … --- ## [hitler's testicle(s?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitlers-testicle-s/497048)
**Author:** [@tomchak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomchak)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitlers-testicle-s/497048 "2009-06-01T19:17:02Z")
Are Hitler and (recently) Franco the only world dictators who have been said to be monorquid? (monorchid? that’s what they say in the recent Spanish article about it) --- ## [Candiru column reference on SGU](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-column-reference-on-sgu/498381)
**Author:** [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-column-reference-on-sgu/498381 "2009-06-01T17:58:32Z")
I just thought I’d bring to anyone’s attention who might be interested, the “Skeptics Guide to the Universe” podcast did a segment in response to a listener email asking about the candiru fish and Rebecca referred to “Un… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=105)