# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=113 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 114 --- ## [Re: Prostitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-prostitution/477189)
**Author:** [@starchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starchild)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-prostitution/477189 "2008-12-16T18:18:59Z")
Your response to the woman hyping the usual fear-based agenda of the criminalizers with misleading statements about teen prostitutes, trafficking, and so on, couldn’t have been better: “No doubt many street prostitutes … --- ## [Did Indians say "how" for a greeting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-indians-say-how-for-a-greeting/477307)
**Author:** [@Mupi52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mupi52)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-indians-say-how-for-a-greeting/477307 "2008-12-16T17:11:58Z")
This is a response to a very early comment by Cecil. (Did Indians really say “how” as a greeting? - The Straight Dope) If the Amerindians migrated from Asia, then it’s potentially plausible that remnants of their langua… --- ## [One Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hand/475941)
**Author:** [@Gnodab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gnodab)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hand/475941 "2008-12-16T16:07:15Z")
Cecil, As someone who has been practicing Zen for going on three and a half years now, I would like to ask if you could take down the answer part for the one hand clapping. It is not fair to take away the chance a perso… --- ## [52 flies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/52-flies/476862)
**Author:** [@bencurthoys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bencurthoys)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/52-flies/476862 "2008-12-16T15:36:57Z")
If I hadn’t killed 52 flies as a child, how many descendants would they have had by now? Assuming that the world fly population is roughly constant, year on year, and the flies killed were neither unusually fit or unfit… --- ## [Excuse me, but you seem to have dropped your kilo.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-you-seem-to-have-dropped-your-kilo/477343)
**Author:** [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-you-seem-to-have-dropped-your-kilo/477343 "2008-12-16T02:55:59Z")
In today’s Classic Column on “If I hadn’t killed 52 flies as a child … etc.”, Cecil states the size of our galaxy as only 25-30 parsecs across. Well, unless he was talking about it’s thickness, the measure should have r… --- ## [Comment on the Christianity Popularity article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-the-christianity-popularity-article/468187)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-the-christianity-popularity-article/468187 "2008-12-14T23:34:58Z")
This one (that just popped up to the main page): The column closes with this: “…what else is there? Sure, I know some profess to take solace in science. But who in his final hour rejoices at the thought, onward to th… --- ## [What's the difference between sociopaths, psychopaths, serial killers, etc.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-sociopaths-psychopaths-serial-killers-etc/473904)
**Author:** [@hkoehli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hkoehli)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-sociopaths-psychopaths-serial-killers-etc/473904 "2008-12-14T05:56:13Z")
The confusion of terms here is revealing. Antisocial personality disorder and “sociopath” are misleading terms that only confuse the issue of psychopathy and criminal deviance. This happened in Polish psychiatry as well,… --- ## [rennet info](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rennet-info/476984)
**Author:** [@fafadean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fafadean)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rennet-info/476984 "2008-12-14T05:30:25Z")
Just to thank you; the straight dope on rennet used in cheeses was most helpful. :slight\_smile: --- ## [Jake brake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jake-brake/476666)
**Author:** [@granville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/granville)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jake-brake/476666 "2008-12-13T13:28:22Z")
One important characteristic of diesel engines was overlooked in the answer to the question on ‘Jake brakes.’ Conventional gasoline engines are throttled. When you lift your foot off the gas, a valve closes off airflow… --- ## [Re abortion column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-abortion-column/469277)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-abortion-column/469277 "2008-12-13T05:17:47Z")
A reasonably good summation of the debate over when human life begins. However, unless I am mistaken, Roe v. Wade didn’t turn on when human life begins; it was based primarily on a woman’s right to control her own body… --- ## [P-wave vs Sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/p-wave-vs-sound/476894)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/p-wave-vs-sound/476894 "2008-12-12T16:11:18Z")
In the Perfect Master’s latest drippings of enlightenment Can animals sense earthquakes?, he mentions mechanisms by which animals could detect earthquakes. However, I believe two of them, “P-waves” and “Low-frequency so… --- ## [Were "concrete shoes" a favored technique of mob hitmen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-concrete-shoes-a-favored-technique-of-mob-hitmen/472752)
**Author:** [@Arous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arous)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-concrete-shoes-a-favored-technique-of-mob-hitmen/472752 "2008-12-12T01:45:16Z")
Was this the forerunner of sealing someone in the concrete of a new construction site? That is what I heard had happened to the famous Union Boss played by Jack Nicholson in “Hoffa”. --- ## [Images missing in "What's the difference between horsepower and torque?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/images-missing-in-whats-the-difference-between-horsepower-and-torque/476640)
**Author:** [@prefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prefect)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/images-missing-in-whats-the-difference-between-horsepower-and-torque/476640 "2008-12-11T22:05:44Z")
What’s the difference between horsepower and torque? There are a bunch of spots in this article where an image is supposed to help illustrate a point, but none of the images are showing up. Is this something that could … --- ## [Oil pumping and subsidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-pumping-and-subsidence/476671)
**Author:** [@granville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/granville)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-pumping-and-subsidence/476671 "2008-12-11T13:46:16Z")
The power of exponents never ceases to amaze me. Cecil says that roughly one trillion barrels of oil have been pumped from beneath the earth’s surface. A few minutes with a conversion tool (which tells me that a barrel… --- ## [Cats and Hair Balls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-hair-balls/476009)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-hair-balls/476009 "2008-12-09T21:30:18Z")
Get yer hair ball articles here Hmm. Well, Cecil, I certainly agree that cats sometimes bring up “sausages” of hair, but in six years as a vet (in the UK) I’ve yet to have to operate on an animal due to a blockage due … --- ## [What color were dinosaurs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-color-were-dinosaurs/474596)
**Author:** [@CaptainMetHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainMetHead)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-color-were-dinosaurs/474596 "2008-12-09T21:26:53Z")
“No pieces of dinosaur skin have ever been found; like other soft tissue, it decays rapidly.” In 2002, a dinosaur mummy was found in Montana. In 2004, another mummy was found in N. Dakota. --- ## [Why Do Pigeons Bob Their Heads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pigeons-bob-their-heads/475847)
**Author:** [@James\_Randi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Randi)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pigeons-bob-their-heads/475847 "2008-12-09T16:15:02Z")
I had a older friend who had only one good eye. He would – automatically – “bob” his head before reaching out to contact something like a proffered hand, to “scan” for a 3-D location… And, he was unaware that he did thi… --- ## [Molybdenum in milk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/molybdenum-in-milk/476293)
**Author:** [@kaimaru69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaimaru69)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/molybdenum-in-milk/476293 "2008-12-08T19:49:34Z")
According to various articles, including the Journal of Dairy Science, milk contains Molybdenum. It makes sense, since Molybdenum is excreted in breast milk, and Molybdenum is a common trace element in alfalfa hays. In… --- ## [Hypnotizing Chickens et cetera](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypnotizing-chickens-et-cetera/474838)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypnotizing-chickens-et-cetera/474838 "2008-12-08T16:57:31Z")
(more the et cetera actually):slight\_smile: From thread: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/14/is-it-possible-to-hypnotize-a-chicken Rabbits have something known as the Totstell reflex - when they’re put on their… --- ## [Two thoughts about a woman's right over her own body](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-thoughts-about-a-womans-right-over-her-own-body/474802)
**Author:** [@Vaderesque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vaderesque)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-thoughts-about-a-womans-right-over-her-own-body/474802 "2008-12-07T02:06:45Z")
If a woman’s right over her own body can be trumped by the rights of another (potential) human, then the following two things occur to me: If I, the only known possible donor of a blood type that would save someone el… --- ## [Guiness and OJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guiness-and-oj/476018)
**Author:** [@rturner138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rturner138)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guiness-and-oj/476018 "2008-12-06T18:19:15Z")
Following up on the potatoes and milk question, has anyone looked into a Guiness-and-Orange Juice diet? I´ve heard it bandied about that these two bevarages will provide all the necessary nutrients but haven´t been able … --- ## [Browns gas debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browns-gas-debate/475963)
**Author:** [@guyhenry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guyhenry)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browns-gas-debate/475963 "2008-12-06T12:34:37Z")
Ok I don’t believe that Mr Myers got snuffed out becaues his invention was too good. In addition, I do know that it takes more energy to produce Browns gas or hydrogen than it will deliver upon combustion. But!!! I have … --- ## [What's the big deal, folks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-folks/474089)
**Author:** [@CanisMajor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanisMajor)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-folks/474089 "2008-12-06T11:12:12Z")
I don’t get why everyone’s getting in such a heat over the “When does human life begin?” answers. Cecil was asked for his opinion based on his thoughts. That’s exactly the answer he gave. He wasn’t asked, “Does a woman h… --- ## [Missing baby pigeons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-baby-pigeons/475572)
**Author:** [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-baby-pigeons/475572 "2008-12-06T10:54:15Z")
I agree with Cecil’s answer(s), but just wanted to report that baby pigeons DO exist because I’ve seen one. In about 1986, my cat dragged one in (no idea how she aquired it) and it was, hands down, the butt-ugliest baby… --- ## [french fries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-fries/475237)
**Author:** [@jimigorilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimigorilla)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-fries/475237 "2008-12-04T14:41:20Z")
This has probably been brought up before, but in relation to this cecil column: What’s the origin of French fries? - The Straight Dope I’d like to point out that most Europeans would agree that ‘French’ fries were actu… --- ## [How do female astronauts menstruate in space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-female-astronauts-menstruate-in-space/474810)
**Author:** [@SeanArenas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeanArenas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-female-astronauts-menstruate-in-space/474810 "2008-12-02T17:56:05Z")
How do female astronauts menstruate in space? OK, I love how Cecil is writing another gender article while the fun is still going on over the other articles. One question: in (2), is the “reasons we needn’t get into” … --- ## [Something missing form "When does life begin?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-missing-form-when-does-life-begin/471508)
**Author:** [@linley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/linley)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-missing-form-when-does-life-begin/471508 "2008-12-02T16:26:37Z")
The article was logical and well-researched and I liked it for the most part but there were two important things missing. :smack: Because Cecil went on to say that abortion “…doesn’t seem to me it can be justified (as … --- ## [Cats and Olives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-olives/432327)
**Author:** [@Cynnkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cynnkitty)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-olives/432327 "2008-12-01T15:05:08Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_008.html Lots of cats go crazy for olives! I once had a cat whose first encounter with green olives consisted of her detecting the scent fhrought a UNOPENED jar! --- ## [Grinning Cheshire cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grinning-cheshire-cats/473490)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grinning-cheshire-cats/473490 "2008-11-29T22:46:29Z")
Cecil says: Isn’t it possible that the expression comes from the fact that the county is a dairy county, and thus flush with milk? Wouldn’t any cat in Cheshire county be grinning at the bounty before him? --- ## [Samuari Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samuari-sword/474842)
**Author:** [@basildave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/basildave)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2008, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samuari-sword/474842 "2008-11-29T07:02:46Z")
I’m not sure it’s the sharpness of the sword so much as it’s tensile strength and the power with which it’s swung. A very dull blade could easily cut through many people if swung with enough force. You see this all the… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=112) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=114)