# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=114 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 115 --- ## [Re: Babes on doorsteps...I THOUGHT I smelled a rat in that straw man!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-babes-on-doorsteps-i-thought-i-smelled-a-rat-in-that-straw-man/474328)
**Author:** [@bmoreluv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoreluv)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-babes-on-doorsteps-i-thought-i-smelled-a-rat-in-that-straw-man/474328 "2008-11-28T18:34:05Z")
To heck with the ‘human life’ debate…What about this other straight dope article recently published about foundlings on doorsteps…I’m AM surprised that Cecil didn’t make the connection between this phenomenon and patriar… --- ## [How do you clean and cook a squirrel? From February 27, 1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-and-cook-a-squirrel-from-february-27-1976/474795)
**Author:** [@RayDublin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RayDublin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-and-cook-a-squirrel-from-february-27-1976/474795 "2008-11-28T14:39:03Z")
Your article from many years ago states, in part: “City squirrels are inordinately fond of rabies and other diseases…” I take issue with the “rabies” assertion. It is well known that squirrels, as well as other rodents… --- ## [just a thought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-a-thought/474685)
**Author:** [@darrinhargis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/darrinhargis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2008, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-a-thought/474685 "2008-11-27T21:09:11Z")
Hi cecil and co I was thinking i receive so much junk i could put a dent in my heating bills by burning it. I don’t want to throw wrapping paper into the fire but know how to best turn it into a efficient combustible … --- ## [on the bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-bees/471632)
**Author:** [@magpye100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magpye100)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-bees/471632 "2008-11-27T04:45:41Z")
Don’t know how much the problem has improved, but about a month ago I finally saw a single honey bee for the first time this year. I live in a rural area and garden their so it was a hopeful thing. --- ## [Response to Pygmy Article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-pygmy-article/474129)
**Author:** [@ErinV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinV)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/response-to-pygmy-article/474129 "2008-11-26T15:45:19Z")
I am a graduate student in early childhood education and I am doing research about the history of zoos to try and plan a social studies lesson as part of a unit of study about the zoo. I just came upon the information of… --- ## [Proof of a sexist bias?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-a-sexist-bias/474450)
**Author:** [@bmoreluv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoreluv)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-a-sexist-bias/474450 "2008-11-26T00:20:11Z")
When asked why Cecil failed to mention reproductive rights as a primary factor in infant abandonments, he said; “Because it’s a secondary consideration. The primary factors are poverty and illegitimacy, as I said. Presu… --- ## [But \*why\* are chimps so much stronger than humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-why-are-chimps-so-much-stronger-than-humans/472114)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-why-are-chimps-so-much-stronger-than-humans/472114 "2008-11-25T10:48:08Z")
referring to this column Humans and chimps have a common ancestor. And I would have guessed increased strength would provide a survival advantage for both. So why the difference in their evolution? Just chance? Or w… --- ## [Something missing, alright....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-missing-alright/473944)
**Author:** [@bmoreluv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoreluv)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-missing-alright/473944 "2008-11-25T02:37:03Z")
Hey, “world’s smartest human”…I was wondering when you were going to mention anything about fetal neocortical development…in Carl Sagan’s book, (you know, that other smart human) ‘Dragons of Eden’, he addresses this issu… --- ## [about chocolate and dogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-chocolate-and-dogs/474224)
**Author:** [@dolemke14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolemke14)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-chocolate-and-dogs/474224 "2008-11-24T18:05:32Z")
Ummm who keeps over a pound of chocolate laying around. (lol don’t answer that, fat America might) My dog ate a whole bag of Hershey’s kisses and the only mal-effect she had was pooping out foil wrappers which I’m sure … --- ## [Updating our understanding of bulldogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/updating-our-understanding-of-bulldogs/474274)
**Author:** [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/updating-our-understanding-of-bulldogs/474274 "2008-11-24T17:25:55Z")
I refer to an older column of Cecil’s from 1978: bulldog article. Disclaimer: in comparing types below, I am not intending any disrespect toward the individual English Bulldog – although the breed has been made less at… --- ## [Natural Abortion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-abortion/474163)
**Author:** [@ephg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ephg)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-abortion/474163 "2008-11-24T02:01:40Z")
There is such a thing as natural abortion. This usually happens when an embryo or fetus is deformed or has some genetic problem that causes the body to reject the embryo. If you ever new a women who’s period was late, … --- ## [Can you really get better gas mileage using your alternator to make "Brown's gas?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-get-better-gas-mileage-using-your-alternator-to-make-browns-gas/463361)
**Author:** [@TomValois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TomValois)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-get-better-gas-mileage-using-your-alternator-to-make-browns-gas/463361 "2008-11-22T02:53:59Z")
Using a gas engine to turn an alternator to power an electrolytic cell to obtain burnable hydrogen is horribly inefficient. But then again, so is using a gas engine to turn a generator to charge a battery that in turn po… --- ## [cats and hairballs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-hairballs/473816)
**Author:** [@aggievet92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aggievet92)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-hairballs/473816 "2008-11-21T20:09:32Z")
Obviously our beloved Cecil is not a cat lover, which is fine. I do take exception to his assertion that cats would “die out” without humans to take care of them, including helping them pass hair. As a veterinarian for… --- ## [When does jumping the shark begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-jumping-the-shark-begin/473880)
**Author:** [@BigR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigR)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-jumping-the-shark-begin/473880 "2008-11-21T18:55:32Z")
Obviously in reference to part II of the abortion debate that for some reason is being discussed here. Here I am, reading my favorite column at the end of a rough week (I own some stocks), ready to learn the answer to s… --- ## [Life Begins When You Realize that Women have Rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-begins-when-you-realize-that-women-have-rights/469704)
**Author:** [@arcane\_eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arcane_eye)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-begins-when-you-realize-that-women-have-rights/469704 "2008-11-21T16:35:01Z")
I was shocked by your highly ignorant column on “when life begins”. You have a very conservative approach, and a misogynistic one at that. I appreciate your attempt at explaining brain waves. But what your article lack… --- ## [When does life begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-life-begin/473806)
**Author:** [@renaissance622](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/renaissance622)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-life-begin/473806 "2008-11-21T15:51:06Z")
Sometimes helping someone out is the only viable alternative to letting them in in the first place. I have a nostalgic attachment for the days when life began in the male mind after the second drink. Much later came Ro… --- ## [Effect of Wave Action on Concrete Shoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-wave-action-on-concrete-shoes/472727)
**Author:** [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-wave-action-on-concrete-shoes/472727 "2008-11-21T01:59:20Z")
Link to today’s column: Okay, follow-up question on this little literary tableau: if you encase a living guy’s feet in cement in a moving boat, won’t the wave action act like a cement mixer and prevent the cement fr… --- ## [Salem Witch Girls: Initial symptoms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salem-witch-girls-initial-symptoms/473509)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salem-witch-girls-initial-symptoms/473509 "2008-11-19T20:09:46Z")
RE: Were the witches of Salem a result of poisoning with ergot fungus? - The Straight Dope Have there been any developments on what the girls with the initial symptoms may have had? If nothing else, does bibliophage hav… --- ## [women and hair, generally hair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-and-hair-generally-hair/472151)
**Author:** [@las51021](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/las51021)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-and-hair-generally-hair/472151 "2008-11-19T20:08:12Z")
Hey Cecil and all I recall my mother saying something about lice at one point and using kerosene. Choices of shaving or lice with kerosene might have been one of those points also. Which brings up a the subject of p… --- ## [Deep Whale . . . revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deep-whale-revisited/473322)
**Author:** [@CaryTheSane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaryTheSane)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deep-whale-revisited/473322 "2008-11-19T15:46:58Z")
I realize that this question came early during Cecil’s fight against ignorance. Far be it from me to cast dispersion on the learned one, but I think its possible that his answer could be a little more complete. While h… --- ## [Flea circuses (and scylla's response)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flea-circuses-and-scyllas-response/472701)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flea-circuses-and-scyllas-response/472701 "2008-11-19T15:18:19Z")
So, the original column was written in 1982, but when did scylla reply? It says the reply was via the Internet, so I’m assuming many years afterward. scylla, can you enlighten us? P.S. I think you did a very good jo… --- ## [Vomitoriums in Ancient Rome--TRUE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vomitoriums-in-ancient-rome-true/473412)
**Author:** [@MegaVeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaVeen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vomitoriums-in-ancient-rome-true/473412 "2008-11-19T14:45:34Z")
Sorry Cecil, but I just read your 2002 post that vomitoriums did not exist in Ancient Rome. There may be a lot of things that you would not prefer that at least some Romans did, vomitoriums are definitely one of them. I… --- ## [I thought carrots were supposed to give you good eyesight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-carrots-were-supposed-to-give-you-good-eyesight/470425)
**Author:** [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-carrots-were-supposed-to-give-you-good-eyesight/470425 "2008-11-19T07:13:23Z")
And yet, I can’t see this carrot column that went out with the email update this morning. :cool::o --- ## [when does life begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-life-begin/469597)
**Author:** [@goodma82](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goodma82)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-life-begin/469597 "2008-11-19T07:10:55Z")
I appreciate Cecil’s attempt at simplifying the question and avoiding an ethical conclusion…but here are a couple of things to consider, fact-wise: 1) life is a continuum – the ovum and sperm are no less alive apart than… --- ## [Chimp in the ring scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chimp-in-the-ring-scam/472184)
**Author:** [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chimp-in-the-ring-scam/472184 "2008-11-15T22:40:07Z")
OK, so a chimp is physically stronger than an average man but in this case did they actually clobber full grown men? I think there is some information lacking. When exactly was this? 40’s, 50’s, or the 90’s? I would a… --- ## [????? \[sentiments of appreciation\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sentiments-of-appreciation/472626)
**Author:** [@Flipbustle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipbustle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sentiments-of-appreciation/472626 "2008-11-15T01:54:39Z")
I am laughing so hard, my eyes are blurred and nothing I might ask has the least importance- - -in the face of “which way is up?” and “If I drown, will I come to the top without bread on the water and cannon-shot ?” … --- ## [Bees and Straight Dopes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees-and-straight-dopes/472777)
**Author:** [@mfprowley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mfprowley)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees-and-straight-dopes/472777 "2008-11-14T21:51:52Z")
Doug, That is a GREAT addendum to the older report. Not only am I a Former Marine but I am also a former Scientist (Chemistry) and although I’m not in the industry I’ve fielded questions about the Great Bee DISASTER fr… --- ## [How Deep is Whale Shit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-is-whale-shit/472606)
**Author:** [@jonathanfaber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonathanfaber)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-is-whale-shit/472606 "2008-11-14T04:34:21Z")
Regarding the 1974 classic How Deep is Whale Shit (link here: How deep is whale shit? - The Straight Dope), I always assumed this saying implied that whale shit sinks to the ocean floor, and thus lies very deep…in the oc… --- ## [Runced up!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runced-up/472635)
**Author:** [@gorillaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gorillaz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/runced-up/472635 "2008-11-14T01:43:50Z")
Cecil Great column on the runcible spoon! Such fun variations on the root “runc” (OE for tongue, v). Keep writing! --- ## [brain activity and personhood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-activity-and-personhood/472421)
**Author:** [@BRP84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BRP84)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-activity-and-personhood/472421 "2008-11-12T22:13:45Z")
Dear Cecil, In your article about abortion, you seem to make the Cartesian mistake of reducing personhood to brain activity. See here for more on this: http://www.nd.edu/~afreddos/papers/soul.htm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=113) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=115)