# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=126 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 127 --- ## [Gfactor on executive privilege](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfactor-on-executive-privilege/433729)
**Author:** [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfactor-on-executive-privilege/433729 "2008-01-18T02:52:37Z")
What’s the legal basis for executive privilege? I’m not even geographically qualified to say whether you did a good job, but I suspect so and it certainly was an interesting and informative read. It looks like you have … --- ## [avocado oil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avocado-oil/433897)
**Author:** [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avocado-oil/433897 "2008-01-17T23:33:42Z")
Well, it was only an aside in the answer to the blowing on coffee/hands answer but I feel compelled to point out that there is, in fact, a sizeable market. I saw a bottle of Jaime Oliver Avocado Oil oil in Albertsons… --- ## [Swiss Army knives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-army-knives/432015)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-army-knives/432015 "2008-01-17T17:11:36Z")
In Cecil’s 1995 column on the Swiss Army Knife, he said: Boy, he didn’t know the half of it! From the Victorinox Web site: Whee! A USB-enabled pocketknife with 2GB of memory! --- ## [Cattle mutes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cattle-mutes/433034)
**Author:** [@James\_R.Leming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_R.Leming)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cattle-mutes/433034 "2008-01-16T23:39:58Z")
In reference to your one rule: “Don’t be a jerk”, how can you print such meaningless drivel concerning mutes without going to the source? The source I am referring to would be the ‘Holy Grail’ of mute investigators, Capt… --- ## [References in Cecil's Columns and Staff Reports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-in-cecils-columns-and-staff-reports/433618)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-in-cecils-columns-and-staff-reports/433618 "2008-01-15T22:59:15Z")
I’ve been reading Cecil’s columns and the Staff Reports for years, and I’m curious. I’ve noted the staff reports tend to be very well researched and include nice bibliographies at the end of each report, while Cecil app… --- ## [Rainbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbows/432751)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbows/432751 "2008-01-15T21:46:12Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdoublerainbows.html Good report, Karen. Rainbows are important to me. I’ve been giving optics lectures on them since grad school. You covered it pretty well, but I’d like to emphasiz… --- ## [Time travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel/433602)
**Author:** [@barberoux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barberoux)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel/433602 "2008-01-15T16:15:10Z")
It seems to me that the earth is spinning plus it is moving in orbit about our sun which is in a spiral galaxy that is spinning plus it is in an expanding universe so it is moving away from the center. If everything is… --- ## [Matriarchy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matriarchy/433156)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matriarchy/433156 "2008-01-14T23:22:54Z")
Matriarchy: My book, The Inevitability of Patriarchy–Wm. Morrow & Sons (Updated edition: Why Men Rule==Open Court–examines the issue of matriatchy and examines the original ethnographies cited (never by the ethnographer)… --- ## [Placenta Pizza in the News!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placenta-pizza-in-the-news/433372)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placenta-pizza-in-the-news/433372 "2008-01-14T14:41:23Z")
It seems like Cecil’s mockery of the practice, \*hasn’t \*\[stamped the idea out. \](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22087790/):eek: --- ## [Gorucho Marx](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gorucho-marx/259243)
**Author:** [@kindablue2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kindablue2)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gorucho-marx/259243 "2008-01-12T18:51:39Z")
There was a story aired on NPR last weekend about a new DVD of You Bet Your Life episodes and outtakes. It turns out that quite a few of Groucho’s raunchy ad-libs were caught on tape and survived. I don’t know if any of … --- ## [Cow burps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cow-burps/432851)
**Author:** [@ahabig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ahabig)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cow-burps/432851 "2008-01-10T21:13:24Z")
from: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_176.html “Each cow emits 200 to 400 quarts of methane gas per day, or 50 million metric tons per year.” This doesn’t make sense. Using 300 quarts (about 0.2839 cubic meter… --- ## [S&M and Bondage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-m-and-bondage/432488)
**Author:** [@Angelick77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angelick77)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-m-and-bondage/432488 "2008-01-10T15:58:38Z")
The S&M article could use some updating. Having worked with professional dommes, and interacted with the S&M (now more commonly referred to as BDSM) community, much of the information provided in the article is either o… --- ## [Map copyright - case in Britain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-copyright-case-in-britain/431820)
**Author:** [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2008, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-copyright-case-in-britain/431820 "2008-01-08T09:24:45Z")
There was this case in Britain a few years ago. I’ve meant to ask for a while; does anyone know how the Ordnance Survey found out their maps were being copied? Was there a copyright trap, and if so, does anyone know what… --- ## [re: flame resistant pj's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-flame-resistant-pjs/431423)
**Author:** [@carolyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carolyn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-flame-resistant-pjs/431423 "2008-01-07T21:36:06Z")
In a message dated 12/21/2007 11:15:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, webmaster@straightdope.com writes: OK, enough seasonal cheer. If you don’t get why kids are more susceptible to fire-related injury at night, you’re no… --- ## [Staff Report on Bugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-on-bugs/431235)
**Author:** [@Outpits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Outpits)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-on-bugs/431235 "2008-01-03T15:22:41Z")
This cite is a great article. Short, but very full of information. Congratulations to the Staff Reporter Doug --- ## [Staff Report: Are giant sci-fi bugs physically possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-are-giant-sci-fi-bugs-physically-possible/431470)
**Author:** [@archgallo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archgallo)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2008, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-are-giant-sci-fi-bugs-physically-possible/431470 "2008-01-03T04:57:46Z")
I’m not so sure about that. Arthropleura could grow over 8 feet long (longer than Eurypterid, which was reported as the largest arthropod in the article). I don’t know about you, but a giant carnivorous millipede would … --- ## [Cold-resistant bacteria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-resistant-bacteria/431505)
**Author:** [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-resistant-bacteria/431505 "2008-01-02T09:31:25Z")
From the latest (very good) column, can I just say that this passage is classic Cecil. You’ve still got it, old chap. --- ## [Definition of "Mojo"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-mojo/431661)
**Author:** [@lampshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lampshade)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-mojo/431661 "2008-01-02T06:15:09Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_257.html I looked up the word “mojo” in a blues slang dictionary in the library at the University of Vermont. It said that a “Mojo filter” is slang for a rubber. --- ## [Baseball replacement thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-replacement-thread/431884)
**Author:** [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-replacement-thread/431884 "2008-01-02T00:09:14Z")
Nice thread, Gfactor! Oops, it’s here. A positive outcome of using so many balls in a professional game is that some little leagues have deals with the teams and they get the balls after they are slightly used. White … --- ## [bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees/424519)
**Author:** [@bigstinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bigstinger)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees/424519 "2007-12-31T20:48:37Z")
bees are dieing you should care more than you do’ --- ## [I'm terribly disappointed with the recent lack of crackpots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-terribly-disappointed-with-the-recent-lack-of-crackpots/428716)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-terribly-disappointed-with-the-recent-lack-of-crackpots/428716 "2007-12-31T18:44:27Z")
Freemasonry? Nada. Autolevitation? Zipola. Scientology? Not even freakin’ Scientology? This is pathetic! If Cecil can’t flush out some crazies talking about that, might the battle against ignorance be finally won?… --- ## [Native Americans and Alcohol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-americans-and-alcohol/431118)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2007, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-americans-and-alcohol/431118 "2007-12-30T06:47:11Z")
I can’t find the column, but Cecil once did a piece which indicated that Native Americans aren’t particularly susceptable to the effects of alcohol. Now, it turns out that at least some of them might have known about th… --- ## [Old shoes by the side of the road](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-shoes-by-the-side-of-the-road/431119)
**Author:** [@Faye\_Kane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faye_Kane)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-shoes-by-the-side-of-the-road/431119 "2007-12-28T20:41:14Z")
Research in the 1970’s indicated that this phenomenon is related to single socks appearing in the dryer. --- ## [Traffic Lights and Color Blindness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-lights-and-color-blindness/429529)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-lights-and-color-blindness/429529 "2007-12-27T18:58:51Z")
In this column, Cecil talks about how the colors for traffic lights were selected and how color blind people are able to realize what the lights mean, even if they can’t see the colors. It turns out that in the early da… --- ## [Fire Water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-water/430895)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-water/430895 "2007-12-24T05:34:30Z")
Notice the label Sig put on the tank at the head of the bed in the illustration for this column: Pajama Game So in the event of fire, the kid is going to be doused with whiskey??? --- ## [Posessions - While in Prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posessions-while-in-prison/430099)
**Author:** [@cvbritton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cvbritton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posessions-while-in-prison/430099 "2007-12-24T02:16:36Z")
SDSTAFF Gfactor gives a good response concerning most incarcerations - but one major exception must be noted. When everyone of Japanese decent was ‘interned’ during WWII - they had no opportunity to ‘get their affairs i… --- ## [Entree](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entree/429988)
**Author:** [@millionmonkeys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/millionmonkeys)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entree/429988 "2007-12-22T22:26:54Z")
Nice bagging of the Aussies…but… The term entree has a somewhat chequered history, not as linear as you suggest. Actual terminology has more to do with NY apathy than change in meal structure. But you know this already… --- ## [Gernimo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gernimo/430860)
**Author:** [@lopraye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lopraye)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gernimo/430860 "2007-12-21T22:46:54Z")
First let me appologize for violating the rules (not sure which ones), as this is my first attempt at any message board, or thread. I looked up my father’s name (Aubery Eberhardt) to re-read his exploits in the Army. Yo… --- ## [Plastic recycling codes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-recycling-codes/430568)
**Author:** [@New\_Beginning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Beginning)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-recycling-codes/430568 "2007-12-21T16:09:21Z")
Regarding this article: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_152.html I see that the original article is from 1995, but is the update very recent? In general is the situation similar today? Is this true in most count… --- ## [The Real Story of ChainSaw Massacure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-story-of-chainsaw-massacure/428954)
**Author:** [@Chainsawvictum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chainsawvictum)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-story-of-chainsaw-massacure/428954 "2007-12-20T23:20:51Z")
The real story is that Peter Gusen owned a dairy farm that was attacked by cave dwelling vampire bats. His cows kept getting attacked and so did the family over and over. They contracted rabies and he lost his mind. Whil… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=125) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=127)