# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=148 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 149 --- ## [Moon's Wobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moons-wobble/366352)
**Author:** [@srmclauren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srmclauren)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2006, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moons-wobble/366352 "2006-07-28T16:42:48Z")
I was wondering if the wobble of the moon could be due to the effect of the gravity of the sun as the moon travels around the earth. I don’t have the equipment or expertise to verify this, but if anyone does, this would… --- ## [Tontines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tontines/365515)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2006, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tontines/365515 "2006-07-28T11:05:20Z")
There’s an hilarious movie about tontines, The Wrong Box. It stars Michael Caine, Ralph Richardson, Dick Gregory, Dudley Moore, Peter Cook, and a bunch of others. It’s available on DVD --- ## [With the U.S. borrowing so much, why aren't we broke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-the-u-s-borrowing-so-much-why-arent-we-broke/365259)
**Author:** [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2006, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-the-u-s-borrowing-so-much-why-arent-we-broke/365259 "2006-07-27T18:21:33Z")
Laurence Kotlikoff asks the same question as in the title of this column, Is the United States Bankrupt?(PDF), in the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Review (July/August 2006). --- ## [Would a glass of water in space freeze or boil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glass-of-water-in-space-freeze-or-boil/364885)
**Author:** [@tomii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomii)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glass-of-water-in-space-freeze-or-boil/364885 "2006-07-27T18:13:06Z")
This was a Cecil classic that I stumbled upon today, and I think I disagree with Cecil on this one. When I was in high school, the teacher performed an experiment for us - into a vacuum bell jar, he placed a glass of ta… --- ## [Comment on Dark Side of the Rainbow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-dark-side-of-the-rainbow/365863)
**Author:** [@Chamale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chamale)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2006, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-dark-side-of-the-rainbow/365863 "2006-07-26T18:40:23Z")
The article is here. The article thoroughly debunks the theory that it Dark Side of the Moon is synched with the Wizard of Oz. It points out that many lines don’t sync, when, in fact, they do sync when you play the album… --- ## [What's up with cat hair balls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-cat-hair-balls/364839)
**Author:** [@intemp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/intemp)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-cat-hair-balls/364839 "2006-07-20T16:39:57Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_009a.html I find no one as noted that cats who spit hairballs live enclosed in their “owners” houses. Cats that aren’t pets or are allowed outside whenever they want (by outside i… --- ## [Grand Juries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-juries/365016)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-juries/365016 "2006-07-20T06:17:42Z")
I’m happy to be able to start a thread on today’s Staff Report Who invented Grand Juries? and to be able to congratulate Bricker on his ascension to the exalted ranks of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board. Well don… --- ## [Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy/364310)
**Author:** [@fluffyemu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluffyemu)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy/364310 "2006-07-18T18:29:50Z")
I have to take issue with Rosemary Kennedy being “retarded.” There’s some evidence that she had some mild mental disability, but the main reason she was seen as a burden because she was allegedly rebellious. The resultin… --- ## [More Interstates to Nowhere](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-interstates-to-nowhere/359830)
**Author:** [@RevRagnarok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RevRagnarok)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-interstates-to-nowhere/359830 "2006-07-16T20:33:12Z")
Just for fun, how about others list interstates that are actually only intrastate. Ex: I-97 goes from Baltimore, MD to Annapolis, MD. It’s so short it doesn’t even leave Anne Arundel County! :slight\_smile: --- ## [Slug's boob](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slugs-boob/364483)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2006, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slugs-boob/364483 "2006-07-15T07:41:58Z")
…drawing. The brilliant man has hit another one out of the park. Hilarious and apropos. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060714.html --- ## [Is there any mammal species in which the males breastfeed the young?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-mammal-species-in-which-the-males-breastfeed-the-young/364207)
**Author:** [@majikfaere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/majikfaere)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2006, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-mammal-species-in-which-the-males-breastfeed-the-young/364207 "2006-07-13T09:24:50Z")
Sorry Cecil, There is indeed at least one mammalian species in which the male lactates and breastfeeds - it’s a kind of Malaysian fruit bat. And it is entirely possible for males of the species Homo Sapiens to lactate,… --- ## [Traffic light buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-light-buttons/363481)
**Author:** [@mistergrimm00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistergrimm00)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2006, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-light-buttons/363481 "2006-07-12T01:07:00Z")
I have found a traffic light button that actually works when you push it! It is the light at the intersection of Garden Street and Appian Way in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It allows you to cross to the Cambridge Common,… --- ## [The article on gasoline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-article-on-gasoline/363640)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-article-on-gasoline/363640 "2006-07-10T20:10:57Z")
In this article http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_150.html written in 1989, Cecil says that when adjusted for inflation, gas prices at the time of his writing were the same as they had been in the early 70s. What … --- ## [A "Push to Walk" button that works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-push-to-walk-button-that-works/363903)
**Author:** [@JaclynMcKewan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaclynMcKewan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-push-to-walk-button-that-works/363903 "2006-07-10T18:07:15Z")
Regarding the classic Straight Dope column that was rerun on the website today: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_153.html I have an story of an example when a “Push to Walk” button did actually work, although I … --- ## [Beggars can't be choosers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beggars-cant-be-choosers/362346)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beggars-cant-be-choosers/362346 "2006-07-10T00:33:12Z")
Re: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbegprofit.html A couple of years ago, one of our Houston TV stations decided that it would be a great sweeps week thing to “expose” the beggars. They set up a hidden camera and … --- ## [A4, A5, A6, etc. is a GOOD paper size](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a4-a5-a6-etc-is-a-good-paper-size/361574)
**Author:** [@patherto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/patherto)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a4-a5-a6-etc-is-a-good-paper-size/361574 "2006-07-07T21:31:12Z")
I read Cecil’s explanation of why U.S. letter paper is 8.5x11 inches, after which he blew off metric paper sizes as “obsessive” and created by Germans. There’s one very handy thing about “A”-sized paper. (By the way, th… --- ## [Who REALLY invented the Smilies (the Smiley face)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-invented-the-smilies-the-smiley-face/363503)
**Author:** [@Vincent\_DiCarlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vincent_DiCarlo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-invented-the-smilies-the-smiley-face/363503 "2006-07-07T20:11:38Z")
Due to the article in the NY Times, yesterday, this subject has again become current. In an archived column here at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_031.html various people claimed credit for themselves or ot… --- ## [Flying Upside down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-upside-down/362530)
**Author:** [@Foghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foghead)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2006, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-upside-down/362530 "2006-07-06T05:06:42Z")
How can stunt planes fly upside down? Regarding Cecil’s closing remark about falling out of a plane, isn’t it true that one continues to be pressed down into one’s seat even while flying inverted? I seem to recall seei… --- ## [Does an airplane weigh less after the passengers have eaten their meals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-airplane-weigh-less-after-the-passengers-have-eaten-their-meals/363153)
**Author:** [@dmLemming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmLemming)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-airplane-weigh-less-after-the-passengers-have-eaten-their-meals/363153 "2006-07-06T03:07:51Z")
Airplane weight Cecil? Did the plane shut its engines off during the meal? If so - Then of course you’re correct - Otherwise, by the time the Meal is over, the plane would of lost a significant amount of weight - Namely… --- ## [My cat loves olives too!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-loves-olives-too/359588)
**Author:** [@daisy\_oscar\_s\_mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daisy_oscar_s_mom)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-loves-olives-too/359588 "2006-07-05T21:22:39Z")
Hi! I became a brand new member just to comment on your answer to the member that asked you about the smell of olives appealling to their cat Ivan. I have a one year old neutered male tabby cat named Oscar and he is the … --- ## [Which has Greater Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-has-greater-mass/363174)
**Author:** [@smile4me2222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smile4me2222)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2006, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-has-greater-mass/363174 "2006-07-04T19:32:38Z")
Choice A: 2 moles of H2 and 1 mole of O2 Choice B: 2 moles of H2O Next question: You put 2 moles of H2 and 1 mole of O2 in a sealed container and send a jolt of electricity in. The two gases react and produce 2 mol… --- ## [Do you weigh more or less after you fart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-weigh-more-or-less-after-you-fart/360055)
**Author:** [@Random5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random5)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-weigh-more-or-less-after-you-fart/360055 "2006-07-04T17:22:30Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_380.html Weight is defined as (in this context at least) the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity which certainly decreases after you fart. The statement that y… --- ## [Tennis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis/362969)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2006, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis/362969 "2006-07-03T10:30:47Z")
So, this article by Cecil says tennis orginated in France in the 12th or 13th century. This article in Wikipedia says it originated in England in the 19th century. Clearly Wikipedia is wrong, but I’m curious if anyone k… --- ## [Warning: Do not insert this in your anus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-do-not-insert-this-in-your-anus/362784)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2006, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-do-not-insert-this-in-your-anus/362784 "2006-07-03T05:26:31Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_216b.html Annnnnnnnnnnnd now it’s a light bulb: http://articles.news.aol.com/news/\_a/doctors-remove-lightbulb-from-mans-anus/20060629073509990018?\_mpc=news.10.3&cid=936 One in a… --- ## [Scorched earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scorched-earth/362802)
**Author:** [@sinussauce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinussauce)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scorched-earth/362802 "2006-07-02T22:51:39Z")
In today’s column about the death penalty and millionaires Cecil used the phrase “…scorched earth policy…” What did he mean by that? Where does the expression come from? Here’s the sentence: “Dozens died, but the sco… --- ## [What's the origin of "Third World"? What are the first and second worlds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-third-world-what-are-the-first-and-second-worlds/361852)
**Author:** [@madsere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsere)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-third-world-what-are-the-first-and-second-worlds/361852 "2006-06-29T20:09:41Z")
What’s the origin of “Third World”? What are the first and second worlds? Europe (“the old world”) is the first world, The Americas (“the new world”) is the second world. --- ## [Panhandling Story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panhandling-story/361877)
**Author:** [@kenroar1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenroar1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2006, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panhandling-story/361877 "2006-06-29T02:51:01Z")
Your article on panhandling brought to memory a very successful panhandler in Chicago. The man was in his early 20’s and needed money to go through music school. He set himself up on the Michigan Avenue bridge and began … --- ## [Airflow clarification- there's a lesson here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airflow-clarification-theres-a-lesson-here/362528)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airflow-clarification-theres-a-lesson-here/362528 "2006-06-28T21:34:19Z")
In Cecil’s answer to how stunt planes fly upside-down, he mentions potential lift from two sources: angle of attack (explains upside-down flying) and the Bernoulli effect (conventional airfoil lift). I was surprised to… --- ## [orchestra in a day in life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orchestra-in-a-day-in-life/361758)
**Author:** [@saurabhsingh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saurabhsingh)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2006, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orchestra-in-a-day-in-life/361758 "2006-06-28T03:06:16Z")
Readers might be interested to know about this little mischieif john(lennon) played while mixing this song.At the end when the orchestra crescendos ,john added an ultrasonic whine to freak out any dogs in vicinity.If th… --- ## [Submarine control rooms and red light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submarine-control-rooms-and-red-light/360082)
**Author:** [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submarine-control-rooms-and-red-light/360082 "2006-06-27T19:15:36Z")
In this Staff Report, Why are red lights used in darkened control rooms and other low-light situations?, the questioner stated: The reply didn’t address this aspect of the question, but actual submarine control rooms r… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=147) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=149)