# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=167 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 168 --- ## [Alligators in the sewers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alligators-in-the-sewers/314100)
**Author:** [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2005, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alligators-in-the-sewers/314100 "2005-07-26T11:16:02Z")
I can’t believe the question of whether alligators lived in New York’s sewershasn’t been more definitively answered since 1978! Cecil’s answer was fine for the time, but is there anything more to it? --- ## [Coke in aluminum cans???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-in-aluminum-cans/313833)
**Author:** [@renato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/renato)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-in-aluminum-cans/313833 "2005-07-25T20:38:13Z")
In this article http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_121a.html Cecil sez that ketchup dissolves aluminum because ketchup is acidic and aluminum gives up its electrons readily to acidic solutions. He also notes that… --- ## [GM/L.A. piece](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gm-l-a-piece/313739)
**Author:** [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gm-l-a-piece/313739 "2005-07-25T18:25:23Z")
The 1986 Cecil piece on GM and streetcars could’ve at least mentioned that GM, Firestone, and Standard Oil of California bought the trolley lines in over 100 American cities under the guise of a holding company called Na… --- ## [On Lunacy (Do things get crazy during a full moon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-lunacy-do-things-get-crazy-during-a-full-moon/313590)
**Author:** [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-lunacy-do-things-get-crazy-during-a-full-moon/313590 "2005-07-25T05:02:27Z")
In today’s Straight Dope Classic, Cecil effectively debunked the tidal effects theory of lunacy. Also, he quoted studies which found no discernable links between the full moon and crime or psychoses. Still, if this is … --- ## [Ear Candles and Colemics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-candles-and-colemics/313558)
**Author:** [@Stuart\_Whitecloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuart_Whitecloud)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-candles-and-colemics/313558 "2005-07-24T15:29:51Z")
Cecil may or may not be right that ear candles are a hoax and a fad. However, Cecil has no basis for describing colemics in the same breath. Keeping the colon clean has been a precept of ancient Taoist practice (see Th… --- ## [Are ships' captains allowed to marry people at sea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ships-captains-allowed-to-marry-people-at-sea/311357)
**Author:** [@etler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etler)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ships-captains-allowed-to-marry-people-at-sea/311357 "2005-07-24T02:34:58Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_329.html The CFR reference in Paragraph 2 of the article is out of date. As of 10/15/1999 the section of the CFR is 32 CFR 700.844 (Title 32, Subtitle A, Chapter VI, Subchapter A… --- ## [Why covered bridges are covered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-covered-bridges-are-covered/313734)
**Author:** [@John.St](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John.St)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-covered-bridges-are-covered/313734 "2005-07-23T14:56:15Z")
In “Why are covered bridges covered ?” http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_174.html Cecil writes “the somebody usually credited is Timothy Palmer, who built the prototypical American covered bridge in Philadelphia b… --- ## [Plasma in shampoo? Dunno. Human placenta in hand lotion? You betcha!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasma-in-shampoo-dunno-human-placenta-in-hand-lotion-you-betcha/313602)
**Author:** [@lrfoto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lrfoto)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plasma-in-shampoo-dunno-human-placenta-in-hand-lotion-you-betcha/313602 "2005-07-23T05:26:03Z")
Several years ago, when I was a teenager, my mom sold Avon products. One day, I was reading the ingredients on one of her better-selling bottles of hand lotion, and to my surprise (nay, I was a teenager…to my HORROR), o… --- ## [Marie Antoinette and "Let them eat cake"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marie-antoinette-and-let-them-eat-cake/313000)
**Author:** [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marie-antoinette-and-let-them-eat-cake/313000 "2005-07-23T03:38:57Z")
Re this column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_334.html I have heard both versions given in Cecil’s column but the one I believe to be most likely true is this (if she ever really said “Let them eat cake” at a… --- ## [planck the crank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planck-the-crank/313378)
**Author:** [@kingnixon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingnixon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2005, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planck-the-crank/313378 "2005-07-22T11:20:19Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_347.html so okay, planck heat/energy i have some kind of handle on. my problems are with his length and time. as i understand it, a distance smaller than the planck length no long… --- ## [Of horsepower and torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-horsepower-and-torque/312709)
**Author:** [@flahoo78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flahoo78)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2005, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-horsepower-and-torque/312709 "2005-07-22T04:48:52Z")
I enjoyed this excellent review of the physics of power! Is there any way do the comparison between/among engines similar to that demonstrated in the article to allow more intelligent purchase of motor vehicles? Is thi… --- ## [Bugs in ears](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-in-ears/1238)
**Author:** [@ndorward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ndorward)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2005, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bugs-in-ears/1238 "2005-07-21T13:37:21Z")
Reading about bugs in ears in the latest classics feature– http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_111.html & it stirs a small memory: had read a poem by the writer Iain Sinclair, “Kristallnacht” (to be found in his se… --- ## [The Bloody Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bloody-truth/313450)
**Author:** [@Alex\_Cotet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Cotet)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bloody-truth/313450 "2005-07-21T13:32:47Z")
Dear Cecil, seems that in fighting the war on ignorance you have approached the " if you cant fight them join them technique" . I recently stumbled upon oone of your archives, in which you take on the task to answer the … --- ## [Cecil's Today's Question (Eskimos in museums)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-todays-question-eskimos-in-museums/312744)
**Author:** [@lindacohen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindacohen)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2005, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-todays-question-eskimos-in-museums/312744 "2005-07-21T00:12:41Z")
Well, I admit I’m a noobie, longtime lurker tho, not sure if this is the right board or not, but I just didn’t care for Cecil’s statement in “Today’s Question” and had to register my complaint. Namely, that The American… --- ## [Why does nose grease make DP foam reduce quicker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nose-grease-make-dp-foam-reduce-quicker/313247)
**Author:** [@texas60guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/texas60guy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nose-grease-make-dp-foam-reduce-quicker/313247 "2005-07-20T21:39:23Z")
Regarding the comments about Nutrasweet foam in Cecil’s column (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_043.html), I have a question. Why does the foam dissipate much, much more quickly when I rub my sweaty, oily nose a… --- ## [Climbing and descending stairs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climbing-and-descending-stairs/313238)
**Author:** [@morningstar.156](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/morningstar.156)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climbing-and-descending-stairs/313238 "2005-07-20T14:50:44Z")
The responce that climbing stairs expends more energy than descending is correct. However, the question is not fully answeredd with out looking at concentric contractions (of muscle fibers) and eccentric contractions. Co… --- ## [Nitpick on horsepower column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-on-horsepower-column/313141)
**Author:** [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-on-horsepower-column/313141 "2005-07-20T05:02:22Z")
What’s the difference between horsepower and torque? Suffolk Punch, Clydesdale, and Shire should all be capitalized, as they are all proper nouns (breed names). Sorry, it just grated on my spelling-nerve and my horse-f… --- ## [Immaculate Conception](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immaculate-conception/313232)
**Author:** [@rat144](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat144)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immaculate-conception/313232 "2005-07-20T02:19:07Z")
Contrary to the implication in (1) of the answer about Jesus H. Christ, the Immaculate Conecption does not refer to Haploid’s birth. Of course, I won’t hold it against Cecil, since he has apparently figured it out sin… --- ## [Hangover avoidance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hangover-avoidance/311671)
**Author:** [@Rapier42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rapier42)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hangover-avoidance/311671 "2005-07-19T23:16:45Z")
How can I avoid a holiday hangover? Any new data on this? Most recent articles I’ve dug up indicate a hangover is mostly due to dehydration, which makes sense to me since 1) I get hangover symptoms when severely dehydr… --- ## [Fly repellent: bag of water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-repellent-bag-of-water/313051)
**Author:** [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-repellent-bag-of-water/313051 "2005-07-19T14:32:43Z")
I have just come across the mailbag article What’s the purpose of bags of water hanging in restaurants? I seem to recall a discussion on the boards about the article, but I can’t find it now. I recently came across the … --- ## [Marijuana causing cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marijuana-causing-cancer/253809)
**Author:** [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2005, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marijuana-causing-cancer/253809 "2005-07-17T10:58:52Z")
In the column What are the long term health effects of marijuana?, Cecil writes A little further down, he writes This seems to be a flat-out contradiction. What have I missed? --- ## [Manna- "before"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manna-before/312820)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manna-before/312820 "2005-07-16T22:07:10Z")
Reading here: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mark2.html Dex says : “In Exodus 16:33-34, Moses instructs Aaron to place the jar of manna “before the Lord, to be kept throughout the ages.” Aaron follows instructions… --- ## [Because God wanted it to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-god-wanted-it-to/312604)
**Author:** [@greenzephir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenzephir)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-god-wanted-it-to/312604 "2005-07-16T06:12:39Z")
To: –SDSTAFF Dex Straight Dope Science Advisory Board Just a quick comment on this quote from you: “Hey, Sir Isaac, why did that apple fall off the tree? Answer: Because God wanted it to. So much for the discovery of … --- ## [So called Armenian genocide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-armenian-genocide/304730)
**Author:** [@sfTruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sfTruth)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-armenian-genocide/304730 "2005-07-15T23:08:53Z")
So called Armenian genocide Cecil I can not understand how you can make such a mistake. You can look at the census records which were conducted by the French and saw that there were about 1.2 million Armenians living i… --- ## [S&M / Bondage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-m-bondage/308421)
**Author:** [@sn3kers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sn3kers)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-m-bondage/308421 "2005-07-15T16:43:40Z")
I have enjoyed the information I have been given on his topic.I really had no idea how S&M and Bondage differed.Although I have a few questions I would like answered if possible.How does “scat” arouse people.And I know I… --- ## [More Perfect Numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-perfect-numbers/310676)
**Author:** [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-perfect-numbers/310676 "2005-07-14T19:57:24Z")
Mathochist (What’s the story on perfect numbers? correctly states that “given a Mersenne prime, applying the formula will always give a perfect number” but he takes the word of the questioner, Mac McCartney, that there a… --- ## [What happened to the Emergency Broadcast System?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-emergency-broadcast-system/312382)
**Author:** [@DJ\_Dolan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DJ_Dolan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-emergency-broadcast-system/312382 "2005-07-13T20:01:44Z")
“Miss those old two-tone attention signals, do we?” Actually, the two-tone signal was an innovation that came more than a decade after the EBS was implemented (around 1976), and it was in response to a system failure. T… --- ## [The Color of Eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-color-of-eggs/312198)
**Author:** [@SeattleSue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeattleSue)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-color-of-eggs/312198 "2005-07-13T14:44:04Z")
Yes, Virginia, brown eggs are more expensive; they aren’t nutritionally superior; and the taste difference is negligible. But there IS one extremely good reason to buy them anyway: supporting biodiversity. All white eggs… --- ## [Re: Walt Disney Question and frozen hearts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-walt-disney-question-and-frozen-hearts/312026)
**Author:** [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-walt-disney-question-and-frozen-hearts/312026 "2005-07-12T20:41:36Z")
Here, Cecil mentioned that in ten years people were predicting that frozen hearts would be transplanted. Well, it’s been nine years now and I was wondering if that prediction came true. --- ## [Frozen Walt Disney and Reviving the Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-walt-disney-and-reviving-the-dead/312171)
**Author:** [@nickgreene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nickgreene)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-walt-disney-and-reviving-the-dead/312171 "2005-07-12T13:50:40Z")
In the (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_331.html) question asking whether Walt Disney was frozen and buried under the park, the questioner stated, “if you’re dead more than five seconds they can’t bring you back,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=166) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=168)