# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=179 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 180 --- ## [Was Trenton ever capital of the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-trenton-ever-capital-of-the-us/279676)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-trenton-ever-capital-of-the-us/279676 "2004-12-16T15:34:39Z")
In Cecil’s column on York as a US capital, he says that Trenton New Jersey was capital 7. If so, it seems like news to Trenton. A summary of Trenton history doesn’t mention it. I lived in Princeton, and in Pennington… --- ## [Shark cartilage and cancer: Experts agree with Cecil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shark-cartilage-and-cancer-experts-agree-with-cecil/277964)
**Author:** [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shark-cartilage-and-cancer-experts-agree-with-cecil/277964 "2004-12-16T13:15:50Z")
Just a followup to Cecil’s recent article Does shark cartilage prevent cancer?. Apparently, Gary K. Ostrander, a professor at Johns Hopkins, has been doing work in the field, and has come to the same conclusions: You’… --- ## [Is the lost city of Atlantis at the bottom of a lake in North Dakota?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-lost-city-of-atlantis-at-the-bottom-of-a-lake-in-north-dakota/279844)
**Author:** [@N.Dak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N.Dak)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2004, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-lost-city-of-atlantis-at-the-bottom-of-a-lake-in-north-dakota/279844 "2004-12-15T05:59:52Z")
I just happen to stumble upon this website while researching a paper. I was suprised to see an article titled “Is the lost city of Atlantis at the bottom of a lake in North Dakota”. I grew up in North Dakota so I thought… --- ## [Concentration of sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concentration-of-sound/276813)
**Author:** [@kunawai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kunawai)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2004, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concentration-of-sound/276813 "2004-12-14T22:36:08Z")
Physically, I know light and sound are different. However, in medicine, sound has been used to produce “lesions” in the brain, e.g. to treat Parkinsonism. The drawback was that sound cannot penetrate the skull so large… --- ## [Deja vu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/278897)
**Author:** [@writergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/writergirl)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/278897 "2004-12-14T17:51:58Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_113.html While reading this column I realized that Cecil doesn’t believe in the possibility that people COULD have deja vu. Actual things that they know they have seen before, or … --- ## [Re: "What happens at an eletrocution"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-what-happens-at-an-eletrocution/279387)
**Author:** [@The\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mouse)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2004, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-what-happens-at-an-eletrocution/279387 "2004-12-14T00:41:35Z")
What happens at an electrocution I thought your answer was quite informative, but am dismayed by your attitude towards the person who asked the question. Yes, he could be a nut case, BUT it is possible for someone to ha… --- ## [Washington is now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-is-now-what/279135)
**Author:** [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-is-now-what/279135 "2004-12-12T20:47:18Z")
In this article: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/041210.html The last sentence seems truncated, did one of the Gerbils have a heart attack, mid publish? --- ## [Re: In the song "Hotel California," what does "colitas" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/279415)
**Author:** [@juanfh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/juanfh)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2004, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/279415 "2004-12-12T13:51:20Z")
Quote Cecil: I was at Las Encinas mental hospital at Pasadena CA, and fame there is, it’s about that place. The intern who told me tells that the part So I called up the captain; please bring me my wine / He said we ha… --- ## [Great Britian's gun laws and crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britians-gun-laws-and-crime/273148)
**Author:** [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2004, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britians-gun-laws-and-crime/273148 "2004-12-12T02:48:07Z")
Link to article Cecil says there’s no correlation between gun restrictions and crime. I would have to disagree, using this article as a cite. A couple of quotes that counter what Cecil wrote from the above link. N… --- ## [Robin Hood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robin-hood/278827)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robin-hood/278827 "2004-12-10T20:06:41Z")
Also assuming Marian even existed. Her absence from the Medieval legends led Professor Stephen Knight (English Lit. - Cardiff University) to believe that Robin was originally portrayed as being more interested in the co… --- ## [Did Vikings really wear horns on their helmets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-vikings-really-wear-horns-on-their-helmets/278611)
**Author:** [@erangel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erangel)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-vikings-really-wear-horns-on-their-helmets/278611 "2004-12-10T03:44:26Z")
While reading this staff report , I noticed the following sentence: In latin american cultures the cheated husband is usually called cabrón, cornudo or any other names that suggest “wearing horns.” I wonder if Hundin… --- ## [Comment on Wizard of Oz "Suicide"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-wizard-of-oz-suicide/279019)
**Author:** [@Innocent4life89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Innocent4life89)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-wizard-of-oz-suicide/279019 "2004-12-10T02:12:19Z")
I read your response to the elegdged suicide in the movie the Wizard of Oz. I watched very closely and discovered there is something moving in the background. I have come to the conclusion that it is neither a man commmi… --- ## [Relating to: You say the Earth is round? Prove it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relating-to-you-say-the-earth-is-round-prove-it/278893)
**Author:** [@viezeric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/viezeric)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relating-to-you-say-the-earth-is-round-prove-it/278893 "2004-12-09T22:17:59Z")
I think Aristotle solved this one way back in the day. At a given moment in time, measure the angle of the sun (aristotle did this by looking at the shadow cast in a deep well.) Triangulate. Do this a couple of times in… --- ## [Female Popes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-popes/277907)
**Author:** [@Level3Navigator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Level3Navigator)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-popes/277907 "2004-12-08T17:16:15Z")
In one of his classic columns about female popes Cecil wrote the following sentence: By this is he saying that his teenaged mistress Marozia became a pope, or that the illegitimate son became a pope? --- ## [While we're talking about the moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/while-were-talking-about-the-moon/275515)
**Author:** [@rjpxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjpxx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/while-were-talking-about-the-moon/275515 "2004-12-08T15:59:56Z")
After the last two columns: Why does the same side of the moon… Why does the moon appear bigger… I wondered, is it also a coincidence that the moon is just the right size and distance to block the sun during solar ecl… --- ## [Shooting Blanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-blanks/270617)
**Author:** [@InLucemEdita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InLucemEdita)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2004, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-blanks/270617 "2004-12-08T14:14:54Z")
Hello, I’m writing in regards to the Staff report on guns firing blanks: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mblanks.html At one point Una writes, “To make even more noise, some blanks have their metal casing crimped … --- ## [The Ark of the Covenant: Apparently not the last thing we'll ever read about it!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ark-of-the-covenant-apparently-not-the-last-thing-well-ever-read-about-it/277733)
**Author:** [@Darklighter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darklighter)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ark-of-the-covenant-apparently-not-the-last-thing-well-ever-read-about-it/277733 "2004-12-07T19:27:31Z")
When watching Richard and Judy today (for those Americans this is a talk show which invites guests on to talk about everything from their recent movies, to their recent scientific discoveries) a guest was on claiming tha… --- ## [Comment about laser like directed sound..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-about-laser-like-directed-sound/277881)
**Author:** [@democlesv10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/democlesv10)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2004, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-about-laser-like-directed-sound/277881 "2004-12-06T01:29:16Z")
Commenting on your response: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_114.html just an update from the above link… If I’m not mistaken some attempts to directing a sound to a certain point is now can be achieved, just … --- ## [Psecil the Psychic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psecil-the-psychic/277717)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psecil-the-psychic/277717 "2004-12-05T19:38:12Z")
In his column on Born Free author Joy Adamson (dated 29-Mar-1985), Cecil notes that Dian Fossey was murdered in 1985. While the date seems to be in question, Wikipedia puts her murder somewhere towards the end of Decemb… --- ## [Same drawing - two months apart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-drawing-two-months-apart/277921)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2004, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-drawing-two-months-apart/277921 "2004-12-04T08:39:49Z")
I just read the column about Joy Adamson and got to wondering about Slug’s drawing. A search of the archive led me to Is swallowing chewing gum dangerous?, dated 29 May 1985. Someone should fix that date, it’s not even a… --- ## [Female Orgazm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-orgazm/277988)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2004, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-orgazm/277988 "2004-12-04T00:12:53Z")
Given the consistent brevity of copulation that I have witnessed regarding mammals other than homo sapiens, is it reasonable to conclude that women are somewhat unique amongst female mammals in that they seem to derive a… --- ## [Fines for Not following Burial Laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fines-for-not-following-burial-laws/277937)
**Author:** [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fines-for-not-following-burial-laws/277937 "2004-12-03T23:12:34Z")
So what kind of fines would we be talking about? Could you get jail time?http://www.straightdope.com/columns/041203.html --- ## [Probability and weather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-and-weather/276744)
**Author:** [@doug-jensen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doug-jensen)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2004, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-and-weather/276744 "2004-12-03T05:47:43Z")
A reader asked you “What does it mean when “X percent chance of rain” is predicted?” ( http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_115b.html ). Your reply was partially adequate, but would have been much improved if you had… --- ## [What's behind the grass is greener](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-behind-the-grass-is-greener/277763)
**Author:** [@zen\_more](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zen_more)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2004, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-behind-the-grass-is-greener/277763 "2004-12-03T03:39:09Z")
If you actually read Pomerantz’ paper on this (which is really just a letter, not a full-fledged article, and is available at http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~pomeran/GrassGreener1983.pdf) it’s clear what he is trying to do is … --- ## [Has a Guy been Stuck in a Paris Airport..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-guy-been-stuck-in-a-paris-airport/276743)
**Author:** [@TC2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TC2004)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-guy-been-stuck-in-a-paris-airport/276743 "2004-12-02T10:22:02Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990820.html Is this column concerning the ‘displaced man w/out a home’…the basis for the Tom Hanks movie “The Terminal”? And is this gentleman out of the airport yet? --- ## [the whole nine yards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/265806)
**Author:** [@dudebun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dudebun)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/265806 "2004-12-01T19:55:18Z")
I’m positive that there is a thread about this already, but with a lack of search function…i wouldn’t know where to begin. I once heard that the origins of “the whole nine yards” was that airplanes in world war 2 had am… --- ## [Same side of the Moon always faces the Earth: The Moon's recession rate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-side-of-the-moon-always-faces-the-earth-the-moons-recession-rate/275486)
**Author:** [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2004, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-side-of-the-moon-always-faces-the-earth-the-moons-recession-rate/275486 "2004-12-01T13:58:59Z")
The Perfect Master gives the recession rate of the Moon as 4 inches per month. Either Cecil is remembering a figure from his childhood (and he is much, much older than I thought) or this has been a minor clerical error… --- ## [The \*ahem\* "Shivers..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ahem-shivers/277211)
**Author:** [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2004, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ahem-shivers/277211 "2004-11-30T00:50:45Z")
I don’t know them by any other “polite” name, so I just have to ask: What are Piss Shivers? What are they good for? Do only guys get them? (I’ve discreetly asked a couple of gals, and they report they don’t experience… --- ## [What ever happened to Joyce K., Seattle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-joyce-k-seattle/277176)
**Author:** [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2004, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-joyce-k-seattle/277176 "2004-11-29T22:20:39Z")
Just read today’s question to Cecil, about what X% chance of rain means. At the end there was a comment by Joyce K., Seattle This reminded me that in the, I think, first Straight Dope book there were several such comme… --- ## [How can light be both a wave and a particle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-light-be-both-a-wave-and-a-particle/251287)
**Author:** [@skybrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skybrian)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-light-be-both-a-wave-and-a-particle/251287 "2004-11-29T13:48:44Z")
I’m no physicist, but I thought the the staff article on this didn’t really explain it that well. The best explanation I’ve seen is in Richard Feynman’s QED. I’ll see if I can explain it without mangling it too much: L… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=178) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=180)