# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=200 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 201 --- ## [Old column comment: GM L.A. mass transit destruction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-column-comment-gm-l-a-mass-transit-destruction/219192)
**Author:** [@bostonandmaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bostonandmaine)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-column-comment-gm-l-a-mass-transit-destruction/219192 "2003-12-17T22:07:01Z")
Link to column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_335.html After reading this column recently, I remembered going to a party several years ago and talking to one of the hosts about corporate greed/conspiracy type … --- ## [Joe Sprinz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-sprinz/219556)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-sprinz/219556 "2003-12-17T20:56:31Z")
In this classic column on Joe Sprinz, Cecil cited the Guinness World Records book as saying that ol’ Joe caught the ball, albeit with his teeth. The first two Web sources I found after a Google search state that he miss… --- ## [playing card suit column comments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-card-suit-column-comments/218377)
**Author:** [@regnad\_kcin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/regnad_kcin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-card-suit-column-comments/218377 "2003-12-17T20:25:25Z")
In re this column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_308.html “The Germans originally used hearts, acorns, bells, and leaves, which you occasionally still see in Eastern Europe” I would like to point out that in… --- ## [What's the point of the dropped third strike and third strike/4thb umpire mask rule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-the-dropped-third-strike-and-third-strike-4thb-umpire-mask-rule/217966)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-the-dropped-third-strike-and-third-strike-4thb-umpire-mask-rule/217966 "2003-12-17T19:06:10Z")
They seem arbitrarily in favor of the team at bat. What are they point of these two rules? Dumb it down because I know very little about baseball. --- ## [What is better a $1000 annual raise or a $300 raise every six months?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-better-a-1000-annual-raise-or-a-300-raise-every-six-months/219482)
**Author:** [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-better-a-1000-annual-raise-or-a-300-raise-every-six-months/219482 "2003-12-17T18:24:57Z")
In your answer to this question you said, “A semiannual raise of $300 is an annual increase of $600, and if you have two such increases per year your annualized salary hike is $1,200.” Seems to me that if you have a SEMI… --- ## [The Playing Cards Suit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-playing-cards-suit/218496)
**Author:** [@battousai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/battousai)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-playing-cards-suit/218496 "2003-12-17T05:02:40Z")
Believe it or not it was invented by the french but not quite for the reasons Cecil has given. The cards had different meanings. The suits cards, diamond, Club,Heart, Spade:King Queen Jack, in combitnation with the diff… --- ## [Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants/219325)
**Author:** [@smootman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smootman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants/219325 "2003-12-17T02:10:49Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlostants.html So in order to have an effective ant farm, do you need to have a queen ant? How do you go about finding her? I have a crapload of fire ants in my yard… and I’d love t… --- ## [Is Slug Signorino Illiterate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-slug-signorino-illiterate/219041)
**Author:** [@Underpaid\_Teacher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Underpaid_Teacher)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-slug-signorino-illiterate/219041 "2003-12-17T01:53:29Z")
I was just reading Cecil’s 1996 column on the research about teleportation conducted by IBM (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_198.html) when I took a closer look at the illustration by Slug Signorino. There it w… --- ## [What "PA" stands for in chemistry.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pa-stands-for-in-chemistry/219439)
**Author:** [@Dolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dolphin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pa-stands-for-in-chemistry/219439 "2003-12-17T01:51:17Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_338b.html I agree the poser of the question probably intended to ask about pH, but in response to the literal question posed in the thread, the abbreviation “p.a.” in chemistry st… --- ## [No boob writing about no boobs! :)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-boob-writing-about-no-boobs/215213)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-boob-writing-about-no-boobs/215213 "2003-12-16T18:57:12Z")
Amazon story An absolutely wonderful job, bibliophage!!! Do the sources discuss the likelyhood of an actually existing band of warrior women because of the multiple early references in art and story to such a group? T… --- ## [HIV/AIDS and Africa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-aids-and-africa/97459)
**Author:** [@Efrem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Efrem)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-aids-and-africa/97459 "2003-12-16T14:18:44Z")
Cecil forgot about the biggest sufferers of HIV/AIDS in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 28.1 million cases of HIV/AIDS with 2.3 million deaths in 2001. It has brought down the life expectancy of many African co… --- ## [What's correct, "he had GOT some" or "he had GOTTEN some"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-correct-he-had-got-some-or-he-had-gotten-some/219105)
**Author:** [@IngramJames](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IngramJames)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2003, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-correct-he-had-got-some-or-he-had-gotten-some/219105 "2003-12-16T12:36:59Z")
An old, old post I saw while brosing the current “classics” selection. Thought I would point out that Bill Bryson covers this in “Mother Tongue”, where he points out that while some people dislike “gotten”, they still u… --- ## [Ye forget the Lord's punishment!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ye-forget-the-lords-punishment/219150)
**Author:** [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2003, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ye-forget-the-lords-punishment/219150 "2003-12-16T12:29:59Z")
Great is the Lord’s punisment. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and render unto God what is God’s” had the Aramaic crowd groaning in the aisles. The E and J authors must of collaborated on the act for “I AM WHAT … --- ## [Mosquitos and HIV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquitos-and-hiv/216522)
**Author:** [@vodyanoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vodyanoi)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2003, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosquitos-and-hiv/216522 "2003-12-16T12:10:40Z")
From this URL, the second question: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwestnile.html Now, I think that they left out a crucial piece of information. With compliant mosquitos for West Nile, the virus makes its way in… --- ## [Radioactive Camp Lanterns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radioactive-camp-lanterns/217188)
**Author:** [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radioactive-camp-lanterns/217188 "2003-12-16T01:46:51Z")
Radioactive Camp Lanterns I just wanted to say how happy I was to learn that David Hahn’s homemade nuclear reactor involved the use of duct tape. I mean, how else would you build one? --- ## [Flash photography in museums](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flash-photography-in-museums/219083)
**Author:** [@chickenricken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chickenricken)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flash-photography-in-museums/219083 "2003-12-15T13:10:28Z")
Mailbag question re: flash photography in museums. Dear Fellow non-lethal Dopers: About the column above: Okay. I can believe that flash photography causes a chemical reaction in the cellulose found in paintings, one … --- ## [Illuminati](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illuminati/218061)
**Author:** [@battousai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/battousai)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illuminati/218061 "2003-12-14T21:20:34Z")
Hey, I was reading one of the earlier posts about the May Day and Illuminati. Now im not an expert nor do i wish to critize Cisil, is that how you spell his name?, hes answered many a question for me. Now its time for me… --- ## [Why is christmas in december?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-christmas-in-december/218835)
**Author:** [@Raxel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raxel)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-christmas-in-december/218835 "2003-12-14T14:29:24Z")
Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ b’day, is on the 25th december why is this when jesus actual date of birth is unknown but thought to be some time in september, don’t give me all that pagan festival bull, 'cos there … --- ## [Re: Why manhole covers are round](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-why-manhole-covers-are-round/218043)
**Author:** [@beta522](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beta522)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2003, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-why-manhole-covers-are-round/218043 "2003-12-13T22:24:43Z")
Maybe I’m missing something here, but I’d like to comment on the reason that Cecil says manhole covers are round. Simply put: to keep them from falling in. I bring this up again because the question was listed in the MEN… --- ## [Heavy Water Moderated Reactors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-water-moderated-reactors/218001)
**Author:** [@sfrantz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sfrantz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-water-moderated-reactors/218001 "2003-12-12T16:46:03Z")
One error in the column was the statement that “Reactors enriched uranium don’t require a moderator.” You CAN run a reactor with natural uranium and heavy water. The Canadians do it with their CANDU reactors. “Fast rea… --- ## [Hickock's Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickocks-hand/217848)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickocks-hand/217848 "2003-12-12T01:16:34Z")
This column is perhaps one of the least convincing I’ve ever read. Some guy died in the 19th century in circumstances just ripe for an urban legend as to what cards he was holding when he died, and Cecil’s answer is “ye… --- ## [More heavy water stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-heavy-water-stuff/218007)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-heavy-water-stuff/218007 "2003-12-10T14:36:58Z")
From the Mailbag: Hmmm, it would appear that, since deuterium has different binding energies and different speeds of reaction, that it is NOT chemically identical to protonium. --- ## [5 ways to get on base](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-ways-to-get-on-base/216773)
**Author:** [@darksight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/darksight)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-ways-to-get-on-base/216773 "2003-12-09T16:30:17Z")
Commenting on this one http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_299.html We may have come up with seven. Walk Hit by pitch Dropped Third Strike Catcher Interference Official Rule 7.05 (h), ball thrown fro… --- ## [Comment on an OLD Faulkner column ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-an-old-faulkner-column/88285)
**Author:** [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-an-old-faulkner-column/88285 "2003-12-09T14:40:06Z")
If this has already been covered, my apologies. A search didn’t turn it up, though. Cecil wrote, some time ago, that William Faulkner added the “u” to his last name as a result of a typographical error by his first publ… --- ## [Ventriloquist Parachute Joke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquist-parachute-joke/216961)
**Author:** [@Mogadon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogadon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ventriloquist-parachute-joke/216961 "2003-12-09T02:48:28Z")
I have no issue with the description of showmanship, http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_306.html but the parachute joke looks a bit suspect. 75 years ago? Of course they had parachutes then. Why, they experimented… --- ## [Dead Man's hand--poker question this time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand-poker-question-this-time/217735)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand-poker-question-this-time/217735 "2003-12-08T18:36:28Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_307.html If you’re holding black aces and eights, that implies you’ve got a pair of aces at a pair of eights. The article said Huh? Two pair aces high sounds like a pretty goo… --- ## [Dead Man's Hand - http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_307.html](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand-http-www-straightdope-com-classics-a1_307-html/217139)
**Author:** [@coolestwhiteboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coolestwhiteboy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-mans-hand-http-www-straightdope-com-classics-a1_307-html/217139 "2003-12-08T18:22:56Z")
Interesting story, but what’s with the illustration that accompanies this story? Is the black guy sitting on Wild Bill’s lap the ace of spades? And is that a hypo sticking out of Bill’s arm? And what’s with the dead bird… --- ## [Got / Gotten and Noah Webster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-gotten-and-noah-webster/215164)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-gotten-and-noah-webster/215164 "2003-12-08T00:58:18Z")
Cecil’s column on got vs. gotten says that Noah Webster’s dictionary was first published in 1864. Um, dude, Noah Webster died in 1843. His dictionary first appeared in 1806. http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster’s\_Dic… --- ## [Catnip and olives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catnip-and-olives/217504)
**Author:** [@Ouisch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ouisch)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2003, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catnip-and-olives/217504 "2003-12-07T05:41:54Z")
Regarding Cecil’s comments on Catnip, my cats, like Ivan, also go squirrely over olives. Not the olives themselves, those they ignore, but if I put the lid from the jar down for them, they roll all over it, rub their fa… --- ## [What causes the "washboard" effect on unpaved roads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-washboard-effect-on-unpaved-roads/211201)
**Author:** [@compunuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/compunuke)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-washboard-effect-on-unpaved-roads/211201 "2003-12-07T05:07:03Z")
Your specious staff report seems to be at odds with important facts. The washboard pattern exhibited on dirt or gravel roads usually has a period \[distance between peaks or valleys\] smaller than the footprint area of mo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=199) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=201)