# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=231 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 232 --- ## [Boiling water: A moutain Climbers perspective and question on a old Cecil answer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water-a-moutain-climbers-perspective-and-question-on-a-old-cecil-answer/139527)
**Author:** [@shane\_Somebody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shane_Somebody)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2002, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water-a-moutain-climbers-perspective-and-question-on-a-old-cecil-answer/139527 "2002-12-12T18:17:46Z")
A mountain climbers perspective, any suggestions on this? This was sent to me from the Straight Dope archives (I have posted the original question and answer below my question, please read.) Very interesting question a… --- ## [Essay writing skills (Case study: Man In Iron Mask)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essay-writing-skills-case-study-man-in-iron-mask/142067)
**Author:** [@Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xavier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2002, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essay-writing-skills-case-study-man-in-iron-mask/142067 "2002-12-12T00:24:28Z")
Exactly what qualifications are necessary before writing an essay the standard of Staff report : Who was the “Man In The Iron Mask”? In my opinion it is an excellent piece (informative, factual, methodical style), and b… --- ## [Why does water make the witch die](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-water-make-the-witch-die/139565)
**Author:** [@cdutchhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cdutchhill)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2002, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-water-make-the-witch-die/139565 "2002-12-12T00:19:33Z")
Let’s look at this from the religious context of good verses evil. I do believe that we have to conclude that L.F.Baum intended the wicked witch of the west to be the evil character. Thus, the relationship of water repre… --- ## [In the record business, what do "b/w" and "c/w" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-record-business-what-do-b-w-and-c-w-mean/140676)
**Author:** [@Aron26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aron26)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2002, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-record-business-what-do-b-w-and-c-w-mean/140676 "2002-12-11T21:39:57Z")
Hello All, I’d like to set the record straight, here (heh). Or at least see if the record could be set straight. In this great classic: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a991015.html Cecil offers us this tid-bit: … --- ## [check it out!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-it-out/142059)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2002, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-it-out/142059 "2002-12-11T18:36:01Z")
(spam deleted) --- ## [The dropped beer mug.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dropped-beer-mug/140514)
**Author:** [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2002, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dropped-beer-mug/140514 "2002-12-11T07:45:38Z")
Cecils’ answer seems weak. Not wrong, just weak. The bubbles in a beer glass rise because they are bouyant, i.e. less dense than the surrounding fluid. Gravity effect. The bubbles would remain stationary within the gla… --- ## [Saving Pop tabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-pop-tabs/137483)
**Author:** [@Texas\_Tornado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Texas_Tornado)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2002, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-pop-tabs/137483 "2002-12-11T06:28:57Z")
This is in response to the article about the poptabs. I live in Minnesota and at our local McDonalds we have a giant barrel labeled specifically for pop tabs. All proceeds help the Ronald McDonald house. I amd not sure … --- ## [Blue People](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-people/63008)
**Author:** [@TFH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TFH)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2002, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-people/63008 "2002-12-11T00:47:50Z")
Cecil, I’m a bit disappointed that you seem to have missed an opportunity to inform and amuse us regarding the inbreeding Fugates in the classic article: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a980724.html Although the t… --- ## [CHMSLs are great!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chmsls-are-great/140530)
**Author:** [@testera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/testera)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chmsls-are-great/140530 "2002-12-10T17:51:16Z")
For me, the biggest benefit of having the CHMSLs on all the cars is that it allows you to “drive ahead of yourself” by 2, 3, 4 or more cars in front of you, by allowing you to see when people start braking way ahead. I c… --- ## [Ouija board, please explain this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-board-please-explain-this/137354)
**Author:** [@Delphinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delphinus)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2002, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-board-please-explain-this/137354 "2002-12-10T13:28:26Z")
I am at present doing research on afterlife and the paranormal. I have found now I want to do research into Ouija because basically years ago I was very into playing with these boards and something weird always happend a… --- ## [Empire State Bubbles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empire-state-bubbles/141202)
**Author:** [@JamesCarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamesCarroll)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2002, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empire-state-bubbles/141202 "2002-12-09T11:59:45Z")
re: What if I dropped a beer mug off the Empire St. Bldg.? I can understand how maybe marbles might fall at the same rate as the glass. But would bouyancy have no effect on the bubbles in the beer? That’s what drives … --- ## [responce to question on radioactive glow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/responce-to-question-on-radioactive-glow/141107)
**Author:** [@gogabego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gogabego)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2002, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/responce-to-question-on-radioactive-glow/141107 "2002-12-07T23:13:14Z")
Dear Cecil and loyal compadres, in responce to a question posted at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990430a.html on radioactive glow, I believe Cecil neglected to state that radioactive substances, specifically u… --- ## [Does the smell of squished cockroach attract other roaches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-smell-of-squished-cockroach-attract-other-roaches/136727)
**Author:** [@K43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K43)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-smell-of-squished-cockroach-attract-other-roaches/136727 "2002-12-07T20:29:41Z")
There may be no roaches in Norway (though I doubt the claim). However, there are certainly Norway Rats in Norway. They are the common ship rat and have spread throughout the world. When you squish a rat, the smell att… --- ## [Witches and broomsticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-and-broomsticks/138325)
**Author:** [@psyche\_kisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psyche_kisa)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-and-broomsticks/138325 "2002-12-06T16:34:29Z")
I would like to correct you on your column about what the connection is with witches and broomsticks. I myself am a witch, and the only sexual conotation that is related to the subject is that due to the phallic shape t… --- ## [thousand dollar bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thousand-dollar-bill/138240)
**Author:** [@mingum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mingum)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2002, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thousand-dollar-bill/138240 "2002-12-06T16:08:34Z")
So how many of these large denomination bills are in circulation? Link to relevant Staff Report: Whose face is on the $1,000 bill? – CKDH --- ## [Crying Italian Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crying-italian-indian/1138)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2002, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crying-italian-indian/1138 "2002-12-06T10:35:03Z")
Actually, the “Indian crying over pollution” ad is infamous for at least two reasons. One is that the actor who played the Indian was Italian. (Okay, no big deal, it’s Hollywood.) The real problem with that ad is that i… --- ## [Balzacorama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/balzacorama/140073)
**Author:** [@rosencrantz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rosencrantz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/balzacorama/140073 "2002-12-05T23:23:58Z")
hi. great site and all that. just as a footnote to http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_240.html i’d like to pose the horrifying thought that -(o)rama might make another comeback any time now. Balzac’s novel ‘Old Gor… --- ## [Yellow Submarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-submarine/140758)
**Author:** [@chrisinuae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisinuae)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2002, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-submarine/140758 "2002-12-05T22:00:49Z")
OK. I’ve just watched the Beatles “Yellow Submarine” for the 2nd time (the first/last time was just after it was released). I want to know, were the Beatles: a) absolute creative geniuses b) absolutely stoned c) absol… --- ## [using your TV to detect tornados](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-tv-to-detect-tornados/138928)
**Author:** [@Mr.Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Wilson)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2002, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-tv-to-detect-tornados/138928 "2002-12-05T07:25:19Z")
In the straightdope column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_166b.html Cecil describes how your tv set can be used to to detect tornados. I was curious if anyone out there as ever done this before. I’ve never he… --- ## [Conversion Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversion-error/139958)
**Author:** [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2002, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversion-error/139958 "2002-12-04T20:51:36Z")
FTR, in this classic article http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_127.html Cecil cough I mean Cecil’s editors screwed up the conversion between Celsius and Kelvin. I believe the article should read either 276 degrees… --- ## [Joplin, MO, an Entertainment Center? Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joplin-mo-an-entertainment-center-huh/137522)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2002, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joplin-mo-an-entertainment-center-huh/137522 "2002-12-04T19:08:36Z")
In this column about Billy Tipton, a female Jazz musician who lived as a man, Cecil says: I lived in Joplin, Missouri for seven years, and I never learned anything to suggest that the city was ever anything more than a… --- ## [24 Hours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/24-hours/138147)
**Author:** [@Socialite\_Prime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Socialite_Prime)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2002, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/24-hours/138147 "2002-12-04T19:00:36Z")
In reference to Cecil Adams’ article about the 24-hour day (“Who decided the day should be divided into 24 hours?”) - as a representative of the Cubic Society (http://cubarian.com) I would like to commend Mr Adams on his… --- ## [Venus Flytraps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venus-flytraps/139517)
**Author:** [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2002, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venus-flytraps/139517 "2002-12-04T17:16:29Z")
In regards to the Staff Report Was the Venus flytrap brought to earth by a meteor?, what about the “simply appeared some time in our planet’s history” part of the question. Are there fossils, remains or other evidence o… --- ## [Do some people remain alert--but paralyzed--under anesthesia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-remain-alert-but-paralyzed-under-anesthesia/138595)
**Author:** [@CasperQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CasperQ)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2002, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-remain-alert-but-paralyzed-under-anesthesia/138595 "2002-12-04T08:22:15Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990226.html This is an old one from his index list on the pages, but since I’m a newbie and the search function turned up nothing for ‘anesthesia’ (certainly just a minor oversight … --- ## [Centre high-mounted stop lamps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centre-high-mounted-stop-lamps/139998)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centre-high-mounted-stop-lamps/139998 "2002-12-03T19:03:07Z")
Looks like I just missed having Cecil answer a question. Oh well. I should have thought of the specific question that was asked in the column (which brad\_d answered in the thread). --- ## [Fire, ions, magnets and welding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-ions-magnets-and-welding/138132)
**Author:** [@flaxor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flaxor)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2002, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-ions-magnets-and-welding/138132 "2002-12-02T06:40:13Z")
Cecil writes: Can fire be ionized? Is it affected by magnetism? Not so’s you’d notice. You’re thinking of plasma, which is ionized (and thus electromagnetically reactive) gas, often described as the fourth state of matt… --- ## [Ionic Breeze, Hepa Filter, or Nothing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ionic-breeze-hepa-filter-or-nothing/139742)
**Author:** [@Faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faith)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2002, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ionic-breeze-hepa-filter-or-nothing/139742 "2002-12-01T19:53:20Z")
Hi everyone, I have developed severe allergies since I quit smoking a few months ago. I’ve had a few people tell me that I need to get a hepa filter. My husband seen an inforcommercial on the Ionic Breeze, which is real… --- ## [Easter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easter/138123)
**Author:** [@mark42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mark42)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easter/138123 "2002-12-01T19:10:54Z")
Reading the “when is Easter” got me thinking. My birthday is 4-13-63. I have never had my B-day fall on Easter. However, my brother who was born three years earlier on 4-11 has had several. I also know it’s fallen on the… --- ## [A mountain climbers perspective,, any suggestions on this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mountain-climbers-perspective-any-suggestions-on-this/139526)
**Author:** [@shane\_Somebody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shane_Somebody)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2002, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mountain-climbers-perspective-any-suggestions-on-this/139526 "2002-12-01T18:53:57Z")
This was sent to me from the Straight Dope archives (I have posted the full question and answer below my question please read.) Very interesting question and answer… but… one part of Cecil’s answer leaves me with a que… --- ## [Out of Sync Time Zones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-sync-time-zones/136954)
**Author:** [@coover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coover)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2002, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-sync-time-zones/136954 "2002-12-01T09:17:28Z")
In today’s Classical Column a1\_124, Cecil ends the column with " I can’t explain Saudi Arabia, but nobody else ever has either." That was said about the fact that in Saudi Arabia, the first hour of the day starts when th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=230) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=232)