# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=25 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 26 --- ## [Qibla quibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qibla-quibble/734909)
**Author:** [@Grigalem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grigalem)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qibla-quibble/734909 "2015-10-21T21:59:20Z")
Being told that benign religious practices are wacky is not what I needed for breakfast fare. The qibla (and the Jewish equivalent - mizrah Mizrah - Wikipedia) - are not “wacky”. And the Jewish dietary laws are clearl… --- ## [Recycling update article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recycling-update-article/735351)
**Author:** [@enwiggen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enwiggen)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recycling-update-article/735351 "2015-10-21T13:36:21Z")
I recently read an article on recycling. After doing so, I checked the files and saw that Cecil had written something in 2000: Interestingly, this updated article by John Tierney pretty much confirms what Cecil wrote… --- ## [Voluntary Accession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voluntary-accession/734814)
**Author:** [@dheerajnagpal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dheerajnagpal)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voluntary-accession/734814 "2015-10-21T02:30:02Z")
There are a few instances where a country voluntary gave away (or sold) part of their land. USSR sold Alaska to USA Sikkim (use to be a small country between Nepal and Bhutan) accessed itself to India and became a stat… --- ## [Does Tylenol + alcohol = permanent liver failure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tylenol-alcohol-permanent-liver-failure/734001)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tylenol-alcohol-permanent-liver-failure/734001 "2015-10-18T00:47:56Z")
Re: Does Tylenol + alcohol = liver failure? (Sept. 29, 2000). What I want to know, and no article I’ve ever seen (including Cecil’s) mentions, is this: Is the liver damage done by acetaminophen + alcohol permanent and … --- ## [Dalmatians and fire trucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dalmatians-and-fire-trucks/732929)
**Author:** [@stevewaclo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stevewaclo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dalmatians-and-fire-trucks/732929 "2015-10-17T14:55:21Z")
OK, everyone probably dislikes unsupported anecdotes as much as I, but I’m too lazy to provide supporting facts. And we know what a Homer Simpson says about them.:slight\_smile: Anyway, Dalmatians aside, I read somewhere… --- ## [buying out slavery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-out-slavery/732552)
**Author:** [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-out-slavery/732552 "2015-10-16T02:04:02Z")
re economic value of slaves–calculating what it cost to buy a slave omits the economic benefits of slavery, ie what value accrues from their bondage, so a slave that cost $400 to buy may generate say $8000 from their lab… --- ## [Why aren't walnuts killing us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-walnuts-killing-us/734085 "2015-10-15T00:31:42Z")
Why aren’t walnuts killing us? Maybe they’re afraid to after centuries of being soundly thrashed. A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree The more they’re whipped, the better they’ll be. I cannot vouch for the efficacy of … --- ## [Extraterrestrial President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extraterrestrial-president/730341)
**Author:** [@sbunny8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbunny8)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extraterrestrial-president/730341 "2015-10-13T22:22:27Z")
Cecil writes “The Founding Fathers’ chief aim was to forestall the election of crustaceans, protozoans, and other critters lacking the wherewithal to conduct the nation’s business”. But haven’t I heard stories about to… --- ## [Pope Names...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-names/733651)
**Author:** [@Major\_Matt\_Mason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Major_Matt_Mason)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-names/733651 "2015-10-13T14:52:08Z")
Call me silly, but I’d really LIKE to see a Pope George Ringo… -MMM- --- ## [Photopathic...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photopathic/733450)
**Author:** [@tafowler87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tafowler87)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photopathic/733450 "2015-10-09T02:22:17Z")
Would dreams be considered some form of photographic memory… The images generally recalled in dreams are those of physical entities generally encountered (only slightly altered to accommodate subconscious thoughts, desir… --- ## [Landfills vs Recycling: The Methane Effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landfills-vs-recycling-the-methane-effect/732976)
**Author:** [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landfills-vs-recycling-the-methane-effect/732976 "2015-10-08T11:12:25Z")
The column Is recycling worth it? — although written in 2000, which adds to the problem, for a lot of junk has gone under the soil since, due to aversion to recycling — concludes: In the end we may conclude that… --- ## [Bicycles riding contraflow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycles-riding-contraflow/732467)
**Author:** [@ajsp\_japan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajsp_japan)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycles-riding-contraflow/732467 "2015-10-05T16:21:50Z")
This is a common occurrence here (In Japan). It frustrates me as a “with the traffic cyclist”. My main bone of contention is that if I wish to pass another cyclist going the same way as me I can saunter along behind the… --- ## [Photographic memory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographic-memory/732956)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographic-memory/732956 "2015-10-01T22:44:44Z")
While not as impressive as the experiments mentioned here. Whenever I memorize how to spell a word. When I recall it, it’s as if I had taken a photo of it --- ## [Qagdop who? (MsRobyn's column on toothpaste)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qagdop-who-msrobyns-column-on-toothpaste/733058)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qagdop-who-msrobyns-column-on-toothpaste/733058 "2015-09-30T23:49:01Z")
Somebody spelled our resident Mercotan’s name wrong! Twice, even. Is toothpaste an effective treatment for burns? Sept. 30, 2015. --- ## [Vaccine for melanoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccine-for-melanoma/732479)
**Author:** [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccine-for-melanoma/732479 "2015-09-29T19:51:24Z")
re: Is sunscreen ineffective in preventing skin cancer? - The Straight Dope Well, maybe sunscreen isn’t the answer. Or maybe it is. But you can get a vaccine for melanoma in dogs. Why hasn’t one been developed for human… --- ## [A, B, C, and D phone keys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-c-and-d-phone-keys/732364)
**Author:** [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-b-c-and-d-phone-keys/732364 "2015-09-27T06:04:09Z")
Re: Why were the star and pound symbols originally added to phone keypads?, in 1965–1966, my senior year in high school, my computer class (one of the first) used to go to Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ, every other Saturd… --- ## [Memory by association](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-by-association/732464)
**Author:** [@bertzpoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bertzpoet)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-by-association/732464 "2015-09-26T16:43:30Z")
A.R. Luria’s man had to remember eight different items and events to recall seven words in Italian, and in sequence. Why was remembering that any easier than remembering the seven words? I’m similarly puzzled by people … --- ## [Aliens Observing from 100 Light Years Away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aliens-observing-from-100-light-years-away/732303)
**Author:** [@Life\_Form](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Life_Form)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aliens-observing-from-100-light-years-away/732303 "2015-09-26T15:30:01Z")
Your answer to Ted, who asked if aliens observing us through a telescope from a planet 100 light years away would see Earth as it was a century ago, was well-researched and (I’m sure) accurate, but I don’t think you addr… --- ## [What's in it for Satoshi? (Bricker's Pokemon article)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-it-for-satoshi-brickers-pokemon-article/732179)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-it-for-satoshi-brickers-pokemon-article/732179 "2015-09-24T20:20:20Z")
Interesting history of Pokémon, Bricker. But you failed to mention the crucial detail that every capitalist American (indeed, every capitalist everywhere) immediately wonders: What’s in it for Satoshi Tajiri? Did Nint… --- ## [Happy Birthday copyright](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-copyright/730524)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-copyright/730524 "2015-09-24T14:59:00Z")
Cecil’s column: Are blue jays not really blue? Plus: has the copyright on “Happy Birthday” expired yet? Cecil says: “The copyright laws having been revised, the copyright on “Happy Birthday” now won’t expire until 2011 … --- ## [Concerning Lockheed and fusion power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-lockheed-and-fusion-power/730726)
**Author:** [@Jonascord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonascord)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2015, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-lockheed-and-fusion-power/730726 "2015-09-24T11:28:45Z")
This is pure opinion: I recall, back in the 80’s, a small article in a technical journal, wherein a company offered a power source based on Strontium 90 decay, as a driver for buoy lights and other small items for the U… --- ## [Light Years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-years/731653)
**Author:** [@RassleBear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RassleBear)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-years/731653 "2015-09-23T17:31:41Z")
In the question as to whether a planet 100 light-years away could view life on earth 100 years ago if they had a suitably strong telescope, you omitted the most obvious answer, unless i missed it. A light-year is not a… --- ## [daddy long legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daddy-long-legs/732017)
**Author:** [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daddy-long-legs/732017 "2015-09-23T17:25:10Z")
Regarding Is a Daddy Long Legs the most poisonous spider? - The Straight Dope, the Mythbusters have completely demolished the foolish urban legend regarding the venom of the DLL spider. Remember, this myth pertains onl… --- ## [On getting to first base](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-getting-to-first-base/732224)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-getting-to-first-base/732224 "2015-09-22T20:39:46Z")
A propos today’s column:What are the five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball (revisited)? - The Straight Dope I think there is one other situation that (h) may be intended to cover. Runner on second atte… --- ## [How to get on first base](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670)
**Author:** [@yyyguyff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yyyguyff)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670 "2015-09-18T19:16:31Z")
Straight dope classic today What are the five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball (revisited)? - The Straight Dope Revisited how to reach first base safely. Ummm fielders choice and runner interference we… --- ## [Oh Deer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-deer/731493)
**Author:** [@Kitsapian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitsapian)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-deer/731493 "2015-09-16T21:37:29Z")
When you post a link to an illustration, please avoid doing it through your AOL account (people still have those? Who knew?) as in http://grolier.web.aol.com:8010/Grolier/images/ONLINPIX/M/M%20041.GIF This just gets me… --- ## [Was Eamon de Valera a cuban -american?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-eamon-de-valera-a-cuban-american/387066)
**Author:** [@ElTessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElTessy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2015, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-eamon-de-valera-a-cuban-american/387066 "2015-09-15T08:32:06Z")
Was Eamon de Valera a cuban -american? Eamon de Valera’s father was born in Matanzas, Cuba. Under the spanish colonial rule of the island every new born was legally consider a spaniard (not a cuban). Matanzas is a port… --- ## [The Vikings, grapes & butternuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vikings-grapes-butternuts/730372)
**Author:** [@Madman2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madman2001)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vikings-grapes-butternuts/730372 "2015-09-14T16:51:52Z")
Regarding the northern limit of grapes (and butternuts), this Vikings in the New World period is part of the Medieval Warm Period. It was warm enough for medieval farmers to live and prosper in Greenland. Therefore, it… --- ## [Fusion and Slug](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-and-slug/730673)
**Author:** [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-and-slug/730673 "2015-09-11T20:55:21Z")
OK, Slug has really thrown me on the picture for Fusion Power in a Decade. I get the skunk for skunkworks, the ITER tower, DEMO, and tokamak torus (although it seems to be totamak in the drawing). What is the creature … --- ## [Signing credit cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-credit-cards/729742)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2015, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-credit-cards/729742 "2015-09-09T01:37:46Z")
I see that we have an old Staff Report on the front page which advises against signing the back of one’s credit card. It’s possible that things have changed since then–I used to see other advice columnists give the sa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=26)