# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=296 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 297 --- ## [Esperanto grammar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esperanto-grammar/1704)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2000, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esperanto-grammar/1704 "2000-04-15T02:03:00Z")
Today’s mailbag article, http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mesperanto.html , starts its reply with the following sentence: Well, as we all know :wink: , you can’t just throw an infinitive phrase (“paroli”) in there … --- ## [So....what about waterbeds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-about-waterbeds/1277)
**Author:** [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2000, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-about-waterbeds/1277 "2000-04-15T00:31:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000407.html Where do all the skin bits and mites hide out in a waterbed? --- ## [Piss Shiver (PMCS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-shiver-pmcs/1269)
**Author:** [@SINsApple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SINsApple)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2000, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-shiver-pmcs/1269 "2000-04-15T00:25:00Z")
So where have we gotten on this matter. I just brought it up to friends to see if they had ever noticed it (they hadn’t). I am female, and I do experience it occasionally. Yet my female friends do not, so I am curious as… --- ## [U.S.Women with breast cancer denied access to lifesaving treatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-women-with-breast-cancer-denied-access-to-lifesaving-treatment/1252)
**Author:** [@Jo\_Ann\_Esterly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jo_Ann_Esterly)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2000, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-women-with-breast-cancer-denied-access-to-lifesaving-treatment/1252 "2000-04-14T21:00:00Z")
I am looking for other women, like myself, who have metastatic breast cancer and been denied treatment by Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski and his lifesaving 20+ year old discovery called antineoplastins. Women have been singled … --- ## [Is "squaw" an obscene insult?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squaw-an-obscene-insult/1239)
**Author:** [@lswote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lswote)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2000, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-squaw-an-obscene-insult/1239 "2000-04-14T18:48:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000317.html This column reveals once again how zealots will tell any story that fowards their cause. This factoid was dispensed, judged and sentence pronounced all by the same perso… --- ## [Is some uranium still used in teeth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-some-uranium-still-used-in-teeth/1237)
**Author:** [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2000, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-some-uranium-still-used-in-teeth/1237 "2000-04-14T05:40:00Z")
Cecil said: (Emaphasis mine.) MOST??? I know that after radioactivity was discovered, radioactive materials were used by many people because of the (supposed) health benefits. (I need more energy, radium gives off ene… --- ## [Dopey Doper held up to ridicule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopey-doper-held-up-to-ridicule/1229)
**Author:** [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2000, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopey-doper-held-up-to-ridicule/1229 "2000-04-13T21:29:00Z")
I just read Cecil’s postscript to this week’s column, aka BirdDog21’s incoherent rant. Do folks like this know how illiterate they are? If so, why do they attempt to communicate via the written word? I appreciate Cecil… --- ## [Giant Spork at Kansas State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-spork-at-kansas-state/1701)
**Author:** [@bjorky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bjorky)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2000, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-spork-at-kansas-state/1701 "2000-04-13T18:01:00Z")
As a Wildcat, I can confirm that there is a sculpture that does resemble a giant spork in front of King Hall (next to Chem/Biochem). It is supposed to be a cat’s paw…but it looks like a spork. Scott Reed --- ## [Gore hypnotizes a chicken (and millions of Americans)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gore-hypnotizes-a-chicken-and-millions-of-americans/1219)
**Author:** [@TimWillin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimWillin)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gore-hypnotizes-a-chicken-and-millions-of-americans/1219 "2000-04-12T23:39:00Z")
Maybe Cecil should resurrect his article on hypnotizing chickens in honor of the man who invented the Internet (and practices hypnosis on birds)! http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_012.html --- ## [Secret recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-recipe-of-kentucky-fried-chicken-kfc/1217)
**Author:** [@Ament69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ament69)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-recipe-of-kentucky-fried-chicken-kfc/1217 "2000-04-12T16:22:00Z")
I was wondering what the eleven secret herbs and spices on Kentucky Fried Chicken’s (KFC)chicken are? --- ## [Homosexuality??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality/1215)
**Author:** [@Ament69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ament69)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality/1215 "2000-04-12T16:21:00Z")
Sorry to post two different subjects… Taken in mind that I am heterosexual… How come so many people out their are homophobic (unles because of a bad experience) or just plain against Homosexuality (male and female)… and … --- ## [Who decided women should shave their legs and underarms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-decided-women-should-shave-their-legs-and-underarms/1213)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-decided-women-should-shave-their-legs-and-underarms/1213 "2000-04-12T13:04:00Z")
In a column with this title (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_012.html) Cecil seems inclined to believe that this is a recent, American-born concept. "The gist of the article is that U.S. women were browbeaten in… --- ## [ticks and Buddhist monks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ticks-and-buddhist-monks/1700)
**Author:** [@IronJeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IronJeff)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ticks-and-buddhist-monks/1700 "2000-04-12T12:47:00Z")
While I realize that SDSTAFFer Jill was just throwing in an offhand joke in her mailbag response about ticks, the historical accuracy of her comment about Buddhist monks setting themselves on fire to protest the war is q… --- ## [Isn't 10 Downing Street a bit of a dump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-10-downing-street-a-bit-of-a-dump/1698)
**Author:** [@Biffer\_Spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffer_Spice)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-10-downing-street-a-bit-of-a-dump/1698 "2000-04-12T05:23:00Z")
original topic : http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_433.html Just a quick correction/addition: The PM’s house is actually a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. The PM also has other properties in the countr… --- ## [What are the odds of getting AIDS from ordinary heterosexual](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-of-getting-aids-from-ordinary-heterosexual/1208)
**Author:** [@JamesM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamesM)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-of-getting-aids-from-ordinary-heterosexual/1208 "2000-04-12T05:20:00Z")
Your answer to “What are the odds of getting AIDS from ordinary heterosexual sex?” dated 09-Dec-1988 probably needs updating. I understand that in my county the rate of AID’s infection was approximately 1 in 40. Your a… --- ## [Does Cecil get any useable answers in these forums?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cecil-get-any-useable-answers-in-these-forums/1211)
**Author:** [@woodwoodrules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodwoodrules)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2000, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cecil-get-any-useable-answers-in-these-forums/1211 "2000-04-12T01:57:00Z")
Does Cecil get any useable answers in these forums? If a question enters the site at General Questions, and it catches Cecil’s eye as a worthy pearl oyster ripe for prying open, does he get any leverage from the forum r… --- ## [Civilization causes myopia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilization-causes-myopia/1210)
**Author:** [@tiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiki)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2000, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilization-causes-myopia/1210 "2000-04-11T23:12:00Z")
In the column asking about bad vision caused by sitting too close to a TV or reading in dim light: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_105.html It was mentioned that some people have suggested that there is somethin… --- ## [Spam and cannibalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-and-cannibalism/1203)
**Author:** [@cryinghavoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cryinghavoc)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2000, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-and-cannibalism/1203 "2000-04-11T16:43:00Z")
In today’s letters to the editor section of The Wall Street Journal there is a letter which takes very seriously anthropologist Paul Theroux’s essay about the link between Spam and cannibals’ food preferences. Obviously… --- ## [Radioactivity and Clock Chimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radioactivity-and-clock-chimes/1183)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2000, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radioactivity-and-clock-chimes/1183 "2000-04-11T03:04:00Z")
The April 30, 1999 Column: If you were radioactive, would you glow? Who wrote the clock chime tune? Click here for the complete column. --- ## [Do "corona discharge" devices alleviate asthma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-corona-discharge-devices-alleviate-asthma/1182)
**Author:** [@Dan\_Kaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_Kaplan)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2000, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-corona-discharge-devices-alleviate-asthma/1182 "2000-04-11T02:03:00Z")
Here’s your chance to sound off about this week’s column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/990910.html --- ## [Definition of a prime number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-a-prime-number/1695)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-a-prime-number/1695 "2000-04-10T21:36:00Z")
On the front page is a response by an SD staff member to the question of whether 0 is even or odd. They go on to comment on the status of 1. Now, the definition they give is “having no divisors except itself and 1.” The… --- ## [Civilization causes myopia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilization-causes-myopia/1694)
**Author:** [@tiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiki)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2000, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilization-causes-myopia/1694 "2000-04-10T18:00:00Z")
In the column asking about bad vision caused by sitting too close to a TV or reading in dim light: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_105.html It was mentioned that some people have suggested that there is somethin… --- ## [Walking and Running in the Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-and-running-in-the-rain/1180)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2000, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-and-running-in-the-rain/1180 "2000-04-10T14:46:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_395.html My apologies if this has been covered umpteen times. The archive searches are entirely unproductive and what I have to say is brief. Re: Running keeps you drier Unless … --- ## [Death by sleeping in an enclosed room while a fan is running...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-sleeping-in-an-enclosed-room-while-a-fan-is-running/1179)
**Author:** [@JJ\_Richard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JJ_Richard)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2000, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-sleeping-in-an-enclosed-room-while-a-fan-is-running/1179 "2000-04-10T00:02:00Z")
Having read the initial post(s) and your reply to Korean people being scared stiff of falling asleep while an electric fan is running in a “sealed” room… I’m with you all the way as for your “this is nonsense” answer to… --- ## [I forget. Why aren't you in non-alternative papers? Bad syndicating or some higher...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forget-why-arent-you-in-non-alternative-papers-bad-syndicating-or-some-higher/1178)
**Author:** [@lamerino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lamerino)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2000, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forget-why-arent-you-in-non-alternative-papers-bad-syndicating-or-some-higher/1178 "2000-04-09T23:32:00Z")
I forget. Why aren’t you in non-alternative papers, the most-read kind? For years I could only read you in books, then I moved to a town with throwaway papers. Now, of course, there’s the web, but my city’s newspaper s… --- ## [acupuncture--a clarification?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture-a-clarification/1174)
**Author:** [@mrsphlem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrsphlem)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2000, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture-a-clarification/1174 "2000-04-09T19:45:00Z")
Are we talking about the healing properties claimed by acupuncturists or its supposed anasthetic properties? And would that make cecil’s reply different? --- ## [re:12-Sep-97 Will sleeping in a closed room with an electric fan cause death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-12-sep-97-will-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-cause-death/1166)
**Author:** [@lamerino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lamerino)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2000, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-12-sep-97-will-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-cause-death/1166 "2000-04-09T15:24:00Z")
Just how long CAN a person stay alive in a closed bedroom before being overcome by CO2 (that’s carbonDIoxide, the stuff we exhale)? Cecil dismissed just plain running out of air, but I don’t think so.I’m guessing 24 hou… --- ## [Exploding Wildlife, revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-wildlife-revisited/1164)
**Author:** [@Rhowan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhowan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2000, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-wildlife-revisited/1164 "2000-04-09T07:55:00Z")
I just read Cecil’s column on exploding birds and rice/alka-seltzer. I don’t know about birds, but if you put grits on a fire ant hill, the hill will die. Supposedly the ants take the grits to the queen, where she eats i… --- ## [How come you never see any B batteries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-you-never-see-any-b-batteries/1163)
**Author:** [@ralphredan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralphredan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2000, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-you-never-see-any-b-batteries/1163 "2000-04-09T03:23:00Z")
How come you never see any B batteries?http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_005b.html The letters A, B, C, and D were used to describe the batteries in old RCA radio sets, which had 4 independent circuits. One for th… --- ## [Does having a bet on a question make Cecil more apt to answer it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-having-a-bet-on-a-question-make-cecil-more-apt-to-answer-it/1160)
**Author:** [@woodwoodrules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodwoodrules)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2000, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-having-a-bet-on-a-question-make-cecil-more-apt-to-answer-it/1160 "2000-04-09T00:14:00Z")
Does having a bet on a question make Cecil more apt to answer it? http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_024.html http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_321b.html [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=295) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=297)