# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=297 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 298 --- ## [Gay Marriage...Anywhere Else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-anywhere-else/1154)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-anywhere-else/1154 "2000-04-08T21:38:00Z")
In his column on gay marriage http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000128.html , Cecil mentioned two court decisions holding that certain marital rights should be given to same sex couples, one by Canada’s Supreme Court … --- ## [AIDS without HIV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aids-without-hiv/1152)
**Author:** [@ravenfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ravenfire)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aids-without-hiv/1152 "2000-04-08T16:57:00Z")
Could someone explain to me how someone gets AIDS without first having HIV? I didn’t know it was possible until I read Cecil’s responce to the question of whether or not AIDS is a manmade disease (http://www.straightdope… --- ## [Scrod - the New England answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scrod-the-new-england-answer/1690)
**Author:** [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scrod-the-new-england-answer/1690 "2000-04-08T12:59:00Z")
Regarding the definition of scrod: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mscrod.html Here in Boston, scrod refers to the whitefish catch o’ the day. It could be haddock, cod, pollock, hake, flounder or other varieties of… --- ## [Somebody kill that mosquito! (ear ringing)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-kill-that-mosquito-ear-ringing/1144)
**Author:** [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-kill-that-mosquito-ear-ringing/1144 "2000-04-08T05:50:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_094.html As a tinnitus sufferer, I’m glad Cecil covered this phenomenon. (Actually, he wrote the column five years ago, but it’s on the home page today, so…) Me, I’ve found an e… --- ## [Some stars burnt out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-stars-burnt-out/1689)
**Author:** [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-stars-burnt-out/1689 "2000-04-08T05:49:00Z")
SDSTAFF David: regarding whether some stars may be burnt out and all we see is the light they emitted long ago, I am not an expert on this but I think the answer is so oversimplified that it comes very close to being er… --- ## [Galileo, a Hammer, & a Feather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galileo-a-hammer-a-feather/1684)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galileo-a-hammer-a-feather/1684 "2000-04-08T05:10:00Z")
I have a comment that is surely a waste of somebody’s time, about an answer IAN gave to a mailbag question… He stated that a hammer & feather will always fall at the same rate in a perfect vacuum. Not exactly true, sinc… --- ## [Relativity and earth's rotation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-and-earths-rotation/1141)
**Author:** [@proulx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proulx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-and-earths-rotation/1141 "2000-04-08T05:08:00Z")
I read recently an old piece of Cecil’s about the effect of the rotation of the earth on aging at the poles vs. at the equator. (For the piece, go to http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_183.html)..) The main point i… --- ## [Allergies and fish lips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergies-and-fish-lips/1151)
**Author:** [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergies-and-fish-lips/1151 "2000-04-08T02:49:00Z")
In Cecil’s latest column, he talks about fish scales in lipstick. Now, I know some people (well, one person, but I’ve heard of others) that are allergic to seafood. Has anyone ever heard of someone having an allergic rea… --- ## [Where are all the dead pigeons? 20-May-1988](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-the-dead-pigeons-20-may-1988/1150)
**Author:** [@Michael\_Price](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Price)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2000, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-the-dead-pigeons-20-may-1988/1150 "2000-04-08T02:00:00Z")
In a response to a query, Where are all the dead pigeons? 20-May-1988, Janice-Mary Cunningham of Dallas wrote: "I thought you might want to know that there is indeed a pigeon graveyard in Dallas. I have had the opportun… --- ## [Where's the Bezoar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-bezoar/1147)
**Author:** [@KimKatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KimKatt)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2000, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-bezoar/1147 "2000-04-07T23:58:00Z")
In the current Straight Dope Classic column (Arnold does a more professional looking job of making lnks, but I don’t want to get yelled at), the follow on letter writer sent in a picture of a large bezoar. Any chance of … --- ## [St. Joseph and moving your real estate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-joseph-and-moving-your-real-estate/1688)
**Author:** [@\_Df](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Df)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2000, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-joseph-and-moving-your-real-estate/1688 "2000-04-07T23:57:00Z")
Bury pottery in your yard? What a crock! Everyone knows that the not-so-secret secret of real estate is location etc., and if you want to move your place fast the best place to locate it is in San Jose, CA (St. Joe’s?) o… --- ## [Relativity and earth's rotation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-and-earths-rotation/1682)
**Author:** [@proulx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proulx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2000, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-and-earths-rotation/1682 "2000-04-07T15:12:00Z")
I read recently an old piece of Cecil’s about the effect of the rotation of the earth on aging at the poles vs. at the equator. (For the piece, go to http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_183.html)..) The main point i… --- ## [WHY JILL GATES IS A BIG FAT JERK.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-jill-gates-is-a-big-fat-jerk/1140)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Dark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Dark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2000, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-jill-gates-is-a-big-fat-jerk/1140 "2000-04-07T13:37:00Z")
There. That’s for closing yet another perfectly good thread. Let this be the last of it. (Interested or outraged readers may refer to “Before taking Cecil’s survey READ THIS” – or however it was put…) --- ## [The Universal Expansion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-universal-expansion/1681)
**Author:** [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2000, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-universal-expansion/1681 "2000-04-07T13:15:00Z")
Here is the original column, by Karen: \["\]www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmissingmatt.html\](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmissingmatt.html\[/url) Might there be a “4th” possibility…Doesn’t it make sense that Omega… --- ## [Zero is even? How about roulette?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-is-even-how-about-roulette/1679)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2000, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-is-even-how-about-roulette/1679 "2000-04-07T11:12:00Z")
If zero is an even number, that certainly alters the game of roulette. Both zero, and I imagine double-zero, are now even - meaning I can win exactly fifty percent of the time by betting even. How does this logic hold u… --- ## [If you need links to columns, why not just ask for it on the Post New Topic page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-need-links-to-columns-why-not-just-ask-for-it-on-the-post-new-topic-page/1139)
**Author:** [@lamerino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lamerino)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2000, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-need-links-to-columns-why-not-just-ask-for-it-on-the-post-new-topic-page/1139 "2000-04-07T03:23:00Z")
If you need links to columns, why not just ask for it on the Post New Topic page? --- ## [high colonics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-colonics/1137)
**Author:** [@eraymond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eraymond)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2000, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-colonics/1137 "2000-04-06T04:49:00Z")
I have frequently wonder what, exactly, a high colonic is. Is there, for example, a low colonic. I know it has something to do with new age health and such, but exactly what it is remains a mystery to me. If anyone could… --- ## [Church of the SubGenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-of-the-subgenius/1678)
**Author:** [@Rev.Ivan\_Stang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rev.Ivan_Stang)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2000, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-of-the-subgenius/1678 "2000-04-05T23:23:00Z")
Your minion said: "Philosophically, the church owes it’s origin to the Discordian movement of the late 60’s and 70’s. The first pamphlet of the Church (“The World ends tomorrow and You may Die!”) reads a lot like the … --- ## [If it quacks like a duck...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-quacks-like-a-duck/1136)
**Author:** [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2000, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-quacks-like-a-duck/1136 "2000-04-05T21:07:00Z")
It echoes. Not that I would ever doubt Cecil, but I just want to confirm that I have indeed heard the echo of a duck’s quack. At this time of year, the mallards on the river often come downtown to spend the night under… --- ## [What are naval personnel saluting when they board a vessel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677)
**Author:** [@thudain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thudain)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2000, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677 "2000-04-05T20:19:00Z")
{from my brother, Commander USN} The actual dialogue coming and going is: “Permission to come aboard sir” (enlisted) OOD: “Granted” OR “I report my return aboard sir” (officer) OOD: “Very well” and “Permission to … --- ## [Esperanto](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esperanto/1135)
**Author:** [@DaveoRad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveoRad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2000, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esperanto/1135 "2000-04-05T19:02:00Z")
Thanks, Monty, for an interesting discussion of Esperanto ( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mesperanto.html ). There were a couple of typos in the paragraph from The People’s Almanac. “Moderno” should be “moderna”.… --- ## [Human Parthenogenesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-parthenogenesis/1133)
**Author:** [@MCLebaneze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MCLebaneze)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2000, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-parthenogenesis/1133 "2000-04-05T15:40:00Z")
Your column on “Are Aphids Born Pregnant” was interesting and informative, however,you said that one known case of human parthenogenesis was known. I’m assuming that you are talking about the birth of Christ from the Vir… --- ## [Alum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alum/1673)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2000, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alum/1673 "2000-04-05T03:56:00Z")
Re:Alum I once read in a book that prostitutes in the old days (19th Century) sometimes used alum to…Um…put some “grab” in their vaginas. Anyone else heard about this or am I nuts? ( I realize that the two are not mutua… --- ## [Kilts...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kilts/1127)
**Author:** [@JoeyBlades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyBlades)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2000, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kilts/1127 "2000-04-04T23:24:00Z")
Hi Cecil! Just a quick comment on the question “what do Scotsman wear under their kilts?” I can’t say this is absolute fact, but I heard it straight from a Scotsman during a parade in York, England. In the Royal Scottis… --- ## [Out of Sorts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-sorts/1123)
**Author:** [@Dystopos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dystopos)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2000, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-sorts/1123 "2000-04-04T21:43:00Z")
quoted from a reply to…http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_264.html Dear Cecil: I enjoy your column, but you made a mistake in suggesting that Marion E.'s explanation of the origin of “out of sorts” was wacko. Amo… --- ## [Use of Vibrato](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-vibrato/1670)
**Author:** [@KJIrish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KJIrish)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2000, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-vibrato/1670 "2000-04-04T21:42:00Z")
I just wanted to say that yes, Vibrato IS an indication of a trained singer. When the vocal folds are working properly, a vibrato will appear naturally. To sing a “straight tone” or a tone without vibrato is to sing with… --- ## [How does a person with a steel plate in his head get through airport metal detectors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-person-with-a-steel-plate-in-his-head-get-through-airport-metal-detectors/1104)
**Author:** [@lswote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lswote)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2000, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-person-with-a-steel-plate-in-his-head-get-through-airport-metal-detectors/1104 "2000-04-04T13:58:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_245.html I have a titanium half-inch thick rod in the middle of my right femur, running from my hip to just above my knee and I have gone through airport metal detectors many, ma… --- ## [Hiding Japanese Soldiers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-japanese-soldiers/1101)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2000, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-japanese-soldiers/1101 "2000-04-04T01:00:00Z")
I couldn’t find the earlier thread on this column so I’m starting another one: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000310.html A guy named Roberto wrote in to Cecil and asked me to post his letter on the MB: It made me… --- ## [questions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions/1098)
**Author:** [@Banana\_tree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banana_tree)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2000, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions/1098 "2000-04-03T05:38:00Z")
What is a free gift? Aren’t all gifts free? and If nothing ever sticks to Teflon, how do they make Teflon stick to the pan? and If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors? Ban… --- ## [adding large values of 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-large-values-of-2/1668)
**Author:** [@SouthernXYL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SouthernXYL)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2000, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-large-values-of-2/1668 "2000-04-02T23:59:00Z")
When I was in college a million years ago, one of my math classes featured a brief discussion of non-Euclidean geometry. Our teacher suggested that if we could measure triangles of interstellar proportions, the sum of th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=296) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=298)