# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=300 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 301 --- ## [Celestine Prophecy is true](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celestine-prophecy-is-true/1631)
**Author:** [@willaust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willaust)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2000, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celestine-prophecy-is-true/1631 "2000-03-18T09:16:00Z")
Cecil seems to think author James Redfield’s book the Celestine Prophecy (here after CP) is fiction. Not so this book is really the allegorical story of the life of Pierre Teilhard and his science-spiritual philosophy wh… --- ## [Facts About Cats Part 3](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facts-about-cats-part-3/846)
**Author:** [@StephMcu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephMcu)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2000, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facts-about-cats-part-3/846 "2000-03-18T04:31:00Z")
In response to everyone on this matter the I believe the reason that the myth came about was because yes, cats like warm places, but even more so, they like milk. Now if you have an infant, who’s breath reeks of the stuf… --- ## [cannibalism not a myth after all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannibalism-not-a-myth-after-all/843)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2000, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannibalism-not-a-myth-after-all/843 "2000-03-17T21:37:00Z")
In his column Is there really such a thing as cannibalism?, Cecil Adams says Well, here’s an item from the news agency Reuters: Could this be evidence of a cannibalistic past, or would it be the isolated act of a lun… --- ## [Sex in Space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-in-space/841)
**Author:** [@Loren\_Pechtel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loren_Pechtel)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2000, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-in-space/841 "2000-03-16T19:07:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_214.html I was just reading a book by G. Harry Stine called “Halfway to Anywhere”. Near the end there is a discussion of sex in space. The wording implies that he knows the identi… --- ## [The opposition to DST](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opposition-to-dst/838)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2000, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opposition-to-dst/838 "2000-03-16T17:35:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_052.html When Daylight Savings Time was first introduced in Michigan, its most outspoken opponents were the drive-in theater owners. Since movies would be starting an hour later d… --- ## [Next millenium on 2001? Nah!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-millenium-on-2001-nah/836)
**Author:** [@alandowney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alandowney)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2000, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-millenium-on-2001-nah/836 "2000-03-15T16:33:00Z")
If you’re like me, you’re a little excited to see the odometer in your car turn over a bunch of nines to a bunch of zeros. Why should be be excited when 2000 becomes 2001?! --- ## [Japanese soldier hold outs in WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-soldier-hold-outs-in-ww2/830)
**Author:** [@curious\_george](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious_george)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2000, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-soldier-hold-outs-in-ww2/830 "2000-03-15T06:58:00Z")
Cecil says its true that some Japanese soldiers didn’t surrended until the 1970’s and maybe even 1980. This seems so strange to me, and hard to believe. How did they survive 30 years or so on islands? Were they by thems… --- ## [Masonic Lodges today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masonic-lodges-today/832)
**Author:** [@Sir\_DMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_DMB)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2000, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masonic-lodges-today/832 "2000-03-15T03:47:00Z")
Just a short response to your answer about Masonic Lodges. While much of what you have said is factual it is important to note that Masonry today is very different than in the past. Masonry supports many different orgina… --- ## [Glass. What the hell is it!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-what-the-hell-is-it/821)
**Author:** [@metroshane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metroshane)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2000, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-what-the-hell-is-it/821 "2000-03-14T23:06:00Z")
Cecil says glass is a liquid. Albiet just really slow. Alright…so, if you launch a baseball really fast can you shatter water? Really though…the fact that you can destroy the form of an object lends me to believe it’s a… --- ## [from cecil's second book...organ harvesting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-cecils-second-book-organ-harvesting/820)
**Author:** [@claytoaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/claytoaj)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2000, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-cecils-second-book-organ-harvesting/820 "2000-03-14T20:46:00Z")
In his answer as to how long organ harvesting is delayed in reference to the legal death of the patient, and whatnot, Cecil mentioned that even if the patiend has signed an organ donor card, the people who procure the or… --- ## [Dvorak Keyboards - reference site.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvorak-keyboards-reference-site/819)
**Author:** [@BenK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BenK)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2000, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvorak-keyboards-reference-site/819 "2000-03-14T15:31:00Z")
Afternoon all. Not sure if this is the right forum - the forum descriptions are a touch vague. anyway, to business. Was reading Cecil’s “More of the Straight Dope” (Can we cannonise this man?) and found his Dvorak Keyb… --- ## [The Star of Bethlehem, redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-star-of-bethlehem-redux/818)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2000, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-star-of-bethlehem-redux/818 "2000-03-14T05:24:00Z")
I was unable to locate a thread whose title referred to the column about the Star of Bethlehem being a “conjunction,” or whatever. So I’ll take it up in a separate thread. Near as I have been able to determine, the acce… --- ## [Who named the Volkswagen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-named-the-volkswagen/817)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2000, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-named-the-volkswagen/817 "2000-03-14T05:19:00Z")
Jill, I can’t find the column in question on this site. It’s on pages 78 through 81 in Triumph Of The Straight Dope, and answers three questions. The one I’d like to address is, did Hitler name the Volkswagen? No, though… --- ## [gay marriages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriages/815)
**Author:** [@Garney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garney)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2000, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriages/815 "2000-03-13T21:15:00Z")
Whether or not gay marriages should be allowed is a subquestion. What about plural marriages? The only logical conclusion to come to is this: marriage should be an legal recognition of an N-way relationship between cons… --- ## [Virus Killers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virus-killers/811)
**Author:** [@Jois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jois)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2000, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virus-killers/811 "2000-03-12T05:27:00Z")
See: Cecil’s Virus column Cecil didn’t name any non-HIV medications. I’m sure there must be several but they are specific rather than all purpose. Viral pneumonia can be treated with tetracycline - I’m thinking of the … --- ## [Photic sneeze reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photic-sneeze-reflex/809)
**Author:** [@boyld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boyld)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2000, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photic-sneeze-reflex/809 "2000-03-12T01:29:00Z")
I was reading about the photic sneeze reflex, and was quite interested in the topic since I am one of the minority of people who are blessed with this genetic trait. I say blessed without a hint of sarcasm because I thin… --- ## [Breast Cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer/805)
**Author:** [@kayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayo)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2000, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer/805 "2000-03-11T23:52:00Z")
So a lot of experts, including Cecil sort of, have said that antiperspirants don’t cause breast cancer. A little more than 10 years ago, I read a study in a medical journal linking breast cancer with stannous flouride, b… --- ## [yards, and nine of them ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yards-and-nine-of-them/804)
**Author:** [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2000, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yards-and-nine-of-them/804 "2000-03-11T17:52:00Z")
(reference http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_252.html)) No, I don’t think I have an answer, but I have an observation which might relate. The other day I was watching a MASH rerun, and a bit of the dialog reminde… --- ## [Susan B. Anthony dollar wasn't 13-sided](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-b-anthony-dollar-wasnt-13-sided/799)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2000, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-b-anthony-dollar-wasnt-13-sided/799 "2000-03-11T07:50:00Z")
Not only was the original “polygonal” shape of the Susan B. Anthony dollar reduced to a picture of a polygon on a round reeded-edged coin (perhaps due to pressure from vending machine manufacturers) – the original coin d… --- ## [A practical half inch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-practical-half-inch/796)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2000, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-practical-half-inch/796 "2000-03-11T06:43:00Z")
Refers to article: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000218.html I’m sure this is true, since Cecil says it, but what practical reasons does he mean? --- ## [The Twelve Tribes of Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twelve-tribes-of-israel/1627)
**Author:** [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twelve-tribes-of-israel/1627 "2000-03-10T22:53:00Z")
The twelve tribes of Israel are not the twelve sons of Jacob, only ten of his sons are. Levi became the priest and Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Mennassah, were the other two. Yup, I pay attention in Religion class. --- ## [New England State Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-state-question/797)
**Author:** [@Wage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wage)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-england-state-question/797 "2000-03-10T20:51:00Z")
I seem to remember from one of the Straight Dope book colelctions that Vermont seceeded from the Union in 1789 or so, and my question is was it ever re-instated officially, or do they still consider themselves a part of … --- ## [Railway Guage due to horses' ass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railway-guage-due-to-horses-ass/794)
**Author:** [@Major\_Feelgud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Major_Feelgud)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railway-guage-due-to-horses-ass/794 "2000-03-10T19:37:00Z")
I happen to know some of that story is false. Romans did not use war chariots. By the time the Romans invaded Britain, chariots had fallen out of use by hundreds of years. The Romans in Britain fought on foot and the Rom… --- ## [Cheques](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheques/793)
**Author:** [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheques/793 "2000-03-10T17:29:00Z")
Not to brag… ok, indeed to brag. I have joined the august ranks of those who have successfully corrected The Master!! http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_352b.html --- ## [Are the earth's poles going to shift soon? (4/3/87)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-earths-poles-going-to-shift-soon-4-3-87/792)
**Author:** [@phril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phril)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-earths-poles-going-to-shift-soon-4-3-87/792 "2000-03-10T17:06:00Z")
Ok, so it’s a bit behind the times… but I think Unca Cecil may have missed a point. While the concept of the physical poles of the earth experiencing major (20+ degrees) shifts is a bit silly, the earth has gone through … --- ## [Cheques](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheques/1628)
**Author:** [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheques/1628 "2000-03-10T14:07:00Z")
Not to brag… ok, indeed to brag. I have joined the august ranks of those who have successfully corrected The Master!! http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_352b.html --- ## [Perfect pitch addendum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-pitch-addendum/785)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-pitch-addendum/785 "2000-03-10T03:05:00Z")
I recently heard on radio news that perfect pitch, while rare in English speaking countries, is not at all uncommon in cultures with tonal language. I know tonal languages don’t require you to hit certain notes; I’m… --- ## [everything zen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everything-zen/783)
**Author:** [@peachfuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peachfuzz)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everything-zen/783 "2000-03-10T02:41:00Z")
there has been some talk about the saying “if a tree falls and noone is around to hear it…” it is in fact, another zen riddle. my problem is, i don’t really have a good grasp on what zen is. i’ve asked, looked up, and q… --- ## [ancient man only see 3 colors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-man-only-see-3-colors/781)
**Author:** [@Bill\_Anderson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Anderson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2000, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-man-only-see-3-colors/781 "2000-03-09T15:50:00Z")
Well, Cecil, in re your answer, it should be patently obvious to even the most casual observer that all of the plates, paintings of all kinds and other ancient ceramic ware certainly express very complicated color value.… --- ## [Is MSG bad for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-msg-bad-for-you/779)
**Author:** [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2000, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-msg-bad-for-you/779 "2000-03-09T14:49:00Z")
Okay, here’s the link: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_086.html I read the ingredient list on everything I buy in any grocery store, as my husband experiences indigestion, gas, etc. whenever he eats anything wi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=299) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=301)