# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=39 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 40 --- ## [the duck echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-duck-echo/679620)
**Author:** [@kbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbutler)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-duck-echo/679620 "2014-01-30T23:04:58Z")
the guys on myth busters have done a real experiment and you should search their site for the correct answer!!! They do a lot of this type of thing. --- ## [Fracking = Worse Than Coal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fracking-worse-than-coal/672744)
**Author:** [@cf802](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cf802)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fracking-worse-than-coal/672744 "2014-01-29T22:36:09Z")
I have to take issue with Cecil Adams’ latest article regarding fracking. In it, he says that fracking and natural gas use are bad, but not as bad as other options like coal. This is flatly untrue. According to a recent … --- ## [What’s up with celebrity charities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-celebrity-charities/679781)
**Author:** [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-celebrity-charities/679781 "2014-01-27T15:11:16Z")
I have always assumed (with no concrete evidence to back my assumptions up) that most celebrity charities are just ways for the celebrity to put some his or her friends or relatives on the payroll without having to spend… --- ## [The Green Flash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-flash/679705)
**Author:** [@Santa\_Cruz\_n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santa_Cruz_n)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-flash/679705 "2014-01-27T01:29:51Z")
Cecil says you can’t photograph a Green Flash with an ordinary camera. Actually, you can. If you look up Green Flash in Wikipedia, one of the photos used to show the effect was taken by an ordinary SLR camera in Santa C… --- ## [Did Whites Ever Give Native Americans Blankets infected with Smallpox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-whites-ever-give-native-americans-blankets-infected-with-smallpox/679458)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-whites-ever-give-native-americans-blankets-infected-with-smallpox/679458 "2014-01-26T03:07:43Z")
Link to column. It has been estimated that much of the Indian population (as much as 90%) were wiped out by European diseases. The native population never had immunity to diseases such as mumps, measles, or small pox, a… --- ## [Tornado Formation (Do tornadoes only occur in North America?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-formation-do-tornadoes-only-occur-in-north-america/678480)
**Author:** [@bowlweevils](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bowlweevils)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-formation-do-tornadoes-only-occur-in-north-america/678480 "2014-01-21T15:43:06Z")
In the recent Straight Dope Classic #3, Do tornadoes only occur in North America? (Jan 10 2014, originally Aug 6 1993, Do tornadoes only occur in North America? - The Straight Dope) Cecil reports that tornadoes common f… --- ## [Are some New York skyscrapers held together with fake bolts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-new-york-skyscrapers-held-together-with-fake-bolts/678485)
**Author:** [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-new-york-skyscrapers-held-together-with-fake-bolts/678485 "2014-01-19T19:10:25Z")
Related to today’s column about inferior or counterfeit bolts, the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge had a batch of nearly 300 bolts that snapped after in situ testing due to something called hydrogen embrittlement. S… --- ## [Placenta Helper on SNL](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placenta-helper-on-snl/680)
**Author:** [@inertia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inertia)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placenta-helper-on-snl/680 "2014-01-17T21:42:27Z")
Cece, Dude, you are the greatest font of wisdom the world has ever known. With that out of the way I’d like to point out that in your third book, Return of The Straight Dope, you mention a script sent to you by one Davi… --- ## [Jimmy Carter and the killer rabbit: See the picture!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-and-the-killer-rabbit-see-the-picture/245498)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2014, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-and-the-killer-rabbit-see-the-picture/245498 "2014-01-16T14:45:29Z")
Cecil’s column about the killer rabbit attacking Jimmy Carter: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_019.html The picture of this incident is now online! http://www.narsil.org/politics/carter/killer\_rabbit.html Biz… --- ## [Perfect Pitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-pitch/674565)
**Author:** [@pingjockey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pingjockey)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-pitch/674565 "2014-01-12T19:46:11Z")
We navy Sonarmen were prized for our pitch memory; the ability to differentiate Doppler on a target. Our "ping went out and the target echo came back. If the target was closing there was an “up” Doppler. If opening, the… --- ## [When is New Years eve in relation to todays question What year numbering system was used in ..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-new-years-eve-in-relation-to-todays-question-what-year-numbering-system-was-used-in/677216)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-new-years-eve-in-relation-to-todays-question-what-year-numbering-system-was-used-in/677216 "2014-01-12T06:29:55Z")
All todays question does is bring up more questions … Yes, I realize this was a dated question back in 1990 that got answered way back then and is now being resurfaced so to speak, but when was the new year back in the y… --- ## [So give the whole airplane a parachute \[humor thread\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-give-the-whole-airplane-a-parachute-humor-thread/677284)
**Author:** [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-give-the-whole-airplane-a-parachute-humor-thread/677284 "2014-01-08T19:49:50Z")
(Warning, for the humor challenged: this is tongue in cheek) Some airplanes, such as the Cirrus, come equipped with rocket deployed parachutes that will allow the entire airplane to descend with relative safety. Cirrus … --- ## [Would a brain transplant change your personality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-brain-transplant-change-your-personality/676830)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-brain-transplant-change-your-personality/676830 "2014-01-08T17:12:07Z")
Fascinating stuff. Just about any medical impossibility will, in time, perhaps become possible. And I had to laugh at this: \*Not only could \[the transplanted monkey\] use its senses, it tried to bite the hand of a re… --- ## [Is "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" a real word referring to Irish hookers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-a-real-word-referring-to-irish-hookers/674896)
**Author:** [@marknyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marknyc)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-a-real-word-referring-to-irish-hookers/674896 "2014-01-07T23:10:17Z")
Mystery solved! https://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/tracking-down-the-roots-of-a-super-word/supercal31.jpg LINK TO STAFF REPORT: Is “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” a real word referring to Irish hookers… --- ## [Pig Poop redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-poop-redux/676256)
**Author:** [@INtrepid\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/INtrepid_T)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2014, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-poop-redux/676256 "2014-01-07T23:02:39Z")
I have done a wee bit of research and found a bit of poop on pig opp homicide. It appears that the real risk with pig poop is in breathing the vapors which are very toxic in confined spaces I found references to death a… --- ## [A minor nit on parachutes \[in airplanes\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-minor-nit-on-parachutes-in-airplanes/677255)
**Author:** [@ThisOneGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisOneGuy)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-minor-nit-on-parachutes-in-airplanes/677255 "2014-01-07T19:59:20Z")
In the latest column on parachutes parachutes for airliners, Cecil quoted weights and costs of 37 lbs and $600. In my experience they are more like 15 lbs and $2000 or so. see: http://www.softieparachutes.com/mini-sof… --- ## [Beer Drinkers Unite](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-drinkers-unite/677842)
**Author:** [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-drinkers-unite/677842 "2014-01-06T17:43:10Z")
Of all the snobbish, nose-in-the-air columns I’ve read: this has to be the worst. Beer drinkers are people too, Mr. I-have-a-mass-spectrometer-in-MY-man-cave-and-you-don’t. How about some equal treatment. Get yourse… --- ## [Re. "How do they grow more seedless fruit?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-how-do-they-grow-more-seedless-fruit/677870)
**Author:** [@wreckage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wreckage)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-how-do-they-grow-more-seedless-fruit/677870 "2014-01-06T16:01:36Z")
Oh, Cecil. Yet again you disappoint me with your grammar. :smack: “…to the offspring of us humans…” ? Oh, dear. --- ## [Hsiao's theory is demonstrably false](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsiaos-theory-is-demonstrably-false/678035)
**Author:** [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsiaos-theory-is-demonstrably-false/678035 "2014-01-06T15:28:33Z")
Re: Why moths are attracted to light. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1071/why-are-moths-attracted-to-bright-lights Hsiao is incorrect when he says that moths avoid the bright light once they approach it. This … --- ## [What does the "chasing arrows" recycling code on plastic products mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-chasing-arrows-recycling-code-on-plastic-products-mean/677702)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-chasing-arrows-recycling-code-on-plastic-products-mean/677702 "2014-01-05T04:23:24Z")
A 1995 column by the Perfect Master: What does the “chasing arrows” recycling code on plastic products mean? - The Straight Dope Is the solid state shear extrusion process now widespread? Are recycling rates up, a lot … --- ## [If three of the bodily humors... what's the fourth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-three-of-the-bodily-humors-whats-the-fourth/676735)
**Author:** [@Cerealbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerealbox)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-three-of-the-bodily-humors-whats-the-fourth/676735 "2014-01-04T01:48:50Z")
Moss-clad took me a really long time to get how it meant “sluggish,” but might I suggest instead “lag”? What other suggestions do you guys have. LINK: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1031/if-three-of-the-bodi… --- ## [How are US dollars holding up to counterfeiting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-us-dollars-holding-up-to-counterfeiting/677515)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2014, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-us-dollars-holding-up-to-counterfeiting/677515 "2014-01-04T01:43:56Z")
In today’s SD classic column on magnetic stripes on currency it mentions that counterfeiting was becoming a problem. Is this still an issue? Is it becoming better or worse? --- ## [How do you get into the Social Register?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-into-the-social-register/677668)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-into-the-social-register/677668 "2014-01-02T17:50:44Z")
…practice, Baby, practice! :D:cool: Hey, if that joke worked for Soupy Sales…why not? --- ## [What's the point of truck weigh stations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781)
**Author:** [@Portrunnerdaniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Portrunnerdaniel)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781 "2014-01-01T17:56:04Z")
Here is some of the POLITICAL / BUREAUCRATIC issues that go along with State weigh stations, or, Port of Entries as some States call them… The Federal Government awards States millions, if not billions of dollars each y… --- ## [Mistletoe and Baldur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistletoe-and-baldur/677500)
**Author:** [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistletoe-and-baldur/677500 "2013-12-30T19:09:42Z")
regarding the recently rerun article on mistletoe: The article describes the death of Baldur after being struck by an arrow or dart of mistletoe. The scene where the gods are amusing themselves by chucking stuff at B… --- ## [Trope? Nope.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trope-nope/677280)
**Author:** [@666sd666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/666sd666)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trope-nope/677280 "2013-12-30T01:25:39Z")
In Has a stopped clock ever really helped solve a crime? - The Straight Dope, Cecil uses “trope” to mean “cliché” (stopped timepiece solves a crime), but trope really means “figure of speech”. Trope is a shameless buzzwo… --- ## [The Foley Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-foley-question/676578)
**Author:** [@SageGrouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SageGrouse)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2013, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-foley-question/676578 "2013-12-29T06:42:46Z")
Foleys are not just for movies, either! Many phone-sex “fantasy-makers” have them as well. For example… a vibrator, inside oneself, makes almost no sound. You want your caller to hear the vibe? An electric toothbrush or… --- ## [Does no more lead in gasoline = less violent crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-no-more-lead-in-gasoline-less-violent-crime/675687)
**Author:** [@Elmer\_Esque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_Esque)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-no-more-lead-in-gasoline-less-violent-crime/675687 "2013-12-27T14:11:45Z")
I have to wonder if Mercury levels should be considered, as well. ETA: Link to column: Does no more lead in gasoline = less violent crime? - The Straight Dope --- ## [Mistletoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistletoe/677073)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2013, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistletoe/677073 "2013-12-24T09:57:10Z")
In the master’s column about mistletoe, he cites Edgar Nash, saying Loki chucked the mistletoe spear at Baldur killing him. Nash¹ got it a bit wrong, at least according to the Prose Edda. It was even worse. During the… --- ## [House fly can fly inverted with ease.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-fly-can-fly-inverted-with-ease/674611)
**Author:** [@Giro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-fly-can-fly-inverted-with-ease/674611 "2013-12-22T02:28:27Z")
Hi, just letting you know of a factual event of several yrs back when I was about 50. It was mid morning on a Saturday in summer here in NZ and in the kitchen above the table was a light hanging quite low. House flies … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=38) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=40)