# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=57 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 58 --- ## [Re: Are dogs unable to see 2-D images (mirrors, photos, TV)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-are-dogs-unable-to-see-2-d-images-mirrors-photos-tv/628113)
**Author:** [@Nawtdunyet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawtdunyet)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-are-dogs-unable-to-see-2-d-images-mirrors-photos-tv/628113 "2012-07-16T17:03:33Z")
I have a German Shepherd (named Dakota) and a large hi-def television (Mitsubishi Diamond 63") Dakota usually lays on the floor next to me (unless there is a loud thunderstorm - which transforms him into a very large, s… --- ## [Corporations declared to be people? Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporations-declared-to-be-people-huh/625517)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporations-declared-to-be-people-huh/625517 "2012-07-16T13:44:03Z")
Dear Cecil: I’ve heard you can avoid all kinds of laws by creating a corporation. I understand that’s nonsense, of course. But I’m curious: how is this supposed to work? I’ve always found the theories of corporate consp… --- ## [Vocabulary Article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vocabulary-article/628209)
**Author:** [@tnbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnbob)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vocabulary-article/628209 "2012-07-15T12:50:42Z")
Cecil, In your piece on “Does the average American student have less vocabulary today than in days gone by” (September 7, 2007), second paragraph, 4th line. Did you mean entomologist (one who studies insects) or etymol… --- ## [Anti-persperants & Breast Cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-persperants-breast-cancer/627106)
**Author:** [@missileer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missileer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-persperants-breast-cancer/627106 "2012-07-12T13:31:00Z")
According to Dr. David Brownstein, the reason breast cancer appears in the area of the lymph nodes is that they are very close to the iodine receptor sites. Both women and men have six receptor sites in their bodies. Wom… --- ## [Re: Ear candling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-ear-candling/601834)
**Author:** [@momsaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/momsaid)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-ear-candling/601834 "2012-07-11T23:18:13Z")
In a piece here called “how do ear candles work?” the ‘expert’ uses condescending and silly tones in dismissing the empirical evidence provided by the letter-writer/advice seeker. Having used them on myself and others (… --- ## [regarding revolving doors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-revolving-doors/627501)
**Author:** [@frafrooblabloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frafrooblabloo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-revolving-doors/627501 "2012-07-10T16:57:51Z")
Hey Cecil, Good job you are doing. however, you have the bit about how the revolving doors came into being inaccurate. ETA: Column link - What’s the purpose of revolving doors? - The Straight Dope - Rico --- ## [Why do they play bagpipes at police funerals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868)
**Author:** [@EvanF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvanF)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-play-bagpipes-at-police-funerals/626868 "2012-07-09T16:20:36Z")
This is in response to Cecil’s reference to the movie Braveheart in the column about bagpipes being used at police funerals. I am not an expert in bagpipes, but I know that there are many different kinds, and as a music… --- ## [What ever happened to Planet X?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-planet-x/626449)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-planet-x/626449 "2012-07-05T15:47:58Z")
From this column, I thought I’d put in an update on the article from this: So, just something interesting. No hard evidence as yet, but there COULD be a Planet X (or possibly a dwarf star, if we were a binary system… --- ## [Is the Bilderberg Group the Center of the One-World Conspiracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bilderberg-group-the-center-of-the-one-world-conspiracy/627057)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bilderberg-group-the-center-of-the-one-world-conspiracy/627057 "2012-07-05T15:30:37Z")
Column here. Referring to Bill Clinton: “Although I tell ya, I’m going to pronounce better next time I tell my lackeys to find me a U.S. president who likes sax.” Heh, turns out they heard Cecil corrrectly after all. … --- ## [Can human growth hormone slow aging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-human-growth-hormone-slow-aging/627058)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-human-growth-hormone-slow-aging/627058 "2012-07-05T04:46:35Z")
Word bolded for emphasis: Why does Cecil apologize for his use of the word “stiff”? Is there some sort of innuendo I’m missing? --- ## [E=mc^2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-mc-2/627074)
**Author:** [@rmoheb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rmoheb)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-mc-2/627074 "2012-07-05T01:49:02Z")
I just read the May 2000 column about Einstein’s equation E=mc^2. The answer was informative but, to my disappointment, didn’t address the question. :mad: The easy answer is this (using the metric system): E is in jo… --- ## [Paying tax, UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-tax-uk/627206)
**Author:** [@Humber\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humber_Hawk)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-tax-uk/627206 "2012-07-04T12:43:19Z")
This is a real reply from the Inland Revenue. The Guardian newspaper had to ask for special permission to print it. Thought you’d enjoy this… Dear Mr Addison, I am writing to you to express our thanks for your more tha… --- ## [Lincoln Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-gay/627176)
**Author:** [@cesld\_msn.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cesld_msn.com)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2012, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-gay/627176 "2012-07-04T04:08:34Z")
I looked up at Lincoln Monument and could hear his voice “pervs, pervs, what have I begat by saving this union?” Men slept together all the time back then. Stop at a tavern for room and board, you most likely shared a b… --- ## [Water and the Wicked Witch of the West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-and-the-wicked-witch-of-the-west/625557)
**Author:** [@kireiname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kireiname)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-and-the-wicked-witch-of-the-west/625557 "2012-07-03T01:08:08Z")
I recently ran across this posting (Why does water make the Wicked Witch of the West melt? - The Straight Dope) by “Dex,” and felt I needed to express something that’s been bothering me for a while. While Dex’s answer i… --- ## [Why red?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-red/626374)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-red/626374 "2012-07-02T21:21:19Z")
This was motivated by Cecil’s thread today about why red was the color of the Communists. This is really off-topic but the students in Quebec who are revolting (in both senses, over a rise in their college tuition of ab… --- ## [Green lights under escalators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-lights-under-escalators/626849)
**Author:** [@romusz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romusz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-lights-under-escalators/626849 "2012-07-02T03:14:55Z")
"As for why they’re green, as opposed to, say, lavender, nobody at ASME could remember. But presumably it was to cut down on glare. " Regarding the color of the light shining from underneath an escalator…I would assume … --- ## [College Students](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-students/626698)
**Author:** [@Mr.Fantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Fantastic)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-students/626698 "2012-06-30T14:43:46Z")
Love the graphic, Mr. Signorino! :slight\_smile: --- ## [Can alien beings listen in on TV and radio broadcasts from earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-alien-beings-listen-in-on-tv-and-radio-broadcasts-from-earth/626027)
**Author:** [@alpe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alpe)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-alien-beings-listen-in-on-tv-and-radio-broadcasts-from-earth/626027 "2012-06-29T20:05:34Z")
For the most part, this SETI supporter agrees with you, BUT… I have to niggle about your line in Can alien beings listen in on TV and radio broadcasts from earth? that “The star closest to us, Proxima Centauri, is more … --- ## [Why Don't Trains Have Cabooses Any More?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-trains-have-cabooses-any-more/624998)
**Author:** [@River\_Rat\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Rat_Ranger)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2012, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-trains-have-cabooses-any-more/624998 "2012-06-25T09:14:47Z")
Cecil’s answer of decades back was correct as far as it went, but the truth is always stranger than fiction. My brother-in-law Paul was working back then for an electronic company in R & D when they were approached by a… --- ## [Why did cosmonauts land on land while astronauts landed on water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cosmonauts-land-on-land-while-astronauts-landed-on-water/624819)
**Author:** [@TonyRV2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonyRV2)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cosmonauts-land-on-land-while-astronauts-landed-on-water/624819 "2012-06-24T23:44:31Z")
In this article Cecil states that cosmonauts were sometimes stranded for a few days after landing. What prevented them from opening the capsule and say, hitchhike home? --- ## [Cruising vs. Assisted Living/Nursing Home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruising-vs-assisted-living-nursing-home/624788)
**Author:** [@Threbus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Threbus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruising-vs-assisted-living-nursing-home/624788 "2012-06-23T14:24:00Z")
Terminal Cruising vs Assisted Living/Nursing Homes One of the basic problems with the cruise scenario is medical costs outside the US are not covered by Medicare, so other insurance (that covers care outside the country … --- ## [What's the difference between fruits and vegetables?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-fruits-and-vegetables/624951)
**Author:** [@Niteowl255](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niteowl255)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-fruits-and-vegetables/624951 "2012-06-22T18:13:49Z")
I just want to clarify something. So fruits ARE vegetable? Are they just a sub-category of veggies? Reading that article I didn’t come away with a clear understanding of either. --- ## [Why you steer a boat from the right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-steer-a-boat-from-the-right/601604)
**Author:** [@Hagen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hagen)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2012, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-steer-a-boat-from-the-right/601604 "2012-06-22T07:46:42Z")
Just read the explanation for why boats are steered from the right side and found it to be disappointing. The propellor shaft theory is nice, but doesn’t explain why earlier mariners did. I know that they did because th… --- ## [Borax and Cockroaches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/borax-and-cockroaches/625781)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/borax-and-cockroaches/625781 "2012-06-21T02:12:24Z")
Hi. Just wanted to testify to the nuclear effectiveness of borax, peanut butter, sugar, and water against cockroaches. I mixed about a pound of the stuff in random ratios about 6 months ago, dropped the goop on old magaz… --- ## [Ghost Rings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-rings/625254)
**Author:** [@DORFMONT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DORFMONT)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-rings/625254 "2012-06-20T14:02:35Z")
I can confirm that the phone company does test individual lines. While I was out of town something was done with my phone line. I got one of those follow up survey calls about the service technician’s work. I called my l… --- ## [Stars on US flag if we have 51 states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stars-on-us-flag-if-we-have-51-states/587923)
**Author:** [@NuclearNemesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NuclearNemesis)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stars-on-us-flag-if-we-have-51-states/587923 "2012-06-19T18:35:22Z")
Cecil makes some errors on the answer here. He seemed upset over the 33 stars on the flag over Ft. Sumter, even though there were 34 states in 1861. However, Kansas came into the Union in January of 1861; the flag act … --- ## [Commonwealth vs. State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonwealth-vs-state/625525)
**Author:** [@grue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grue)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonwealth-vs-state/625525 "2012-06-19T13:01:30Z")
Regarding http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/786/why-is-virginia-and-ma-and-pa-and-ky-called-a-commonwealth So where does the Republic of Texas fit in to all this? --- ## [Phillips Screwdriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phillips-screwdriver/624492)
**Author:** [@HortGuy1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HortGuy1)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phillips-screwdriver/624492 "2012-06-18T19:00:04Z")
Actually, phillips head screwdrivers have a flat tip, and grab on the sides, Reed and Prince have a pointed tip and grab at the tip. Use the wrong driver and you’ll strip the screw. LINK TO COLUMN: Why did this guy P… --- ## [Re: Supreme Court Interpretation of the 14th Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-supreme-court-interpretation-of-the-14th-amendment/625247)
**Author:** [@phlkolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phlkolar)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-supreme-court-interpretation-of-the-14th-amendment/625247 "2012-06-18T16:35:19Z")
I don’t believe SCOTUS has ruled on the individual rights of a corporation issue.All of the interpretations are from a lesser court. --- ## [Honky](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honky/622607)
**Author:** [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honky/622607 "2012-06-18T02:53:18Z")
Without denying the possible other roots given in the article, there is another simpler one which was indirectly explained to me by a Black friend. Back in high school, when the term began to gain currency, I asked my f… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=56) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=58)