# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=84 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 85 --- ## [Alternating batteries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternating-batteries/551130)
**Author:** [@civiltongue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/civiltongue)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2010, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternating-batteries/551130 "2010-08-29T09:43:23Z")
Contrary to drawing number 2, batteries are never wired in parallel. The reason is that batteries have slightly different voltages and capacities, and wiring them in parallel as shown would cause a lot of current to flo… --- ## [On maps, why is North always up.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-maps-why-is-north-always-up/551293)
**Author:** [@socal2310](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/socal2310)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-maps-why-is-north-always-up/551293 "2010-08-27T20:44:37Z")
I have a question regarding the answer given 4-24-1987 to the question above. Why would Cecil answer such a question without reference to what is surely the most important factor? Before the invention of the magnetic com… --- ## [Pigeons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pigeons/551701)
**Author:** [@AngelFelina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelFelina)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pigeons/551701 "2010-08-27T20:06:46Z")
I’ve lived in an urban setting (Montreal) all my life and now find it strange to see pigeons roosting in trees… lol ETA: Link to Column --Rico --- ## [Oklahoma, Trains, Liquor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-trains-liquor/550102)
**Author:** [@Boskoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boskoe)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-trains-liquor/550102 "2010-08-27T06:26:02Z")
I spent 5 yrs. & received 2 degrees at the University of Oklahoma from '69 - '74. I frequently had to take the train from Norman to Houston & back. While I can’t comment on liquor on the train (I started college @ 16),… --- ## [Surnames](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surnames/551238)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surnames/551238 "2010-08-25T20:12:20Z")
In the article about Spanish Surnames, Cecil briefly mentions the Vietnamese who seem to suffer from a dearth of surnames with many people called Nguyen. I always thought the country with the Dearthest (Dearthiest?) sur… --- ## [The SAT and You](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sat-and-you/551387)
**Author:** [@Mychyl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mychyl)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sat-and-you/551387 "2010-08-25T13:39:17Z")
Sorry, new member. I joined because I came across this site rather randomly, and saw the (classic) column about the SAT. At first I was a bit confused – since the writer was asking if it was possible to get over an 800 … --- ## [Mike Jordan's song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-jordans-song/550737)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-jordans-song/550737 "2010-08-23T20:47:25Z")
In the column on the origin of playing card suits, the question writer says she knows what hearts and diamonds mean “from Mike Jordan’s song.” Who’s this Mike Jordan? Googling Mike Jordan, of course, shows tons of links… --- ## [Birthplace of the Navy report](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthplace-of-the-navy-report/320350)
**Author:** [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2010, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthplace-of-the-navy-report/320350 "2010-08-23T12:01:41Z")
Regarding today’s Staff Report on the birthplace of the Navy. Is SDSTAFF Tom one and the same as our own Tomndebb or is this a different Tom? Either way it was a well researched and informative article. Thanks, Tom --- ## [Aunt Jemima was a real person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aunt-jemima-was-a-real-person/550944)
**Author:** [@deirmama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deirmama)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aunt-jemima-was-a-real-person/550944 "2010-08-21T16:32:56Z")
The Mills family from Red Oak, OH had their servant, Rosa Washington Riles, pose as Aunt Jemima. She traveled with Mr. Mills for decades but never received pay for her services of representing as Aunt Jemima. She is bu… --- ## ['Scopes, 'Visions, Etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scopes-visions-etc/550830)
**Author:** [@Johngalt47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johngalt47)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scopes-visions-etc/550830 "2010-08-20T16:29:57Z")
One difference between each of the formats mentioned in the column is that most have different “aspect ratios”–that is, the ratio of the width of the image to its height differs between different anamorphic “scope” for… --- ## [Why Death Valley .....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-death-valley/550177)
**Author:** [@clover66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clover66)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-death-valley/550177 "2010-08-19T00:38:13Z")
Dearest Cecil: It seems churlish to chide Stephen L. from Chicago, who wrote in 1982, about Death Valley becoming a national park in 1994. Just saying… --- ## [Renouncing US Citizenship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renouncing-us-citizenship/550675)
**Author:** [@taxpayer1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxpayer1967)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renouncing-us-citizenship/550675 "2010-08-18T22:38:58Z")
I am considering renouncing my US Citizenship while visiting Italy in the near future. I am not a tax evader no have political ambitions to be involved with any other government. --- ## [Are animals really killed in movie and TV death scenes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-animals-really-killed-in-movie-and-tv-death-scenes/548220)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-animals-really-killed-in-movie-and-tv-death-scenes/548220 "2010-08-18T19:51:21Z")
In this SD Classic column answering the question Are animals really killed in movie and TV death scenes?, I think Cecil should have mentioned that a popular technique used by movie/TV directors wanting to show two dogs f… --- ## ["The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and the French Revolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-and-the-french-revolution/549953)
**Author:** [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-and-the-french-revolution/549953 "2010-08-18T17:50:51Z")
Re: Is The Wizard of Oz a satire of the French Revolution? It is true that the Littlefield interpretation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is nonsense (and never intended by Littlefield to be factual in the first place). H… --- ## [Pineapple and Jell-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pineapple-and-jell-o/550129)
**Author:** [@harddavid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harddavid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pineapple-and-jell-o/550129 "2010-08-18T17:34:06Z")
As a kid in South Africa, I remember eating pineapple-flavored jelly (yes, in proper English, it’s “jelly” not “jello” - but it’s the same stuff!). I don’t remember the brand name, though. LINK TO COLUMN: http://www.s… --- ## [Why are barns red?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-barns-red/550075)
**Author:** [@calliarcale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calliarcale)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-barns-red/550075 "2010-08-16T01:05:08Z")
Growing up in the Midwest, I’ve seen a lot of barns, and I know a lot of country folk. I’d always been told that the reason for the iron oxide wasn’t merely hardness; it was because iron oxide works an antimicrobial. T… --- ## [On Japanese soldiers of WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-japanese-soldiers-of-ww2/550065)
**Author:** [@Hestheone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hestheone)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-japanese-soldiers-of-ww2/550065 "2010-08-15T17:49:01Z")
A couple of points on the question “Did some Japanese soldiers hold out for years after WWII?” Essentially, early in the war Japanese soldiers were transported to islands to defend to the death, with no hope of evacuatio… --- ## [Economic Interpretation of "The Wizard of Oz"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-interpretation-of-the-wizard-of-oz/549986)
**Author:** [@ferr3632733](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ferr3632733)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-interpretation-of-the-wizard-of-oz/549986 "2010-08-13T18:23:29Z")
Cecil should be aware that the interpretation of “The Wizard of Oz” as a parable on the gold standard has entered widespread acceptance within economic circles. Hugh Rockoff published “The ‘Wizard of Oz’ as a Monetary … --- ## [Agatha Christie's Disappearance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agatha-christies-disappearance/550159)
**Author:** [@qpw3141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qpw3141)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agatha-christies-disappearance/550159 "2010-08-13T15:47:04Z")
In this column, Cecil makes a creditable attempt at explaining the mysterious disappearance of AC. However, said mystery was comprehensively cleared up in the programme documented Here. --- ## [Batteries Plus and Minus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-plus-and-minus/549924)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2010, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-plus-and-minus/549924 "2010-08-13T01:59:32Z")
In the battery article (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2951/) I know the author wanted to not go too deeply, but let me just comment that I have seen a few products (a computer wireless ‘mouse’ was one) that… --- ## [Origin of nautical terms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-nautical-terms/549019)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-nautical-terms/549019 "2010-08-11T16:09:23Z")
Nice job, Matt! I learned a lot from your article. Lubbers who get confused between port and starboard need only remember that “port” and “left” both have four letters. Port is on your left as you face the bow (fron… --- ## [BBs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbs/548556)
**Author:** [@DORFMONT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DORFMONT)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbs/548556 "2010-08-11T15:11:56Z")
And if you listen to rap music it will generate a beat with your alpha waves that will destroy brain cells. --- ## [Whither Staff Reports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-staff-reports/549825)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-staff-reports/549825 "2010-08-11T11:38:48Z")
When I first started reading the Straight Dope, there was a staff report at least once per week. Recently, there haven’t been any. It’s not that I don’t like Cecil, but I do like the staff reports. They tend to be longer… --- ## [Why machine guns don't work against emus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-machine-guns-dont-work-against-emus/549427)
**Author:** [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-machine-guns-dont-work-against-emus/549427 "2010-08-11T01:27:36Z")
Machine guns are only effective against a massed enemy. Attempting to use machine guns against individual birds will always result in a lot of misses. This is why machine guns are placed on the flanks of a position with … --- ## [RE: "A plane is standing on a runway. . ." No, it's not. Here's why.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-a-plane-is-standing-on-a-runway-no-its-not-heres-why/548694)
**Author:** [@Just\_Thinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Thinking)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-a-plane-is-standing-on-a-runway-no-its-not-heres-why/548694 "2010-08-10T22:56:06Z")
Cecil, I am new to this airplane on a treadmill conundrum (and straightdope.com), but I think your column on this issue from March 3, 2006 more scientifically addresses this thought experiment than any other I have rea… --- ## [In praise of Slug!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-slug/549547)
**Author:** [@Billy-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy-o)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-slug/549547 "2010-08-07T22:29:22Z")
Not a question about a particular column, but I think this still belongs in this forum since it applies to Cecil’s columns in general. Apologies if it belongs in GQ or MPSIMS instead. I’ve always been a big fan of Slug… --- ## [Why don't Staff Reports have dates on them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-staff-reports-have-dates-on-them/549430)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-staff-reports-have-dates-on-them/549430 "2010-08-07T22:27:49Z")
I ask because of this thread. None of the Staff Reports in the archives are dated - except if you click through the archive itself. I tried doing just that, to see if I could find the link to the report in question usin… --- ## [Can binaural beats improve your mood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-binaural-beats-improve-your-mood/548571)
**Author:** [@Juntas\_Doorman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juntas_Doorman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-binaural-beats-improve-your-mood/548571 "2010-08-07T20:30:22Z")
Just when you thought you’d heard everything - a man drinking Baileys. --- ## [As far as I know, the "Information Awareness Office" is not defunct at all.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-i-know-the-information-awareness-office-is-not-defunct-at-all/549445)
**Author:** [@Scotch68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotch68)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-i-know-the-information-awareness-office-is-not-defunct-at-all/549445 "2010-08-07T12:27:18Z")
Congress voted the whole program (the “Total Information Awareness System”) down, but the Bush admin told them to keep right on building it, led if I recall correctly by John Poindexter. Then I read a while later in Popu… --- ## [Conveniently closes the door behind him](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conveniently-closes-the-door-behind-him/549111)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conveniently-closes-the-door-behind-him/549111 "2010-08-04T17:42:16Z")
Reported. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=83) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=85)