# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=10 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 11 --- ## [Naval Warfare (modern): Do people off duty during a battle just lie in their bunks or does everyone have something to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naval-warfare-modern-do-people-off-duty-during-a-battle-just-lie-in-their-bunks-or-does-everyone-have-something-to-do/1027464)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naval-warfare-modern-do-people-off-duty-during-a-battle-just-lie-in-their-bunks-or-does-everyone-have-something-to-do/1027464 "2026-05-18T01:20:46Z")
My thought is that any navy ship will have 1/2 or 2/3 of their crew off-duty (dunno of they do 12-hour or 8-hour shifts). So, what happens when the ship is engaged in battle? Guns shooting, airplanes and helicopters go… --- ## [Why don't airports have radar towers like this any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-airports-have-radar-towers-like-this-any-more/1030130)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-airports-have-radar-towers-like-this-any-more/1030130 "2026-05-17T22:54:30Z")
It seems this one was built in 1958 here, next to New York International.. Dunno how long it’s been gone – decades, anyway. Why did they have to build such a massive structure just for an antenna? Why don’t they have to … --- ## [Do busy restaurants deliberately slow down service at busy times (better explained in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-busy-restaurants-deliberately-slow-down-service-at-busy-times-better-explained-in-op/1030132)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-busy-restaurants-deliberately-slow-down-service-at-busy-times-better-explained-in-op/1030132 "2026-05-17T20:44:54Z")
Tonight Mrs. H and I ate at a favorite restaurant that is always quite busy, particularly on Saturday nights during tourist season (like tonight). We expected a wait, but we noticed that while customers were waiting for … --- ## [Why would my car's power window stop working, and then suddenly work again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-my-cars-power-window-stop-working-and-then-suddenly-work-again/1030105)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-my-cars-power-window-stop-working-and-then-suddenly-work-again/1030105 "2026-05-17T16:39:14Z")
Yesterday I went out to lunch. It was a nice spring day and my car is a convertible, so I put the top down and rolled down both windows while driving there. Got food, went back to the office. Got back to the office, p… --- ## [Can "They" turn on your smart phone camera and watch you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-they-turn-on-your-smart-phone-camera-and-watch-you/1029853)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-they-turn-on-your-smart-phone-camera-and-watch-you/1029853 "2026-05-17T15:41:32Z")
I just watched a guy on a TV show claim this although he was being detained for smuggling so he might not be the best source. Or maybe he is. --- ## [What is Boxing day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-boxing-day/1026108)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-boxing-day/1026108 "2026-05-16T21:49:28Z")
Something called ‘Boxing Day’ shows up on calendars on December 26, the day after Christmas. I have never known what it actually is. If it had something to do with the sport, there would be at least a paragraph or two … --- ## [Charging an EV in an older house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-an-ev-in-an-older-house/1029413)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-an-ev-in-an-older-house/1029413 "2026-05-15T02:36:00Z")
Continuing the discussion from Installing EV charging for one unit in a 6-unit condo building: It seems like it should be possible to add sensing for the current through the main breaker. With that the load that the c… --- ## [Inertial navigation: is a Schuler pendulum still involved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inertial-navigation-is-a-schuler-pendulum-still-involved/1030022)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2026, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inertial-navigation-is-a-schuler-pendulum-still-involved/1030022 "2026-05-15T00:24:43Z")
The front page of the NY Times for 18 April 1957 has an article on inertial navigation. The previous day, Charles Stark Draper gave a talk describing the trip he made in 1953, Boston (Hanscom) to LA in a B-29 using inert… --- ## [Whistle Blowers - General Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whistle-blowers-general-question/1030037)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whistle-blowers-general-question/1030037 "2026-05-14T22:36:30Z")
I’m watching a “whistle blower” testify before Congress. He’s a federal employee. The subject he’s speaking to is irrelevent to my question. I know there are whistleblower “protections,” but what really happens when he/… --- ## [Can't find Kumquats anywhere. Tariffs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-find-kumquats-anywhere-tariffs/1027344)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-find-kumquats-anywhere-tariffs/1027344 "2026-05-13T22:51:49Z")
This time of year is kumquat season. But I can’t find any anywhere. Even the specialty fruit markets don’t have them. And the employees don’t know why. For years in the past the past I could even find them in the basic … --- ## [Questions about Spacetime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-spacetime/1029993)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-spacetime/1029993 "2026-05-13T21:06:16Z")
Our reality is essentially four dimensional: left-right by back-front by up-down by before-after. Gravity is described by General Relativity as mass distorting a four dimensional field “called” spacetime. Are th… --- ## [AFLAC-like insurance for Uber drivers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aflac-like-insurance-for-uber-drivers/1029176)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2026, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aflac-like-insurance-for-uber-drivers/1029176 "2026-05-12T06:21:07Z")
I’m going to check around for the various options including AFLAC but wanted to hear from people who have this type of insurance and their experiences. I take home $750-800 a week on average, if I could not work for a t… --- ## [Long term net effect of the war on GHG emissions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-net-effect-of-the-war-on-ghg-emissions/1029953)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2026, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-net-effect-of-the-war-on-ghg-emissions/1029953 "2026-05-11T03:03:55Z")
I found a number of articles about the ecological effects of the war from the first few weeks. There was a massive release as this article shows: OK, but what about the longer term effects? I read recently that about 9… --- ## [Why were the UFO files (which were released today) classified as secret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-ufo-files-which-were-released-today-classified-as-secret/1029928)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-ufo-files-which-were-released-today-classified-as-secret/1029928 "2026-05-10T15:02:48Z")
So the government finally released some of the classified files on UFO’s. Yawn! This BBC article describes some of the content : There are astronauts who reported seeing strange flashes of light, described as possible… --- ## [Explain the legality of riverboat casinos to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-legality-of-riverboat-casinos-to-me/1029760)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-legality-of-riverboat-casinos-to-me/1029760 "2026-05-09T22:55:10Z")
The discussion of money laundering in Ozark made me think of this question: There are only two states in the US that allow actual casinos on land, Nevada and New Jersey, and in NJ they’re only allowed in Atlantic City a… --- ## [Earliest early voting and mail in ballots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-early-voting-and-mail-in-ballots/1029896)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-early-voting-and-mail-in-ballots/1029896 "2026-05-08T07:04:32Z")
Ultimately, I’m trying to figure out the earliest date a vote can be cast, either by mail or in-person early, in any state for the November 3, 2026 general election. My Google-fu is failing me and can’t seem to find one … --- ## [What does "Nonce" Mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-nonce-mean/1029543)
**Author:** [@confused\_lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/confused_lane)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-nonce-mean/1029543 "2026-05-08T12:18:10Z")
When I was growing up, in Australia, Nonce meant someone someone who was stupid, silly, a bit over to the top. “oh, don’t worry about him, he’s bit of a nonce.” however, now, nearly everywhere is saying that it’s prim… --- ## [Could UAE build their own canal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-uae-build-their-own-canal/1029785)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-uae-build-their-own-canal/1029785 "2026-05-08T09:21:26Z")
This may be a really dumb question but with all the money the UAE seems to have (Dubai), would it be feasible or even beneficial to build their own “Panama Canal” from say Dubai straight east to the Gulf of Oman just byp… --- ## [Counterchanged flags](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878 "2026-05-08T07:35:23Z")
A counterchange (not a countercharge) in heraldry/vexillology is when two colors alternate in different parts of the coat of arms or flag. Two examples I know of in flags: The UK Union Jack is composed of three crosses.… --- ## [How long has this Federal Consumer Center link been down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-this-federal-consumer-center-link-been-down/1029850)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-this-federal-consumer-center-link-been-down/1029850 "2026-05-07T13:12:24Z")
FTC’s Consumer Center How long has this link been down? Is there an explanation as to why it is down? --- ## [Legality of signature on U.S. currency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-signature-on-u-s-currency/1028835)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-signature-on-u-s-currency/1028835 "2026-05-07T09:11:24Z")
Someone in The BBQ Pit or Politics & Elections posted that U.S. currency notes must be signed by the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Treasury, and that if the President replaces the signature of the Treasurer, then th… --- ## [How does CloudFlare determine if you are human?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cloudflare-determine-if-you-are-human/1029848)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cloudflare-determine-if-you-are-human/1029848 "2026-05-06T22:08:44Z")
There is a website I log into regularly that uses CloudFlare to determine if you are a human or not. Up until about a month ago, on both the login page and the password page the little CloudFlare widget would spin a bit … --- ## [How many farmers were ruined so that rich people in Beverly Hills could have swimming pools?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-farmers-were-ruined-so-that-rich-people-in-beverly-hills-could-have-swimming-pools/1029751)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-farmers-were-ruined-so-that-rich-people-in-beverly-hills-could-have-swimming-pools/1029751 "2026-05-06T22:04:24Z")
ETA: I originally said “killed” rather than “ruined”, although if anyone has some cites that that’s not hyperbole, let us know. Inspired by, of all things, the opening scene in the Bugs Bunny cartoon “What’s Up, Doc?”. … --- ## [What's the scam? Why would someone place millions of dollars' worth of liens on homes they have no affiliation with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-why-would-someone-place-millions-of-dollars-worth-of-liens-on-homes-they-have-no-affiliation-with/1027827)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2026, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-why-would-someone-place-millions-of-dollars-worth-of-liens-on-homes-they-have-no-affiliation-with/1027827 "2026-05-06T20:40:56Z")
So apparently a Beverly Hills woman has been filing Mechanics’ Liens (viz, liens that contractors can put on homes if the homeowner fails to pay for the work) on the homes of people she’s never done work for, doesn’t kno… --- ## [So how do fire departments work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-fire-departments-work/1029711)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-fire-departments-work/1029711 "2026-05-06T15:04:11Z")
I’ve never been a firefighter. I have no idea how it works. Take a volunteer fire department in a small town. Is there always at least one person on duty? Or are there times when the station is empty? There’s a fire in… --- ## [On the very wealthy, and daily household expenses (food, cleaning supplies, etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-very-wealthy-and-daily-household-expenses-food-cleaning-supplies-etc/1029725)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2026, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-very-wealthy-and-daily-household-expenses-food-cleaning-supplies-etc/1029725 "2026-05-06T11:55:11Z")
I’m mostly asking about the pre-modern era, but I suppose some of the questions still apply to the modern .01 Percent. Imagine it’s 1826 and Lord Whatever (LW) has a beautiful manor home and a roster of servants. How wo… --- ## [Could a state allocate its congressional representation the way it allocates its electoral votes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-state-allocate-its-congressional-representation-the-way-it-allocates-its-electoral-votes/1029736)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2026, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-state-allocate-its-congressional-representation-the-way-it-allocates-its-electoral-votes/1029736 "2026-05-06T11:33:13Z")
I don’t want to discuss here the wisdom of such a move, only its legality. Could a state simply have each party put up a slate of candidates, chosen by primary or otherwise and the party that wins the state simply elect… --- ## [Money laundering in the TV series Ozark](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-laundering-in-the-tv-series-ozark/1029469)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-laundering-in-the-tv-series-ozark/1029469 "2026-05-05T17:38:49Z")
I searched - if there is a thread, I couldn’t find it. We recently re-watched Ozark. Great show (worth the re-watch) but confusing. How does money laundering work on the show? It seems incredibly confusing. How did he … --- ## [Questions about the history, practice, and policies of a US Navy 'Wardroom."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-history-practice-and-policies-of-a-us-navy-wardroom/1029580)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-history-practice-and-policies-of-a-us-navy-wardroom/1029580 "2026-05-05T14:06:29Z")
I am so thoroughly confused by Wardroom practices, based on my quote from @robby . Some intro questions to get the ball rolling . . . Are Wardrooms really that formal that you have stewards bring you meals, or is that… --- ## [The first Adobe Semaphore puzzle: two questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-adobe-semaphore-puzzle-two-questions/1029709)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2026, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-adobe-semaphore-puzzle-two-questions/1029709 "2026-05-05T07:33:13Z")
Mark Snesrud and Bob Mayo explained how they solved the first Adobe semaphore puzzle twenty years ago. Near as I can make out from their paper, they assumed that it wasn’t the semaphore positions that were the code, but … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=11)