# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1044 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1045 --- ## [Calling someone a liar in Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-liar-in-congress/730174)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-liar-in-congress/730174 "2015-09-11T02:56:50Z")
In the British Parliament there is a long-standing rule that one Honourable Member should never accuse another of being a liar (which has led to some interesting circumlocutions, most of which get slapped down by the Spe… --- ## [Why Does Heat Make Us Feel Uncomfortable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-heat-make-us-feel-uncomfortable/730470)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-heat-make-us-feel-uncomfortable/730470 "2015-09-11T02:47:40Z")
I live along the coastal plain of Southern California where the temperature is typically in the 70’s during the summer months. Today it is close to 90 and it feels very uncomfortable. My questions are: Why does easily s… --- ## [Rising Heat, Mixing Air](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rising-heat-mixing-air/730405)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rising-heat-mixing-air/730405 "2015-09-11T02:33:55Z")
Please help settle an argument Setting: A two story home with stairway to second floor in the approximate middle of the floorplan. 1000 square feet/floor The downstairs has air conditioning and is quite comfortable. Te… --- ## [Numbers Racket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numbers-racket/730472)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numbers-racket/730472 "2015-09-11T02:33:04Z")
So Illinois’ finances are in such a state of chaos right now that they aren’t paying lottery wins over a certain sum. Which got me thinking about the old Mob-run numbers racket, which I suppose has largely been supplant… --- ## [Is there a debit card without a foreign transaction fee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-debit-card-without-a-foreign-transaction-fee/730478)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-debit-card-without-a-foreign-transaction-fee/730478 "2015-09-11T02:17:07Z")
All of my meager money (SS) comes to me via my debit card. My bank has decided to charge a 3% foreign transaction fee. Previously it was 1%. The local bank charges a $2 fee per transaction. That is acceptable. Are t… --- ## [Can suntan lotion expire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-suntan-lotion-expire/442711)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-suntan-lotion-expire/442711 "2008-03-26T20:35:50Z")
I have some SPF 15 I used the other day, and I got a streaky sunburn. Perhaps I didn’t shake it up very well, but I was wondering, since it’s a few years old, if its effectiveness can expire. There is no expiration dat… --- ## [How much Kava Kava does one have to take to get a buzz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-kava-kava-does-one-have-to-take-to-get-a-buzz/70176)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-kava-kava-does-one-have-to-take-to-get-a-buzz/70176 "2015-09-11T00:44:29Z")
Someone told me that if you take enough Kava Kava you’ll get a pretty good buzz going. I tried Kava once, but the dosage recommended on the bottle. It didn’t do anything. Not even drowsy. How much of that stuff does on… --- ## [Mixing RAM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixing-ram/730613)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixing-ram/730613 "2015-09-11T00:20:48Z")
My laptop has, apparently, 3 memory slots. I took the back off and found and removed 1 stick of: 4GB 204p PC3-12800 CL11 8c 512x8 DDR3-1600 1Rx8 1.35V SODIMM RFB, Samsung, DCI, M471B5173QH0-YK0 What I have to put in is… --- ## [Selective power outage in my house - did the power company do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selective-power-outage-in-my-house-did-the-power-company-do-this/730618)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selective-power-outage-in-my-house-did-the-power-company-do-this/730618 "2015-09-11T00:17:43Z")
So, it’s officially As Hot as Fuck in Southern California this week, and the local power company, San Diego Gas and Electric, has been asking people to conserve power wherever possible during the day so as not to cause b… --- ## [Bergdahl gets Article 99: How is this different than desertion in the face of the enemy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bergdahl-gets-article-99-how-is-this-different-than-desertion-in-the-face-of-the-enemy/730386)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bergdahl-gets-article-99-how-is-this-different-than-desertion-in-the-face-of-the-enemy/730386 "2015-09-10T23:27:56Z")
10 U.S. Code § 899 - Art. 99. Misbehavior before the enemy: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/899 which this AP report, http://news.yahoo.com/military-selects-rarely-used-charge-bergdahl-case-144326544.html, s… --- ## [ID this freaky spider on my door jamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-freaky-spider-on-my-door-jamb/730474)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-freaky-spider-on-my-door-jamb/730474 "2015-09-10T23:27:25Z")
Saw this freaky thing today on my door jamb. Sorry for no scale but it was fairly large, like maybe 3-4 inches long at least. The location is in Riverside, CA. What could it be? --- ## [Map & Routing Software](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-routing-software/730356)
**Author:** [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-routing-software/730356 "2015-09-10T21:42:26Z")
I’m planning a driving trip and want to set up my itinerary. I have multiple stops to make, each of which will last from a few minutes to a couple of hours. And then there are overnight stops. I recently ‘discovered’ Goo… --- ## [If Edward VIII hadn't abdicated, who would be the British monarch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-edward-viii-hadnt-abdicated-who-would-be-the-british-monarch/730468)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-edward-viii-hadnt-abdicated-who-would-be-the-british-monarch/730468 "2015-09-10T21:21:23Z")
Assume all the same members of the royal family, with the same dates of birth and death. (And also assume that there was a way around the whole Wallace Simpson mess) If King Edward VIII had reigned until his death in 1… --- ## [Is there some disagreement the dollar amount paid for the Louisiana territory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-disagreement-the-dollar-amount-paid-for-the-louisiana-territory/730507)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-disagreement-the-dollar-amount-paid-for-the-louisiana-territory/730507 "2015-09-10T19:30:22Z")
Hi Is there some disagreement the dollar amount paid by the US government for the Louisiana territory in 1803? The amount I’ve always seen is 15 million (or 4 cents on the dollar). I’ve never seen it in francs until I … --- ## [Vampires and UV light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampires-and-uv-light/730465)
**Author:** [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampires-and-uv-light/730465 "2015-09-10T18:19:35Z")
There’s a few vampire stories that make vampires allergic to the sun and UV light, but not allergic to regular light bulbs that you’d find in street lights or people’s houses or office complexes (see Blade or The Strain)… --- ## [Are horses smarter than dogs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-horses-smarter-than-dogs/339049)
**Author:** [@StewieGriffin420](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StewieGriffin420)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-horses-smarter-than-dogs/339049 "2015-09-10T18:19:00Z")
How intelligent are horses compared to dogs? --- ## [Stomach feelings on a plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stomach-feelings-on-a-plane/730492)
**Author:** [@Incref](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incref)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stomach-feelings-on-a-plane/730492 "2015-09-10T16:38:36Z")
I fly a lot for work (five flights in the last week) yet I’m still really affected by changes in altitude especially during takeoff and landing, it’s much like the feeling you get on an elevator or rollercoaster. When I … --- ## [Auto tune use on TV shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-tune-use-on-tv-shows/730409)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-tune-use-on-tv-shows/730409 "2015-09-10T14:59:32Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m watching Scrubs on Netflix and in the last episode they did it as a musical (ugh, kill me now). The entire cast had singing parts and they were all fairly good singers. Now usually in a group of 100 … --- ## [MS Excel Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-excel-question/730469)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-excel-question/730469 "2015-09-10T14:52:20Z")
I am writing a report based on a spreadsheet with a zillion sheets and associated tabs that are going to be related to a summary table in the report (MS Word). Do any of you know if there is a way of quickly and easily c… --- ## [Why is online poker de facto illegal in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-online-poker-de-facto-illegal-in-the-us/730340)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-online-poker-de-facto-illegal-in-the-us/730340 "2015-09-10T14:37:39Z")
Looking for a GQ answer but I will understand if a mod moves it if it turns into GD replies. I know that it is not poker per se that is illegal, just banking transactions but as I pointed out during the Kentucky Derby, … --- ## [GFCI receptacle with pigtail from grnd to neutral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfci-receptacle-with-pigtail-from-grnd-to-neutral/730435)
**Author:** [@don\_hawley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_hawley)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfci-receptacle-with-pigtail-from-grnd-to-neutral/730435 "2015-09-10T14:13:38Z")
When doing home inspections we find GFCI receptacles with a jumper wire from the ground screw to the neutral screw on two wire ungrounded circuits. This is being done to trick the hand held circuit tester into thinking … --- ## [Any way to make money by betting your crop will fail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-make-money-by-betting-your-crop-will-fail/730487)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-make-money-by-betting-your-crop-will-fail/730487 "2015-09-10T13:24:01Z")
The subject of the 1930s Dust Bowl came up and it got me to thinking: say that you’re an Oklahoma Panhandle farmer in 1932, and you have a psychic vision of the coming years. You can’t sell your farm because it’s mortgag… --- ## [Pardon my French](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pardon-my-french/730455)
**Author:** [@savetheplanet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/savetheplanet)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pardon-my-french/730455 "2015-09-10T13:15:25Z")
Why, upon saying a naughty word, will someone then say “Pardon my French?” Is French a vulgar language? --- ## [How big a bomb would it take to set off a major volcano?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-bomb-would-it-take-to-set-off-a-major-volcano/730484)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-bomb-would-it-take-to-set-off-a-major-volcano/730484 "2015-09-10T12:48:41Z")
What would be the cost of forcing a major volcanic eruption? How hard would it be, say for Mauna Loa – for the sake of argument, suppose you evacuate the Island first and want the biggest bang for your buck. Would you … --- ## [Do insects seek revenge if you try to kill them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insects-seek-revenge-if-you-try-to-kill-them/730383)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insects-seek-revenge-if-you-try-to-kill-them/730383 "2015-09-10T12:30:27Z")
Like, lets say you try to step on a spider and you only wound it without killing it. Does the spider then seek you out to bite you out of a sense of vengeance? I’m assuming it is just anthropomorphizing to assume so, I … --- ## [Any Shareware available to Update a PDF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shareware-available-to-update-a-pdf/730413)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shareware-available-to-update-a-pdf/730413 "2015-09-10T09:45:47Z")
I need to do simple updates to some PDF’s. Routine stuff, correcting spelling, bolding a word etc. Is there a program available other than what Adobe sells for hundreds of dollars? Related question: is there a program … --- ## [Anyone familiar with KY law: Wasn't there another way to handle the defiant county clerk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-familiar-with-ky-law-wasnt-there-another-way-to-handle-the-defiant-county-clerk/729885)
**Author:** [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-familiar-with-ky-law-wasnt-there-another-way-to-handle-the-defiant-county-clerk/729885 "2015-09-10T07:01:03Z")
For example, there must be some provision for granting marriage licenses in the situation that the elected clerk cannot perform his or her duties, such as when they go on vacation, or if they are ill, or otherwise incapa… --- ## [All fungus dies, worldwide. What happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-fungus-dies-worldwide-what-happens/730189)
**Author:** [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-fungus-dies-worldwide-what-happens/730189 "2015-09-10T06:07:56Z")
Let’s say someone creates a viral fungicide… but things go awry (as this sort of thing usually does). Instead of killing off one fungus, it kill off \*all \*fungus. Worldwide. It spreads easily, so within five years it’… --- ## [Hypothetical: stranded in Africa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-stranded-in-africa/730354)
**Author:** [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-stranded-in-africa/730354 "2015-09-10T05:31:49Z")
(this question is based off something I heard in passing a while back) Suppose that you travel to Africa for whatever reason. Maybe you’re going to pick up your money directly from the Nigerian prince who emailed you. W… --- ## [Dealership offering $500 cash if they can't approve you for financing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealership-offering-500-cash-if-they-cant-approve-you-for-financing/730332)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealership-offering-500-cash-if-they-cant-approve-you-for-financing/730332 "2015-09-10T04:15:03Z")
I saw an ad for a used car dealership that not only says they will finance almost anyone, they will give you $500 If they cant. Are they up to something sketchy or is this legit? Would they ever pay out, or would they … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1043) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1045)