# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1065 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1066 --- ## [High speed televised car chases: Do they ever get away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-speed-televised-car-chases-do-they-ever-get-away/727284)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-speed-televised-car-chases-do-they-ever-get-away/727284 "2015-08-09T12:37:49Z")
Here in Boston, I don’t ever recall seeing a high speed car chase on TV. I’ve seen YouTube videos of car chases in LAX and Dallas. Do they ever get away once a helicopter gets on the scene? --- ## [If I train to hold my breath longer, what am I changing in myself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-train-to-hold-my-breath-longer-what-am-i-changing-in-myself/727115)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-train-to-hold-my-breath-longer-what-am-i-changing-in-myself/727115 "2015-08-09T09:32:39Z")
I guess I should ask first: Is there such a thing as breath-holding training? One possibility is that people who can hold their breaths for a long time have just learned that “one simple trick” and I could learn that too… --- ## [Need help with some retail math](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-some-retail-math/727290)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-some-retail-math/727290 "2015-08-09T02:43:28Z")
I am currently looking into renting a second location and am trying to figure out my daily breakeven point to see if it is feasible. My rent would be: $2200 ($74 a day) Utilities: $1000 ($34/day) Employees: $7200 ($24… --- ## ["In Event of Moon Disaster:" when would they have shut down communication?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-event-of-moon-disaster-when-would-they-have-shut-down-communication/725804)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-event-of-moon-disaster-when-would-they-have-shut-down-communication/725804 "2015-08-09T02:33:40Z")
Prior to Apollo 11’s touchdown on the moon, a speech had been prepared for Nixon to read in the event that things went Very Badly. Is it clearly documented somewhere that NASA would have unilaterally terminated communic… --- ## [Year old vs. year-old. That pesky hyphen.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-old-vs-year-old-that-pesky-hyphen/727318)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-old-vs-year-old-that-pesky-hyphen/727318 "2015-08-09T02:16:08Z")
I think I know (I hope) the rule of using the hyphen when describing how old someone is. If the noun follows “years old”, it’s hyphenated. If not, it’s not. That is a 25-year-old Marine. That Marine is 25 years old. … --- ## [What Information Has Been Released On Osama bin Laden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-has-been-released-on-osama-bin-laden/727063)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-has-been-released-on-osama-bin-laden/727063 "2015-08-09T00:50:38Z")
My question is posed because i have read of skeptics, who claim that OBL actually died years before (he was dialysis dependent , suffering from liver failure). In any case , i have not seen any pictures, DNA test evid… --- ## [How far in space can we detect our most powerful radio signals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-in-space-can-we-detect-our-most-powerful-radio-signals/726997)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-in-space-can-we-detect-our-most-powerful-radio-signals/726997 "2015-08-09T00:22:29Z")
Inspired by this graphic which demonstrates how far our radio signals have reached Assuming our best scientific receivers, and assuming anyone out there is using the most powerful tr… --- ## [MacDonald-Campbell Feud: Still Going On?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macdonald-campbell-feud-still-going-on/267461)
**Author:** [@Grossbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grossbottom)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macdonald-campbell-feud-still-going-on/267461 "2015-08-08T22:36:50Z")
Great-grandma was from the old country. She always said that while there were many many ways to get your nose broken in a Scottish pub, bringing up the MacDonald-Campbell blood feud was one of the more certain methods. I… --- ## [Combat troops not wearing helmets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combat-troops-not-wearing-helmets/727279)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/combat-troops-not-wearing-helmets/727279 "2015-08-08T21:30:00Z")
I’ve seen pictures and videos of US combat troops not wearing a helmet. They just wear a regular type hat. Is there any reason for this other than just trying to carry less weight? for example http://previous.pres… --- ## [Student needs help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-needs-help/727311)
**Author:** [@iggy76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iggy76)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-needs-help/727311 "2015-08-08T20:25:24Z")
Hey all. I am wondering whether you can help. I am a student and I am working on my final dissertation, on fashion, tennis and endorsement… If you DON’T like tennis, could I kindly ask you to fill in this questionnair… --- ## ["actuarially bankrupt" what does that mean exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actuarially-bankrupt-what-does-that-mean-exactly/727100)
**Author:** [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actuarially-bankrupt-what-does-that-mean-exactly/727100 "2015-08-08T16:51:33Z")
“actuarially bankrupt” what does that mean exactly? Is it a technical term of the trade? Obviously, I found definitions of both of the words separately. That’s not always an indicator of the usage or meaning of a phras… --- ## [Smart Phone Rooting Curiosity,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-phone-rooting-curiosity/727196)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-phone-rooting-curiosity/727196 "2015-08-08T16:33:19Z")
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 through Verizon. It is still active but the contract is done. I presume this means the phone is mine now. If I were to root this phone and install a new rom, would it still work as intended wi… --- ## [Yahoo notification, incorrect destination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-notification-incorrect-destination/727323)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-notification-incorrect-destination/727323 "2015-08-08T16:27:51Z")
One should never read the comments on news articles, if one wishes to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Nevertheless, sometimes comments are so egregious that I can’t help poking the poster with a stick. Most sites no… --- ## [Is a lit match for bathroom stink the best solution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-lit-match-for-bathroom-stink-the-best-solution/727094)
**Author:** [@stinkz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stinkz)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-lit-match-for-bathroom-stink-the-best-solution/727094 "2015-08-08T15:03:25Z")
This is really three questions… How many of you light a match after doing your business and making a bathroom stink? I do when I have matches available and am always amazed at how well it seems to work, but I don’t kno… --- ## [JFK's salary to charity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfks-salary-to-charity/198826)
**Author:** [@Jon\_the\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jon_the_Geek)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfks-salary-to-charity/198826 "2015-08-08T15:02:11Z")
According to “True Tales of the West Wing” on Bravo (little snippets of Presidential trivia bookending commercial breaks during repeats of “The West Wing”), JFK donated his entire Presidential salary to charity (because … --- ## [History Buffs--Book Title--Italian Invasion Of Libya--1911](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-buffs-book-title-italian-invasion-of-libya-1911/727193)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-buffs-book-title-italian-invasion-of-libya-1911/727193 "2015-08-08T14:03:46Z")
Can anybody provide a title of a (English Language Only) book on Italy’s Pre-WW1 invasion & conquest of Libya, which happen in or near 1911? The invasion happened 1911–the book need not. :smiley: --- ## [External power outage affecting half my house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/external-power-outage-affecting-half-my-house/727282)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/external-power-outage-affecting-half-my-house/727282 "2015-08-08T12:06:36Z")
External = definitely not my breakers tripping, traffic lights down the street were completely off, and utility notified me of outage. I was in the middle of a shower when the bathroom lights flickered on and off then c… --- ## [What is a Social Security Background Check?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-social-security-background-check/727209)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-social-security-background-check/727209 "2015-08-07T03:52:53Z")
I was browsing job listings and came across this doozy of a condition: “Must have satisfactory background check inclusive of driving, criminal, employment reference, education, and social security.” Most of those items… --- ## [questions about the retail jewelry industry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-retail-jewelry-industry/727298)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-retail-jewelry-industry/727298 "2015-08-08T07:28:41Z")
Thought this might elect more responses than the original thread title --- ## [Dirty secrets of Holiday Hair and other chain hair salons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-secrets-of-holiday-hair-and-other-chain-hair-salons/727136)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-secrets-of-holiday-hair-and-other-chain-hair-salons/727136 "2015-08-08T07:27:13Z")
Lets set aside this might not be the best place to get my hair cut. Im in my 40s, male and keep my hair short, so lets establish Im not some 75 year old blue-hair that needs a perm every other month. What training is … --- ## [Car battery dead (it seems) but charger shows as full?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-battery-dead-it-seems-but-charger-shows-as-full/225548)
**Author:** [@bingowah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bingowah)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-battery-dead-it-seems-but-charger-shows-as-full/225548 "2015-08-08T06:45:46Z")
Okay please pardon me if this seems OT but I’m genuinely curious right now about the science behind it and the reasoning why, if this is the case. I have a 1977 300D Mercedes I recently acquired, I didn’t drive it at all… --- ## [Hand holding saves couple from lightning strike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-holding-saves-couple-from-lightning-strike/727244)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-holding-saves-couple-from-lightning-strike/727244 "2015-08-08T06:08:32Z")
Article. It says that the fact that they were holding hands ‘helped diffuse the electrical current.’ So. . . Izzat so? --- ## [Escalator death in China: possible in US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-death-in-china-possible-in-us/727206)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-death-in-china-possible-in-us/727206 "2015-08-08T04:06:06Z")
A woman in China was killed in an escalator accident last month. At the top of the escalator, she fell through a loose floor panel and just managed to hand her toddler off to store employees before her legs got caught i… --- ## [Broken glass burrows further in or out of your body?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-glass-burrows-further-in-or-out-of-your-body/727203)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-glass-burrows-further-in-or-out-of-your-body/727203 "2015-08-08T02:23:32Z")
Supposedly, broken glass shards that penetrate the skin and aren’t removed then go on to travel further in, or further out, of your body, because of your muscle movement? Which, and how? And what if, say, it’s in your … --- ## [Getting rid of a huge car payment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-a-huge-car-payment/727099)
**Author:** [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-a-huge-car-payment/727099 "2015-08-07T22:05:10Z")
A young friend of mine bought a car and is now way in over his head with the payment and insurance. Somebody told him to just turn the car in and tell them he can’t make the payments. What would happen at that point? Wo… --- ## [Grape Juice to Wine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grape-juice-to-wine/727266)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grape-juice-to-wine/727266 "2015-08-07T21:56:08Z")
As I understand it, wine is produced by introducing bacteria into grape juice that eat sugar and urinate ethanol. I would be curious to try bypassing this process by removing sugars and introducing ethanol, sans bacteri… --- ## [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Why nonfarm payroll?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-bureau-of-labor-statistics-why-nonfarm-payroll/727259)
**Author:** [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-bureau-of-labor-statistics-why-nonfarm-payroll/727259 "2015-08-07T21:45:22Z")
The US BLS released the monthly Employment Situation report today and as usual, it leads by stating the change in nonfarm payroll jobs and the unemployment rate. Why are nonfarm payroll job numbers chosen as one of the … --- ## [Automatically update the Date in the Subject line when replying an email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatically-update-the-date-in-the-subject-line-when-replying-an-email/727261)
**Author:** [@cguru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cguru)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatically-update-the-date-in-the-subject-line-when-replying-an-email/727261 "2015-08-07T19:58:36Z")
I have an Outlook 2010 email that is sent out every week that contains updated status information in the body. The Subject contains: RE: Automation IaaS & LaaS Status - Week Ending 7/30/15 My normal weekly sequence is… --- ## [How are fish stocks doing these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fish-stocks-doing-these-days/726953)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fish-stocks-doing-these-days/726953 "2015-08-07T18:19:15Z")
This Telegraph article from 2006 included a projection (not a prediction) of depleted oceanic life by 2048 at current fishing rates. How has the situation changed, if any, since then? --- ## [Producer lingo: "Hold the role"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/producer-lingo-hold-the-role/727219)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/producer-lingo-hold-the-role/727219 "2015-08-07T17:30:27Z")
So what does a producer mean, during shooting, when she says to the talent, “Hold the role”? Or is she even talking to the talent? No guesses please. Only answer this if you know, I am quite capable of making guesses an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1064) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1066)