# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1076 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1077 --- ## [How Hard Is It To Drill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-drill/720937)
**Author:** [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-is-it-to-drill/720937 "2015-07-22T01:10:43Z")
From Honest Trailers: Armageddon “I asked Michael why it was easier to train oil drillers to become astronauts than it was to train astronauts to become oil drillers, and he told me to shut the fuck up, so that was the… --- ## [Proper handling of guns for police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-handling-of-guns-for-police/725414)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-handling-of-guns-for-police/725414 "2015-07-22T00:43:21Z")
I read about a recent case where a police officer put her gun in her purse and was disciplined after her purse was snatched. Makes sense–guns are meant to be carried in a holster. What do police officers do at home, thou… --- ## [Question regarding how the draft-dodging system worked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-how-the-draft-dodging-system-worked/725586)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-how-the-draft-dodging-system-worked/725586 "2015-07-21T23:19:43Z")
Hi, How was Donald Trump able to avoid serving in Vietnam? Was switching schools one way of continuing student deferments? The article refers to him going ti Fordham, Wharton ad UPenn. I look forward to your feedback. … --- ## [If microwave radiation is hazardous for human beings, then why isn't visible light?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-microwave-radiation-is-hazardous-for-human-beings-then-why-isnt-visible-light/725590)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-microwave-radiation-is-hazardous-for-human-beings-then-why-isnt-visible-light/725590 "2015-07-21T21:33:14Z")
Normal household microwave ovens use a radiation of 2.45 GHz to heat food. This is much less - by many orders of magnitude - than visible light, which is in the PHz range. I would guess, then, that the energy of a photon… --- ## [From the Manhattan project until now: how did nukes get smaller/lighter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-manhattan-project-until-now-how-did-nukes-get-smaller-lighter/725808)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-manhattan-project-until-now-how-did-nukes-get-smaller-lighter/725808 "2015-07-21T21:26:51Z")
According to this thread, Fat Man and Little Boy - the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan in WW2 - weighed around 10,000 pounds each, and had yields of 15-21 kilotons. In contrast, modern nuclear weapons have a yield many t… --- ## [Late credit card payment strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-credit-card-payment-strategy/725512)
**Author:** [@Nefario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefario)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/late-credit-card-payment-strategy/725512 "2015-07-21T20:59:33Z")
So - Yesterday (Friday) was the due date for a credit card payment. Long story but I do have funds to pay and I was planning to do so in person at my bank. I didn’t make it. Should I pay cash at the bank today (Satu… --- ## [how to tell if rock heroin is real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-rock-heroin-is-real/725816)
**Author:** [@poatboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poatboat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-rock-heroin-is-real/725816 "2015-07-21T20:54:15Z")
Im about to buy some heroin in rock form. How do i know if its real does it have a certain scent and taste? --- ## [What's a crypto-racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-crypto-racist/143879)
**Author:** [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2002, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-crypto-racist/143879 "2002-12-20T06:06:18Z")
I was reading a rather partisan website and came across this quote: "benefiting from the votes of racist and crypto-racist constituencies ". “Crypto-racist”? Is that like a “crypto-fascist”? Not that I’m sure what that… --- ## [DNS lookup failure.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dns-lookup-failure/725780)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dns-lookup-failure/725780 "2015-07-21T18:32:17Z")
When I just my one laptop, through chrome, to visit a specific education website (www.ccbcmd.edu) I frequently encounter a dns lookup failure and the page shows a rough sketch of what is likely a t rex. Anyway, when I u… --- ## [Twin engine VW Bug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-engine-vw-bug/725434)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-engine-vw-bug/725434 "2015-07-21T17:40:53Z")
Has anyone ever backyard-engineered a twin engined Bug by simply grafting in a second drivetrain up front driving the front wheels? Double the horsepower, and all wheel drive. --- ## [Horsepower question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horsepower-question/725790)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horsepower-question/725790 "2015-07-21T17:29:13Z")
I have a 1992 Ford Taurus GL (front drive, 4 doors, automatic transmission). For some reason the horsepower is not given in the owner’s manual. Any ideas, please? --- ## [The earth can only support terrestrial life for a window of ~2 billion years. True or false](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-earth-can-only-support-terrestrial-life-for-a-window-of-2-billion-years-true-or-false/725725)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-earth-can-only-support-terrestrial-life-for-a-window-of-2-billion-years-true-or-false/725725 "2015-07-21T16:23:35Z")
I read something like that years ago. I forget why, it was probably due to the size or radiation of the sun. Basically outside this window life could only exist in the oceans. Does anyone know what that theory is called… --- ## [Is it possible to see The Damned Soul by Bernini?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-see-the-damned-soul-by-bernini/725788)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-see-the-damned-soul-by-bernini/725788 "2015-07-21T16:10:20Z")
wiki says it’s located in the “Palazzo di Spagna, seat of the Spanish embassy among the Holy See” but there’s pretty much no information other than that. I’m afraid it’s behind some closed door sort of thing and that suc… --- ## [List of Legitimate Charities for Bipolar Disorder Treatment and Research](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-legitimate-charities-for-bipolar-disorder-treatment-and-research/217043)
**Author:** [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-legitimate-charities-for-bipolar-disorder-treatment-and-research/217043 "2015-07-21T16:07:19Z")
My brother-in-law hung himself last week. Certain members of the family wish to donate money to organizations which sponsor research into the causes and treatment Bipolar Disorder. Can anyone refer me to a list of reput… --- ## [Question about Iran nunclear deal and US participation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-iran-nunclear-deal-and-us-participation/725733)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-iran-nunclear-deal-and-us-participation/725733 "2015-07-21T16:04:34Z")
Let’s say that ISIS successfully infuses the Washington DC water supply with stupid pills, and Congress votes down US participation in the implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iran (with an overridden veto). Now… --- ## [Examples of extremely accurate police artists's sketches/composites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-extremely-accurate-police-artistss-sketches-composites/725470)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-extremely-accurate-police-artistss-sketches-composites/725470 "2015-07-21T15:20:03Z")
Since I first saw it, I have been amazed at the uncanny resemblance between the police composite sketch of Paul Bernardo and his actual appearance around that time. In fact, on the basis of that sketch, a number of peopl… --- ## [How should you pronounce "Iranian"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-you-pronounce-iranian/321757)
**Author:** [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-you-pronounce-iranian/321757 "2015-07-21T15:19:27Z")
The country is “Iran”, pronounced “i-rahn”, with a short “i” and a long “a”. I always used to say “Iranian” with a short “a”, so that it sounded like “IrAYnian”, the first “a” sounding like “day” or “say”. Then I hear… --- ## [Carburetor cleaned and checked. Line blown out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carburetor-cleaned-and-checked-line-blown-out/725757)
**Author:** [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carburetor-cleaned-and-checked-line-blown-out/725757 "2015-07-21T14:44:08Z")
Well I had the carburetor cleaned and checked with her line blown out she’s hummin’ like a turbojet Propped her up in the backyard on concrete blocks for a new clutch plate and a new set of shocks Took her down to the … --- ## [Orange and black insect, what was that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orange-and-black-insect-what-was-that/725661)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orange-and-black-insect-what-was-that/725661 "2015-07-21T14:43:16Z")
No pictures, the damn thing was just too fast. We were on a gravel road in SE Oklahoma when we saw this thing. It was about 2~3cm in length, with an abdomen maybe a cm tall, a shorter thorax, did not get a good look at … --- ## [How long could the Moon retain an atmospherere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-the-moon-retain-an-atmospherere/725625)
**Author:** [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-the-moon-retain-an-atmospherere/725625 "2015-07-21T14:31:51Z")
Assuming Alien Space Bats decide to terraform the Moon, including spinning up its core to generate a protective magnetosphere, spinning up the entire body to give it a 24-hour day/night cycle and carving out ocean basins… --- ## [Assassination attempts besides the President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassination-attempts-besides-the-president/725639)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassination-attempts-besides-the-president/725639 "2015-07-21T14:26:56Z")
We all know the sad facts that four U.S. Presidents have been assassinated, with many more plots foiled at some stage of planning. But how many assassination attempts have been made against other officials? The only on… --- ## [How do I make a door?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-a-door/370353)
**Author:** [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-a-door/370353 "2015-07-21T13:45:17Z")
Buying an insulated door isn’t possible unless it is custom made. This is an older house and this is an odd sized space. I need an exterior door that has good insulating properties. It doesn’t have to look good but it… --- ## [Furnace Filters: Flat vs. Pleated - which is better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furnace-filters-flat-vs-pleated-which-is-better/344130)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furnace-filters-flat-vs-pleated-which-is-better/344130 "2015-07-21T13:11:11Z")
Twice in recent months we’ve been told by furnace experts that a flat filter is better than a pleated one. How can that be? Pleated offers more surface area with which to filter the air through. We’ve never been told why… --- ## [Early inventions that were widespread, then obsolete in a generation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-inventions-that-were-widespread-then-obsolete-in-a-generation/725026 "2015-07-21T13:06:59Z")
There’s a lot of room for interpretation when it comes to what counts as an invention, how many years counts as a generation and what obsoletion means, but as an example the video tape recorder became ubiquitous when I w… --- ## [When did the 21st century begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-21st-century-begin/725495)
**Author:** [@SeniorCitizen007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeniorCitizen007)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-21st-century-begin/725495 "2015-07-21T12:15:32Z")
Here in the UK almost everybody believes that it began on 1st Jan 2000 When the oldest person born in Britain (born 1899) died she was described as ‘the last person born in the 19th century’ … but there was someone bor… --- ## [Reactivate old phone or buy new one.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reactivate-old-phone-or-buy-new-one/725650)
**Author:** [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reactivate-old-phone-or-buy-new-one/725650 "2015-07-21T06:53:09Z")
We are heading down into the US on an extended trip in a couple of weeks and would like to have a cell phone with us. On a previous trip, I purchased an American phone and activated it when I crossed the border. We use… --- ## [Where are the Indonesian immigrants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-indonesian-immigrants/725384)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-indonesian-immigrants/725384 "2015-07-21T06:45:18Z")
The US ha a noticeable population of Asian immigrants - from China, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam - but very few from Indonesia. That is, as far as I have been aware. Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous countr… --- ## [Really Short Power Poles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-short-power-poles/725665)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-short-power-poles/725665 "2015-07-21T04:18:38Z")
I was driving through Idaho and noticed some incredibly short either power or telephone poles next to the railroad tracks. They were literally less than 6 feet tall, and some looked to be no more that 3 feet off the grou… --- ## [Those Cicadas I Hear Today-When Did They Bury Themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-cicadas-i-hear-today-when-did-they-bury-themselves/725688)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-cicadas-i-hear-today-when-did-they-bury-themselves/725688 "2015-07-21T02:35:27Z")
I have been hearing a few…not too many. At any rate, the 17 year ones came a few years ago-so would these be 7 year or some other time? --- ## [Do Jews Truly Believe in the Mosaic Law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-truly-believe-in-the-mosaic-law/595027)
**Author:** [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-truly-believe-in-the-mosaic-law/595027 "2015-07-21T01:01:41Z")
I know this sounds like a stupid question, so bear with me while I explain the motivation. Everybody “knows” that Muslims have a lot of bizarre laws, especially about women. Killing them for having pre-marital sex, for… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1075) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1077)