# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1086 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1087 --- ## [Donald Trump: How did such a nutcase get so rich?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-how-did-such-a-nutcase-get-so-rich/723903)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-how-did-such-a-nutcase-get-so-rich/723903 "2015-07-04T04:12:34Z")
How does someone like this also make such brilliant business decisions as to get to be a billionaire? (Maybe should be in IMHO but I’m hoping there is a factual answer of some kind.) --- ## [Why did some plants evolve to be narcotics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-some-plants-evolve-to-be-narcotics/669469)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-some-plants-evolve-to-be-narcotics/669469 "2015-07-04T02:25:13Z")
Tobacco, marijuana, coca, nightshade\*, and a variety of others all evolved to produce substances that are narcotic/poisonous (or have a neurologic effect in humans). My question is why. Why did these plants evolve to pr… --- ## [Do Other Countries Have a Pledge of Allegiance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-countries-have-a-pledge-of-allegiance/86604)
**Author:** [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-other-countries-have-a-pledge-of-allegiance/86604 "2015-07-04T02:04:20Z")
Well, do they? --- ## [Timing belt question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timing-belt-question/721259)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timing-belt-question/721259 "2015-07-04T01:41:02Z")
For a 2004 Toyota Highlander V6. Is it internal to the engine? Or is it the same serpentine belt on the outside of the engine? I ask this for my 84 year old mom. She still drives, but very little. Just to the store a… --- ## [Questions about a hypothetical Air Motor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-a-hypothetical-air-motor/724079)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-a-hypothetical-air-motor/724079 "2015-07-04T00:16:18Z")
I’m thinking about an air motor driven by high pressure compressed air up to 4500 psi. This is about improving existing air motor configuration by pre-heating the inlet air, so the motor could be any kind of positive dis… --- ## [Do churches have rules regarding who can be married there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-churches-have-rules-regarding-who-can-be-married-there/723735)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-churches-have-rules-regarding-who-can-be-married-there/723735 "2015-07-03T23:50:41Z")
Can a church refuse to let people use their sanctuary for a wedding? What would be some rules that a church might have that would govern this? Is the religion of the people getting married a factor? --- ## [Sending video from an Android device to a VGA projector?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sending-video-from-an-android-device-to-a-vga-projector/724167)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sending-video-from-an-android-device-to-a-vga-projector/724167 "2015-07-03T22:30:43Z")
I will be giving lectures in a room with a projector. The projector expects to receive a signal from the VGA output port of a laptop. But I don’t want to use a laptop, for various reasons. Can I substitute an Android de… --- ## [Do bonfires burn in the rain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-bonfires-burn-in-the-rain/724169)
**Author:** [@Zapp\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zapp_S)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-bonfires-burn-in-the-rain/724169 "2015-07-03T22:27:54Z")
Do bonfires burn in the rain? --- ## [Can a 401(k) be maxed out for the year all at once?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-401-k-be-maxed-out-for-the-year-all-at-once/724043)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-401-k-be-maxed-out-for-the-year-all-at-once/724043 "2015-07-03T21:04:13Z")
A friend of mine is changing jobs and the new company has a waiting period of 3 months before he can contribute to the 401(k) plan. He’s starting in a week. He said if he tells the new employer to contribute 100% of his … --- ## [Can a prime number be negative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-prime-number-be-negative/723845)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-prime-number-be-negative/723845 "2015-07-03T19:31:54Z")
Well? --- ## [A question on an IQ test question (semi-math related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-an-iq-test-question-semi-math-related/723830)
**Author:** [@Recusant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recusant)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-an-iq-test-question-semi-math-related/723830 "2015-07-03T17:57:36Z")
So today I did something I haven’t done since they forced me to back in school and took an IQ test. I’ve tended to avoid them because 1. what they’re actually supposed to be measuring is vaguely defined at best and 2. t… --- ## [Doctor who knows about poisonous gasses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-knows-about-poisonous-gasses/724131)
**Author:** [@paste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paste)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-knows-about-poisonous-gasses/724131 "2015-07-03T17:26:39Z")
Hi guys! I’m going to write a short story. I’m just wondering, what kind of Doctor who knows something about poisonous gasses like carbon monoxide, mustard gas (during World War 1), etc. Thank you very much! :smiley: --- ## [The Alger Hiss Case and the Prothonotary Warbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-alger-hiss-case-and-the-prothonotary-warbler/723983)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-alger-hiss-case-and-the-prothonotary-warbler/723983 "2015-07-03T16:47:33Z")
A birdwatcher excitedly reported seeing a prothonotary warbler in the “Pumpkin Patch,” stating that it was a rare bird. (It may be rare where sighted but quite common in the summer where I live, but that has nothing to … --- ## [How come cruise missiles always use turbofans and turbojets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-cruise-missiles-always-use-turbofans-and-turbojets/723973)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-cruise-missiles-always-use-turbofans-and-turbojets/723973 "2015-07-03T14:47:21Z")
For brevity’s sake, I used “always” in the title when that should be “always/almost always”. I don’t remember running into cruise missiles that used ramjets, turboprops and internal combustion engines. If there are, plea… --- ## [Mixing bleach and ammonia, or, did I almost die in the restroom at work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixing-bleach-and-ammonia-or-did-i-almost-die-in-the-restroom-at-work/679611)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixing-bleach-and-ammonia-or-did-i-almost-die-in-the-restroom-at-work/679611 "2015-07-03T13:12:20Z")
So, walk in the restroom to take a nice coffee-fueled leak. Smells a little bleach-y. Nice. Lemme dirty it up. Ahhhh. Um…whew. My eyes and nose are burning. That doesn’t smell like bleach. Hm. Maybe I better ho… --- ## [Why can't I buy online in Canada and ship to the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-online-in-canada-and-ship-to-the-us/723888)
**Author:** [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-buy-online-in-canada-and-ship-to-the-us/723888 "2015-07-03T05:42:45Z")
So I’m looking for a new grill and I ran into the Napoleon Prestige 500 series. It’s definitely a lot of grill, but I noticed it’s made in Canada. The price as stated in CAD is the same as in the US, but in USD, i.e. i… --- ## [Airline flight delay question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-flight-delay-question/723267)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-flight-delay-question/723267 "2015-07-03T05:31:02Z")
I’m at ORD right now waiting on a seriously delayed flight. We should have left at 9:05 they are now saying departure at 14:00. The aircraft has been here for 2 hours and has a maintenance issue. It originated in NWR. M… --- ## [Air Force types, what is "Rivet Joint"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-types-what-is-rivet-joint/724110)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-types-what-is-rivet-joint/724110 "2015-07-03T04:18:41Z")
See this clip Right at the 22:00 minute mark It’s from Desert Storm and the pilot mentions “Rivet Joint”, what is that? --- ## [Do self-driving cars honk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-self-driving-cars-honk/723900)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-self-driving-cars-honk/723900 "2015-07-03T04:00:08Z")
I followed a link to a Google report about the safety record of self-driving cars. It relates (brags about) one incident where one cyclist swerved from the left turn lane into the Google car’s lane, while a second cyclis… --- ## [Have nations used recreational drugs as a tool against enemy states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-nations-used-recreational-drugs-as-a-tool-against-enemy-states/723897)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-nations-used-recreational-drugs-as-a-tool-against-enemy-states/723897 "2015-07-03T02:45:39Z")
I know nations like north Korea make money in the drug trade, and there is a lot of low and mid level bribery of public officials in places like Mexico. What I am wondering is do nations attempt to flood enemy nations w… --- ## [Aviation Fireworks Viewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aviation-fireworks-viewing/724091)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aviation-fireworks-viewing/724091 "2015-07-03T02:30:12Z")
Assuming that there is not a TFR over my local city I may try to view the fireworks presentation from the air in a small Cessna. What is the altitude generally that one should remain at while providing an excellent vista… --- ## [Is Phil Mickelson in serious legal trouble if today's report is true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phil-mickelson-in-serious-legal-trouble-if-todays-report-is-true/723827)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phil-mickelson-in-serious-legal-trouble-if-todays-report-is-true/723827 "2015-07-03T01:23:31Z")
As I am not a lawyer I am more than curious for several reasons. Thanks --- ## [does this site give second chances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-site-give-second-chances/724092)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-site-give-second-chances/724092 "2015-07-03T00:20:07Z")
I was banned last year and I want to return and get along with everyone I would like to be able to get a second chance to follow the rules --- ## [Is there Real Evidence That \[Saudi Arabia\] Funds Terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-real-evidence-that-saudi-arabia-funds-terrorism/723874)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-real-evidence-that-saudi-arabia-funds-terrorism/723874 "2015-07-02T21:21:31Z")
The Saudi royal family endorses a sect of Islam known as Wahabism. This (from what I understand) is very conservative, and repressive to women. SA funds the construction of mosques, provided they have Wahabi Imams in … --- ## [What role does Congress actually have in "coining money?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-does-congress-actually-have-in-coining-money/724051)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-does-congress-actually-have-in-coining-money/724051 "2015-07-02T19:49:38Z")
Since, if I’m not wrong, the Feds control the policy for inflation and whether more money will be printed/brought into the system and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving actually physically prints the money, what role d… --- ## [The Feds, Interest Rates and Investors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-feds-interest-rates-and-investors/724053)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-feds-interest-rates-and-investors/724053 "2015-07-02T19:46:23Z")
One reason cited for the drop in the stock market has to do with a less than stellar employment report out today, which apparently means that the expected interest rate rise by the Feds in September might now be postpone… --- ## [Arts folks - how do I paint a picture frame like this ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arts-folks-how-do-i-paint-a-picture-frame-like-this/724039)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arts-folks-how-do-i-paint-a-picture-frame-like-this/724039 "2015-07-02T18:11:38Z")
Folks - I would like to paint a wooden picture frame like this - http://www.craigframes.com//v/vspfiles/photos/10187-2T.jpg Specifically - I’d like to reproduce the highlight effect on the raised portions of the frame. … --- ## [Celsius vs. Centigrade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celsius-vs-centigrade/142559)
**Author:** [@ian5277](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ian5277)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celsius-vs-centigrade/142559 "2015-07-02T16:43:51Z")
I’m assuming this was officially changed somewhere down the line since all of the old farts say Centigrade and us younger, cooler people say Celsius. Anyone know why? When? --- ## [When did the Japanese realise the odori was up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-japanese-realise-the-odori-was-up/723198)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-japanese-realise-the-odori-was-up/723198 "2015-07-02T15:46:56Z")
Sister thread to this one on when Jerry realised it was game over. Do we know when in the war the Japanese (by which I mean any contemporary Japanese source, civilian or military) started to realise that it would end in… --- ## [Is airliner design pretty much un-improvable now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-airliner-design-pretty-much-un-improvable-now/723853)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-airliner-design-pretty-much-un-improvable-now/723853 "2015-07-02T15:34:23Z")
For decades, new airliners have mostly been the tube-fuselage-and-two-engines design, with the exception of the four-engined A380. I am guessing that this is because the modern A350, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 twin-engine d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1085) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1087)