# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1110 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1111 --- ## [Religious exemptions from blood tests for lead levels? WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-exemptions-from-blood-tests-for-lead-levels-wtf/720513)
**Author:** [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-exemptions-from-blood-tests-for-lead-levels-wtf/720513 "2015-05-24T04:18:00Z")
This article talks about religious exemptions from requirements to get medical care for your children. Those are bad enough, but some of those, I at least understand. I don’t agree with the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ stance … --- ## [Has any damaged/destroyed part of London not been rebuilt since the Blitz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-damaged-destroyed-part-of-london-not-been-rebuilt-since-the-blitz/720392)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-damaged-destroyed-part-of-london-not-been-rebuilt-since-the-blitz/720392 "2015-05-24T04:17:47Z")
I remember seeing a movie set in London in the mid-Fifties, and there was still unrepaired devastation. If all the damage has since been repaired, which street or neighborhood was the last to be fixed up? --- ## [Roosevelt and Churchill's real relationship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roosevelt-and-churchills-real-relationship/720515)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roosevelt-and-churchills-real-relationship/720515 "2015-05-24T03:58:39Z")
A spin off of this thread and Jim’s Son comment brought to mind something I’ve been wondering about for a while. Namely, can we state with any confidence what Roosevelt and Churchill truly thought about each other and at… --- ## [How can I know if a smartphone purchased at Best Buy will work in Ecuador or Colombia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-know-if-a-smartphone-purchased-at-best-buy-will-work-in-ecuador-or-colombia/720644)
**Author:** [@Clarence01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarence01)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-know-if-a-smartphone-purchased-at-best-buy-will-work-in-ecuador-or-colombia/720644 "2015-05-24T02:05:44Z")
How can I know if a smartphone purchased at Best Buy will work in Ecuador or Colombia? --- ## [A human's at 9 atmospheres. Suddenly they're not. Will we need a sponge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humans-at-9-atmospheres-suddenly-theyre-not-will-we-need-a-sponge/720561)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-humans-at-9-atmospheres-suddenly-theyre-not-will-we-need-a-sponge/720561 "2015-05-23T23:17:09Z")
Or, Gasses To Gasses, Group To Soup? There’s a picture going around which purports to be of a diver who was accidentally taken from nine atmospheres to one very suddenly. Frankly, it looks more like the remains were tor… --- ## [What (Exactly) Is Michelle Obama's Role In The School Lunch Program?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-michelle-obamas-role-in-the-school-lunch-program/720520)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-michelle-obamas-role-in-the-school-lunch-program/720520 "2015-05-23T20:06:22Z")
The Drudge report site has carried links to articles, which are critical of Michelle Obama’s role in setting standards for school lunches. Many of these focus on the following points: -the new lunches are not of good qu… --- ## [Strange phone question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-phone-question/720662)
**Author:** [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-phone-question/720662 "2015-05-23T18:21:43Z")
My son and daughter were just sitting in the same room, and my son’s phone rang then at almost the same time my daughter’s phone rang and my son’s went blank (like the caller hung up). Daughter answered but nobody on the… --- ## [Schedule 80 PVC pipe wall thickness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schedule-80-pvc-pipe-wall-thickness/720624)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schedule-80-pvc-pipe-wall-thickness/720624 "2015-05-23T15:47:16Z")
Is there a standard wall thickness for schedule 80 PVC pipe or do some manufactures make a more heavy duty thicker pipe? --- ## [Timestamp resolution for iPhone photos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timestamp-resolution-for-iphone-photos/720648)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timestamp-resolution-for-iphone-photos/720648 "2015-05-23T15:27:50Z")
iPhone photos have a timestamp that is displayed to the minute, but is there any way to see seconds or fractional seconds? Either using the native apps or with a purchased app? If the internal timestamp is only to the m… --- ## [Have to buy a phone in NYC remotely and have friend pick it up - How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-buy-a-phone-in-nyc-remotely-and-have-friend-pick-it-up-how/720581)
**Author:** [@Clarence01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarence01)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-to-buy-a-phone-in-nyc-remotely-and-have-friend-pick-it-up-how/720581 "2015-05-23T14:41:17Z")
I am nowhere near NYC and need a particular model phone that is sold out at all the Best Buys around Manhattan (according to the Best Buy rep last night). This would have worked well because my friend (who is 70 years o… --- ## [How near to parallel can a laser beam be ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-near-to-parallel-can-a-laser-beam-be/720549)
**Author:** [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-near-to-parallel-can-a-laser-beam-be/720549 "2015-05-23T14:34:26Z")
I am no scientist … even after googling I am not sure if a parallel laser is even possible, let alone commercially available. To be specific, assuming that the beam starts off at say 10mm wide as it leaves the lens, wha… --- ## [Could a Tu-95 Bear bomber be landed on a Nimitz class carrier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-tu-95-bear-bomber-be-landed-on-a-nimitz-class-carrier/720450)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-tu-95-bear-bomber-be-landed-on-a-nimitz-class-carrier/720450 "2015-05-23T12:23:53Z")
I’m pretty sure the answer is a very firm “No”, but I’ve been surprised before. I’m currently reading ‘Bear: Flight to Liberty’ by Miguel Vargas-Caba which has as its premise a fictional Bear bomber crew defecting to th… --- ## ["Cheesecake" origins (nudity)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesecake-origins-nudity/720479)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheesecake-origins-nudity/720479 "2015-05-23T11:35:36Z")
I couldn’t find anything on a quick Google search. Anyone know the etymology of “cheesecake” being used to describe female (upper) nudity? And does it predate beefcake? (I assume “beef” refers to muscles, but tell me if… --- ## [Hottest object ever on earth (with caveats)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hottest-object-ever-on-earth-with-caveats/720568)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hottest-object-ever-on-earth-with-caveats/720568 "2015-05-23T10:50:27Z")
Whats the hottest temperature humans have ever managed to heat a body and keep it at that temperature for more than 1 hour ? Caveat 1 : Body weight (mass) \> 1 lb (500g) Caveat 2 : Must be one continuous body (100 light… --- ## [Can a felon renounce their citizenship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-felon-renounce-their-citizenship/720368)
**Author:** [@trmptgn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trmptgn)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-felon-renounce-their-citizenship/720368 "2015-05-23T08:18:21Z")
I was reading something that mentioned the Son of Sam law again, and thought of this scenario. Basically, could a convicted felon renounce their U.S. citizenship in order to circumvent this law? If they stood to make a… --- ## [Free program to reverse an accidental (quick) format?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-program-to-reverse-an-accidental-quick-format/720604)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-program-to-reverse-an-accidental-quick-format/720604 "2015-05-23T03:41:00Z")
I had two drives – a system drive, and a storage drive whereon I kept everything that really matters to me. It had been so long since I had trouble with my PC that I forgot they were two partitions on one drive. So, I … --- ## [Cell phone constantly busy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-constantly-busy/491448)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-constantly-busy/491448 "2015-05-23T02:06:42Z")
Quick question: I’m trying to get hold of a guy, he’s only got a cell phone. Calling that number gives only a busy signal. No voice mail, etc. I’m not used to getting busy signals on cell phones. Trying to figure ou… --- ## [Builders: Is It Cheaper To Build a Wall From Blocks, Or Pour Cement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/builders-is-it-cheaper-to-build-a-wall-from-blocks-or-pour-cement/615913)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/builders-is-it-cheaper-to-build-a-wall-from-blocks-or-pour-cement/615913 "2015-05-22T21:43:36Z")
If you build a wall from blocks, you need to transport the blocks, mortar, and employ a skilled worker (a mason) to set the blocks. In contrast, for a pored wall, you set up the forms, pourthe concrete, then remove the … --- ## [How reversible are vasectomies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reversible-are-vasectomies/36424)
**Author:** [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reversible-are-vasectomies/36424 "2015-05-22T21:41:34Z")
Here’s my situation: I’m engaged, currently living with my fiancee, and scheduled to tie the knot sometime next year. We’re planning to have a kid, but not until our early-mid 30’s, which are about 5-6 years away. My f… --- ## [Travel Between Brazil and Argentina](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-between-brazil-and-argentina/720579)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-between-brazil-and-argentina/720579 "2015-05-22T21:33:20Z")
Hi Everyone I am working on a project, and I need to confirm that Brazilian citizens can travel to Argentina without a passport. I have seen this stated several places on-line, including Wikipedia. But since a real deci… --- ## [Canadian Border Procedure for Resident Aliens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-border-procedure-for-resident-aliens/720443)
**Author:** [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-border-procedure-for-resident-aliens/720443 "2015-05-22T18:38:01Z")
When a resident alien (i.e., a non-citizen of the United States holding a green card) enters the United States, he or she has to show documentation (a passport and the green card) and have their fingerprints scanned, pre… --- ## [How many hummingbirds for a meal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hummingbirds-for-a-meal/720562)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hummingbirds-for-a-meal/720562 "2015-05-22T17:22:51Z")
Sitting here, looking out on my back porch, I see the doves eating what drops from the bird feeders, and at the hummingbirds at the hummingbird feeder, and I begin wondering. Now, doves are not that big, it takes about… --- ## [Angularjs components? (Software engineering question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angularjs-components-software-engineering-question/720599)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angularjs-components-software-engineering-question/720599 "2015-05-22T16:40:36Z")
My team is responsible for web and mobile customer facing applications. We use a single Java code base and deploy ~20 different applications based on it. It is getting a bit long in the tooth and we are looking at rede… --- ## [Has TracFone deliberately destroyed my cell phone by remote control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tracfone-deliberately-destroyed-my-cell-phone-by-remote-control/720463)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tracfone-deliberately-destroyed-my-cell-phone-by-remote-control/720463 "2015-05-22T16:37:06Z")
I had a TracFone account a couple of years ago and let it lapse. Today I tried to reactive the account, and then create a new account when reactivation didn’t work. I’m taking a long road trip and I want a phone – just… --- ## [How much are Honda workers paid here and Japan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-honda-workers-paid-here-and-japan/720393)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-honda-workers-paid-here-and-japan/720393 "2015-05-22T14:33:10Z")
Trying to understand international trade. Does, say, Honda pay auto workers that make Hondas here the same as those in Japan? I know it’s partly a matter of how we compare them, but in general, are autoworkers in Japa… --- ## [What is this visual effect upon waking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-visual-effect-upon-waking/720508)
**Author:** [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-visual-effect-upon-waking/720508 "2015-05-22T11:17:40Z")
I occasionally fall asleep on the train on the way into work, and I’ve noticed an odd visual effect when I wake up. People who are caucasian or asian appear bright yellow. Like, Simpsons yellow. This lasts for about 3… --- ## [Dog Whistle Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-whistle-question/720512)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2015, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-whistle-question/720512 "2015-05-22T02:03:22Z")
So I have a yappy dog living behind me. Mostly I ignore it even though it is egregiously annoying. But when I’m in the yard gardening I often wondered if there wasn’t a whistle that could startle the dog into shutting t… --- ## [Passenger hacks controls of airplane in flight: how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passenger-hacks-controls-of-airplane-in-flight-how/720197)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passenger-hacks-controls-of-airplane-in-flight-how/720197 "2015-05-21T23:24:48Z")
Well here’s something new (I think) to worry about: Here’s the application for the warrant (issued post arrest, I think) How much of “fly by wire” in fly by wire airliners – which are they? – communicate over the ai… --- ## [explain factoring quadratic equations by grouping to me like I'm an idiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-factoring-quadratic-equations-by-grouping-to-me-like-im-an-idiot/552834)
**Author:** [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-factoring-quadratic-equations-by-grouping-to-me-like-im-an-idiot/552834 "2015-05-21T22:21:40Z")
So somehow I tested into intermediate algebra and I’m doing pretty well except for this factoring quadratic equations by grouping thing. Could someone either explain it to me like I’m an idiot or point to an idiot level … --- ## [Installing WeeChat on windows using CygWin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-weechat-on-windows-using-cygwin/720420)
**Author:** [@Char\_Aznable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Char_Aznable)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-weechat-on-windows-using-cygwin/720420 "2015-05-21T21:47:35Z")
I’ve been crawling the internet for HOURS looking for a solution for this, but maybe someone here can help. Basically I want to install WeeChat on my windows computer, and doing so requires me to use CygWin. I downloaded… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1109) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1111)