# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1122 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1123 --- ## [Dry, Wet and Mixed Counties, What's the Difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-wet-and-mixed-counties-whats-the-difference/719086)
**Author:** [@ovalseven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ovalseven)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dry-wet-and-mixed-counties-whats-the-difference/719086 "2015-05-02T21:29:38Z")
I was reading the Wikipedia entry on dry counties in the U.S. and it also talks about wet and mixed. It doesn’t really explain the differences. The map, for example, shows Michigan as mixed, but what makes it different … --- ## [Why are hospitals so cold, temperature wise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hospitals-so-cold-temperature-wise/719092)
**Author:** [@ArztWolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArztWolf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hospitals-so-cold-temperature-wise/719092 "2015-05-02T19:04:46Z")
Is it so nasty diseases/bugs (MRSA, C Diff,etc) don’t take up residence or is there some other reason a hospital thermostat needs to be set so low? I’ve never been to several hospitals that could double as freezers. :ee… --- ## [What would be the correct tenses here? I’m wavering between the Past Perfect and the Simple Past.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-correct-tenses-here-i-m-wavering-between-the-past-perfect-and-the-simple-past/719071)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-correct-tenses-here-i-m-wavering-between-the-past-perfect-and-the-simple-past/719071 "2015-05-02T18:56:31Z")
I blow hot and cold on the correct tenses for the following sentence. I wonder, in which part of the sentence should I go with the Past Perfect, and in which part should I opt for the Simple Past? Quite tricky. … --- ## [ER - leaving AMA and medico-legal issues (california)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-leaving-ama-and-medico-legal-issues-california/719066)
**Author:** [@frustration33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frustration33)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-leaving-ama-and-medico-legal-issues-california/719066 "2015-05-02T16:11:58Z")
If I were brought to the ER for alcohol intoxication by ambulance, in california, then woke up requesting to leave, what exactly are my rights? If an IV line is in my arm, and a nurse disconnects the line from the pole … --- ## [Legal question re: confession and prosecution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-re-confession-and-prosecution/708708)
**Author:** [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-re-confession-and-prosecution/708708 "2015-05-02T16:08:27Z")
So I just saw the M. Night Shyamaln movie “Devil” a few days ago on Netflix, in which one of the characters is confronted by the devil, escapes damnation by confessing his sins (including a hit and run) and is later appr… --- ## [Does the POTUS have to accept medical treatment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-have-to-accept-medical-treatment/719035)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-have-to-accept-medical-treatment/719035 "2015-05-02T15:34:59Z")
If the President were to be diagnosed with cancer, say, would he have the option to refuse treatment, or would he have to resign in order to do so? Thanks, Rob --- ## [Is it normal for someone to have different sized ear canals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-normal-for-someone-to-have-different-sized-ear-canals/718969)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-normal-for-someone-to-have-different-sized-ear-canals/718969 "2015-05-02T14:09:19Z")
Inspired by this tale. I don’t know what the difference was in the story, but it must’ve been noticeable. I was wondering if it was at all common myself. --- ## [Why aren't most paintings in museums behind glass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-most-paintings-in-museums-behind-glass/718550)
**Author:** [@gracefulfatsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracefulfatsheba)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-most-paintings-in-museums-behind-glass/718550 "2015-05-02T13:10:21Z")
I was recently at an art museum and was struck by how many priceless paintings by artists like Edward Burne-Jones were just hanging there in frames, not protected by any glass. Kids go to these museums, many of whom are… --- ## [Do Britons use the phrase “Get away!” or “Get away with you!” to mean “Come on!”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-britons-use-the-phrase-get-away-or-get-away-with-you-to-mean-come-on/718817)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-britons-use-the-phrase-get-away-or-get-away-with-you-to-mean-come-on/718817 "2015-05-02T13:10:06Z")
I have always wondered if “Get away (with you)!” is a British way of saying “Come on!”? I mean, when you hear something silly, surprising, or simply unbelievable? Do these two different expressions correspond more or le… --- ## [Jet Fuel, Vegetable Oil & Petroleum (Not Sex Lube)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-fuel-vegetable-oil-petroleum-not-sex-lube/719051)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-fuel-vegetable-oil-petroleum-not-sex-lube/719051 "2015-05-02T09:41:13Z")
So several questions here, what is the composition difference between jet fuel and the kind of fuel you put in your car? Are they similar at all? And could you run a plane on vegetable oil like some cars are and by doing… --- ## [Do criminals really shoot people to protect their Marijuana fileds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-criminals-really-shoot-people-to-protect-their-marijuana-fileds/718070)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-criminals-really-shoot-people-to-protect-their-marijuana-fileds/718070 "2015-05-02T08:58:00Z")
Will a hillbilly really shoot you if you stumble across their pot field? This only happens on TV right? Because it seems the best way to have your crops found is when 200 LEO and civilian search and rescue stumble across… --- ## [Can cactus distinguish between tap and rain water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cactus-distinguish-between-tap-and-rain-water/719056)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cactus-distinguish-between-tap-and-rain-water/719056 "2015-05-02T08:15:26Z")
I seem to notice more profuse blooming of cacti and succulents after a rain here in So Cal, it might just be my imagination but there always seems to be more profuse blooming all at the same time right after a rain. Is t… --- ## [Is this English speaker referring to an “Unlikely Future situation” or a “Likely Past situation”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-english-speaker-referring-to-an-unlikely-future-situation-or-a-likely-past-situation/718994)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-english-speaker-referring-to-an-unlikely-future-situation-or-a-likely-past-situation/718994 "2015-05-02T07:12:48Z")
ORIGINAL SENTENCE: “If that gargantuan predator made it into the city before us, it is sure to have wrecked everything in sight.” By the verb tense “\*\*\*\*made \*\*\*\*it” in the if-clause, I wonder if the speaker is referrin… --- ## [Drop tanks on WWII aircraft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drop-tanks-on-wwii-aircraft/718973)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drop-tanks-on-wwii-aircraft/718973 "2015-05-02T06:56:31Z")
Hello Everyone, During WWII or fighters were unable to escort or boomers deep inside Germany because they lacked the fuel to do so. One workaround was the incorporation of disposable fuel ranks that could be jettison w… --- ## [What is the present-time prevalence of cluster B personality disorders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-present-time-prevalence-of-cluster-b-personality-disorders/719068)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-present-time-prevalence-of-cluster-b-personality-disorders/719068 "2015-05-02T06:19:17Z")
I’ve tried to find the number of people with cluster B personality disorders but I’ve only been able to find the lifetime prevalence. I am interested in knowing the proportion of people with a cluster B personality disor… --- ## [Where exactly was I \[near Lake Superior\] when I saw this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-exactly-was-i-near-lake-superior-when-i-saw-this/718918)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-exactly-was-i-near-lake-superior-when-i-saw-this/718918 "2015-05-02T06:11:47Z")
Generally speaking, I was around the souwest corner of Lake Superior – many years ago. I think I was on an elevated highway coming around a bend and I say these two massive things. They appeared to be giant hoppers for… --- ## [gas prices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-prices/718962)
**Author:** [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-prices/718962 "2015-05-02T05:19:02Z")
It seems to me that when prices rise and fall the same amount, almost to the penny, at all of the stations, this would be an indication of price fixing yet no one has ever (as far as I can tell) done anything in that dir… --- ## [Any instances of former POWs going after former captors for "payback"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-instances-of-former-pows-going-after-former-captors-for-payback/718780)
**Author:** [@1kBR\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1kBR_Kid)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-instances-of-former-pows-going-after-former-captors-for-payback/718780 "2015-05-02T04:25:25Z")
I mean individual soldiers or a small group of soldiers, acting on their own, rather than war crimes trials. I wondered about that while watching documentaries about the true story of the bridge on the river Kwai and abo… --- ## [Why does the French language sound so different from Spanish (and other neighboring languages)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-french-language-sound-so-different-from-spanish-and-other-neighboring-languages/717757)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-french-language-sound-so-different-from-spanish-and-other-neighboring-languages/717757 "2015-05-02T04:16:27Z")
I’ve been watching a bit of British tv lately, which includes a good sprinkling of French. It sounds very different from what Spanish and German I remember from school, and (in the case of Spanish) have heard on tv/rad… --- ## [How many DIRECT descendants exist after 22 generations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-direct-descendants-exist-after-22-generations/718960)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-direct-descendants-exist-after-22-generations/718960 "2015-05-02T03:50:44Z")
So… lately, I’ve been hopelessly addicted to ancestry.com (INTERVENTION TIME PLEASE!!), and I researched my adopted sister’s family tree. I found that she is a direct 22nd generation descendant of Robert the Bruce, who f… --- ## [How many images are possible on an HDTV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-images-are-possible-on-an-hdtv/719060)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-images-are-possible-on-an-hdtv/719060 "2015-05-02T03:40:27Z")
I don’t know the specs. Assume 1920x1080 pixels. How many color options are there per pixel? Would you just multiply that number by 1920\*1080 and that gives the total number of potential images on an HDTV screen? I thin… --- ## [Help determine the sex of my kittens (with pictures)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-determine-the-sex-of-my-kittens-with-pictures/718870)
**Author:** [@Two\_Wheels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Wheels)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-determine-the-sex-of-my-kittens-with-pictures/718870 "2015-05-02T03:33:41Z")
My wife and I adopted two kittens from an animal shelter about a month ago. We were told (and the paperwork says) that the black one, who we have named Athena, is a female and the gray one, who we have named Apollo, is … --- ## [In English, when you “have a thing about” skinny jeans, do you “love” them or “hate” them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-english-when-you-have-a-thing-about-skinny-jeans-do-you-love-them-or-hate-them/718896)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-english-when-you-have-a-thing-about-skinny-jeans-do-you-love-them-or-hate-them/718896 "2015-05-02T02:39:17Z")
Or can it go either way, depending on context, as in the example below? I have always wondered if the expression “have a thing about” per se can be ambiguous. (1) I have a thing about skinny jeans. The snug fit through… --- ## [Are Americans without degrees completely banned from moving to Canada?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-americans-without-degrees-completely-banned-from-moving-to-canada/718246)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-americans-without-degrees-completely-banned-from-moving-to-canada/718246 "2015-05-02T02:23:57Z")
I would really like to live in Canada but getting a professional 4 year degree is out of the question for me. I’m just not willing to spend that much time in college, and it’s mostly because I can’t think of any field I … --- ## [How much law training do police get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-law-training-do-police-get/718995)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-law-training-do-police-get/718995 "2015-05-02T00:19:54Z")
Police need to know law basics to do their job. At least for criminal areas. I don’t think they know much about civil lawsuits. I assume it varies by department but do they spend 20% of training time on learning la… --- ## [What to expect for a mole check with a dermatologist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-expect-for-a-mole-check-with-a-dermatologist/508065)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-expect-for-a-mole-check-with-a-dermatologist/508065 "2015-05-01T23:21:06Z")
After spending a few days in the sun without sunblock I noticed a smaller mole on my face became elevated and is now kind of sore to touch. I suppose it could be a pimple but I’d rather be safe than sorry and have it and… --- ## [about the internal workings of a motion detector](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-internal-workings-of-a-motion-detector/719050)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-internal-workings-of-a-motion-detector/719050 "2015-05-01T22:53:41Z")
If a motion detector gets triggered when something comes within a certain radius, but then something is further away such as 10 percent or 50 percent outside the radius, is it not noticed at all, or does the motion detec… --- ## [How much can I expect from solar energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-can-i-expect-from-solar-energy/719004)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-can-i-expect-from-solar-energy/719004 "2015-05-01T22:40:21Z")
This thread: Is the new Tesla battery something to get excited about? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board makes me wonder how much solar energy I could hope to generate if I put solar panels on the half … --- ## [what type of bat did I just see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-bat-did-i-just-see/718970)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-bat-did-i-just-see/718970 "2015-05-01T21:15:45Z")
I was out taking my nightly 2am walk when I saw a giant bat flying overhead. it was the biggest I’ve ever seen being the size of a crow. I am currently in Geneseo New York. that’s all the information I have to give. What… --- ## [What Flowers are These?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-flowers-are-these/718986)
**Author:** [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-flowers-are-these/718986 "2015-05-01T20:27:19Z")
These flowers are in my back yard in Maryland. They’re really pretty but I don’t know what they are. Any info appreciated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1121) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1123)