# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1139 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1140 --- ## [Can musicians stop their music from being played by somebody they don't like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-musicians-stop-their-music-from-being-played-by-somebody-they-dont-like/716659)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-musicians-stop-their-music-from-being-played-by-somebody-they-dont-like/716659 "2015-04-03T22:37:49Z")
I recently read that some band’s lawyers sent a Conservative talk show host a cease-and-desist letter because the host played one of their songs, regularly, I don’t know, for a theme song, or for some regular segment, or… --- ## [Why so many asian pharmacists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-asian-pharmacists/716723)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-asian-pharmacists/716723 "2015-04-03T22:36:59Z")
Actually, it’s more the pharmacy technicians. This field seems to attract a lot of Asian and Indian immigrants. Basically, it’s the sort of people I’d expect to find in jobs that are underappreciated (i.e. poorly paid, p… --- ## [Dealing with insect & mosquito bites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-insect-mosquito-bites/716697)
**Author:** [@Lilyrose\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilyrose_1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-insect-mosquito-bites/716697 "2015-04-03T21:49:18Z")
I have an array of mosquito bites and midgy bites on my arm… and yes they have got the better of me. Unfortunately i have scratched the skin of and it is on the verge of being a little infected. other than the obvious tr… --- ## [Almost literally "shotgunning" opium, hash, etc., in Viet Nam. Any earlier etymology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/almost-literally-shotgunning-opium-hash-etc-in-viet-nam-any-earlier-etymology/716718)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/almost-literally-shotgunning-opium-hash-etc-in-viet-nam-any-earlier-etymology/716718 "2015-04-03T19:31:13Z")
A vet friend of mine (whose other story of drug use is discussed in a recent thread) told me how he and his buds (heh) in the war would empty the chambers of a shotgun, rack it, tilt it upward, tuck a screen down the end… --- ## [What is the Logic Behind 'Strict Liability' Crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-strict-liability-crimes/716475)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-strict-liability-crimes/716475 "2015-04-03T19:17:30Z")
In case you don’t know, strict liability crimes are crimes that don’t require intent. My law dictionary says they are primarily minor civil infractions, although some more serious drug charges may be strict liability cr… --- ## [Questions about nuclear fission](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-nuclear-fission/716710)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-nuclear-fission/716710 "2015-04-03T17:56:18Z")
Want to discuss nuclear fission power here primarily : thorium , uranium, plutonium and mox. Want to discuss: How much power each one generates How much waste they produce How long their half life is 4.which are most… --- ## [Can an American use British software on their computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-use-british-software-on-their-computer/716674)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-use-british-software-on-their-computer/716674 "2015-04-03T17:26:13Z")
I’m slowly learning CSS and while it’s interesting to use Dreamweaver at work, I’m not going to spend that kind of money for the program at home. I do want to use something with a similar interface, and I’ve run across a… --- ## [Soldiers, including medics, using or applying opium from slashed poppies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soldiers-including-medics-using-or-applying-opium-from-slashed-poppies/708521)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soldiers-including-medics-using-or-applying-opium-from-slashed-poppies/708521 "2015-04-03T17:12:47Z")
A Marine vet of Vietnam (who was a medic, come to think of it) told me that when some down time was seriously needed, he and others would make some surface slashes on their arm, slice an opium bulb, shmoosh it all over t… --- ## [The equivalent of Miranda warnings outside of USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-equivalent-of-miranda-warnings-outside-of-usa/716661)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-equivalent-of-miranda-warnings-outside-of-usa/716661 "2015-04-03T16:40:29Z")
I was watching, “The Fall”, a police show that takes place in Belfast, UK. When a person was arrested, in addition to the “Anything you say can be held against you” they added words that (IIRC) implied that “If you refu… --- ## [Online Radio Delays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-radio-delays/714423)
**Author:** [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-radio-delays/714423 "2015-04-03T16:39:13Z")
If this has been already tackled, sorry for the duplicate. I listen to the radio via my laptop when at home and pc when at work. Sometimes the feed cuts out, annoyingly so, and I have to reload the page to get it going a… --- ## [Maximum Wattage of Bulb in Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-wattage-of-bulb-in-lamp/716709)
**Author:** [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-wattage-of-bulb-in-lamp/716709 "2015-04-03T16:01:50Z")
Lamps generally come with a maximum wattage allowed. For instance, many lamps only allow 60 watt bulbs. It has always been my understanding that when using CFL bulbs you were basically limited by the actual wattage of th… --- ## [Any tips or tricks to make an Icon on the desktop blink or flash? Anything to help locate it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tips-or-tricks-to-make-an-icon-on-the-desktop-blink-or-flash-anything-to-help-locate-it/716685)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tips-or-tricks-to-make-an-icon-on-the-desktop-blink-or-flash-anything-to-help-locate-it/716685 "2015-04-03T15:33:13Z")
Yes, I have too many Icons on my desktop. It’s been that way since Win 3.1. It’ll be crowded like that when they throw me in a hole and put a tombstone over my head. Sometimes when I upgrade software it updates the de… --- ## [Poisoning nuclear fuel to prevent use in weapons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poisoning-nuclear-fuel-to-prevent-use-in-weapons/716691)
**Author:** [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poisoning-nuclear-fuel-to-prevent-use-in-weapons/716691 "2015-04-03T14:49:32Z")
Is it possible to intentional contaminate (or poison) uranium 235 with another isotope that is impossible to remove, such that it prevents the 235U being used in weapons but still allows it to be uses as a fuel in power … --- ## [The Notorious Indiana Bill Just Signed Into Law--Other States Have It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-notorious-indiana-bill-just-signed-into-law-other-states-have-it/716109)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-notorious-indiana-bill-just-signed-into-law-other-states-have-it/716109 "2015-04-03T14:18:51Z")
The bill was modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but on NPR this morning a reporter casually mentioned in passing that twentysomething other states have passed “the law”, i.e., a state version of… --- ## [Do Australians not rinse their dishes after washing them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-australians-not-rinse-their-dishes-after-washing-them/716476)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-australians-not-rinse-their-dishes-after-washing-them/716476 "2015-04-03T09:25:11Z")
Here in California we are in the midst of the worse drought in history. I seem to recall that on these boards, someone had said that Australians do not rinse their dishes after handwashing. This struck me as rather weir… --- ## [4wheel drive on dry pavement. How long before it breaks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4wheel-drive-on-dry-pavement-how-long-before-it-breaks/716283)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4wheel-drive-on-dry-pavement-how-long-before-it-breaks/716283 "2015-04-03T07:59:27Z")
I’ve been told that if you lock your truck in 4 wheel drive and drive on dry pavement…“bad things happen”. The wheels bind up, something breaks and it’s just not a good thing to do. Roughly, how far can I drive before … --- ## [Clearance Items on Backorder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearance-items-on-backorder/716616)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearance-items-on-backorder/716616 "2015-04-03T06:08:22Z")
I just bought a suit for my son from Jos. A Bank’s clearance section. The price was very consistent with the clearance status, and it was also available in a very limited number of colors and sizes. But I then got an ema… --- ## [Website link mapper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-link-mapper/716686)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-link-mapper/716686 "2015-04-03T05:03:43Z")
I’m interested in what websites a specific web-site links to. Preferably in graphical format. I’d like to be able to specify the degrees of separation, e.g. 1 degree of separation would only show direct links from the w… --- ## [Can companies absolve themselves of all legal accountability?‏](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-companies-absolve-themselves-of-all-legal-accountability/716672)
**Author:** [@Tron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tron)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-companies-absolve-themselves-of-all-legal-accountability/716672 "2015-04-03T04:18:30Z")
All my life I’ve seen disclaimers supposedly absolving companies and individuals of any liability from their daily activities. Can companies really legally declare they’re not responsible for any damage, injury or neglig… --- ## [Buildings designed for earthquakes and tornadoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buildings-designed-for-earthquakes-and-tornadoes/716678)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buildings-designed-for-earthquakes-and-tornadoes/716678 "2015-04-03T03:42:47Z")
Most parts of the country that are likely to get severe earthquakes are not as likely to get severe tornadoes, and vice versa. If a building is designed to meet (for instance) the California earthquake code, will that m… --- ## [How is it even possible that there are Jews in Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258 "2015-04-03T02:53:12Z")
Does the government somehow differentiate between (and tolerate) local Jewish communities like the ones around Yazd from the Jews in Israel? And Iran’s hatred is more directed toward the state of Israel rather than dire… --- ## [Tier Seating for Instruction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tier-seating-for-instruction/716597)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tier-seating-for-instruction/716597 "2015-04-03T01:43:42Z")
Years ago, we (our career program) went to a stadium / tiered classroom design. Seemed to give students better sight-lines to the instructor and classroom aids. We now have the directive from a new master (TRADOC) that w… --- ## [The light from distant suns. A question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-light-from-distant-suns-a-question/716611)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-light-from-distant-suns-a-question/716611 "2015-04-03T01:21:25Z")
Just read a great news report on the discovery of what astronomers believe are precursor galaxies or proto-galactic cllusters from early in the history of the universe. This part prompts a question. Would it be possib… --- ## [Is the handling of the jury in the Kleiner Perkins v Pao case normal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-handling-of-the-jury-in-the-kleiner-perkins-v-pao-case-normal/716230)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2015, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-handling-of-the-jury-in-the-kleiner-perkins-v-pao-case-normal/716230 "2015-04-02T23:55:48Z")
Just read about the decision of Ellen Pao’s discrimination suit against Kleiner Perkins (in this article. And am puzzled by a couple of facts mentioned. According to the article, only “Nine out of twelve jurors must agr… --- ## ["Most self defense classes are ineffective because they fail to take surprise into account"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-self-defense-classes-are-ineffective-because-they-fail-to-take-surprise-into-account/716533)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-self-defense-classes-are-ineffective-because-they-fail-to-take-surprise-into-account/716533 "2015-04-02T22:52:47Z")
I once read that many self-defense courses are very ineffective in real-life situations because they fail to take the element of surprise into account - that is to say, it’s all well to learn self-defense techniques in a… --- ## [Homowners insurance reimbursements and income tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homowners-insurance-reimbursements-and-income-tax/716654)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homowners-insurance-reimbursements-and-income-tax/716654 "2015-04-02T22:44:14Z")
I had a house fire last fall and we just finally got our check for the contents of the home (we got a check for repairs in February). My question is, do I have to pay any (income or otherwise) tax on this money? I did c… --- ## [Metal finishing: what's a "nice" waviness spec for a grinding shop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-finishing-whats-a-nice-waviness-spec-for-a-grinding-shop/716620)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-finishing-whats-a-nice-waviness-spec-for-a-grinding-shop/716620 "2015-04-02T22:42:34Z")
I know, it depends. I’m having some stainless plates ground to 8 microinches Ra for use in testing thermal conduction in various engineering plastics coming in contact with the plates. In my opinion 8 microinches is a ni… --- ## [Lighten-Up A Dark PDF Scanned Image?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lighten-up-a-dark-pdf-scanned-image/716647)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lighten-up-a-dark-pdf-scanned-image/716647 "2015-04-02T22:04:26Z")
Does Adobe Professional or some other software product have the ability to lighten-up the background of a dark pdf scanned file? I’ve tried attacking this from the other side of the coin…re-scanning with the exposure se… --- ## [In the song 'Scotland the Brave,' what is a horseman's wheel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-scotland-the-brave-what-is-a-horsemans-wheel/716345)
**Author:** [@StarsApart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarsApart)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-scotland-the-brave-what-is-a-horsemans-wheel/716345 "2015-04-02T19:32:56Z")
Sorry, I wasn’t sure if this should be in Cafe Society or here. I heard John McDermott’s version of “Scotland the Brave” the other day and started wondering what a horseman’s wheel is, as in the lyrics Shivering are the… --- ## [Legally speaking, could a cop ticket themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-speaking-could-a-cop-ticket-themselves/716569)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-speaking-could-a-cop-ticket-themselves/716569 "2015-04-02T18:58:48Z")
I saw this CNN article. It got me thinking : what if the officer in question, instead of being angry and confrontational, had been honest. “You’re right. I probably forgot to use my blinker. Thanks for pointing that … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1138) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1140)