# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1176 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1177 --- ## [What is the oldest continuous government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-continuous-government/482791)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2015, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-continuous-government/482791 "2015-02-05T09:22:00Z")
I was reading a news story today in which Obama said, “We are a young country.” It got me thinking about how young the US really is. Sure, countries like France have had their name for longer–but France’s government ha… --- ## [Do you actually have the right to an attorney in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-have-the-right-to-an-attorney-in-the-usa/711586)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-have-the-right-to-an-attorney-in-the-usa/711586 "2015-02-05T03:16:08Z")
I’m gonna get flak for using Texas in my question, but as it is the state I’m most familiar with. At your arraignment if you do not already have an attorney you can apply for a public defender, this is very complicated … --- ## [1lb Salt 18 Cents, How Old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1lb-salt-18-cents-how-old/711752)
**Author:** [@richw211](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/richw211)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2015, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1lb-salt-18-cents-how-old/711752 "2015-02-05T02:48:51Z")
I was clearing out a family member’s kitchen last month and after I was done I took the non-opened, non-expired items to the local food bank. As I was handing one of the boxes to the volunteer, I noticed that the price … --- ## [Who pays for the asbestos/mesothelioma trust funds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-the-asbestos-mesothelioma-trust-funds/711826)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-the-asbestos-mesothelioma-trust-funds/711826 "2015-02-05T00:30:58Z")
Seen a lot of lawyer commercials talking about how billions have been set aside in trust funds for people with mesothelioma (and how you should call their law office to get a piece). Since there’s no such thing as free … --- ## [Pronunciation of name "Koch"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronunciation-of-name-koch/711422)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2015, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronunciation-of-name-koch/711422 "2015-02-05T00:06:24Z")
I’ve been confused about this. Does the last name “Koch” have all these possible pronunciations?: Coke Cotch Cock Cook ??? --- ## [Prolapse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prolapse/711779)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prolapse/711779 "2015-02-04T22:45:16Z")
It is possible to fart so hard you prolapse? --- ## [Wi fi boosters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-boosters/711821)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-boosters/711821 "2015-02-04T21:39:37Z")
I live in an assisted living facility that has a Wave Broadband acct. meant primarily for the first floor where admin. is located. However, you can get the wi fi signal on the second floor where I live. My ability to c… --- ## [Harnessing the Speed of shadows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harnessing-the-speed-of-shadows/711784)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harnessing-the-speed-of-shadows/711784 "2015-02-04T20:28:30Z")
(If this doesn’t belong in GQ move it accordingly. Thanks). I am researching for an article I intend to write, and I got lost in the thickets of hypothetical concepts. I have been reading about the speed of dark, or th… --- ## [Car Driver Is Arrested, Vehicle Is Impounded, There's Food In It. What Of The Food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-driver-is-arrested-vehicle-is-impounded-theres-food-in-it-what-of-the-food/711635)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-driver-is-arrested-vehicle-is-impounded-theres-food-in-it-what-of-the-food/711635 "2015-02-04T17:37:24Z")
Situation A: Cops arrest driver for whatever reason - say, drunk driving. In the back seat is a delicious pizza he just bought. Is it entered into evidence (and by “evidence” I mean “the employee break room back at the s… --- ## [What is the most humane way to get rid of rodents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-get-rid-of-rodents/711590)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-get-rid-of-rodents/711590 "2015-02-04T16:40:53Z")
I’m leaning strongly toward traditional neck snapper mouse traps, instant painless death. I think the humane live catch traps probably cause a lot of stress to the animal, and where the hell do you release rodents? Not … --- ## [Term for "don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-dont-piss-on-my-leg-and-tell-me-its-raining/711622)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-dont-piss-on-my-leg-and-tell-me-its-raining/711622 "2015-02-04T16:24:13Z")
We are going through the annual “reorganization” at work. No one at my (middle management) level believes it, but it’s not our decision. But leadership is giving us all the standard platitudes - “this will actually be … --- ## [What is the opposite of municipal annexation, and when does it happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-opposite-of-municipal-annexation-and-when-does-it-happen/711608)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-opposite-of-municipal-annexation-and-when-does-it-happen/711608 "2015-02-04T16:01:45Z")
Cities and other municipalities will sometimes annex nearby territory. There are a variety of reasons for this that we could discuss elsewhere if folks are interested. Do cities (or other municipalities) ever divest the… --- ## [POTUS wants to visit my home or business: Can I refuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-wants-to-visit-my-home-or-business-can-i-refuse/711703)
**Author:** [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-wants-to-visit-my-home-or-business-can-i-refuse/711703 "2015-02-04T14:07:57Z")
It’s 2017, Batson D. Belfry is the new POTUS, and is someone I loathe politically. For reasons unknown to me, a Secret Service advance team shows up at my home or business, announcing their intent to sweep the premises i… --- ## [We get power outages in the mornings. Any reason for this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-get-power-outages-in-the-mornings-any-reason-for-this/711067)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-get-power-outages-in-the-mornings-any-reason-for-this/711067 "2015-02-04T13:11:30Z")
This morning, as happens on a moderately regular basis (maybe every couple of months), I woke up to a blank clock-face, having had a power surge in the house. No biggie - just a matter of going and flipping the switch i… --- ## [Nickel-cadmium laptop battery subjected to hard impact force](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickel-cadmium-laptop-battery-subjected-to-hard-impact-force/711510)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickel-cadmium-laptop-battery-subjected-to-hard-impact-force/711510 "2015-02-04T03:49:48Z")
Nickel-cadmium laptop batteries are toxic, as are many other batteries, but how hard an impact force can they survive and not leak their toxic contents? Internet wisdom seems to be that “If you don’t see anything obviou… --- ## [Are there any figures once thought to be mythical, whose historicity was later proved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-figures-once-thought-to-be-mythical-whose-historicity-was-later-proved/711382)
**Author:** [@gracefulfatsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracefulfatsheba)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-figures-once-thought-to-be-mythical-whose-historicity-was-later-proved/711382 "2015-02-03T23:54:34Z")
Are there any figures once thought to be mythical, whose historicity was later proved by scholars? --- ## [How do you add money from your bank account to Paypal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-add-money-from-your-bank-account-to-paypal/711537)
**Author:** [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-add-money-from-your-bank-account-to-paypal/711537 "2015-02-03T23:40:36Z")
I have a Canadian bank account, and would like to put some money into Paypal from my bank account. I have done this successfully before, but they recently changed the site, and I’ve tried hard but can’t figure out how to… --- ## [How does Turkey defend Istanbul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-turkey-defend-istanbul/380447)
**Author:** [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-turkey-defend-istanbul/380447 "2015-02-03T23:08:09Z")
It’s Istanbul, not Constantinople… I read an article in the Travel section of today’s NY Times on Istanbul, and it got me thinking about the history of that fascinating city. Ever since Constantinople fell to the Turks… --- ## [British law and intellectual property](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-law-and-intellectual-property/711615)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-law-and-intellectual-property/711615 "2015-02-03T23:06:23Z")
I used the University of St. Andrews emblem in my webpage to link to the school. Now in the US I’m pretty sure that such use of a logo or emblem would fall under fair use under copyright law and I do not believe I would… --- ## [Deflategate, the Guy-Lussac law, Boyle, and scientific method](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deflategate-the-guy-lussac-law-boyle-and-scientific-method/711424)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deflategate-the-guy-lussac-law-boyle-and-scientific-method/711424 "2015-02-03T22:27:03Z")
GQ, not Games forum. According to science, as announced by HeadSmart Labs, and its lead investigator, presumably, Thomas Healy., the relationship between temperature and pressure is direct; as temperature decreases, pre… --- ## ["Parlour," "Drawing Room" and "Lounge" - What's the difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parlour-drawing-room-and-lounge-whats-the-difference/711170)
**Author:** [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parlour-drawing-room-and-lounge-whats-the-difference/711170 "2015-02-03T22:25:43Z")
I’ve heard these terms used in innumerable novels and movies. They all seem to be defined as “a room for entertaining guests” - but are the terms interchangeable or are there distinctions of form or function? --- ## [Two Pipe-Smoking Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pipe-smoking-questions/711411)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pipe-smoking-questions/711411 "2015-02-03T22:01:14Z")
This is research for a story I am trying to write… I’ve heard people say that a pipe makes a noise when you smoke it, sometimes described as a soft “bubbling” sound. Is this true? What happens if you try to smoke a pi… --- ## [If NASA announced that a massive solar flare was headed our way](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-nasa-announced-that-a-massive-solar-flare-was-headed-our-way/711489)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-nasa-announced-that-a-massive-solar-flare-was-headed-our-way/711489 "2015-02-03T21:44:02Z")
Could I use my oven as a Faraday Cage for my phone and laptop? --- ## [Why do people who suffer head trauma get stiff limbs immediately afterward?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-who-suffer-head-trauma-get-stiff-limbs-immediately-afterward/711729)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-who-suffer-head-trauma-get-stiff-limbs-immediately-afterward/711729 "2015-02-03T21:34:22Z")
I’ve noticed that people who get hit in the head badly tends to stiffen up. What is the mechanism of action? Does stiffening up indicate something in terms of the consequences of the head trauma? Examples: ACHTUNG! S… --- ## [Tax Return Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-return-question/711551)
**Author:** [@Brick\_Fisher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brick_Fisher)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-return-question/711551 "2015-02-03T20:57:38Z")
Because it’s tax season, I was just curious if it is more beneficial to be working with a CPA throughout the year and having a tax reduction specialist or choosing an option like TurboTax? I’m sure it varies depending on… --- ## [What's the maximum extent an airliner can be built out of composites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-maximum-extent-an-airliner-can-be-built-out-of-composites/711509)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-maximum-extent-an-airliner-can-be-built-out-of-composites/711509 "2015-02-03T17:42:08Z")
Composite-made airliners seem to be all the rage these days, being lightweight and saving fuel. I am assuming many airplane manufacturers are using composites as much as possible in designs in order to make the airplane… --- ## [mars versus bike tyers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-versus-bike-tyers/711292)
**Author:** [@thornyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thornyrose)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-versus-bike-tyers/711292 "2015-02-03T17:38:23Z")
When I was very young my grandma taught me how to repair and pump up my cycle tyers. Now many many years later the “tech” is exactly the same and I am teaching my friend’s grand kids how. If they can put those cute l… --- ## [Is it possible to improve your eyesight naturally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-improve-your-eyesight-naturally/667778)
**Author:** [@lazarus86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazarus86)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-improve-your-eyesight-naturally/667778 "2015-02-03T16:26:26Z")
I’m nearsighted and wear glasses all the time except for sleep and showering. I want LASIK but apparently my eyesight is still changing a bit so I have to hold off on it, at least for the next little while. Anyway, I h… --- ## [How to clean a smokey grease layer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-a-smokey-grease-layer/711628)
**Author:** [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-a-smokey-grease-layer/711628 "2015-02-03T15:21:59Z")
Our kitchen stove has a chimney for the oven that’s right under the white-painted display panel. Before there was a dim brown smudge there, from cooked on grease, I assume. A couple days ago I ran the self-cleaning mod… --- ## [Can anybody delete my account?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-delete-my-account/711701)
**Author:** [@ChocolateDonuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChocolateDonuts)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-delete-my-account/711701 "2015-02-03T13:55:12Z")
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