# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=20 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 21 --- ## [Congestion pricing: reduced air pollution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congestion-pricing-reduced-air-pollution/1018792)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congestion-pricing-reduced-air-pollution/1018792 "2026-01-05T18:43:20Z")
NYC’s congestion pricing has been in effect for about 5 months. Has there been a significant reduction in air pollution in lower Manhattan? Has there been an increase in air pollution in areas near the pricing zone? --- ## [In the U.S., when do attacks on another country become a "war" that has to be officially declared by Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-when-do-attacks-on-another-country-become-a-war-that-has-to-be-officially-declared-by-congress/1026312)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-when-do-attacks-on-another-country-become-a-war-that-has-to-be-officially-declared-by-congress/1026312 "2026-01-04T21:38:25Z")
As stated in the title. Is there an official “tipping point” that requires Congress to declare an official war and, if so, what is it? --- ## [Austen-related horse travel speed question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austen-related-horse-travel-speed-question/809454)
**Author:** [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austen-related-horse-travel-speed-question/809454 "2026-01-03T15:37:53Z")
I’ve been reading some Austen, and because I’m an engineer, I have a couple technical questions :smiley: In\*\*\* Persuasion\*\*\*, a family group travels from Uppercross to Lyme, a distance of 18 miles. How long would this… --- ## [Why don't Native American Reservations have legalized prostitution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-native-american-reservations-have-legalized-prostitution/287016)
**Author:** [@Roland\_Deschain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Deschain)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-native-american-reservations-have-legalized-prostitution/287016 "2026-01-03T14:23:08Z")
I meant to ask this as its own question, but screwed up and put it under the cigerette taxation thread. Anyway, is it because of moral opposition within the Native American cultures (I would think if nothing else that t… --- ## [Beyond General Relativity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beyond-general-relativity/1026015)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beyond-general-relativity/1026015 "2025-12-31T01:39:01Z")
Einstein formulated the Special Theory of Relativity to describe how an object moving near the speed of light undergoes three specific transformations: 1.Length contracts in the direction of travel. 2.Mass increases to… --- ## [Seeking to solve a cell phone in the car connectivity issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-to-solve-a-cell-phone-in-the-car-connectivity-issue/1025964)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-to-solve-a-cell-phone-in-the-car-connectivity-issue/1025964 "2025-12-30T18:01:24Z")
So. We have a car that allows the cell phones to connect via Bluetooth, but ONLY for cell calls. Cannot wirelessly send music or the sound of a Zoom meeting into the car’s audio system. Google is, as is more and more t… --- ## [Do police need a search warrant to investigate a crime scene?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-need-a-search-warrant-to-investigate-a-crime-scene/1025722)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-need-a-search-warrant-to-investigate-a-crime-scene/1025722 "2025-12-30T13:26:24Z")
In a story about the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, the New York Times says: Alan Hamilton, deputy police chief, said the L.A.P.D. was conducting a “death investigation.” He said that investigators were trying to o… --- ## [Reporting In US Criminal Trials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporting-in-us-criminal-trials/1026117)
**Author:** [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reporting-in-us-criminal-trials/1026117 "2025-12-29T18:08:50Z")
I stumbled upon a dubious “click bait” news story which might have been entirely fake. However if true seemed wrong to me. I checked with AI which said it was legally correct even though it seems wrong. I am not a lawyer… --- ## [On Pakistan, Islam and cannabis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-pakistan-islam-and-cannabis/1026085)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-pakistan-islam-and-cannabis/1026085 "2025-12-29T15:50:42Z")
In this video, two Pakistani Muslims eat cake that is broadly at as being made with cannabis. The guys get baked and have a good time. The comments are all over the place. Putting aside the matter that it … --- ## [Hayden AL -- why all the exclaves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hayden-al-why-all-the-exclaves/1026114)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hayden-al-why-all-the-exclaves/1026114 "2025-12-29T09:50:22Z")
Hayden AL is a town north of Birmingham. It seems to be composed of one main section and dozens of exclaves, including some within the neighboring town of Smoke Rise. The red dotted lines are the town boundaries. So w… --- ## [Spelling question involving the letter "d"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-question-involving-the-letter-d/1025432)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-question-involving-the-letter-d/1025432 "2025-12-29T00:00:45Z")
Why is there a “d” in “fridge” but not in “refrigerator”? --- ## [How does inheritance work if the beneficiary dies right after the decedent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-inheritance-work-if-the-beneficiary-dies-right-after-the-decedent/1025772)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-inheritance-work-if-the-beneficiary-dies-right-after-the-decedent/1025772 "2025-12-28T16:59:44Z")
Suppose there’s a short family tree with a mom, her son and daughter, and the daughter’s two adult children. Suppose mom’s will says the kids are to inherit her estate evenly, 50/50. Mom dies on November 1, and nobody … --- ## [What are some overlooked impacts of the industrial revolution on everyday lives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-overlooked-impacts-of-the-industrial-revolution-on-everyday-lives/1024833)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-overlooked-impacts-of-the-industrial-revolution-on-everyday-lives/1024833 "2025-12-27T21:07:14Z")
Any history book gives big ideas like ‘changing gender roles’ and ‘market revolution’, but I’m more curious about the minutiae of less-commonly discussed changes in the way people lived, say in the 1830s-60s. What are s… --- ## [Why can't I highlight and copy text?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-highlight-and-copy-text/1026092)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-highlight-and-copy-text/1026092 "2025-12-27T20:21:32Z")
I first noticed it on the Dope where I couldn’t highlight and hit Quote as I used to. Then I noticed I couldn’t highlight on random other sites, whether in Firefox or Chrome. What’s the deal - is there some new somethin… --- ## [How does taste work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-taste-work/1025858)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-taste-work/1025858 "2025-12-27T12:33:00Z")
How exactly does the sense of taste work? Let’s say you lick a sheet of pure elemental copper. What makes it taste like copper? Is your tongue actually stripping copper atoms off the sheet and somehow analyzing them…? T… --- ## [How to spot a potential arbitrage bet on the sportsbook apps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-spot-a-potential-arbitrage-bet-on-the-sportsbook-apps/1026037)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-spot-a-potential-arbitrage-bet-on-the-sportsbook-apps/1026037 "2025-12-27T02:02:31Z")
DISCLAIMER: I’m aware of all of the provisos, addenda, and other errata regarding the perils of trying to beat the sports books via arbitrage bets. I hold no delusions that I can make consistent money at this, and mostly… --- ## [How do you use a gift card that has money on it? More specifically...what happens when the balance is low?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-use-a-gift-card-that-has-money-on-it-more-specifically-what-happens-when-the-balance-is-low/1026041)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-use-a-gift-card-that-has-money-on-it-more-specifically-what-happens-when-the-balance-is-low/1026041 "2025-12-26T23:57:03Z")
I got a gift card for Christmas that is basically cash, but on something that works like a credit card. It is all activated and works like a credit card…easy enough. But what happens when you only have a few dollars le… --- ## [A New Name for Czech Republic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-name-for-czech-republic/3045)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-name-for-czech-republic/3045 "2025-12-26T23:55:57Z")
Why is there no short form? I mean we call it’s former partner Slovakia, not the Slovak Republic. Why not Czechia or Czechland? --- ## [Anyone still able to use iPods? (Classics, Shuffles, Nanos, etc)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-still-able-to-use-ipods-classics-shuffles-nanos-etc/1025924)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-still-able-to-use-ipods-classics-shuffles-nanos-etc/1025924 "2025-12-26T22:02:39Z")
I don’t believe in throwing away good technology that still works . . . Case in point, I have a 2005-era iPod Shuffle that still plays music, fitting into my pocket perfectly on my runs. I also have a 2006 iPod Classic,… --- ## [How can I kill calibri?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-kill-calibri/841788)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-kill-calibri/841788 "2025-12-26T17:43:02Z")
Calibri (the font) not Colibri (the moderator) - he can live; however Calibri. Must. DIE!!! I’ve changed it so that it’s not the default in Outlook, xl, & Word but that’s only for documents that I create. I can’t find … --- ## [When you owe far more in a civil judgment than you can pay, just how much does the court impoverish you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-owe-far-more-in-a-civil-judgment-than-you-can-pay-just-how-much-does-the-court-impoverish-you/1026050)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-owe-far-more-in-a-civil-judgment-than-you-can-pay-just-how-much-does-the-court-impoverish-you/1026050 "2025-12-26T16:14:43Z")
Yes, I know the answer to this is going to vary from state to state and judge to judge. But in a general sense… Say Mr. Flintstone is ordered to pay $100 million. Between his apartment on Park Avenue, his house in Malib… --- ## [Child perps in "slenderman" stabbing case to be tried as adults. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-perps-in-slenderman-stabbing-case-to-be-tried-as-adults-why/727588)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-perps-in-slenderman-stabbing-case-to-be-tried-as-adults-why/727588 "2025-12-26T05:44:47Z")
It’s being reported that the two 13YO girls charged in the ‘Slenderman’ stabbing case, who were 12 years old at the time of the incident, are going to be tried as adults for attempted murder. What is the legal basis/jus… --- ## [Tsunami question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-question/1025948)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-question/1025948 "2025-12-26T00:51:19Z")
I’m no expert on tsunamis but its my understanding that they are a fast moving wave caused by an earthquake that passes through the ocean and then results in a huge powerful wall of water that is created and breaks when … --- ## [Who typically did NOT go to church in the 1950s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-typically-did-not-go-to-church-in-the-1950s/1025971)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-typically-did-not-go-to-church-in-the-1950s/1025971 "2025-12-25T02:52:21Z")
A stereotype I’ve had of the past, received from various media, is that in North America, in more conservative times, i.e., up until the liberalization of society in the late 1960s and 1970s, almost everyone went to chur… --- ## [Extremely ignorant question about mandatory IRA withdrawals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-ignorant-question-about-mandatory-ira-withdrawals/1025915)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-ignorant-question-about-mandatory-ira-withdrawals/1025915 "2025-12-24T19:25:54Z")
So, this will be the first time I’ve withdrawn money from my IRA – the mandatory minimum requirement thing. I found various on-line calculator, fed them my birthdate and the not impressive total amount of my IRA (it’s s… --- ## [Anything I can or should do with realized long-term capital losses this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-i-can-or-should-do-with-realized-long-term-capital-losses-this-year/1025992)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-i-can-or-should-do-with-realized-long-term-capital-losses-this-year/1025992 "2025-12-24T17:19:54Z")
Due to some companies going private and some other long shots not working out, I have realized LTCL of about $10,000 this year. The rest of the portfolio, like most of America’s, is green but unrealized. I’ve also rece… --- ## [Insurance coverage for an accident while driving under the influence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-coverage-for-an-accident-while-driving-under-the-influence/1025805)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-coverage-for-an-accident-while-driving-under-the-influence/1025805 "2025-12-23T23:55:20Z")
A friend’s son in law was driving impaired. He rear ended a car and pushed that car into a second car. He failed a breath test and was arrested. He called his wife from jail and pleaded with her to not divorce him and… --- ## [How many roots are there in a square root?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-roots-are-there-in-a-square-root/1025864)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-roots-are-there-in-a-square-root/1025864 "2025-12-23T19:50:19Z")
I keep seeing ‘square root’ reels in one of my Facebook feeds. For example: √((82 + 82)/8). So: 64 + 64 = 128 128 ÷ 8 = 16 √16 = ± 4 I was taught that a square root can be positive or negative. 4 x 4 = 16, and -4 … --- ## [What is the difference between "The Mob" and the Mafia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-the-mob-and-the-mafia/50235)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-the-mob-and-the-mafia/50235 "2025-12-22T22:14:18Z")
So what is the difference? --- ## [Generator powered by car tire out there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generator-powered-by-car-tire-out-there/308341)
**Author:** [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generator-powered-by-car-tire-out-there/308341 "2025-12-22T20:44:39Z")
Is there something I can drive my trucks’ drive tires onto that I can generate mobil electricity with at idle? This would be a very quiet generator and maybe cheaper since it has no motor of its own and more reliable, I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=21)