# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=211 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 212 --- ## [Alex Jones and Contempt Fines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alex-jones-and-contempt-fines/962450)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alex-jones-and-contempt-fines/962450 "2022-04-28T22:51:34Z")
Jones had paid $75,000 in fines and finally appeared for deposition after ignoring a court order to appear. Now, his attorneys are moving to have the fines returned since he showed up. Is this normal procedure? How is it… --- ## [Does an oscilliscope do this thing I want it to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-oscilliscope-do-this-thing-i-want-it-to-do/963456)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-oscilliscope-do-this-thing-i-want-it-to-do/963456 "2022-04-28T21:31:04Z")
So, if I bought a moderately priced oscilliscope like this one would it be something I could take into a classroom, have kids (ages 8-12) make different sounds in front of it, and they would see different size/shape wave… --- ## [Sudden (within last couple days) network/internet connection issues on my PC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-within-last-couple-days-network-internet-connection-issues-on-my-pc/963179)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-within-last-couple-days-network-internet-connection-issues-on-my-pc/963179 "2022-04-28T21:06:24Z")
I’ve just recently noticed weird glitches when connecting to the internet with my main work PC, which is less than a year old and normally very speedy in all functions. Sometimes when I open a web page, I get a “page not… --- ## [Why are military ships so difficult to attack from distance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-military-ships-so-difficult-to-attack-from-distance/962882)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-military-ships-so-difficult-to-attack-from-distance/962882 "2022-04-28T20:38:18Z")
With the recent news that Ukrainian missiles were likely responsible for the sinking of the Moskva, I wonder why they simply couldn’t sink a few more? The ships are large and basically floating islands, correct? I coul… --- ## [Before the modern era, did people think female orgasm was necessary for conception?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-modern-era-did-people-think-female-orgasm-was-necessary-for-conception/963577)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-modern-era-did-people-think-female-orgasm-was-necessary-for-conception/963577 "2022-04-28T20:32:05Z")
An article on Titian’s Venus of Urbino (c. 1530s) reads, in part, After examining the contemporary literature, Goffen came to the conclusion that the Urbino Venus is actively masturbating. “Under most circumstances, th… --- ## [Can GPS successfully land a plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gps-successfully-land-a-plane/963463)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gps-successfully-land-a-plane/963463 "2022-04-28T16:05:50Z")
On my private plane I install the most accurate GPS unit a civilian can buy. I run it through a computer to calculate within the GPS range of accuracy the plane’s location, altitude, speed and heading. The computer has… --- ## [IRS payment of tax refunds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-payment-of-tax-refunds/963411)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-payment-of-tax-refunds/963411 "2022-04-28T13:49:06Z")
Last week at my credit union I noticed my IRS refund will show up tomorrow. Is this because they only send out so many refunds per day? Or maybe they only send out a total dollar amount each day? --- ## [American rocket engines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-rocket-engines/963569)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-rocket-engines/963569 "2022-04-28T07:38:36Z")
Paging @Stranger\_On\_A\_Train. With the hostilities in Ukraine, Russia is no longer supplying the United States with rocket engines. I’d always thought it a mistake to rely on Russia for engines and transportation, but m… --- ## [Do navies patrol lakes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-navies-patrol-lakes/963079)
**Author:** [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-navies-patrol-lakes/963079 "2022-04-28T07:06:10Z")
After reading about the sinking of the Russian ship Moskva in the Caspian Sea, a lake by any other name, I had to wonder how many countries have a military presence on inland bodies of water. I can’t imagine the US Navy… --- ## [Mutual Fund/Capital Gains Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mutual-fund-capital-gains-question/963515)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2022, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mutual-fund-capital-gains-question/963515 "2022-04-28T05:57:37Z")
I just got hit with a big tax bill after a fund I own took profits on several stocks. This prompts a hypothetical question. XYZ FUND purchased a particular stock in January for $20.00 per share. When an investor purchas… --- ## [Amazon environmental efficiency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-environmental-efficiency/963416)
**Author:** [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-environmental-efficiency/963416 "2022-04-27T20:24:40Z")
My wife and I were wondering about the energy differences between Amazon delivering our packages (along with all their customers), vs the fuel efficiency of all of us traveling to different stores and personally buying o… --- ## [What is an NFT?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-nft/958801)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-nft/958801 "2022-04-27T18:09:28Z")
Please explain it like I’m 5. I think it’s some kind of digital ownership of an image, but I don’t get what sets it apart from a copyright. Apparently someone recently paid $475,000 for the NFT of this MEME. Why? --- ## [Javelin missile launcher: what are the fore/aft rings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/javelin-missile-launcher-what-are-the-fore-aft-rings/963555)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/javelin-missile-launcher-what-are-the-fore-aft-rings/963555 "2022-04-27T17:59:01Z")
The launch tube for a Javelin missile features a large black ring on either end of the tube. Pictures show the front ring missing during launch, but the rear ring still in place. That suggests the front ring at least i… --- ## [Who has the authority to arrest an individual?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-authority-to-arrest-an-individual/963532)
**Author:** [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-authority-to-arrest-an-individual/963532 "2022-04-27T13:46:18Z")
With the recent flying stunt of Trevor Jacob, it was reported that the F.A.A. revoked his pilot’s license, but they don’t have the authority to arrest him. Assuming that Trevor did commit a crime with his flying stunt (… --- ## [Independence movements with true intentions of joining another country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independence-movements-with-true-intentions-of-joining-another-country/963474)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independence-movements-with-true-intentions-of-joining-another-country/963474 "2022-04-27T09:02:28Z")
AFAICT, Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic, the two breakaway regions of Ukraine, seem to have been formed with the ultimate intention of joining Russia. What other places have done the same? That i… --- ## [iPhone sends txt messages to my Android-using friend's desk telephone instead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-sends-txt-messages-to-my-android-using-friends-desk-telephone-instead/963475)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-sends-txt-messages-to-my-android-using-friends-desk-telephone-instead/963475 "2022-04-27T08:01:28Z")
My best friend has an Android phone and my iPhone is newly incapable of playing nice with it. When I send her a txt message, even in reply to a txt she just sent from her phone, it uses an old obsolete phone number for h… --- ## [Are “fake homeless” really a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fake-homeless-really-a-thing/962897)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fake-homeless-really-a-thing/962897 "2022-04-27T01:10:06Z")
I’ve heard stories about people asking for handouts who are just doing it for money, not out of need, and who are actually making decent money by doing so. Allegedly they don’t have anything preventing them from getting … --- ## [Why does it get hot in a car even when it's cool outside and all heat is turned off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-get-hot-in-a-car-even-when-its-cool-outside-and-all-heat-is-turned-off/962700)
**Author:** [@TheUser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUser)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2022, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-get-hot-in-a-car-even-when-its-cool-outside-and-all-heat-is-turned-off/962700 "2022-04-27T00:48:01Z")
Often when I drive in the daytime, it’s cool outside (50° F = 10° C) and all heat is turned off, but there are “pockets of heat” that I feel intently on my face and clothes. Sometimes my ear will feel very hot, or a cert… --- ## [12,000 US Civilians Died In WWII? What?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-000-us-civilians-died-in-wwii-what/963264)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2022, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-000-us-civilians-died-in-wwii-what/963264 "2022-04-26T23:54:13Z")
This source says that estimates are that around 12,000 U.S. civilians died during World War II. Excuse me… WHAT??? By my math, a few dozen civilians died at Pearl Harbor, and … that’s it. What few attacks that took plac… --- ## [Netflix Password sharing crackdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-password-sharing-crackdown/963144)
**Author:** [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2022, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-password-sharing-crackdown/963144 "2022-04-26T16:43:44Z")
Netflix lost a lot of subscribers and is now talking about cracking down on password sharing with people who don’t live in the subscriber’s household. What I can’t figure out is which group of people they will be trying… --- ## [Legality of exception for cops re: legal weed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-exception-for-cops-re-legal-weed/963318)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-exception-for-cops-re-legal-weed/963318 "2022-04-26T05:00:55Z")
The sale of recreational weed just became a matter of fact in New Jersey. The State Attorney General issued an opinion that said employers, including police departments, may not impose negative consequences on employees … --- ## [In a state with legal recreational cannabis, could a bar sell edibles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-state-with-legal-recreational-cannabis-could-a-bar-sell-edibles/963321)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2022, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-state-with-legal-recreational-cannabis-could-a-bar-sell-edibles/963321 "2022-04-26T00:28:30Z")
Just this - they sell intoxicating substances as a business. Could they add edibles to their list of libations? How close are we to such a situation? --- ## [How often is a defense attorney the deciding factor between conviction and acquittal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-is-a-defense-attorney-the-deciding-factor-between-conviction-and-acquittal/961858)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-is-a-defense-attorney-the-deciding-factor-between-conviction-and-acquittal/961858 "2022-04-26T00:15:07Z")
This answer may get so IMHO-ish that the mods will move it, let them: IANAL, but the impression I get is that usually, when someone is charged with a crime, the evidence is so overwhelming that the defense attorney is m… --- ## [Donating eye glasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-eye-glasses/963354)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-eye-glasses/963354 "2022-04-25T20:22:36Z")
Occasionally i see a drop box for donation your no longer needed prescription eye glasses, I think the Lions Club does this. As I get safety glasses from work along with regular at home glasses I now have a box of eye g… --- ## [What is this person putting up to her mouth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-person-putting-up-to-her-mouth/963433)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-person-putting-up-to-her-mouth/963433 "2022-04-25T20:21:11Z")
We’ve been watching the civil proceedings against MTG, and all throughout, this woman to the judge’s right (the court clerk, I assume) has been continually raising a device to her mouth. Can anyone tell me what it is? --- ## [Why are driver’s licenses valid across state lines but not hunting and fishing licenses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336 "2022-04-25T20:21:00Z")
I can drive anywhere in the US with my Oklahoma DL but if I want to fish in Texas, I have to buy a license. My Oklahoma fishing license is useless there. Is there some federal law that requires each state to recognize ea… --- ## [How did banking work in ancient times (think Rome circa 50 BC so Caesar, Pompey, Crassus and so on)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-banking-work-in-ancient-times-think-rome-circa-50-bc-so-caesar-pompey-crassus-and-so-on/963393)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-banking-work-in-ancient-times-think-rome-circa-50-bc-so-caesar-pompey-crassus-and-so-on/963393 "2022-04-25T20:16:10Z")
We often hear about people like Caesar and Pompey and Crassus were super-wealthy. They would conquer various regions and then those regions would send tax money to Rome and…somehow…make those guys (and others like them)… --- ## [A question about the Book of Revelation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-book-of-revelation/963365)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2022, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-the-book-of-revelation/963365 "2022-04-25T17:12:30Z")
From Revelation 1:4 “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the … --- ## [Solution to the Falkland Islands crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solution-to-the-falkland-islands-crisis/962901)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2022, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solution-to-the-falkland-islands-crisis/962901 "2022-04-25T10:54:04Z")
Secret CIA documents show the US had plans to either give the Falkland Islands to Argentina and repatriate the islanders to Scotland or allow them become Argentine citizens because the spy agency thought the UK would los… --- ## [What howitzers are the U.S. giving to Ukraine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-howitzers-are-the-u-s-giving-to-ukraine/963084)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2022, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-howitzers-are-the-u-s-giving-to-ukraine/963084 "2022-04-25T02:23:53Z")
From here: The U.S. will provide Ukraine ‘18 155 mm Howitzer cannons.’ What kind? They made like 10,000 M114 howitzers between 1941 and 1953. Some of them are still being used somewhere. Probably not them though, as … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=210) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=212)