# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=232 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 233 --- ## [Did the USSR have a Coast Guard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-ussr-have-a-coast-guard/957664)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-ussr-have-a-coast-guard/957664 "2022-01-14T17:15:45Z")
The term “coast guard” means different things to different nations. I am asking for a comparison to the US Coast Guard. --- ## [Did I just see Sea Lions in my little retention pond?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-just-see-sea-lions-in-my-little-retention-pond/621108)
**Author:** [@UMBrynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UMBrynn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-just-see-sea-lions-in-my-little-retention-pond/621108 "2022-01-14T16:32:06Z")
It’s on a defunct golf course. I saw two of them, whiskers, similar body type…they were mostly submerged, but flipped forward like Sea Lions would do (or Seals, can’t say I am an expert in the subject). It is a retenti… --- ## [A diplomat's child is not a citizen of their country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-diplomats-child-is-not-a-citizen-of-their-country/957734)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-diplomats-child-is-not-a-citizen-of-their-country/957734 "2022-01-14T14:52:20Z")
In another thread this was shared: “Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a person born in the U.S. to an accredited foreign diplomatic officer is not subject to U.S. law and is not automatically considered a U.S. c… --- ## [The Vaudeville Hook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vaudeville-hook/957640)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vaudeville-hook/957640 "2022-01-14T07:00:01Z")
We are all familiar, I think, with the cliché of the vaudeville-era performer who overstays his welcome on stage, or irritates or offends the audience and/or the theater’s management, and is summarily removed from said s… --- ## [What are the little wings on the rear of a battleship turret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-wings-on-the-rear-of-a-battleship-turret/957504)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-wings-on-the-rear-of-a-battleship-turret/957504 "2022-01-14T01:07:53Z")
I recently got back into scale modelling and I find battleships fascinating, so I have finished a model of HMS PRince of Wales, and am mostly done Yamato. Both ships have main gun turrets that have - and I don’t know wh… --- ## [Are diesel engines more reliable than gasoline engines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-diesel-engines-more-reliable-than-gasoline-engines/956689)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-diesel-engines-more-reliable-than-gasoline-engines/956689 "2022-01-13T20:46:54Z")
I was watching a video about the US military adopting the JLTV to replace some of its Humvee fleet. Being a military vehicle of this sort reliability is an important design feature. They said it was using a diesel engi… --- ## [How is vanilla extract NOT an alcoholic beverage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-vanilla-extract-not-an-alcoholic-beverage/957457)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-vanilla-extract-not-an-alcoholic-beverage/957457 "2022-01-13T19:53:05Z")
Vanilla extract is around 35% alcohol. If it were sold as a beverage, it would qualify as hard liquor. How is this stuff not subject to the Federal alcohol excise tax? How can you legally drive around with an open bot… --- ## [How often do the Feds give "target letters," and why would they tip off a suspect this way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-the-feds-give-target-letters-and-why-would-they-tip-off-a-suspect-this-way/957693)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-the-feds-give-target-letters-and-why-would-they-tip-off-a-suspect-this-way/957693 "2022-01-13T15:17:20Z")
Seems like a “target letter” is just a blatant tipoff to a suspect that he or she should flee or go into hiding. Unless…the idea is that the suspect is only being accused of a relatively minor crime, and hence is better … --- ## [FQ about reality law enforcement TV shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fq-about-reality-law-enforcement-tv-shows/957497)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fq-about-reality-law-enforcement-tv-shows/957497 "2022-01-13T14:07:55Z")
I watch “Lone Star Law” a lot. It follows game wardens around Texas. How much is real and how much is re-enacted or scripted, I have no idea. Whenever they issue a citation, they always say (paraphrased), “Sign here. Thi… --- ## [Drivers and red-lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-and-red-lights/957262)
**Author:** [@Sal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-and-red-lights/957262 "2022-01-12T20:49:25Z")
When we started driving you’d get a ticket for running a red-light. Now it’s comman to see 4 drivers run after it’s completely red. Cops too. Wonder what statistics are on accidents due to this? --- ## [Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos: where'd the money go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-whered-the-money-go/957166)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-whered-the-money-go/957166 "2022-01-12T17:40:03Z")
According to Wikipedia, Theranos collected over $700M in funding from investors. Where did all the money go? Employee salaries? Did they actually spend a significant amount of money pursuing their new technology? Did … --- ## [Acid Attacks and Dowries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acid-attacks-and-dowries/957591)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acid-attacks-and-dowries/957591 "2022-01-12T15:25:20Z")
It appears that a number of acid attacks against women are motivated by dowry demands, such as in this example. In my mind, a dowry is something that’s settled before the marriage ceremony. Man (and/or his family) agree… --- ## [Hooking up a Smart TV. Is it the same as a Computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooking-up-a-smart-tv-is-it-the-same-as-a-computer/957560)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooking-up-a-smart-tv-is-it-the-same-as-a-computer/957560 "2022-01-12T15:12:11Z")
I have DirecTV in my living room. The box is connected to the Dish by coax. The box also connects to my wireless network for software updates. It would be very difficult to snake coax into my bedroom. There’s a vaulted … --- ## [Recommend a good ecommerce platform for a small business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-ecommerce-platform-for-a-small-business/917403)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-ecommerce-platform-for-a-small-business/917403 "2020-08-11T23:21:40Z")
I’m a front-end web dev / designer who occasionally does freelance work. Someone I built a website for has an associate who wants an ecommerce site, and he’s asking me if I want to take on the project. I’m strictly a fro… --- ## [What is this “rocket” thingie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-rocket-thingie/956612)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-rocket-thingie/956612 "2022-01-12T01:57:30Z")
Maybe my Google-fu is shoddy but I couldn’t find out anything about it. It seems as though someone spent some coin for a pretty weak turnout. Does anyone know what this is and what’s it’s purpose is? And does the spinnin… --- ## [Chinese translation help, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-help-please/957221)
**Author:** [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-help-please/957221 "2022-01-12T00:36:32Z")
Don’t know what flavor of Chinese. Or even if it is Chinese. Going by the pictograph, I’m guessing it says something like “Don’t touch my Gundam/Transformer action figures or I will hit you with a baseball bat.” But wh… --- ## [What do credit card companies report to the IRS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-credit-card-companies-report-to-the-irs/957002)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-credit-card-companies-report-to-the-irs/957002 "2022-01-11T22:52:00Z")
Say someone owes 15K to their credit card. Every day they send a $900 money order in as payment. Every day they do this for weeks until the debt is paid off. Does this kind of odd thing raise red flags? If so, what ha… --- ## [Dental Cement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-cement/957526)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-cement/957526 "2022-01-11T21:14:11Z")
That stuff has to be extremely strong, to withstand the constant pressure on it. What is it, and why isn’t it sold commercially for other purposes? Or is it? \[My father had a problem with a crown constantly falling off,… --- ## [The FBI and "John Doe 27"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbi-and-john-doe-27/705471)
**Author:** [@Vashbul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vashbul)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbi-and-john-doe-27/705471 "2022-01-11T20:32:00Z")
Just a little over a year ago a story that the FBI was looking for a man they called “John Doe 27” circulated in the national press. I read about it first in Slate. A day or two later, the FBI released a statement that … --- ## [What was the draft of Mississippi riverboats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-draft-of-mississippi-riverboats/957435)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-draft-of-mississippi-riverboats/957435 "2022-01-11T20:17:25Z")
‘Mark twain! Safe water!’ was the call that riverboat pilots liked to hear. If a depth of 12 feet was safe, what was the draft of Mississippi riverboats? --- ## [What happens to illegal material if it was illegally seized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-illegal-material-if-it-was-illegally-seized/957476)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-illegal-material-if-it-was-illegally-seized/957476 "2022-01-11T18:06:11Z")
If someone had something that just the possession of was illegal, but a court determined that the government illegally seized it, similar to a “fruit of the poisonous tree” deal. If the person can’t possess it, yet it w… --- ## [Can A US Citizen Be Denied Entry Into the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-citizen-be-denied-entry-into-the-us/957524)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-citizen-be-denied-entry-into-the-us/957524 "2022-01-11T17:38:14Z")
A friend of my mother is a Polish immigrant to the US who is now a citizen. “Greta” is flying back to Poland to visit her ailing mother, but she’s terrified that Customs will find a reason not to let her back in. I say t… --- ## [Capitalization of "Belgian Army"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalization-of-belgian-army/957424)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalization-of-belgian-army/957424 "2022-01-11T15:43:05Z")
It seems to me the rules on capitalization are changing. I am all in favor of it myself. I have long held that capitalizing random nouns is a holdover from German. Now the New York Times and professionally-edited books a… --- ## [Foundations for structures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundations-for-structures/956103)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundations-for-structures/956103 "2022-01-11T14:30:29Z")
How can we be sure foundations don’t move over time? I understand that if is resting on solid rock, it will pretty much stay in place, but what if is resting on something less solid? Is there a point where the foundatio… --- ## [How close can an Extinction Level Event Asteroid get to Earth but cause no harm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-an-extinction-level-event-asteroid-get-to-earth-but-cause-no-harm/957540)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-an-extinction-level-event-asteroid-get-to-earth-but-cause-no-harm/957540 "2022-01-11T13:04:43Z")
Title pretty much says it. How close could a extinction-size Asteroid (or Comet) get to Earth, but without causing any/or very minimal harm to Earth/living things on it. Meaning, it would come close, but entirely miss … --- ## [French translation s'il te plaît](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-translation-sil-te-plait/957527)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-translation-sil-te-plait/957527 "2022-01-11T06:04:08Z")
I buy things from a French site occasionally and automatically translate the pages. But this comment does not make sense using Google translate. “Ceci est une critique, pas une question, à 180 balles, vous auriez pu fai… --- ## [Mac/ Gmail sync nightmare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-gmail-sync-nightmare/957495)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-gmail-sync-nightmare/957495 "2022-01-11T04:13:25Z")
On Mac OSX-11.6 Big Sur. Never had this problem before, quite stymied. I use Gmail. Never had a problem synching the Gmail into my Mac. Never. Haven’t done an update to the OS, though one is being offered to me today. … --- ## [Excel question - sorting dates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-sorting-dates/957485)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-sorting-dates/957485 "2022-01-11T03:13:49Z")
I am a very basic Excel user, so keep that in mind. :slight\_smile: I have created a spreadsheet of all family birthdays and anniversaries. I want to be able to sort it chronologically, but also, sometimes, like a calen… --- ## [Information loss in theoretical physics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-loss-in-theoretical-physics/956503)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-loss-in-theoretical-physics/956503 "2022-01-11T00:19:24Z")
Continuing the discussion from Lack of Freewill doesn't mean lack of choice: Okay, I’m imagining a theoretical universe with only two particles of equal mass, at rest and touching each other. At some point in that un… --- ## [Could cryogenic stasis theoretically work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cryogenic-stasis-theoretically-work/957446)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cryogenic-stasis-theoretically-work/957446 "2022-01-10T22:49:53Z")
Cryogenic stasis has been a staple of sci-fi for decades. A person goes into deep freeze, comes out some time later, hasn’t aged a day. Sometimes it’s used for long prison sentences, or long-term space transportation. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=231) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=233)