# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=326 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 327 --- ## [Debating tactics, false arguments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debating-tactics-false-arguments/922357)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debating-tactics-false-arguments/922357 "2020-10-09T08:55:10Z")
What is the false argument debate tactics of calling someone a ‘hater’ in order to shut down their viewpoint? --- ## [What Happens When A Car Gets Stuck In Those Impossibly-Narrow European Streets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-a-car-gets-stuck-in-those-impossibly-narrow-european-streets/919961)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-a-car-gets-stuck-in-those-impossibly-narrow-european-streets/919961 "2020-10-09T08:34:53Z")
You know how in a lot of European cities there are places where some streets are only a meter or so wide? What happens when a car gets stuck – such as by a lost traveler, someone who thought they could make it but couldn… --- ## [Arrest warrants that are actively executed versus passively executed in the USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrest-warrants-that-are-actively-executed-versus-passively-executed-in-the-usa/922228)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2020, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrest-warrants-that-are-actively-executed-versus-passively-executed-in-the-usa/922228 "2020-10-09T04:51:56Z")
I was under the impression that when authorities in the U.S. have an arrest warrant, they then execute it quite quickly (i.e. go to the person’s home and arrest him/her right there,) but apparently there are warrants tha… --- ## [If Trump should die, would Pence have to make a new nomination to SCOTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-should-die-would-pence-have-to-make-a-new-nomination-to-scotus/922208)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2020, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-should-die-would-pence-have-to-make-a-new-nomination-to-scotus/922208 "2020-10-09T04:44:17Z")
If Trump should die before his nominee to SCOTUS is confirmed, would Pence, as the new president, have to or be entitled to make a new nomination to fill the empty seat? I suppose he could let Barrett’s nomination stand… --- ## [How would/could a sitting President be involuntarily committed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-could-a-sitting-president-be-involuntarily-committed/922537)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-could-a-sitting-president-be-involuntarily-committed/922537 "2020-10-09T02:13:47Z")
I’m not asking about suspending the President’s powers; assume section 4 of the 25th amendment has been invoked and the Vice-President is Acting President. So now the President can’t exercise any powers pending a vote i… --- ## [Some help understanding Illinois v. Gates (1983)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-help-understanding-illinois-v-gates-1983/922470)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-help-understanding-illinois-v-gates-1983/922470 "2020-10-09T01:35:05Z")
AIUI, the ruling in Illinois v. Gates was that “totality of circumstances applies,” which is that if the cops have an anonymous tipster plus some information that corroborates the tip, then they have probable cause to pr… --- ## [Question about building a floating deck with concrete support blocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-building-a-floating-deck-with-concrete-support-blocks/922511)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-building-a-floating-deck-with-concrete-support-blocks/922511 "2020-10-09T01:13:09Z")
So I am building a ground-level deck, following this video more or less. I got enough of those concrete support blocks with notches at the top to hold the joists in place, to put one at each corner, one between every two… --- ## [When I click "To" in Outlook I see contacts only from one account](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-click-to-in-outlook-i-see-contacts-only-from-one-account/922519)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-click-to-in-outlook-i-see-contacts-only-from-one-account/922519 "2020-10-08T23:58:07Z")
I have been Googling this for 20 minutes and finding related but different issues. I even found an old post of mine here from 2012 with a related but different question. When I create a new email, I can click the “To” b… --- ## ["My grandfather arrived in the US with only $X in his pocket", how literally true was this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-grandfather-arrived-in-the-us-with-only-x-in-his-pocket-how-literally-true-was-this/921681)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-grandfather-arrived-in-the-us-with-only-x-in-his-pocket-how-literally-true-was-this/921681 "2020-10-08T23:50:31Z")
It’s an extremely common trope of people saying that their ancestors arrived in America with only some tiny amount of money in their pockets. eg: Wolf Glosser, who reportedly fled Belarus and landed in New York aboard th… --- ## [Bill Clinton playing sax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-playing-sax/515681)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-playing-sax/515681 "2020-10-08T20:48:07Z")
I’m looking for a video of the time Bill Clinton went on late night TV and played the saxophone while wearing sunglasses. I believe the song was 'Heartbreak Hotel" I’ve found discussion of the incident, but I can’t fin… --- ## [What the oldest historical figure someone alive today can claim descent and a name from](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-oldest-historical-figure-someone-alive-today-can-claim-descent-and-a-name-from/921196)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-oldest-historical-figure-someone-alive-today-can-claim-descent-and-a-name-from/921196 "2020-10-08T20:31:17Z")
So I’m reading about the Glorious Revolution in Britain in the 1680s at the moment and one the things I notice is how many of the major figures are direct descendents of people alive today who have inherited their name. … --- ## [Why are flies attracted to people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-flies-attracted-to-people/917830)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-flies-attracted-to-people/917830 "2020-10-08T19:37:10Z")
What’s the deal with these flies who keeping coming back at people, who need to shoo them away again and again? What are the flies after? --- ## [Has Listenership Of Terrestrial Radio Gone Down Now That Satellite Radio, Streaming Are Things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-listenership-of-terrestrial-radio-gone-down-now-that-satellite-radio-streaming-are-things/922348)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-listenership-of-terrestrial-radio-gone-down-now-that-satellite-radio-streaming-are-things/922348 "2020-10-08T16:48:20Z")
I can’t imagine that the old AM/FM model of providing content to listeners is the same as it was two decades ago, with the advent of streaming and satellite radio. Anyone familiar with the numbers able to provide an ans… --- ## [Most top military leaders quarantined historically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-top-military-leaders-quarantined-historically/922453)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-top-military-leaders-quarantined-historically/922453 "2020-10-08T15:10:15Z")
I feel like the current situation where all but one of the US Joint Chiefs of staff are in quarantine is unprecedented. Has there been a similar incident in the past, either for the literal US joint Chiefs or for a simil… --- ## [Advice needed: Sound dampening a motor in a model rocketship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-sound-dampening-a-motor-in-a-model-rocketship/921180)
**Author:** [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-sound-dampening-a-motor-in-a-model-rocketship/921180 "2020-10-08T08:04:41Z")
My latest model project is a classic-style rocketship with a rotating ring for artificial gravity. The ring is driven by a little 9V motor and gearbox. The last time I used one of these motor/gearbox units was in a Mec… --- ## [Is a nine point difference in cholesterol significant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-nine-point-difference-in-cholesterol-significant/922359)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-nine-point-difference-in-cholesterol-significant/922359 "2020-10-08T02:20:35Z")
Last year’s checkup found my cholesterol a tad above 200, so I decided to watch what I eat more closely. Today it’s back under 200, but I noted from my previous results that I was still nine points lower two years ago. H… --- ## [Forms of Valid ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forms-of-valid-id/922441)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forms-of-valid-id/922441 "2020-10-07T19:59:05Z")
Why is a driver’s license which is no longer valid for driving not valid for identification? If the picture still looks like you, why isn’t it valid to identify you? (I was reading a story about being carded for alcoho… --- ## [Why is bird poop mostly white?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bird-poop-mostly-white/922370)
**Author:** [@Hands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hands)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bird-poop-mostly-white/922370 "2020-10-07T19:29:49Z")
Why is bird poop mostly white? --- ## [Help identifying language, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-language-please/922300)
**Author:** [@bicycleguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bicycleguy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-language-please/922300 "2020-10-07T19:05:33Z")
My brother filled out a form, in English, at the hospital he works at. Somehow, it was translated into another language. We have no idea what language it is, so I’m turning to the S… --- ## [Is the coin shortage happening everywhere, or just in the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-coin-shortage-happening-everywhere-or-just-in-the-united-states/916762)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-coin-shortage-happening-everywhere-or-just-in-the-united-states/916762 "2020-10-07T19:00:12Z")
(Inspired by @kayaker’s recent related thread) So, it now appears to be an established fact that there is a nationwide coin shortage. I’d been wondering why all of the self-serve checkout terminals, in all of the local… --- ## [How do I sync the Google calendar of two separate Google accounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-sync-the-google-calendar-of-two-separate-google-accounts/922374)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-sync-the-google-calendar-of-two-separate-google-accounts/922374 "2020-10-07T15:04:45Z")
My mother and I have two separate Google accounts and two separate Androids. I’m getting tired of having to go through the weekly ritual of manually syncing our calendars by reading events out loud. How do I sync the tw… --- ## [Arabic word question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arabic-word-question/922311)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arabic-word-question/922311 "2020-10-07T13:08:18Z")
What is the difference between the rather similar-looking words بنت and ابنة (daughter)? --- ## [What's the difference between "Menti" and "Mentimeter"? (online presentation service)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-menti-and-mentimeter-online-presentation-service/922411)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-menti-and-mentimeter-online-presentation-service/922411 "2020-10-07T12:12:57Z")
I’m told to “add Mentis” to online courses I teach, which requires my IT department to set me up to do so through some anonymous automated process. The person submitting my request said they could give me either “Menti” … --- ## [Origin of 'Religion' and "Funeral'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-religion-and-funeral/922405)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-religion-and-funeral/922405 "2020-10-07T10:52:23Z")
All that I know, is that ‘religion’ is ultimately derived from the Latin word religere, meaning to tie back. And ‘funeral’ apparently ultimately derives from the Latin word for rake. Why? Because that is where the dictio… --- ## [Senate pro-forma sessions (where they pretend to be in sessions but are not). Can any senator demand a quorum call?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-pro-forma-sessions-where-they-pretend-to-be-in-sessions-but-are-not-can-any-senator-demand-a-quorum-call/922077)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-pro-forma-sessions-where-they-pretend-to-be-in-sessions-but-are-not-can-any-senator-demand-a-quorum-call/922077 "2020-10-07T08:40:17Z")
The US Senate has been using pro-forma sessions to pretend they are not in recess for several years now. Short version is the senate takes time off which is a recess. Presidents can appoint people in a recess so the se… --- ## [Hybrid electric cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-electric-cars/922099)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-electric-cars/922099 "2020-10-07T06:34:17Z")
A hybrid car basically has an IC engine which can drive the car directly and also charge the battery. I have seen claims of 80+ mpg with this system, but I am puzzled. If all the energy comes from an IC engine and it ta… --- ## [Worldwide long north-south transportation routes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worldwide-long-north-south-transportation-routes/922260)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worldwide-long-north-south-transportation-routes/922260 "2020-10-07T06:12:07Z")
There have been threads about longest flights etc. - but they are almost all in an east-west direction. How about north-south (or reasonably close)? Air: longest N/S nonstop flight? Toronto-Buenos Aires is 11.5 hours. … --- ## [Is there some way to see a car's options through the VIN or other method?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-way-to-see-a-cars-options-through-the-vin-or-other-method/922105)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-way-to-see-a-cars-options-through-the-vin-or-other-method/922105 "2020-10-07T02:45:24Z")
I’m car shopping. Some of the cars I’m interested in having some extra that are important to me, like rear sensing (beeps as you get closer and closer to something behind you), stop and go adaptive cruise control, upgrad… --- ## [How much water is lost in "real" weight loss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-water-is-lost-in-real-weight-loss/921991)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-water-is-lost-in-real-weight-loss/921991 "2020-10-06T23:23:21Z")
I’ve tried Google, and the more specialized Reddit subs have posting requirements that border on shibboleths. I can’t get in there. I’ve done the math, and the person who goes to a fitness center boot camp for an hour a… --- ## [Adjectival Form of 'Venus'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adjectival-form-of-venus/920683)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adjectival-form-of-venus/920683 "2020-10-06T22:23:01Z")
A recent article on the planet Venus got me thinking. What is the proper adjective of Venu? Popularly it is assumed to be ‘Venusian’. This article has it as ‘Venutian’. I thought I heard it once as Venerean. But I’m not… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=325) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=327)