# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=334 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 335 --- ## [What happened to the people taken into "unmarked vans"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-people-taken-into-unmarked-vans/919647)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2020, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-people-taken-into-unmarked-vans/919647 "2020-09-03T02:30:42Z")
A few weeks ago there were reports that men in uniforms with no insignia were taking protesters in Portland into custody in unmarked vans. Have those protesters been identified? What happened to them? Were they arreste… --- ## [Does corpus delicti apply to probable cause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-corpus-delicti-apply-to-probable-cause/919329)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-corpus-delicti-apply-to-probable-cause/919329 "2020-09-03T01:43:30Z")
I know that corpus delicti (‘the body of the case’) has to apply in an actual trial, in order for there to be a conviction. But is there a watered-down version of this at play in arrest or pre-arraignment? (‘probably ca… --- ## [What is the angle for these fake entries to my web sites contact page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-angle-for-these-fake-entries-to-my-web-sites-contact-page/919658)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-angle-for-these-fake-entries-to-my-web-sites-contact-page/919658 "2020-09-03T00:41:50Z")
I have a web site for one of my jazz groups, and it has a Contact page where you can send us a message and optionally sign up for our mailing list. Over the last few months I have gotten maybe four spammy messages. But t… --- ## [Is there a general slowdown in package delivery lately with USPS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-general-slowdown-in-package-delivery-lately-with-usps/917597)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-general-slowdown-in-package-delivery-lately-with-usps/917597 "2020-09-02T20:38:57Z")
Not to get political or anything, but has anyone noticed a slowdown in delivery of packages at the USPS? I have orders on ebay and Amazon, and almost all of them pass their expected delivery dates and the USPS message is… --- ## [Help me understand this piece of legislation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-this-piece-of-legislation/919594)
**Author:** [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-this-piece-of-legislation/919594 "2020-09-02T16:33:31Z")
I am reading a piece of Wisconsin legislation and i am trying to understand one of the exceptions. it is section 3(c) i am having trouble with. This refers to section s. 941.28 which is about short barrel rifles (SBR) a… --- ## [In British slang, are people from India included in 'Pakis'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-british-slang-are-people-from-india-included-in-pakis/918355)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-british-slang-are-people-from-india-included-in-pakis/918355 "2020-09-02T01:07:56Z")
I’m watching the new season of Endeavor, and in last night’s episode a political candidate was trying to whip up nationalistic fury against foreigners. Primarily he mentions “Asians”, with “Blacks” being very much an af… --- ## [Topic Baylisascaris procyonis eggs found in Raccoon feeces;](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-baylisascaris-procyonis-eggs-found-in-raccoon-feeces/918988)
**Author:** [@Yen22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yen22)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-baylisascaris-procyonis-eggs-found-in-raccoon-feeces/918988 "2020-09-01T22:46:03Z")
Hello, I’m purchasing a house in Long Island New York and the Home inspection report Indicates there is racoon feces (latrines) found in the attic. I have read about how this parasite’s eggs can cause severe diseas… --- ## [What happens when a GCFI outlet gets submerged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-a-gcfi-outlet-gets-submerged/918089)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-a-gcfi-outlet-gets-submerged/918089 "2020-09-01T22:23:42Z")
Say you have one in a basement and the basement floods. I know that it is supposed to “trip” and not provide electricity to whatever is plugged into it, but is it safe to be around itself? AFAIK, there are live wires c… --- ## [Facebook group/page support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-group-page-support/919530)
**Author:** [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-group-page-support/919530 "2020-09-01T22:02:27Z")
I help a bunch of people and organizations with their Facebook groups and business pages. To make this easier, many of them have given me admin status. Unfortunately, I then appear on the list of page/group admins, and m… --- ## [Knife-fighting - Is training available?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knife-fighting-is-training-available/219007)
**Author:** [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knife-fighting-is-training-available/219007 "2003-12-15T14:56:28Z")
I always see self-defense people (rightly) say that “you never know when someone is armed.” Now, I know this is true, and I also know I don’t want to tote around a gun. This is purely hypothetical, by the way, so no “do… --- ## [Bench has a known max weight. What percentage of that weight can it hold forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bench-has-a-known-max-weight-what-percentage-of-that-weight-can-it-hold-forever/919089)
**Author:** [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bench-has-a-known-max-weight-what-percentage-of-that-weight-can-it-hold-forever/919089 "2020-09-01T15:28:32Z")
In a nutshell: Bench is listed as supporting up to 350 pounds. I want to store 100 pounds of evenly distributed water jugs across the length of it, for years at a time or potentially a decade or more. Will the bench even… --- ## [How to prevent condensation in a small A/C closet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-condensation-in-a-small-a-c-closet/919313)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-condensation-in-a-small-a-c-closet/919313 "2020-09-01T15:10:43Z")
It has been quite hot and humid lately and we’ve run the A/C a bit. Yesterday, I discovered wet walls and dripping condensation in the little closet where the blower unit is. Never had this before. The condenser is ac… --- ## [What is this thing connected to my HVAC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-connected-to-my-hvac/919012)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-connected-to-my-hvac/919012 "2020-09-01T14:35:23Z")
Our condo was built 30 years ago by expert corner cutters. I keep discovering new ways they cut corners, or I get curious and investigate one I’ve noticed before but never looked into. Today I pulled the electrical tape… --- ## [What kind of fungus is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-fungus-is-this/918782)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-fungus-is-this/918782 "2020-09-01T11:31:06Z")
Out for a hike in the forest and saw this. I don’t think it’s Artist Bracket or Chicken of the Woods but I can’t tell for sure. We also saw this and thought it was some type of neat … --- ## [What is the follow-up on unmarked vans in Portland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-follow-up-on-unmarked-vans-in-portland/919478)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-follow-up-on-unmarked-vans-in-portland/919478 "2020-09-01T00:16:53Z")
There were reports of unidentified, armed men taking protesters in Portland into custody in unmarked vans. The unidentified men were later suspected as being from from Homeland Security, but I haven’t heard anything as … --- ## [Who to contact about messed up street addresses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-to-contact-about-messed-up-street-addresses/919244)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-to-contact-about-messed-up-street-addresses/919244 "2020-09-01T00:08:57Z")
I’m doing census work and was sent to an apt complex where there’s a tangle of multiple driveways and three jagged streets. The streets are named like this: Penelope Penelope N Penelope S The problem is that the resi… --- ## [eBay won't load](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-wont-load/919332)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-wont-load/919332 "2020-08-31T21:48:44Z")
Out of the blue, eBay will not load. Here’s what I am using. Mac OS-X 10.12.6 Firefox 80.0 ( 64-bit ) Let me preface the rest of this by saying this: I’m posting this in G.Q. Please do not come sailing in with snarky … --- ## [Water supply in a remote house in rural Norfolk, England in the early 1970s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-supply-in-a-remote-house-in-rural-norfolk-england-in-the-early-1970s/919241)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-supply-in-a-remote-house-in-rural-norfolk-england-in-the-early-1970s/919241 "2020-08-31T20:08:01Z")
Yes, that’s kind of a specific topic to bring up, but I’m wondering about it because of the book I just finished. It’s not a recent book, but to avoid spoilering anybody I’ll avoid title/author details. The book involv… --- ## [Has there been a quiet slug apocalypse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-been-a-quiet-slug-apocalypse/918927)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-been-a-quiet-slug-apocalypse/918927 "2020-08-31T19:43:44Z")
Two or three years ago someone IRL mentioned to me that it was weird that she hadn’t seen slugs in a long time. (She meant the leopard slug.) I realized that I hadn’t, either. And in the years since then, I haven’t seen … --- ## [Linguistics: Do majority languages change the phonology of minority languages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-do-majority-languages-change-the-phonology-of-minority-languages/918834)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-do-majority-languages-change-the-phonology-of-minority-languages/918834 "2020-08-31T17:51:19Z")
A call out to our linguistically experienced and educated colleagues here. I have a casual interest in language and phonology and so I spend some time thinking about niche topics. In dabbling with learning Irish and li… --- ## [Help with bicycle ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-bicycle-id/919424)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-bicycle-id/919424 "2020-08-31T13:02:31Z")
Cruiser type bike, no badge that I could see. It had two “headlights” that were factory. The chainguard says “Toronado” (not Tornado) and also has a C to C logo superimposed over a simplified outline of the USA. I’m hav… --- ## [Touching halogen bulb causes premature failure. Urban legend or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-halogen-bulb-causes-premature-failure-urban-legend-or-not/337951)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-halogen-bulb-causes-premature-failure-urban-legend-or-not/337951 "2020-08-31T01:17:46Z")
IN this thread the topic of appropriate gas filler material for light bulbs is being discussed. A common notion that it’s a bad idea to actually touch halogen bulbs with your fingers when installing them is also brought … --- ## [“Bio-enzyme” - real or woo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bio-enzyme-real-or-woo/918899)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bio-enzyme-real-or-woo/918899 "2020-08-31T01:13:06Z")
I’ve seen mentioned on my Facebook feed and other places something called bio enzyme which is a miracle organic homemade product. I think it’s just a scam and wanted to check with the folks here. It’s basically orange p… --- ## [What is it about poop that attracts flies so quickly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-poop-that-attracts-flies-so-quickly/919372)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-poop-that-attracts-flies-so-quickly/919372 "2020-08-30T16:15:06Z")
What is it about my dog’s poop that attracts flies so quickly. We’re outside, Sadie (the dog) poops, and before I can even get a bag open, there are flies all over it. What pulls them in so quickly? --- ## [Setting up my own home office 'corporate' computing environment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-my-own-home-office-corporate-computing-environment/918972)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-my-own-home-office-corporate-computing-environment/918972 "2020-08-30T15:41:26Z")
I use MS Office for pretty much everything since, A) MS Office is ubiquitous across the corporate landscape for computing, and B) my employers’ have had licenses, that it’s just what I learned. This OP is more geared to… --- ## [Excel - exponential x-axis in line/scatter charts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-exponential-x-axis-in-line-scatter-charts/919059)
**Author:** [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2020, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-exponential-x-axis-in-line-scatter-charts/919059 "2020-08-30T05:09:19Z")
I really thought this would be simpler when I charged down this road… I’m trying to build a scatter chart in Excel that uses an N^1.85 x-axis. I’ve found an option for logarithmic scale (format axis/axis options), but t… --- ## [Phenomenon where we ignore consequences when we don't see impact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phenomenon-where-we-ignore-consequences-when-we-dont-see-impact/919330)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2020, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phenomenon-where-we-ignore-consequences-when-we-dont-see-impact/919330 "2020-08-30T00:12:19Z")
Does anyone know if there is a name for the phenomenon where one ignores (or discounts) the consequence of an action because they don’t see the direct impact of that action? For example, someone might think it’s not imp… --- ## [Women's Suffrage: On What Basis Was it Opposed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-suffrage-on-what-basis-was-it-opposed/462927)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2020, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-suffrage-on-what-basis-was-it-opposed/462927 "2020-08-29T23:59:08Z")
Back during the women’s suffrage movement, what were the principal arguements against it? Did anyone offer anything more than “it’s not proper” or “it’s not their place” or similar meaningless platitudes? NOTE: I’m not … --- ## [Instrux Req: How to start a Samsung Galaxy Note 4](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrux-req-how-to-start-a-samsung-galaxy-note-4/919123)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2020, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instrux-req-how-to-start-a-samsung-galaxy-note-4/919123 "2020-08-29T23:09:58Z")
I have inherited a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 from its previous owner. I’m smartphone-stupid but: I have a charging cable that fits this thing, and I kind of know it’s an Android device. I charged it up to 95% and then fig… --- ## [Rating from right to left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rating-from-right-to-left/919172)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rating-from-right-to-left/919172 "2020-08-29T20:25:29Z")
I was looking for some kind of statistics on how many people would fall into different degrees of political bias. For example starting from the left there were 8 classifications for your degree of being on the left or t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=333) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=335)