# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=343 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 344 --- ## [I should know this, and I may regret asking, but remind me - who gets to vote for Presidential nominees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-know-this-and-i-may-regret-asking-but-remind-me-who-gets-to-vote-for-presidential-nominees/915225)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-know-this-and-i-may-regret-asking-but-remind-me-who-gets-to-vote-for-presidential-nominees/915225 "2020-07-30T00:03:57Z")
I’ve realised there is a gap in my knowledge of US elections (Presidential or otherwise). Now, I appreciate that you have loads of nominees putting themselves forward, and you spend months selecting The Chosen One, but … --- ## [Were retalitory raids against the Vikings ever seriously considered (or carried out)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-retalitory-raids-against-the-vikings-ever-seriously-considered-or-carried-out/916267)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-retalitory-raids-against-the-vikings-ever-seriously-considered-or-carried-out/916267 "2020-07-29T16:30:54Z")
So as I understand the primary reason for the Vikings success (at least earlier on before they started settling in large numbers in N Europe) wasn’t that they were militarily vastly superior to the Medieval kingdoms they… --- ## [If a commercial jet is re-painted do they strip the old paint or just paint over what is there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-commercial-jet-is-re-painted-do-they-strip-the-old-paint-or-just-paint-over-what-is-there/916301)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-commercial-jet-is-re-painted-do-they-strip-the-old-paint-or-just-paint-over-what-is-there/916301 "2020-07-29T15:42:09Z")
I am guessing they strip the paint since paint adds weight and therefore reduces efficiency. That said, I have never seen an video of a plane having paint removed. I’ve seen many clips of a plane being painted but neve… --- ## [Pair of namesake cities with both cities of roughly equal importance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pair-of-namesake-cities-with-both-cities-of-roughly-equal-importance/916083)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2020, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pair-of-namesake-cities-with-both-cities-of-roughly-equal-importance/916083 "2020-07-29T09:13:03Z")
It’s very common for a newly founded town or city to be named after an existing one. In most cases, the new town fades in importance behind the original it borrowed the name from, and people will think, when they hear th… --- ## [Laptop touchscreen feature not working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-touchscreen-feature-not-working/916482)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-touchscreen-feature-not-working/916482 "2020-07-29T01:17:50Z")
I have a Lenovo Yoga, which has been a really great laptop so far. It’s really light, and the perfect size for travel-- it’s been to Israel, Costa Rica, and twice to California (which, with the stopovers, were longer tri… --- ## [Stamp collecters in France/Quebec/Other French speaking area : need help with philatelic term](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stamp-collecters-in-france-quebec-other-french-speaking-area-need-help-with-philatelic-term/916487)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stamp-collecters-in-france-quebec-other-french-speaking-area-need-help-with-philatelic-term/916487 "2020-07-29T01:02:07Z")
On La Poste’s website they seem to distinguish a subclass of stamps called “Beaux-timbres”. I doubt this means literally beautiful stamps, since that’s a judgement call. I assume “Beaux” in this instance means somethin… --- ## [ID this ABC reporter? \[Interviewing 14-year-old Venus Williams\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-abc-reporter-interviewing-14-year-old-venus-williams/916627)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-abc-reporter-interviewing-14-year-old-venus-williams/916627 "2020-07-28T21:18:35Z")
Link For a rather well-known clip amongst the Williams sisters fans, finding a name to attach to him is rather elusive. --- ## [Fighter jet “ inspecting “ passenger plane mid-air](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighter-jet-inspecting-passenger-plane-mid-air/916322)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighter-jet-inspecting-passenger-plane-mid-air/916322 "2020-07-28T20:49:22Z")
I am hoping there is a factual answer to the question, if not, mods feel free to move this. So there is this in the news : U.S. fighter jets fly near Iranian passenger plane, state media says Trying to understand the s… --- ## [Need to set up a simple website with a simple database, free and quickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-set-up-a-simple-website-with-a-simple-database-free-and-quickly/915434)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-set-up-a-simple-website-with-a-simple-database-free-and-quickly/915434 "2020-07-28T17:42:01Z")
So I am a front-end dev in the creative department of a large company. If we have a project that requires any kind of back-end work the company has an IT department for that work. But for various reasons getting the back… --- ## [Do fish in oceans know it is raining](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fish-in-oceans-know-it-is-raining/916493)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fish-in-oceans-know-it-is-raining/916493 "2020-07-28T17:25:56Z")
How aware are fish in the open ocean that it is raining? In other words do marine dwelling life ever alter their behaviour due to rain drops on the surface of the ocean. --- ## [Is there a correlation between IQ/educational attainment and espousal of traditional gender roles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-correlation-between-iq-educational-attainment-and-espousal-of-traditional-gender-roles/851216)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-correlation-between-iq-educational-attainment-and-espousal-of-traditional-gender-roles/851216 "2020-07-28T16:10:16Z")
I don’t mean whether espousal of traditional gender roles results in higher/low IQ or educational attainment, I mean whether there is any correlation, positive or negative, between IQ or educational attainment and espous… --- ## [Apollo 15 Slide Collection (25)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-15-slide-collection-25/916442)
**Author:** [@SarahBlonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SarahBlonde)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-15-slide-collection-25/916442 "2020-07-28T13:32:36Z")
I found a set of 25 slides of the Apollo 15 mission while going through some of my Grandmothers old things. I checked around online, but can’t seem to find anything to indicate these were a popular novelty item. Does any… --- ## [Hybrid cars and engine cooling after shutoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-cars-and-engine-cooling-after-shutoff/916395)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-cars-and-engine-cooling-after-shutoff/916395 "2020-07-28T10:16:03Z")
In conventional cars, the water pump shuts off as soon as the engine stops; thereby the engine experiences the highest temperature after it is shutoff. Is this the same with hybrid cars ? Or is the battery used to circu… --- ## [Can someone practice law without a degree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-practice-law-without-a-degree/915797)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-practice-law-without-a-degree/915797 "2020-07-27T15:56:18Z")
Years ago I learned that in Wisconsin an attorney doesn’t have to pass a bar exam to practice if they graduated with a JD from an accredited Wisconsin school. So what I’m wondering is if you pass the bar without a degre… --- ## [What is this small antenna on top of some telephone poles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-small-antenna-on-top-of-some-telephone-poles/914828)
**Author:** [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-small-antenna-on-top-of-some-telephone-poles/914828 "2020-07-27T14:16:52Z")
I’ve seen these small antennae on top of several telephone poles in the past few months. My first thought was they they were 5G mobile antennae, but google has photos of something else for that. Each wire that extends … --- ## [Tell me about DIY natural hair dyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-diy-natural-hair-dyes/913568)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-diy-natural-hair-dyes/913568 "2020-07-27T13:28:16Z")
So I have been taking advantage of a) being stuck mostly at home with hardly anyone seeing me; b) the fact that even though I think it’s now allowed in Illinois again, my asthmatic self doesn’t plan to go to a hairdres… --- ## [How does a congressional conference committee work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-congressional-conference-committee-work/916356)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-congressional-conference-committee-work/916356 "2020-07-27T13:24:31Z")
When the US House and Senate pass bills that have the same goal but differ in detail, both houses appoint some members to a “conference committee” and they craft a compromise bill that both houses then vote on. I am look… --- ## [The Elmer Fud "Accent"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elmer-fud-accent/92118)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elmer-fud-accent/92118 "2020-07-26T20:41:59Z")
What causes this? Is it a speech impediment? If so what causes it? Or is it just another way of talking? Do other languages have it? --- ## [With a coin shortage, why don't stores round their pricing (to include tax if applicable)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-coin-shortage-why-dont-stores-round-their-pricing-to-include-tax-if-applicable/915756)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-coin-shortage-why-dont-stores-round-their-pricing-to-include-tax-if-applicable/915756 "2020-07-26T16:20:16Z")
I understand there’s a coin shortage here in the US. While I normally use a debit card, it got me thinking about why stores don’t round their pricing to the next dollar (to include sales tax). For example, here in my c… --- ## [Truancy laws in the age of COVID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truancy-laws-in-the-age-of-covid/915414)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truancy-laws-in-the-age-of-covid/915414 "2020-07-26T14:08:37Z")
With the talk of reopening schools in spite of rising new cases of COVID, I was wondering how laws requiring school attendance will work if schools reopen but a significant number of parents decide not to send their kids… --- ## [How bad are alkaline soaps/shave creams for the face?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-alkaline-soaps-shave-creams-for-the-face/427091)
**Author:** [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-alkaline-soaps-shave-creams-for-the-face/427091 "2020-07-26T13:44:51Z")
I belong to a shave forum where most members shave with old fashioned DE razors and use tradition shave soaps/creams (the kind that are usually applied with a badger brush). Someone started a thread mocking a video put … --- ## [Finding a new species - how much of a boon is it to scientists today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-species-how-much-of-a-boon-is-it-to-scientists-today/916189)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-species-how-much-of-a-boon-is-it-to-scientists-today/916189 "2020-07-26T12:42:45Z")
Say you’re wandering through the jungles of Brazil or a forest in Vietnam and - hey, it’s a bug you’ve never seen before. You take a live specimen or two back to the lab and before long, it is officially confirmed; this… --- ## [Question about cashier's check, money order, certified check](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cashiers-check-money-order-certified-check/915250)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cashiers-check-money-order-certified-check/915250 "2020-07-26T11:56:23Z")
I am on the verge of making a major purchase from a private seller. The seller requires a certified or cashier’s check (or, I guess, money order). Reasonable. My question: Is one better (for me) than the others? To whom… --- ## [What is today's sneaker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-todays-sneaker/744731)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-todays-sneaker/744731 "2020-07-26T04:46:51Z")
Once upon a time, there were only tennis shoes and basketball shoes (high-tops). In my neck of the woods, either could also be known as a sneaker, but it was more likely for the tennis shoe, and they weren’t work just fo… --- ## [When arrested why can what you say \*only\* be used against you but never to help you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-arrested-why-can-what-you-say-only-be-used-against-you-but-never-to-help-you/916174)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-arrested-why-can-what-you-say-only-be-used-against-you-but-never-to-help-you/916174 "2020-07-26T02:26:08Z")
I was watching a YouTube video where an attorney exhorts people to never talk to the police because it never, ever, helps. He cites Federal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(2)(A) that anything you say can be used against you in … --- ## [How "live" is live TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-live-is-live-tv/916152)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-live-is-live-tv/916152 "2020-07-26T00:01:55Z")
Suppose I’m watching the Dallas Cowboys host the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. According to Google Maps, my house is 225 driving miles from the stadium. The game is being broadcast on Fox. I will be wa… --- ## [Discord Server](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discord-server/916332)
**Author:** [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discord-server/916332 "2020-07-25T18:49:31Z")
Just got Discord and was wondering if we had a Discord server, or if there was any interest in starting one. Does anyone use it? --- ## [Accidentally using dish soap in dishwasher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-using-dish-soap-in-dishwasher/915734)
**Author:** [@Courk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Courk)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-using-dish-soap-in-dishwasher/915734 "2020-07-25T17:51:45Z")
You hear of people using dish soap in the dishwasher, and having a sudsy mess to clean up. It’s easy for me to assume it was a kid running the dishwasher who didn’t know better, or someone who ran out of the machine soa… --- ## [Fusion and Quantum computing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-and-quantum-computing/915166)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-and-quantum-computing/915166 "2020-07-25T16:10:04Z")
Just how much will nuclear fusion and quantum computing change the world? I’ve heard them hyped as game changers that will shake the world up. Just how will they really change the world? No hype, what will their impact … --- ## [Annoying Phone Callers - Investigative Techniques](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-phone-callers-investigative-techniques/915620)
**Author:** [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2020, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-phone-callers-investigative-techniques/915620 "2020-07-25T03:55:09Z")
I have documented 3 scam calls this week, but there have been more. The latest of which is trying to help me with my car’s extended warranty. I bought my car in 2005 - it doesn’t have any warranty anymore… What I wou… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=342) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=344)