# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=403 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 404 --- ## [legal Q on Pelosi not transmitting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-q-on-pelosi-not-transmitting/845107)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-q-on-pelosi-not-transmitting/845107 "2019-12-21T12:50:13Z")
News has it Pelosi is holding off on transmitting the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Say she holds off until after the 2020 election. Can the new speaker of the house in 2021 (whoever it is) then be the sole deci… --- ## [What was the first thing people stood in line for days for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-thing-people-stood-in-line-for-days-for/844608)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-thing-people-stood-in-line-for-days-for/844608 "2019-12-21T07:10:10Z")
Last night I came across a meme on Facebook: A picture of an old rotary phone captioned “I wonder if my parent’s generation stood in line for this phone?” or something along those lines. Of course the answer to that sp… --- ## [Cannonball Run Record Broken. Why no arrests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannonball-run-record-broken-why-no-arrests/844665)
**Author:** [@MrFloppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFloppy)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannonball-run-record-broken-why-no-arrests/844665 "2019-12-21T05:59:05Z")
Three guys in a souped-up AMG Benz just broke the Cannonball Run record driving from a Manhattan garage to LA in 27 hours and change. The run has been well publicized including photos of the GPS tracker that shows a top… --- ## [Can I really boost my FICO score for free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-boost-my-fico-score-for-free/844968)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-boost-my-fico-score-for-free/844968 "2019-12-21T02:45:29Z")
I received a text message that I can boost my FICO score for free with Experian Boost ™ I’ve seen TV ads for Experian Boost, but how does that work? I would think that the only way to boost my credit score was to pay m… --- ## [Escape velocity question & planet sizes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escape-velocity-question-planet-sizes/844948)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2019, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escape-velocity-question-planet-sizes/844948 "2019-12-21T02:03:49Z")
Sorry if the question seems naive, rocket science isn’t my strong suit. So I got to wondering about what an enormous problem escaping earths gravitational pull was initially, and still is WRT fuel payload. All other civ… --- ## [Sodium in MSG vs. salt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sodium-in-msg-vs-salt/845009)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sodium-in-msg-vs-salt/845009 "2019-12-20T22:46:23Z")
I’m on a low-sodium diet. Someone suggested that I substitute MSG for salt. But MSG is monoSODIUM glutamate. So does it have the same amount of sodium as NaCl, or less? --- ## [Bengali language question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bengali-language-question/845044)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bengali-language-question/845044 "2019-12-20T18:08:21Z")
Does repetition of a phrase indicate emphasis? A native Bengali speaker will, in English, say “Good morning, good morning, good morning!” and “Thank you, thank you, thank you”. --- ## [JFK's health issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfks-health-issues/845020)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfks-health-issues/845020 "2019-12-20T15:59:34Z")
Assuming that the events of November 22, 1963 had never happened - what would be the chances of JFK surviving to the end of his term - not to mention a second term? He had been given the Last Rites of the Roman Catholic… --- ## [Immersive reading and retention](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immersive-reading-and-retention/845133)
**Author:** [@Namonlocke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namonlocke)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2019, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immersive-reading-and-retention/845133 "2019-12-20T15:38:19Z")
Has any one studied whether immersive reading -reading and listening to the text at the same time - has an impact on retention? I am interested in solid research, not intuition. --- ## [“Henry, remember your blood pressure!” (Movie trope)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/henry-remember-your-blood-pressure-movie-trope/845060)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2019, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/henry-remember-your-blood-pressure-movie-trope/845060 "2019-12-20T12:49:40Z")
I remember seeing in some old movies, when a mere Piper-kid, of some old guy getting angry about something and his wife cautioning him about his blood pressure. Implication was that if he didn’t bring his anger under con… --- ## [charged by state and feds for same conduct-double jeopardy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charged-by-state-and-feds-for-same-conduct-double-jeopardy/845028)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2019, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charged-by-state-and-feds-for-same-conduct-double-jeopardy/845028 "2019-12-20T05:26:01Z")
I just saw in the NYT that Paul Manafort’s state charges were dismissed by a state judge in New York because they are based on the same conduct as the federal charges. I thought that was allowed in spite of double jeopar… --- ## [Miranda rights in South Korea??? The movie Parasite (no spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miranda-rights-in-south-korea-the-movie-parasite-no-spoilers/844999)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miranda-rights-in-south-korea-the-movie-parasite-no-spoilers/844999 "2019-12-19T17:16:23Z")
At one point in the movie Parasite, someone is being questioned by a detective. The movie, which takes place in South Korea, is in Korean and is subtitled in English, which may help answer my question. At one point, th… --- ## [Can individual emails be created/coded to disable the "Reply All" function?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-individual-emails-be-created-coded-to-disable-the-reply-all-function/844816)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-individual-emails-be-created-coded-to-disable-the-reply-all-function/844816 "2019-12-19T16:38:21Z")
I’m on business travel, and over the week, my cellphone has downloaded 34 emails all in regard to a corporate-sent policy update: HQ: “Good news! You can increase your 401(k) contributions! Happy Holidays!” Joe in a ‘… --- ## [Cyber security questions (from a naive Canadian)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-security-questions-from-a-naive-canadian/844649)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-security-questions-from-a-naive-canadian/844649 "2019-12-19T13:49:09Z")
I don’t know more than the basics about cybersecurity. But I have some questions. Sorry for my naïveté regarding this. Many Ontario towns, businesses, police departments and businesses have been attacked by cyber cr… --- ## [How does YouTube copyright work when other media uses them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-youtube-copyright-work-when-other-media-uses-them/845073)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-youtube-copyright-work-when-other-media-uses-them/845073 "2019-12-19T13:35:00Z")
All the time I’ll see local news stations take direct clips from YouTube (sometimes with unaffiliated watermark still attached) and just play the full thing when they’re running some story related to it. There was also t… --- ## [When your rocket ship lifts off and you're NOT on Earth. A question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-rocket-ship-lifts-off-and-youre-not-on-earth-a-question/844874)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-rocket-ship-lifts-off-and-youre-not-on-earth-a-question/844874 "2019-12-19T04:27:07Z")
When the L.E.M.'s upper half blew its load of rocket fuel and took off from the surface of the Moon during Apollo 11, et al, it was firing in a zero-air/ zero-oxygen environment. Now, I know it was also lower G, and tha… --- ## [Did the Mueller Investigation make a profit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-mueller-investigation-make-a-profit/845041)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-mueller-investigation-make-a-profit/845041 "2019-12-19T02:12:49Z")
It is being claimed that it cost taxpayers money. But I have heard that seizures were substantial, from Manafort and perhaps other sources. How do the costs of the investigation compare with purported seizures? --- ## [What causes chest tightness when stressed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-chest-tightness-when-stressed/844976)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-chest-tightness-when-stressed/844976 "2019-12-18T23:42:43Z")
In physical/physiological terms, what causes a sensation of tightness in the chest when stressed? Is there any benefit to it? Which bodyparts are tensing up? --- ## [What prompted IG Michael Horowitz to investigate FISA abuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prompted-ig-michael-horowitz-to-investigate-fisa-abuse/845046)
**Author:** [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prompted-ig-michael-horowitz-to-investigate-fisa-abuse/845046 "2019-12-18T22:00:50Z")
Who knows what prompted IG Michael Horowitz to investigate FBI and DOJ FISA abuse? --- ## [Anyone here know anything about 19th century commercial ciphers for telegrams?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-know-anything-about-19th-century-commercial-ciphers-for-telegrams/844784)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-know-anything-about-19th-century-commercial-ciphers-for-telegrams/844784 "2019-12-18T15:34:10Z")
I’ve been doing a bit of historical research for a project, and I came across a commercial telegram that appears to have been encoded for secrecy. I’ve got the draft of the text, and then the worksheet to turn it into a… --- ## [Apple mavens: Please help me unlock this iPad!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mavens-please-help-me-unlock-this-ipad/844354)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-mavens-please-help-me-unlock-this-ipad/844354 "2019-12-18T14:03:51Z")
My wife was given an iPad (4th generation) and an iPhone 6s, and has been using them for some time with her own Apple ID, different from the one used to set up the devices. But the iPad kept bugging her to enter the pass… --- ## [Battery Technology & Modern Submarines: Nuclear vs. Diesel/Battery Powered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-technology-modern-submarines-nuclear-vs-diesel-battery-powered/844032)
**Author:** [@richw211](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/richw211)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-technology-modern-submarines-nuclear-vs-diesel-battery-powered/844032 "2019-12-18T07:55:42Z")
Not sure if this should go here, IMHO or Great Debates. I was a nuclear plant technician on a submarine for several years in the late 1980s. I recall one of the guys in my division talking about how, if super-efficient … --- ## [Vrtual Power Plants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vrtual-power-plants/844872)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Mind)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vrtual-power-plants/844872 "2019-12-18T00:53:31Z")
Hi all, I am looking for somebody to explain this news from China to me. “China’s first virtual power plant was put into operation on Dec.11 in north China’s Hebei province. Supported by the Internet of Things (IoT), … --- ## [Does hot/cold food have any effect on our stomachs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-cold-food-have-any-effect-on-our-stomachs/844790)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hot-cold-food-have-any-effect-on-our-stomachs/844790 "2019-12-17T22:03:10Z")
There is no animal species in the world that eats food that is deliberately heated or cooled (the reason being of course that they have no method to cook or refrigerate.) It used to be that humans didn’t eat heated or co… --- ## [Sugar, potassium, and how the body eliminates salt from its system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-potassium-and-how-the-body-eliminates-salt-from-its-system/844958)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-potassium-and-how-the-body-eliminates-salt-from-its-system/844958 "2019-12-17T18:09:43Z")
So I read that dextrose (sugar) and potassium both have the effect of causing your body to eliminate salt from its system (which is why it is recommended that you eat a banana if you’ve eaten a meal that was too salty,) … --- ## [is something erased on tape permantly gone or can you get it back ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-something-erased-on-tape-permantly-gone-or-can-you-get-it-back/844966)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-something-erased-on-tape-permantly-gone-or-can-you-get-it-back/844966 "2019-12-17T07:59:35Z")
Ok heres a question seems someone on the patriots was caught taping when he didnt have permission and offered several times to erase the tape and walk away … of course the security for the other team didnt take the deal … --- ## [Trump's July 25th Ukraine phone call](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-july-25th-ukraine-phone-call/844938)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2019, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-july-25th-ukraine-phone-call/844938 "2019-12-17T04:13:32Z")
Early on as this story (Ukraine-gate?) was breaking it was reported that, in an unusual move, the transcript of the July 25th call was moved to a highly classified server with restricted access. When people are stating w… --- ## [How many miles of use could a Roman get out of a typical chariot or wagon wheel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-miles-of-use-could-a-roman-get-out-of-a-typical-chariot-or-wagon-wheel/579874)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-miles-of-use-could-a-roman-get-out-of-a-typical-chariot-or-wagon-wheel/579874 "2019-12-16T22:20:55Z")
Re ancient Roman chariot and wagon wheels, do we have any idea how much life in terms of miles of use they would typically give before needing to be replaced? --- ## [Putting uninvited objects on store shelves; crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-uninvited-objects-on-store-shelves-crime/844470)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-uninvited-objects-on-store-shelves-crime/844470 "2019-12-16T20:47:47Z")
As a music composer with CDs, I am sometimes struck by the asinine idea of putting my own CD onto the shelf of CDs for sale in a bookstore (slipping it in among the other CDs) and then coming back weeks later to see what… --- ## [Am I getting boned regarding this chimney repair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-getting-boned-regarding-this-chimney-repair/841738)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2019, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-getting-boned-regarding-this-chimney-repair/841738 "2019-12-16T05:43:42Z")
A windstorm blew some large tree branches onto the roof of a house I own and damaged the metal cap of the chimney. Chimney vents a water heater, no fireplace. Furnace is vented on the side of the house. Had a reputable … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=402) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=404)