# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=451 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 452 --- ## [Spammy looking email subject from Red Cross](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spammy-looking-email-subject-from-red-cross/836192)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spammy-looking-email-subject-from-red-cross/836192 "2019-06-28T17:39:42Z")
I got an email from the Red Cross reminding me they need blood donors. All the links are legit links to redcross.org, which is their site. What gave me pause was the subject line: It’s Critic\_l! P\_tients Need Y\_u N\_w! W… --- ## [Band of Brothers--Airborne in WWII purpose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-of-brothers-airborne-in-wwii-purpose/835947)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-of-brothers-airborne-in-wwii-purpose/835947 "2019-06-28T14:39:47Z")
Watching Band of Brothers–I know it is old. But I am trying to understand the reason for sending these small groups of paratroopers into fighting land battles. I get the D-Day invasion. We dropped these guys behind th… --- ## [What Is a 'Binary' Person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-binary-person/836137)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-binary-person/836137 "2019-06-28T14:28:34Z")
I just know they are part of the LGBTQ spectrum. I certainly know what a bisexual person is. I learned it rather early on in life. And of course I know ‘binary’ means two (duh) So what exactly is a ‘binary’ person? :)… --- ## [Of Liberty ships and Humphrey Bogart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-liberty-ships-and-humphrey-bogart/835999)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-liberty-ships-and-humphrey-bogart/835999 "2019-06-28T14:19:15Z")
I watched \*Action in the North Atlantic \*again. A WWII propaganda film that among other things would assure Americans that the Rooskies were our dear friends, which would be proven to be untrue when Churchill’s Iron Curt… --- ## [A Doctor's Recommendation and Kickbacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-doctors-recommendation-and-kickbacks/836132)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-doctors-recommendation-and-kickbacks/836132 "2019-06-28T14:06:03Z")
I am hoping for a factual answer to this, perhaps from one’s personal experience: When a doctor recommends a specialist, are they getting kickbacks? It’s odd that a doctor we trust wants us to go to a specific surgeon 5… --- ## [What's with my car's engine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-my-cars-engine/836159)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-my-cars-engine/836159 "2019-06-28T02:01:51Z")
2000 Honda Accord V6. The engine quits while driving along. I manage to coast onto a side street. I try to start it, and it starts instantly, like normal, but then dies. I repeat that about 10 times, then it idles OK. I … --- ## [Entomological linguists: Why does "bug" only apply to Hemipterans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entomological-linguists-why-does-bug-only-apply-to-hemipterans/836117)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entomological-linguists-why-does-bug-only-apply-to-hemipterans/836117 "2019-06-28T01:31:46Z")
In common lingo, “bug” refers to any insect or small arthropod, but I know that entomologists use “bug” only for insects of the order Hemiptera. How did this specialized meaning come about? As far as I can tell, the com… --- ## [Garage door opener problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garage-door-opener-problems/836171)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garage-door-opener-problems/836171 "2019-06-28T00:16:25Z")
I have a Moorematic X133. The obstructions sensors have been driving me crazy, sometimes working, sometimes not. This last time I cannot get power to the sending unit either with the existing wires, or directly conne… --- ## [Mathematicians: what's so special about evenness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematicians-whats-so-special-about-evenness/836108)
**Author:** [@Moris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moris)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematicians-whats-so-special-about-evenness/836108 "2019-06-28T00:02:19Z")
From Wikipedia: In mathematics, parity is the property of an integer’s inclusion in one of two categories: even or odd. An integer is even if it is divisible by two and odd if it is not even. Fine. But, is there anythi… --- ## [Electricians: Explain This!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-explain-this/836081)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-explain-this/836081 "2019-06-27T19:17:24Z")
My microwave and Keurig plug into the same outlet, and they cannot be operated together without blowing the circuit breaker. I understand that, but why this?: Often, at the end of a day, I like a cup of coffee. The micr… --- ## [How much do cover artists get on Youtube?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-cover-artists-get-on-youtube/836146)
**Author:** [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-cover-artists-get-on-youtube/836146 "2019-06-27T18:07:13Z")
I occasionally watch a channel with over 2 million subscribers that does song covers and the posters recently put up a plea for people to join their Patreon. In the vid, they explain that while they have a lot of subscri… --- ## [Heat limit that carpet can withstand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-limit-that-carpet-can-withstand/836142)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-limit-that-carpet-can-withstand/836142 "2019-06-27T17:39:25Z")
Could go in either GQ or MPSIMS but how high a heat can ordinary household carpet withstand? If you temporarily set down a pot of hot contents (ie boiling water) for a few seconds and then pick it up again, does it harm … --- ## [How did an ice buildup in my freezer cause the refrigerator to stop working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-an-ice-buildup-in-my-freezer-cause-the-refrigerator-to-stop-working/836102)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-an-ice-buildup-in-my-freezer-cause-the-refrigerator-to-stop-working/836102 "2019-06-27T15:36:32Z")
My refrigerator stopped working this weekend and I had to throw out some food, I’m not risking food poising over few dollars worth of sandwich meat. So, maintenance came by yesterday and they said that it was due to an… --- ## [Anyone else getting this "scam?" (Microsoft IP license)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-getting-this-scam-microsoft-ip-license/836106)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-getting-this-scam-microsoft-ip-license/836106 "2019-06-27T14:14:51Z")
Three times today I got a robo-call from “Christine” or “Catherine” from “Microsoft” telling me my system is compromised and if I dint let them change my IP address they would cancel my license. I’m certain its a scam. … --- ## [Why is it that the availability of certain audio or AV content is geographically restricted...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-the-availability-of-certain-audio-or-av-content-is-geographically-restricted/836087)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-the-availability-of-certain-audio-or-av-content-is-geographically-restricted/836087 "2019-06-27T12:59:11Z")
…Even to those willing to pay for the content? In my perusal of German news and documentary media, I have often found that material pertaining to English-speaking countries is “in Ihrem Land nicht verfügbar” (Unavailabl… --- ## [Help with women's clothes sizing (UK)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-womens-clothes-sizing-uk/836143)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-womens-clothes-sizing-uk/836143 "2019-06-27T11:35:46Z")
Hi everyone. My wife and I just went to see “On Your Feet”, a jukebox musical based on the music of Gloria Estefan. At the merch stall, Mrs Snowman fell in love with a particular Miami Sound Machine t-shirt, but after … --- ## [Electronics Wonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronics-wonder/836131)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronics-wonder/836131 "2019-06-27T07:41:25Z")
Two questions about electronics: My son has a converter box to convert from cables with male RCA connector to an HDMI cable. He is trying to connect a game controller (with the HDMI female connector) to an older CRT-type… --- ## [Personality of the X (handwriting analysis)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personality-of-the-x-handwriting-analysis/836121)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personality-of-the-x-handwriting-analysis/836121 "2019-06-27T01:06:41Z")
The girlfriend and I have a whiteboard that we keep lists on. One of these lists will frequently have a column that doesn’t apply to the listed item. So we put an X there. I noticed today that we make our Xs in a simila… --- ## [State of Indiana Require Social Security Card for Loans?!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-indiana-require-social-security-card-for-loans/835680)
**Author:** [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-indiana-require-social-security-card-for-loans/835680 "2019-06-27T01:02:12Z")
I just went over to a Nissan dealer in Indianapolis to pick up a new car lease that I will title in Michigan. We had all of the paperwork complete and were signing papers when they asked to see my social security card, … --- ## [Could we suck out CO2 from atmosphere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-suck-out-co2-from-atmosphere/835966)
**Author:** [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-suck-out-co2-from-atmosphere/835966 "2019-06-26T23:55:22Z")
If we had cheap, unlimited source of energy would it be viable to actively remove CO2 from atmosphere on a large scale? --- ## [What causes potholes (under bitumen)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-potholes-under-bitumen/835916)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-potholes-under-bitumen/835916 "2019-06-26T21:32:01Z")
We’ve had considerable rain over the last week or so, and of course now the roads are full of potholes, some quite large so they pose a bit of a threat to drivers and their cars. Yesterday I was at a mall shopping centr… --- ## [Question about lethal injection.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-lethal-injection/836069)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-lethal-injection/836069 "2019-06-26T20:48:55Z")
Just watched the end of Dead Man Walking and it occurs to me, most death-row prisoners seem to go quietly to their fate. What would happen if one, knowing of the horrors of lethal injection, decided he’d rather face a fi… --- ## [Auto Tire Cream to Stop Dry Rot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-tire-cream-to-stop-dry-rot/836080)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-tire-cream-to-stop-dry-rot/836080 "2019-06-26T20:20:56Z")
Is there such a thing as a cream or sunblock to slow dry rot of vehicle tires? Seems like a simple problem to solve. --- ## [Getting Credit Card Flight Bonus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-credit-card-flight-bonus/836116)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-credit-card-flight-bonus/836116 "2019-06-26T19:58:31Z")
Is there a way for me to use the credit card and get the money back (to my bank) without losing 2-3% in the process? or with a really low cost? --- ## [Home values: condos vs. single-family](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-values-condos-vs-single-family/836002)
**Author:** [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-values-condos-vs-single-family/836002 "2019-06-26T18:59:36Z")
For years I’ve heard and read that condominiums don’t appreciate as quickly as single-family homes. It’s usually presented as received wisdom—something that’s Just True. But if that were true in a simple and literal way… --- ## [Free concerts in the park -- how does the band get paid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-concerts-in-the-park-how-does-the-band-get-paid/835858)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-concerts-in-the-park-how-does-the-band-get-paid/835858 "2019-06-26T18:42:26Z")
The thread in Cafe Society about local musicians who never made it big got me thinking about something. Some cities, including the one I live in, offer free concerts in the park during the summer. Every Friday evening … --- ## [Voice mail on unactived phone. How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voice-mail-on-unactived-phone-how/836027)
**Author:** [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voice-mail-on-unactived-phone-how/836027 "2019-06-26T16:54:07Z")
I was in the process of replacing the SIM card on my phone. (Long story.) It’s an LG L70 smartphone that uses Tracfone. Immediately after putting the SIM card in and powering on I saw a notice for a voice mail. And I ha… --- ## [Stadium seat cup holders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stadium-seat-cup-holders/836063)
**Author:** [@Nancyd1024](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancyd1024)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stadium-seat-cup-holders/836063 "2019-06-26T15:21:48Z")
Hi - I just saw this pic on a search and it referenced this site - can anybody tell me how to find these? This thread will only allow me to copy/paste the link (not the picture)… Either I’m not smart enough to actua… --- ## [Out of the blue vacation/annual leave increase - acquisition signal?? (May be UK specific)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-the-blue-vacation-annual-leave-increase-acquisition-signal-may-be-uk-specific/835963)
**Author:** [@jimdigritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimdigritz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-the-blue-vacation-annual-leave-increase-acquisition-signal-may-be-uk-specific/835963 "2019-06-26T08:08:30Z")
So I’ve worked for my UK employer (a private LTD company) for just over 2 1/2 years and out of the blue I get a formal notification from HR that my Annual Leave (Vacation) allowance is being increased by a day. The chan… --- ## [Can he U.S. Post office fire a mail person.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-he-u-s-post-office-fire-a-mail-person/835847)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2019, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-he-u-s-post-office-fire-a-mail-person/835847 "2019-06-26T04:38:57Z")
Can he U.S. Post office fire a mail person. I except here, of course, a situation in which a mail worker has stolen money or otherwise committed an illegal act.’ I also except a situation, far from anything encountered… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=450) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=452)