# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=557 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 558 --- ## [Las Vegas mass shooting: why is the hotel suing the victims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-mass-shooting-why-is-the-hotel-suing-the-victims/818574)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2018, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-mass-shooting-why-is-the-hotel-suing-the-victims/818574 "2018-07-27T04:31:56Z")
The news reports all say that the hotel is suing hundreds of the victims who were shot,( and in the case of the victims who died, the hotel is suing the surviving families.) Huh? What are they suing for? The hotel sa… --- ## [Laser cutting sheet metal question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-cutting-sheet-metal-question/818638)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2018, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-cutting-sheet-metal-question/818638 "2018-07-27T01:22:45Z")
recently I had to have a couple of hundred triangles cut out of sheet metal. They insist they have to be cut individually instead of just cutting out a saw tooth pattern and then shearing them off. I end up with twice th… --- ## [Workers on strike walking in a circle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workers-on-strike-walking-in-a-circle/818568)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workers-on-strike-walking-in-a-circle/818568 "2018-07-27T00:51:39Z")
There’s an old movie on that depicts workers on strike, who are walking around in a big circle. Was there a union rule or local law that required striking workers to ‘keep moving’? For example, by walking in a circle, … --- ## [These hard drive descriptions mean...what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hard-drive-descriptions-mean-what/818648)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hard-drive-descriptions-mean-what/818648 "2018-07-27T00:30:45Z")
I am looking at some internal OEM hard drives in the range of 4TB-10TB. Western Digital drives, refurbished, are advertised for very good prices on eBay from a China source with 20-40 day shipping times. I will be using… --- ## [Franken silences Lieberman, 2009. The fourth Senator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franken-silences-lieberman-2009-the-fourth-senator/818643)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2018, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franken-silences-lieberman-2009-the-fourth-senator/818643 "2018-07-27T00:26:27Z")
It’s old news. Sen. Franken denies Joe Lieberman additional time to speak. McCain jumps into the fray but who is this Senator who speaks after McCain? --- ## [Airline Tickets- Price Difference](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-tickets-price-difference/818608)
**Author:** [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-tickets-price-difference/818608 "2018-07-26T23:14:54Z")
My wife and I have booked from Amsterdam to Edinburgh later in the year. I booked online with a well known carrier (not a cheapie one). Same flight, same class and booked at the same time. I received the credit card ac… --- ## [Are there any state secrets the president would not be allowed to know if he asked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-state-secrets-the-president-would-not-be-allowed-to-know-if-he-asked/818316)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-state-secrets-the-president-would-not-be-allowed-to-know-if-he-asked/818316 "2018-07-26T21:59:52Z")
I would assume that, for the most part, as chief executive there is no state secret to which the president is not privy (or rather nothing he won’t be told for secrecy reasons if he asks). But I wonder if this is really… --- ## [Old Timey Telephone Numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-telephone-numbers/817956)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-telephone-numbers/817956 "2018-07-26T20:36:38Z")
There was a parade today, and one of the entrants was a very old tow truck. I don’t know much about cars, but I’m thinking 1920-1930. On the door of the cab was painted advertisement for the (now defunct) company. “Hil… --- ## [Straight Talk/Trac Phone system down. Any info on this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-talk-trac-phone-system-down-any-info-on-this/818629)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-talk-trac-phone-system-down-any-info-on-this/818629 "2018-07-26T20:12:17Z")
I was on the phone not an hour ago when suddenly my call got dropped. Full bars and everything. Display says “No Service”. Rebooted my phone a couple times with no change. My phone is auto billed, had several days left … --- ## [Minority owned business certification when minority status is questioned or contested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minority-owned-business-certification-when-minority-status-is-questioned-or-contested/818625)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minority-owned-business-certification-when-minority-status-is-questioned-or-contested/818625 "2018-07-26T20:02:16Z")
So as to not hijack WillFarnaby’s GD thread, since he declared it not relevant The US government (and others) sometimes give preferential treatment to minority\*-owned businesses when awarding contracts. There doesn’t se… --- ## [Whole house fans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-house-fans/818171)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-house-fans/818171 "2018-07-26T19:53:22Z")
I have been looking into getting a whole house fan. My house is two stories and just under 1000 sq ft. I was looking at this unit, QuietCool QC CL-2250 Original Classic Fan Model https://www.amazon.com/QuietCool-QC-CL-… --- ## [Intermittent dishwasher issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-dishwasher-issue/806912)
**Author:** [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-dishwasher-issue/806912 "2018-07-26T18:57:58Z")
I have a Kitchenaid dishwasher, this one, to be exact. It’s about a year and a half old. Starting three days ago, I’ve starting having this weird issue where it sometimes works, and sometimes doesn’t. The first day, it … --- ## [Social Democracy vs Democratic Socialism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-democracy-vs-democratic-socialism/818626)
**Author:** [@drkstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drkstar)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-democracy-vs-democratic-socialism/818626 "2018-07-26T17:16:38Z")
Is there a substantial difference between the two? Are there any pure Democratic Socialist countries? --- ## [How are remote DEW / NWS sites powered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-remote-dew-nws-sites-powered/818449)
**Author:** [@vonespy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vonespy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-remote-dew-nws-sites-powered/818449 "2018-07-26T13:08:07Z")
(I’m not asking for a friend, nor do I need an answer urgently.) I got sucked down the rabbit hole of looking at Distant Early Warning (DEW) and North Warning System (NWS) sites listed here on the satellite view of Goog… --- ## [I soaked an aquarium airbubbler in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-soaked-an-aquarium-airbubbler-in-3-hydrogen-peroxide-now-what/818590)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-soaked-an-aquarium-airbubbler-in-3-hydrogen-peroxide-now-what/818590 "2018-07-26T12:50:52Z")
I know, I should’ve done more research… My algae feasting fish died a few months ago, and I haven’t had time to replace him. He did a damn good job eating algae over the years, apparently, because it sprang up surprisin… --- ## [Another bedbug question, PLEASE ADVISE soon- what about my stuff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-bedbug-question-please-advise-soon-what-about-my-stuff/818195)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-bedbug-question-please-advise-soon-what-about-my-stuff/818195 "2018-07-26T01:52:04Z")
I have several bags of my clothes, knickknack s, shoes, books that I took out of my room black 30 gallon trash bags down cellar, my good stuff. My room was sprayed and is empty except for my bed and empty closets. I d… --- ## [What is this unusual smell in my kitchen cabinet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-unusual-smell-in-my-kitchen-cabinet/818538)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-unusual-smell-in-my-kitchen-cabinet/818538 "2018-07-26T00:55:04Z")
Just moved into a new place and there’s one kitchen cabinet that has a noticeable smell. I wiped all the cabinets down (with Method lavender, if you’re curious) as a matter of course. But one cabinet has a persistent o… --- ## [Are charges/threats of perjury anywhere near as common in real life as they're made out to be on TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-charges-threats-of-perjury-anywhere-near-as-common-in-real-life-as-theyre-made-out-to-be-on-tv/818580)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-charges-threats-of-perjury-anywhere-near-as-common-in-real-life-as-theyre-made-out-to-be-on-tv/818580 "2018-07-25T21:03:38Z")
One thing that seems to come up a lot on any remotely legal-type TV show is the issue of perjury. You’re committing perjury! You’re gonna be charged with perjury! PERJURY!!! I’m even watching a show right now (Bates Mote… --- ## [Does Trump have a stake in any companies that do actual manufacturing...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-have-a-stake-in-any-companies-that-do-actual-manufacturing/818557)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-have-a-stake-in-any-companies-that-do-actual-manufacturing/818557 "2018-07-25T20:55:09Z")
and if so, were any of them hit by Trump’s tariffs? How about his family? Just wonder if he’s let it hit his own bottom line. --- ## [Isogloss for green, string, and snap beans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isogloss-for-green-string-and-snap-beans/818525)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isogloss-for-green-string-and-snap-beans/818525 "2018-07-25T20:17:14Z")
I have completely failed to coerce google into providing such a map. My wife and I both used “string bean” (we’re from NYC and Philly, resp.) and learned “green bean” when frozen vegetables became common (late 40s) and … --- ## [Wi-Fi extenders - Do they work? Recommendation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-extenders-do-they-work-recommendation/818472)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-extenders-do-they-work-recommendation/818472 "2018-07-25T19:46:27Z")
Sister-in-law wants to put a smart TV in the bedroom that’s at the far end of her house from her DSL modem and wi-fi router. The wi-fi signal drops dramatically right outside of the bedroom door. We’ve tried 3 differen… --- ## [Cell phone external battery chargers.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-external-battery-chargers/818546)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-external-battery-chargers/818546 "2018-07-25T18:53:46Z")
The USB charging port on my Samsung Galaxy J3 has died (as in the metal connectors have separated from the connector and smooshed against the back wall.) I would rather avoid the expense of replacing it or having it repa… --- ## [I hate 3-way switches!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-3-way-switches/818489)
**Author:** [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-3-way-switches/818489 "2018-07-25T18:35:58Z")
Okay, I have a 40+ year old house. The wiring is a mish-mash of old stuff and whatever the handyman the previous owner happened to hire that day put together. So, I have a hallway light. I’m replacing very old switches … --- ## [PC RAM/New Graphics card will this damage anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-ram-new-graphics-card-will-this-damage-anything/818529)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-ram-new-graphics-card-will-this-damage-anything/818529 "2018-07-25T17:52:21Z")
I installed a 1050 ti 4GB graphics card into my PC which normally runs 8GB ram and an A10-6700 APU With Radeaon HD graphics 3700Mhz processor. TLDWR… Will mismatched memory that seems to be working but doesn’t show up a… --- ## [name for auditory phenomenon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-auditory-phenomenon/818507)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-auditory-phenomenon/818507 "2018-07-25T17:35:34Z")
This is something that happens to me in crowded public places where I’m surrounded by people engaged in not-particularly-quiet chatter, e.g. in a very busy diner or in an audience before a concert begins. Periodically, … --- ## [Solutions for sharing a single Domain account across multiple individuals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solutions-for-sharing-a-single-domain-account-across-multiple-individuals/818435)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solutions-for-sharing-a-single-domain-account-across-multiple-individuals/818435 "2018-07-25T17:04:03Z")
I know the straight answer to this is “Just don’t do that”, but there are some constraints in place that mean maybe I have no choice. So we’ve got a department (let’s call it ‘handling’) staffed by half a dozen differen… --- ## [Emerald Green Arborvitaes - Inner Leaves Turning Brown in late July normal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-green-arborvitaes-inner-leaves-turning-brown-in-late-july-normal/818510)
**Author:** [@Panzram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panzram)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-green-arborvitaes-inner-leaves-turning-brown-in-late-july-normal/818510 "2018-07-25T14:59:57Z")
Hello, I recently planted eight 12 foot arborvitaes in my yard as the start of what will be a privacy screen between myself and the neighboring homes. My plan is to add an additional eight next year. Actually, I would h… --- ## [Neutrinos, North Pole: Did something splendiferous just happen in physics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neutrinos-north-pole-did-something-splendiferous-just-happen-in-physics/818509)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neutrinos-north-pole-did-something-splendiferous-just-happen-in-physics/818509 "2018-07-25T04:16:46Z")
I’m only a few weeks late on this, I think, on this, and figure somebody with good cites will come along. Via a miles-deep sensor apparatus under the ice–which sounds fascinating to begin with–they found traces of real … --- ## [How common is it for black off-duty officers to get shot by police in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-is-it-for-black-off-duty-officers-to-get-shot-by-police-in-the-us/818456)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-is-it-for-black-off-duty-officers-to-get-shot-by-police-in-the-us/818456 "2018-07-24T21:42:40Z")
Are there stats which would compare that demographic to the black US population as a whole? By gender/age/region? How common is it for them to be stopped or searched? The results could be interpreted a few ways but I’m… --- ## [.22 target.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/22-target/818356)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/22-target/818356 "2018-07-24T21:20:41Z")
I have a spinner target for my .22. It’s made of steel and is powder coated black and has some orange stickers on it. These stickers will not last long and I’m going to paint it. Does anyone have any ideas on which pain… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=556) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=558)