# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=559 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 560 --- ## [How do I do my own Cook Couty, IL property tax appeal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-my-own-cook-couty-il-property-tax-appeal/818312)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-my-own-cook-couty-il-property-tax-appeal/818312 "2018-07-22T05:36:21Z")
So we got our assessment letter, and the Cook County Assessor’s Office thinks that the value of our home has increased by over 50% in the past three years. Which it hasn’t (it was probably quite undervalued on the last … --- ## [Who is the black woman in this YouTube clip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-black-woman-in-this-youtube-clip/818359)
**Author:** [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-black-woman-in-this-youtube-clip/818359 "2018-07-22T02:24:01Z")
at the 16 second mark. --- ## [How do you build a walkway on a sheer cliff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-build-a-walkway-on-a-sheer-cliff/818269)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-build-a-walkway-on-a-sheer-cliff/818269 "2018-07-22T02:03:15Z")
Here is an example of a pedestrian walkway on a mountain, on Tianmen Mountain (YouTube) in China. The video shows the walkway, tram, and road. The walkway is near the beginning. This walkway winds around the face of a c… --- ## [OTA Digital TV Antenna/Booster Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ota-digital-tv-antenna-booster-question/818310)
**Author:** [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ota-digital-tv-antenna-booster-question/818310 "2018-07-22T01:13:22Z")
Please bear with me - I’m not real bright when it comes to this stuff. I’m asking for my sanity’s sake so I can give my husband an answer and he will hopefully stop doinking around with the damn TV. We do not have cable… --- ## [Do I Need Transmission Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Or Both (2007 Toyota Yaris)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-transmission-fluid-power-steering-fluid-or-both-2007-toyota-yaris/818330)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-transmission-fluid-power-steering-fluid-or-both-2007-toyota-yaris/818330 "2018-07-22T01:05:47Z")
My transmission light came on yesterday while driving to a relative’s home, and then on the way, the power steering gave out. So quick & easy fix, right? Just add transmission fluid? Or is there more to the process? Als… --- ## [Do new cars need to be 'broken in'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-new-cars-need-to-be-broken-in/818273)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-new-cars-need-to-be-broken-in/818273 "2018-07-22T00:59:28Z")
I seem to remember that years ago, it was recommended that a new car should not be run at the same speed for long. A combo of city/highway driving is best for the first X amount of miles to ‘break it in’. While this se… --- ## [What happened to the condiment dispensing machines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-condiment-dispensing-machines/818243)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-condiment-dispensing-machines/818243 "2018-07-22T00:59:23Z")
It seems that condiment dispensing machines are much less common than they were 5 or so years ago. You know, the ones where you either pump or press a button and some catsup or mustard or whatever comes out. I only recal… --- ## [Duplicate Copyright Certificate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-copyright-certificate/818329)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-copyright-certificate/818329 "2018-07-22T00:44:44Z")
I am a bit upset. I finally revised my Codeword Dictionary into a second edition and have been able to format it for Kindle all by myself. So I sent it in to Amazon. They want proof I own the copyright. When I publishe… --- ## [Since when are "NATO" and "NAFTA" proper nouns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-are-nato-and-nafta-proper-nouns/818221)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-are-nato-and-nafta-proper-nouns/818221 "2018-07-21T21:14:54Z")
I’ve been sesing this a fair bit in news media recently: “NATO” and “NAFTA” are now being treated as proper nouns: “Nato” and “Nafta”. But other acronyms are still getting the acronym treatment: “WTO”, “WHO” and “EU”… --- ## [What gives the US president unilateral authority to impose tariffs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gives-the-us-president-unilateral-authority-to-impose-tariffs/818290)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gives-the-us-president-unilateral-authority-to-impose-tariffs/818290 "2018-07-21T15:19:24Z")
Title pretty much says it all. I would really think congress would have a role in this but apparently they do not. What part of the constitution and/or legislation grants the president authority to impose tariffs at hi… --- ## [Quasi-myths or I just think they are and have been proven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quasi-myths-or-i-just-think-they-are-and-have-been-proven/817819)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quasi-myths-or-i-just-think-they-are-and-have-been-proven/817819 "2018-07-21T15:13:10Z")
Terminally-ill animals, including humans, experience a brief respite…to find a place to die.Now, I haven’t seen humans slink off to do so, but thats still my theory. Pregnant women DO have a glow about them. And its… --- ## [Trump and Putin's meeting (factual question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-putins-meeting-factual-question/818295)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-putins-meeting-factual-question/818295 "2018-07-21T14:35:00Z")
Hi SD, I heard Putin met with Trump privately, with only interpreters present. What guarantee is there that the interpreters won’t go public with the information that they pass between the two leaders? Surely, with su… --- ## [I am not a criminal, but I keep hearing about the horrors of the Dark Web](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-criminal-but-i-keep-hearing-about-the-horrors-of-the-dark-web/818302)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-criminal-but-i-keep-hearing-about-the-horrors-of-the-dark-web/818302 "2018-07-21T13:47:07Z")
And, actually, when I encounter something offensive I tend to backtrack. However, I’m curious how to find it. And mods, if you find this as bad an idea as I think it is, please close the thread. But as Wife would say,… --- ## [More Questions about the Metric System - House Construction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-the-metric-system-house-construction/818116)
**Author:** [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-the-metric-system-house-construction/818116 "2018-07-21T04:01:28Z")
Maybe this could have gone into the other thread, but I’ll start it as a new one. An older complaint that I heard about the metric system was that when the US would finally go in for more complete conversion, there migh… --- ## [What did the average German think about Japan during WWII, and vice versa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-average-german-think-about-japan-during-wwii-and-vice-versa/818257)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-average-german-think-about-japan-during-wwii-and-vice-versa/818257 "2018-07-21T03:11:44Z")
There are some definite oddities in the German-Japan alliance in the second world war: -Both nations were racist nationalists who thought they were naturally superior. Both allied with a nation who very much was NOT the… --- ## [Email spoofing problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-spoofing-problem/818247)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-spoofing-problem/818247 "2018-07-21T02:57:50Z")
Apologies if this is covered elsewhere and thanks in advance. After posting this, I’m getting offline for the night, so won’t be able to reply till the morning. I sent an email to a friend from my Hotmail account (web c… --- ## [Cats' tails?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123 "2018-07-20T22:52:13Z")
Is the waving of Cupcake the Destroyer’s tail voluntary or involuntary? I often wonder about this when she’s on my shoulder or chest and waving that thing in my face. --- ## [How many jews were able to successfully pose as non-Jewish during the Holocaust?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-jews-were-able-to-successfully-pose-as-non-jewish-during-the-holocaust/817970)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-jews-were-able-to-successfully-pose-as-non-jewish-during-the-holocaust/817970 "2018-07-20T21:47:29Z")
Faced with extermination and no way to get out I assume some Jews tried to pose as non Jews during the nazi regime. If you didn’t “look” Jewish, moved to a different area of the country where nobody knew you, assumed a … --- ## [Legal hypothetical involving CA tax law and a car won in game show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-involving-ca-tax-law-and-a-car-won-in-game-show/818124)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-involving-ca-tax-law-and-a-car-won-in-game-show/818124 "2018-07-20T21:44:17Z")
I agree in advance this is a dry subject for a thread. In fact, I first raised this question in another thread and pretty much killed it stone dead. \*\*Asuka \*\*mentioned in the other thread it’s California law that if yo… --- ## [Would teeth improve in strength if one was fed nutrients intravenously only?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-teeth-improve-in-strength-if-one-was-fed-nutrients-intravenously-only/818265)
**Author:** [@EricaRoche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EricaRoche)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-teeth-improve-in-strength-if-one-was-fed-nutrients-intravenously-only/818265 "2018-07-20T20:06:12Z")
If you take someone (early 20s) that has teeth with a very weak enamel and force them to take nutrients intravenously or through their belly button meaning they never have to eat for their life again through their mouth,… --- ## [Spontaneous combustion of tortilla chips?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spontaneous-combustion-of-tortilla-chips/818275)
**Author:** [@Ionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ionizer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spontaneous-combustion-of-tortilla-chips/818275 "2018-07-20T19:09:25Z")
This story, out of Austin, TX, is about a tortilla-chip maker that had changed it handling of waste chips had the ‘pile’ of old chips (stored behind the office) burst into flames. Apparently as firefighters (AFD Faceboo… --- ## [A motivated, self-taught, person passes state bar exam. Is a law degree required to practice law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248 "2018-07-20T18:45:29Z")
It’s my understanding lawyers like Abe Lincoln and Andrew Jackson were largely self-taught. They used law books that other lawyers had in their offices. Is that still possible in any US state? For example, there are ac… --- ## [Regarding AncestryDNA and one's child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-ancestrydna-and-ones-child/818108)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-ancestrydna-and-ones-child/818108 "2018-07-20T18:18:09Z")
Okay. I have an ancestry DNA profile (hypothetically) as follows: Europe West 50% Great Britain 26% Ireland/Scotland/Wales 20% The rest are low confidence. Let’s assume that we do a test and my daughter’s percentag… --- ## [What exactly was the cause for bowling going out of favor in the past 30 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-was-the-cause-for-bowling-going-out-of-favor-in-the-past-30-years/817960)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-was-the-cause-for-bowling-going-out-of-favor-in-the-past-30-years/817960 "2018-07-20T17:18:58Z")
I was recently listening to “The Dollop” podcast about the history of bowling and while interesting they make a major point at the end to claim the reason for bowling’s demise in America (The United States only has 1/3rd… --- ## [Revenue From Tariffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revenue-from-tariffs/818272)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revenue-from-tariffs/818272 "2018-07-20T15:24:40Z")
Leaving aside the economic impact of tariffs vs free trade, what happens to the revenue generated from the tariffs themselves? I assume this goes into the federal treasury, but you don’t see this discussed at all in the … --- ## [Rust Belt, Sun Belt, Bible Belt, etc. - Which "Belt" Came First?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-belt-sun-belt-bible-belt-etc-which-belt-came-first/818227)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-belt-sun-belt-bible-belt-etc-which-belt-came-first/818227 "2018-07-20T15:04:09Z")
When did the term “belt” to describe the characteristic of a region in the US first come into use, and what was the first one? My WAG is “Bible Belt,” for no reason at all. --- ## [Netflix & wii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-wii/818250)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-wii/818250 "2018-07-20T14:01:11Z")
In the guest bedroom we have what I think is the original wii hooked up to the TV and really only use it to watch Netflix. I use to operate it all the time and never had an issue. But it’s been a while now and I’m having… --- ## [Does anyone care if I get phishing spam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-if-i-get-phishing-spam/802990)
**Author:** [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-if-i-get-phishing-spam/802990 "2018-07-20T12:23:28Z")
So I get phishing spam, just like everyone else. The emails come, from PayPal which I don’t have, with headers that are mis-spelled, and the Click here to check your account has hover over text of \ **Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-short-in-this-context/818258 "2018-07-20T06:52:50Z") In the 1974 movie Phantom of the Paradise, there is a line in the song “Upholstery,” which is about cars, and which says, “Of all life’s mysteries the greatest one I’ve seen: My short runs better when it’s clean.” Wha… --- ## [Cut Carpet with Bookcases on top?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cut-carpet-with-bookcases-on-top/818150)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cut-carpet-with-bookcases-on-top/818150 "2018-07-20T04:03:12Z")
I have a bunch of bookcases on top of carpet. I wish to remove the carpet between the bookcases–but I don’t want to move the bookcases. How do I cut the carpet as closely as possible to the bookcases–but definitely don’t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=558) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=560)