# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=576 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 577 --- ## [Tariffs, Quotas, and Subsidies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tariffs-quotas-and-subsidies/815781)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tariffs-quotas-and-subsidies/815781 "2018-06-11T17:53:05Z")
The President, during the G7 meeting, seemed to imply that the EU has a variety of protectionist economic measures in place that the US does (or did) not and so the recent tariffs are just bringing the US up to match. G… --- ## [SETI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seti/815845)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seti/815845 "2018-06-11T16:54:58Z")
Does SETI have the technology to detect artificial neutrino signals? Radio waves seem like smoke signals --- ## [Sterile neutrinos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sterile-neutrinos/815843)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sterile-neutrinos/815843 "2018-06-11T13:19:04Z")
If sterile neutrinos turn out to exist, can they explain the effects of dark matter? --- ## [Skydiver Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skydiver-question/815792)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skydiver-question/815792 "2018-06-11T12:35:34Z")
When changing position in the air is it an intuitive type move or something we have to learn. --- ## [Owning a condo in a foreign country, renting it out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owning-a-condo-in-a-foreign-country-renting-it-out/815801)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owning-a-condo-in-a-foreign-country-renting-it-out/815801 "2018-06-11T11:18:40Z")
I’m in the US and wonder if anyone knows some of the aspect and possiblilities of this. I’m not sure you can even do it. But maybe there is a way to rent out your property to air B and B clients when you aren’t there. --- ## [How to locate businesses that are closing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-locate-businesses-that-are-closing/815849)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-locate-businesses-that-are-closing/815849 "2018-06-11T07:47:43Z")
I’m in the market for a small fireproof safe or fireproof locakable filing cabinet, cheap. A closing business seems a possibility, say, a lawyer, or something. How do I hear about these closings? --- ## [Where did all the local war monuments go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-all-the-local-war-monuments-go/815797)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-all-the-local-war-monuments-go/815797 "2018-06-11T04:16:17Z")
I grew up in Bellwood, a western suburb of Chicago and home of Memorial Park, with its round above-ground pool and WWII monuments. I think one was a Howitzer. The park is now Stevenson Park, and the war monuments are lon… --- ## [In what way has Pluto not "cleared its orbit"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-way-has-pluto-not-cleared-its-orbit/815789)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-way-has-pluto-not-cleared-its-orbit/815789 "2018-06-11T03:29:30Z")
Is it because Pluto and Charon orbit each other around a point between both? --- ## [Just saw a car driving with a Hawaiian license plate.....in Minnesota....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-saw-a-car-driving-with-a-hawaiian-license-plate-in-minnesota/814838)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-saw-a-car-driving-with-a-hawaiian-license-plate-in-minnesota/814838 "2018-06-11T02:49:50Z")
How does this happen? Do people who live in Hawaii sometimes actually ship their cars to the mainland? Was it a fake plate? --- ## [Are modern pharmaceuticals to blame for the rise in suicides?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pharmaceuticals-to-blame-for-the-rise-in-suicides/815720)
**Author:** [@Wakky\_Bakky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakky_Bakky)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-pharmaceuticals-to-blame-for-the-rise-in-suicides/815720 "2018-06-11T02:26:38Z")
Are modern pharmaceuticals to blame for the rise in suicides? With the recent high-profile suicides of celebrities like Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain who seemingly have “ideal” lives, I began to wonder if they were on… --- ## [What website shows a range of dates for airfares?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-website-shows-a-range-of-dates-for-airfares/815826)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-website-shows-a-range-of-dates-for-airfares/815826 "2018-06-11T01:32:42Z")
I have used this before, but I can’t remember the name of the site that allows one to enter the cities and approximate dates, and it shows airfares for several dates before and after the dates entered. Can someone help? … --- ## [How many criminal or civil investigations that could ensnare Trump are currently ongoing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-criminal-or-civil-investigations-that-could-ensnare-trump-are-currently-ongoing/815692)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-criminal-or-civil-investigations-that-could-ensnare-trump-are-currently-ongoing/815692 "2018-06-10T18:22:23Z")
Not investigations into his administration, or suits against the federal government I mean investigations that could personally cost Trump his freedom or money. Also how many investigations into Trump could uncover evid… --- ## [Solar - jovian barycenter effects on other planets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-jovian-barycenter-effects-on-other-planets/815813)
**Author:** [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-jovian-barycenter-effects-on-other-planets/815813 "2018-06-10T13:29:25Z")
Recently I became aware the barycenter of Jupiter’s orbit about the sun and the Sun’s subsequent wobble is centered slightly above the surface of the sun. How does this affect the other planets when say Jupiter is on th… --- ## [How Do I Play Music on my IPad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-play-music-on-my-ipad/815764)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-play-music-on-my-ipad/815764 "2018-06-10T13:16:31Z")
I want to upload a whole bunch of songs from my desktop iTunes library to my iPad, and play them through a dock like this one that I have already. I thought this was a simple thing to do, but my google searches are not a… --- ## [Joke shop vanishing ink](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-shop-vanishing-ink/815678)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-shop-vanishing-ink/815678 "2018-06-10T12:21:24Z")
When I was about six our family, for some reason, stopped at a joke shop. The owner of the shop contrived to drench my white shirt with some kind of “ink” that stained it blue. Dad thought it was hilarious but mom, pro… --- ## [If Robinhood (the broker) Goes Bankrupt am I really Covered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-robinhood-the-broker-goes-bankrupt-am-i-really-covered/815762)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-robinhood-the-broker-goes-bankrupt-am-i-really-covered/815762 "2018-06-10T12:15:50Z")
This question has been asked and answered online many times. All the answers are either: They are insured by the FDIC, which covers $500k in assets / $250k cash only. It is assumed they will be automatically absorbed b… --- ## [What is the least probable event ever observed? Quantum tunnels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-least-probable-event-ever-observed-quantum-tunnels/815126)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-least-probable-event-ever-observed-quantum-tunnels/815126 "2018-06-10T12:01:34Z")
So I’m sure we’ve all heard about the notion that there is some probability that all the air in my room will suddenly be in the top, left corner of the room and I will suffocate. However, the probability of it occurring … --- ## [Is there actually heroin from the Harz Mountains of Germany? (Pulp Fiction)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-actually-heroin-from-the-harz-mountains-of-germany-pulp-fiction/815594)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-actually-heroin-from-the-harz-mountains-of-germany-pulp-fiction/815594 "2018-06-10T10:23:40Z")
I always thought it was weird how Vincent Vega’s heroin dealer in Pulp Fiction describes his best heroin as being “from the Harz Mountains in Germany.” Even at whatever age I was when I first saw that movie, I was suspic… --- ## [Is it really THAT easy to snap someone's neck?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-that-easy-to-snap-someones-neck/815680)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-that-easy-to-snap-someones-neck/815680 "2018-06-10T02:20:06Z")
In a weird bit of coincidence, the concept of snapping someone’s neck to kill them has come up in some media I consume all at the same time. Whether it was doing it to someone who’s already unconscious (Hitman Video Game… --- ## [Why do this with a rifle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-this-with-a-rifle/815702)
**Author:** [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-this-with-a-rifle/815702 "2018-06-10T00:44:31Z")
Was waiting in line for a tour of the US capitol. There were 3-4 armed police there, one of which wore combat gear and carried an M4. At one point, he removed the clip, pointed the rifle down and away from the crowd, and… --- ## [A Complicated Geometry Question (No, This Is Not Homework)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-complicated-geometry-question-no-this-is-not-homework/815689)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-complicated-geometry-question-no-this-is-not-homework/815689 "2018-06-09T22:06:10Z")
Imagine a circle with a known radius (N) and known diameter (N+N). Now imagine a straight line (A-C) beginning at the circle’s “north pole” (for lack of a better choice of words) and extending outward. How can you calcul… --- ## [What do the extra lines on nucleotide diagrams mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-extra-lines-on-nucleotide-diagrams-mean/815481)
**Author:** [@Spectralist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectralist)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-extra-lines-on-nucleotide-diagrams-mean/815481 "2018-06-09T20:26:43Z")
I’m studying for a test and have been looking at a bunch of diagrams of DNA and RNA and most of them have extra lines on the inside of the nitrogenous base geometry. Such as here. At first I assumed they were double bond… --- ## [Just created a Facebook Event. Why is it acting funky?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-created-a-facebook-event-why-is-it-acting-funky/815777)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-created-a-facebook-event-why-is-it-acting-funky/815777 "2018-06-09T19:31:14Z")
OK, I’ve never created a FB event before but it seemed pretty straight-forward in the limited instructions they provided. Here’s the event: Now, since this went up, I’ve had a couple people both “like” the event and … --- ## [Your debts die with you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-debts-die-with-you/815545)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-debts-die-with-you/815545 "2018-06-09T19:03:12Z")
I’ve heard people say ‘Your debts die with you.’ Of course one’s estate is responsible for paying the debts of the deceased. But what if there is no estate? What if the estate is insufficient? Is it true that credito… --- ## [Watching MP4 videos on iPad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-mp4-videos-on-ipad/815705)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-mp4-videos-on-ipad/815705 "2018-06-09T16:27:52Z")
I recently got some old VHS tapes transferred to MP4 format, while I can download and watch them on my android tablet (a Samsung Nexus) my mum would like to be able to watch them on her iPad. I know a bit about computer… --- ## [Controlling Wind Farms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlling-wind-farms/815440)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlling-wind-farms/815440 "2018-06-09T14:33:06Z")
On a windy day, I noticed some private windmills on a farm spinning like crazy. Other times, I’ve seen such things making lazier circles. This got me to wonder how are wind farms controlled? If the wind is really howlin… --- ## [Oil of Vitriol and the Borgias](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-of-vitriol-and-the-borgias/657846)
**Author:** [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-of-vitriol-and-the-borgias/657846 "2018-06-09T13:06:06Z")
(If this is more Cafe Society, feel free to move it, but it’s more of a historical/etymology question than about the drama). I’ve been watching the Showtime series Borgia and am puzzled by what the characters keep calli… --- ## [Without the resurgent Russians tearing through Europe, no D-Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-resurgent-russians-tearing-through-europe-no-d-day/815549)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-resurgent-russians-tearing-through-europe-no-d-day/815549 "2018-06-09T04:27:57Z")
Today of course is D-Day, and speaking with a French friend, and giving him the old “If it wasn’t for us you’d be speaking German,” he answered “No, if it wasn’t for you we’d be speaking Russian.” He went on about his o… --- ## [Anyone Know Where This Supposed Ghost Video Comes From?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-where-this-supposed-ghost-video-comes-from/815703)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-where-this-supposed-ghost-video-comes-from/815703 "2018-06-08T21:00:04Z")
I’ve seen this video on various “Top Five Scariest Things Caught On Video” and similar YouTube clickbait. Supposedly it comes from a hotel in Illinois, Arizona, California, or any number of other places. I’m not going t… --- ## [Generally, what is the difference between a President and a Prime Minister?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generally-what-is-the-difference-between-a-president-and-a-prime-minister/815400)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2018, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generally-what-is-the-difference-between-a-president-and-a-prime-minister/815400 "2018-06-08T20:45:24Z")
I was always confused by this because I’m American, where we only have a President. I’ve been told the closest thing we have to a PM here is either the White House Chief of Staff (who almost NO ONE knows) or the Speaker … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=575) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=577)