# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=587 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 588 --- ## [NASA, Space Exploration, The USA and Russia...???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-space-exploration-the-usa-and-russia/813609)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-space-exploration-the-usa-and-russia/813609 "2018-05-10T23:20:02Z")
I am going to be incredibly naive here, yet I have briefly researched these issues. NASA funding is in the pits. We have been and continue to use Russian RD-180 engines, made in Russia or made/final assembly in the USA. … --- ## [Help me identify this ring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-ring/652196)
**Author:** [@baileygrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baileygrrrl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-ring/652196 "2018-05-10T23:10:14Z")
I found this ring while cleaning up in my basement under the stairs. I assume it was from a previous home owner. We’ve been in the house for almost 20 years. I am in Ontario, Canada. It looks like a RCAF logo? … --- ## [Emails being converted to HTML format](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emails-being-converted-to-html-format/813928)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emails-being-converted-to-html-format/813928 "2018-05-10T23:01:41Z")
I use either plain text of rich text format, but sometimes when people respond to my emails I find that they’ve been converted to HTML format. I find it annoying, because while the response itself looks fine, it does bad… --- ## [Can the President choose any number of cabinet members?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-choose-any-number-of-cabinet-members/813807)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-choose-any-number-of-cabinet-members/813807 "2018-05-10T22:36:29Z")
Hi Can the President choose any number of cabinet members? Is 15 the maximum? Have any of them ever lived in the White House? I look forward to your feedback --- ## [Is the Department of Motor Vehicles that bad in other countries, too?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-department-of-motor-vehicles-that-bad-in-other-countries-too/813119)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-department-of-motor-vehicles-that-bad-in-other-countries-too/813119 "2018-05-10T16:47:20Z")
Going to the DMV is pretty much a universally loathed experience, with long lines, inefficient processing, and needless forms. Is the experience of getting a license, registering a vehicle, etc. this bad in developed co… --- ## [Research on Foreign-run Business Culture vs. Local](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-on-foreign-run-business-culture-vs-local/813823)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-on-foreign-run-business-culture-vs-local/813823 "2018-05-10T16:35:17Z")
I am looking for research that deals with the topic of whether and how different the corporate culture of a business is when it is owned and managed by a foreign company (e.g. the US office of a Japanese company) versus … --- ## [Do they offer licenses for really specific vehicles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-offer-licenses-for-really-specific-vehicles/813800)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-offer-licenses-for-really-specific-vehicles/813800 "2018-05-10T16:11:34Z")
What I mean is, does the government issue licenses or endorsements for things like: Trains Cruise ships Tanks Loaders Basically any really specific vehicles, or it simply a train on the job sort of deal? --- ## [Does Decorative Stainless Steel Rust?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-decorative-stainless-steel-rust/813909)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-decorative-stainless-steel-rust/813909 "2018-05-10T15:22:24Z")
Does stainless 304 & 316 that has been highly polished or even matte eventually rust if stored indoors, cleaned regularly with a wet cloth? If so what time scale? By rust.corrosion I mean visible eye sore. All the talk… --- ## [Grimm's Fairy Tale - A Blue Light - No. 116](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grimms-fairy-tale-a-blue-light-no-116/813787)
**Author:** [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grimms-fairy-tale-a-blue-light-no-116/813787 "2018-05-10T15:14:35Z")
I remember reading this fairy tale and wondering exactly what “a blue light” was. I can Google any of a number of copies of this tale and its also on Wikipedia. The Blue Light (fairy tale) - Wikipedia What, exactly, i… --- ## [Passport with no photo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-with-no-photo/813157)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-with-no-photo/813157 "2018-05-10T13:14:07Z")
There was a story a while back about a Pastafarian who got a waver on the ‘no wearing colanders on your head’ rule for passport photographs and in general, religious/culturally important hair coverings are allowed as lon… --- ## [Images on Wordpress not showing up on iPhone/Safari](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/images-on-wordpress-not-showing-up-on-iphone-safari/813886)
**Author:** [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/images-on-wordpress-not-showing-up-on-iphone-safari/813886 "2018-05-10T06:28:58Z")
I have no idea what’s going on. I’m updating a Wordpress-based website for a client (I don’t really do web design anymore… this is a legacy client) and for some reason I can not fathom, two images uploaded via the regula… --- ## [Questions regarding setup of universal remote app on iPad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-setup-of-universal-remote-app-on-ipad/813881)
**Author:** [@pidgeon92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pidgeon92)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-setup-of-universal-remote-app-on-ipad/813881 "2018-05-10T01:21:41Z")
Recently I purchased a new Samsung smart hub TV for my kitchen, and a Yamaha soundbar as the sound on the TV isn’t very loud and I can’t hear it really well while cooking. I also ended up added an Amazon FireTV since the… --- ## [Admiral Halsey, psoriasis and midway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/admiral-halsey-psoriasis-and-midway/503471)
**Author:** [@\_xiao\_wenti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_xiao_wenti)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/admiral-halsey-psoriasis-and-midway/503471 "2018-05-10T01:20:15Z")
Following a comment on Family Guy (S07E14), I googled and discovered that Halsey missed the Battle of Midway because he was hospitalized due to a severe case of psoriasis. Does anyone know any more about this? --- ## [Why Bike not Bice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-bike-not-bice/813725)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-bike-not-bice/813725 "2018-05-10T01:08:14Z")
Where do the words Bike and Trike come from? If you are going to abbreviate, why not “Bice”? --- ## [Machinists: Where does the coolant go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-where-does-the-coolant-go/813879)
**Author:** [@Grither](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grither)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-where-does-the-coolant-go/813879 "2018-05-09T22:36:49Z")
I find metal fabrication fascinating and baffling in approximately equal measure. I’ve been watching a lot of metal fabrication/machinist/tool-porn videos on YouTube lately (AvE and This Old Tony are my personal favorit… --- ## [Is well controlled hypertension a problem or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-well-controlled-hypertension-a-problem-or-not/813867)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-well-controlled-hypertension-a-problem-or-not/813867 "2018-05-09T18:37:43Z")
“High blood pressure” is often listed as a predisposing factor for various ailments. If a person was diagnosed with high blood pressure many years ago, and started a medication program and stayed on it such that blood pr… --- ## [EMTs: Immobilising a broken limb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-immobilising-a-broken-limb/813756)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emts-immobilising-a-broken-limb/813756 "2018-05-09T17:49:07Z")
It’s been 34 years since I got an EMT certificate. Since EMTs made minimum wage, I never used it. So I’ve forgotten pretty much everything over the years. Let’s say you’re on a hike and come upon someone with a broken… --- ## [NJ Driving Law: use of cellphone while stopped at a red light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-driving-law-use-of-cellphone-while-stopped-at-a-red-light/813436)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-driving-law-use-of-cellphone-while-stopped-at-a-red-light/813436 "2018-05-09T17:22:35Z")
Question is if this is legal. A few years ago a friend of mine used his cellphone while stopped at a red light in NYC and was given a ticket by a cop. He argued that he was not “driving” and the cop said to tell it to t… --- ## [Scouting terrain in ancient battles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scouting-terrain-in-ancient-battles/813790)
**Author:** [@Herdthiscat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Herdthiscat)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scouting-terrain-in-ancient-battles/813790 "2018-05-09T16:12:07Z")
I am listening to a podcast about (and called) the History of Rome and got to wondering how Hannibal or other ancient generals figured out their tactics. Did hundreds of scouts just constantly create maps of their new su… --- ## [Why would a small "bead" of mercury appear in the bowl of my toilet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-small-bead-of-mercury-appear-in-the-bowl-of-my-toilet/519502)
**Author:** [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-small-bead-of-mercury-appear-in-the-bowl-of-my-toilet/519502 "2018-05-09T13:15:29Z")
Occasionally we have noticed a small bead of mercury in the bowl of one of our toilets. It’s only in one specific toilet, not in the others. We don’t have any bowl cleaners, etc., in the tank or the bowl, so I can’t fi… --- ## [Self cleaning oven ash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-cleaning-oven-ash/813646)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-cleaning-oven-ash/813646 "2018-05-09T10:37:01Z")
After I run the self cleaning cycle on my oven, the inside has patches covered with fine white ash, where debris has been incinerated. If I wipe up this ash with a damp paper towel, the paper towel is stained with BLACK… --- ## [How does the skull attach to the top of the spine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-skull-attach-to-the-top-of-the-spine/813812)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-skull-attach-to-the-top-of-the-spine/813812 "2018-05-09T08:35:41Z")
How does the skull attach, exactly? Is it, you know, pretty secure? And why would that joint suddenly start clicking whenever I move my head? Seriously. --- ## [How do I get replacement bottles of older Jack Daniel's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-replacement-bottles-of-older-jack-daniels/813667)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2018, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-replacement-bottles-of-older-jack-daniels/813667 "2018-05-09T03:29:44Z")
I have a useless roommate/tenant who will be on his way out soon. I have 2 Jack Daniel’s collector tins that were gifted to me ten years ago or so from a friend. How long that friend had them before giving them to me is… --- ## [50 g sugar empty stomach vs. 150 g with much food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-g-sugar-empty-stomach-vs-150-g-with-much-food/813795)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-g-sugar-empty-stomach-vs-150-g-with-much-food/813795 "2018-05-08T21:49:45Z")
From a pancreas/diabetes/health perspective, which is worse: Consuming 50 grams of sugar (say, one big bottle of apple juice) on a empty stomach and thus having a big sudden jump in blood sugar , or consuming 150 grams o… --- ## [Is this an example of stock manipulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-example-of-stock-manipulation/813819)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-example-of-stock-manipulation/813819 "2018-05-08T18:11:42Z")
I don’t want to give the specific stock, but here are the basics: Shares authorized: 5.5 billion Shares issued: 1 billion Restricted: 500 mil From my understanding this company is able to issue 5.5B shares, but so fa… --- ## [Is this a category of functions? If so, what is it called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-category-of-functions-if-so-what-is-it-called/813744)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-category-of-functions-if-so-what-is-it-called/813744 "2018-05-08T17:23:21Z")
Is there a recognized category of functions that have the following features: a single vertex all other y values are lower than that of the vertex the y values are continuously getting smaller So, y=-ax^2, y = -a(abs)… --- ## [Through-wall air conditioners: are you stuck when they need replacement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/through-wall-air-conditioners-are-you-stuck-when-they-need-replacement/813713)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/through-wall-air-conditioners-are-you-stuck-when-they-need-replacement/813713 "2018-05-08T17:12:38Z")
About those air conditioners that mount in the wall, through a sleeve that’s the size of a small window: when they wear out, and need replacing, do you have to find the exact same model to fit the same sleeve? Or do you … --- ## [Televangelists and Astrology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/televangelists-and-astrology/813729)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/televangelists-and-astrology/813729 "2018-05-08T15:56:29Z")
I was just flipping channels and came across a televangelist named Paul Begley. I occasionally will watch these guys because some of them are actually really entertaining, but this guy wasn’t. However, the subject matter… --- ## [Store does not ask for PIN with debit card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/store-does-not-ask-for-pin-with-debit-card/813691)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/store-does-not-ask-for-pin-with-debit-card/813691 "2018-05-08T15:53:51Z")
My local Wal Mart grocery store does not ask for a PIN when I use my debit card. Is this common? It’s a store that only sells groceries not a full Wal Mart. Are they not worried about fraud ? --- ## [What was this place used for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-place-used-for/813784)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-place-used-for/813784 "2018-05-08T14:13:09Z")
I’d like to know what this building/location was used for and why this road was built and then just ends as a cliff? Then at the bottom of the hill is what looks like a parking lot except it can’t be, why would they hav… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=586) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=588)