# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=590 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 591 --- ## [Why aren't car carrier trailers covered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-car-carrier-trailers-covered/813276)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-car-carrier-trailers-covered/813276 "2018-05-02T19:12:41Z")
I passed one earlier today on the interstate carrying some pretty nice cars. All sorts of things could get kicked up from the road over a long transport and nick the paint or cause a dent. Even if the entire trailer … --- ## [Question regarding Amtrak.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-amtrak/813027)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-amtrak/813027 "2018-05-02T04:05:26Z")
Hi I’ll be traveling across the US by train. Does Amtrak offer anything like a pre-paid travel card, much like a subway card? It would be convenient. I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Gas stations as salt cellars (strikeout) sellers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-stations-as-salt-cellars-strikeout-sellers/813369)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-stations-as-salt-cellars-strikeout-sellers/813369 "2018-05-02T03:09:39Z")
The bumped thread on gas stations selling mulch (which I’ve never seen) made me think of something else. I was in Florida during the summer a couple of years back, and it seemed like every gas station was selling giant b… --- ## [YouTube ? Right time & place, and I got it all on video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-right-time-place-and-i-got-it-all-on-video/684014)
**Author:** [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-right-time-place-and-i-got-it-all-on-video/684014 "2018-05-02T02:01:01Z")
Like the title says, I was standing in the right place at the right time, when I filmed a someone doing something that could be described as awesome, but in a good way. This is verboten is my family. This person is not … --- ## [Turning Right from One Lane to Two Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-right-from-one-lane-to-two-lane/813298)
**Author:** [@qualityleashdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qualityleashdog)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-right-from-one-lane-to-two-lane/813298 "2018-05-02T00:56:48Z")
Let’s say I’m turning right from a one lane road onto a two lane road. There is an opposition across the two lane from me, where a one lane is turning left onto a two lane from a one lane road. The green light comes on… --- ## [Whatever happened to ham radio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-ham-radio/813334)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-ham-radio/813334 "2018-05-02T00:40:44Z")
When I was a kid, amateur radio operators, aka “hams,” were fairly common. There was some sort of ham operator club in the western suburbs of Chicago my history teacher belonged to, and while they apparently spent most o… --- ## [Thoughts on intermittent fasting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-intermittent-fasting/813434)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-intermittent-fasting/813434 "2018-05-01T22:54:09Z")
A friend of mine was talking about her program of intermittent fasting. I guess the idea is that you fast from 8pm until noon, then you can eat normally lunch and dinner, but stop eating again at 8pm. She said you can … --- ## [Are employees and visitors to the NRA HQ allowed to carry firearms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-employees-and-visitors-to-the-nra-hq-allowed-to-carry-firearms/757438)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-employees-and-visitors-to-the-nra-hq-allowed-to-carry-firearms/757438 "2018-05-01T21:52:55Z")
Does anyone know if people who visit the NRA, or its employees are allowed to carry weapons when within the premises of their headquarters in Virginia? Don’t need answer fast, just genuinely curious. --- ## [Is it illegal to keep your expired painkillers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-keep-your-expired-painkillers/542151)
**Author:** [@Banquo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquo)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-keep-your-expired-painkillers/542151 "2018-05-01T18:16:58Z")
I have no insurance. its a pain in the arse, and every so often , a pain in the head. I get migraines. For those of you not privy to the firsthand knowledge of what those are like, it’s not “aw man, my head hurts”, it’s … --- ## [How is "Celtic" pronounced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-celtic-pronounced/813229)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-celtic-pronounced/813229 "2018-05-01T18:01:36Z")
With an ‘s’ or a ‘k’ sound? I’ve been wondering about this for a long time and got two reference points: the famous soccer club Celtic Glasgow, which I’ve never heard otherwise than as “sseltic”, and the Van Morrison son… --- ## [What preceded the (Black-only, mostly Southern) Rosenwald schools of the early 1900s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-preceded-the-black-only-mostly-southern-rosenwald-schools-of-the-early-1900s/813420)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-preceded-the-black-only-mostly-southern-rosenwald-schools-of-the-early-1900s/813420 "2018-05-01T17:48:45Z")
For this question, I’m referring only to the states where segregation was the law of the land in the post-Civil War era. Julius Rosenwald, former Sears executive, is credited with contributing lots of money in the early… --- ## [\- What do spies do if they are stopped by the police and asked for their name and address?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-spies-do-if-they-are-stopped-by-the-police-and-asked-for-their-name-and-address/813282)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-spies-do-if-they-are-stopped-by-the-police-and-asked-for-their-name-and-address/813282 "2018-05-01T17:48:16Z")
Well for a while now I have been looking for the answer to a question about spies but I have searched on the Internet and I have not managed to find the answer. I was wondering what happens if a spy or someone who works … --- ## [Are there more stars in the night sky today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-stars-in-the-night-sky-today/812889)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-stars-in-the-night-sky-today/812889 "2018-05-01T17:22:16Z")
From my understanding a star is only visible if the light has had enough time to travel to Earth. The Egyptians, Greeks, Mayans, were all very into documenting the night sky. Are there any stars in the sky tonight that… --- ## [Can you build an aircraft using steel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-build-an-aircraft-using-steel/812859)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-build-an-aircraft-using-steel/812859 "2018-05-01T17:02:07Z")
Let’s say aluminum didn’t exist. Same goes for other lightweight metals (magnesium, etc.). The only metal you have is steel. Would it be possible to build a full-size aircraft using steel where aluminum is now used? --- ## [Examples of defenders who gave up too quickly or easily in wartime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-defenders-who-gave-up-too-quickly-or-easily-in-wartime/813189)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-defenders-who-gave-up-too-quickly-or-easily-in-wartime/813189 "2018-05-01T16:54:21Z")
Could use some help: I am writing an article and looking for examples of nations (or tribes, or forts/castles, or other such entities) who were well-off and well-armed and could have very well defeated their invading en… --- ## [T-Mobile / Sprint merger -- technical questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/t-mobile-sprint-merger-technical-questions/813376)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/t-mobile-sprint-merger-technical-questions/813376 "2018-05-01T16:46:17Z")
T-Mobile has a GSM network and Sprint’s is CDMA. Most of the mobile mergers have been between carriers with the same network type, haven’t they? I don’t understand what T-Mobile gains by incorporating a customer base fro… --- ## [How Can You Buy Eskimo Clothes Online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-buy-eskimo-clothes-online/812657)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-buy-eskimo-clothes-online/812657 "2018-05-01T15:51:34Z")
I live in Chicago and I want to ride my scooter during the winter. The biggest limitation is that my hands block blood when they are cold and get numb and painful. So I need an extremely insulating exterior glove / mitt … --- ## [If a less than 2 term president is impeached and thrown out of office, can s/he be reelected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-less-than-2-term-president-is-impeached-and-thrown-out-of-office-can-s-he-be-reelected/812256)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-less-than-2-term-president-is-impeached-and-thrown-out-of-office-can-s-he-be-reelected/812256 "2018-05-01T15:13:59Z")
Title says it all. Edit: I guess any political office really, not just pres. --- ## [How Do I Calculate Loan Payments in Excel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-calculate-loan-payments-in-excel/813365)
**Author:** [@MorrisCody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MorrisCody)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-calculate-loan-payments-in-excel/813365 "2018-05-01T15:00:08Z")
Someone is borrowing ~$250,000 from me at 5.5% for 5 years. We have agreed on quarterly payments of $12,500 for the first two years, with the remainder paid off in equal quarterly payments over the following 3 years. I n… --- ## [Question about "safe, sane, and consensual"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-safe-sane-and-consensual/813312)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-safe-sane-and-consensual/813312 "2018-05-01T14:23:09Z")
What exactly is the distinction between “safe” and “sane”? --- ## [Are we all at most 50th cousins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-all-at-most-50th-cousins/635637)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-all-at-most-50th-cousins/635637 "2018-05-01T12:08:58Z")
I’ve seen the figure 50 tossed around. Is it true? If not, then what is the actual number? An estimate would be fine. (I wanted to share this odd factoid with my girlfriend but I decided that I better get it fact-chec… --- ## [Can languages be compared mathematically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-languages-be-compared-mathematically/813316)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-languages-be-compared-mathematically/813316 "2018-05-01T02:04:22Z")
By this I mean can two languages be stated through some methodical comparison to be X% or similar common? If so, how is this done? It came to me that one possible method of comparison would be the following (and maybe t… --- ## [Ready to go businesses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ready-to-go-businesses/813285)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ready-to-go-businesses/813285 "2018-04-30T19:56:24Z")
I believe that I have heard of charities or other organizations going into developing countries and giving the people there the equipment and training to start new, small businesses. Is there a term for this specific br… --- ## [Gas stations as mulch sellers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-stations-as-mulch-sellers/256119)
**Author:** [@gardinladi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardinladi)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-stations-as-mulch-sellers/256119 "2018-04-30T16:36:29Z")
This is my first post ever, so forgive me if I mess up, but every summer this question has bothered me: Why do gas stations sell mulch? I can see why they sell drinks and snacks and air fresheners, but why do huge pal… --- ## [Question for electricians - grounding, GFCIs, safety, shocks, & prongs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-electricians-grounding-gfcis-safety-shocks-prongs/813272)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-electricians-grounding-gfcis-safety-shocks-prongs/813272 "2018-04-30T11:46:11Z")
Living room outlet is 2-pronged. TV plug is 3. I am currently (heh) using a 3-to-2 prong adapter to allow plugability. If I replace that 2-prong outlet with a GFCI outlet, would that be just as good and safe as wiring i… --- ## [protocol at the N.Korea-S.Korea meeting: Kim went South, Moon did not go north. Symbolism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protocol-at-the-n-korea-s-korea-meeting-kim-went-south-moon-did-not-go-north-symbolism/813313)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protocol-at-the-n-korea-s-korea-meeting-kim-went-south-moon-did-not-go-north-symbolism/813313 "2018-04-30T02:55:02Z")
it was a dramatic moment as Kim met the S Korean president, and I’m sure every step of the the procession had been rehearsed by both sides. But it all moved in one direction–from North to South. Kim walked down the ste… --- ## [Communication in the USA in 1909](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/communication-in-the-usa-in-1909/812865)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2018, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/communication-in-the-usa-in-1909/812865 "2018-04-30T02:43:18Z")
I"m part of a group that shares vintage baseball photographs. I recently saw a picture of a ballpark in 1909 which had an out of town scoreboard. Radio had just recently been invented, so I doubt that radio was used as a… --- ## [Why ATP and not GTP, TTP, or CTP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-atp-and-not-gtp-ttp-or-ctp/813306)
**Author:** [@Mina6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mina6)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2018, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-atp-and-not-gtp-ttp-or-ctp/813306 "2018-04-29T23:22:36Z")
So I accidentally posted this in the wrong thread, (I’m new!)… I looked this up online to no avail. Why did evolution favor adenosine triphosphate as the prominent energy currency of the cell, and not guanosine, thiamin… --- ## [Teaching the arts in elementary school](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teaching-the-arts-in-elementary-school/813040)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2018, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teaching-the-arts-in-elementary-school/813040 "2018-04-29T22:57:49Z")
Last night, I was thinking back to elementary school and how (IIRC) things like PE, music, and art were one day a week for an hour. So I did the math, and it came out to around 14 hours of classroom instruction a week. … --- ## [Can apes form pictures in their minds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-apes-form-pictures-in-their-minds/813243)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-apes-form-pictures-in-their-minds/813243 "2018-04-29T21:56:38Z")
One way to find out would be to ask them. Another I guess to have them paint something they’ve never painted before with their eyes closed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=589) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=591)