# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=708 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 709 --- ## [Not permitted to speak publicly. Is there anything behind this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-permitted-to-speak-publicly-is-there-anything-behind-this/790267)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-permitted-to-speak-publicly-is-there-anything-behind-this/790267 "2017-07-03T17:58:53Z")
In the NYC hospital shooting I read the following: What does that last bit mean in reality? Does it mean exactly what it says and the surgeons would be reprimanded if identified? Or is it an unofficial way for the hosp… --- ## [How do you reply when someone says "Happy Birthday"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reply-when-someone-says-happy-birthday/790197)
**Author:** [@CHealy7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CHealy7)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reply-when-someone-says-happy-birthday/790197 "2017-07-03T16:26:19Z")
“Thanks/Thank You”, doesn’t sound right to my ears, but I can’t really think of anything better. (There are worse possibilities of course; “Same to you” or “you too” probably being the worst I’ve heard). What’s the Dop… --- ## [Will I see anything? (Astronomy/Math)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-see-anything-astronomy-math/790346)
**Author:** [@maisoui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maisoui)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-see-anything-astronomy-math/790346 "2017-07-03T15:28:50Z")
August 21 solar eclipse in Paris The solar eclipse looks pretty much like a non-event in that link. By happy coincidence, I am going up the Eiffel Tower for a “sunset” tour on August 21. Once on the second level, I ca… --- ## [Home Record Recording](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-record-recording/790242)
**Author:** [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-record-recording/790242 "2017-07-03T15:20:23Z")
In the 1956 Honeymooners episode “A Matter of Record”, Ralph gets into a fight with Alice and she leaves to live with her mother. Norton owns a device to allow Ralph to make a phonograph record upon which Ralph can reco… --- ## [LiFePo batteries in checked baggage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifepo-batteries-in-checked-baggage/790349)
**Author:** [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifepo-batteries-in-checked-baggage/790349 "2017-07-03T15:02:22Z")
On an upcoming United Airlines flight from the US to Europe, I’d like to carry 2 LiFePo batteries in checked baggage. These also go by the designations lithium iron phosphate, LiFePo\[sub\]4\[/sub\], and LFP. They have li… --- ## [What happens to something built on top of ice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-something-built-on-top-of-ice/790301)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-something-built-on-top-of-ice/790301 "2017-07-03T12:49:22Z")
What would happen to something built on top of ice (like a house) when the ice underneath it melts? just a curious question --- ## [What were the pre-ACA rules for small businesses buying health insurance coverage for employees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-pre-aca-rules-for-small-businesses-buying-health-insurance-coverage-for-employees/790309)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-pre-aca-rules-for-small-businesses-buying-health-insurance-coverage-for-employees/790309 "2017-07-03T11:41:23Z")
Hey all, I’m trying to find out what the rules USED to be for small businesses (less than 50 employees) buying health insurance for employees/offering that as an option. I have not had any luck at all finding out what t… --- ## [Can I use a computer UPS for other appliances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-a-computer-ups-for-other-appliances/165721)
**Author:** [@cantara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cantara)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-a-computer-ups-for-other-appliances/165721 "2003-04-01T18:27:03Z")
We had a flood in our basement a couple of years ago when the power went out at the height of a day-long storm. Due to the ferocity of the storm, I had been keeping an eye on the sump in our finished basement, and start… --- ## [Is there any email that deletes automatically after the recipient opens it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-email-that-deletes-automatically-after-the-recipient-opens-it/779870)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-email-that-deletes-automatically-after-the-recipient-opens-it/779870 "2017-07-03T05:08:04Z")
Just curious. I’ve no need but is there is there any email that deletes automatically after the recipient opens it i.e. they cannot save or forward or print. --- ## [Slang in Trump's latest horror-tweet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slang-in-trumps-latest-horror-tweet/790140)
**Author:** [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slang-in-trumps-latest-horror-tweet/790140 "2017-07-03T02:56:29Z")
Trump’s latest tweet is bullying, inappropriate, insulting, etc. But how is it vulgar? His comment about Megyn Kelly … “blood coming out of her… whatever” clearly was vulgar, but I don’t understand why blood per se woul… --- ## [How do colorblind people know colors? And what's up with purple?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-colorblind-people-know-colors-and-whats-up-with-purple/790225)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-colorblind-people-know-colors-and-whats-up-with-purple/790225 "2017-07-03T01:09:34Z")
So, I felt the need to cry like a hormonal teenaged girl and was watching people getting enchroma glasses and seeing color for the first time. In many of the videos there was a thing with a bunch of colors-- balloons, st… --- ## [Identify a red bug](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-red-bug/790382)
**Author:** [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-red-bug/790382 "2017-07-02T23:35:58Z")
Does anyone recognize this bug? Location = Santa Fe, NM. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0zTRKnct3JXdHVkNU9VYXZOb28?usp=sharing They are happily getting it on all over my back yard. I assume the first o… --- ## [Does cheek pinching span across cultures ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cheek-pinching-span-across-cultures/790131)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cheek-pinching-span-across-cultures/790131 "2017-07-02T22:50:06Z")
Pinching of kids cheeks by adults (or adults by grandma :)) as a mark of affection seems to be common in USA and India (my sample space). Is it so for the rest of the world ? Thanks --- ## [Apollo heat shield cracked, how long for astronauts to die in reentry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-heat-shield-cracked-how-long-for-astronauts-to-die-in-reentry/790302)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-heat-shield-cracked-how-long-for-astronauts-to-die-in-reentry/790302 "2017-07-02T20:59:27Z")
Time for grisly questions: Suppose an Apollo command module had had a cracked heat shield. How long do the astronauts suffer during reentry before dying? The hot plasma would enter the spacecraft interior and presumabl… --- ## [How old can an ocean quahog/ocean clam get? SD on "longest living animal..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-can-an-ocean-quahog-ocean-clam-get-sd-on-longest-living-animal/790375)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-can-an-ocean-quahog-ocean-clam-get-sd-on-longest-living-animal/790375 "2017-07-02T19:01:28Z")
See query. Says so in a throwaway comment in acooking page, which I have little reason to trust. Wiki comes up empty. --- ## [Creating an excel spreadsheet for Skateboard deflection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-an-excel-spreadsheet-for-skateboard-deflection/790348)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-an-excel-spreadsheet-for-skateboard-deflection/790348 "2017-07-02T18:45:05Z")
I recently was asked to glue up some skateboards for a friend and his 2 kids. Different lengths, different weights of riders and different preferences for stiffness. I don’t know how to do spreadsheets but in the past I… --- ## [Help, finding underground plastic propane lines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-underground-plastic-propane-lines/789854)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-underground-plastic-propane-lines/789854 "2017-07-02T18:06:31Z")
So. I have two plastic propane lines going to the house. I buried the metallic strip with them. A locator stripe of ‘Mylar metal??’ I tied them off to the propane tank and regulators into the house. But now, I can o… --- ## [Do lithium phone batteries really explode like grenades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lithium-phone-batteries-really-explode-like-grenades/790335)
**Author:** [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lithium-phone-batteries-really-explode-like-grenades/790335 "2017-07-02T17:44:47Z")
Well, there are lots of comments on the note seven meme on the internet that have lots of people comparing the burnout to a grenade. How is this even remotely similar, though? I also overheard a couple of people the othe… --- ## [Help with baby kitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-baby-kitten/790271)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-baby-kitten/790271 "2017-07-02T17:30:15Z")
A couple of weeks ago I was working at a house where the tenant informed me there were two baby kittens alone, in the bushes. He said the mother had gotten ran over and the kittens would die if I didn’t take them (he sai… --- ## [Scumbags tried to scam my parents today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scumbags-tried-to-scam-my-parents-today/790156)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scumbags-tried-to-scam-my-parents-today/790156 "2017-07-02T16:19:03Z")
Hello Everyone, Parents got a scam call today. Caller claimed to be my 14 year old son, their grandson. Said he’d been arrested and then a “police officer” camenon the phone saying my son could be released if they woul… --- ## [rubber band storing energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-storing-energy/790138)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-storing-energy/790138 "2017-07-02T16:03:52Z")
I plan to try this test later on today but thought I would ask here first. Suppose I build a small trampoline with a rubber band in each corner as the spring. I drop a metal ball on the trampoline from the exact same h… --- ## [When (or who) was the last knight or group of knights to fight in full plate armour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-or-who-was-the-last-knight-or-group-of-knights-to-fight-in-full-plate-armour/789855)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-or-who-was-the-last-knight-or-group-of-knights-to-fight-in-full-plate-armour/789855 "2017-07-02T14:42:49Z")
I recently read an interesting short article about the evolution of armour though the ages, it made me wonder when was the last recorded instance in history where someone took to the field of battle wearing full plate ar… --- ## [If churches can stay tax-exempt while giving to candidates, why can't parties become churches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-churches-can-stay-tax-exempt-while-giving-to-candidates-why-cant-parties-become-churches/790273)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-churches-can-stay-tax-exempt-while-giving-to-candidates-why-cant-parties-become-churches/790273 "2017-07-02T14:37:52Z")
A Republican Congressman has submitted a bill which would prevent the IRS from enforcing the requirement that churches not give to political campaigns if they want to stay tax-exempt: Questions of the proposed law’s co… --- ## [Do deaf-from-birth schizophrenics still hear voices...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-deaf-from-birth-schizophrenics-still-hear-voices/790231)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-deaf-from-birth-schizophrenics-still-hear-voices/790231 "2017-07-02T09:09:52Z")
…or do they just see phantom hands signing messages at them? --- ## [Who pays for medical expenses of shooting victims if the perpetrator is dead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-medical-expenses-of-shooting-victims-if-the-perpetrator-is-dead/790285)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-pays-for-medical-expenses-of-shooting-victims-if-the-perpetrator-is-dead/790285 "2017-07-02T04:22:35Z")
I just found this article from last week about the expenses of the Scalise shooting. There’s a Health Care Lesson for Republicans in the Shooting of Steve Scalise | The New Republic Mr. Scalise is a Congressman, so the … --- ## [Weird circuit breaker problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-circuit-breaker-problem/790283)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-circuit-breaker-problem/790283 "2017-07-02T01:44:29Z")
So for the past 2 weeks, every single morning, the circuit breaker to my A/C is flipped off, not tripped, it is just fully 100% switched off. What could cause this? --- ## [The Straight Dope on Attic Fans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-on-attic-fans/663081)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-on-attic-fans/663081 "2017-07-01T22:25:40Z")
I’ve always thought these were a no brainer, and that you definitely saved money in cooling costs by keeping them running in the summer. But in looking around a bit (my fan is somewhat broken and I’m trying to figure out… --- ## [What is the little door within the big door on a semi trailer for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-little-door-within-the-big-door-on-a-semi-trailer-for/790220)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-little-door-within-the-big-door-on-a-semi-trailer-for/790220 "2017-07-01T18:34:12Z")
Google didn’t help me find the answer or even an image. I saw one yesterday and got to thinking; what on earth could this be used for? It is a small - maybe 12 inches high by 6 inches wide - door on the lower right cor… --- ## [What is wrong with my Dawn Redwood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-dawn-redwood/790284)
**Author:** [@Mikec929](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikec929)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-dawn-redwood/790284 "2017-07-01T17:39:02Z")
It is around 5 years old, 8’ tall and has a bare area of several feet on its trunk, as well as a bad lean. Any advice would be much appreciated. It is in Rhode Island. There doesn’t seem to be an option to attach a photo… --- ## [With current state of science/tech - can we replicate a tracking dog ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-current-state-of-science-tech-can-we-replicate-a-tracking-dog/789990)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-current-state-of-science-tech-can-we-replicate-a-tracking-dog/789990 "2017-07-01T15:26:49Z")
My going in position is NO. The question is around replicating a tracking dog that can follow a person’s scent on a flat field. With the current state of Science/Technology, can we have a robot that is capable of accomp… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=707) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=709)