# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=731 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 732 --- ## [Ignoring Armed Robbers in Storefronts a valid tactic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignoring-armed-robbers-in-storefronts-a-valid-tactic/786647)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignoring-armed-robbers-in-storefronts-a-valid-tactic/786647 "2017-05-16T18:39:10Z")
I saw this and wondered if police anywhere have actively counselled actually just ignoring armed robbers of storefronts; the robber just gets no attention and then leaves. I’m not saying this is the best tactic, but … --- ## [Legality of political parties paying for moving/living expenses to move voters for partisan reasons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-political-parties-paying-for-moving-living-expenses-to-move-voters-for-partisan-reasons/786672)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-political-parties-paying-for-moving-living-expenses-to-move-voters-for-partisan-reasons/786672 "2017-05-16T18:29:32Z")
Suppose, 6 months or a year or so before the 2020 general election, a rich Democratic donor/operative purchases property in rural MI, WI, OH, or PA, using superPAC money, and opens up offices on the property for the supe… --- ## [What is the state of the Russian military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-state-of-the-russian-military/786335)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-state-of-the-russian-military/786335 "2017-05-16T17:42:20Z")
What kind of shape are Russia’s armed forces in today? --- ## [What type of snake is this? (seen in Southern California)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-snake-is-this-seen-in-southern-california/786390)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-snake-is-this-seen-in-southern-california/786390 "2017-05-16T17:36:30Z")
A park in the area (Riverside, CA), has a sign warning of rattlesnakes, but in the past 5 years I’ve lived here, this is the first time I’ve actually seen a snake. No rattle on it, though it was a pretty good size (sever… --- ## [What does "hotly used" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hotly-used-mean/786759)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-hotly-used-mean/786759 "2017-05-16T16:47:22Z")
I was looking for an XBox One on Craigslist and found one relatively cheap, but both the title and text of the ad say the console was “hotly used” (so I assume it’s not a typo). Unfortunately, googling didn’t help much … --- ## [How long are concrete apartment buildings supposed to last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-are-concrete-apartment-buildings-supposed-to-last/786654)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-are-concrete-apartment-buildings-supposed-to-last/786654 "2017-05-16T15:36:58Z")
I’ve always thought of concrete as a relatively durable material and yet in Russia and China concrete apartment buildings built 40-60 years ago are already "crumbling" after several decades. Is this a characteristic of t… --- ## [What is the secret organization "PEO"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-secret-organization-peo/223750)
**Author:** [@AJCook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AJCook)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-secret-organization-peo/223750 "2017-05-16T15:30:51Z")
My grandma grew up, lived, and died in Nebraska. When she died a few years ago, during her euology, it was mentioned that she was a member of “PEO”. Recognizing an acronym when I hear one, I later asked my dad (her son… --- ## [Sexual assault laws in various jurisdictions..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-assault-laws-in-various-jurisdictions/786732)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-assault-laws-in-various-jurisdictions/786732 "2017-05-16T15:19:25Z")
Apparently in recent times, the US, Canada and UK, have loosened sexual assault laws to include touching minor incidents, touching a woman’s breast and butt which even in a single instance which can leave the perpetr… --- ## [When did 'cowards way out' gain noteriety in use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-cowards-way-out-gain-noteriety-in-use/786734)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-cowards-way-out-gain-noteriety-in-use/786734 "2017-05-16T12:34:25Z")
Looking up the word, it seems to come from old-French couard and the word ‘coward’ was adopted in Middle English (remembering Shakespeare’s Hamlet, 'thus conscience doth make cowards of us all’) However, in regards to c… --- ## [What's up with my lights? Replacing old bulbs with LED](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-my-lights-replacing-old-bulbs-with-led/786648)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-my-lights-replacing-old-bulbs-with-led/786648 "2017-05-16T11:35:18Z")
In my kitchen I have four recessed flood lights. They are larger size, six inches or so in diameter. I also have two dimmer switches that control the lights. I’ve always used the incandescent bulbs since I’ve owned the … --- ## [Casement window hinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casement-window-hinge/587648)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2011, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casement-window-hinge/587648 "2011-07-04T04:08:40Z")
The upper hinge on our weathershield casement window has broken. It is quite frightenting, the windo looks like it is about to fall out. Anyway, I went to weathershield and tried to look it up, http://www.vayanet.net/d… --- ## [ok aussies whats national sorry day ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-aussies-whats-national-sorry-day/786619)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-aussies-whats-national-sorry-day/786619 "2017-05-16T04:29:54Z")
Ok we have a calendar from the dollar store that the little rodents had to have because its pics of puppies and kittens playing together But since its an “international” calendar it has american Mexican and british and … --- ## [Gaps in fuselage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaps-in-fuselage/786598)
**Author:** [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaps-in-fuselage/786598 "2017-05-16T03:29:42Z")
Mrs. Gap and I were returning from NYC yesterday on Deltas flight 459, a Boeing 767 with tail number 188 and we noticed something I’ve never seen before. The sun was very intense on the port side of the aircraft and on t… --- ## [Why is necrophilia usually considered worse than actual murder or rape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-necrophilia-usually-considered-worse-than-actual-murder-or-rape/786516)
**Author:** [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-necrophilia-usually-considered-worse-than-actual-murder-or-rape/786516 "2017-05-16T03:25:48Z")
As the title says, why is necrophilia usually regarded as one of the most horrible crimes, even though it harms literally zero people or animals, unless it’s one of those cases where people are actually murdered beforeha… --- ## [Do those ultrasonic anti-barking devices really work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-those-ultrasonic-anti-barking-devices-really-work/127908)
**Author:** [@zwaldd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwaldd)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-those-ultrasonic-anti-barking-devices-really-work/127908 "2002-09-13T16:22:31Z")
Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bar… --- ## [What is the difference between resource rent and resource royalty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-resource-rent-and-resource-royalty/786630)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-resource-rent-and-resource-royalty/786630 "2017-05-16T02:31:01Z")
Hi What is the difference between resource rent and resource royalty? I have seen the terms used in the contest of discussions dealing with the extraction industry/mining industry in Africa. I look forward to your feedb… --- ## [What did the Romans call a death mask/wax mask?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-romans-call-a-death-mask-wax-mask/786707)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-romans-call-a-death-mask-wax-mask/786707 "2017-05-16T01:36:12Z")
Hi What did the Romans call a death mask/wax mask? I’ve heard a word “imarginaise???” for the Roman death mask/wax mask. I haven’t been able to verify it online. I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Making magnets in preindustrial Europe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-magnets-in-preindustrial-europe/786580)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-magnets-in-preindustrial-europe/786580 "2017-05-16T00:06:42Z")
In L. Sprague De Camp’s Lest Darkness Fall, a modern educate person falls through a time warp and ends up in 6th century Rome. He introduces some modern innovations: the still, Arabic numerals, horse collar, the printing… --- ## [Did Google know it was my birthday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-know-it-was-my-birthday/786588)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-know-it-was-my-birthday/786588 "2017-05-15T23:14:39Z")
I called up my browser yesterday morning, which has Google as my default search engine, and the logo was festooned with candles. I thought perhaps it was a typical commemoration of some event or another, but it was also … --- ## [Schrodinger's Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schrodingers-cat/608260)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schrodingers-cat/608260 "2017-05-15T22:59:15Z")
Please tell me where I’ve gone wrong. So the cat is in the box with the particle that may or may not have decayed after ten minutes, setting off a charge that would kill the cat. The physicist says the cat is in a super… --- ## [Using a kiddush cup as a chalice.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-kiddush-cup-as-a-chalice/786690)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-kiddush-cup-as-a-chalice/786690 "2017-05-15T22:44:44Z")
My wife is a lay minister and takes holy communion to housebound parishioners. She wants to buy a silver chalice but they usually far too expensive. She has seen a kiddush cup for sale that looks ideal and is affordable… --- ## [tinted car windows look almost black - of course?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tinted-car-windows-look-almost-black-of-course/786548)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tinted-car-windows-look-almost-black-of-course/786548 "2017-05-15T22:39:03Z")
I find that re Illinois law, tinted windows must let in at least 35% of the light. Ok. So, given average daylight illumination, how likely would it be that one could see into a car with tinted windows well enough to kn… --- ## [Bird ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-id/786683)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-id/786683 "2017-05-15T21:20:00Z")
I was just out on the deck, and I saw birds I have not seen before. Description: About the size of a sparrow, or maybe a little bigger. Dark grey wings, yellow body, red faces. Location: Northwest Washington coast, ab… --- ## [Do some people have free-floating blood circulating around their colon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-have-free-floating-blood-circulating-around-their-colon/786437)
**Author:** [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-have-free-floating-blood-circulating-around-their-colon/786437 "2017-05-15T21:13:23Z")
So I was reading a forum where someone had asked about some blood they had found in their stool or had spotted flowing from their anus. I forget what it was about, but I remember that someone had replied and said that if… --- ## [How does ventilation work in a steam room?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ventilation-work-in-a-steam-room/786684)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ventilation-work-in-a-steam-room/786684 "2017-05-15T20:34:03Z")
My local leisure centre has a steam room just off of the swimming pool. This has a fan in the ceiling that blows cooler air from outside into the room that then, via the steam generator input, turn into lovely blankets o… --- ## [Kidney-safe Muscle-building Supplements for Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kidney-safe-muscle-building-supplements-for-cats/786638 "2017-05-15T19:33:40Z")
I need to find supplements & ways to increase muscle mass for a decade-old male cat who has needs to be careful of his kidneys. Amino acids, l carnitine, lysine, herbal or natural steroids - what would be most helpful & … --- ## [How to disable a laptop keyboard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-disable-a-laptop-keyboard/785214)
**Author:** [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-disable-a-laptop-keyboard/785214 "2017-05-15T19:11:56Z")
My laptop hd seems to have died, so I picked up my old laptop whose keyboard didn’t work but that I could use with a plugged in secondary keyboard. Unfortunately, now the computer is continuously typying a special lette… --- ## [USB 3 Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-3-question/786633)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-3-question/786633 "2017-05-15T19:03:14Z")
I’ve been trying to understand the compatibility differences between USB 2 & USB 3, specifically for charging & less about data transfer The original question I researched myself was whether there is a requirement for a… --- ## [Facebook stranger sharing my posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-stranger-sharing-my-posts/786621)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-stranger-sharing-my-posts/786621 "2017-05-15T18:13:33Z")
A little while ago, someone unknown to me on Facebook shared and/or liked several of my posts/photos. I thought he might be a FOAF, as one of my friends it pretty well-known IRL and has thousands of followers. He’s not… --- ## [Long last 60 Watt light bulbs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-last-60-watt-light-bulbs/786513)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-last-60-watt-light-bulbs/786513 "2017-05-15T18:12:54Z")
I have a lighting fixture in my home office which takes three 60 watt bulbs. I like the light fixture fine, but it is difficult to get to to change the bulbs. I’ve tried different ones but it seems within a few months th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=730) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=732)