# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=733 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 734 --- ## [Trump/Comey Conversations - classified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-comey-conversations-classified/786448)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-comey-conversations-classified/786448 "2017-05-13T14:51:35Z")
This is political in nature but I believe there is a factual answer. Trump says that Comey told him three times that he was not under investigation. Comey says he will not say what he and POTUS discussed. If Trump is ly… --- ## [Testicle questions (serious question about pain)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testicle-questions-serious-question-about-pain/643780)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testicle-questions-serious-question-about-pain/643780 "2017-05-13T14:29:35Z")
I picked up my daughter today using the hand-under-each-armpit technique. This was to catch her before she got too far up the staircase, as it was time for dinner and she was making a dash upstairs for more playtime. W… --- ## [How much money could we save by winterizing schools?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-could-we-save-by-winterizing-schools/786400)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-could-we-save-by-winterizing-schools/786400 "2017-05-13T13:39:16Z")
Almost every year in my town, teachers get laid off due to budget cuts. I’d like to look at a different way to save money. Most of the school buildings are old, drafty, and in poor repair. They must cost a fortune to … --- ## [HAM RADIO-ISH/BAOFENG UV5R Radio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ham-radio-ish-baofeng-uv5r-radio/786407)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ham-radio-ish-baofeng-uv5r-radio/786407 "2017-05-13T13:11:13Z")
If anyone here has experience with these radios, could someone tell me of a way to disable the PTT/TX since I want to use it as a scanner. I do not want to cut the button contacts, as to leave it permanently unable to TX… --- ## [Consequences for ignoring one's recusal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consequences-for-ignoring-ones-recusal/786503)
**Author:** [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consequences-for-ignoring-ones-recusal/786503 "2017-05-13T12:10:07Z")
First, I apologize for the awkward phrasing of the title. I could not think of a better way to express the concept. Second, I don’t want to start a political poop storm. This is hypothetical based on the appearance of… --- ## [What happened to qualudes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-qualudes/786423)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-qualudes/786423 "2017-05-13T11:23:32Z")
Hello Everyone, When I was much younger I remember qualudes being a big thing among drug users. If I remember correctly, they also went by the number 714. Where did they go? I never hear about them any longer. --- ## [Can I live inside a balloon on the deepest floor of an ocean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-live-inside-a-balloon-on-the-deepest-floor-of-an-ocean/786355)
**Author:** [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-live-inside-a-balloon-on-the-deepest-floor-of-an-ocean/786355 "2017-05-13T10:58:29Z")
First: I think a balloon would still be a balloon, but what becomes of us living under pressure… --- ## [Task reminder/alarm recommendation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/task-reminder-alarm-recommendation/786475)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/task-reminder-alarm-recommendation/786475 "2017-05-13T07:33:04Z")
We just learned our cat’s kidneys are giving out. This cosmic insult is on top of Mrs. Devil’s cancer, so to say it’s bedlam around here is an understatement. Among other things, he’ll need an every-other-day IV fluid i… --- ## [What responsibility does a tenant have to allow "open houses" to facilitate a sale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-does-a-tenant-have-to-allow-open-houses-to-facilitate-a-sale/569636)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-does-a-tenant-have-to-allow-open-houses-to-facilitate-a-sale/569636 "2017-05-13T04:55:57Z")
If a landlord decides he’d like to sell a condominium that is currently being rented out, to what degree can that impose on the tenant? Is the reasonable/fair, for the landlord to have a realtor hold open houses? For tha… --- ## [Is it gramatically correct to use 'no' at the end of a question in English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gramatically-correct-to-use-no-at-the-end-of-a-question-in-english/786321)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gramatically-correct-to-use-no-at-the-end-of-a-question-in-english/786321 "2017-05-13T03:05:34Z")
I hear this mostly from foreign speakers when making somewhat of a statement and a question. I’m not anything close to a grammar nazi and it doesn’t irritate me when I hear it but I’ve always wondered, is it proper Engli… --- ## [Threats on Facebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threats-on-facebook/786458)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threats-on-facebook/786458 "2017-05-13T02:30:16Z")
Opened my FB page this morning and noted that there was a PM waiting. It was from some guy I’ve never heard of, who I’m guessing took exception to something I said in response to his comment in a political post. His mess… --- ## [Sons of (American) Revolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sons-of-american-revolution/785962)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sons-of-american-revolution/785962 "2017-05-13T00:21:02Z")
Is there any benefit to joining SR or SAR besides a patriotic sense of pride in having a great (5)- grandfather that was in the war? What are the differences and is one perceived “better” than the other? --- ## [MDF Leaching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mdf-leaching/786334)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mdf-leaching/786334 "2017-05-13T00:00:37Z")
I’ve read somewhere that MDF panels can let off formaldehyde gas, is this true? If so, is it dangerous? I feel like it’s a load of baloney since I’ve had tons of it up in different places, and still do. Thanks --- ## [Why do people have different "sweat spots"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-have-different-sweat-spots/786466)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-have-different-sweat-spots/786466 "2017-05-12T23:11:33Z")
Why is it that different people have different places on their bodies that they sweat a lot? (Not counting armpits, everyone has sweaty armpits). For instance, my “spigot” is at my sternum. When I’m hot I get positively … --- ## [Do these (physics and other) mathematics writings make sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-physics-and-other-mathematics-writings-make-sense/641783)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-physics-and-other-mathematics-writings-make-sense/641783 "2017-05-12T19:48:41Z")
I’ve seen this photo floating around the net for a few years. It’s a photo from the back of four college girls in a library, with their shirts down (NSFW in only the most repressive environments; not even butt crack is … --- ## [Why haven't perfect synthetic copies of heroin and cocaine been produced to date?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-perfect-synthetic-copies-of-heroin-and-cocaine-been-produced-to-date/786414)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-perfect-synthetic-copies-of-heroin-and-cocaine-been-produced-to-date/786414 "2017-05-12T18:17:37Z")
With the ability to manufacture even fairly complex drugs being available why haven’t perfect synthetic analogs of cocaine and heroin been created vs having to extract them from risky to obtain agricultural products? --- ## [Artificially created gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificially-created-gravity/786227)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificially-created-gravity/786227 "2017-05-12T17:41:56Z")
If the Grand Unified Theory proves to be true, would that mean that gravity could be theoretically created with electricity as in electromagnetism? --- ## [Are there really no featherless bipeds besides us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-really-no-featherless-bipeds-besides-us/786329)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-really-no-featherless-bipeds-besides-us/786329 "2017-05-12T16:48:14Z")
See query. According to Aristotle and Woody Allen, for two. --- ## [How does the locksmith know it's your house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-locksmith-know-its-your-house/535563)
**Author:** [@Chickie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickie)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-locksmith-know-its-your-house/535563 "2017-05-12T15:47:15Z")
About a year ago, I was living with a boyfriend in a NYC apartment building- no doorman, maybe 10 apartments total, locked outer door on the street. He had gone away for a few days, so I was by myself- predictably enough… --- ## [What is this? Metal Strip with holes in it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-metal-strip-with-holes-in-it/786238)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-metal-strip-with-holes-in-it/786238 "2017-05-12T14:23:02Z")
I have no picture, because I cannot find it on google. I see it sometimes supporting pipes (I never had to use it, i used conduit ties on my PEX plumbing, it looks neater, holds tighter/don’t have to worry as much about … --- ## [Railroad grade crossing signals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroad-grade-crossing-signals/786285)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/railroad-grade-crossing-signals/786285 "2017-05-12T13:49:20Z")
Railroad grade crossing signals. If I am approaching a grade crossing and the signals are not working, is it almost certain that it’s safe to cross? I watched a youtube video of a train splitting an 19-wheeler in half.… --- ## [PEX Pipes (2 Parter) \[Plumbers\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pex-pipes-2-parter-plumbers/786104)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pex-pipes-2-parter-plumbers/786104 "2017-05-12T10:21:14Z")
Anyone know of anything about their failure rates? I’ve installed some a while back, and they are solid, no worries there, but I keep hearing or rather reading questionable things about them, I have good fittings too, re… --- ## [Residential foundation repair questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-foundation-repair-questions/784554)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-foundation-repair-questions/784554 "2017-05-12T06:42:17Z")
We may be in need of foundation repair on one side of the house. It is an addition that was put on many years ago before we purchase the home. There are repair cracks in the walls and one door that was repair for sticki… --- ## ["Touch" light switch turns itself on in the middle of the night - why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touch-light-switch-turns-itself-on-in-the-middle-of-the-night-why/528282)
**Author:** [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touch-light-switch-turns-itself-on-in-the-middle-of-the-night-why/528282 "2017-05-12T04:26:57Z")
We have one of those dimmer light switches that you tap to switch the light on and off and hold your finger on to dim or brighten the light. This controls the main overhead light in our bedroom. A few nights ago in the … --- ## [EVAP fault code. How many starts to self-clear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evap-fault-code-how-many-starts-to-self-clear/786370)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evap-fault-code-how-many-starts-to-self-clear/786370 "2017-05-12T02:24:27Z")
Wife’s car just threw a code today for an evap emissions system leak. Fuel cap seemed tight, but I snugged it up again anyway. It’s been maybe ten years since I dealt with this on a previous car, but ISTR this code wil… --- ## [Medicos - Cranial Things - Severe Cerebral Atrophy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicos-cranial-things-severe-cerebral-atrophy/786412)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicos-cranial-things-severe-cerebral-atrophy/786412 "2017-05-12T02:08:13Z")
More fun with the hospital - pulse 37.1 All kinds of tests - esp. for a Medicare patient. The brain’s “volume loss greater than indicated by age”. is simple, if distressing. The “severe cerebral atrophy” (unchanged fr… --- ## [Basic Medicare question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-medicare-question/786402)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-medicare-question/786402 "2017-05-12T01:46:52Z")
My understanding: If a 64-year-old individual is receiving social security, when he turns 65 he will be automatically enrolled in Medicare parts A and B with no action required on his part–no applications, paperwork, et… --- ## [Whose face in this cartoon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-face-in-this-cartoon/786358)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-face-in-this-cartoon/786358 "2017-05-11T22:11:29Z")
On this page you should see a cartoon by Matson showing President Trump sitting at his desk. However, the face, and particularly the hair, are not really Trump. My belief is that they’re from someone who should be quite … --- ## [Can I give my cats reduced lactose milk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-give-my-cats-reduced-lactose-milk/786300)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-give-my-cats-reduced-lactose-milk/786300 "2017-05-11T22:08:11Z")
I know that cats can’t drink regular milk because they can’t tolerate the lactose. So could I give them lactose reduced milk? Also, I know that you can buy milk marketed just for cats, I’m wondering specifically about … --- ## [Space simulations. Common mistakes by artists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-simulations-common-mistakes-by-artists/786354)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-simulations-common-mistakes-by-artists/786354 "2017-05-11T20:16:30Z")
In most news programmes when they announce some major interplanetary event or success of probe landings, the channels usually have artists impressions of the event. Some of these videos or drawings have, what i think to … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=732) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=734)