# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=734 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 735 --- ## [What would it take to start a new country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-start-a-new-country/786206)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-start-a-new-country/786206 "2017-05-11T19:04:35Z")
Is there an internationally agreed-upon method by which a piece of land could be purchased and transformed into a new sovereign state, gaining UN recognition? Is there a peaceful way to this end, absent conquest and over… --- ## [g-mail q. Sent mail goes to Trash.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-mail-q-sent-mail-goes-to-trash/786363)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g-mail-q-sent-mail-goes-to-trash/786363 "2017-05-11T18:05:35Z")
I can’t find the answer to this anywhere. Except the SDMB? I compose a letter in Gmail, send it, and it shows up in my Trash folder, but not in Sent Mail. I have to take it out of the Trash and move it to my inbox in… --- ## [Sang or Sung?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sang-or-sung/786211)
**Author:** [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sang-or-sung/786211 "2017-05-11T17:04:23Z")
I was doing a crossword puzzle when a clue suggested Sang or Sung and sometimes I get it wrong. How do I know which to use? They’re both past tense aren’t they? --- ## [How low can a person's waist-to-hip ratio be without any assoc. health or quality of life concerns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-low-can-a-persons-waist-to-hip-ratio-be-without-any-assoc-health-or-quality-of-life-concerns/786368)
**Author:** [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-low-can-a-persons-waist-to-hip-ratio-be-without-any-assoc-health-or-quality-of-life-concerns/786368 "2017-05-11T16:21:58Z")
This is a clip from the tv show The Doctors of a woman who on whole looks fairly average — except her hips measure 70 inches around. She has embraced this is how her body is and does model stopping short of… --- ## [How can a court compel a union to go back to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-court-compel-a-union-to-go-back-to-work/786248)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-court-compel-a-union-to-go-back-to-work/786248 "2017-05-11T15:37:52Z")
Here’s the story. Don’t people have a right to strike or work to rule in the US unless they’re in the armed forces? The company has the option to fire the pilots if they don’t like what they’re doing but getting a judg… --- ## [When to remove a sump pump pit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-remove-a-sump-pump-pit/786291)
**Author:** [@dyinewbie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dyinewbie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-remove-a-sump-pump-pit/786291 "2017-05-11T14:01:18Z")
We live in California and this past year, after 6-7 years of drought, we got 40 inches of rain (which is double the amount of rainfall in a normal year), and we had water in the crawlspace under our house. It was never… --- ## [why is the analemma a figure 8](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-analemma-a-figure-8/786275)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-analemma-a-figure-8/786275 "2017-05-11T13:32:21Z")
Here is what I’m talking about. http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2009/08/26/why-our-analemma-looks-like-a/ This particular website describes the answer…but…I’m not sure I understand it. I understand that as the … --- ## [Where are all the good Viruses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-the-good-viruses/786126)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-the-good-viruses/786126 "2017-05-11T09:58:30Z")
I’ve been trying to find out about beneficial viruses. Everyone knows there are bacteria that are beneficial to humans and how important they are to our overall digestion and immune systems, but there seems to be very li… --- ## ["psyche!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psyche/786216)
**Author:** [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psyche/786216 "2017-05-11T03:44:57Z")
When I was growing up, this was a word kids would use when tormenting someone by pretending to offer something the other kid wanted, then yanking it away. I learned the use of it long before I read/knew a word like “psyc… --- ## [Fired while on a business trip; who's responsible for the trip home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fired-while-on-a-business-trip-whos-responsible-for-the-trip-home/786256)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fired-while-on-a-business-trip-whos-responsible-for-the-trip-home/786256 "2017-05-11T02:48:06Z")
If you’re fired while on a business trip does your now former employer still have to pay for your trip home, or can they just leave you to sort every thing out on your own dime? Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk --- ## [night sweats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/night-sweats/786325)
**Author:** [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/night-sweats/786325 "2017-05-11T02:35:45Z")
when detoxing–either from alcohol or drugs–, or because of illness, why do we only sweat at night and only while lying down? --- ## [When did doing a crime = doing time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-doing-a-crime-doing-time/786171)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-doing-a-crime-doing-time/786171 "2017-05-11T02:33:59Z")
When did society start using time as a currency to repaying a crime, rather than the suspect getting punished physically? Also, a rather vague question, how do they decid how much time needs to be served to pay off a cr… --- ## [US Citizenship N-400 question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-citizenship-n-400-question/786267)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-citizenship-n-400-question/786267 "2017-05-10T23:41:13Z")
I heard that in the United States, there’s a very undesirable question that is meant to catch out non convicted criminals. Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested? Just wondering how … --- ## [what is the standard cut for a distributor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-standard-cut-for-a-distributor/786272)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-standard-cut-for-a-distributor/786272 "2017-05-10T23:09:52Z")
I’m sure this varies, so I’ll be happy with a range. Lets say I’m selling some biochemical kit for use by scientists. I can sell it directly, or I can go through distributor like ThermoFisher. What would ThermoFishe… --- ## [x-37B lands from space--why the moon suits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-37b-lands-from-space-why-the-moon-suits/786131)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-37b-lands-from-space-why-the-moon-suits/786131 "2017-05-10T22:43:14Z")
This handsome baby just landed at Kennedy Space Center from space. Why the hazmat suits? Did any of us know this was up there in the first place? Cape Canaveral is not Kennedy Space Center? --- ## [Does the contractor sign the contract?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-contractor-sign-the-contract/786303)
**Author:** [@THOUGHTCRIMlNAL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THOUGHTCRIMlNAL)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-contractor-sign-the-contract/786303 "2017-05-10T18:43:04Z")
I am renovating my basement and being unable to finish some of it myself, I hired a contractor. Does the contractor have to sign his own contract? --- ## [Do Military Personel get to get their titles after they retire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-military-personel-get-to-get-their-titles-after-they-retire/133850)
**Author:** [@Tracers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracers)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-military-personel-get-to-get-their-titles-after-they-retire/133850 "2017-05-10T17:50:42Z")
What is proper protecol here? Is it optional for a person to keep referring to themselves as “Captain \_\_\_ \_\_\_” or it it disrepectful for me to not automatically address him as such? I have a client who just called and … --- ## [International purchases of territory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-purchases-of-territory/786277)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-purchases-of-territory/786277 "2017-05-10T15:25:15Z")
The United States acquired some of its’ territory through purchase from other nations (e.g. Louisiana, Gadsden Purchase, Alaska). Are there notable examples of any other nations purchasing territory? Not talking about pe… --- ## [How do I file a complaint against a lawyer in Illinios](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-file-a-complaint-against-a-lawyer-in-illinios/786279)
**Author:** [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-file-a-complaint-against-a-lawyer-in-illinios/786279 "2017-05-10T15:21:21Z")
Long story short, I believe I have been grossly overcharged by my divorce lawyer. In essence he’s called me on multiple occasions under the pretense of needing to ask a quick question and proceeded to tell me about his k… --- ## [Load distributuion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/load-distributuion/786247)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/load-distributuion/786247 "2017-05-10T13:53:44Z")
I am building a grape press for harvesting the juice. I figure with only 10# pressure on my crank I am generating about 3,000# force. Will that force be distributed between the top and bottom evenly or will I have 3000# … --- ## [When is a hard disk considered to be failed? Should I replace it? (RAID 6)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-hard-disk-considered-to-be-failed-should-i-replace-it-raid-6/785787)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-hard-disk-considered-to-be-failed-should-i-replace-it-raid-6/785787 "2017-05-10T13:15:03Z")
So I have a home server/NAS Synology DS416play. I am running a configuration which is equivalent to RAID6. It is called Synology Hybrid Raid2. It is not actually RAID6, but I do have 2 disk redundancy. Anyway, one of m… --- ## [Paving a Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paving-a-road/782170)
**Author:** [@rgiunta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rgiunta)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paving-a-road/782170 "2017-05-10T12:20:41Z")
I live on a dirt road in Vermont which gets rutted and muddy during long periods of heavy rain and especially during freeze-thaw cycles during winter and in early spring. I am interested to know what it would cost to pre… --- ## [Human tissue being subjected to freezing and boiling water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-tissue-being-subjected-to-freezing-and-boiling-water/786086)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-tissue-being-subjected-to-freezing-and-boiling-water/786086 "2017-05-10T11:53:53Z")
Don’t need an answer fast Is it true that this is the quickest way to permanently kill any body part? Let’s imagine an unpleasant scenario…human testicles being numbed fully and dipped into supercooled or freezing water… --- ## [Do car paintjobs physically change overtime if looked after?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-car-paintjobs-physically-change-overtime-if-looked-after/786188)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-car-paintjobs-physically-change-overtime-if-looked-after/786188 "2017-05-10T10:49:25Z")
With modern car paints, if you polish the paint up to a mirror finish will it stay that way 10-20years later if well looked after & stored in garage? I suspect the paint actually changes over time, not as a result from a… --- ## [What distinctions do scientists make between chemicals and substrates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-distinctions-do-scientists-make-between-chemicals-and-substrates/786252)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-distinctions-do-scientists-make-between-chemicals-and-substrates/786252 "2017-05-10T09:03:26Z")
HI I’m interested in the biodegradability of detergents and soaps in river, lakes and other aquatic environments. When science journals discuss the non-biodegradability of substrates in detergents and soaps what are the… --- ## [Banned computing books?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banned-computing-books/786182)
**Author:** [@Born\_to\_be\_Mild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Born_to_be_Mild)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banned-computing-books/786182 "2017-05-10T05:41:08Z")
Do governments or security agencies ban certain computing books? The reason I ask is for a long while I’ve had a dream of making my own operating system and I’ve got a lot of books on os’s. I know that it’s the organis… --- ## [Google's language](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/googles-language/786246)
**Author:** [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/googles-language/786246 "2017-05-10T05:15:19Z")
I’ve been using the Google search page for years now, and have just run into a new problem. All of a sudden, Google will appear on my screen all in German (with random visits to other languages). I can translate the sc… --- ## [Why does drinking lots of water make you very awake and alert?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-drinking-lots-of-water-make-you-very-awake-and-alert/786220)
**Author:** [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-drinking-lots-of-water-make-you-very-awake-and-alert/786220 "2017-05-10T00:41:48Z")
So I’ve just noticed something, which is that when I drink lots of water in one sitting, I seem to become much more awake than I would normally be. For instance before I have any, I am usually very tired and sluggish fee… --- ## [Could California launch "its own damn satellite"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-california-launch-its-own-damn-satellite/774789)
**Author:** [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-california-launch-its-own-damn-satellite/774789 "2017-05-10T00:26:30Z")
From here, among other places: Let’s ignore the immediate politics and reasons, and say that the California legislature has an overwhelming vote to build a satellite, and for bigger political cover got a huge Yes on a … --- ## [Who does not have to call POTUS "Mr. President"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-does-not-have-to-call-potus-mr-president/785605)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-does-not-have-to-call-potus-mr-president/785605 "2017-05-09T22:32:43Z")
His wife, kids, old friends…? Or they do as well? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=733) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=735)