# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=756 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 757 --- ## [Cricket control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-control/782266)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-control/782266 "2017-03-26T18:17:15Z")
My Backyard has zillions of crickets. Now, I kinda like them, so I dont want to eradicate them with sprays or poisons, but they get into the cat dish, inside, etc. I want a natural control, like say geckos or mantids. … --- ## [What does it mean to "pull a muscle"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-pull-a-muscle/783080)
**Author:** [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-pull-a-muscle/783080 "2017-03-26T17:41:20Z")
You hear it all the time. I was working out and I “pulled a muscle”. We all know the feeling, but just what exactly does it mean to “pull” a muscle? Is it a tear? A stretch? A cramp? And what’s the best way to treat it? … --- ## [How fast could we nuke...the ISS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-could-we-nuke-the-iss/782968)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-could-we-nuke-the-iss/782968 "2017-03-26T17:24:23Z")
Inspired by a recent movie or two, and in my tradition of contemplating contingency plans for every horrific occasion, I was just wondering…how quickly could the International Space Station—or a spaceborne target with a … --- ## [Port a potty at construction sites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/port-a-potty-at-construction-sites/782490)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/port-a-potty-at-construction-sites/782490 "2017-03-26T16:29:13Z")
Is there a code or law that requires a port a potty at construction sites? Sometimes I see really small sites with one. For example a site across the street where they are just building one house has a port a pott… --- ## [If someone dies ON Election Day, does their vote count?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-dies-on-election-day-does-their-vote-count/783009)
**Author:** [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-dies-on-election-day-does-their-vote-count/783009 "2017-03-26T14:09:11Z")
Inspired by this thread, plus the fact that my grandfather actually did die on Election Day, 2008. I doubt that he voted (he had been mobile enough to physically make it to the polls until he had a heart attack a month e… --- ## [What is this power pole mounted device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-power-pole-mounted-device/783029)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-power-pole-mounted-device/783029 "2017-03-26T12:46:21Z")
This device: http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb256/GaryM\_photo/Mobile%20Uploads/20170325\_145628.jpg Is mounted on a power pole near my house. It’s about 20 feet off the ground and has what looks to be a UHF antenna … --- ## [What is a magistrate in regards to citizenship renunciation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-magistrate-in-regards-to-citizenship-renunciation/783033)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-magistrate-in-regards-to-citizenship-renunciation/783033 "2017-03-26T09:32:37Z")
So, I’m planning of renouncing my citizenship of an African country. Being a typical Sub-Saharan country though, proceeding with things like renunciation is not as straightforward as if you were a citizen of Canada, the … --- ## [How to remove ivy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2016, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615 "2016-08-26T04:04:50Z")
Anyone who has ever tried to remove ivy knows how difficult it can be. I’ve got a patch growing next to the house I’d really like to eradicate, so I went to Walmart to see if they had any plutonium available for that pur… --- ## [Federal government authority over Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-government-authority-over-keystone-xl-and-dakota-access-pipelines/782951)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-government-authority-over-keystone-xl-and-dakota-access-pipelines/782951 "2017-03-26T04:47:19Z")
I’ve read some material on these and I guess my question is too simple and obvious to write about. These pipelines seem to be commercial projects. What authority does the federal government have to block (Obama) or perm… --- ## [Why do some television networks sell advertising to their competitors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-television-networks-sell-advertising-to-their-competitors/783012)
**Author:** [@bukiet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bukiet)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-television-networks-sell-advertising-to-their-competitors/783012 "2017-03-26T01:23:08Z")
Why do some television networks sell advertising to their competitors? Isn’t this a little like placing Pepsi ads on cans of Coke? If channel A airs commercials promoting channel B or video-on-demand service C, and those… --- ## [When did saying "presser" become current?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-saying-presser-become-current/783017)
**Author:** [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-saying-presser-become-current/783017 "2017-03-26T00:38:30Z")
I’ve noticed it a lot lately. “During his presser, Paul Ryan said…” Has that been a thing for very long? --- ## [Dead cricket rotting for 2 weeks.....air hazard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-cricket-rotting-for-2-weeks-air-hazard/783028)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-cricket-rotting-for-2-weeks-air-hazard/783028 "2017-03-26T00:31:15Z")
So, dead, rotted, moist cricket in sink for 2 weeks while away on vacation…other than foul smell, any germ hazard (respiratory)? :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: --- ## [How long does a convict typically spend on death row?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-a-convict-typically-spend-on-death-row/782942)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-a-convict-typically-spend-on-death-row/782942 "2017-03-25T22:19:26Z")
After watching a documentary on the Oklahoma City bombing, Tim McVeigh was put to death six years after he committed the crime. However Scott Peterson is still waiting although he killed Lacey over fourteen years ago. … --- ## [Interest rate calculation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interest-rate-calculation/783014)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interest-rate-calculation/783014 "2017-03-25T20:52:11Z")
19 years ago I invested $3000 in a utility. Dividends were reinvested and now it’s worth $28000. Is my interest rate really 43%?? That doesn’t sound right. This is simple interest calculation. Is ther another calcul… --- ## [Could a knowledgeable time traveler build a telegraph for the Roman Empire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-knowledgeable-time-traveler-build-a-telegraph-for-the-roman-empire/782931)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-knowledgeable-time-traveler-build-a-telegraph-for-the-roman-empire/782931 "2017-03-25T19:51:23Z")
Using Roman Technology? Could a mechanical engineer build some type of machine to make copper wire? What about electricity? How difficult would it be to build a crude generator near a water source with enough power to… --- ## [Web/graphic design: How to get sharpest, text-based image when resized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-graphic-design-how-to-get-sharpest-text-based-image-when-resized/777260)
**Author:** [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-graphic-design-how-to-get-sharpest-text-based-image-when-resized/777260 "2017-03-25T18:32:57Z")
I’m helping a client redesign his website and he’s kinda driving me crazy. (It’s one of those jobs that started out “oh just add new content” and has turned into one of those “redesign the entire look and feel of the sit… --- ## [Need to convert 12VAC to 12VDC & cheap = good](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-convert-12vac-to-12vdc-cheap-good/620161)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-convert-12vac-to-12vdc-cheap-good/620161 "2017-03-25T14:19:08Z")
I have some 12VDC colorchanging LED’s and I have a available 12VAC source, I need a way to combine the 2. I could do this with a single diode but I don’t want any flicker effect. I know there is a simple circuit I coul… --- ## [US voting in the House of reps question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-voting-in-the-house-of-reps-question/782998)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-voting-in-the-house-of-reps-question/782998 "2017-03-25T13:55:59Z")
In the US House of Representatives, the Speaker controls the agenda and what bills get voted on. What is the mechanism that can override the Speakers control of the agenda and vote on something the Speaker does not wish … --- ## [Compass ring on a \_digital\_ watch??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compass-ring-on-a-_digital_-watch/748877)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compass-ring-on-a-_digital_-watch/748877 "2017-03-25T12:41:42Z")
Just bought a new cheap drugstore digital watch, and I’m wondering why it has a rotatable compass ring (google-fu says that’s called a bezel). I know about the trick of using the sun and analog watch hands to find compas… --- ## [Why does postnasal drip cause a sore throat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-postnasal-drip-cause-a-sore-throat/782538 "2017-03-25T12:06:26Z")
Is it just because of the coughing, or is mucus itself corrosive to the throat lining? Also, while we’re on the subject, why does a cold sometimes cause the roof of your mouth to get all smooth and sore? And for the lo… --- ## [Whatever happened to the kids of the "Bike Bus" couple?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-the-kids-of-the-bike-bus-couple/471993)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-the-kids-of-the-bike-bus-couple/471993 "2017-03-25T05:53:47Z")
IIRC was discussed several years ago, but I can’t find it in searching and I’ve forgotten if there were any answers. Per the Bike Bus Story(start at page 1 advance to 5 then come back to this link to get pages 6 & 7 ) W… --- ## [Jewelry - ring sizing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewelry-ring-sizing/782973)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewelry-ring-sizing/782973 "2017-03-25T03:49:16Z")
We have a ring we’re giving to my mother-in-law. It’s a size too big, and I seem to remember my grandmother had a . . . like a bar, sort of, on the underside of the back of a ring she owned, to make it fit, as opposed to… --- ## [Question for mechanics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-mechanics/782066)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-mechanics/782066 "2017-03-25T03:11:38Z")
What do you call that ink that’s applied to fasteners such that it’s apparent if they don’t stay tightened? Thanks! --- ## [Computer can't detect boot drive...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-cant-detect-boot-drive/684822)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2014, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-cant-detect-boot-drive/684822 "2014-04-18T08:10:43Z")
My boot drive (SSD) got disconnected, now my BIOS recognizes it but it won’t boot. Earlier today my computer just stopped working. It turns out the SATA cable connecting my SSD to the motherboard had conked out. I got a… --- ## [So, what exactly did kill Eduard Delacroix in the Green Mile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-exactly-did-kill-eduard-delacroix-in-the-green-mile/782696)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-exactly-did-kill-eduard-delacroix-in-the-green-mile/782696 "2017-03-25T02:01:10Z")
…when his execution is botched up? The lack of a brine-soaked sponge fails to do what exactly? But looking at the very NSFW clip (and rather graphic so be warned), he seems to be in great pain and then set on fire and al… --- ## [Does anyone make a 2 door car with big wide doors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-a-2-door-car-with-big-wide-doors/782863)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-make-a-2-door-car-with-big-wide-doors/782863 "2017-03-25T01:58:37Z")
Two door cars like the Gran Torino had huge 4 ft wide doors. Very convenient for older people with walkers or wheelchairs. I took my grandmother to all her doctor appointments 25 years ago in my Gran Torino. https://goo… --- ## [Help me add a push-button starter to my old truck. Relay required or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-add-a-push-button-starter-to-my-old-truck-relay-required-or-not/739287)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-add-a-push-button-starter-to-my-old-truck-relay-required-or-not/739287 "2017-03-25T01:37:59Z")
1988 Ford F-250 has a hinky ignition switch. Its gets hard to turn, sticks in the “crank” position sometimes and is generally a pain in the ass. Common problem from what I read. So, I’ll just rig up a push-button. Put t… --- ## [Calling all mathmagicians - what are the odds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-mathmagicians-what-are-the-odds/782823)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-mathmagicians-what-are-the-odds/782823 "2017-03-25T01:22:32Z")
I recall getting a D+ in the last high school math class I took. That said… There are nine workers in my office. Three of them share the same birthday. What are the odds of that happening? Please show your work … --- ## [Amortization question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amortization-question/782827)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amortization-question/782827 "2017-03-25T00:34:14Z")
I understand how amortization works basically. I borrow $100,000, over 15 yrs, and the bank sets the payments such that I make equal payments. Initially those payments are mostly interest, until the last which is mostly … --- ## [Why are patent applications published publicly even if they fail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-patent-applications-published-publicly-even-if-they-fail/782919)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-patent-applications-published-publicly-even-if-they-fail/782919 "2017-03-24T22:44:57Z")
The PCT (international) and USPTO (U.S.) say they publish patent applications publicly, after 18 months from filing, even if the patent is NOT approved. What is the logic behind this? Shouldn’t I be able to revise a pa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=755) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=757)