# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=759 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 760 --- ## [How to fix a object swinging on a metal bar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-a-object-swinging-on-a-metal-bar/782618)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-a-object-swinging-on-a-metal-bar/782618 "2017-03-20T18:35:09Z")
I am making a flap door on my dog’s house and I’ve done everything, but I have issues with hanging the door on the house, I don’t have a lot materials to use, so I just used some wires, but the door swinged left and righ… --- ## ["DNA Ancestry" tests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-ancestry-tests/782610)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-ancestry-tests/782610 "2017-03-20T18:34:25Z")
I don’t exactly get these things. Okay, I get that you send a company some DNA - hopefully not collected from a crime scene - and they sent you back a thing saying where you allegedly came from. IT’s like a huge thing … --- ## [What kind of attorney to engage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-attorney-to-engage/782612)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-attorney-to-engage/782612 "2017-03-20T17:27:12Z")
A bit of background: someone translated his book (technical book) into English in response to a US publisher’s solicitation of the translation. He sent the translation to the publisher, who sent him back the contract to … --- ## [Help me diagnose this loud noise coming from my interior wall (probably HVAC related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-diagnose-this-loud-noise-coming-from-my-interior-wall-probably-hvac-related/782162)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-diagnose-this-loud-noise-coming-from-my-interior-wall-probably-hvac-related/782162 "2017-03-20T17:22:39Z")
Occasionally when my gas furnace turns on, I get this loud grinding noise coming from my second-floor bedroom wall, an interior wall. It is very inconsistent. Sometimes it has a sound like a kid with a playing card in hi… --- ## [How much does Medicaid cost the feds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-medicaid-cost-the-feds/782495)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-medicaid-cost-the-feds/782495 "2017-03-20T15:32:08Z")
In http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2017/Pres/Maps/Mar18.html#item-2, end of the first paragraph claims that Medicaid costs the government over a half trillion a year. Can this be true? That would make it comparable to… --- ## [Electrical Question: LED Lighting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-question-led-lighting/782478)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-question-led-lighting/782478 "2017-03-20T14:26:55Z")
Hello Dopers I hope you’ll allow me to call on your vast knowledge yet again. I am looking to install some LED accent lighting, and I purchased a setup from the Homeless Despot . I want to make sure that the instructio… --- ## [Trump Escorts relationship to the President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-escorts-relationship-to-the-president/781864)
**Author:** [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-escorts-relationship-to-the-president/781864 "2017-03-12T15:56:44Z")
There is a company called Mystique Companions, aka Trump International, aka Trump Escorts, which operates, or operated, out of Trump Place in New York. President Trump doesn’t seem like the sort of man to allow a company… --- ## [Income Tax Filing - Why didn't IRS pick up on a wrong BIRTH DATE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-filing-why-didnt-irs-pick-up-on-a-wrong-birth-date/537217)
**Author:** [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-filing-why-didnt-irs-pick-up-on-a-wrong-birth-date/537217 "2017-03-20T13:29:53Z")
I got a riddle for you… I tried to access a small tax refund (on a special card) and what did you know…the birth date I gave them didn’t match the one on file. I went in to the income tax office today, and they looked … --- ## [Taxed at a Different Rate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxed-at-a-different-rate/782460)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxed-at-a-different-rate/782460 "2017-03-20T11:17:04Z")
I just received severance pay for which the Feds took like 40%. If I have a W-4 that tells an employer how much to take out of my regular paychecks, how does this affect things like severance pay which is taxed at a diff… --- ## [Why does milk sour faster in a smaller container?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-milk-sour-faster-in-a-smaller-container/333600)
**Author:** [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-milk-sour-faster-in-a-smaller-container/333600 "2017-03-20T08:18:40Z")
I take a 16-oz container of milk to work for tea. I can use it for three days, tops, but by the end of the third day, it’s starting to smell “off”, and on the fourth day, it will curdle when poured into the tea. Meanwhil… --- ## [Crossword Puzzles in other languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzles-in-other-languages/778514)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzles-in-other-languages/778514 "2017-03-20T08:06:52Z")
What are the limitations on crossword puzzles in other languages that use phonetic alphabets? Italian comes to mind as a language in which they would be impossible, because every Italian word ends with a vowel, so there… --- ## [Why does sleet look so dramatic on radar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-sleet-look-so-dramatic-on-radar/782179)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-sleet-look-so-dramatic-on-radar/782179 "2017-03-20T04:44:15Z")
I often see this during winter storms. If it is sleeting instead of rain or snow, it doesn’t have to be coming down hard for the radar colors to look like those of a severe thunderstorm. Why does this happen? --- ## [Disney movie "Tomorrowland"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-movie-tomorrowland/782582)
**Author:** [@KarenKKraft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarenKKraft)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-movie-tomorrowland/782582 "2017-03-20T04:07:16Z")
Not a bad movie for younger people, I suppose, but something strange seems to have happened in the final scene. In the spirit of encouraging innovative “Dreamer” people, Dreamer Pins were given out to those who others th… --- ## [Was the St Patrick's Day meeting with the Irish prime minister reported in the American Press?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-st-patricks-day-meeting-with-the-irish-prime-minister-reported-in-the-american-press/782468)
**Author:** [@Scathach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scathach)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-st-patricks-day-meeting-with-the-irish-prime-minister-reported-in-the-american-press/782468 "2017-03-20T02:12:35Z")
I ask this because a few Irish sites are writing articles about how Enda Kenny “lectured” Trump on his immigration policy. They also claim that American news sites are reporting that Kenny did a good speech that resonat… --- ## [Active SWAT team w/ machine guns on backpacks: How often (scenarios) is this done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-swat-team-w-machine-guns-on-backpacks-how-often-scenarios-is-this-done/782540)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-swat-team-w-machine-guns-on-backpacks-how-often-scenarios-is-this-done/782540 "2017-03-20T01:15:48Z")
Even beat cops or detectives may have a leg strap-on as one more weapon, but this seems like the cart before the horse. Inthis vid from Orly Airport following the killing of a terrorist, a SWAT team is armed for bear, a… --- ## [DNA Analysis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-analysis/782482)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-analysis/782482 "2017-03-19T22:15:50Z")
Is it possible that ancestry.com and 23andme.com use the same lab for analysis? More to the point, how would I know if they did? --- ## [Could a bullet entering the barrel disable a Gatling Gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-bullet-entering-the-barrel-disable-a-gatling-gun/782441)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-bullet-entering-the-barrel-disable-a-gatling-gun/782441 "2017-03-19T20:44:34Z")
I realise this is extraordinarlly unlikely but is it physically possible? If a bullet entered an empty barrel at just the right moment as it moved around to fire again could it feasibly jam the mechanism? (I’m not sure … --- ## [Are original ipod earphones on ebay real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-original-ipod-earphones-on-ebay-real/667067)
**Author:** [@pauly1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pauly1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-original-ipod-earphones-on-ebay-real/667067 "2017-03-19T19:33:57Z")
I have owned numerous ipod earphones due to them breaking after wear. I recalled when i bought it, it usually cost $25 or so at the apple store. I checked on ebay and i see many that are charging like $8 like this one … --- ## [What happens if the President violates a treaty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-the-president-violates-a-treaty/782501)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-the-president-violates-a-treaty/782501 "2017-03-19T18:34:09Z")
Trump has promised to do a lot of things that would violate either NAFTA or NATO. What would the consequences be if he actually broke the terms of the treaties? --- ## [rounding 5 exactly to evens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rounding-5-exactly-to-evens/782214)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rounding-5-exactly-to-evens/782214 "2017-03-19T18:30:55Z")
All my life, I was taught to round up if the next digit is a 5. But, lately, I’ve been hearing that, if it’s exactly 5 (e.g. 0.5000 not 0.5001), I should round to the closest even number instead, to avoid bias. But I ca… --- ## [Getting video & audio from laptop to TV.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-video-audio-from-laptop-to-tv/782476)
**Author:** [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-video-audio-from-laptop-to-tv/782476 "2017-03-19T17:57:10Z")
I’m trying to watch Hulu and Netflix on my non-smart bigscreen TV. I got the right cable which goes from video output on the laptop to HDMI3 input on the TV. The video is fine and plays on the TV but the audio plays only… --- ## [How big are Komodo Dragons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-are-komodo-dragons/781541)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Sanchez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Sanchez)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-are-komodo-dragons/781541 "2017-03-19T14:25:43Z")
Today’s Google doodle is an interactive quiz about Komodo Dragons. The first question is: “True or False: Komodo Dragons are the largest lizards on the planet.” I figured it was the anaconda so I clicked false, but a… --- ## [Win10 disk initialization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win10-disk-initialization/782310)
**Author:** [@MTVhike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTVhike)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win10-disk-initialization/782310 "2017-03-19T11:18:01Z")
I recently purchased a new Dell computer, with Win 10 Pro installed, on the system disk. That disk has 4 partitions: a 500MB partition labeled “EFI System Partition”; a 227.24 GB NTFS partition labeled “OS (C:)”;a 450 MB… --- ## [Fart transmitted diseases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fart-transmitted-diseases/782406)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fart-transmitted-diseases/782406 "2017-03-19T10:21:11Z")
Certain diseases can be transmitted by way of human poop (i.e. cholera), right? Well, could they not also be transmitted by fart? Aren’t farts just airbourne poop molecules? --- ## [Is it illegal to buy cigarettes online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-buy-cigarettes-online/400883)
**Author:** [@teemingONE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teemingONE)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-buy-cigarettes-online/400883 "2014-01-12T19:55:28Z")
I remember there was a big deal about buying cigarettes online a while ago, something about going around taxes and stuff. Would I get into trouble if I buy cigarettes online? (shipping to Jersey) --- ## [Can Anyone Identify The Planes In This Video?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-the-planes-in-this-video/781844)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-the-planes-in-this-video/781844 "2017-03-19T07:20:59Z")
Toward the end the cameraman pans in a circle. What are the other planes that you can see? It looks like they are WWII or Korea Vintage. --- ## [Getting video & audio from laptop to TV.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-video-audio-from-laptop-to-tv/782523)
**Author:** [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-video-audio-from-laptop-to-tv/782523 "2017-03-19T02:31:10Z")
I can get the computer video to play on my non-smart TV but audio will play only on the computer. I want both video and audio to play on the TV. The computer is a HP Probook 6550b laptop. The TV is Insignia NS-55E480A13A… --- ## [What brand and model of camera is this? (1930s or earlier)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372)
**Author:** [@NoriMori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoriMori)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372 "2017-03-18T18:07:51Z")
This is a video of some of the US Olympic team’s activities aboard the SS Manhattan in late July 1936. At about 1:01, there is a brief shot of Tidye Pickett using a small camera. I was wondering if anyone can identify th… --- ## [Pipe diameter choices in gravity fed water system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pipe-diameter-choices-in-gravity-fed-water-system/782122)
**Author:** [@Southparkhomestead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southparkhomestead)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pipe-diameter-choices-in-gravity-fed-water-system/782122 "2017-03-18T16:29:20Z")
Sirs, I ask about my choosing the diameter of HDPE pipe that will carry water from my seep spring to my cabin. The run is about 650 feet. The Head is 10 to 15 feet above the cabin. I was going to run 1 inch I.D. HDPE… --- ## [What is this construction now??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-construction-now/782311)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2017, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-construction-now/782311 "2017-03-18T06:57:00Z")
Just a few short years ago, they tore up my street. New sewer, water, gas all buried snug as a bug. They even replaced all of the electric poles, New electric phone and cable/internet wire. Now they are going along digg… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=758) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=760)