# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=760 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 761 --- ## [Why do so many "medications" seem to cause suicidal thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-medications-seem-to-cause-suicidal-thoughts/780628)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-medications-seem-to-cause-suicidal-thoughts/780628 "2017-03-18T02:21:02Z")
Ah, those loverly drug commercials. At the end, the side effects are listed, and I think “If I wanted to maybe be cured of that, would I want to have that side effect?” The answer is usually “Hell, no.” More and more th… --- ## [How (fast) can I refinance my House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-can-i-refinance-my-house/782397)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-can-i-refinance-my-house/782397 "2017-03-18T02:14:05Z")
I live in Saudi Arabia. My wife is in our house in Pennsylvania. We got the house on a balloon mortgage. My wife is not-so-good with money. I want to refinance before the teaser rate goes away. I will be home in a coupl… --- ## [Single payer healthcare in Vermont and Maine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-payer-healthcare-in-vermont-and-maine/782363)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2017, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-payer-healthcare-in-vermont-and-maine/782363 "2017-03-18T02:00:24Z")
https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills\_128th/billtexts/SP012701.asp There is a draft bill in the Maine legislature making the mention of single payer healthcare in Maine. A snippet:“Portions of the system will… --- ## [World's largest pane of glass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-largest-pane-of-glass/503752)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-largest-pane-of-glass/503752 "2017-03-17T21:33:22Z")
Is this the sort of thing for which world records are kept? What/where is the largest single pane of glass? No reason for asking; just curious. --- ## [I can murder someone in Yellowstone and I can't be tried for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-can-murder-someone-in-yellowstone-and-i-cant-be-tried-for-it/781678)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-can-murder-someone-in-yellowstone-and-i-cant-be-tried-for-it/781678 "2017-03-17T20:51:22Z")
This seems totally unbelievable but I thought I’d ask. Due To a Legal Loophole, There’s a Murder Zone in Yellowstone National Park. Eagerly awaiting a definitive reply. There are a few people I know that I feel could … --- ## [Finding diamonds in Arkansas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-diamonds-in-arkansas/781495)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-diamonds-in-arkansas/781495 "2017-03-17T20:38:20Z")
I have read that visitors to the only active diamond mine in the U. S., in Arkansas, can hunt there for diamonds and keep any they find, regardless of size. (Visitors prospecting for diamonds must pay a nominal fee.) Wh… --- ## [Can I use both these sentences for present hypothetical/unreal situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-both-these-sentences-for-present-hypothetical-unreal-situation/782386)
**Author:** [@freebird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freebird)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-both-these-sentences-for-present-hypothetical-unreal-situation/782386 "2017-03-17T20:13:35Z")
Here are two sentences that I am thinking of using for present hypothetical/unreal conditional sentence. Can I use either one of them? If someone \*\*spent \*\*half their time hating golf you would presume there \*\*was \*\*a… --- ## [Woodworking Question - Jointers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-question-jointers/782346)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woodworking-question-jointers/782346 "2017-03-17T16:32:27Z")
This is probably a dumb question - but if you start with standard size stock (say 3/4") and put it through a jointer and trim wood off to flatten it., you’re going to have something that’s not standard thickness. Isn’t t… --- ## [Turbo Tax question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331 "2017-03-17T16:30:15Z")
I file my Taxes and ex wifes taxes on turbo tax. Mine go through as normal and I have to make a payment. Hers show no money owed and it does not file. Does this mean I don’t have to file for her if she doesn’t owe anythi… --- ## [Any Cartographers Here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-cartographers-here/782264)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-cartographers-here/782264 "2017-03-17T15:25:46Z")
Or just anyone who is more knowledgeable about maps than I am? If you click the link, it’ll take you to a map of some trails in Errington BC where I go hiking every day. If you look at 3 o’clock at the map there is a sm… --- ## [Suggestions for pourable plastic material that dries hard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-pourable-plastic-material-that-dries-hard/782377)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-pourable-plastic-material-that-dries-hard/782377 "2017-03-17T14:51:33Z")
Situation: I’m making a decoy cup of coffee. I have a standard porcelain coffee cup. I need to fill it with some sort of black plastic that will appear to be coffee. It seems like there should be some sort of pourable p… --- ## [What are German dictionaries like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-german-dictionaries-like/782119)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-german-dictionaries-like/782119 "2017-03-17T10:41:43Z")
I understand German uses “closed” (no spaces between words) compound words. An example I found is “Spionagesatellit” which is spy satellite. I suspect that there is also communication satellite and weather satellite and… --- ## [Electrical Fire Questions and a Thank you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-fire-questions-and-a-thank-you/782053)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-fire-questions-and-a-thank-you/782053 "2017-03-17T10:27:39Z")
First, I’d like to thank those who responded to my inquiries about plugs being left slightly, well, ajar in the the outlet (that is, half inserted) and their potential to cause fire. I now know that the risk is minimal a… --- ## [How Long Would It Take One Person to Eat a Blue Whale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-one-person-to-eat-a-blue-whale/781969)
**Author:** [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-one-person-to-eat-a-blue-whale/781969 "2017-03-17T10:27:22Z")
Assume they eat 2,500 calories of whale per day. --- ## [Why do so many credit card chip readers still not work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-credit-card-chip-readers-still-not-work/781408)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-credit-card-chip-readers-still-not-work/781408 "2017-03-17T04:49:56Z")
A lot of stores now have the equipment to run a chip credit card, but the chip readers still don’t work. The deadline to have them running was in 2015. Why is it taking so long to actually get the readers to work? I t… --- ## [Is the Mars One project a scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mars-one-project-a-scam/782116)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mars-one-project-a-scam/782116 "2017-03-17T01:46:25Z")
They have interviewed hundreds to be the first astronauts to land on Mars and live there. They collected monies from all the applicants. They have nothing to show in terms of technology. How can it not be a scam? Why ar… --- ## [How much of a factor is weight of the pilot in ejections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-factor-is-weight-of-the-pilot-in-ejections/782074)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-factor-is-weight-of-the-pilot-in-ejections/782074 "2017-03-17T01:43:18Z")
This articlewhich caught my eye this afternoon is about the USAF’s first female F35 fighter pilot. She is also the only female F35 pilot for now since; (emphasis supplied) 136 pounds, 62 kg is a bit on the heavier side… --- ## [PA gov't email addresses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-govt-email-addresses/782327)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-govt-email-addresses/782327 "2017-03-16T22:04:51Z")
Because of a screwup with my employer I am trying to get a refund of the state income tax that they paid to Pennsylvania instead of to Maryland. I am trying to email some higher ups such as the comptroller of PA or Eile… --- ## [1031 Tax-Free Exchange question (Real Estate)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1031-tax-free-exchange-question-real-estate/782271)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1031-tax-free-exchange-question-real-estate/782271 "2017-03-16T21:25:05Z")
I sold a rental unit in 2016 that I had been renting out for about twenty years. It had pretty much tripled in value during that time. Also, I had already depreciated it down to a very small basis. I replaced it with a … --- ## [Will circular runways ever take off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-circular-runways-ever-take-off/782318)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-circular-runways-ever-take-off/782318 "2017-03-16T20:21:27Z")
I just saw a video on the BBC postulating the idea of a circular runway with all the terminal buildings in the middle. What do our resident airline people think of it? --- ## ["Mahdi" in Islam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mahdi-in-islam/782187)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mahdi-in-islam/782187 "2017-03-16T19:22:57Z")
Can someone please correct me if I am understanding the following incorrectly: Muslims believe there are two different kinds of mahdis: The Mahdi who will be a world-changing apocalyptic figure, and also mahdis (“lowe… --- ## [What Would Happen If I Used Coffee (Instead of Water) to Make Coffee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-used-coffee-instead-of-water-to-make-coffee/641317)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-used-coffee-instead-of-water-to-make-coffee/641317 "2017-03-16T19:10:47Z")
Let’s say I poured my existing pot of coffee into the reservoir in my coffee maker where I’d ordinarily pour water. Would the resulting pot of coffee \[ul\] \[li\]Be undrinkable\[/li\]\[li\]Be indistinguishable from coffee mad… --- ## [What is a "vertical"? (apparently a jargon term)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-vertical-apparently-a-jargon-term/782320)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-vertical-apparently-a-jargon-term/782320 "2017-03-16T18:41:36Z")
Amanda Marcotte refers in passing to something on a website as a “vertical.” “Vice, a hip-but-professional news and culture website that invests in things like investigative journalism and a feminist vertical” and she … --- ## [Why Jhon (language question) ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-jhon-language-question/782240)
**Author:** [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-jhon-language-question/782240 "2017-03-16T18:22:54Z")
I am fortunate to work with folks from around the world. Mostly we communicate via email (God bless the internet). Oftentimes in the email replies, I am addressed as “Jhon” and I‘m cool with it. I see this mostly comin… --- ## [Can ants feel pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ants-feel-pain/21742)
**Author:** [@junebeetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/junebeetle)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ants-feel-pain/21742 "2017-03-16T13:45:57Z")
Well, the ants invaded the pantry again and I just spent the last hour laying waste to the little bastards. Watching their frantic death struggles, I couldn’t help but wonder if ants and insects in general have the capac… --- ## [Network Speed Test gives curious pattern of results.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-speed-test-gives-curious-pattern-of-results/782190)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-speed-test-gives-curious-pattern-of-results/782190 "2017-03-16T13:44:52Z")
My laptop came with a ‘‘Network Speed Test’’. When I run it I first get a download speed of a bit less than 10. Re-run it and the download speed is near 20. Re-run again and again and and again the download speed is alm… --- ## [Airport lengths and runway speeds \[revised title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-lengths-and-runway-speeds-revised-title/782145)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-lengths-and-runway-speeds-revised-title/782145 "2017-03-16T13:21:26Z")
I don’t have an irrational fear of flying, I do it all the time, but I tend to get a little concerned when I see or feel something unusual. One of the things that especially gets to me is when the plane seems to be takin… --- ## [Can you live off of body fat and viatmins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-live-off-of-body-fat-and-viatmins/294411)
**Author:** [@wolf\_in\_second\_hand\_clothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_in_second_hand_clothing)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-live-off-of-body-fat-and-viatmins/294411 "2005-03-15T01:32:00Z")
I am under the impression that body fat as energy storage is mainly meant to supplement eating during times when food is scarce. But if someone were to take vitamins to prevent scurvy and replace whatever essential amin… --- ## [Working up lather before applying razor..how long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-up-lather-before-applying-razor-how-long/781982)
**Author:** [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-up-lather-before-applying-razor-how-long/781982 "2017-03-16T01:29:25Z")
I am not sure if there is a factual answer to the question since it can be a matter of personal choice, but on an average, how long doe one need to lather before applying the razor to the beard for a shave? As I underst… --- ## [Preventing website "harvesting"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preventing-website-harvesting/781941)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preventing-website-harvesting/781941 "2017-03-16T01:07:54Z")
I know this can be done and I could do some searching to refresh my fuzzy memory of how, but I’d appreciate some short answers to speed the plow, as I’m still draggy from surgery last week. I have a popular hobby-topic … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=759) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=761)