# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=765 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 766 --- ## [Is this counterintelligence scenario plausible at all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-counterintelligence-scenario-plausible-at-all/781726)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-counterintelligence-scenario-plausible-at-all/781726 "2017-03-09T14:27:23Z")
I’m writing spy fiction and part of it involves one country sending personnel to an allied nation, to apprehend an enemy spy in that country. So, for instance: Russian spy has been spying in America and also committed v… --- ## [Who typically pays for new roads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-typically-pays-for-new-roads/781710)
**Author:** [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-typically-pays-for-new-roads/781710 "2017-03-09T14:13:38Z")
There’s a story in today’s New York Times about how the city of Omaha is grinding the paving on some streets to gravel rather than maintain them: Omaha’s Answer to Costly Potholes? Go Back to Gravel Roads The city’s di… --- ## [Questions about Skipjack24 boat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-skipjack24-boat/781744)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-skipjack24-boat/781744 "2017-03-09T10:04:56Z")
I’ve inherited a Skipjack24 and have questions about it. There are 4 12V batteries in two banks. One controls the motor and electronics and the other powers the bait tank. There are these switches and I was wondering ho… --- ## [How to change the phone ring length](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-change-the-phone-ring-length/781749)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-change-the-phone-ring-length/781749 "2017-03-09T04:40:22Z")
Although this question pertains to a movie I think there should be a factual answer. In the movie “The Maltese Falcon”, Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) tells Brigid O’Shaughnessy (Mary Astor) that he will signal her by ring… --- ## [Is their any legal requirement to address Nobility in the UK properly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-their-any-legal-requirement-to-address-nobility-in-the-uk-properly/781613)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-their-any-legal-requirement-to-address-nobility-in-the-uk-properly/781613 "2017-03-09T02:25:05Z")
It seems that Britain’s class system is a bit anachronistic. Especially with the immigration from the EU. People from all over Eastern Europe, Europe and other EU countries have settled in Britain. Will immigrants acce… --- ## [the functional lifetime of UV filter film for home windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-functional-lifetime-of-uv-filter-film-for-home-windows/781743)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-functional-lifetime-of-uv-filter-film-for-home-windows/781743 "2017-03-09T02:22:18Z")
Back in 1992 my father had our home’s big southeast facing windows coated on the inside with a plastic-type adhesive transparent film with a bit of a tint to it, which was advertised as filtering out the UV rays which wo… --- ## [Are there certain problems with our bodies that evolution will solve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-certain-problems-with-our-bodies-that-evolution-will-solve/780931)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-certain-problems-with-our-bodies-that-evolution-will-solve/780931 "2017-03-09T01:40:56Z")
Humans are the product of billions of years of evolution, and yet there are still some problems with our bodies that it would be nice to see nature fix in the next update patch. :slight\_smile: Examples: Pain- While p… --- ## [Circadian rhythms underground](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circadian-rhythms-underground/781713)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circadian-rhythms-underground/781713 "2017-03-09T00:28:13Z")
Deep in caves, where there’s no sunlight, is there any sort of day/night cycle that might be perceptible to the organisms within? Something like a consistent change in atmospheric pressure or humidity or something? --- ## [Can an American citizen have his/her travel privileges reviewed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-citizen-have-his-her-travel-privileges-reviewed/781610)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-citizen-have-his-her-travel-privileges-reviewed/781610 "2017-03-09T00:11:46Z")
If they haven’t committed a crime or are not suspected of one? Here’s the story. As a law-abiding (I’ve heard nothing to the contrary) American citizen of long-standing how is it possible that the government could ‘rev… --- ## [Meaning of NASDAQ and Dow Jones numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-nasdaq-and-dow-jones-numbers/781697)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-nasdaq-and-dow-jones-numbers/781697 "2017-03-09T00:09:37Z")
Every day, we hear about what number the two indices closed at. What do the numbers actually represent? Are they based on share prices, volume, market cap, or something else? What is the mathematical formula for them? … --- ## [Asian massage businesses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-massage-businesses/742556)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-massage-businesses/742556 "2017-03-08T23:15:09Z")
Hello Everyone, I’ve noticed in a large city near us there are large a number of Asian massage businesses. Is it safe to assume that the majority are if the “rub and tug” variety? Are any of these legitimate theraputi… --- ## [Did the recent White House press release violate copyright law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-recent-white-house-press-release-violate-copyright-law/781685)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-recent-white-house-press-release-violate-copyright-law/781685 "2017-03-08T20:15:36Z")
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/03/07/white-house-copies-full-paragraph-from-exxonmobil-press-release/21875307/ A full paragraph from a press release by ExxonMobile was copied into a White House press release. Do… --- ## [Who Was The Least-Experienced Attorney To Ever Argue Before The SCOTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-least-experienced-attorney-to-ever-argue-before-the-scotus/781596)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-least-experienced-attorney-to-ever-argue-before-the-scotus/781596 "2017-03-08T18:56:50Z")
Has anyone shockingly young in the legal field ever argued before the Supreme Court? --- ## [What was Feynman's "John Big"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-feynmans-john-big/665952)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-feynmans-john-big/665952 "2017-03-08T18:21:34Z")
In his autobiography, Richard Feynman tells the tale of hooking up with some celebrity who kept him around as a sidekick for a while. I’d guess it was sometime in the 1950s, from the details, but Feynman describes the ce… --- ## [Why aren't insects used more in livestock farming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-insects-used-more-in-livestock-farming/781657)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-insects-used-more-in-livestock-farming/781657 "2017-03-08T17:57:06Z")
Probably a really easy question to answer, but it stuck me recently when I was having a discussion of the use of wild fish stocks in some livestock farming…why don’t we use more insects instead of soy or fish stocks? Is… --- ## [King / Queen succession \[Game of Thrones spoilers\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-queen-succession-game-of-thrones-spoilers/781466)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-queen-succession-game-of-thrones-spoilers/781466 "2017-03-08T17:31:22Z")
Has there ever been a case where a king or queen died and their mother or father became the new king or queen? That’s what happened on Game of Thrones show. King dies and his mother is now queen. His biological fat… --- ## [Wirelessly connect amp to speakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-connect-amp-to-speakers/781574)
**Author:** [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-connect-amp-to-speakers/781574 "2017-03-08T16:21:15Z")
I’m setting up my music system in a new room in a new house. I’ve always just connected speakers to the amp with speaker wire, hooked up a music source (turntable, CD player, etc.) and played music. But this room makes h… --- ## [Chickens and eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickens-and-eggs/781350)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickens-and-eggs/781350 "2017-03-08T11:21:09Z")
Hello Everyone, If I remember correctly a chicken will lay an egg everyday. If there was a rooster who insisted on sweet sweet poultry loving with her everyday is it conceivable that one chicken could hatch a new chick… --- ## [Who exactly pays the owners when there's a giant bar fight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-pays-the-owners-when-theres-a-giant-bar-fight/781649)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-pays-the-owners-when-theres-a-giant-bar-fight/781649 "2017-03-08T03:20:27Z")
And when I say bar fight I mean those movie style bar fights where chairs are being smashed on people’s heads, pool cues are broken in half, people are being thrown out of windows. Does the bars insurance cover all thes… --- ## [Can anyone ID this pistol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-id-this-pistol/781588)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-id-this-pistol/781588 "2017-03-08T02:25:16Z")
Hello Everyone, I recently came into possession of a pistol, in rough shape, that I am going to attempt to restore. I’m unable to read the markingsnon the side as the finish is in rough shape. I’m going to sandblast… --- ## [Old Timey Telephone Question: Did I kill off a spammer or did they just change tactics? Sort of long](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-telephone-question-did-i-kill-off-a-spammer-or-did-they-just-change-tactics-sort-of-long/781526)
**Author:** [@mattm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-timey-telephone-question-did-i-kill-off-a-spammer-or-did-they-just-change-tactics-sort-of-long/781526 "2017-03-08T01:22:39Z")
The setup Time frame: 1982 - 1985 Location: Central California Situation: I worked in a branch office of a commercial parts business with 6 or 8 incoming telephone lines. This was right at the time of the big Telephon… --- ## [Trouble linking my iPhone to Honda CRV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-linking-my-iphone-to-honda-crv/781554)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-linking-my-iphone-to-honda-crv/781554 "2017-03-08T00:14:41Z")
I’m trying to link my iPhone to my Honda CRV handsfree link and have run into a problem. I follow the steps with the Honda to the point where it says “as soon as your phone finds our link, enter code XXXX” But my iPhon… --- ## [How bad for your car are high RPM, still under the redline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-for-your-car-are-high-rpm-still-under-the-redline/781646)
**Author:** [@lucid-nonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucid-nonsense)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-for-your-car-are-high-rpm-still-under-the-redline/781646 "2017-03-07T23:49:35Z")
I recently moved to a very mountainous region, and I still drive my tiny underpowered city slicker car (Honda Fit). It has basically no torque at low RPMs. Sometimes, to keep up speed uphill, I need to rev the engine fai… --- ## [How to Show GPS Coords in iPhone Pic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-show-gps-coords-in-iphone-pic/771969)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-show-gps-coords-in-iphone-pic/771969 "2017-03-07T22:40:35Z")
I understand each iPhone picture has GPS data attached to it and can be viewed by moving one’s pictures onto a PC, right clicking, etc. Sounds simple enough. However, is there a way to show GPS data in the picture itself… --- ## [Heat a house question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-a-house-question/778587)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-a-house-question/778587 "2017-03-07T22:34:03Z")
I’m curious why, technically, a heat pump system is supposed to be more energy efficient than electric baseboard heat. To me, running a current through a coil would seem to be very efficient. Where does the extra energ… --- ## [Why does DSST need my social security number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-dsst-need-my-social-security-number/781558)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-dsst-need-my-social-security-number/781558 "2017-03-07T20:32:22Z")
I took a DSST exam today to test out of a course. One of the questions they asked me before I got to the actual content of the exam was my Social Security number. This is not something that effects my taxes, or involve… --- ## [Question about the B-52's in Dr Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-b-52s-in-dr-strangelove/781501)
**Author:** [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-b-52s-in-dr-strangelove/781501 "2017-03-07T18:37:32Z")
I recently caught Dr Strangelove on Cable last week and was wondering how realistic the procedures aboard the B-52 were portrayed. The radio messages as only a series of numbers, matching them with a code book. The seale… --- ## [Can a US President force the lower courts & Supreme Court to hurry a decision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-president-force-the-lower-courts-supreme-court-to-hurry-a-decision/781584)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-president-force-the-lower-courts-supreme-court-to-hurry-a-decision/781584 "2017-03-07T17:51:19Z")
Let’s say Trump had delayed his revised travel ban because he wanted to get his nominee on the Supreme Court first to ensure better odds of that body finding it constitutional. OK, Gorsuch takes his seat on the bench and… --- ## [How Does The Priest Prepare The Ashes For Ash Wednesday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-priest-prepare-the-ashes-for-ash-wednesday/781210)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-priest-prepare-the-ashes-for-ash-wednesday/781210 "2017-03-07T17:06:26Z")
I understand that he uses last year’s Palm Sunday palm fronds, but is there a ceremony or something? Or does he just bust out the Aim-a-Flame and burn them and go from there? --- ## [As President, will Trump's tax returns be public record?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-president-will-trumps-tax-returns-be-public-record/781556)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-president-will-trumps-tax-returns-be-public-record/781556 "2017-03-07T16:44:38Z")
…And will they include all his financials from the taxable year? Or does the President file separate returns for his public life and his private life? How’s this going to work? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=764) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=766)