# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=79 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 80 --- ## [Bringing beer from Canada to the U.S. (need answer quickly)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-beer-from-canada-to-the-u-s-need-answer-quickly/1004801)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-beer-from-canada-to-the-u-s-need-answer-quickly/1004801 "2024-07-31T20:22:11Z")
My wife and I are U.S. citizens. We are currently in Canada on vacation. We will be returning to the U.S. this Saturday. I am going to have around 1.5 cases of unopened beer on Saturday. How much am I allowed to take ba… --- ## [Dumb question about taxation of IRA withdrawals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-about-taxation-of-ira-withdrawals/1004987)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-about-taxation-of-ira-withdrawals/1004987 "2024-07-31T18:45:52Z")
I consider myself to have above-average sophistication for an investor. Yet there is one thing I never thought of before. When you contribute to an IRA, the part of your income used for the contribution is not taxed; it… --- ## [Gmail hack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gmail-hack/1005030)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gmail-hack/1005030 "2024-07-31T03:13:44Z")
Gmail hack? Need help fast. Just now, 95% of my Gmail inbox disappeared. Google help said they can’t recover deleted items. anybody else have this problem? --- ## [“The Sun is the most difficult object in the solar system to send a probe to.”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sun-is-the-most-difficult-object-in-the-solar-system-to-send-a-probe-to/1005001)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sun-is-the-most-difficult-object-in-the-solar-system-to-send-a-probe-to/1005001 "2024-07-30T23:53:34Z")
I’m trying to learn about orbital mechanics, and it seems that a popular bit of trivia in this field is the statement in the subject line. It comes as a surprise to many, because you’d think that because of the Sun’s str… --- ## [Probability Question, Card Deals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question-card-deals/1004917)
**Author:** [@Jebbilene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebbilene)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question-card-deals/1004917 "2024-07-30T23:16:20Z")
Say I have a deck of 52 cards. A, K, Q, J are high cards. I shuffle this deck, and deal out 10 cards. Ideally, I want there to be at least 1 high card in amongst the 10. Sometimes though, I get deals with only low cards … --- ## [Low gravity area water loop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-gravity-area-water-loop/1004905)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-gravity-area-water-loop/1004905 "2024-07-30T19:51:56Z")
There is an area in the Indian Ocean that has low gravity. So much so, that the sea level is 100 meters lower than in the areas surrounding it. Leaving aside the construction issues. If a pipe from the higher sea level … --- ## [How much gravity is too much to (practicality) leave a planet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-gravity-is-too-much-to-practicality-leave-a-planet/1004626)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2024, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-gravity-is-too-much-to-practicality-leave-a-planet/1004626 "2024-07-30T12:15:35Z")
(inspired by this thread - but here, so as not to hijack) I’m making the assumption that we built rockets to travel to the moon and space out of curiosity - we could look up and see them. We are fortunate enough to have… --- ## [Seeing cities on the Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-cities-on-the-moon/1004976)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2024, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-cities-on-the-moon/1004976 "2024-07-30T08:00:54Z")
Prompted by a casual line in a futuristic sci-fi story I read over the weekend, our (reluctant, self-doubting, anti-) hero is moping around the countryside when he looks up and admires the twinkle of the cities now estab… --- ## [Direction City \> City](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direction-city-city/926049)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2024, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direction-city-city/926049 "2024-07-29T22:50:26Z")
What direction cities are significantly bigger than the adjacent or nearby non-direction city they’re named for? Direction city is one with a direction in its name. East St Louis IL and West New York NJ, for examples. T… --- ## [Is the heat used by cooking something actually used up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-heat-used-by-cooking-something-actually-used-up/1004860)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-heat-used-by-cooking-something-actually-used-up/1004860 "2024-07-29T22:27:18Z")
Forgive me, I don’t have the knowledge to probably express what I’m wondering about correctly. Consider an old fashioned wood kitchen stove. There’s an area where you put the wood you burn (I think this might be called… --- ## [If a domestic US flight, carrying a felon, is forced to land in Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-domestic-us-flight-carrying-a-felon-is-forced-to-land-in-canada/1004714)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-domestic-us-flight-carrying-a-felon-is-forced-to-land-in-canada/1004714 "2024-07-29T13:08:19Z")
A friend who is a convicted felon (meth – she’s gotten her life back together) flew from Seattle to Anchorage. If some calamity had befallen the flight and it was forced to land in Canada, would the RCMP like, hold her o… --- ## [A couple questions about Google Maps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-questions-about-google-maps/1004752)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2024, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-questions-about-google-maps/1004752 "2024-07-29T11:32:25Z")
When it calculates distance between two points on a road, does it take into account any changes in elevation? Say, for example, the road goes up a hill and then down a hill. Will the distance calculated by Google Maps … --- ## [Max Q and Re-entry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-q-and-re-entry/1004465)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2024, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-q-and-re-entry/1004465 "2024-07-29T10:49:42Z")
When a rocket launches, it accelerates, and thus experiences atmospheric drag as it punches through the air; the faster, the more resistance. After a few minutes, the air is so thin the resistance decreases, until the K… --- ## [Majority of vehicles on road being EVs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-vehicles-on-road-being-evs/977910)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2024, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-vehicles-on-road-being-evs/977910 "2024-07-29T06:13:03Z")
Anyone have a good estimate of when the majority of vehicles on the road will be EVs? I’m mostly interested in the US, but estimates for other countries are welcome. --- ## [What is this odd flag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-odd-flag/1004576)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-odd-flag/1004576 "2024-07-28T21:06:13Z")
We saw an odd flag in a suburban/rural area, flying on a pole above an estate or farm. The oddest aspect to this was that it was flying above an American flag, which seemed somewhat heretical per American flag ettiquette… --- ## [How many "witches" were executed in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-witches-were-executed-in-america/1004478)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-witches-were-executed-in-america/1004478 "2024-07-28T18:24:53Z")
I know 19 in Salem, and 5 more died in prison. Connecticut executed 11. However- I can not find any totals or occasions besides those two events. Clearly, those were the “main events”. But were there others? Oddly the… --- ## [Facebook - I'm seeing a lot more stuff than I used to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-im-seeing-a-lot-more-stuff-than-i-used-to/1004561)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-im-seeing-a-lot-more-stuff-than-i-used-to/1004561 "2024-07-28T15:20:24Z")
I find that Facebook is filling my space with over 75% from groups I don’t subscribe to (although they may be closely related to some to which I do subscribe), or are “sponsored”. In the meantime - I am getting fewer and… --- ## [How do operators of large commercial pools monitor water quality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-operators-of-large-commercial-pools-monitor-water-quality/1004880)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2024, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-operators-of-large-commercial-pools-monitor-water-quality/1004880 "2024-07-28T04:57:36Z")
Was at the wave pool in the waterpark section of the local amusment amusement part the other night and the lifeguards started whistling and motioning for everyone to leave. The staff told us it was a “water quality issue… --- ## [Nudist resort denying acommodation to single men - discrimination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nudist-resort-denying-acommodation-to-single-men-discrimination/493738)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2024, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nudist-resort-denying-acommodation-to-single-men-discrimination/493738 "2024-07-28T02:41:55Z")
I was looking over the California anti-discrimination laws, posted by Gfactor in another thread, and was reminded of this nudist resort I saw an ad for in the L.A. Times recently: (I don’t think there is any explicit nu… --- ## [Rights issues concerning Trump fistpump photo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-issues-concerning-trump-fistpump-photo/1004369)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2024, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-issues-concerning-trump-fistpump-photo/1004369 "2024-07-28T01:05:09Z")
Vendors in Milwaukee for the RNC this week are peddling T-shirts and other items featuring the famous fistpump photo. Here is a story about that: Trump fist-pump shirts in merch spotlight at Republican confab (yahoo.com… --- ## [Native Spanish words containing W (why does the Spanish alphabet even contain W?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-spanish-words-containing-w-why-does-the-spanish-alphabet-even-contain-w/1004669)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-spanish-words-containing-w-why-does-the-spanish-alphabet-even-contain-w/1004669 "2024-07-28T00:17:10Z")
As I understand it, the letter W is vanishingly rare in Spanish - to the extent that all of the articles I could find discussing how it is used, only listed imported English words like waterpolo and whisky. Are there an… --- ## [Background Check Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-check-questions/1004834)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2024, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-check-questions/1004834 "2024-07-27T22:58:43Z")
Where do employers go to get background check on employees and/or future employees? Do individuals have access to these companies and if so what do they charge. Thx --- ## [Matching Gifts During Fund Drives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matching-gifts-during-fund-drives/1004788)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matching-gifts-during-fund-drives/1004788 "2024-07-27T19:40:01Z")
It seems that almost every mail you get asking for money from public radio or a political party or an advocacy group claims that your gift will be matched 2X or 5X or 20X if you act now. One radio station I know, listene… --- ## [Help me understand how Windows 11 File Manager organizes its display](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-how-windows-11-file-manager-organizes-its-display/1004814)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-how-windows-11-file-manager-organizes-its-display/1004814 "2024-07-27T13:33:45Z")
What is confusing me is the three panels on the left of the File Manager screen. My top panel lists Home, Gallery, and Mean Mr. Mustard as the main files, with sub-files of Documents and Pictures under mmm. The middle … --- ## [iPhone Contact Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-contact-question/1004759)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2024, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-contact-question/1004759 "2024-07-26T23:08:19Z")
Can they be printed? Thx. --- ## [Does insurance pay for cars people ruin by fooling around?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-insurance-pay-for-cars-people-ruin-by-fooling-around/1004707)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-insurance-pay-for-cars-people-ruin-by-fooling-around/1004707 "2024-07-26T13:34:38Z")
There are stories and videos out there. People trying to climb steep hills off-road in shiny new 4WD vehicles, or people messing around on the street in their expensive sport cars or muscle cars and losing control and cr… --- ## [What's the meaning of the real estate phrase "courtesy to buyers brokers"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-the-real-estate-phrase-courtesy-to-buyers-brokers/1004745)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2024, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-the-real-estate-phrase-courtesy-to-buyers-brokers/1004745 "2024-07-26T12:05:05Z")
A house for sale near me contains the phrase “Courtesy to Buyers Brokers” on the For Sale sign. What does that phrase mean? Thanks, J. p.s., Yes, I tried googling, but all I get are places selling the sign. --- ## [My Nikon D-3200 is slowly driving me insane. I have qustions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-nikon-d-3200-is-slowly-driving-me-insane-i-have-qustions/1004398)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2024, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-nikon-d-3200-is-slowly-driving-me-insane-i-have-qustions/1004398 "2024-07-26T11:51:56Z")
This is in F.Q. because I seek a specific answer to a specific question. My Nikon D-3200 offers a variety of autofocus modes. The single-point is useful when shooting a very specific focal plane. Fair enough. There is … --- ## [Do AI-powered writing assistants like ChatGPT or Grammarly "scrape" their clients' creative content?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ai-powered-writing-assistants-like-chatgpt-or-grammarly-scrape-their-clients-creative-content/1004738)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ai-powered-writing-assistants-like-chatgpt-or-grammarly-scrape-their-clients-creative-content/1004738 "2024-07-25T22:48:08Z")
I’ve resorted to ChatGPT for simple fact-checking now and then (with uneven results), but I have major concerns about feeding any of my creative or professional content into generative AI writing assistants such as GPT, … --- ## [When did national news switch from "negro" to "black"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-national-news-switch-from-negro-to-black/1004679)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-national-news-switch-from-negro-to-black/1004679 "2024-07-25T22:10:40Z")
I’m watching a fictional program taking place in 1966. It shows a news report referring to "blacks"and “black” businesses. I was around in 1966, and even though I was only eight years old, I was very aware of the civil … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=78) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=80)