# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=800 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 801 --- ## [Are there airliners carrying dedicated equipment to restrain an out of control passenger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-airliners-carrying-dedicated-equipment-to-restrain-an-out-of-control-passenger/775348)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-airliners-carrying-dedicated-equipment-to-restrain-an-out-of-control-passenger/775348 "2016-12-23T22:44:40Z")
When I read about air rage incidents like in this thread, a common feature seems that the disruptive passenger was trussed up by improvised means (rope, really? Sometimes even with fellow passengers’ belts nor neckties). … --- ## [Launching a Rocket From The Pole as Opposed to The Equator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/launching-a-rocket-from-the-pole-as-opposed-to-the-equator/775330)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/launching-a-rocket-from-the-pole-as-opposed-to-the-equator/775330 "2016-12-23T22:34:24Z")
Curiosity got me wondering. How much easier is it to get an object to orbit the earth when it is launched from the equator, and thus able to use the Earth’s rotation speed to assist on exit velocity. Sent from my SM-G9… --- ## [What defines an "unlawful" military order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-defines-an-unlawful-military-order/775446)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-defines-an-unlawful-military-order/775446 "2016-12-23T20:44:25Z")
Military personnel are required to obey any “lawful” order. How is that defined, particularly in the field of battle, with lives at risk? What would be an example (historical or hypothetical) of an “unlawful order” by… --- ## [Where is the K–Pg (K–T) boundary exposed in the U.S?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-k-pg-k-t-boundary-exposed-in-the-u-s/775453)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-k-pg-k-t-boundary-exposed-in-the-u-s/775453 "2016-12-23T20:27:04Z")
The wiki article has pictures from Colorado, but I’m wondering where else I can see it. I don’t know much about geology. --- ## [Plumbing question (shut off valves)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-question-shut-off-valves/775387)
**Author:** [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-question-shut-off-valves/775387 "2016-12-23T19:01:25Z")
So I’ve googled, and I’m not finding a straight answer. And the person at Ace was less than helpful (reminding me why I don’t go to Ace). One of my projects for this break is to replace the faucet in my bathroom sink. … --- ## [Is the Russian Nuclear Arsenal Seen as Reliable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-russian-nuclear-arsenal-seen-as-reliable/775079)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-russian-nuclear-arsenal-seen-as-reliable/775079 "2016-12-23T17:22:49Z")
Over the last few days, I have heard a couple of pundits/commentators make comments about being uncertain on the reliability of the Russian nuclear weapons. However, poking around in Google, I don’t see much in the way o… --- ## [Why did the UK's economy suddenly become more equal in 2009?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-uks-economy-suddenly-become-more-equal-in-2009/775344)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-uks-economy-suddenly-become-more-equal-in-2009/775344 "2016-12-23T15:17:03Z")
I just saw this graph on twitter. It is take from page 24 of this this Whitehouse report on the effect on the effect of AI on inequality. My first reaction has nothing to with AI. It is the sudden cliff in the orange li… --- ## [PhysicsHeads - Many Worlds of Everett - causally deterministic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physicsheads-many-worlds-of-everett-causally-deterministic/775347)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physicsheads-many-worlds-of-everett-causally-deterministic/775347 "2016-12-23T15:03:47Z")
In another thread beginning at post 130 there is discussion defining causal determinism as Everett’s many worlds (MW) model is then offered up as a causally deterministic alternative model to the various models that ha… --- ## [Duty not to follow unlawful orders--extends to top generals and president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duty-not-to-follow-unlawful-orders-extends-to-top-generals-and-president/775439)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duty-not-to-follow-unlawful-orders-extends-to-top-generals-and-president/775439 "2016-12-23T14:27:16Z")
If the president gives an unlawful order to his generals, I am guessing they have a duty not to follow those orders. Is that correct? What would some examples of potential unlawful orders be? The president ordering it d… --- ## [Maddening problem with downloading text](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maddening-problem-with-downloading-text/775389)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maddening-problem-with-downloading-text/775389 "2016-12-23T12:02:42Z")
Every now and then I need to download some text from a website; most often it’s legal text. This time it was a California ballot measure that passed in the last election. To save space (and paper) I copy it into a Word … --- ## [Jews and Salmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-salmon/428832)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2007, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-salmon/428832 "2007-12-05T05:16:11Z")
I was reading the current issue of Bon Apetit and in an article about Hannukah meals, a salmon dish is featured. Smoked salmon (lox) with bagels and cream cheese is a traditional (or should I say stereotypical) Jewish b… --- ## [Does the Papacy un-Pope past bad Popes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-papacy-un-pope-past-bad-popes/774918)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-papacy-un-pope-past-bad-popes/774918 "2016-12-23T06:56:37Z")
I’m talking about the really nasty ones here, like John XII. He was gifted the Papacy by his father Alberic II, the prince of Rome, who controlled the election. He was around 18 or 20 when he was made Pope in 955 and spe… --- ## [Etymology of name "De La O"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-name-de-la-o/306392)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-name-de-la-o/306392 "2016-12-23T05:43:53Z")
We have a couple of people on my company’s email list named “Firstname de la O”. I’ve seen this name before, occasionally. Does it have any meaning? What is an “O” in Spanish? Does it refer to a place? Does the … --- ## [Did John McClane (a police officer) have an obligation to intervene?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-mcclane-a-police-officer-have-an-obligation-to-intervene/775015)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-mcclane-a-police-officer-have-an-obligation-to-intervene/775015 "2016-12-23T00:03:01Z")
Inspired by ‘Die Hard’, but I’m asking about in a reality, i.e. a real police officer. In the movie after John kills one of the terrorists, Ellis remarks “What’s he doing?” and Holly says “His job.” Ellies replies “His … --- ## [How does a publisher know for sure that a book hasn't been released yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-publisher-know-for-sure-that-a-book-hasnt-been-released-yet/775282)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-publisher-know-for-sure-that-a-book-hasnt-been-released-yet/775282 "2016-12-22T23:58:15Z")
There’s so many books out there and you could never read them all. What is stopping someone from trying to publish a lesser known book that they didn’t write, as their own? Maybe simply changing the title and a few cha… --- ## [Alternatives to defibrillators in a desperate situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-defibrillators-in-a-desperate-situation/575511)
**Author:** [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-defibrillators-in-a-desperate-situation/575511 "2016-12-22T21:06:22Z")
A friend of mine recently took a CPR class and commented that much of the teaching focuses now on keeping the person alive until paramedics or other first responders can get to the scene with a defibrillator, rather than… --- ## [Can you still see the divide between East/West Germany?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-still-see-the-divide-between-east-west-germany/763671)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-still-see-the-divide-between-east-west-germany/763671 "2016-12-22T17:19:45Z")
Inspired by reading about the…shall we say, problematic idea of Korean reunification and the comparison with German reunification, the problem being that the North just lags so far behind the south it’s difficult to know… --- ## [How heavy is 35 kilograms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-35-kilograms/775148)
**Author:** [@Archinist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archinist)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-heavy-is-35-kilograms/775148 "2016-12-22T16:34:08Z")
I am thinking about a mini-ITX PC build that would weigh 35 kilograms. What would be the best way to carry it around? Would wheels work, or would a reinforced handle be better? Since the case is reasonably large, larger… --- ## [Fourth degree burns??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fourth-degree-burns/774975)
**Author:** [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fourth-degree-burns/774975 "2016-12-22T16:03:19Z")
This is most emphatically NOT “need answer fast”. Was watching a medical program on TV and it showed someone that was critically burned in a car explosion. Mention was made of fourth degree burns. I think I have also he… --- ## [Do traffic light sequences ever make use of chaos in their timings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-traffic-light-sequences-ever-make-use-of-chaos-in-their-timings/775071)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-traffic-light-sequences-ever-make-use-of-chaos-in-their-timings/775071 "2016-12-22T15:22:11Z")
I was stuck in traffic yesterday (at this junction right here) - it’s a roundabout that has 4 streams of traffic entering it and there are lights controlling some of the streams (that is switching between traffic going a… --- ## [Russia Hacks 2016 Presidential Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-hacks-2016-presidential-election/775076)
**Author:** [@Oddball\_92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oddball_92)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-hacks-2016-presidential-election/775076 "2016-12-22T04:05:14Z")
Forgive me if this has been asked, but what exactly are the Russians suspected of doing? Did they somehow change votes or somehow change the totals? There is a lot of hoopla about Russian hackers but I have not heard any… --- ## [Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delivery-to-the-following-recipient-failed-permanently/775326)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delivery-to-the-following-recipient-failed-permanently/775326 "2016-12-22T03:32:07Z")
I recently got this message in my hotmail email account. And then it continued… “Google tried to deliver your message,” Maybe I am behind the times, but is Google the mail carrier, now? I thought that it was just ser… --- ## [MS Word: Managing Underlying Styles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-managing-underlying-styles/775266)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-managing-underlying-styles/775266 "2016-12-22T02:44:19Z")
If you familiar with this advanced feature of MS Word, you know how styles can be managed by clicking on pre-set choices shown from center to far right on the ribbon bar (or, ribbon menu) under “Home”. Choices like “Norm… --- ## [Newton's Body in Motion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newtons-body-in-motion/775269)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newtons-body-in-motion/775269 "2016-12-22T02:06:16Z")
How did Newton conclude a body in motion will remain in motion (unless acted upon by an outside force)? Since there are no frictionless surfaces and he had never been in outer space, we must conclude he took a leap of fa… --- ## [Smoke/steam from bullet holes in humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-steam-from-bullet-holes-in-humans/775068)
**Author:** [@Mikko\_Halonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikko_Halonen)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-steam-from-bullet-holes-in-humans/775068 "2016-12-22T00:56:47Z")
In the show Sons of Anarchy, you could see smoke or steam coming up from some guys who were shot in a barn. I thought this was weird, but there was a singular mention of smoke coming from bullet holes in a real-life shoo… --- ## [Irregular heart beat symbol on BP machines. Accuracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irregular-heart-beat-symbol-on-bp-machines-accuracy/631726)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irregular-heart-beat-symbol-on-bp-machines-accuracy/631726 "2016-12-22T00:42:37Z")
My parents have an OMRON BP mointor for home use. My mother uses it often to check her BP. Its pretty good mostly. About a month ago the irregular heartbeat symbol came on during a routine test. Well the manufacturer’s m… --- ## [Does nicotine itself cause health problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-nicotine-itself-cause-health-problems/775188)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-nicotine-itself-cause-health-problems/775188 "2016-12-22T00:27:13Z")
This question is obviously related to e-cigs. I know that nicotine is addictive and that cigarettes cause all sorts of problems ranging from lung cancer (presumably caused by the tars), other cancers, and heart and arte… --- ## [Skateboard wobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-wobble/775294)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-wobble/775294 "2016-12-21T23:28:37Z")
As a longtime viewer of Ridiculousness, I’ve seen plenty of skateboarders going really fast. And sometimes when they go too fast, the board starts wobbling - really bad. My question for you skateboarders: once the wobb… --- ## [When did "J.B" come to mean "the boss of the company?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-j-b-come-to-mean-the-boss-of-the-company/775142)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-j-b-come-to-mean-the-boss-of-the-company/775142 "2016-12-21T21:26:27Z")
See query. The question was raised by my colleague John Gordon in a note to Finnegans Wake, and he mentions that at some point in movies of the first half of the 20th century “J.B” was the go-to moniker for “boss.” He al… --- ## [Toilet problem that seems to be unGoogleable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-problem-that-seems-to-be-ungoogleable/775109)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-problem-that-seems-to-be-ungoogleable/775109 "2016-12-21T20:26:49Z")
Not really a problem, just a minor annoyance. I had a new toilet installed recently. All is good except for one thing: when you flush it, you have to hold the handle down for maybe a second to get a full flush. If you d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=799) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=801)