# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=815 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 816 --- ## [Which railways within the US transport the most coal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-railways-within-the-us-transport-the-most-coal/772218)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-railways-within-the-us-transport-the-most-coal/772218 "2016-11-18T17:44:59Z")
Title Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk --- ## [Automated Counting in AutoCAD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automated-counting-in-autocad/772266)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automated-counting-in-autocad/772266 "2016-11-18T17:36:23Z")
I have been Googling methods to auto-count objects in AutoCAD to populate a Bill of Material (BOM) and update accordingly as objects are added or deleted. I found some ways to accomplish this, such as this one example of… --- ## [Why does an ear of corn cost so much at the grocery store or farmers market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-an-ear-of-corn-cost-so-much-at-the-grocery-store-or-farmers-market/772017)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-an-ear-of-corn-cost-so-much-at-the-grocery-store-or-farmers-market/772017 "2016-11-18T17:06:51Z")
So much = $0.25-0.50. I’ve heard some quotes as high as $1 an ear. A bushel of corn is about $3.60, which is 56 pounds. At some rural farm supply stores, a 50 lb bag of feed corn for livestock is $6-8. So why is an ea… --- ## [Apparent Size: Arc Angles and Similar Triangles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparent-size-arc-angles-and-similar-triangles/772182)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparent-size-arc-angles-and-similar-triangles/772182 "2016-11-18T15:14:59Z")
This is something that has not sat right with me forever that I wish to finally get straight. This is not a homework assignment. Rather, it is something my nagging curiosity needs to resolve: While I understand the conce… --- ## [Removing Epoxy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-epoxy/772276)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-epoxy/772276 "2016-11-18T14:51:24Z")
At a flee market I picked up a block of epoxy into which several Morgan dollars had been embedded. So now I have a block (actually the cast of what appears to be an 8 oz cup) that I want to remove/dissolve the epoxy fro… --- ## [Borderline surface web sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/borderline-surface-web-sites/772211)
**Author:** [@correlophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/correlophus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/borderline-surface-web-sites/772211 "2016-11-18T14:25:14Z")
Now I am reading about the Deep Web, how it is accessed, and if the Surface Web has places that have some characteristics of the Deep Web. The author of the blog characterizes some sites as borderline surface web, that … --- ## [Popularity of outdoor Christmas lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popularity-of-outdoor-christmas-lights/772324)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popularity-of-outdoor-christmas-lights/772324 "2016-11-18T14:21:49Z")
When did outdoor Christmas lights become an item that John and Jane Public could purchase at the local hardware store? --- ## [App that generates custom lock screen notifications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/app-that-generates-custom-lock-screen-notifications/772322)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/app-that-generates-custom-lock-screen-notifications/772322 "2016-11-18T14:21:48Z")
Sometimes, when I get a new message, I just leave it unread, using the lock screen notifications as a reminder of something. That way, whenever I pick up my phone, I’ll be reminded of whatever it is. Now, is there actua… --- ## [Q about Dyslexia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-dyslexia/772228)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-dyslexia/772228 "2016-11-18T14:03:06Z")
According to one of the comments in this video: Dyslexics have no “inner voice”; I assume this means the running commentary inside your head whenever you don’t say anything out loud, this aside from reading. Do dyslexic… --- ## [What are the origins of the following gestures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-following-gestures/772309)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-following-gestures/772309 "2016-11-18T13:17:12Z")
Such as when you go “darn-it, shucks!!” and snap your fingers in a curving swoop, ending up in front of your chest? Or expressing coy, humbled gratitude with a pigeon-toed kick at imaginary dirt. Or winking, ffs! Or c… --- ## [Which hand-offs by incumbent Presidents were acrimonious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-hand-offs-by-incumbent-presidents-were-acrimonious/772047)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-hand-offs-by-incumbent-presidents-were-acrimonious/772047 "2016-11-18T13:16:51Z")
Hi Which hand-offs by incumbent Presidents to Presidents-elect were acrimonious, not smooth and cordial? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Is Your Baby Monitor Working for ISIS?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-baby-monitor-working-for-isis/769355)
**Author:** [@MetroGnome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MetroGnome)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-baby-monitor-working-for-isis/769355 "2016-10-27T18:59:04Z")
Probably not, but reports on the recent DDoS attacks on Dyn say that the botnets employed in the attack were populated by highjacked Internet of Things devices. I recently acquired a Thing of the Internet (too many inst… --- ## [Rabies vaccinations for humans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130 "2016-11-18T07:12:02Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m just wondering can people in high risk occupations get vaccinated against rabies? People that say remove bats? --- ## [Legality of using domestic law-enforcement personnel on a military operation overseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-using-domestic-law-enforcement-personnel-on-a-military-operation-overseas/772310)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-using-domestic-law-enforcement-personnel-on-a-military-operation-overseas/772310 "2016-11-18T05:32:28Z")
With Posse Comitatus, the military can’t police things at home, but is there a reverse legal version of Posse Comitatus, whereby the U.S. government can’t use, say, NYPD SWAT personnel in a counterterrorism operation in … --- ## [Being court-martialed and cleared. Does one still have a future in the military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-court-martialed-and-cleared-does-one-still-have-a-future-in-the-military/772232)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-court-martialed-and-cleared-does-one-still-have-a-future-in-the-military/772232 "2016-11-18T04:57:47Z")
Assuming that the court-martialed offense was the only strike on one’s record, could they continue their career in the military and progress as normal or would they be denied future promotions and encouraged to leave? D… --- ## [Private Trains in the Late 1800s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-trains-in-the-late-1800s/772191)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-trains-in-the-late-1800s/772191 "2016-11-18T00:17:47Z")
It’s 1870, I’m a rich businessman and I want to tour the country. I suppose I could hook up my private train car to some commercial passenger train and ‘tag-a-long’, but I want to explore the country at my own pace, stop… --- ## [why don't we already have supersonic business jets (SSJBJ)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-already-have-supersonic-business-jets-ssjbj/710992)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-already-have-supersonic-business-jets-ssjbj/710992 "2016-11-17T23:02:33Z")
Apparently several companies are working on them but none of them have a release date. My question is, supersonic flight has been the commercial world for over 40 years, yet in all that time no company found it profit… --- ## [Question regarding the Reichstag fire.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-reichstag-fire/772250)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-reichstag-fire/772250 "2016-11-17T21:10:32Z")
Hi I thought the matter of who set the Reichstag fire was laid to rest years ago. Apparently not. Are mainstream historians still divided over the matter? Ian Kershaw"s “Hitler” has Marinus van der Lubbe as the sole ar… --- ## [Fox and hen as a pet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-and-hen-as-a-pet/772018)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-and-hen-as-a-pet/772018 "2016-11-17T19:25:22Z")
Has there been any verifiable case of anyone keeping a fox and a hen in the same household as a pet? Cant find any videos of it as proof in the great YT site. --- ## [How many bones does a ball python have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-bones-does-a-ball-python-have/771706)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-bones-does-a-ball-python-have/771706 "2016-11-17T19:13:18Z")
I can’t seem to find an exact number on Google. (ps I don’t think this went through the first time I posted it, but I’m not sure, so if it’s a duplcate thread just ignore it). --- ## [Please explain the benefit of the electoral college to me like I am a seven-year-old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-benefit-of-the-electoral-college-to-me-like-i-am-a-seven-year-old/771577)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-benefit-of-the-electoral-college-to-me-like-i-am-a-seven-year-old/771577 "2016-11-17T18:58:36Z")
My understanding: Electing a president by popular vote gives an advantage to the urban, more populous regions. In other words, if we elected a POTUS based on popular vote only, Californians would have more of a say-so … --- ## [Tyrant boss and Stockholm Syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tyrant-boss-and-stockholm-syndrome/772257)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tyrant-boss-and-stockholm-syndrome/772257 "2016-11-17T18:50:30Z")
Has anyone suggested that the psychopantic love sometimes displayed in office environments to a tyrant boss could be a manifestation of a type of stockholms syndrome. --- ## [Federal agencies not headquartered in the DC area](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-agencies-not-headquartered-in-the-dc-area/772137)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-agencies-not-headquartered-in-the-dc-area/772137 "2016-11-17T17:03:44Z")
What federal agencies are not headquartered in the Washington DC area? Excluded from this question are regional subdivisions of agencies and military units. So far I’ve come up with only two: CDC (Dekalb County, Georgi… --- ## [Percentage of medical opioid users who become addicted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percentage-of-medical-opioid-users-who-become-addicted/772269)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percentage-of-medical-opioid-users-who-become-addicted/772269 "2016-11-17T17:02:42Z")
In Maine, opiate addiction and overdose are a massive crisis, and I often hear about overpresciption of painkillers as the cause. How many patients who are taking these drugs as directed fall into an addictive spiral? --- ## [Does turning up the thermostat humidify or dehumidify a room?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-turning-up-the-thermostat-humidify-or-dehumidify-a-room/771480)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-turning-up-the-thermostat-humidify-or-dehumidify-a-room/771480 "2016-11-17T16:56:15Z")
I was told that when an A/C cools down a room, it draws moisture out of the room’s atmosphere. Does turning up the heat do the same likewise (dehumidify), or the opposite? --- ## [Laptop doesn't turn on 80% of the time. Tried a few things.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-doesnt-turn-on-80-of-the-time-tried-a-few-things/771682)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-doesnt-turn-on-80-of-the-time-tried-a-few-things/771682 "2016-11-17T08:49:51Z")
3 years ago, I got a Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro laptop. Recently, it started having trouble turning on. By that mean that when I push the power button (from a completely off state), the keyboard light will come on, go off, and t… --- ## [Help with calculating YTD in Excel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-calculating-ytd-in-excel/772128)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-calculating-ytd-in-excel/772128 "2016-11-17T08:43:20Z")
Im trying to create a formula in excel for paying my employees, where i punch in one number (amount of hours) and it spits out their paycheck total. I got everything set up and working like a charm except for the YTD co… --- ## [Is it possible to record computer screen activity without using ANY of the computer's resources?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-record-computer-screen-activity-without-using-any-of-the-computers-resources/536801)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-record-computer-screen-activity-without-using-any-of-the-computers-resources/536801 "2010-04-22T16:52:16Z")
I have on and off spent quite a bit of time googling various combinations of wording to try to get an answer for this but what I invariably get are… Software that records screen activity, but runs on the same computer. … --- ## [water level change as freighter passes. What's happening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-level-change-as-freighter-passes-whats-happening/772050)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-level-change-as-freighter-passes-whats-happening/772050 "2016-11-17T05:07:07Z")
Video here of a very large freighter passing by a beach. The freighter is a couple hundred yards offshore, but as it passes, the water level at the beach drops by several feet. The wake from the ship, rather than being… --- ## [interview questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-questions/772233)
**Author:** [@sabrsmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sabrsmom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interview-questions/772233 "2016-11-17T04:32:09Z")
I have a few questions to ask a substance abuse counselor, can i do this [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=814) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=816)