# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=823 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 824 --- ## [Movies death pronuncements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-death-pronuncements/769869)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-death-pronuncements/769869 "2016-11-01T18:12:42Z")
In most movies, TV programmes whenever a persons life signs are to be tested they feel a pulse in the wrist or the neck, for a few seconds and pronounce them dead. I find it impossible to get my own pulse in a few secon… --- ## [Building a Tub Deck w/ River Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-tub-deck-w-river-rock/770291)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-a-tub-deck-w-river-rock/770291 "2016-11-01T16:17:25Z")
I have a question that the internet can’t seem to answer for me. I am building a platform for a drop in tub. My plan was to frame it in 2x4s, then top with 3/4" outdoor rated plywood, then 1/2" backer board, then final… --- ## [Amazon's music player wants to spy on your phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-music-player-wants-to-spy-on-your-phone/770239)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-music-player-wants-to-spy-on-your-phone/770239 "2016-11-01T09:49:44Z")
I bought a single song from amazon on my phone. I might have bought it on my PC and transferred it to my phone; I don’t recall but probably not. But anyway, I wanted to listen to this one song I bought. I don’t keep oth… --- ## [Which 3 states allow you to change your vote once you've cast it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-3-states-allow-you-to-change-your-vote-once-youve-cast-it/769995)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-3-states-allow-you-to-change-your-vote-once-youve-cast-it/769995 "2016-11-01T06:53:47Z")
Hi I heard a news commentator saying that 3 states allow you to change your vote once you’ve cast it, but didn’t elaborate? Which ones are they? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Tritium watch question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tritium-watch-question/770086)
**Author:** [@Noel\_Prosequi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noel_Prosequi)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tritium-watch-question/770086 "2016-11-01T05:41:57Z")
Shout out to the intersecting set of watch geeks and physics geeks. I needed a watch that had a bezel for timing things, and high luminescence that persisted all the way to dawn. This reduced the scope to, in essence, d… --- ## [Facebook protest check-in = trouble at the border? Worse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-protest-check-in-trouble-at-the-border-worse/770301)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-protest-check-in-trouble-at-the-border-worse/770301 "2016-11-01T05:16:40Z")
There is a protest going on in North Dakota. Since it started I have been seeing my Facebook friends (none of whom live anywhere near there) using the check-in feature to say that they are there. As I understand it, the … --- ## [Why Are So Few Sunscreen Sprays Zinc-Based and How Can I Find a Good Selection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-few-sunscreen-sprays-zinc-based-and-how-can-i-find-a-good-selection/770338)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-few-sunscreen-sprays-zinc-based-and-how-can-i-find-a-good-selection/770338 "2016-11-01T04:59:13Z")
Spray & Zinc-based. --- ## [Can hospitals hang Christmas decorations in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hospitals-hang-christmas-decorations-in-the-us/770205)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hospitals-hang-christmas-decorations-in-the-us/770205 "2016-11-01T04:24:36Z")
I know you guys take separation of church and state very seriously and state and federal facilities have to tread carefully lest they seem to be favouring one religion over another. But do hospitals fall into this catego… --- ## [Do auto mechanics ever blow themselves up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-auto-mechanics-ever-blow-themselves-up/769840)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-auto-mechanics-ever-blow-themselves-up/769840 "2016-11-01T04:22:00Z")
Got a new exhaust put on my Land Rover yesterday. I’m watching the guys work under mine and other cars, using blow torches and welding equipment, back by where the fuel tanks are. All I could think of was "just one smal… --- ## [Trinitite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trinitite/670399)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trinitite/670399 "2016-11-01T03:47:53Z")
I realize that removing additional Trinitite from a nuclear test zone is illegal. But the stuff that was removed pre-ban is legal. I cite How can I legally obtain legitimate Trinitite? Ideally, I’d like to find som… --- ## [So, how exactly does rat poison kill the rat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-exactly-does-rat-poison-kill-the-rat/216608)
**Author:** [@DeathLlama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeathLlama)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-exactly-does-rat-poison-kill-the-rat/216608 "2016-11-01T03:05:48Z")
Ruffian and I woke to the sound of vermin scurrying around in our attic the other night. Grrrr. After doing a brief poop analysis the following day, we determined the vermin were rat in nature and we purchased the appr… --- ## [Is a law license required to be in a person's legal name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-law-license-required-to-be-in-a-persons-legal-name/770036)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-law-license-required-to-be-in-a-persons-legal-name/770036 "2016-11-01T01:49:43Z")
A thread in elections was discussing what name Hillary might use as President. I looked up her registry for Arkansas. She was a corporate lawyer at the Rose Law Firm for over a decade. Her license went inactive in 2002… --- ## [Most recent historical person(s) to have their name routinely translated when referenced ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recent-historical-person-s-to-have-their-name-routinely-translated-when-referenced/769865)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recent-historical-person-s-to-have-their-name-routinely-translated-when-referenced/769865 "2016-11-01T00:25:18Z")
This is hard to explain succinctly in a thread title, so I’ll expand below. In years gone by, prominent historical figures would commonly have their names translated when referred to in various European languages. Charl… --- ## [Is a majority a majority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-majority-a-majority/770010)
**Author:** [@virtually\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/virtually_yours)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-majority-a-majority/770010 "2016-10-31T23:07:27Z")
Numbers aside (as unreal as this may be) If 1 million people vote for A and 1 million vote for B and one person votes for B, has the majority really decided or did one person decide the outcome for millions? virtually y… --- ## [Is there any legal prohibition against a priest revealing a confession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-legal-prohibition-against-a-priest-revealing-a-confession/769800)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-legal-prohibition-against-a-priest-revealing-a-confession/769800 "2016-10-31T21:09:18Z")
Inspired by the thread on whether or not the truth should ever be censored. Let’s say someone confesses to a priest that he murdered someone. Let’s say this priest then reports the confession to the police. What would ha… --- ## [How Does Local News Learn of "Newsworthy" Local Crime Stories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-local-news-learn-of-newsworthy-local-crime-stories/770002)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-local-news-learn-of-newsworthy-local-crime-stories/770002 "2016-10-31T19:25:11Z")
Paid sources in PDs/Sheriffs/Highway Patrol, etc? --- ## [How long has NYC been the biggest American city?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-nyc-been-the-biggest-american-city/770119)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-nyc-been-the-biggest-american-city/770119 "2016-10-31T18:08:12Z")
I’m not sure where to look this up online. I remember watching Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence a while back and was surprised at how undeveloped so much of Manhattan was at the time. It was clearly America’s largest cit… --- ## [The M3 Lee and M4 Sherman - were there names a controversy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-m3-lee-and-m4-sherman-were-there-names-a-controversy/769934)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-m3-lee-and-m4-sherman-were-there-names-a-controversy/769934 "2016-10-31T17:21:00Z")
Reading about the development of the US army’s tanks in WWII, one thing I’ve not been able to find out is how popular the choice of names were - particularly, did it rankle with southerners - particularly Georgians - to … --- ## [Juvenile Records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/juvenile-records/770233)
**Author:** [@IBuildEm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IBuildEm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/juvenile-records/770233 "2016-10-31T16:30:25Z")
Hello, I have a question regarding juvenile criminal records. A long time ago I was a dumb kid who threatened a security guard that was knocking on my door. i ended up getting charged with a felony terrorist threat but i… --- ## [Question about laptop hard drives ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-laptop-hard-drives/770063)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-laptop-hard-drives/770063 "2016-10-31T16:29:52Z")
If two (2) people use the same laptop and have two seperate log in’s and one of the people deleates their emails and the other one doesn’t. Are they still on the hard drive? My question is simply this can a laptop hdd s… --- ## [Help With Plant/Fruit ID - Thanks!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-plant-fruit-id-thanks/764317)
**Author:** [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-plant-fruit-id-thanks/764317 "2016-10-31T16:14:39Z")
Hi, I’m hoping someone will be able to identify this plant and/or fruit. \[Album\] Need Help Identifying This Plant! … --- ## [Why isn't selling a used house like selling a used car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-selling-a-used-house-like-selling-a-used-car/769993)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-selling-a-used-house-like-selling-a-used-car/769993 "2016-10-31T14:47:40Z")
I have sold several cars privately over the years and it was quite simple and straight forward. I am now getting a house ready to sell and after hearing about realtors, title companies and escrow companies all with the… --- ## [Qs about Verizon Hotspot/Windows 10/HP Printer Networking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qs-about-verizon-hotspot-windows-10-hp-printer-networking/770258)
**Author:** [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qs-about-verizon-hotspot-windows-10-hp-printer-networking/770258 "2016-10-31T14:40:15Z")
I was at a friend’s house this weekend, and he asked me if I could help him with his printer setup. It turns out, I could not, so I turn to the collective wisdom of the SDMB for guidance. He lives out in the boonies, s… --- ## [Criteria for FBI getting evidence from one case to use in another across agencies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-fbi-getting-evidence-from-one-case-to-use-in-another-across-agencies/770160)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-fbi-getting-evidence-from-one-case-to-use-in-another-across-agencies/770160 "2016-10-31T13:26:31Z")
Obviously this has to do with Comey and the highly publicized and misrepresented request to look at and evaluate emails obtained as evidence in another case within the Justice department, but this is a GQ question. One … --- ## [Which country gets the biggest income from tourism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-gets-the-biggest-income-from-tourism/255302)
**Author:** [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-gets-the-biggest-income-from-tourism/255302 "2016-10-31T12:20:53Z")
Related to the thread about which US state gets the least income from tourism, which country gets the most? I know tourism is one of NZ’s biggest industries but what about Britain, Australia, America etc. Perhaps per he… --- ## [Real Estate Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-question/283548)
**Author:** [@S\_Puppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/S_Puppy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-question/283548 "2016-10-31T10:16:28Z")
I don’t know anything about real estate so maybe someone more knowledgeable or experienced in the area can tell me what their impression of this is. A friends house is being foreclosed on. She is trying to sell the hou… --- ## [In layman terms, what's the catch with a reverse mortgage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-layman-terms-whats-the-catch-with-a-reverse-mortgage/417178)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-layman-terms-whats-the-catch-with-a-reverse-mortgage/417178 "2016-10-31T10:15:04Z")
ssia = subject says it all Spell it out for me like I’m a n00b, cuz I am. There’s got to be a catch. --- ## [Help with an Urban Legend about Football and Hydration.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-an-urban-legend-about-football-and-hydration/770234)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-an-urban-legend-about-football-and-hydration/770234 "2016-10-31T08:47:36Z")
I played little league football in the 70’s we were discouraged from drinking water, lest we became 'Water Logged" Famously, Bear Bryant from Alabama pushed this idea. Then, the Florida Gators responded with ‘Gatoraide… --- ## [Specific car question: Adjusting fuel injection control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-car-question-adjusting-fuel-injection-control/769640)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-car-question-adjusting-fuel-injection-control/769640 "2016-10-31T05:10:48Z")
I have apparently identified a problem with the engine of my 1994 Mercedes Benz C-280: the fuel injection control. (This has caused the engine to die shortly after starting, and lack pep when I accelerate around a turn f… --- ## [How do you let out/ease a mainsail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-let-out-ease-a-mainsail/770085)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-let-out-ease-a-mainsail/770085 "2016-10-31T04:16:26Z")
Hi Do you let out/ease a mainsail with a mainsheet on a sailboat? I’m confused about the terminology? I look forward to your feedback. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=822) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=824)