# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=857 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 858 --- ## [What happens to unemployed and unemployable coal miners in UK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-unemployed-and-unemployable-coal-miners-in-uk/763312)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2016, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-unemployed-and-unemployable-coal-miners-in-uk/763312 "2016-08-20T10:09:39Z")
Actually, my question is broader. Suppose you have, say, a permanently unemployed worker in a dying industry in any advanced country except the US. Do they simply get unemployment/welfare for the rest of their lives? … --- ## [First Century Idioms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-century-idioms/763347)
**Author:** [@rstrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rstrats)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-century-idioms/763347 "2016-08-20T05:50:33Z")
Does anyone know of examples from the first century or before which forecast a daytime or a night time to be involved with an event when no part of a daytime or no part of a night time could have occurred? --- ## [Public harbor, private docks...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-harbor-private-docks/763345)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-harbor-private-docks/763345 "2016-08-20T04:38:31Z")
I’m not asking for legal advice, I’m asking where to find the laws/regulations so I can read them for myself. I was fishing in Newport Beach harbor in SoCal in my small boat and I was in a main channel that was lined wi… --- ## [Attitudes towards immigrants in the US in first half of 20th century](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-towards-immigrants-in-the-us-in-first-half-of-20th-century/763317)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-towards-immigrants-in-the-us-in-first-half-of-20th-century/763317 "2016-08-20T01:24:10Z")
This presidential election has me thinking about the immigrant experience in the past. My mother came to this country in 1931. Was there a lot of talk back then about how immigrants were “taking all our jobs”? Given t… --- ## [Hard (I think) chemistry question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-i-think-chemistry-question/763262)
**Author:** [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-i-think-chemistry-question/763262 "2016-08-20T00:21:20Z")
When tianeptine sodium (C21H24ClN2NaO4S) is reacted with DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide; C2H6OS) the resulting solution is a bright yellow color. Can anybody explain why this is? I apologize for not being able to figure this o… --- ## [Some keys on my laptop don't work, but I think it's software. How fix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-keys-on-my-laptop-dont-work-but-i-think-its-software-how-fix/763316)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-keys-on-my-laptop-dont-work-but-i-think-its-software-how-fix/763316 "2016-08-20T00:00:20Z")
For the past month or two, for unknown reasons, occasionally on attempting to log in to the laptop in question (Windows 10), I would discover that my ‘a’ key was not working. The first time it happened I assumed there wa… --- ## [What Legal Standing does Judicial Watch Have in the Clinton Email Case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-legal-standing-does-judicial-watch-have-in-the-clinton-email-case/763343)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-legal-standing-does-judicial-watch-have-in-the-clinton-email-case/763343 "2016-08-19T21:36:12Z")
According to various articles, it seems that a lot of disclosures have come about via Judicial Watch’s lawsuit. According to this article, they are currently suing for the right to depose Clinton about the matter. I’m ha… --- ## [Does the FBI decision to not prosecute Clinton set a legal precedent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-fbi-decision-to-not-prosecute-clinton-set-a-legal-precedent/763305)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-fbi-decision-to-not-prosecute-clinton-set-a-legal-precedent/763305 "2016-08-19T21:29:50Z")
If the FBI had decided to prosecute Clinton, that would have pretty much decided the presidential election. We’ve seen elsewhere how prosecutions can derail campaigns. So, does this decision set a legal precedent for Fed… --- ## [Gender ratio in ye olde medievale times](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-ratio-in-ye-olde-medievale-times/763163)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-ratio-in-ye-olde-medievale-times/763163 "2016-08-19T21:00:11Z")
Just started Barbara Tuchman’s Distant Mirror, The Calamitous Fourteenth Century, in the intro she mentions how tricky it is to find reliable accounts of things like casualties in a battle, numbers in an army, even the w… --- ## [How do the safest states in the USA compare with the safest countries.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-safest-states-in-the-usa-compare-with-the-safest-countries/763320)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-safest-states-in-the-usa-compare-with-the-safest-countries/763320 "2016-08-19T19:51:36Z")
I’m mostly interested in this because of some of the common talking points of the gun control debate. Usually it is along the lines of this: Pro Gun Control Side: Country X is much safer than the United States. Country… --- ## [Why don't all stairwells have roof access?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-stairwells-have-roof-access/762671)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-stairwells-have-roof-access/762671 "2016-08-19T19:26:16Z")
I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels and try to take the stairs if I’m not going up too many flights. ISTM, that most of the hotels being built today are all similarly designed with stairwells at opposite sides of the building… --- ## [Can using UPS or FedEx cause customs to go away if you ship to Canada?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-using-ups-or-fedex-cause-customs-to-go-away-if-you-ship-to-canada/762955)
**Author:** [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-using-ups-or-fedex-cause-customs-to-go-away-if-you-ship-to-canada/762955 "2016-08-19T18:41:05Z")
To start, I’m not trying to avoid customs or facilitate any variety of tax or duty evasion. I run an online store that (among other things) sells fashion accessories. One customer has ordered over $500 in products from… --- ## [questions about auto financing (USA)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-auto-financing-usa/762653)
**Author:** [@Nightaudit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightaudit)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-auto-financing-usa/762653 "2016-08-19T16:02:55Z")
exactly how do the dealers or their finance companies “verify” my salary? other than federal fraud charges what is to stop me from going to the HR department of my employer and saying: “I’m going to try and buy BMW ne… --- ## [Nomenclature amongst gay married couples](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nomenclature-amongst-gay-married-couples/763164)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nomenclature-amongst-gay-married-couples/763164 "2016-08-19T15:51:02Z")
Do gay married couples ever use the terms husband and wife? Or would both see themselves, and identify themselves to others, as husbands? In the marrriage ceremony would there be a bride and groom or two grooms? (Edit: c… --- ## [How many physical mechanisms for flight are there](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-physical-mechanisms-for-flight-are-there/763030)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-physical-mechanisms-for-flight-are-there/763030 "2016-08-19T14:40:29Z")
Use a container full of lighter than oxygen and nitrogen gas (like hydrogen or helium) to lift a balloon or blimp. zeppelins, etc. Have wings where the air transfer over the wing is not the same speed as below the w… --- ## [Are the Olympics broadcast in conservative Islamic countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-olympics-broadcast-in-conservative-islamic-countries/763286)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-olympics-broadcast-in-conservative-islamic-countries/763286 "2016-08-19T14:36:43Z")
The social norms for dress (especially for women) in some middle eastern countries are rather repressive by western standards. OTOH, the dress code for the Olympics, for the most part, seems to be “cover as little as po… --- ## [Question about atomic theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-atomic-theory/763285)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-atomic-theory/763285 "2016-08-19T13:48:52Z")
One thing that’s always fascinated me is how you can take three basic particles(protons, neutrons, electrons) and get over 100 different elements. And some elements react to form compounds which create even more differen… --- ## [2GB RAM cards removed from my MacBook Pro](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2gb-ram-cards-removed-from-my-macbook-pro/763028)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2gb-ram-cards-removed-from-my-macbook-pro/763028 "2016-08-19T13:08:05Z")
I had more RAM put into my MacBook Pro today (from 4GB to 8GB). They gave me back the old RAM cards, which say 2GB 1Rd8 PC3-10600S-09-11-B2. Assuming that my old PowerBook G4 does not have 4GB RAM, which I’m pretty sur… --- ## [Facebook password question - need answer fast...ish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-password-question-need-answer-fast-ish/763084)
**Author:** [@HotDogWater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotDogWater)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-password-question-need-answer-fast-ish/763084 "2016-08-19T12:51:17Z")
So I can’t log into Facebook from some computers I use daily (work, phone) because I forgot the password. But when I try to change my password from the computer I can log on with (home), Facebook needs the current passw… --- ## [Told I can't donate blood. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/told-i-cant-donate-blood-why/763146)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/told-i-cant-donate-blood-why/763146 "2016-08-19T12:21:58Z")
Hello Everyone, I have donated blood before but it’s been at least a decade since I’ve done so. Recently I was at an event where the Bloodmobile was asking for donations. I went to donate and filed out the question s… --- ## [By reducing "competition," does test-tube fertilization generate lower-quality embryos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-reducing-competition-does-test-tube-fertilization-generate-lower-quality-embryos/763190)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-reducing-competition-does-test-tube-fertilization-generate-lower-quality-embryos/763190 "2016-08-19T11:56:13Z")
As I understand it, the point of sexual reproduction involving sperm racing each other to get to the egg is so that higher-quality sperm will outrace the lower-quality sperm, thus ensuring that the sperm that does indeed… --- ## [How to use a modem with a modem+router combo ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-a-modem-with-a-modem-router-combo/762913)
**Author:** [@bossy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bossy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-a-modem-with-a-modem-router-combo/762913 "2016-08-19T11:05:42Z")
I tried to google this but all I get are explanations of the differences between a router and a modem :frowning: Anyway, I have a DSL modem plus router combo where the modem is not functioning properly but the wifi rout… --- ## [Starfish Prime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfish-prime/763131)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Mind)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfish-prime/763131 "2016-08-19T06:02:12Z")
Hi all, I was reading a book and they mentioned this Nuclear testing in the Van Allen belt, I first thought that it must be made up BUT, no it’s true! F L Y B Y N E W S, A Very Scary Fireworks Show: Exploding H-Bombs … --- ## [Trans-gender question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-gender-question/763216)
**Author:** [@Vicsage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicsage)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-gender-question/763216 "2016-08-19T03:24:11Z")
Since the government has decided to accept people’s gender by how that person perceives themselves, and prisons are usually government run, Does a biological male who considers himself a female, go to a female prison or … --- ## [Do we have any confirmed examples of busty women in the past?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-any-confirmed-examples-of-busty-women-in-the-past/763132)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-any-confirmed-examples-of-busty-women-in-the-past/763132 "2016-08-19T03:05:04Z")
It’s something weird I’ve been thinking for a while, but do we know anything about the breast sizes of important or famous women in the past? I know occasionally you’ll see reference to a famous historical man having a b… --- ## [Driving Licence for Aliens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-licence-for-aliens/763059)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-licence-for-aliens/763059 "2016-08-19T02:47:53Z")
I am a UK citizen. If I move to the US temporarily, how long can I use my full UK driving licence for, and can I exchange it for a US one? --- ## [US Cabinet secretaries who hold foreign citizenships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-cabinet-secretaries-who-hold-foreign-citizenships/763052)
**Author:** [@guesswhoiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guesswhoiam)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-cabinet-secretaries-who-hold-foreign-citizenships/763052 "2016-08-19T01:39:01Z")
Who are current (and additionally past) US Cabinet secretaries who hold foreign citizenships while serving? This Wikipedia article list all foreign born ones (including famous ones like Madeleine Albright and Henry Kiss… --- ## [What is the hottest spot in the universe? Is there an "absolute zero" in the other direction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-hottest-spot-in-the-universe-is-there-an-absolute-zero-in-the-other-direction/763118)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-hottest-spot-in-the-universe-is-there-an-absolute-zero-in-the-other-direction/763118 "2016-08-19T01:14:39Z")
See queries. 1st query) “Hottest” over any time scales: down to incredibly short/ “instantaneous”–although defining “an instant” may involve 2nd query) is there a temperature where matter is no longer matter? I have no… --- ## [Pentobarbital and Compounding Pharmacies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentobarbital-and-compounding-pharmacies/763008)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentobarbital-and-compounding-pharmacies/763008 "2016-08-19T01:06:43Z")
So Pentobarbital is really good at killing things. There seems to be only one legit supplier, and it doesn’t like capital punishment, so it won’t ship it to states who have capital punishment on their books. (yes, that… --- ## [In The US, Do \[Public\] School Kids Get Privacy Protections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-do-public-school-kids-get-privacy-protections/763198)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-do-public-school-kids-get-privacy-protections/763198 "2016-08-19T01:02:54Z")
Mrs. Homie and I are “couples friends” with the local high school art teacher and her husband. “Bess” has mentioned, in conversation, some of the goings-on with the kids she teaches, and doesn’t hesitate to name names. M… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=856) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=858)