# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=894 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 895 --- ## [How will Persky's recall work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-perskys-recall-work/756700)
**Author:** [@kfraser34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kfraser34)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2016, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-perskys-recall-work/756700 "2016-06-07T03:17:32Z")
The recall petition for Aaron Persky has apparently eclipsed the number needed for recall. However according to the article below he is actually up for reelection tommorow June 7, but doesn’t appear on the ballot because… --- ## [Safari browser question: where's the grey bar at the bottom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safari-browser-question-wheres-the-grey-bar-at-the-bottom/756705)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2016, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safari-browser-question-wheres-the-grey-bar-at-the-bottom/756705 "2016-06-07T03:04:23Z")
On my old Mac, when I use Safari there’s a grey bar at the bottom that shows the progress of loading, and at the bottom right there’s a little icon for re-sizing the window, plus a screen scroller on the right hand side. … --- ## [Big problems managing music on iPhone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-problems-managing-music-on-iphone/756627)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2016, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-problems-managing-music-on-iphone/756627 "2016-06-07T02:36:37Z")
Hoping someone here can help–can’t figure this out and the Genius Bar couldn’t help either. I have an iPhone SE, the souped-up 5. I have a lot of music on my computer that I don’t ever want on my phone or to listen to … --- ## [Where can I get a high flow shower head?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-high-flow-shower-head/115893)
**Author:** [@zwaldd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwaldd)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-high-flow-shower-head/115893 "2002-06-25T19:11:16Z")
My apartment complex has one centralized boiler system for the whole complex, and the plumbing is such that the farther away you are from the boiler, the less hot water you get, and my apartment is pretty far away. I m… --- ## [when your position is overrun and you call in an air strike?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-position-is-overrun-and-you-call-in-an-air-strike/736019)
**Author:** [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-position-is-overrun-and-you-call-in-an-air-strike/736019 "2016-06-07T00:39:33Z")
I’ve seen it in a Vietnam era film, or two - your unit is totally overrun and the only hope is to hit the deep bunkers and call bombers or artillery to hit your own position. I don’t know if it ever happened in reality … --- ## [Frequency of Eucharist in different churches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frequency-of-eucharist-in-different-churches/755200)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frequency-of-eucharist-in-different-churches/755200 "2016-06-06T23:26:03Z")
Having been raised and still sorta Catholic, I’ve always assumed churches celebrated the Eucharist every week. So I was surprised to find out recently that very few Protestant churches do this. What Protestant churches… --- ## [Can my family have my bones when I die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-family-have-my-bones-when-i-die/756470)
**Author:** [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-family-have-my-bones-when-i-die/756470 "2016-06-06T22:27:12Z")
Was just thinking about this recently– When I die, can I will my bones to my family? Can my body be processed and my bones cleaned and such and returned to my family to keep? --- ## [Black cars and summer heat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-cars-and-summer-heat/756169)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-cars-and-summer-heat/756169 "2016-06-06T20:36:18Z")
Has anyone found a way to deal with this? My car is solid black. I can’t always park in the shade, and I would like to know what Dopers with black cars do to avoid the hot sun if at all possible. (I have a reflecting sha… --- ## [So why does this duck quack when flourescent light is switched off then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-does-this-duck-quack-when-flourescent-light-is-switched-off-then/756423)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-does-this-duck-quack-when-flourescent-light-is-switched-off-then/756423 "2016-06-06T20:18:29Z")
Well now I have a big plastic duck at home and when somebody walks past it it quacks and we have to put a bit of blu-tack in it to stop it from doing it. And it sits under a table beside a sofa but if somebody switches o… --- ## [Highest number of military casualties in a single event (peacetime)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-number-of-military-casualties-in-a-single-event-peacetime/756483)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-number-of-military-casualties-in-a-single-event-peacetime/756483 "2016-06-06T19:15:18Z")
What are examples of military incidents, accidents, maneuvers, exercises etc. that cost the lives of an unusually high number of soldiers (airmen, sailors, marines) or civilians during peacetime? “Peacetime” in this cont… --- ## [Can't move a window in Windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-move-a-window-in-windows/756661)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-move-a-window-in-windows/756661 "2016-06-06T16:03:14Z")
I’m in the office today, using my PC that’s running on some version of Windows. (Windows used to say what version was running, but now they hide it so I don’t know what version it is.) One of the windows I have opened … --- ## [Did Trevor Smith beat Bladder Cancer with Cannabis Oil, Vitamins and a restrictive Diet? Did anyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trevor-smith-beat-bladder-cancer-with-cannabis-oil-vitamins-and-a-restrictive-diet-did-anyone/749613)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trevor-smith-beat-bladder-cancer-with-cannabis-oil-vitamins-and-a-restrictive-diet-did-anyone/749613 "2016-06-06T15:39:50Z")
Surfing Facebook I came across this image and immediately decided to Google it. I was unable to find any stories that fact-checked or debunked what was presented in the image, but I did find a more complete backstory fo… --- ## [How fast does concrete break down? (in gabion cages)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-does-concrete-break-down-in-gabion-cages/756634)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-does-concrete-break-down-in-gabion-cages/756634 "2016-06-06T14:51:57Z")
Last October I made thread asking for options on a retaining wall about 65 feet long and 4 foot tall: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18818855#post18818855 , and I have another question. I was going… --- ## [Why were prices 'slightly higher west of the Rockies'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-prices-slightly-higher-west-of-the-rockies/756582)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-prices-slightly-higher-west-of-the-rockies/756582 "2016-06-06T14:20:33Z")
Looking at old clothing ads, I see that all the time and always wondered why. Something to do with the cost of shipping? A thing of the past now that clothes are mostly made and imported from China? --- ## [Use of word 'Sapphire' referring to a strong, independent Black women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-word-sapphire-referring-to-a-strong-independent-black-women/756528)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-word-sapphire-referring-to-a-strong-independent-black-women/756528 "2016-06-06T14:08:30Z")
Was this ever common, other than Kingfish’s wife Sapphire? More background: There was once a commonly repeated factoid that musician Billy Preston was the son of actress Ernestine Wade, who played Sapphire Stevens on “… --- ## [Closest sitting President has been to combat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closest-sitting-president-has-been-to-combat/756461)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closest-sitting-president-has-been-to-combat/756461 "2016-06-06T13:57:59Z")
It’s commanplace to see the President visit troops, and occasionally even in a theater of service. But what is the closest a sitting President been to actual combat? I know Lincoln was visting a fort around Washington … --- ## [Deployed American soldier's language training](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deployed-american-soldiers-language-training/756272)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deployed-american-soldiers-language-training/756272 "2016-06-06T13:29:42Z")
Watching Hurt Locker and Black Hawk Down this evening and a reoccurring plot point is grunts yelling commands at civilians in English. Of course they don’t understand and then there’s dramatic tension. So I began wonde… --- ## [Identify this flower (friend or foe)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-flower-friend-or-foe/756594)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-flower-friend-or-foe/756594 "2016-06-06T11:15:31Z")
I live in Northwest Montana and have started to see this plant/flower pop up on my property. At first it was one or two, and now there are dozens. My gut reaction is that it’s probably a weed, but before I start ripping … --- ## [Is using both feet during a drivers license test allowable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-using-both-feet-during-a-drivers-license-test-allowable/245035)
**Author:** [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-using-both-feet-during-a-drivers-license-test-allowable/245035 "2016-06-06T10:12:28Z")
If someone is more comfortable using their right foot for the accelerator and their left foot for the brake pedal (car has an automatic trans), are they allowed to drive this way while taking their driving test? The que… --- ## [Sound waves..do they ever diminish to zero?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-waves-do-they-ever-diminish-to-zero/756289)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-waves-do-they-ever-diminish-to-zero/756289 "2016-06-06T08:51:14Z")
Just a mental meandering today, do sound waves ever disappear? I understand that they diminish with distance, but is there ever a point where they disappear altogether? Or are there (very) feint waves still hanging aro… --- ## [Peephole optics oddity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peephole-optics-oddity/756283)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peephole-optics-oddity/756283 "2016-06-06T05:55:25Z")
When I look through the peephole in my door, everything’s blurry. When I lower my glasses and look through the peephole without having my glasses intervene, everything is in perfect focus. I am near-sighted. I have re… --- ## [Grammar question: Should it be The Beatles, or the Beatles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-should-it-be-the-beatles-or-the-beatles/756357)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-should-it-be-the-beatles-or-the-beatles/756357 "2016-06-06T05:43:18Z")
Or how about The Who, versus the Who. I maintain that “the” is part of the band’s name. It’s not Beatles and Who. These are just two examples of I’m sure many (The Doors, The Cars), so what should the rule be? --- ## [VR Requirements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-requirements/756055)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vr-requirements/756055 "2016-06-06T05:39:10Z")
Say I were planning the purchase of a desktop computer. In the long run, I would want it to have the capability of hosting a good VR set, and run, say, Civ6 smoothly. And I would want to be able to order it from Newegg o… --- ## [Help me find just the right word: Growing exponentially faster than exponentially](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-just-the-right-word-growing-exponentially-faster-than-exponentially/756597)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-just-the-right-word-growing-exponentially-faster-than-exponentially/756597 "2016-06-06T04:01:32Z")
Everybody, help me with this petty, borderline frivolous (and frankly, snarky) request! What’s a mathematical adverb, similar to “exponentially”, to describe a fast-growing function that increases even vastly faster tha… --- ## [Need info on WWII ship deck.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-info-on-wwii-ship-deck/756548)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-info-on-wwii-ship-deck/756548 "2016-06-06T03:18:59Z")
I need some info for a short story. If a person were to suddenly end up unexpectedly on the deck of a WWII era warship, probably a Destroyer or similar type ship, what kind of items on the deck might be utilized as a we… --- ## [Need help with a plant ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-plant-id/756636)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-plant-id/756636 "2016-06-06T03:11:28Z")
Just out doing lawn work, found an interesting plant growing near one of our shrubs. It has a weird flower arrangement, 7 flowers/buds/seeds coming off the end of the stem almost like a skeletal, 7-fingered hand, with a… --- ## [What was this, circa 18th century, flare/torch device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-circa-18th-century-flare-torch-device/756467)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-circa-18th-century-flare-torch-device/756467 "2016-06-06T01:24:22Z")
A historical light source question from me, this week, concerning a device featured in a favorite old movie of mine, 1999’s Plunkett & Macleane, set in 1748. At one point, in a scene in a tunnel, a character uses what I… --- ## [Gah! What is this? (It's full of spiders?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-what-is-this-its-full-of-spiders/756614)
**Author:** [@SimonMoon5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SimonMoon5)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2016, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-what-is-this-its-full-of-spiders/756614 "2016-06-05T23:39:20Z")
Okay, so outside my apartment, I noticed a relatively new mud addition to the wall outside my door. And I saw a hornet/wasp/something-similar fly in and then fly out. I thought, “Uh oh, this is some sort of hornet/wasp n… --- ## [Need help identifying this object](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-object/756530)
**Author:** [@baileygrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baileygrrrl)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-object/756530 "2016-06-05T16:06:20Z")
Any idea what this is? Was on my driveway under where I normally park my car . Concerned that it’s a car part. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk --- ## [Sound waves from the big bang](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-waves-from-the-big-bang/756544)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-waves-from-the-big-bang/756544 "2016-06-05T12:29:36Z")
Are the sound waves from the big bang still traveling through space? Have they long since dissipated to being negligible? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=893) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=895)