# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=943 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 944 --- ## [GFCI outlet test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfci-outlet-test/747585)
**Author:** [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfci-outlet-test/747585 "2016-03-01T20:07:26Z")
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwetuXThPOQmZmxwYXNlNGZ6T1E/view?usp=sharing Sorry for the mild grunting, it’s not in a comfortably accessible spot. The gist is that this outlet, when i use my GFCI tester button, will … --- ## [If, hypothetically, Hillary was indicted, what options do Dem Party rules allow? Also Trump/Repubs.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hypothetically-hillary-was-indicted-what-options-do-dem-party-rules-allow-also-trump-repubs/747562)
**Author:** [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hypothetically-hillary-was-indicted-what-options-do-dem-party-rules-allow-also-trump-repubs/747562 "2016-03-01T18:34:17Z")
Please let’s not get into the “But she won’t be indicted” argument–it doesn’t matter for the sake of this discussion. Just go with the hypothetical please. Opening night of the convention, Loretta Lynch indicts Hillary … --- ## [Whatever Happened to Fallout Shelters Built in the 1950's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-fallout-shelters-built-in-the-1950s/520504)
**Author:** [@taffygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taffygirl)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-fallout-shelters-built-in-the-1950s/520504 "2009-12-12T17:39:30Z")
During the 1950s and 1960s, thousands of people built fallout shelters in a misguided attempt to survive nuclear holocaust. Some subdivisions even boasted houses that came with fallout shelters. Yet you never see fallout… --- ## [Do police still get meals comped from restaurants when on duty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-still-get-meals-comped-from-restaurants-when-on-duty/747235)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-still-get-meals-comped-from-restaurants-when-on-duty/747235 "2016-03-01T17:14:23Z")
Or is that a practice that’s gone the way of the dodo? Anyone have any insight? Just curious. mmm --- ## [Military Security Clearance Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-security-clearance-question/747361)
**Author:** [@Oddball\_92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oddball_92)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-security-clearance-question/747361 "2016-03-01T16:51:30Z")
A couple of questions regarding military security clearances: Is there a way to find out what level of security clearance an individual had while they were in the military (in the 1980’s) or Is there a way for someone … --- ## [Why was there never a big leather S&M scene for straights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-there-never-a-big-leather-s-m-scene-for-straights/747479)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-there-never-a-big-leather-s-m-scene-for-straights/747479 "2016-03-01T16:31:33Z")
I’m a straight guy, but I will admit that the whole '70s/early 80s pre-AIDs era of gay culture fascinates me. The “Tom of Finland” aspects of the scene with its quasi-Fascist imagery; the leather S&M scene with its empha… --- ## [Was Snake Plissken's basketball game possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-snake-plisskens-basketball-game-possible/746930)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-snake-plisskens-basketball-game-possible/746930 "2016-03-01T15:47:57Z")
In Escape from LA, Snake Plissken is captures and put on the basketball court of death!! (dun dun dunnnnn). To survive, he has to make five baskets on opposing sides of the court on a 10 second shot clock. Naturally he… --- ## [Why Do Mormons Have So Many Kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mormons-have-so-many-kids/104170)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mormons-have-so-many-kids/104170 "2016-03-01T15:40:35Z")
Why is it so common for Mormons to have 6 or 8 kids when most other families only have 2 or 3? Does their religion say that birth control is a sin?? Thanks. Note: I’m AWARE that there are Mormon families that don’t hav… --- ## [Hysterical strength and similar phenomena](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hysterical-strength-and-similar-phenomena/747620)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hysterical-strength-and-similar-phenomena/747620 "2016-03-01T15:02:40Z")
We’ve all heard anecdotes about people lifting cars under stressful conditions: Hysterical strength - Wikipedia If we understood the phenomenon enough to trigger it at will, what kind of maximum limits or multiplication… --- ## [Author List of Gravitational Wave Paper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/author-list-of-gravitational-wave-paper/747391)
**Author:** [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/author-list-of-gravitational-wave-paper/747391 "2016-03-01T14:58:31Z")
About the Abbott et al. papper in Physical Review Letters announcing the detection of gravitational waves. I was looking at the very long author list, and the list appears to be alphabetical - including the first author.… --- ## [Help finding royalty free photos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-royalty-free-photos/747171)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-royalty-free-photos/747171 "2016-03-01T11:20:09Z")
I’m doing some ink sketching from photos I found on the Internet. I’m thinking of trying sell some of them but I realize there are some royalty or permission issues. So what I’m looking for is a website that posts pics … --- ## [US Immigration Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-immigration-question/747604)
**Author:** [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-immigration-question/747604 "2016-03-01T07:13:30Z")
I have a friend who was brought by his parents to the US when he was 17. Apparently, he had legal status when he came to the US, but he does not have legal status now. His parents both have green cards. He has a young… --- ## [Galaxy S4 and hearing aids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galaxy-s4-and-hearing-aids/747483)
**Author:** [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galaxy-s4-and-hearing-aids/747483 "2016-03-01T06:06:21Z")
Anybody out there have experience with S4 who have hearing aids? I’m scheduled to get my hearing aids very soon, and it looks like the ones I’ll want only work mainly with Iphones. If I have to buy a new phone to max ou… --- ## [Valet parking and keyless entry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valet-parking-and-keyless-entry/747154)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valet-parking-and-keyless-entry/747154 "2016-03-01T04:44:17Z")
Do I just give the whole key(less) fob to the attendant? I think there’s a key hidden inside the fob. Should I give him the key? There nothing valuable in the trunk. Just shopping bags. I have a Mazda 6 Grand Touring (… --- ## [Yiddish written from left to right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yiddish-written-from-left-to-right/747575)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yiddish-written-from-left-to-right/747575 "2016-03-01T03:44:46Z")
Is there any group that does this regularly? I went to a concert of Jewish music yesterday given by the Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal. There was a long piece of music set to Yiddish poetry. They included the ori… --- ## [Need help finding a car battery charger/starter.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-car-battery-charger-starter/747596)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-a-car-battery-charger-starter/747596 "2016-03-01T03:29:44Z")
I’ve heard Schumacher is good so if not let me know. I want a car battery charger that can charge it (of course) but also start the car when a little under voltaged. I also want the charger to be automatic so I don’t h… --- ## [Why is it so expensive to send a care package to someone in jail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-expensive-to-send-a-care-package-to-someone-in-jail/747530)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-expensive-to-send-a-care-package-to-someone-in-jail/747530 "2016-03-01T00:07:02Z")
I sent a care package to my sister who is in jail. You have to do it through the company that runs the jail’s commissary. Not only do they charge significantly more than retail for the contents, but there is also an $8… --- ## [Change background color on photo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-background-color-on-photo/747494)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-background-color-on-photo/747494 "2016-03-01T00:05:34Z")
I have a photo I want to use for a passport. However, rules say the background must be white or off white, and this is that blue with cloud like background from a professional photo studio. Assuming the government woul… --- ## [Questions regarding National Conventions and the American electoral process.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-national-conventions-and-the-american-electoral-process/747296)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-national-conventions-and-the-american-electoral-process/747296 "2016-02-29T23:30:28Z")
Hi I just have a few question about the American electoral process. I look forward to your feedback. Are the delegates drawn from congressmen and senators? Who exactly is eligible to be a delegate? What is a delegates… --- ## [Baby/Toddler gets hurt. What/why is the pause before the scream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-toddler-gets-hurt-what-why-is-the-pause-before-the-scream/746993)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-toddler-gets-hurt-what-why-is-the-pause-before-the-scream/746993 "2016-02-29T23:11:42Z")
So I have had two kids. One in particular fell down a lot and seemed to like to use his face to break his fall. It usually goes like this: Small child gets hurt (somehow). Then there is that dreadful eerie silence. I… --- ## [Has there ever been a credible assassination attempt on a US Supreme Court Justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-credible-assassination-attempt-on-a-us-supreme-court-justice/747555)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-credible-assassination-attempt-on-a-us-supreme-court-justice/747555 "2016-02-29T22:42:54Z")
It has appeared as a trope in many Hollywood movies and novels, where a justice leaning the opposite direction of the current sitting president is assassinated whereby a new justice can be appointed that will shift the w… --- ## [Why Is DC So Overwhelmingly Democrat-Leaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-dc-so-overwhelmingly-democrat-leaning/640425)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-dc-so-overwhelmingly-democrat-leaning/640425 "2012-11-10T18:25:12Z")
I was looking at the results of the recent election and noticed that, for the most part, the winner of any particular state usually won with less than a two-thirds majority. There were a few states where a particular ca… --- ## [Why would absorbent polymers be used in 'personal lubricant'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-absorbent-polymers-be-used-in-personal-lubricant/747365)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-absorbent-polymers-be-used-in-personal-lubricant/747365 "2016-02-29T21:14:01Z")
Looked up sodium polyacrylate on wikipedia today, wondering what it’s purpose is in athlete’s foot spray. According to the article, it’s an absorbent polymer often used in diapers, as a thickening agent, and in personal … --- ## [Astroid capture in Lagrangian points?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astroid-capture-in-lagrangian-points/747358)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astroid-capture-in-lagrangian-points/747358 "2016-02-29T20:17:51Z")
Is it possible for astroids to be captured by a Lagrangian point? --- ## [Do philodendrons flower?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-philodendrons-flower/6632)
**Author:** [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-philodendrons-flower/6632 "2016-02-29T19:24:10Z")
And if so, how come we never see them? Are they one of those weird plants that only blooms every hundred years, or are the conditions inside people’s houses just not right? Observe the snow. It fornicates. --- ## [Jeff Wise aviation expert claims Russia and Putin hijacked MH370](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeff-wise-aviation-expert-claims-russia-and-putin-hijacked-mh370/747259)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeff-wise-aviation-expert-claims-russia-and-putin-hijacked-mh370/747259 "2016-02-29T19:02:30Z")
Is Jeff Wise just an idiot or could there be even an iota of truth in his outrageous claim. --- ## [MAP Sensor Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-sensor-question/535052)
**Author:** [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-sensor-question/535052 "2016-02-29T17:19:07Z")
I just built a new 350 for my neighbor’s 1994 Chevrolet Z71 1500. We put it in, got it timed, got the valves adjusted, and cranked it up. It runs great IF the MAP sensor isn’t plugged in. It won’t idle if it is. The … --- ## [Appeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appeals/746549)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appeals/746549 "2016-02-29T17:08:28Z")
Hi SD, I don’t understand the process of appealing a court decision. Do appeals have a good chance of success? Is the appeal brought before a different judge? If so, what’s the point of the first judge who has more k… --- ## [Cheapest, quickest way to make a cubic meter sized time buried capsule that will last 1000+ years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-quickest-way-to-make-a-cubic-meter-sized-time-buried-capsule-that-will-last-1000-years/747373)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheapest-quickest-way-to-make-a-cubic-meter-sized-time-buried-capsule-that-will-last-1000-years/747373 "2016-02-29T16:16:09Z")
As a hypothetical assume you need to construct, assemble and/or purchase and bury a cubic meter sized time capsule in a spot somewhere in the mid-Atlantic region of the US. The items in the capsule will need to be recove… --- ## [Can a car drive forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-car-drive-forever/747106)
**Author:** [@MDLuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDLuffy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-car-drive-forever/747106 "2016-02-29T16:15:02Z")
How long could a car drive for, given unlimited fuel, unlimited fluids (coolant, oil…)? I’m thinking the first thing to give out after a long time of driving would be the tires, from general wear and tear, but lets assum… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=942) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=944)