# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=951 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 952 --- ## [Can a president nominate him/herself to the Supreme Court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-nominate-him-herself-to-the-supreme-court/746131)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-nominate-him-herself-to-the-supreme-court/746131 "2016-02-16T21:25:04Z")
In theory, can a U.S. President nominate him/herself to the Supreme Court? If confirmed, I assume the vice-president would become president? --- ## [Where do all the neutrons go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-all-the-neutrons-go/61067)
**Author:** [@KeithB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithB)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-all-the-neutrons-go/61067 "2016-02-16T20:40:26Z")
I have been reading “Dark Sun”, about the making of the H-Bomb. One of the problems they have trying to build an atomic stock pile and develop for the H-Bomb is that with the few reactors they have they are “neutron limi… --- ## [Question for a CPA - W2: Box 13 "Retirement Plan" incorrectly unchecked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-a-cpa-w2-box-13-retirement-plan-incorrectly-unchecked/746157)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-a-cpa-w2-box-13-retirement-plan-incorrectly-unchecked/746157 "2016-02-16T20:27:34Z")
Finally started to sit down and prepare the taxes. My wife’s W2 in Box 13 where it should be checked for “Retirement Plan” is unchecked. She did contribute to a 401(k) that year and that is reflected in Box 12D. My firs… --- ## [Access 2010: Positional text output](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/access-2010-positional-text-output/746282)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/access-2010-positional-text-output/746282 "2016-02-16T20:27:29Z")
We had updates last week, and not Access 2003 isn’t working properly. When I import a file, I need to define every column as text. I select a .csv file and a window pops up showing it as delimited. I click on a column… --- ## [Heat at which shampoo will turn into something else](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-at-which-shampoo-will-turn-into-something-else/746114)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-at-which-shampoo-will-turn-into-something-else/746114 "2016-02-16T19:52:22Z")
Let’s say you take Head & Shoulders shampoo - which is somewhat oily - and put it under the direct hot blast of a hair dryer inches away. Would it turn into a different chemical? --- ## [Conveying left/right to alien by description](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conveying-left-right-to-alien-by-description/746120)
**Author:** [@Vetinari42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vetinari42)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conveying-left-right-to-alien-by-description/746120 "2016-02-16T19:11:48Z")
I remember hearing of a puzzle some time ago that went along the lines: There is a humanoid alien race on a far distant planet that has never encountered the human race. Purely by spoken instruction (i.e. no visual com… --- ## ['77 cadillac sedan deville no oil pressure stop engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/77-cadillac-sedan-deville-no-oil-pressure-stop-engine/746132)
**Author:** [@THOUGHTCRIMlNAL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THOUGHTCRIMlNAL)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/77-cadillac-sedan-deville-no-oil-pressure-stop-engine/746132 "2016-02-16T17:26:53Z")
When I attempt to start the car, a light on the dash is on “No Oil Pressure Stop Engine” pops up and it dies in 1-3 seconds, and occasionally doesn’t want to turn on at all. It is cold outside, around 17-18 Degrees… Bas… --- ## [Google Mail Access Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-mail-access-problem/746264)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-mail-access-problem/746264 "2016-02-16T16:37:57Z")
I am trying to find a login page to access my existing Google (gmail) account. I was just there, but I forgot my password. After having my password reset, every Gmail access webpage is acting like I am a new account, b… --- ## [Questions about SCOTUS nominations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-scotus-nominations/746215)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-scotus-nominations/746215 "2016-02-16T16:18:11Z")
Yeah, I know there are a lot of threads about this, but I’ve got a few questions I can’t find the answer for. If POTUS nominates someone and the Senate refuses to hold hearings, does the nomination remain in force after… --- ## [My super sweet 92 Olds Cutlass Ciera now has... jet mode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-super-sweet-92-olds-cutlass-ciera-now-has-jet-mode/746141)
**Author:** [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-super-sweet-92-olds-cutlass-ciera-now-has-jet-mode/746141 "2016-02-16T15:37:44Z")
So something happened the other day that made it pretty interesting not to die all of a sudden. My car has now decided when the cruise control is turned on, the accelerator must suddenly be slammed to the floor. Park, … --- ## [What Happens When You Miss Your Flight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-miss-your-flight/745972)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-miss-your-flight/745972 "2016-02-16T15:24:51Z")
If you miss your flight\*, are you just SOL, or will the airline try to work with you to put you on a later flight, maybe charging you a service fee or something? \*Assume that the airline itself isn’t responsible for you… --- ## [Underpowered laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underpowered-laptop/746249)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underpowered-laptop/746249 "2016-02-16T15:21:26Z")
I’ve been powering my laptop with a 90W cord. If I used a 65W cord, what would happen? --- ## [Will I owe any customs fees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-owe-any-customs-fees/745833)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-i-owe-any-customs-fees/745833 "2016-02-16T14:35:19Z")
I ordered a refurbished business laptop a couple days ago, and got a great deal on it. I paid about $215. What I didn’t realize when I made the order, was that it is coming from Canada. I live in Maine, not sure if th… --- ## [Are Humans really Apex predators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-really-apex-predators/745804)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-really-apex-predators/745804 "2016-02-16T14:17:06Z")
If a human went one on one with a bear or a lion we’d be killed every time. The only reason we’re the master species is because we have artificial weapons (unlike something like a snake’s venom or a tiger’s teeth and cla… --- ## [Marines: what's a "UD" in the context of discharges?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marines-whats-a-ud-in-the-context-of-discharges/746222)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marines-whats-a-ud-in-the-context-of-discharges/746222 "2016-02-16T14:11:49Z")
Somebody told me the other day he was discharged from the USMC “UD,” later changed to honorable. Anyone know what that means? I tried the benefits and separation manual but it doesn’t have anything beginning with a U. --- ## [Weight of hoarded paper safe in typical house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-of-hoarded-paper-safe-in-typical-house/745858)
**Author:** [@CrabRangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrabRangoon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-of-hoarded-paper-safe-in-typical-house/745858 "2016-02-16T13:20:32Z")
Greetings all - I have a general question about hoarders and the safety of their houses. A friend of mine is married to a hoarder - his thing is books and paper mainly. They have two kids and live in a circa 1920’s two s… --- ## [Messerschmitt Me 410 using rockets to "break up" bomber formations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messerschmitt-me-410-using-rockets-to-break-up-bomber-formations/745892)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messerschmitt-me-410-using-rockets-to-break-up-bomber-formations/745892 "2016-02-16T11:16:11Z")
The formidably armed Messerschmitt ME 410 was said to be Hitler’s favourite. And, it was perhaps because of der Führer’s fondness for it, that Adolf Galland and others believed the Me 410 was being used even when it was … --- ## [Any car models actually been banned from the road for safety issues?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-car-models-actually-been-banned-from-the-road-for-safety-issues/745827)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-car-models-actually-been-banned-from-the-road-for-safety-issues/745827 "2016-02-16T08:59:21Z")
I saw this rather hilarious Top Gear video on the Reliant Robin, a 3-wheeled car that seems to spend more time rolled over on its side than it does upright. It appears to me to be the biggest deathtrap vehicle to ever g… --- ## [Why don't hotel bathrooms have ventilation fans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-hotel-bathrooms-have-ventilation-fans/746180)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-hotel-bathrooms-have-ventilation-fans/746180 "2016-02-16T08:02:40Z")
I’m not sure if there is a factual answer to this question, but why don’t they? It’s pretty annoying when you’re in the hotel room bathroom and the mirrors are all fogged up after a shower. This is generally not a prob… --- ## [What is the origin of "A shot of whiskey"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-a-shot-of-whiskey/702691)
**Author:** [@Harvey\_Ferguson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_Ferguson)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-a-shot-of-whiskey/702691 "2016-02-16T07:59:12Z")
I was reading a thread on another site about this and thought… Straight Dope is the place to ask about this. Thanks in advance for any input. --- ## [DIY - Supermarket door theft detection alarm (EAS system)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-supermarket-door-theft-detection-alarm-eas-system/746162)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-supermarket-door-theft-detection-alarm-eas-system/746162 "2016-02-16T06:32:21Z")
Premise : Due to family reasons, we need Cisco (the family dog) to stay downstairs and not climb the stairs to the second floor. Cisco is a good dog and normally does not do this - but occasionally he will sneak up to th… --- ## [Question about desiccants (e.g. silica gel)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-desiccants-e-g-silica-gel/746233)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-desiccants-e-g-silica-gel/746233 "2016-02-16T05:19:58Z")
I want to keep humidity and condensation out of a large closet. If I get some kind of desiccant, like a box of silica gel or something, is there a way to quantify how long I should expect it to last before it loses its e… --- ## [Measuring distances with insane precision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distances-with-insane-precision/745981)
**Author:** [@doubleminus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doubleminus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distances-with-insane-precision/745981 "2016-02-16T04:08:30Z")
In the LIGO experiment by which gravity waves were confirmed, they measured the length of each 2 1/2 mile leg with a precision of 1/10,000 of the size of a proton. I could understand measuring to a small percentage of o… --- ## [Apple, Os x and a Mac pro3.1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-os-x-and-a-mac-pro3-1/745919)
**Author:** [@VanillaGorilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VanillaGorilla)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-os-x-and-a-mac-pro3-1/745919 "2016-02-16T03:56:25Z")
Hi I just got my hands on an old Mac pro 3.1. It is a single CPU (2,8 Ghz quad core) 4 GB memory, 1 TB HDD machine. So, while not very impressive by todays standards, considering how old it is I’d say it is not too bad,… --- ## [Question about Parallels and Mac OSX](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-parallels-and-mac-osx/746104)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-parallels-and-mac-osx/746104 "2016-02-16T03:07:17Z")
A fairly basic question about Parallels I should think. When Parallels is not running, do the settings defining the amount of RAM available to each operating system still have an effect? For example if I have 32G of RAM… --- ## [What does it mean to "fold on a debt"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-fold-on-a-debt/746177)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-fold-on-a-debt/746177 "2016-02-15T23:14:54Z")
Hi The phrase “fold on a debt” sounds like giving up on a debt/abandoning a debt. I’m not sure. I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Precor treadmill's calorie counter changed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/precor-treadmills-calorie-counter-changed/746226)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/precor-treadmills-calorie-counter-changed/746226 "2016-02-15T21:20:59Z")
Three times a week I go to my local Y, get on a Precor treadmill, and walk uphill for an hour. These are the fancy networked machines with internet and TV, and you have a personal account that logs your progress. At my … --- ## [What If a Presidential Candidate Dies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-presidential-candidate-dies/746182)
**Author:** [@Jrubas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jrubas)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-presidential-candidate-dies/746182 "2016-02-15T20:39:57Z")
I was explaining the whole primary/nomination process to my girlfriend, who doesn’t know much about politics, and she posed an interesting question. What would hsppen if a presidential candidate who had already received … --- ## [What's the Big Deal About Julius Caesar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-julius-caesar/745687)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-julius-caesar/745687 "2016-02-15T19:36:12Z")
\[Dear Cecil:\] What’s the big deal about Julius Caesar, esp. in the past? In Germany, the ruler was once called the Kaiser. In Russia, the Tsar. Both terms are derived from Caesar’s clan name. Roman Emperors once took t… --- ## [How did soldiers treat their wounds thousands of years ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-soldiers-treat-their-wounds-thousands-of-years-ago/745678)
**Author:** [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-soldiers-treat-their-wounds-thousands-of-years-ago/745678 "2016-02-15T19:24:37Z")
For example alexander the great or greek or roman soldiers, it would seem that even a small wound would result in a long and painful death from infection, and that knowing this most men would try to avoid being soldiers.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=950) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=952)