# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=581 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 582 --- ## [Attack in a mosque in Zurich on Dec. 19](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-in-a-mosque-in-zurich-on-dec-19/775223)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-in-a-mosque-in-zurich-on-dec-19/775223 "2016-12-20T14:43:23Z")
On the same day as the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Turkey, and the truck attack in a Christmas marken in Berlin, there was a shooting in a mosque in Zurich that left three wounded. And this attack appears… --- ## [Truck Attack in Berlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truck-attack-in-berlin/775177)
**Author:** [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truck-attack-in-berlin/775177 "2016-12-20T14:07:29Z")
Developing story…at least nine dead. --- ## [Dog training. Is it possible to teach a dog not to fear loud noises?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-training-is-it-possible-to-teach-a-dog-not-to-fear-loud-noises/774741)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-training-is-it-possible-to-teach-a-dog-not-to-fear-loud-noises/774741 "2016-12-20T12:05:27Z")
Kiko is five years old. He has been my friend for two years. Before that he was a street dog. When he hears a loud noise, a car back firing, a pop bottle rocket, he freaks out. He will run inside a store, or run home… --- ## [The Parliamentary Counsel Christmas Song Quiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-parliamentary-counsel-christmas-song-quiz/775215)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-parliamentary-counsel-christmas-song-quiz/775215 "2016-12-20T12:02:48Z")
The Parliamentary Counsel is the body of legal eagles that aid the British Government in writing legislation to ensure it’s as clear and all-encompassing as possible. Seems they had some spare time to write up a festive… --- ## [Bad English Spam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-english-spam/739216)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-english-spam/739216 "2016-12-20T07:14:26Z")
I just got one claiming to be from “SkypeTeam” with the title “You have deferred emails loudspeakers !”. List some funny or strange ones you’ve received. --- ## [Russian ambassador assassinated in Turkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-ambassador-assassinated-in-turkey/775154)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-ambassador-assassinated-in-turkey/775154 "2016-12-20T07:04:08Z")
repercussions? --- ## [Who keeps jumper cables in their car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395 "2016-12-20T03:38:29Z")
Jumper cables used to be standard auto equipment, just like a jack and a spare tire. Yet I’m not seeing that the majority of people carry them anymore. What’s up with that? This thread was prompted by an incident we h… --- ## [Any of you middle-aged guys or younger a member of a service club or other similar organizations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-of-you-middle-aged-guys-or-younger-a-member-of-a-service-club-or-other-similar-organizations/774693)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-of-you-middle-aged-guys-or-younger-a-member-of-a-service-club-or-other-similar-organizations/774693 "2016-12-19T22:49:44Z")
Cracked has bit today on dying societies, among which they cite the Masons. Got me to thinking: my dad was a Mason. And in the town where I grew up (rural Ontario, for reference), most of my dad’s age cohort joined one… --- ## [Climbing the Empire State Building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climbing-the-empire-state-building/775168)
**Author:** [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climbing-the-empire-state-building/775168 "2016-12-19T22:30:34Z")
Is there enough money in the world to climb a metal ladder up the side of the ESB to the viewing deck? --- ## [Truck ploughs into Berlin Christmas Market - 9 Reported Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truck-ploughs-into-berlin-christmas-market-9-reported-dead/775178)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truck-ploughs-into-berlin-christmas-market-9-reported-dead/775178 "2016-12-19T20:50:29Z")
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/sec.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/truck-runs-into-crowded-christmas-market-in-berlin-reports/article33369105/%3Fservice%3Damp?client=safari --- ## [So, it's come this far](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-its-come-this-far/774951)
**Author:** [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-its-come-this-far/774951 "2016-12-19T18:42:39Z")
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/13/scientists-are-frantically-copying-u-s-climate-data-fearing-it-might-vanish-under-trump/?tid=pm\_business\_pop&utm\_term=.db7b92f168b1 That scientists f… --- ## [Hey, Mister, can I have my drone back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-mister-can-i-have-my-drone-back/774873)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-mister-can-i-have-my-drone-back/774873 "2016-12-19T17:39:29Z")
China steals US underwater drone in South China Sea The impudence! The sheer effrontery! Perhaps we should steal something of theirs. Hong Kong? :slight\_smile: --- ## [A discussion about toilet seat positioning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-discussion-about-toilet-seat-positioning/774685)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-discussion-about-toilet-seat-positioning/774685 "2016-12-19T15:54:53Z")
I often hear women complaining that men leave the toilet seat up. I can come up with just three possible reasons women might find this practice objectionable: They feel it is wrong because they may accidentally sit on… --- ## [The doper Cyn has passed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-doper-cyn-has-passed/774999)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-doper-cyn-has-passed/774999 "2016-12-19T15:17:16Z")
My ex-wife, aka the doper \*\*Cyn \*\* has passed after a short battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 55. I’m sure she would want everyone to know. Her only goal was to see Christmas with her 3y/o grandson. I introd… --- ## [Interesting Twist to Dylann Roof Case: WHITES Want Him Dead, Blacks Don't](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-twist-to-dylann-roof-case-whites-want-him-dead-blacks-dont/774862)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-twist-to-dylann-roof-case-whites-want-him-dead-blacks-dont/774862 "2016-12-19T15:01:58Z")
Dylann Roof was found guilty of murder in short order. All that’s left is the sentencing. SO far, so good. There was never any doubt of Roof’s guilt, and there was never any hope he’d be acquitted. Even in the Deep Sout… --- ## [Apparently abortion does NOT lead to emotional and psychological trauma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-abortion-does-not-lead-to-emotional-and-psychological-trauma/774707)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-abortion-does-not-lead-to-emotional-and-psychological-trauma/774707 "2016-12-19T14:44:25Z")
The New York Times just gave an in-depth report on a just-released JAMA study that shows that While there was some short term stress involved, -no long term problems resulted. --- ## [How far are you from anywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-are-you-from-anywhere/774531)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-are-you-from-anywhere/774531 "2016-12-19T03:56:30Z")
I was bored this weekend, and my mind wandered and brought back an interesting thought. I live about 10 miles from the county seat. If I were to draw a circle 10 miles in radius around my home, it would encounter another… --- ## [Scam Targets Nigerians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-targets-nigerians/775108)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-targets-nigerians/775108 "2016-12-19T02:17:33Z")
One of the world’s largest Ponzi schemes has been victimizing Nigerians, as can be seen here. Turnabout is fair play, I suppose. But I see this is being perpetrated by the Russians, so maybe Trump can speak to his good b… --- ## [Welp, I guess it's gymnastics' turn for a sexual abuse scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welp-i-guess-its-gymnastics-turn-for-a-sexual-abuse-scandal/774809)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welp-i-guess-its-gymnastics-turn-for-a-sexual-abuse-scandal/774809 "2016-12-19T01:12:26Z")
I’ve seen a few other articles on this in recent years. But somehow, it doesn’t seem to gain traction in the public consciousness at large. Even I didn’t realize that the issue was apparently so pervasive. http://www… --- ## [Am I pargant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-pargant/775025)
**Author:** [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-pargant/775025 "2016-12-18T18:41:39Z")
A question for the ages: Also a classic: --- ## [Looking for Skeleton Puns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-skeleton-puns/215181)
**Author:** [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-skeleton-puns/215181 "2016-12-18T13:05:08Z")
Aside from “BONEFIED!”, can anyone think of any good skeleton puns out there? --- ## [Helping iTunes to help himself (and to hopefully lead a productive life)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helping-itunes-to-help-himself-and-to-hopefully-lead-a-productive-life/774900)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helping-itunes-to-help-himself-and-to-hopefully-lead-a-productive-life/774900 "2016-12-18T08:41:44Z")
So. Imagine you’ve been buying albums… cassettes… CD’s… MP3s since high-school. At some point you decided that the Rhapsody and Microsoft Music Manager sucked a bag of dicks and you fired both of them. Your PC, “Brad”… --- ## [What are your New Year Resolutions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-new-year-resolutions/774979)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-new-year-resolutions/774979 "2016-12-18T01:19:17Z")
I have always tried to make positive changes in my life, but like most people have been more successful at some things than others. I have recently been reading a lot of encouraging books, I’m not the biggest Tim Ferris… --- ## [Can a man marry his close male relative in West Virginia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-man-marry-his-close-male-relative-in-west-virginia/774817)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-man-marry-his-close-male-relative-in-west-virginia/774817 "2016-12-17T21:52:54Z")
Here is the applicable law prohibiting consaguineous marriages in the State of West Virginia: \[QUOTE=W. Va. Code §48-2-302.\] Prohibition against marriage of persons related within certain degrees. (a) A man is prohibi… --- ## [HH Gregg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hh-gregg/774897)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hh-gregg/774897 "2016-12-17T19:57:30Z")
I was thinking of buying a recliner chair on sale at HH Gregg. What do you Dopers think of the company? Buy there, or shop elsewhere? PS–my budget is small. --- ## [Is Venus passing through the Earth's orbit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-venus-passing-through-the-earths-orbit/774822)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-venus-passing-through-the-earths-orbit/774822 "2016-12-17T18:37:23Z")
At 5pm CT it was south by southwest, about 30 degrees up. Here the temperature this morning was below 0F (way below 0C, proving Europeans are wimps :wink: ), so I’m pretty sure Earth is not inside the orbit of Venus. … --- ## [I confused the guy from DPD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-confused-the-guy-from-dpd/774938)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-confused-the-guy-from-dpd/774938 "2016-12-17T16:29:55Z")
DPD are one of the best couriers round here. I had a delivery via them this morning, and mentioned that I had missed a delivery the other day and did he perhaps have it in his van? No, he didn’t but he said he would chec… --- ## [Idle Thoughts/Hal Briston East State Tour: DC Dopefest, Saturday, December 17th.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-hal-briston-east-state-tour-dc-dopefest-saturday-december-17th/768981)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-thoughts-hal-briston-east-state-tour-dc-dopefest-saturday-december-17th/768981 "2016-12-16T23:04:15Z")
Hal Briston and I will be in Washington DC on this day, in the afternoon/evening sometime. If anyone would like to meet, let me know, we might be able to get together for an hour, two, or three for a bite to eat or somet… --- ## ["Trump Youth" being urged to snitch on their professors...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-youth-being-urged-to-snitch-on-their-professors/773838)
**Author:** [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-youth-being-urged-to-snitch-on-their-professors/773838 "2016-12-16T18:43:56Z")
Sound familiar? Like from WWII Germany? \[“A new website is asking students and others to “expose and document” professors who “discriminate against conservative students, promote anti-American values and advance leftist… --- ## [Another reason not to look at Facebook during dinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-not-to-look-at-facebook-during-dinner/774851)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-not-to-look-at-facebook-during-dinner/774851 "2016-12-16T14:48:53Z")
Last night we attended another beer/food pairing, this one featuring Bell’s Brewing beers. The first course was a salad, featuring a double cream Dutch blue cheese, a grapefruit vinaigrette dressing and spicy brown butt… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=580) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=582)