# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=7 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 8 --- ## [UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in Manhattan \[breaking news: 2024-12-04\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 859\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159 "2026-08-14T20:30:40Z")
News reports are that this appears to be a targeted attack. (gift link) CEO Brian Thompson (age 50) was in Manhattan for an investor meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown and was gunned down as he was about to enter th… --- ## [This year has reportedly seen a spate of attacks by orcas ("killer whales") against boats in the Strait of Gibraltar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-year-has-reportedly-seen-a-spate-of-attacks-by-orcas-killer-whales-against-boats-in-the-strait-of-gibraltar/920611)
**Author:** [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-year-has-reportedly-seen-a-spate-of-attacks-by-orcas-killer-whales-against-boats-in-the-strait-of-gibraltar/920611 "2026-08-14T16:32:23Z")
Well, this can’t be good: ‘I’ve never seen or heard of attacks’: scientists baffled by orcas harassing boats. (From The Guardian, not The Weekly World News.) The article does also say that “The encounters described a… --- ## [Computers, software and the historic record](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-software-and-the-historic-record/1031454)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-software-and-the-historic-record/1031454 "2026-08-14T16:26:43Z")
Stone tablets survive millennia after a civilization collapse. Paper records can remain preserved for centuries. There are floppy discs wasting away in a corner of my home office with data from 35 years ago that I can no… --- ## [Credit card compromised. Hide CVV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-compromised-hide-cvv/1032146)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-compromised-hide-cvv/1032146 "2026-08-12T00:38:45Z")
My credit card was compromised. New cards should arrive today. I was thinking that I might put a piece of tape over the CVV number. Could this help? Might it be a problem? --- ## [Extended insurance coverage for appliances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extended-insurance-coverage-for-appliances/1032254)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extended-insurance-coverage-for-appliances/1032254 "2026-08-11T21:22:31Z")
They just don’t make things like they used to. My Goldstar window A/C in the bedroom is working flawlessly after 20 years. But I have had bad luck with dehumidifiers having gone through several of them. They seem to only… --- ## [Feets! "Be Clean"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feets-be-clean/1023751)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2026, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feets-be-clean/1023751 "2026-08-11T10:37:01Z")
Do you actively wash your feet in the shower? Or just let what crud flows downward to clean them? I guess you can figure out what side I’m on. :blush: :foot: --- ## [No blue jeans allowed -- in 1972?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-blue-jeans-allowed-in-1972/1032194)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-blue-jeans-allowed-in-1972/1032194 "2026-08-10T22:08:53Z")
How many roller rinks are out there now? Didn’t occur to the sign painter that girls could wear jeans too --- ## [Vascular Dementia: How to mourn your Mom while she's still alive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vascular-dementia-how-to-mourn-your-mom-while-shes-still-alive/1032229)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vascular-dementia-how-to-mourn-your-mom-while-shes-still-alive/1032229 "2026-08-10T11:15:04Z")
Mom’s been diagnosed for 5 1/2 years. A few minor strokes prior to that. The first few years had Mom with a 24/7 aide living in my old bedroom. A fall in early 2021 was caused by pretty bad Lumbar stenosis. A laminectom… --- ## [(Old) GoGo on Vacation - A Holiday MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gogo-on-vacation-a-holiday-mmp/1032106)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 305\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-gogo-on-vacation-a-holiday-mmp/1032106 "2026-08-10T07:01:30Z")
Vacation! A couple of beers and cocktails in. Happy vacation to me! Talk amongst your selves. --- ## [What make and model of car is in this video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-make-and-model-of-car-is-in-this-video/1032240)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2026, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-make-and-model-of-car-is-in-this-video/1032240 "2026-08-09T04:26:55Z")
Lately I’ve been enjoying some old films of downtown Los Angeles where I worked in the mid 1980s. Can anyone identify the red and white car seen parked on the left at about 0:21 in this 1960s era video? It looks like so… --- ## [My Dog is Going Blind, Advice Welcome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-dog-is-going-blind-advice-welcome/1032209)
**Author:** [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-dog-is-going-blind-advice-welcome/1032209 "2026-08-08T16:38:45Z")
A month ago we noticed my dog squinting. The next day he woke up with swollen eyes and we took him to the emergency vet and after following up with our regular vet he was on antibiotics and steroids and was doing well. … --- ## [Someone tried to scam me today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-tried-to-scam-me-today/1020133 "2026-08-08T14:03:51Z")
TL;DR: I received a scam call this morning, played along, was given address to send a check, called police. They started by asking if my TV was on and what was the name on the remote control. After I gave them a name … --- ## [Protesting public housing construction in NY, 1948](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-public-housing-construction-in-ny-1948/1032216)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2026, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-public-housing-construction-in-ny-1948/1032216 "2026-08-08T05:43:37Z")
Interesting collection of picket signs. The signs don’t look home-made, and you wouldn’t think this many people would come out to carry them. --- ## [The AI-generated bacteriophages - folks, it's just the genome (so far)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ai-generated-bacteriophages-folks-its-just-the-genome-so-far/1032220)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ai-generated-bacteriophages-folks-its-just-the-genome-so-far/1032220 "2026-08-07T22:29:54Z")
Having just read Annie Jacobsen’s new book, “Biological War: A Scenario” (if you’re read Stephen King’s “The Stand” in any of its iterations, this one’s scarier!) I was a knocked a bit off-kilter by this news, but it’s j… --- ## [Did you have a T-Mobile plan that got changed despite it being "permanent?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-have-a-t-mobile-plan-that-got-changed-despite-it-being-permanent/1032088)
**Author:** [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-have-a-t-mobile-plan-that-got-changed-despite-it-being-permanent/1032088 "2026-08-07T20:11:46Z")
So, once upon a time we signed up for a T-Mobile plan (One Plan Unlimited 55) that met our needs and had a reasonable cost for the amount we used it. One of the factors that made it appealing was that T-Mobile told us o… --- ## [Capybaras heck up on Brazilian legislators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capybaras-heck-up-on-brazilian-legislators/1032189)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capybaras-heck-up-on-brazilian-legislators/1032189 "2026-08-07T17:37:24Z")
CUIABA, Brazil (AP) — One Brazilian state legislature has increasingly found its voting sessions invaded by a group of unexpected visitors: capybaras. The notoriously chill rodents strolled through the front door of th… --- ## [Bad bad bad Bed. (Dang it discourse)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-bed-dang-it-discourse/1032150)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2026, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-bed-dang-it-discourse/1032150 "2026-08-07T12:37:28Z")
Yeah, bed. Someone (some jerk) dumped a nasty mattress at my gate. First..could they have not drove further down the road? Still my road. Would have still have had to remove it ourselves. But it wouldn’t be at the gate… --- ## [Errant SpaceX rocket stage is about the crash into Moon (August 2026)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errant-spacex-rocket-stage-is-about-the-crash-into-moon-august-2026/1032109)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errant-spacex-rocket-stage-is-about-the-crash-into-moon-august-2026/1032109 "2026-08-06T19:16:36Z")
No, it’s not going to knock the moon out of its orbit, or anything like that. --- ## [NYC building in imminent danger of collapse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-building-in-imminent-danger-of-collapse/1031494)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-building-in-imminent-danger-of-collapse/1031494 "2026-08-06T01:20:41Z")
The former Pfizer HQ at 42nd & 2nd, which was being converted luxury apartments & being made taller by adding floors has been evacuated, along with nine other buildings in the collapse zone (First to Third & 40th to 45th… --- ## [Family Reunions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-reunions/1032032)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-reunions/1032032 "2026-08-05T15:27:47Z")
I have seen a thread with this same title but it was started in 2004, so I thought I would start over. Do any of your family names have regular reunions? When I was a child my mother’s side of the family had two, one f… --- ## [Nicknames for drug effects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-drug-effects/1031872)
**Author:** [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-drug-effects/1031872 "2026-08-05T04:41:15Z")
If you are addicted to methamphetamine, and your teeth rot away, you have “Meth Mouth”. If you are addicted to fentanyl, and your torso is perpetually hunched over, you have “the Fentanyl Fold”. If a psychiatrist sedat… --- ## [C-130 Hercules cargo plane turns 60](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121 "2026-08-05T04:33:32Z")
An amazingly durable and useful plane: http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/us/c-130-hercules-military-plane-anniversary/index.html My favorite variant: Lockheed AC-130 - Wikipedia --- ## [Have you seen a little Jesus in your life lately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-a-little-jesus-in-your-life-lately/1031759)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-seen-a-little-jesus-in-your-life-lately/1031759 "2026-08-04T03:06:21Z")
Apparently they’ve been a fad since 2024, but the first time I saw or heard of them was recently when I saw several of them lined up in the drive-through payment window of my local water company. (I thought they were Leg… --- ## [Big Brother? "What you lookin' at?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brother-what-you-lookin-at/1031594)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brother-what-you-lookin-at/1031594 "2026-08-03T23:20:51Z")
Everywhere you go, where ever you turn. What ever you are doing. Some body is watching you. I see cameras. On persons and buildings. Over cash registers. All my devices and vehicles track me. Do you care? --- ## [Claude admitted lying to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claude-admitted-lying-to-me/1032022)
**Author:** [@MuleSkinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuleSkinner)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claude-admitted-lying-to-me/1032022 "2026-08-03T22:42:54Z")
Before someone mentions it, no, I’m not making financial decision based on what AI tells me. Claude outright lied to me and admitted it. Bold part is me. I’m using voice to text to write to Claude so my part isn’t perfe… --- ## [Ever know a family who named their kids via some cute theme or scheme?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-a-family-who-named-their-kids-via-some-cute-theme-or-scheme/1031661)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-a-family-who-named-their-kids-via-some-cute-theme-or-scheme/1031661 "2026-08-03T18:01:09Z")
Relevant section of the Poll Discussion thread (tho it only covered twins). So, know any Tom, Dick, and Harry’s? How about April, May, and June? --- ## [Kids' dream jobs, 1920 to 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-dream-jobs-1920-to-2026/1031652)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-dream-jobs-1920-to-2026/1031652 "2026-08-03T14:59:13Z")
For me, the most interesting one happened in 1993, and it’s not hard to imagine why. Anyway, Lily Tomlin said back in the 1970s that if everyone became what they wanted to be when they were 6 years old, we’d have a worl… --- ## [(Old) A new topic for Slackards in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-new-topic-for-slackards-in-the-mmp/1031955)
**Author:** [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\ **Replies:** 347\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2026, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-new-topic-for-slackards-in-the-mmp/1031955 "2026-08-03T06:03:23Z")
I’m shocked. It’s 7:30am EDT. I didn’t even think I’d be 1st to comment on a topic. You Brits and early morning risers in US must be plum clean out of new topics…or just being slackards. Here ya go. Let’s see who ju… --- ## [Is "Cloaked" (purported data removal service) for real or an utter scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cloaked-purported-data-removal-service-for-real-or-an-utter-scam/1031807)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cloaked-purported-data-removal-service-for-real-or-an-utter-scam/1031807 "2026-08-03T00:55:40Z")
Title says it all. If it does what it says it does, it seems to be well worth the fee. As usual, reviews are utterly unreliable. So-- is Cloaked the real deal? --- ## [The Haunted Switch, or, has anyone seen this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-haunted-switch-or-has-anyone-seen-this/1032054)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-haunted-switch-or-has-anyone-seen-this/1032054 "2026-08-02T19:13:49Z")
I have several outdoor “water features”, controlled by a double paddle switches. Purely mechanical. old skool. They are behind outdoor waterproof covers. Similar to this Twice this week, my wife was working out there … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=8)