# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=824 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 825 --- ## [Al Qaeda has received $125 million in ransoms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-qaeda-has-received-125-million-in-ransoms/694399)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-qaeda-has-received-125-million-in-ransoms/694399 "2014-07-30T18:52:41Z")
I understood them to be kidnappers, but I had no idea that they were taking in this much money. Since 2008, what the NYT calls “Al Qaeda and its direct affiliates” have taken in at least $125MM and possibly as much as $… --- ## [Social Security to be in the red by the end of 2016.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-to-be-in-the-red-by-the-end-of-2016/694260)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-to-be-in-the-red-by-the-end-of-2016/694260 "2014-07-30T15:32:45Z")
Ran across this story about the Treasury’s report on funding for Medicare and Social Security. Something about this report strikes me as odd. They start out by reporting that Medicare is fully funded for about the next… --- ## [Do you perform any "lost arts"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-perform-any-lost-arts/693912)
**Author:** [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-perform-any-lost-arts/693912 "2014-07-30T14:55:58Z")
So, I was talking to a friend of mine about our mutual hobby of film photography. We both like to shoot black and white film and hand-process it (relatively simple to do, actually, the materials you need to do it can fi… --- ## [Have any of your childhood dreams come true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-your-childhood-dreams-come-true/694210)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-your-childhood-dreams-come-true/694210 "2014-07-30T14:37:58Z")
Have any of your childhood dreams come true? Or are you still waiting for any of them? Were any of them realistic? I never became a big league ball players, nor astounded delegates at a conference of astronomers, nor … --- ## [The Onion: Calling all Internet morons!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-onion-calling-all-internet-morons/694241)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-onion-calling-all-internet-morons/694241 "2014-07-30T13:37:57Z")
It’s almost like the anti-SDMB: New Decoy Website Launched To Lure Away All Moronic Internet Commenters --- ## [I'm 44 and scared of monsters under the bed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-44-and-scared-of-monsters-under-the-bed/693137)
**Author:** [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-44-and-scared-of-monsters-under-the-bed/693137 "2014-07-30T13:00:24Z")
Well, between the bed and the wall. I have a waterbed, so if a monster is under the bed, he (OR she) can’t get to me. Every once in a while, my arm will flop over the side of the bed. I immediately retract it back, of… --- ## [Prevent cancer: smell your friends' farts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevent-cancer-smell-your-friends-farts/694183)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevent-cancer-smell-your-friends-farts/694183 "2014-07-30T05:55:00Z")
Enemies too, anybody, makes no difference. Whenever you smell that tell-tale odor of hydrogen sulfide, inhale and savor it. It’s good for you. So says a study from the University of Exeter in England. Hmm. I’m as heal… --- ## [Last of the Enola Gay Crew Dies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-of-the-enola-gay-crew-dies/694395)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-of-the-enola-gay-crew-dies/694395 "2014-07-30T03:36:29Z")
Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, age 93. RIP, Captain Van Kirk. :frowning: --- ## [President Warren Harding's love letters: quite ah, passionate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-warren-hardings-love-letters-quite-ah-passionate/694345)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2014, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-warren-hardings-love-letters-quite-ah-passionate/694345 "2014-07-30T01:07:01Z")
When theres snow on the roof there’s still fire in the belly. Old Warren and his good buddy Jerry knew how to stick it to the ladies. :smiley: :stuck\_out\_tongue: I’m curious to read more of these letters. There shoul… --- ## [I died today - By Duke Roberts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-died-today-by-duke-roberts/694341)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-died-today-by-duke-roberts/694341 "2014-07-29T22:42:03Z")
A family says goodbye to their dog (Duke) with an affection-filled final day. All hands, prepare to cry. More about Duke here. --- ## [How does one get picked up by aliens in UFO's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-picked-up-by-aliens-in-ufos/694306)
**Author:** [@Timetrvlr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timetrvlr)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-picked-up-by-aliens-in-ufos/694306 "2014-07-29T19:00:28Z")
I’ve always been interested in the UFO stories; it’s strictly self-interest on my part. I’ve heard a lot about alien abductions over the years, I’ve never studied them, but I can’t help but read those bizarre tabloid acc… --- ## [Happy Birthday July 29ers!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-july-29ers/694313)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-july-29ers/694313 "2014-07-29T15:40:53Z")
Wishing all my Doper July 29th brothers and sisters a very happy birthday! Here’s the known list of July 29ers: Agent Foxtrot Bear\_Nenno EJsGirl Kyla Nuveena Reepicheep Mame Moirai swampbear Silence Lenore In… --- ## [New uses for old sayings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-uses-for-old-sayings/694320)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-uses-for-old-sayings/694320 "2014-07-29T14:27:48Z")
I don’t frequent hookers. I don’t occasion hookers. Ain’t ne’er been to no hooker. But I don’t judge those who do. In fact, it should be allowed under the theory of free enterprise. In that spirit, I am going to sha… --- ## [Silly idea: what if inventions were all treated as discoveries...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-idea-what-if-inventions-were-all-treated-as-discoveries/694166)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-idea-what-if-inventions-were-all-treated-as-discoveries/694166 "2014-07-29T03:02:53Z")
Think of as bizarre and unlikely examples as you can to go along with these “discoveries”: napalm rock and roll Zoroastrianism cucumbers St. Vitus Dance 4th of July …there just have to be some weird ones :smiley: --- ## [Federal judge declares D.C. ban on carrying handguns in public unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-declares-d-c-ban-on-carrying-handguns-in-public-unconstitutional/694143)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-declares-d-c-ban-on-carrying-handguns-in-public-unconstitutional/694143 "2014-07-28T23:11:57Z")
A federal judge has declared that one of the District’s principal gun control laws is unconstitutional and ordered that its enforcement be halted. The ruling by Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr., made public Saturday, or… --- ## [And so it begins! (The apocalypse)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-so-it-begins-the-apocalypse/694023)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-so-it-begins-the-apocalypse/694023 "2014-07-28T21:03:37Z")
It is only a matter of time now. Anybody want to go in on a chartered jet to Madagascar? --- ## [An ALL-CAP in your ass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-all-cap-in-your-ass/694223)
**Author:** [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-all-cap-in-your-ass/694223 "2014-07-28T21:01:14Z")
I have just been affronted by the indignity of having a post of mine “auto-corrected” by some soulless bot to remove the ALL-CAPS stylee that I had so wittily chosen for it. Fair enough, them’s the rules. Here’s my que… --- ## [Frightening sight on the road](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frightening-sight-on-the-road/693437)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frightening-sight-on-the-road/693437 "2014-07-28T16:10:26Z")
I spent the last 2 days mostly on I-95 and in each direction, I saw other vehicles that made me alter my position in traffic. Southbound, I saw a king cab pickup pulling a trailer. Normally, that wouldn’t be a big deal… --- ## [What does the Google street view of your home show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-google-street-view-of-your-home-show/693638)
**Author:** [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-google-street-view-of-your-home-show/693638 "2014-07-28T15:06:03Z")
I just looked my address up and it is sort of eerie. The photo is of my house shortly after I bought it almost four years ago - the garden isn’t done but the fence is up, still has the nasty old concrete porch, the dead… --- ## [former Military...favorite jargon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-military-favorite-jargon/692752)
**Author:** [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-military-favorite-jargon/692752 "2014-07-28T14:55:29Z")
Former USAF SP. What is your favorite military terms? I was in before MREs…C rats for us. My favorite? Green eggs and ham. beans and MFers. John Wayne can openers. John Wayne cookies. What else? The people in th… --- ## [Watch out for the lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-out-for-the-lightning/694191)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-out-for-the-lightning/694191 "2014-07-28T14:16:01Z")
Nine people struck by lightning today. People in L.A. just don’t know how to walk when there’s lightning. --- ## [another former military thing - newbie quests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-former-military-thing-newbie-quests/694039)
**Author:** [@bunyupp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bunyupp)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-former-military-thing-newbie-quests/694039 "2014-07-28T13:03:03Z")
The thread about “former military…favorite jargon” reminded me of this story at the military-themed web site Duffel Blog. It’s about sending a new guy (newbie, nug, whatever you called them) to find something that didn’… --- ## [The Death of a Peace Corps Volunteer in China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-a-peace-corps-volunteer-in-china/694087)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-a-peace-corps-volunteer-in-china/694087 "2014-07-28T12:17:42Z")
“The death of Nick Castle, a 23-year-old volunteer in China, raises serious questions about Peace Corps medical care.” I don’t see this at all. The volunteer was an adult, teaching in a Chinese university. If I was in… --- ## [A sad day..My best friend died.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sad-day-my-best-friend-died/693984)
**Author:** [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sad-day-my-best-friend-died/693984 "2014-07-28T03:42:50Z")
Day before yesterday, I opened my Facebook page and the first thing I see is a post from my best friend’s daughter, saying RIP to her mom. I was struck dumb. My friend lived in Kansas City, so I didn’t see her often. Sh… --- ## [Changing your look for the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-your-look-for-the-mmp/693653)
**Author:** [@piespies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piespies)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-your-look-for-the-mmp/693653 "2014-07-28T03:31:23Z")
Blurf. Sat on the fast train to work for The Man. Eating fruit, going for a run later and walking the pup when I get home. Life is good. --- ## [Russian Space Capsule Goes Off Course](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-space-capsule-goes-off-course/694092)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-space-capsule-goes-off-course/694092 "2014-07-28T02:04:40Z")
Bill Maher mentioned this last night, too. C’mon people, we’ve all seen this movie. After getting the bio specimens on board irradiated, the capsule crashes in some inaccessible jungle in Africa\* or South America, an… --- ## [Good thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-thoughts/694044)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-thoughts/694044 "2014-07-27T23:21:48Z")
Too much negativity lately… let me share something else. I opened my front door this morning, just to check the clouds and breeze, and found something lit by the bright morning sunshine on my porch, moving from one pott… --- ## [Yacht with 7 Aboard Probably Lost at Sea in N.Z.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yacht-with-7-aboard-probably-lost-at-sea-in-n-z/662211)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yacht-with-7-aboard-probably-lost-at-sea-in-n-z/662211 "2014-07-27T22:12:43Z")
"A New Zealand meteorologist took the last known calls from seven people aboard a classic American racing yacht missing in the Tasman: “The weather’s turned nasty, how do we get away from it?” The phone calls and texts … --- ## [What strange cargo have you driven or hauled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-strange-cargo-have-you-driven-or-hauled/693749)
**Author:** [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-strange-cargo-have-you-driven-or-hauled/693749 "2014-07-27T17:22:02Z")
and by that I mean visible to others on the road with you. No fair having a dead hooker hidden in your back seat under a blanket. The one other thread got me thinking: I haven’t seen much of note but I’ve been guilty of… --- ## [About the “Diversity Visa Program”. What does diversity mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-diversity-visa-program-what-does-diversity-mean/694049)
**Author:** [@PlainLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainLost)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2014, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-diversity-visa-program-what-does-diversity-mean/694049 "2014-07-27T14:51:05Z")
Hello First of all Sorry for my bad English. I have a question about the “Diversity Immigrant Visa”. In case you don’t know about it: More: Diversity Immigrant Visa - Wikipedia What does “diversity” mean here? Cultu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=823) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=825)