# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=950 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 951 --- ## [Help with my tax debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-my-tax-debate/659627)
**Author:** [@sbright33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbright33)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-my-tax-debate/659627 "2013-08-01T21:01:30Z")
Or tell me I’m wrong please. I’d like that better because then I’d get money back from the IRS! I assert the answer is No, unless you spend more than about 8k. Is it possible to get a refund from the IRS without spend… --- ## [Sustained space flight is impossible!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sustained-space-flight-is-impossible/665087)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sustained-space-flight-is-impossible/665087 "2013-08-01T20:02:31Z")
Oh, the pain… OK, it’s two years old; but still… I’m pretty sure it was pretty well established prior to 2011 that we do have things in space. Perhaps the poster has educated herself since then. --- ## [Kuwaiti woman calls for global sex slave market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kuwaiti-woman-calls-for-global-sex-slave-market/664910)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kuwaiti-woman-calls-for-global-sex-slave-market/664910 "2013-08-01T19:46:21Z")
http://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/kuwaiti-female-politician-men-should-be-allowed-sex-slaves-female-prisoners-could-serve-the-role/ Just… WTF??? My biggest :confused: is what kind of mentality would lead a w… --- ## [Introduction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introduction/664878)
**Author:** [@Melab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melab)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introduction/664878 "2013-08-01T19:29:16Z")
So this is my first post. A little bit about myself: \[ul\] \[li\]I’m interested in science, politics, and philosophy.\[/li\]\[li\]I’m in college.\[/li\]\[/ul\] That’s about it for now. --- ## [Washington DC Smart card vs charm card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-smart-card-vs-charm-card/664927)
**Author:** [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-smart-card-vs-charm-card/664927 "2013-08-01T19:15:16Z")
I will in DC for 4-5 days in october, I want to get a card for riding the metro but I am confused about the difference between these cards. the only difference I can see is the the Charm card costs less for the card alon… --- ## [Wings of Freedom visits Northern Illinois](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wings-of-freedom-visits-northern-illinois/664991)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wings-of-freedom-visits-northern-illinois/664991 "2013-08-01T14:49:58Z")
Greater Kankakee Airport for the next few days. $12 ($6 for under twelve) to visit a B-17, a B-24, and a P-51. For those interested in going up, a half hour flight in the bombers is $425/person and a half hour flight … --- ## [Chicago Sun-Times fires all it's photogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-sun-times-fires-all-its-photogs/659813)
**Author:** [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-sun-times-fires-all-its-photogs/659813 "2013-08-01T00:20:50Z")
iPhones for everyone left standing! Union-busting or empty pockets? asks a Fortune story at the CNN link, above. Whither the Straight Dope? --- ## [Inspiring Personal Anecdotes From the SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspiring-personal-anecdotes-from-the-sdmb/665032)
**Author:** [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspiring-personal-anecdotes-from-the-sdmb/665032 "2013-07-31T23:35:18Z")
Okay so one of my managers sent me an e-mail from one of our new clients and she was rather disappointed in me (not angry mind you, but she didn’t think I did all that I could do for her). Anyhow, my manager seems to ha… --- ## [This is so me!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-me/665030)
**Author:** [@want2befree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2befree)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-me/665030 "2013-07-31T22:56:40Z")
I know, explains a lot… --- ## [Terrible Nightmare Woke Me Up Last Night!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrible-nightmare-woke-me-up-last-night/664995)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrible-nightmare-woke-me-up-last-night/664995 "2013-07-31T22:02:37Z")
It was \*very \*disturbing: Terrified, I immediatly woke up! --- ## [Overheard (or simply heard) sentences that gave you pause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overheard-or-simply-heard-sentences-that-gave-you-pause/664674)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overheard-or-simply-heard-sentences-that-gave-you-pause/664674 "2013-07-31T19:37:05Z")
I overheard two within the last week: “He’s depressed but he says it doesn’t bother him.” “Thank God there’s a God.” mmm --- ## [X-Keyscore:Widest-reaching NSA Digital Surveillance Program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-keyscore-widest-reaching-nsa-digital-surveillance-program/665007)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-keyscore-widest-reaching-nsa-digital-surveillance-program/665007 "2013-07-31T18:41:21Z")
“The National Security Agency (NSA) maintains a secret surveillance program called X-Keyscore that, according to new revelations by The Guardian, “allows analysts to search with no prior authorization through vast databa… --- ## [Divine interventions by thunderbolts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divine-interventions-by-thunderbolts/655311)
**Author:** [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divine-interventions-by-thunderbolts/655311 "2013-07-31T18:41:21Z")
We all saw that a god of thunder sent a message when the pope resigned by throwing a lightning bolt at the St. Peter’s Basilica. You might also be aware that what might be the same god of thunder seemed to disapprove wit… --- ## [Happy Birthday July 29ers!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-july-29ers/664801)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-july-29ers/664801 "2013-07-31T18:27:44Z")
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 In Memorium Ayesh… --- ## [How the ancient Japanese art of tree-trimming almost killed me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-ancient-japanese-art-of-tree-trimming-almost-killed-me/664811)
**Author:** [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-ancient-japanese-art-of-tree-trimming-almost-killed-me/664811 "2013-07-31T13:46:16Z")
So the other night I tuck the boys into bed, watch a little TV with my lovely and talented wife Aries28, and decide to go for a short jog around our neighborhood. I do this sometimes to make me feel like I’m actually exe… --- ## ["A Monkey With a Gun" is now "armedmonky"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-monkey-with-a-gun-is-now-armedmonky/664963)
**Author:** [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-monkey-with-a-gun-is-now-armedmonky/664963 "2013-07-31T06:30:10Z")
Not much to talk about here, just thought I should post it. Full disclosure I guess. I had to shorten “A Monkey With a Gun” due to to character limitations elsewhere, and I thought I’d just use the same handle everywh… --- ## [I finally started eating insects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-started-eating-insects/664730)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-started-eating-insects/664730 "2013-07-30T23:53:30Z")
It took me a very long time to come round to the idea of eating insects - I already enjoy quite a varied and somewhat adventurous diet, but for some reason, I had a complete mental block on the notion of (knowingly) cons… --- ## [Dr. Bomba's True ID Revealed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-bombas-true-id-revealed/664795)
**Author:** [@Vashbul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vashbul)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-bombas-true-id-revealed/664795 "2013-07-30T22:25:47Z")
The current animated film Epic includes a character, Dr. Bomba, a nerdy looking guy with protruding ears, glasses, a shock of tawny hair, and no chin. Watching him, it suddenly hit me: it’s Dilly Dally, the puppet kid f… --- ## ["U.S. going Communist" is now more popular than Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-going-communist-is-now-more-popular-than-congress/664523)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-going-communist-is-now-more-popular-than-congress/664523 "2013-07-30T21:54:03Z")
Also more popular than Hugo Chavez, but less popular than Paris Hilton. Story and chart here. --- ## [Funniest idioms in other languages (that don't translate)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funniest-idioms-in-other-languages-that-dont-translate/543879)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funniest-idioms-in-other-languages-that-dont-translate/543879 "2013-07-30T17:21:59Z")
My doctor is from Montenegro. Recently while getting a checkup, he noticed that I had a very subtle, benign heart murmur. After listening to me express concern, he went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable and k… --- ## [Wow. That was weird.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-that-was-weird/664611)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-that-was-weird/664611 "2013-07-30T17:19:11Z")
Just a little case of “wow, that’s surprising, assuming of course that it’s true.” There was a woman who had a weekly show on the locally owned religious station in the city I moved away from in 2011 that I enjoyed watc… --- ## [I do find one foot of snow in less than 24 hours a tad excessive.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-find-one-foot-of-snow-in-less-than-24-hours-a-tad-excessive/646917)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-find-one-foot-of-snow-in-less-than-24-hours-a-tad-excessive/646917 "2013-07-30T16:20:46Z")
especially since I’m the one who has to shovel us out. that is all. --- ## [Home Insurance from Storm Sandy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-insurance-from-storm-sandy/657999)
**Author:** [@sbright33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbright33)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-insurance-from-storm-sandy/657999 "2013-07-30T15:55:07Z")
I need some advice. I’ll keep it short. I hired an Insurance Adjuster to represent me with State Farm Insurance. The Engineers report is well done and it itemizes damages of 300K+, more than the policy limit of 300K. … --- ## [How Do You Fence Jewels Worth 136 Million Dollars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-fence-jewels-worth-136-million-dollars/664749)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-fence-jewels-worth-136-million-dollars/664749 "2013-07-30T15:33:38Z")
"A staggering $53 million of diamonds and other jewels were stolen Sunday from the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel in Cannes, in one of Europe’s biggest jewelry heists in recent years, police said. The hotel in the Frenc… --- ## [google.co.uk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-co-uk/664854)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-co-uk/664854 "2013-07-30T13:44:24Z")
Curious thing, that, google.co.uk does’nt seem to like Chris Hitchens. Hope it’s temporary, Peter Underhill --- ## [Inca Child Sacrifice Victims Given Drugs, Alcohol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inca-child-sacrifice-victims-given-drugs-alcohol/664884)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inca-child-sacrifice-victims-given-drugs-alcohol/664884 "2013-07-30T13:39:52Z")
“The mummified remains were discovered in 1999… Three children were buried there: a 13-year-old girl, and a younger boy and girl, thought to be about four or five years old…They discovered that all three had consumed alc… --- ## [New footage reveals that ostriches CAN fly!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-footage-reveals-that-ostriches-can-fly/664844)
**Author:** [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-footage-reveals-that-ostriches-can-fly/664844 "2013-07-30T13:22:18Z")
Yup, it’s true. :wink: From the folks that brought you CatCopter (previous thread here), an ostrich has now achieved flight not once, but twice! --- ## [Politician's Swedish Meatballs.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politicians-swedish-meatballs/664545)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politicians-swedish-meatballs/664545 "2013-07-30T11:00:50Z")
Whoops! :stuck\_out\_tongue: This will live on the internet forever. The sensitive area is blurred in the article. --- ## [George "Bud" Day Vietnam POW and Medal of Honor recipient died 7/27/2013..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-bud-day-vietnam-pow-and-medal-of-honor-recipient-died-7-27-2013/664840)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-bud-day-vietnam-pow-and-medal-of-honor-recipient-died-7-27-2013/664840 "2013-07-30T09:20:58Z")
He served his country well with honor and valor. He lived quite an incredible life beginning service as a Marine in WWII and then a pilot in Korea and Viet Nam. He was the highest ranking POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton… --- ## [Florida sheriff's deputies shoot unarmed man in his own driveway.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-sheriffs-deputies-shoot-unarmed-man-in-his-own-driveway/664882)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-sheriffs-deputies-shoot-unarmed-man-in-his-own-driveway/664882 "2013-07-30T05:02:07Z")
What the heck is wrong with the people in Florida? Two deputies unleash 17 bullets at this unarmed guy? :rolleyes: Geez, talk about trigger happy. Next time maybe they’ll just bring a rope and hang him from the neares… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=949) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=951)