# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1008 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1009 --- ## [Do States Matter Much More Than The US Govt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-states-matter-much-more-than-the-us-govt/970828)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2022, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-states-matter-much-more-than-the-us-govt/970828 "2022-09-04T09:24:49Z")
Canada has always had strong provincial governments which control many important functions, including health and many other things - but not usually foreign policy, much law, immigration outside of Quebec, some taxation,… --- ## [What is this flexible plastic material](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751)
**Author:** [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2022, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751 "2022-09-04T04:02:53Z")
At my work, there are scraps of clear plastic sheet that was once used as a machine guard at my workplace. It’s flexible and tough and is about 7.25mm (or .28 inches) thick. I’d guess it’s vinyl but I can find its like n… --- ## [Probability formula for number of rolls to get a particular result](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-formula-for-number-of-rolls-to-get-a-particular-result/970042)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2022, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-formula-for-number-of-rolls-to-get-a-particular-result/970042 "2022-09-04T03:22:00Z")
If I have an N-sided die and I want to hit a particular number in that range 1-N, what is the formula for the average or expected number of times I’ll have to roll it before I get the one I want? --- ## [Hey? Is this a bad bad bad day? Or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-is-this-a-bad-bad-bad-day-or-not/970844)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2022, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-is-this-a-bad-bad-bad-day-or-not/970844 "2022-09-04T03:08:33Z")
That Clariton commercial that has the Christmas song in it. Come on Ad-men. That’s just not fair. And, makes me nauseous. Bayliss came to visit and had gas. It was terrible. Even he knew it and was mortified. I a… --- ## [What could I theoretically do with Steak Scraps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-i-theoretically-do-with-steak-scraps/970878)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2022, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-i-theoretically-do-with-steak-scraps/970878 "2022-09-04T01:31:25Z")
Last night we had ribeyes for dinner. It was nice. The streaks were well-marbled with hunks of fat and what I suppose you would call gristle. I put all this stuff on the patter and threw it away. That got me thinking, t… --- ## [Aspenglow is biased in her moderation based on her political views](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspenglow-is-biased-in-her-moderation-based-on-her-political-views/970692)
**Author:** [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspenglow-is-biased-in-her-moderation-based-on-her-political-views/970692 "2022-09-04T01:29:17Z")
From this thread: Appropriate punishment for Trump? - Politics & Elections - Straight Dope Message Board The OP requested “realistic and practical” answers to his query. Of course, as the OP predicted, some posters pr… --- ## [Voir dire questions for potential Trump criminal trial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voir-dire-questions-for-potential-trump-criminal-trial/970908)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2022, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voir-dire-questions-for-potential-trump-criminal-trial/970908 "2022-09-04T00:45:36Z")
I’m really not sure where to put this thread. Mods feel free to move as appropriate. Perhaps putting the cart before the horse here, but how would the attorneys handle the voir dire process in the event criminal charges… --- ## [Actors who got the part because of their names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-the-part-because-of-their-names/970835)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-got-the-part-because-of-their-names/970835 "2022-09-03T22:59:43Z")
It might not be the name alone that got them the part, but it might have helped nudge the judgement of whoever was casting. I’ve long wondered about whether Michael Lonsdale was cast as Hugo Drax in the James Bond movie… --- ## [Why is lie detector technology not considered viable in a USA court of law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-lie-detector-technology-not-considered-viable-in-a-usa-court-of-law/968764)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-lie-detector-technology-not-considered-viable-in-a-usa-court-of-law/968764 "2022-09-03T22:44:55Z")
It honestly doesn’t make much sense to me. Here we have this awesome technology that is able to literally tell whether a defendant is lying or not. Why aren’t using it for anything? The only two arguments in support of b… --- ## [Does anyone sell pre-packaged bread machine kits anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-sell-pre-packaged-bread-machine-kits-anymore/635628)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-sell-pre-packaged-bread-machine-kits-anymore/635628 "2022-09-03T22:04:15Z")
Some 15 years ago we had a breadmaker and made bread from pre-packaged kits. We dragged the breadmaker out recently and discovered that we were missing the impeller. My wife just bought a new Black and Decker breadmake… --- ## [Unpopular Opinions: Oprah Is Bad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpopular-opinions-oprah-is-bad/970098)
**Author:** [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpopular-opinions-oprah-is-bad/970098 "2022-09-03T21:49:16Z")
I used to think that Oprah Winfrey was doing good things in the world. Not so anymore. She has promoted so many bad things, like Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz. Now she’s shilling for worthless apple cider vinegar supplements. I ha… --- ## ["The electric cord of liberty still sparks in our hearts." Kevin McCarthy is being dragged on twitter for this Quote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electric-cord-of-liberty-still-sparks-in-our-hearts-kevin-mccarthy-is-being-dragged-on-twitter-for-this-quote/970812)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electric-cord-of-liberty-still-sparks-in-our-hearts-kevin-mccarthy-is-being-dragged-on-twitter-for-this-quote/970812 "2022-09-03T21:46:55Z")
This is a quote from Kevin McCarthy and Twitter is full of funny responses. Mallory McMorrow is my favorite person in the world right now. More from Mallory MalloryMcMorrow "The radiator of liberty warms our so… --- ## [American psycho explanation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-psycho-explanation/168817)
**Author:** [@ata66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ata66)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-psycho-explanation/168817 "2022-09-03T21:35:16Z")
can someone explain the end of american psycho ? i’ve seen it a couple times and still can’t really understand the ending, thanks. --- ## [Discourse malfunction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-malfunction/970747)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-malfunction/970747 "2022-09-03T21:11:00Z")
Is it just me? Iphone xr ios 15.6.1 The forums are randomly all mixed up, and then not. The threads are all jumbled together, I might see the thread about wholesalers from Factual Questions in Cafe Society alongside s… --- ## [At roughly what weight does a person start becoming immobile and dependent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-roughly-what-weight-does-a-person-start-becoming-immobile-and-dependent/970895)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-roughly-what-weight-does-a-person-start-becoming-immobile-and-dependent/970895 "2022-09-03T19:17:49Z")
By immobile I mean unable to perform activities of daily living, or maybe walk a quarter of a mile. FWIW I’m not talking about the negative metabolic effects of obesity. I know those set in at a much lower weight than i… --- ## [Tell me what you like and dislike about driving a Tesla automobile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054 "2022-09-03T19:13:58Z")
Got to ride in a Tesla as an Uber passenger this weekend and I was quite impressed. I understand not everyone has a positive opinion of Elon Musk, this thread isn’t about him. If you’ve driven, or even better owned, a … --- ## [Another "What is this thing?" - USB Edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-is-this-thing-usb-edition/970841)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-is-this-thing-usb-edition/970841 "2022-09-03T17:29:59Z")
Hi folks. In digging through my new wife’s box of increasingly obsolete electronic cables we came across this oddball 6-foot USB cable. Beyond the USB logo on the ordinary USB-A connector there is no branding or sym… --- ## [Plane threatens Walmart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-threatens-walmart/970887)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-threatens-walmart/970887 "2022-09-03T15:20:58Z")
I suggest shooting his ass down. One burst from a fighter jet and this plane is toast. --- ## [A First Experience With Old Airplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-first-experience-with-old-airplane/970571)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-first-experience-with-old-airplane/970571 "2022-09-03T15:17:47Z")
Have you ever experienced an old WWII multi-engine airplane taking off, as an observer on the ground? My job, these days, takes me to within a half mile(as the crow flies, as it were) of a small local airport and Milita… --- ## [What to do with a found iPhone? What would y'all do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-found-iphone-what-would-yall-do/957936)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2022, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-found-iphone-what-would-yall-do/957936 "2022-02-20T10:05:16Z")
Found a fancy iPhone. No identifying markings. No name. Locked. Plugged it in (kid has Cult phone stuff) and it’s in a foreign language, and wants a pass code. I’m assuming that the owner is long gone, back home. Found i… --- ## [Wives that have lots of guy friends (or vice versa)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wives-that-have-lots-of-guy-friends-or-vice-versa/970484)
**Author:** [@thescrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thescrr)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wives-that-have-lots-of-guy-friends-or-vice-versa/970484 "2022-09-03T08:54:21Z")
For this instance, I will use the example of a male/husband’s point of view thinking about his girlfriend/fiance/wife having lots of guy friends. Feel free to use the other angle as well. How many of you that are marri… --- ## [What's doing on with my flourescent light?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-doing-on-with-my-flourescent-light/970559)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-doing-on-with-my-flourescent-light/970559 "2022-09-03T07:53:02Z")
I have a fluorescent light fixture in my kitchen. It uses 2 F40-T12 tubes, in case that’s relevant. Last weekend it was really dim and flickery when I turned it on. This has happened before, and while replacing the tu… --- ## [Don Imus and His Ranch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/don-imus-and-his-ranch/970855)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/don-imus-and-his-ranch/970855 "2022-09-03T06:28:25Z")
Prior to his death Don Imus and his wife operated a ranch in New Mexico. Memory serves it was for kids with cancer. Anyone know if his wife kept it going? And speaking of his wife, what became of her? --- ## [I can do Amazing Things with my eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-can-do-amazing-things-with-my-eyes/970670)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-can-do-amazing-things-with-my-eyes/970670 "2022-09-03T05:14:12Z")
I wrote before about how I can see vivid colors when I close my eyes. Sitting on the shaded porch in bright sunlight if I close my eyes while wearing sunglasses I see a bright orange. Without the glasses I see blue. Deep… --- ## [How do "click here if you're not a robot" buttons from ReCaptcha work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-click-here-if-youre-not-a-robot-buttons-from-recaptcha-work/970770)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-click-here-if-youre-not-a-robot-buttons-from-recaptcha-work/970770 "2022-09-03T04:22:56Z")
We’ve all seen them. “Click here if you’re not a robot”. How do they work, exactly? We really can’t train a computer to click a button that says they’re not a robot? --- ## [Russell Brand's Ethnicity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russell-brands-ethnicity/562978)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russell-brands-ethnicity/562978 "2022-09-03T03:35:35Z")
Internet searching suggests that he is white with a 100% British background, but he does not look like the typical white British person. Does anyone have any details on Brand’s ethnicity? --- ## [Which law is most commonly flouted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-is-most-commonly-flouted/970485)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-law-is-most-commonly-flouted/970485 "2022-09-03T03:25:30Z")
Speed limits? Taxation? Putting ketchup on your hot dog? Eating Smarties but failing to reserve those if crimson hue? Masking violations? --- ## [Some threads on this board seem like a goldmine. (Not a lovefest thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-threads-on-this-board-seem-like-a-goldmine-not-a-lovefest-thread/970847)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-threads-on-this-board-seem-like-a-goldmine-not-a-lovefest-thread/970847 "2022-09-03T03:11:41Z")
There are a few that come to mind but the main one I’m thinking of right now is the “Stupid republican idea” threads. Say you’re a writer, and you’re doing research for a documentary on the GOP. How valuable would that … --- ## [Car batteries 50 miles as opposed to 300 miles range](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-batteries-50-miles-as-opposed-to-300-miles-range/970627)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-batteries-50-miles-as-opposed-to-300-miles-range/970627 "2022-09-03T03:10:26Z")
What would be the difference in batteries like this? --- ## [Biden finally calls out the MAGAs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-finally-calls-out-the-magas/970814)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-finally-calls-out-the-magas/970814 "2022-09-03T00:12:35Z")
Biden finally called out the MAGA Republicans last night. In a speech in Philadelphia, he pronounced the MAGA Republicans and Trump in particular as threats to our country. I’m happy that he finally did this. IMHO thi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1007) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1009)