# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1012 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1013 --- ## [Would there be Trump without Sarah Palin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-trump-without-sarah-palin/969979)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-trump-without-sarah-palin/969979 "2022-08-31T12:59:26Z")
Saw the headline below and clicked wondering how they would be in conflict. The article doesn’t talk about that, but skimming through it got me thinking. I haven’t thought about it except for the few minutes since I ski… --- ## [Certain thread (threads?) no longer showing number of unread posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/certain-thread-threads-no-longer-showing-number-of-unread-posts/970619)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/certain-thread-threads-no-longer-showing-number-of-unread-posts/970619 "2022-08-31T12:39:30Z")
One of the things I most love about discourse is the little blue bubble on the side of the thread title that shows how many unread posts you have in that thread. But for some reason it isn’t showing up in the “Stupid R… --- ## [Coin Flipper Club Puzzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coin-flipper-club-puzzle/970613)
**Author:** [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coin-flipper-club-puzzle/970613 "2022-08-31T12:23:46Z")
I came across this riddle on the internet… You have been selected to be a member of the prestigious “Supreme Coin Flipper Club.” Congratulations! What an honor! There are annual dues, however. These dues, appropriately… --- ## [Jared Kushner writing a book about the trump administration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-kushner-writing-a-book-about-the-trump-administration/944486)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-kushner-writing-a-book-about-the-trump-administration/944486 "2022-08-31T10:53:27Z")
It’s going to be The Definitive Book! Sheesh, I haven’t looked at a photo of that weenie for months and months. He still makes my skin crawl. --- ## [Taylor Swift sued by 3LW songwriters for allegedly stealing lyrics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taylor-swift-sued-by-3lw-songwriters-for-allegedly-stealing-lyrics/969507)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taylor-swift-sued-by-3lw-songwriters-for-allegedly-stealing-lyrics/969507 "2022-08-31T06:26:10Z")
Taylor Swift is being sued by the band 3LW for allegedly stealing the lyrics of her song “Shake It Off” from the latter’s 2001 song “Playas Gon’ Play”. (I guess we’re copyrighting the words “Playas gonna play and haters… --- ## [Personal opinions on Rat poison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-opinions-on-rat-poison/970615)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-opinions-on-rat-poison/970615 "2022-08-31T05:27:34Z")
Looking for a rat poison that works. I don’t trust the reviews I am reading based on my own experience. Nothing I have tried seems to work. They will not eat it. . --- ## [Georgia DA, What Were You Thinking? {Judge blocks Georgia DA Fani Willis from 2020 election probe because she held a fundraiser for the target’s political opponent}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/georgia-da-what-were-you-thinking-judge-blocks-georgia-da-fani-willis-from-2020-election-probe-because-she-held-a-fundraiser-for-the-target-s-political-opponent/968730)
**Author:** [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/georgia-da-what-were-you-thinking-judge-blocks-georgia-da-fani-willis-from-2020-election-probe-because-she-held-a-fundraiser-for-the-target-s-political-opponent/968730 "2022-08-31T03:26:34Z")
It seems that she has managed to avoid completely mucking up the entire business, but it strikes me as extremely shortsighted, ill advised, and definitively appears to be partisan (and there IS a political element here).… --- ## [Student loan forgiveness question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loan-forgiveness-question/970637)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loan-forgiveness-question/970637 "2022-08-31T03:07:02Z")
Does the recently announced student loan forgiveness have any effect on people just starting college this fall? Do they get a free $10k right off the bat? Or is the program just for those who had outstanding loans befor… --- ## [How comparatively big is 7,103 square miles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-comparatively-big-is-7-103-square-miles/970414)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-comparatively-big-is-7-103-square-miles/970414 "2022-08-30T23:34:52Z")
In a fantasy game I’m playing, a friend of mine is being promoted to the nobility and given dominion over a 7,103-square-mile island. How big is that in comparison to real-world analogues? --- ## [I'm looking for a scholarly description of Jane Austen's writing style and the appeal it exerts on the reader](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-scholarly-description-of-jane-austens-writing-style-and-the-appeal-it-exerts-on-the-reader/970516)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-scholarly-description-of-jane-austens-writing-style-and-the-appeal-it-exerts-on-the-reader/970516 "2022-08-30T21:50:04Z")
I’m looking for a scholarly description of Jane Austen’s writing style and the appeal it exerts on the reader. --- ## [Mikhail Gorbachov has died today, august 30th 2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mikhail-gorbachov-has-died-today-august-30th-2022/970621)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mikhail-gorbachov-has-died-today-august-30th-2022/970621 "2022-08-30T21:17:06Z")
Mikhail Gorbachev, last premier of the Soviet Union, has died today (august 30th 2022) in a Moscow hospital: --- ## [Ekedolphin's Six Days of Cooking for a Large Family](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ekedolphins-six-days-of-cooking-for-a-large-family/970210)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ekedolphins-six-days-of-cooking-for-a-large-family/970210 "2022-08-30T21:13:58Z")
Let me tell you about the past week. My landlady went into surgery and spent about 24 hours in the hospital on Wednesday, August 17, thankfully the day after I got an emergency pandemic allotment of about $140 on my EBT… --- ## [RIP Mikhail Gorbachev](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mikhail-gorbachev/970624)
**Author:** [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mikhail-gorbachev/970624 "2022-08-30T21:11:10Z")
This is a big one. I remember thinking about which major figures of the 20th century were still alive and concluding that Gorbachev was the biggest one. The grim reality of what Russia has become complicates his legacy … --- ## [Get a $3 movie ticket for almost any movie theater, almost any movie, in the US on September 3 for National Cinema Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-3-movie-ticket-for-almost-any-movie-theater-almost-any-movie-in-the-us-on-september-3-for-national-cinema-day/970500)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-3-movie-ticket-for-almost-any-movie-theater-almost-any-movie-in-the-us-on-september-3-for-national-cinema-day/970500 "2022-08-30T19:41:54Z")
National Cinema Day is Saturday, September 3, and most major cinemas and most major picture studios are collaborating to provide $3 movie tickets for any show. At least at Regal Cinemas, possibly among others, you can u… --- ## [What causes this parking phenomenon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-this-parking-phenomenon/970433)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-this-parking-phenomenon/970433 "2022-08-30T18:56:37Z")
By way of background: The parking lot at my apartment consists of a single long east-west aisle, connected to the street at the east end. There are perpendicular parking spots along the north and south sides of this ai… --- ## [Which of these "staples" do you have in your house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-staples-do-you-have-in-your-house/970101)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-staples-do-you-have-in-your-house/970101 "2022-08-30T18:00:10Z")
Which of these staples do you have in your home? Sugar Salt Flour None 2 of the 3 all 3 Bonus points: Baking powder/soda? I’m talking about “bulk” containers of any size - not a salt shaker or a sugar packet. W… --- ## [Books you haven't read but still feel qualified to talk about](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-you-havent-read-but-still-feel-qualified-to-talk-about/970527)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-you-havent-read-but-still-feel-qualified-to-talk-about/970527 "2022-08-30T16:55:22Z")
Two books are at the top of my list, both semi-political in nature, are 1984 and Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the first of which I hadn’t read until I was about 50 years old but had spent the previous 30 years speaking knowledgeab… --- ## [Auto-closed Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-closed-thread/970605)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-closed-thread/970605 "2022-08-30T16:13:01Z")
A thread in the Pit seems to have been closed by the SDMB itself “due to a large number of community flags” for at least four hours. That thread is far off the rails and surely could get closed, but I’m not sure I’ve se… --- ## [Stupid SodaStream Tricks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sodastream-tricks/970481)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sodastream-tricks/970481 "2022-08-30T15:00:24Z")
My K-Cup machine sits next to my SodaStream machine, so guess what I did? That’s right-I made a large cup of blonde roast coffee, let it chill, poured it into my SodaStream bottle and carbon-dioxied the shit out of it. … --- ## [How long does it take to search a house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-to-search-a-house/970329)
**Author:** [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-to-search-a-house/970329 "2022-08-30T14:44:26Z")
Partly inspired by recent events in Florida… On TV, detectives will search a suspect’s house and find what they are looking for in a few minutes, or quickly realize that there is nothing to see. But how does it work in… --- ## [Send a gift back in time to your parents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/send-a-gift-back-in-time-to-your-parents/970529)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/send-a-gift-back-in-time-to-your-parents/970529 "2022-08-30T14:25:09Z")
Suppose you had a time machine which would allow you to send an object back in time to your parents or some other significant person. Let’s say about 50 years ago. The goal here is NOT to give them information about the… --- ## [What is worse: tobacco or sausages (opinion question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-worse-tobacco-or-sausages-opinion-question/970437)
**Author:** [@thescrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thescrr)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-worse-tobacco-or-sausages-opinion-question/970437 "2022-08-30T13:14:34Z")
What do you think is worse? Smoking 1 cigarette a day (not a pack but just single cig) or eating 5 sausage weiners a day (processed pork, chicken, and the dozens of shady fillers they put in it)? Why am I asking thi… --- ## [What is the possibility: You’ve peed a molecule of Titanic’s iceberg i](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-possibility-you-ve-peed-a-molecule-of-titanic-s-iceberg-i/950471)
**Author:** [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-possibility-you-ve-peed-a-molecule-of-titanic-s-iceberg-i/950471 "2022-08-30T13:07:56Z")
Assuming you live in eastern N America or western Europe and are over 30 years old? --- ## [What is the point of this web forum spam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-this-web-forum-spam/939393)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-this-web-forum-spam/939393 "2022-08-30T12:54:29Z")
I am a moderator on an Excel web forum. Lately we are getting a lot of spam posts that all look like this: Subject: Where is Administration excelforum.com? Can I contact Administration? I’ts important. Regards. They… --- ## [is the district attorney considered a law enforcement agency in NY or CA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-district-attorney-considered-a-law-enforcement-agency-in-ny-or-ca/588722)
**Author:** [@akimbo\_gait](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akimbo_gait)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-district-attorney-considered-a-law-enforcement-agency-in-ny-or-ca/588722 "2022-08-30T12:45:42Z")
or generally in other places. How do states define “law enforcement agency?” Can anyone cite any NY or CA statutes defining the term? Would any government agency qualify as a law enforcement agency, since most presumably… --- ## [Clueless Craigslist scammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-craigslist-scammers/970476)
**Author:** [@sishoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sishoch)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-craigslist-scammers/970476 "2022-08-30T12:12:35Z")
I am posting this here because it is not really a rant or complaint but an observation. I am trying to sell a used RV on Craigslist and some other sites. I have been contacted several times by scammers that send bogus c… --- ## [One thing that would make your life happier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-that-would-make-your-life-happier/970448)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-that-would-make-your-life-happier/970448 "2022-08-30T09:33:36Z")
What is one thing that you could add or change to your life that would make you personally happier on an every day basis. I don’t mean something out of your control like world peace or Putin out of Ukraine. Or something … --- ## [How To Do Everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-do-everything/970453)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-do-everything/970453 "2022-08-30T05:00:12Z")
The New York Times has summarized some of its favourites from seven years of this column (hopefully not paywalled). It might come in handy if you forget how to deal with sharks, tongue tie a knot in cherry stems, or del… --- ## [British Aircraft Carrier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-aircraft-carrier/970497)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-aircraft-carrier/970497 "2022-08-30T04:32:50Z")
I note the HMS Prince if Wales has two superstructures. This, while those of U. S. carriers, which have one, are shrinking (referencing the new Ford class vs the Nimitz class ships). Anyone have any insight into why the… --- ## [“Granny shifting, not double-clutching like you should.”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/granny-shifting-not-double-clutching-like-you-should/970174)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/granny-shifting-not-double-clutching-like-you-should/970174 "2022-08-30T04:29:16Z")
Today I learned what double-clutching is. Double-clutching explained. The site says: The double clutching method is only used when downshifting. So my question: why would someone be downshifting during a drag race? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1011) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1013)