# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1158&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1159 --- ## ["Is this a scam?" chapter seventy-billion, need answer fastish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-chapter-seventy-billion-need-answer-fastish/962247)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-chapter-seventy-billion-need-answer-fastish/962247 "2022-04-08T13:03:18Z")
Yeah yeah, I know: if you have to ask “is this a scam” the answer is highly likely to be yes. In this case, though, I’m not so sure. So about three years ago I had brief contact with a neighbor, as some bamboo growing o… --- ## [Uncommon floor rug type](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncommon-floor-rug-type/962222)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2022, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncommon-floor-rug-type/962222 "2022-04-05T00:47:44Z")
This is a question, but I have a hard time expressing this in a clear way that people can understand and not think I am crazy (-ier), so I am not expecting an answer. Hoping, maybe, but not really expecting. In cleaning… --- ## [What does, or did, the U.S. Customs Service use those monumental custom houses for? Do they need all that space blocks away from the actual docks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-or-did-the-u-s-customs-service-use-those-monumental-custom-houses-for-do-they-need-all-that-space-blocks-away-from-the-actual-docks/962501)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-or-did-the-u-s-customs-service-use-those-monumental-custom-houses-for-do-they-need-all-that-space-blocks-away-from-the-actual-docks/962501 "2022-04-08T07:25:51Z")
(For example, this large neoclassical Custom House completed a few years before the Civil War, when the seaport was busier than it is today.) I’ve always imagined that the customs operations were carried out mostly at … --- ## [Russia was justified in its invasion of Ukraine..let's discuss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-was-justified-in-its-invasion-of-ukraine-lets-discuss/960590)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-was-justified-in-its-invasion-of-ukraine-lets-discuss/960590 "2022-04-08T04:17:47Z")
So, I have seen this theme a lot on other media, especially Indian sites that cater to an India audience, but also Chinese sites that do the same…and of course Russia sites and their official line. The narrative goes so… --- ## [Neighbor placing food scraps in suburban yard to attract wildlife](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbor-placing-food-scraps-in-suburban-yard-to-attract-wildlife/962455)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neighbor-placing-food-scraps-in-suburban-yard-to-attract-wildlife/962455 "2022-04-08T04:11:09Z")
We live in a Chicago suburb, with lots approximately 60’x150’. Not terribly congested, but not rural either. Plenty of wildlife including skunks, raccoons, fox, possums, squirrels, chipmunks, mice… The neighbors diago… --- ## [Is there a "vexatious litigant" concept is U.S. federal courts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-vexatious-litigant-concept-is-u-s-federal-courts/962332)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-vexatious-litigant-concept-is-u-s-federal-courts/962332 "2022-04-08T03:43:09Z")
Trump filed suit against Hillary Clinton et al a few weeks ago, saying she slandered him during the 2016 campaign. Of course, Trump has spent his life filing frivolous lawsuits. Now, an editorial in the St. Louis Post-… --- ## [The Solution To Partisans and Media Bubbles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-solution-to-partisans-and-media-bubbles/962459)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-solution-to-partisans-and-media-bubbles/962459 "2022-04-08T03:34:01Z")
The Atlantic offers a solution to the polarization of opinions that exists everywhere. Does this sort of stuff ever work? Will the future be more collaborative? --- ## [Rusting destroyed vehicles in Ukraine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusting-destroyed-vehicles-in-ukraine/962401)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rusting-destroyed-vehicles-in-ukraine/962401 "2022-04-08T03:33:00Z")
Over the past few weeks we’ve seen lots of photographs depicting destroyed tanks and other vehicles. It seems like a high percentage of these blown up vehicles have significant areas of what appears to be rust on them. S… --- ## [Which books are best experienced in the audio version?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-books-are-best-experienced-in-the-audio-version/938112)
**Author:** [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-books-are-best-experienced-in-the-audio-version/938112 "2022-04-08T03:14:46Z")
(I’m sure we’ve had threads like this before, but it’s been awhile, and since this came up in another thread, I thought I’d start this one rather than let that one get hijacked.) So, which books are best experienced as … --- ## [Lazy media people and imagery and footage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-media-people-and-imagery-and-footage/962485)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-media-people-and-imagery-and-footage/962485 "2022-04-08T03:12:32Z")
Every so often I’ll be watching TV and there’ll be a documentary or a news clip where it seems like lazy or ignorant media person just chose some near-random piece of sort-of related media I actually have seen a WW II d… --- ## [They're always empty!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-always-empty/959378)
**Author:** [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-always-empty/959378 "2022-04-08T02:37:23Z")
So SWMBO has pointed out something to me and now I see it everywhere. Since I refuse to suffer alone I’m going to share this fascinating, infuriating tidbit with you… Next time you watch a show, any show, pay attention … --- ## [Dexter coming back in 2021](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dexter-coming-back-in-2021/922971)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dexter-coming-back-in-2021/922971 "2022-04-08T01:42:14Z")
10 episodes ‘Dexter’ Revived at Showtime for Limited Series – The Hollywood Reporter and yes I know a lot of people disliked the last season and the ending so please spare me those comments --- ## [There's been a Communist revolution and your house now belongs to the people. How did this play out in concrete terms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-been-a-communist-revolution-and-your-house-now-belongs-to-the-people-how-did-this-play-out-in-concrete-terms/962335)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-been-a-communist-revolution-and-your-house-now-belongs-to-the-people-how-did-this-play-out-in-concrete-terms/962335 "2022-04-08T01:34:20Z")
\[For context, I recently finished listening to Waiting For Snow In Havana, by Carlos Eire, who lived through the Cuban Revolution as a boy.\] Of course, I know that large estates/mansions belonging to former nobility and… --- ## [NASA to test next moon rocket soon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-to-test-next-moon-rocket-soon/961205)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-to-test-next-moon-rocket-soon/961205 "2022-04-08T01:07:12Z")
way behind schedule by 5 years. It will be an uncrewed test by June if things go as planned . It’s pretty similar to the Saturn V moon rocket in capacity it can handle also similar in height and width to Satur… --- ## [Has anyone here had a cardiac alcohol septal ablation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-had-a-cardiac-alcohol-septal-ablation/962002)
**Author:** [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-had-a-cardiac-alcohol-septal-ablation/962002 "2022-04-08T00:10:17Z")
To expand the question a bit: Has anyone here either had an alcohol septal ablation (treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), or has/had direct experience with somebody who’s had one and can talk about it? Mine is sc… --- ## [Death on the Nile (another Kenneth Brannagh spectacular)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-on-the-nile-another-kenneth-brannagh-spectacular/956609)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-on-the-nile-another-kenneth-brannagh-spectacular/956609 "2022-04-07T23:40:01Z")
I just saw a trailer for this (here) and I admit I will watch it, when I can do so for free. Unfortunately, I saw the Ustinov version and have read the book, so I know the key plot device in unravelling whodunit. Therefo… --- ## [The fake electors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fake-electors/962486)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fake-electors/962486 "2022-04-07T23:16:46Z")
Was orange guy in on that from the beginning? --- ## [Advertising vegetarian food that tastes like meat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-vegetarian-food-that-tastes-like-meat/962429)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-vegetarian-food-that-tastes-like-meat/962429 "2022-04-07T22:38:22Z")
This is a question for vegetarians. I sometimes see advertisements for vegetarian food that emphasizes it’s meat-like qualities. Descriptions such as ‘chicken-style’ pieces of vegetable protein that look, feel and tast… --- ## [Why are you pro choice or pro life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-pro-choice-or-pro-life/949904)
**Author:** [@Cathy967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cathy967)\ **Replies:** 376\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-pro-choice-or-pro-life/949904 "2022-04-07T19:31:14Z")
I am pro choice because… The pro-life movement is built on lying and twisting the emotions of others. The pro-life movement is built on the use of religious dogma to control the lives of others. The pro-life movement … --- ## [Florida Man becomes art teacher!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-becomes-art-teacher/962477)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-becomes-art-teacher/962477 "2022-04-07T19:31:03Z")
But, being Florida Man, he gets fired and arrested a month later when he “smokes a lot of weed” and does some unsanctioned performance art. --- ## [Launch codes enclosed in a small rigid thing that must be snapped in half](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/launch-codes-enclosed-in-a-small-rigid-thing-that-must-be-snapped-in-half/961610)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/launch-codes-enclosed-in-a-small-rigid-thing-that-must-be-snapped-in-half/961610 "2022-04-07T19:17:45Z")
In a few movies and other media (including Rick & Morty) I’ve seen the scenario where someone needs to use nuclear launch codes or other important access information and in order to get it, they have to break open a smal… --- ## [Company Mergers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/company-mergers/962462)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/company-mergers/962462 "2022-04-07T19:05:19Z")
I know I mentioned this a few months ago, the company I work for was sold to another company. Those of you who have been through this, how did you cope with the stress and anxiety, presuming you didn’t end up finding em… --- ## [Why Do Some Viruses Never Leave The Body?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-viruses-never-leave-the-body/962409)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-viruses-never-leave-the-body/962409 "2022-04-07T18:36:49Z")
Herpes would be one example. There are treatments for it. But once you have it you have it for life, no? Why? And HIV. With modern medicines you can get to the point where it is undetectable in your blood and other bodi… --- ## [What defunct message boards did you participate in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-defunct-message-boards-did-you-participate-in/961070)
**Author:** [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-defunct-message-boards-did-you-participate-in/961070 "2022-04-07T16:48:44Z")
I nurtured my love for movies and home video at dvdfile.com, and a splinter board dvdinmypants.com. Pretty sure one or the other led me to the SDMB. I was a big Dance Dance Revolution fan and found ddrmaniax.net, a comm… --- ## [Questions About Canned Boiled Peanuts- Why So Much Salt? Why No Sweet Variety?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-canned-boiled-peanuts-why-so-much-salt-why-no-sweet-variety/962430)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-canned-boiled-peanuts-why-so-much-salt-why-no-sweet-variety/962430 "2022-04-07T16:45:30Z")
I finally found canned boiled peanuts here in Philly. I LOVE them. I understand the appeal of a salty snack. But the salt level seems almost excessive. I can buy regular or spicy. Why not sweet? We know that honey and pe… --- ## [North America running out of phone numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-america-running-out-of-phone-numbers/962187)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-america-running-out-of-phone-numbers/962187 "2022-04-07T15:12:02Z")
(meanwhile I am being told that my topic is similar to “teenage sex in Northern Europe vs North America” :slight\_smile: ) We all know that North America (Canada,USA, and a few Caribbean islands) are running out of are… --- ## [Wasting fuel as a criminal offense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasting-fuel-as-a-criminal-offense/960762)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasting-fuel-as-a-criminal-offense/960762 "2022-04-07T14:39:38Z")
What would have to happen to make wanton waste of fuel a criminal offense, particularly in the US? Question was inspired mostly by those supposed Freedom Convoys, but anything similar might count, too. I wasn’t around f… --- ## [Need help with an iMac issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-imac-issue/962453)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-imac-issue/962453 "2022-04-07T14:36:00Z")
We are moving and the packers come in a week. Way back when I bought my iMac 27, I was able to figure out how to remove the Apple ID login requirement. I would like to restore this requirement, as the computer will be in… --- ## [What unsubstantiated historical event would you like to see verified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unsubstantiated-historical-event-would-you-like-to-see-verified/960895)
**Author:** [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unsubstantiated-historical-event-would-you-like-to-see-verified/960895 "2022-04-07T13:28:38Z")
There are many colorful events throughout history that have been written about but not verified with evidence. It leaves the burning question, did they really occur? What document(s) would you like to see discovered tha… --- ## [Will Putin’s failure in Ukraine embolden other areas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-putin-s-failure-in-ukraine-embolden-other-areas/962189)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2022, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-putin-s-failure-in-ukraine-embolden-other-areas/962189 "2022-04-07T13:14:26Z")
I think it’s fairly safe to say that the invasion of Ukraine hasn’t gone the way that Putin (or anyone else for that matter) had expected it to. Will this lack of apparent military might embolden any other countries or r… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1157&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1159&state=tracking)