# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1179&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1180 --- ## [When, diplomatically speaking are we at war with a country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-diplomatically-speaking-are-we-at-war-with-a-country/961147)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2022, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-diplomatically-speaking-are-we-at-war-with-a-country/961147 "2022-03-16T07:38:42Z")
I’ve been very busy the last few weeks and have left posts that I made unaddressed, and apologies for that, but I am following the news I simply don’t understand how international relations work. There are some very goo… --- ## [A Question About Avian Gait](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-avian-gait/960849)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2022, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-avian-gait/960849 "2022-03-16T07:21:18Z")
When pigeons walk, they bobble their head forwards and backwards with every step. Other birds do it too. But by no means all: sparrows and tits don’t. So first I wondered if this was because sparrows and tits jump like … --- ## [What do You do with the fat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-the-fat/956497)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2021, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-the-fat/956497 "2021-12-27T11:20:51Z")
Specifically, you have a piece of meat, something with a fat cap. Do you leave it on or does it depend on how you plan to cook the meat? If you remove or trim it at all, do you save it for later use or just throw it ou… --- ## [What is the best Side dish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-side-dish/956449)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-side-dish/956449 "2022-01-03T12:37:38Z")
Some of you might get all nitpicky about this, insisting what is good with steak may not be as good with chicken or beef or whatever. So be it. List the side dish you most like, specify what you will, justify it if you… --- ## ["Ancient Indian Burial Grounds" in fiction. (possible unboxed spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-indian-burial-grounds-in-fiction-possible-unboxed-spoilers/330977)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-indian-burial-grounds-in-fiction-possible-unboxed-spoilers/330977 "2022-03-16T03:46:52Z")
This post may contain a few things which are spoilers for those who haven’t seen various movies, so I’m going to fill up the beginning with some text so people who use the mouseover feature won’t get screwed. Tacos. Tac… --- ## [Recovering a Bitlocker key](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-a-bitlocker-key/960971)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2022, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-a-bitlocker-key/960971 "2022-03-16T01:39:36Z")
This morning I bricked my laptop with a bit of tea. I dropped it off to see if the data could be recovered from the SSD and this afternoon the tech called to say the drive was encrypted with BitLocker. I remember when … --- ## [How Republicans See the Political Spectrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-republicans-see-the-political-spectrum/960680)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2022, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-republicans-see-the-political-spectrum/960680 "2022-03-16T00:44:09Z")
I’m reading “A History of What Russia Expected, How it’s Backfired, and What Putin Likely Missed” on the Daily Kos site. It’s an interesting analysis of why he invaded the Ukraine and thought he could get away with it. W… --- ## [At what point is it appropriate to give an expecting couple a congratulations card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-it-appropriate-to-give-an-expecting-couple-a-congratulations-card/961060)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-it-appropriate-to-give-an-expecting-couple-a-congratulations-card/961060 "2022-03-15T23:55:09Z")
A woman in church whom I consider a friend has just announced on her Facebook wall that she’s 15 weeks pregnant. Is now the time to give her a congratulations card, or does protocol dictate that I wait until closer to t… --- ## [I Violated Facebook's Terms of Service (Ukraine Related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-violated-facebooks-terms-of-service-ukraine-related/960914)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-violated-facebooks-terms-of-service-ukraine-related/960914 "2022-03-15T23:30:14Z")
In response to my mother’s Facebook post in which she stated that NATO promised to never expand I wrote the following: I received a message from Facebook telling me this was a violation of their Terms of Service regard… --- ## [How smart is (are) your cat(s)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-smart-is-are-your-cat-s/960197)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-smart-is-are-your-cat-s/960197 "2022-03-15T21:47:38Z")
We have two cats, a brother and sister from the same litter. Both are very good-natured cats, but the male is extremely friendly and engages with people much more than his sister, who is somewhat more aloof in general. H… --- ## [TV closing themes with sung lyrics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019 "2022-03-15T21:29:54Z")
It seems that the vast majority of television shows’ closing themes (i.e., the music played over the end credits) are instrumental. If the opening theme has sung lyrics, then the closing theme is usually an instrumental… --- ## [Found an Ammonite fossil!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-an-ammonite-fossil/948199)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-an-ammonite-fossil/948199 "2022-03-15T21:06:12Z")
I was at Trent Falls on Vancouver Island and found this super awesome ammonite fossil. The area is known for fossils which was the main reason we were there so I was super happy to have found it. … --- ## [AT&T is sending me a phone unsoliticited, activating it, and disabling my current phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-is-sending-me-a-phone-unsoliticited-activating-it-and-disabling-my-current-phone/946406)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-is-sending-me-a-phone-unsoliticited-activating-it-and-disabling-my-current-phone/946406 "2022-03-15T21:03:02Z")
I’ve gotten the texts that say “AT&T is shutting down our 3G network and your phone will be toast when we do,” blahblahblah. I’ve researched this and apparently my BlackBerry (unlocked and bought by me at amazon) is fine… --- ## [Is Libertarianism A Form Of Conservativism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-libertarianism-a-form-of-conservativism/960315)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-libertarianism-a-form-of-conservativism/960315 "2022-03-15T20:56:02Z")
As I’ve said many times before, I have been a Democrat and a liberal to varying degrees all my life. (I think I was more ‘moderate’ when I was younger, FWIW.) But for the longest, longest time I have wondered. Is the li… --- ## [Do you eat one item at a time, and what does that say about you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-one-item-at-a-time-and-what-does-that-say-about-you/960700)
**Author:** [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-eat-one-item-at-a-time-and-what-does-that-say-about-you/960700 "2022-03-15T20:41:38Z")
I know it’s the gentlefolk way to take a bite of this and a bite of that, and, to get all Victorian on your ass, to leave a portion uneaten on the plate, as well as to scoop soup away from oneself and only butter a torn … --- ## [Is Soda an Appropriate drink with breakfast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-soda-an-appropriate-drink-with-breakfast/958631)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-soda-an-appropriate-drink-with-breakfast/958631 "2022-03-15T20:38:26Z")
poll Drinking Soda is a generational divide. I grew up when Soda was an occasional treat. Maybe after mowing the yard or playing sports. I still remember the shock at seeing Soda on the breakfast menu at McDonald’s. The… --- ## [11/22/63 novel by Stephen King, your opinions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-22-63-novel-by-stephen-king-your-opinions/960565)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-22-63-novel-by-stephen-king-your-opinions/960565 "2022-03-15T20:17:11Z")
I know of this book, but not really anything about it. What’s your opinion of it? I generally like Stephen King, The Stand and Christine are excellent. I can’t stand anything to do with Dark Tower. I also don’t care for … --- ## [OK im confused about this one ...... filling out a job app is bad or beneath certain people now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878 "2022-03-15T20:19:17Z")
OK I read this and lt left me a bit confuzzled (not hard to do these days I know) … But are Résumés and linked in etc making job applications obsolete? Or was filling out an application in front of the interviewer be… --- ## [Social Security: What happens if my representative payee dies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-what-happens-if-my-representative-payee-dies/960959)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-what-happens-if-my-representative-payee-dies/960959 "2022-03-15T19:42:48Z")
My mother is getting up there in age, and is suffering from numerous ailments. She and I are both on Social Security Disability; her for physical reasons, me for mental health reasons. She is my SSA representative paye… --- ## [The new "whopper melts "from burger king are they as bad as reported?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-whopper-melts-from-burger-king-are-they-as-bad-as-reported/961094)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-whopper-melts-from-burger-king-are-they-as-bad-as-reported/961094 "2022-03-15T19:41:42Z")
it seems burger king tried to make a patty melt style junior whopper and well its been mercilessly savaged here Has anyone tried them yet if so are that bad? --- ## [What is the truth about the Dombas region's support for the Russian invasion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-truth-about-the-dombas-regions-support-for-the-russian-invasion/961121)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-truth-about-the-dombas-regions-support-for-the-russian-invasion/961121 "2022-03-15T19:12:18Z")
I have heard conflicting reports from different media outlets regarding the Donbas region. Some so-called Russia experts have said that after Russia’s invasion of the Crimea those who had been very pro-Russian in the Don… --- ## [Your top 3 comedies? (you may cite more than 3, but please first list #1, #2, & #3)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-3-comedies-you-may-cite-more-than-3-but-please-first-list-1-2-3/960348)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-3-comedies-you-may-cite-more-than-3-but-please-first-list-1-2-3/960348 "2022-03-15T18:55:02Z")
1. This Is Spinal Tap – The first time I saw it I thought it was the most brilliant work of comedy I have ever seen. My opinion has not changed. 2. The Big Lebowski – Just re-watched it the other day. Donny: “They poste… --- ## [Ian McKellan's Richard III](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ian-mckellans-richard-iii/961128)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ian-mckellans-richard-iii/961128 "2022-03-15T18:37:50Z")
I loved this movie and the play is one of my favorites. I stumbled upon this site and thought Dopers might enjoy it as well. Richard III Screenplay --- ## [When Cecil Adams is wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-cecil-adams-is-wrong/952302)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-cecil-adams-is-wrong/952302 "2022-03-15T18:31:17Z")
Did Cecil Adams ever offer a mea culpa for any article? A recent topic on this subject was whisked away to the cornfields. I have saved some of the (non-offending) replies. :slight\_smile: I too thought he soft-pe… --- ## [Florida Man does something smart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-does-something-smart/961125)
**Author:** [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-does-something-smart/961125 "2022-03-15T18:31:13Z")
Takes about-to-be-scrapped Learjet for one last flight. --- ## [Where was the "Freedom School" from "Trial of Billy Jack" filmed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-the-freedom-school-from-trial-of-billy-jack-filmed/371847)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-the-freedom-school-from-trial-of-billy-jack-filmed/371847 "2022-03-15T17:55:27Z")
I just got The Trial of Billy Jack from Netflix the other day—for cold, nefarious reasons far to horrifying to contemplate—and I was wondering: can anyone tell me where they filmed the “Freedom School” scenes, at? It loo… --- ## [Restaurant drops "poutine" from its menu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-drops-poutine-from-its-menu/960548)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-drops-poutine-from-its-menu/960548 "2022-03-15T17:50:59Z")
I should explain that “Putin” is rendered in French as “Poutine”, that being the spelling whose pronunciation is closest to the Russian. Also, “Putin” would be pronounced in French exactly the same way as “putain”, whor… --- ## [Name retraction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-retraction/961046)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-retraction/961046 "2022-03-15T17:41:13Z")
Name redaction made at request of poster to protect identity. (Aspenglow) I did not know that was an option, and then to list the name?? --- ## [It's time to go - do you know where your keys are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-go-do-you-know-where-your-keys-are/958168)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-go-do-you-know-where-your-keys-are/958168 "2022-03-15T17:29:31Z")
My totally unscientific, unresearched, and unproven assertion is that the most-uttered phrase in any household is “Where are my keys??” OK, it may be rivaled by “Where is my phone?” but you can call your phone to help f… --- ## [Should MLB teams have separate offense and defense in games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mlb-teams-have-separate-offense-and-defense-in-games/960984)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mlb-teams-have-separate-offense-and-defense-in-games/960984 "2022-03-15T17:01:00Z")
Now that the NL has moved to using a designated hitter, should baseball just go all the way and forget about players being “ironmen” and playing both offense and defense? In other words, you have your best 9 offensive p… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1178&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1180&state=tracking)