# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1209 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1210 --- ## [Do Russians like "The Great"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-russians-like-the-great/958770)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2022, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-russians-like-the-great/958770 "2022-02-03T06:01:47Z")
We’re happily in the middle of the second season of The Great, a show I idly started watching as something to do while folding laundry and have become completely enchanted by. For those unfamiliar, it’s a blood-and-sex-s… --- ## [Split the US into 3](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/split-the-us-into-3/924652)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2022, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/split-the-us-into-3/924652 "2022-02-03T05:24:06Z")
The last couple of days, I’ve been thinking that if Trump wins another term, perhaps we should just admit that the “continental” US is a failed experiment, and divide the country to better represent the very different so… --- ## [Taxation without representation: WA long-term care bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-without-representation-wa-long-term-care-bill/958503)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2022, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-without-representation-wa-long-term-care-bill/958503 "2022-02-03T03:01:59Z")
Washington State instituted a plan (WA Cares Fund) to provide long-term care benefits to residents. People could opt out if they provided proof of (expensive, hard to get) long-term care insurance coverage. The scheme … --- ## [Those "MIA-POW" Flags and Stickers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-mia-pow-flags-and-stickers/721569)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2022, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-mia-pow-flags-and-stickers/721569 "2022-02-03T02:18:53Z")
I see the stickers all the time on bumpers and rear windows of cars. the flags seem to be common as well. So I had a few questions: -are there any verified cases of any POWs being kept by Vietnam, long after the war wa… --- ## [Need Tranlastion Help- I Think He's Shouting In Japanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-tranlastion-help-i-think-hes-shouting-in-japanese/958817)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-tranlastion-help-i-think-hes-shouting-in-japanese/958817 "2022-02-03T01:57:51Z")
The video is loud. I’ve had this alarm clock for years now. Since he’s a samurai, I assume it’s Japanese. If anybody could translate I’d be very greatful. The link is completely work safe (though loud). It just wouldn… --- ## [The Queen's Platinum Jubbly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-queens-platinum-jubbly/958778)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2022, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-queens-platinum-jubbly/958778 "2022-02-03T01:13:53Z")
QE II is about to celebrate her platinum jubilee, for having been on the Throne for 70 years. So souvenir sales are all going to be huge. Except, maybe those which are touting her “platinum jubbly”. Though, who knows… --- ## [Do You Know Anything About Your Great Grandparents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anything-about-your-great-grandparents/957389)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anything-about-your-great-grandparents/957389 "2022-02-02T22:47:50Z")
By which I mean to say even one (you realize that you have four sets of great grandparents :slight\_smile: ). I know quite a bit about mine, because my parents talked about them often. My father’s paternal great grandpa… --- ## [David Ortiz was just voted into the MLB Hall of Fame…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-ortiz-was-just-voted-into-the-mlb-hall-of-fame/958389)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-ortiz-was-just-voted-into-the-mlb-hall-of-fame/958389 "2022-02-02T22:50:22Z")
….which automatically invalidates the MLB Hall of Fame. It’s now a mockery, and clearly just a popularity. In case you forgot, he was on the same leaked list of PED positives as Alex Rodriguez, who was 10 times the pla… --- ## [Celebrity Big Brother 3 - Giddy Up!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-big-brother-3-giddy-up/958748)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-big-brother-3-giddy-up/958748 "2022-02-02T22:21:33Z")
Ok, I’m not really that excited. It’s more that I just set up my over-the-air antennae and get CBS again after a few years and this is the first non-football show that caught my eye. I used to watch BB years ago and alwa… --- ## [Steam trains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-trains/944265)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-trains/944265 "2022-02-02T17:24:47Z")
I’ve noticed that on a lot old stream trains there is bell looking device on top of the smokestack. Does it serve a purpose, or is it decorative? --- ## [What would it take for one of the four major American sports leagues to disappear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-one-of-the-four-major-american-sports-leagues-to-disappear/954082)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-one-of-the-four-major-american-sports-leagues-to-disappear/954082 "2022-02-02T17:21:26Z")
There have been labor disputes in each of the four main American sports over the past 20 or 30 years, resulting in lost games, shortened seasons, and even entirely lost seasons, like the NHL’s in 2004-05. Is it possible… --- ## [Looking for a co-op tactical combat game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-co-op-tactical-combat-game/921152)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-co-op-tactical-combat-game/921152 "2022-02-02T16:52:54Z")
What it says on the tin. It looks like the only space this currently exists in is multiplayer modes for CRPGs, which is precisely what I don’t want because going through dialogue and running around a map with a friend is… --- ## [Bitcoin Mining - Crippling Power Generation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-mining-crippling-power-generation/958511)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-mining-crippling-power-generation/958511 "2022-02-02T16:28:54Z")
I was reading an article about the colossal power consumption of mining rigs that is crippling power generation in several countries and the amount of e-waste generated. Did this constant and massive drawing of power res… --- ## [Alternative Beatles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-beatles/957216)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-beatles/957216 "2022-02-02T15:24:18Z")
It’s 1956, and John wants to start a skiffle band. He gets a guitar, and Julia teaches him a few banjo chords. One day his guitar is stolen, so as a lark he grabs a banjo. The crowd loves it, and he never went back to gu… --- ## [How do lit gas burners on railroad tracks not set car tires on fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-lit-gas-burners-on-railroad-tracks-not-set-car-tires-on-fire/958669)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-lit-gas-burners-on-railroad-tracks-not-set-car-tires-on-fire/958669 "2022-02-02T15:02:08Z")
In Chicago, certain areas of the train tracks are lit on fire with gas-powered pumps to keep the movable parts of the switches from freezing in winter. How do they do this at intersections and prevent car tires from b… --- ## [What to do in Toronto in March?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-toronto-in-march/958592)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-toronto-in-march/958592 "2022-02-02T14:52:10Z")
My wife and I found a weekend we can get away from the kids, and decided to pull a city out of the hat that we can drive to. Toronto won. We’ve never been, we expect it to still be cold as hell, and we have no idea what … --- ## [Getting a Message to a Prisoner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-message-to-a-prisoner/958634)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-message-to-a-prisoner/958634 "2022-02-02T14:10:37Z")
My dad is dying, his brother is doing life. I think that Uncle Jeff deserves to know that his brother is dying, but I’m not any list of approved people whom he can contact – I doubt there’s any such list, as the entire f… --- ## [Experiences with electric cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-electric-cars/957421)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-electric-cars/957421 "2022-02-02T13:49:17Z")
This is a question about each of you personally. If you own an electric cars, what do you think works and doesn’t work. How are you using it on a typical day? Also, if you do not own an electric car, what is keeping you… --- ## [Why do my polls disappear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-polls-disappear/958769)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-polls-disappear/958769 "2022-02-02T13:36:54Z")
I’ll be building a poll and all of a sudden, my work disappears. I’m building one and I’ve added 15 choices and…it goes. It seems random and it doesn’t get saved to my drafts or anything. --- ## [If a friend has goofy opinions on one subject?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-friend-has-goofy-opinions-on-one-subject/958434)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-friend-has-goofy-opinions-on-one-subject/958434 "2022-02-02T10:52:35Z")
Wondering how you react is someone you really like and respect has a position on a particular topic that you consider really goofy. Do you say anything? Do you try to debate it or persuade them otherwise? Does this is… --- ## [Steam locomotive question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotive-question/246775)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-locomotive-question/246775 "2022-02-02T09:01:02Z")
Tonight my 22 month old pointed to a part on a steam locomotive in a picture book and said: “Mmmm?” which translates as “say the word for what I am pointing to, Daddy” And I realised I didn’t know. Well, there goes my … --- ## ["Welcome in"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-in/958753)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-in/958753 "2022-02-02T05:08:16Z")
I’ve noticed that a lot of retail establishments lately greet me when I walk through the door, and always the same way: “Welcome in!” That’s sweet. Nice to be acknowledged, nice to be made to feel welcome. But … “Wel… --- ## [Weird thing caught on porch camera](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-thing-caught-on-porch-camera/958717)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-thing-caught-on-porch-camera/958717 "2022-02-02T04:29:09Z")
Any thoughts about what this might be? I don’t think it’s a bird. Maybe a ginormous moth? The flight pattern is so erratic. Please tell me it’s not a bat. Watch 12-second video here. --- ## [Freaking Flurries and Festering Frostbite: it's February (mini-rants)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-flurries-and-festering-frostbite-its-february-mini-rants/958768)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-flurries-and-festering-frostbite-its-february-mini-rants/958768 "2022-02-02T04:28:21Z")
Why does it take an entire freaking day to buy a battery? OK, not an ordinary battery, but this is how my days go. My UPS was howling every 6 hours or so that it wanted a new battery. I put it off for a couple of days… --- ## [Great ballads/anthems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-ballads-anthems/958606)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-ballads-anthems/958606 "2022-02-02T03:21:26Z")
I don;'t know if this counts, byt ‘ballads/anthems’ is the first descriptor that came to my mind. Any way, I love this song. --- ## [John Lennon's son sells virtual memorabilia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-lennons-son-sells-virtual-memorabilia/958707)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-lennons-son-sells-virtual-memorabilia/958707 "2022-02-02T02:07:22Z")
As outlined here: He is selling tokens that represent actual memorabilia that he just can’t bear to part with. How touching. Or as vlogger Nash Bozard rephrased it, "“John Lennon’s Son Scamming Gullible Rubes By Auct… --- ## [Regular test users- what are your testing nostril preferences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-test-users-what-are-your-testing-nostril-preferences/957716)
**Author:** [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-test-users-what-are-your-testing-nostril-preferences/957716 "2022-02-02T01:46:57Z")
poll Yes, I’m bored in isolation. Only one more day… For myself, I started off alternating, but I realised a few days back that I’m almost exclusively testing my left nostril now. I’m right handed- I wonder if that has … --- ## [40 animators around the globe ‘Pass the Ball’ - very cool!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-animators-around-the-globe-pass-the-ball-very-cool/958762)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-animators-around-the-globe-pass-the-ball-very-cool/958762 "2022-02-02T01:37:58Z")
I love this! --- ## [Dumb question......but what motive does a woman have to send me photos of her everyday life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-but-what-motive-does-a-woman-have-to-send-me-photos-of-her-everyday-life/958452)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-but-what-motive-does-a-woman-have-to-send-me-photos-of-her-everyday-life/958452 "2022-02-02T00:20:39Z")
I have a church friend who likes to send me photos of her food, her walks, everyday life, her room, her activities, etc. She and I are about the same age, both in our 30s, single. I’m not sure of the motive. She hasn’t … --- ## [Any statistics available on how many people get married every year during natural disasters? (Spoilers for Disney's Encanto listed)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-statistics-available-on-how-many-people-get-married-every-year-during-natural-disasters-spoilers-for-disneys-encanto-listed/957806)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-statistics-available-on-how-many-people-get-married-every-year-during-natural-disasters-spoilers-for-disneys-encanto-listed/957806 "2022-02-02T00:19:52Z")
This question popped into my head when I was listening to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Disney’s Encanto for the 150th time. This caused me to think: How many people per year get married during natural disasters l… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1208) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1210)