# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1228 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1229 --- ## [Old and alone – what if I fall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-and-alone-what-if-i-fall/957447)
**Author:** [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-and-alone-what-if-i-fall/957447 "2022-01-14T16:55:10Z")
My sister, at the urging of her friend, is urging me to do this. Sis’s friend’s brother, also old and alone, has her brother call her at 8PM everyday. His sister doesn’t need to answer the phone if she is otherwise busy,… --- ## [Did I just see Sea Lions in my little retention pond?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-just-see-sea-lions-in-my-little-retention-pond/621108)
**Author:** [@UMBrynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UMBrynn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-just-see-sea-lions-in-my-little-retention-pond/621108 "2022-01-14T16:32:06Z")
It’s on a defunct golf course. I saw two of them, whiskers, similar body type…they were mostly submerged, but flipped forward like Sea Lions would do (or Seals, can’t say I am an expert in the subject). It is a retenti… --- ## [A diplomat's child is not a citizen of their country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-diplomats-child-is-not-a-citizen-of-their-country/957734)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-diplomats-child-is-not-a-citizen-of-their-country/957734 "2022-01-14T14:52:20Z")
In another thread this was shared: “Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a person born in the U.S. to an accredited foreign diplomatic officer is not subject to U.S. law and is not automatically considered a U.S. c… --- ## [Conspiracy Theories and MLK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-theories-and-mlk/957645)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-theories-and-mlk/957645 "2022-01-14T07:57:01Z")
As evidenced by my involvement in the JFK thread, I enjoy conspiracy theories, even though I don’t subscribe to them. It’s interesting to comb through facts and evidence to reconstruct the events of a crime, and to addr… --- ## [The Vaudeville Hook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vaudeville-hook/957640)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vaudeville-hook/957640 "2022-01-14T07:00:01Z")
We are all familiar, I think, with the cliché of the vaudeville-era performer who overstays his welcome on stage, or irritates or offends the audience and/or the theater’s management, and is summarily removed from said s… --- ## [Exposed to COVID, still negative - what is my level of immunity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exposed-to-covid-still-negative-what-is-my-level-of-immunity/957620)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exposed-to-covid-still-negative-what-is-my-level-of-immunity/957620 "2022-01-14T04:56:33Z")
I’m living with two COVID positive people (likely omicron but not typed). We tried quarantining from each other, but already had a few days of exposure before we realized, and after trying for a couple days, realized it … --- ## [Baby Blues Comic Strip Gone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-blues-comic-strip-gone/957682)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-blues-comic-strip-gone/957682 "2022-01-14T04:53:39Z")
I’ve been reading the comics on line using a paid subscription to Comics Kingdom for several years. All of a sudden today it’s gone with no explanation/announcement. Zit’s, by the same folks is still there, at least for… --- ## [What is your cat's (cats') favorite part of YOU?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-cats-cats-favorite-part-of-you/957648)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-cats-cats-favorite-part-of-you/957648 "2022-01-14T03:59:57Z")
Continuing the discussion from What's your favorite part of a cat?: I’m not going to make this a poll, 'cause that could get really weird. But launching from the other thread, what part of YOU does your cat seem to like… --- ## [US adds Canada to highest travel risk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-adds-canada-to-highest-travel-risk/957561)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-adds-canada-to-highest-travel-risk/957561 "2022-01-14T03:25:40Z")
US adds Canada to “highest risk travel” Given that as of today, January 10, Nine out of Thirteen provinces and territories in Canada have LOWER CASE COUNTS than 43 of the states, perhaps this risk level should be compar… --- ## [American Dopers, what would make you emigrate from the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-what-would-make-you-emigrate-from-the-us/957349)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-what-would-make-you-emigrate-from-the-us/957349 "2022-01-14T02:14:49Z")
The anniversary of the 1-6-21 insurrection and discussion about how democracy in the US is in peril had me thinking about this question: Is there any hypothetical situation where you can see yourself saying, “That’s it, … --- ## [What would happen next if Trump ran, and lost in ‘24?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-next-if-trump-ran-and-lost-in-24/957519)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-next-if-trump-ran-and-lost-in-24/957519 "2022-01-14T02:13:42Z")
This is a question a lot of people are asking. Probably He would act presidential? --- ## [Women's Dance Shoes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-dance-shoes/957685)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-dance-shoes/957685 "2022-01-14T02:13:25Z")
Lady Rat has been dancing for some years, abroad, and doesn’t know any American brands. She does Latin dance (salsa, kizomba, etc.) for performance demonstrations. She’s skeptical of anything on Amazon, found one pair of… --- ## [What are the little wings on the rear of a battleship turret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-wings-on-the-rear-of-a-battleship-turret/957504)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-wings-on-the-rear-of-a-battleship-turret/957504 "2022-01-14T01:07:53Z")
I recently got back into scale modelling and I find battleships fascinating, so I have finished a model of HMS PRince of Wales, and am mostly done Yamato. Both ships have main gun turrets that have - and I don’t know wh… --- ## [NHL: October 2021](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-october-2021/952456)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2022, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-october-2021/952456 "2022-01-14T01:02:00Z")
Season is finally here! Just too bad the long awaited Seattle Kraken first game was marred by Covid, but they definitely made it a game which I didn’t expect after the early goals by Vegas. I’m furious at TNT for using … --- ## [Utah Phillips biography wanted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utah-phillips-biography-wanted/957751)
**Author:** [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utah-phillips-biography-wanted/957751 "2022-01-13T23:47:08Z")
Is anyone aware of a biography or autobiography of Utah Phillips? So far all I’m turning up is CDs and songbooks, which is not what I’m hoping for. --- ## [I hope Kevin McCarthy and Ted Cruz find this post someday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hope-kevin-mccarthy-and-ted-cruz-find-this-post-someday/957737)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hope-kevin-mccarthy-and-ted-cruz-find-this-post-someday/957737 "2022-01-13T23:26:55Z")
History will remember McCarthy and Cruz as jokes. They will be remembered as a congressman and senator that shirked their duty and oath that they took to defend and protect the constitution. Shame on them. FTR - Ted C… --- ## [Painfully slow today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painfully-slow-today/957739)
**Author:** [@Tierce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tierce)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painfully-slow-today/957739 "2022-01-13T23:01:16Z")
The SDMB is painfully slow today - like vBulletin in its heyday. The forum list page, a forum page, or opening a thread will wait anywhere from a few seconds to 30 seconds or so, and as often as not, result in a blank pa… --- ## [Internet speed question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-speed-question/957486)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-speed-question/957486 "2022-01-13T22:50:52Z")
So, my parents have Xfinity cable, internet and phone (for $237 a month after all takes and fees. Going up to $247 next month). They are thinking about cutting out cable and maybe the landline. When they called Xfinit… --- ## [Spelling Queues and Principals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-queues-and-principals/957632)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-queues-and-principals/957632 "2022-01-13T22:43:28Z")
I thought I’d share this one day in a thread. But hey, maybe the information deserves a thread of its own. Why not? I took a computer class about thirty years ago. And for the first time I was exposed to a queue. In cas… --- ## [Are diesel engines more reliable than gasoline engines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-diesel-engines-more-reliable-than-gasoline-engines/956689)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-diesel-engines-more-reliable-than-gasoline-engines/956689 "2022-01-13T20:46:54Z")
I was watching a video about the US military adopting the JLTV to replace some of its Humvee fleet. Being a military vehicle of this sort reliability is an important design feature. They said it was using a diesel engi… --- ## [Can an actor who is a RL nerd play a cool character?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-actor-who-is-a-rl-nerd-play-a-cool-character/957550)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-actor-who-is-a-rl-nerd-play-a-cool-character/957550 "2022-01-13T20:09:02Z")
The terms have different uses, but I’m using “nerd” to mean someone who lacks personality, social grace and poise etc., and “cool” to mean someone who possesses these qualities. Question is if someone who lacks these qu… --- ## [How is vanilla extract NOT an alcoholic beverage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-vanilla-extract-not-an-alcoholic-beverage/957457)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-vanilla-extract-not-an-alcoholic-beverage/957457 "2022-01-13T19:53:05Z")
Vanilla extract is around 35% alcohol. If it were sold as a beverage, it would qualify as hard liquor. How is this stuff not subject to the Federal alcohol excise tax? How can you legally drive around with an open bot… --- ## ["Fake" Best Of albums](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-best-of-albums/957661)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-best-of-albums/957661 "2022-01-13T19:43:47Z")
The debut album by German punk/new wave legends Extrabreit was called “Ihre größten Erfolge”, which means “Their Greatest Successes”. It’s still the most beloved album of their catalog, but of course it was named ironic… --- ## [Your Top Ten books of 2021](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-ten-books-of-2021/956998)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-ten-books-of-2021/956998 "2022-01-13T19:39:24Z")
Last year’s thread: Your Top Ten books of 2020 Doesn’t matter when they were published, but you read 'em and loved 'em in 2020. And please tell us, in a sentence or two, why you liked 'em. I’ll post mine a little later… --- ## [OK explain why this is not an insane road sign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-explain-why-this-is-not-an-insane-road-sign/951683)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-explain-why-this-is-not-an-insane-road-sign/951683 "2022-01-13T18:49:05Z")
Driving south on I-95, I want to go through Baltimore’s McHenry Tunnel. Sign herds all drivers into two separate lanes, one says “EZ-PASS” (which i don’t have, because my car is registered in Florida, which uses a differ… --- ## [Vaxed, boostered, got Covid anyway and am mostly recuperated --- now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaxed-boostered-got-covid-anyway-and-am-mostly-recuperated-now-what/957637)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaxed-boostered-got-covid-anyway-and-am-mostly-recuperated-now-what/957637 "2022-01-13T16:48:01Z")
So, I’ve done All The Things for Covid prevention - masks, vaccines, distancing, blah blah blah. The big caveat to all that is that my husband is a doc in a rural health clinic in the southern US, and I work retail 40 h… --- ## [Is It Ethical To 'Correct' Religious Folks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-correct-religious-folks/956483)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-correct-religious-folks/956483 "2022-01-13T16:40:10Z")
Because until I got on the internet, I assumed faith was a private thing. So I never debated it. But recently, I have been getting into some pretty hot debates. (I guess I can tell you. It is on Facebook.) I don’t know… --- ## [Clay Aiken running for congress again in NC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clay-aiken-running-for-congress-again-in-nc/957651)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clay-aiken-running-for-congress-again-in-nc/957651 "2022-01-13T16:01:46Z")
This district is very blue so the primary winner should easily win in Nov. The previous Dem guy did nothing since he won easily every time. He did not bother to campaign. The GOP set this up so that other distric… --- ## [What has the pandemic changed permanently for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-the-pandemic-changed-permanently-for-you/957464)
**Author:** [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-the-pandemic-changed-permanently-for-you/957464 "2022-01-13T15:42:10Z")
Many of us temporarily gave up things we’ve already gone back to, or intend to go back to as soon as it’s safe. But are there any things you realized were never that important to begin with, and will never go back to? Or… --- ## [How often do the Feds give "target letters," and why would they tip off a suspect this way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-the-feds-give-target-letters-and-why-would-they-tip-off-a-suspect-this-way/957693)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-the-feds-give-target-letters-and-why-would-they-tip-off-a-suspect-this-way/957693 "2022-01-13T15:17:20Z")
Seems like a “target letter” is just a blatant tipoff to a suspect that he or she should flee or go into hiding. Unless…the idea is that the suspect is only being accused of a relatively minor crime, and hence is better … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1227) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1229)