# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1231 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1232 --- ## [Can A US Citizen Be Denied Entry Into the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-citizen-be-denied-entry-into-the-us/957524)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-us-citizen-be-denied-entry-into-the-us/957524 "2022-01-11T17:38:14Z")
A friend of my mother is a Polish immigrant to the US who is now a citizen. “Greta” is flying back to Poland to visit her ailing mother, but she’s terrified that Customs will find a reason not to let her back in. I say t… --- ## [Superman and Lois Season 1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-and-lois-season-1/933031)
**Author:** [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Replies:** 278\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-and-lois-season-1/933031 "2022-01-11T16:58:04Z")
The latest addition to the Arrowverse, Superman and Lois is set to premiere on February 23, 2021. This is technically a spin-off of Supergirl, where Superman was often mentioned in the Season 1 but never shown. I thought… --- ## [The War is Over - No Country Needs a Military Presence Anymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-is-over-no-country-needs-a-military-presence-anymore/957482)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-is-over-no-country-needs-a-military-presence-anymore/957482 "2022-01-11T16:49:33Z")
For some unspecified reason, all the countries in the world have agreed to a non-aggression pact and to run down all of their militaries. Obviously, it’s not going to happen overnight - let’s say a decade to close down … --- ## [Capitalization of "Belgian Army"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalization-of-belgian-army/957424)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalization-of-belgian-army/957424 "2022-01-11T15:43:05Z")
It seems to me the rules on capitalization are changing. I am all in favor of it myself. I have long held that capitalizing random nouns is a holdover from German. Now the New York Times and professionally-edited books a… --- ## [2021 SDMB Celebrity Death Pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/926881)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 1708\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/926881 "2022-01-11T14:33:40Z")
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! This past year has been a strange one, in many different ways, and 2021 hopefully will be better. Okay, as usual, let’s get the rules out of the way and get to playing. The… --- ## [Foundations for structures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundations-for-structures/956103)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundations-for-structures/956103 "2022-01-11T14:30:29Z")
How can we be sure foundations don’t move over time? I understand that if is resting on solid rock, it will pretty much stay in place, but what if is resting on something less solid? Is there a point where the foundatio… --- ## [What would have happened if Omicron was the original COVID strain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-if-omicron-was-the-original-covid-strain/956986)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-if-omicron-was-the-original-covid-strain/956986 "2022-01-11T13:24:41Z")
I assume it would have ripped through the human population before any significant prevention methods were able to be implemented. --- ## [How close can an Extinction Level Event Asteroid get to Earth but cause no harm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-an-extinction-level-event-asteroid-get-to-earth-but-cause-no-harm/957540)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-an-extinction-level-event-asteroid-get-to-earth-but-cause-no-harm/957540 "2022-01-11T13:04:43Z")
Title pretty much says it. How close could a extinction-size Asteroid (or Comet) get to Earth, but without causing any/or very minimal harm to Earth/living things on it. Meaning, it would come close, but entirely miss … --- ## [I was just approved for a Pennsylvania medical cannabis card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-just-approved-for-a-pennsylvania-medical-cannabis-card/954537)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-just-approved-for-a-pennsylvania-medical-cannabis-card/954537 "2022-01-11T12:09:22Z")
I should have the card in a week or two. I have no idea what to get but I’m told that a pharmacist at the dispensary will help me. Edit: I just realized that this may be against the board rules. If so just delete it. --- ## [French translation s'il te plaît](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-translation-sil-te-plait/957527)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-translation-sil-te-plait/957527 "2022-01-11T06:04:08Z")
I buy things from a French site occasionally and automatically translate the pages. But this comment does not make sense using Google translate. “Ceci est une critique, pas une question, à 180 balles, vous auriez pu fai… --- ## [Is Omicron the most transmissible disease to ever exist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-omicron-the-most-transmissible-disease-to-ever-exist/957570)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-omicron-the-most-transmissible-disease-to-ever-exist/957570 "2022-01-11T05:41:42Z")
So I read an article that Omicron is one of the most contagious virus to exist, behind measles. But I also read that while measles has a higher R0 (15 for measles vs 6 for omicron), that omicron incubates and spreads f… --- ## [Question on hockey fighting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-hockey-fighting/957463)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-hockey-fighting/957463 "2022-01-11T05:28:08Z")
My first post on Straight Dope so LMK if I’m committing any rookie errors. I’m a pretty avid hockey fan and understand most of the intricacies of the game, including fighting. What I don’t quite get is fight matchups. I… --- ## [What's the most interesting cat you saw today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-cat-you-saw-today/829024)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-cat-you-saw-today/829024 "2022-01-11T04:21:01Z")
I think of this every time that I see the car thread bumped, so I’m finally going to start the thread for it. --- ## [Mac/ Gmail sync nightmare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-gmail-sync-nightmare/957495)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-gmail-sync-nightmare/957495 "2022-01-11T04:13:25Z")
On Mac OSX-11.6 Big Sur. Never had this problem before, quite stymied. I use Gmail. Never had a problem synching the Gmail into my Mac. Never. Haven’t done an update to the OS, though one is being offered to me today. … --- ## [Life Is A Cast Iron Apoidea With An Itch. .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-is-a-cast-iron-apoidea-with-an-itch/957565)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-is-a-cast-iron-apoidea-with-an-itch/957565 "2022-01-11T03:46:09Z")
Sometimes. So, for this reason and that, I have not used my cast iron pans for several months until this Saturday just past. I have a cheapo pan of questionable lineage and a Lodge, 10 inch pans, the both of them. Any… --- ## [Struggling to survive the Holidays emotionally and mentally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/struggling-to-survive-the-holidays-emotionally-and-mentally/956611)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/struggling-to-survive-the-holidays-emotionally-and-mentally/956611 "2022-01-11T03:38:29Z")
I’m sitting here home alone with a little tabletop tree strung with a strand of lights and Spotify running a playlist of my favourite Holiday music. Just trying to make it through the next few weeks with my psyche intact… --- ## [Excel question - sorting dates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-sorting-dates/957485)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-sorting-dates/957485 "2022-01-11T03:13:49Z")
I am a very basic Excel user, so keep that in mind. :slight\_smile: I have created a spreadsheet of all family birthdays and anniversaries. I want to be able to sort it chronologically, but also, sometimes, like a calen… --- ## [Date ideas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/date-ideas/957175)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/date-ideas/957175 "2022-01-11T02:47:06Z")
I’ve rarely been taken on a proper date, when I have, it’s been a restaurant. Where did a fun date of yours occur? Seeking clever ideas. --- ## [Ever shit your pants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-shit-your-pants/67977)
**Author:** [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-shit-your-pants/67977 "2022-01-11T02:10:52Z")
Not diapers but pants/dress/skirt or whatever. Sorry but these are the things that I need to know. I hate being alone in these kinds of matters. I figure that if I speak up now maybe others too scarred by their own expe… --- ## [Yet another reason to visit London](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-reason-to-visit-london/948106)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-reason-to-visit-london/948106 "2022-01-11T01:09:32Z")
It’s a large pile of dirt. Really. --- ## [I'm confused about 401K contribution limits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-confused-about-401k-contribution-limits/957458)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-confused-about-401k-contribution-limits/957458 "2022-01-11T00:19:45Z")
With my very last paycheck of 2020 I hit and slightly exceeded the IRS limit on 401K contributions. At that time I mistakenly assumed that the limit only applied to pre-tax contributions, so for 2021 I changed things to… --- ## [Information loss in theoretical physics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-loss-in-theoretical-physics/956503)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-loss-in-theoretical-physics/956503 "2022-01-11T00:19:24Z")
Continuing the discussion from Lack of Freewill doesn't mean lack of choice: Okay, I’m imagining a theoretical universe with only two particles of equal mass, at rest and touching each other. At some point in that un… --- ## [In programming, is it good style to use the same name for function arguments and parameters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-programming-is-it-good-style-to-use-the-same-name-for-function-arguments-and-parameters/955541)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-programming-is-it-good-style-to-use-the-same-name-for-function-arguments-and-parameters/955541 "2022-01-11T00:18:52Z")
This is another question about my new programming hobby, but it’s probably more of a matter of taste (and hence IMHO material) than Factual. Suppose I define a function foo(), which does something to a variable. Since va… --- ## [The Black Box: US Military & Law Enforcement Support for a Coup](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-black-box-us-military-law-enforcement-support-for-a-coup/956253)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-black-box-us-military-law-enforcement-support-for-a-coup/956253 "2022-01-10T23:53:40Z")
Today the Washington Post published an opinion piece by three retired US Army generals, about the likelihood, in their view, of a 2024 insurrection to install a right-wing government. They fully expect “lethal chaos,” an… --- ## [Free cigarettes for vaccines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cigarettes-for-vaccines/957548)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cigarettes-for-vaccines/957548 "2022-01-10T23:43:54Z")
A modest proposal: offer a carton of cigarettes (their choice of brand) to any currently unvaccinated person who gets a Covid vaccine. Two advantages: it induces some of these dumbasses to get vaccinated, AND it acceler… --- ## [Dispel (or provide proof for) this Omicron “fact”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dispel-or-provide-proof-for-this-omicron-fact/957431)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dispel-or-provide-proof-for-this-omicron-fact/957431 "2022-01-10T23:35:57Z")
Someone at work who just came back from Covid said we both had Delta because we lost our sense of taste. I have seen some non-scientific articles that state loss of taste is much less prevalent with Omicron but it didn’t… --- ## [Getting Spam in 9 Languages Now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-spam-in-9-languages-now/957496)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-spam-in-9-languages-now/957496 "2022-01-10T23:22:30Z")
With the arrival of an indecipherable (OK, I could have used Google Translate, probably) email in what is I assume to be Afrikaans-- the first line of the second paragraph is this: “Ek het baie goeie ervarings uit my jeu… --- ## [SCOTUS has to decide another "religious liberty" case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-has-to-decide-another-religious-liberty-case/955859)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-has-to-decide-another-religious-liberty-case/955859 "2022-01-10T23:15:20Z")
Oral arguments are scheduled to be held at SCOTUS the week of 13 December 2021 in an appeal of Carson v. Makin with a decision probably by June 2022. …a potentially landmark case challenging a Maine law that bans famil… --- ## [Could cryogenic stasis theoretically work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cryogenic-stasis-theoretically-work/957446)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cryogenic-stasis-theoretically-work/957446 "2022-01-10T22:49:53Z")
Cryogenic stasis has been a staple of sci-fi for decades. A person goes into deep freeze, comes out some time later, hasn’t aged a day. Sometimes it’s used for long prison sentences, or long-term space transportation. … --- ## [Recommendation: BBC Radio 4: The Coming Storm (about Jan 6th)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-bbc-radio-4-the-coming-storm-about-jan-6th/957554)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2022, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-bbc-radio-4-the-coming-storm-about-jan-6th/957554 "2022-01-10T22:09:37Z")
\ Just now I was listening to BBC Radio 4, and they had a series called “The Coming Storm”, talking in depth about the politics and culture around the events of Jan 6th Capitol… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1230) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1232)