# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1347 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1348 --- ## [Republicans Ban School Mask Mandates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-ban-school-mask-mandates/949789)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-ban-school-mask-mandates/949789 "2021-09-07T19:54:52Z")
Continuing the discussion from The Republican War on Voting Thread: I believe there are now nine states where a Republican governor and/or legislature has tried to prohibit schools from enforcing mask mandates. To clari… --- ## [Is out-of-hand rejection of BLM conclusive evidence of unapologetic racism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-out-of-hand-rejection-of-blm-conclusive-evidence-of-unapologetic-racism/950136)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-out-of-hand-rejection-of-blm-conclusive-evidence-of-unapologetic-racism/950136 "2021-09-07T19:30:33Z")
I recently passed a link in a DM to a now-former friend which included an unrelated pro-BLM ad banner at the top of the page. They took one look at that page, saw the BLM message, emoted flipping a table, and told me th… --- ## [Good news, George R.R. Martin fans!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-george-r-r-martin-fans/949694)
**Author:** [@JohnnyEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnyEcks)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-george-r-r-martin-fans/949694 "2021-09-07T19:25:50Z")
No, not that. He’s announced that he’s finished principal photography on Night of the Cooters, based on the Harold Waldrop short story, with a screenplay by Joe Lansdale, and directed by and starring Vincent D’Onofrio. … --- ## [Spitfires and Churchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spitfires-and-churchill/949754)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spitfires-and-churchill/949754 "2021-09-07T18:31:47Z")
I’ve been sporadically re-reading Churchill’s memoirs. He talks a lot about air parity and The Battle of Britain but I thought it odd he only mentioned Spitfires in passing a few times given their importance. Then I re… --- ## [Should you make it clear in advance if the invitation is to a 'dry' event?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-make-it-clear-in-advance-if-the-invitation-is-to-a-dry-event/947539)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 318\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-make-it-clear-in-advance-if-the-invitation-is-to-a-dry-event/947539 "2021-09-07T17:28:45Z")
Oh, boy. This weekend some relatives are hosting a big family get together/cookout/potluck all day type thing, the first such occasion we’ve had since 2019. The idea is everyone come, hang out, eat, play games, swim, … --- ## [Why can't you buy a spatchcocked chicken?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-buy-a-spatchcocked-chicken/947375)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-buy-a-spatchcocked-chicken/947375 "2021-09-07T17:10:20Z")
Get your mind out of the gutter. It’s a method of cutting up a chicken for better roasting. You cut out the backbone, break the breastbone, and essentially unfold the chicken so it lays flat. This makes the chicken cook … --- ## [Did you ever listen to cassettes with Dolby on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-listen-to-cassettes-with-dolby-on/949940)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-listen-to-cassettes-with-dolby-on/949940 "2021-09-07T16:38:44Z")
Obviously directed at the older among us, but did you ever listen to cassettes with Dolby NR mark on it with Dolby on in the cassette deck ? I never did. I like the extra treble with it off. Defeats the purpose of Dolb… --- ## [I HATE Cell Phone Stores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-cell-phone-stores/950239)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-cell-phone-stores/950239 "2021-09-07T16:38:37Z")
My iPhone 11 is a little over a year old. Last week the battery started draining within an hour or two of a full charge. It was also feeling hot. The phone and account are through my employer. It was set up by one of my … --- ## [California recall questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-recall-questions/950190)
**Author:** [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-recall-questions/950190 "2021-09-07T15:34:23Z")
I had a couple of factual questions about the recall, so starting this thread in General Questions rather than posting in the one in Politics and Elections. If Question 1 (i.e. whether Newsom should be recalled) passes,… --- ## [Songs about Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-work/949895)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-work/949895 "2021-09-07T15:27:51Z")
In honor of Labor Day Weekend coming up here in the US, l thought it might be fun to post songs about good, salt of the Earth, blue collar workers doing what they do to keep the world running, and often not being properl… --- ## [Ancient temple acquired by killing prior occupant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-temple-acquired-by-killing-prior-occupant/950201)
**Author:** [@brianmelendez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianmelendez)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-temple-acquired-by-killing-prior-occupant/950201 "2021-09-07T14:30:24Z")
I vaguely recall a story about an ancient temple that was occupied by whoever killed the prior occupant. The killer acquired the temple and the right to occupy it (and possibly receive food or a stipend?), subject to his… --- ## [Anyone Dig Colter Wall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-dig-colter-wall/949287)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-dig-colter-wall/949287 "2021-09-07T13:54:20Z")
In my recent conversions to listening to any manner of outlaw-ish countrified blues/bluegrass/whatever music, my ramblings led me to this cat from Saskatchewan (Northern Montana!) with a killer baritone voice and some sm… --- ## [Parking full at your airport?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parking-full-at-your-airport/831644)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parking-full-at-your-airport/831644 "2019-03-28T22:08:06Z")
This might end up in a different forum but for now I’m interested in a factual answer. For the third time I’ve gone Denver International (DIA even though it still uses the DEN code taken from Stapleton Airport when it … --- ## [Colonel Bogey march vs River Kwai march](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-bogey-march-vs-river-kwai-march/950168)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonel-bogey-march-vs-river-kwai-march/950168 "2021-09-07T12:15:19Z")
Are these two distinct, separate tunes? “Colonel Bogey” dates back to 1914 (with various dubious explanations for its title - mostly referring to golf), whereas the 1958 Mitch Miller version (March from the River Kwai an… --- ## [Personal experiences with how long home-preserved pasta sauce keeps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-experiences-with-how-long-home-preserved-pasta-sauce-keeps/943193)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-experiences-with-how-long-home-preserved-pasta-sauce-keeps/943193 "2021-09-07T11:40:23Z")
Just thought I would share this, although YMMV based on exactly the type of sauce and its ingredients. I don’t mean strictly home-preserved, but rather a local store-made pasta sauce that is preserved in mason jars. Th… --- ## [Why would someone jam RF communication signals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-jam-rf-communication-signals/949722)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-jam-rf-communication-signals/949722 "2021-09-07T05:28:21Z")
I just read this news story on someone who used a couple “electronic signal-jamming devices” to jam WiFi, satellite signals, and cellular signals in their neighborhood. Why would someone do this? What would be their goa… --- ## [Living while black in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-while-black-in-america/817611)
**Author:** [@Huey\_Freeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huey_Freeman)\ **Replies:** 1916\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-while-black-in-america/817611 "2021-09-07T05:05:16Z")
This is an omnibus thread to cover the injustices that black people and other minorities experience in this country. Here are a sampling of this month’s grab-bag. I will add more as time permits. On May 31st, a Sherel… --- ## [Obtaining a matching whetstone - same abrasiveness etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obtaining-a-matching-whetstone-same-abrasiveness-etc/950181)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obtaining-a-matching-whetstone-same-abrasiveness-etc/950181 "2021-09-07T02:24:55Z")
I have a small whetstone that I like, and I wish to get another of the same ilk. I like them small – I like to hold the whetstone in my hand and move it against a stationary knife instead of moving a knife against a lar… --- ## [What's the "lesson" of each modern war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-lesson-of-each-modern-war/948959)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-lesson-of-each-modern-war/948959 "2021-09-07T02:12:58Z")
World War I: Machine guns can make territorial advance virtually impossible. World War II: Airpower is highly effective. Also, if you are an invader, don’t overstretch yourself (Japan and Germany both conquered too mu… --- ## [Does the design of a very large building have to account for the curvature of the Earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-design-of-a-very-large-building-have-to-account-for-the-curvature-of-the-earth/949455)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-design-of-a-very-large-building-have-to-account-for-the-curvature-of-the-earth/949455 "2021-09-06T23:18:51Z")
This question is inspired by a facility being built by Tesla in southeast Austin. I drive by it from time to time and I am struck by how large it is. The building is not very tall, but it is going to cover a very large… --- ## [The ubiquity of Led Zeppelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ubiquity-of-led-zeppelin/948569)
**Author:** [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ubiquity-of-led-zeppelin/948569 "2021-09-06T22:20:37Z")
I’m 55. My high school years lined up with the very tail end of Led Zeppelin’s run - In Through The Out Door was released the summer before my freshman year, sophomore year saw Bonham’s death and the disbanding, the outt… --- ## [I invented LOL](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-invented-lol/950128)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-invented-lol/950128 "2021-09-06T21:45:35Z")
Back in the 1960s. We used it for Little Old Lady. And a matching LOM. Our dad was just the OM. --- ## ["Annette": I hated it (possible spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annette-i-hated-it-possible-spoilers/950144)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annette-i-hated-it-possible-spoilers/950144 "2021-09-06T20:36:20Z")
I’m usually willing to cut ambitious, ultra-creative movies a lot of slack, but “Annette” rubbed me the wrong way from the get-go and never recovered. I watched all of it because my wife was enjoying it, plus I kept thin… --- ## [Jean-Paul Belmondo dead aged 88](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jean-paul-belmondo-dead-aged-88/950180)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jean-paul-belmondo-dead-aged-88/950180 "2021-09-06T20:00:40Z")
Story here: I don’t know how famous he was in America, but he wasn’t only one of the biggest stars of French cinema, but of whole Europe. I’ve known him as long as I can think. He was a very versatile actor, playing i… --- ## [Why Do People Have To 'Register' As Sex Offenders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-have-to-register-as-sex-offenders/949462)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-have-to-register-as-sex-offenders/949462 "2021-09-06T19:55:17Z")
Rather sad memory. In 1997 my father desperately needed help. But he was totally noncoöperative. So we had to have him involuntarily committed (to a nice, private mental hospital). Yeah, he’d been bipolar all his adult l… --- ## [The Nature of Middle Earth by JRR Tolkien. My last deep dive into "new" material](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-middle-earth-by-jrr-tolkien-my-last-deep-dive-into-new-material/950147)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-middle-earth-by-jrr-tolkien-my-last-deep-dive-into-new-material/950147 "2021-09-06T19:25:29Z")
I got my copy on Thursday, and with dogged perseverance I’m now about 45 pages (out of over 400) into it, using my reading glasses and magnifier to follow the small print and smaller footnotes. I’m truly geeked out abou… --- ## [Question for metallurgists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-metallurgists/950159)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-metallurgists/950159 "2021-09-06T19:23:10Z")
What is the story here. This is the bracket that holds the UHF aerial to the bullbar on the front of my 4wd: Image of screws Both screws were put in at the same time. They have the same levels of exposure to water, s… --- ## [Labo\[u\]r Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/labo-u-r-day/950182)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/labo-u-r-day/950182 "2021-09-06T18:41:31Z")
For all the Wobblies, anarchists, communists, socialists, unionists, social democrats, and fellow travellers here, all best wishes for Labour Day. We might take solace in Ursula K.Le Guin’s observation: “We live in capi… --- ## [Havent seen "Walk Hard"...but I watched The Beatles scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/havent-seen-walk-hard-but-i-watched-the-beatles-scene/950140)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/havent-seen-walk-hard-but-i-watched-the-beatles-scene/950140 "2021-09-06T17:43:33Z")
And apparently Long and Rudd were freaking out about doing it…? Actors? Am I right?..come on guys, its a lark you should be excited about. Especially once they twigged onto how good their impressions were. Which shoul… --- ## [Counterfeit Insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterfeit-insurance/949999)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterfeit-insurance/949999 "2021-09-06T16:27:21Z")
What’s to stop a scam artist from pretending to be an agent of such-and-such well known insurance company and selling phony policies ostensibly from that company? I’ve never heard of such a thing being done. To the poin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1346) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1348)