# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=136&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 137 --- ## [Lauren Chapin aka "Kitten" of Father Knows Best, dead at 80](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-chapin-aka-kitten-of-father-knows-best-dead-at-80/1027982)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lauren-chapin-aka-kitten-of-father-knows-best-dead-at-80/1027982 "2026-02-26T02:14:01Z")
Lauren Chapin, Youngest Child on ‘Father Knows Best,’ Dies at 80 For six seasons, she was Kathy, a giggly tomboy whose father, played by Robert Young, called her Kitten. Her offscreen life, however, was harrowing https… --- ## [Can this SCOTUS ruling on USPS discrimination affect mail-in voting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-scotus-ruling-on-usps-discrimination-affect-mail-in-voting/1027969)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-scotus-ruling-on-usps-discrimination-affect-mail-in-voting/1027969 "2026-02-26T01:42:46Z")
The Supreme Court just ruled that you cannot sue the USPS over otherwise illegal discrimination when it comes to mail delivery: Court holds that U.S. Postal Service can’t be sued over intentionally misdelivered mail - SC… --- ## [Algebra/geometry question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algebra-geometry-question/1027935)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/algebra-geometry-question/1027935 "2026-02-26T00:57:41Z")
At least I don’t think resorting to Trigonometry should be necessary; but here’s hoping. My question is related to what’s known as the right triangle altitude theorem, aka. the geometric mean theorem. Basically, when yo… --- ## [Contesting a speeding ticket from a camera rather than an in-person stop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contesting-a-speeding-ticket-from-a-camera-rather-than-an-in-person-stop/1017745)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contesting-a-speeding-ticket-from-a-camera-rather-than-an-in-person-stop/1017745 "2026-02-26T00:04:08Z")
Got a summons in the mail for going 52 in a 35 mph school zone. I remember where I was very well and I saw the school zone sign maybe 50 yards ahead. Took my foot of the brake for just a second, slowing down from 55 w… --- ## [What has replaced 'mix tapes' for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-replaced-mix-tapes-for-you/1027944)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-replaced-mix-tapes-for-you/1027944 "2026-02-25T22:13:21Z")
I still have a lot of CDs and a CD burner but no CD player. I don’t think cars even come with them anymore, do they? It seems like all of the convenient ways to listen to a compilation of your favorite music has gone by … --- ## [Need a VPN for Netflix and I am a noob](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-vpn-for-netflix-and-i-am-a-noob/1027964)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-vpn-for-netflix-and-i-am-a-noob/1027964 "2026-02-25T21:03:19Z")
Rise of the Raven is a Netflix series and it looks super cool. It appears to be only available in Hungry so I’m going to need a VPN of some sort to watch it in the US. I have no idea what I’m doing and since it’s just … --- ## [The old magoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-old-magoo/451898)
**Author:** [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-old-magoo/451898 "2026-02-25T20:45:27Z")
So every year my wife watches Christmas in Connecticut. Early on in the movie one of the military guys tells the other the way to get what he wants from a nurse is to “give her the old magoo”. As sexually euphemistic as… --- ## [International left-right flag flips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-left-right-flag-flips/1027908)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-left-right-flag-flips/1027908 "2026-02-25T19:34:09Z")
The U.S. flag is very asymmetric to left-right image flips. So, it’s very obvious when a flag is depicted on a right shoulder that it’s been flipped left-right, to mimic how a flag on a pole in motion appears. And the U.… --- ## [Here’s what I think of casting Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-s-what-i-think-of-casting-tom-cruise-as-jack-reacher/1027876)
**Author:** [@hideousidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hideousidiot)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-s-what-i-think-of-casting-tom-cruise-as-jack-reacher/1027876 "2026-02-25T14:33:51Z")
If they would have cast the tiny (5’7”?) Cruise as the gigantic Jack Reacher but cast all the other parts with very short actors (except the actors who played in scenes without Cruise in them, like the shooting victims, … --- ## [Man armed with gun and fuel can shot dead after breaking into Trump's Mar-a-Lago property](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-armed-with-gun-and-fuel-can-shot-dead-after-breaking-into-trumps-mar-a-lago-property/1027891)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-armed-with-gun-and-fuel-can-shot-dead-after-breaking-into-trumps-mar-a-lago-property/1027891 "2026-02-25T13:38:41Z")
Man shot dead after allegedly trying to enter Mar-a-Largo. Man has not yet been named. Some information in this short YouTube clip --- ## [Childhood rhymes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-rhymes/1026557)
**Author:** [@jojo2hot4u](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jojo2hot4u)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-rhymes/1026557 "2026-02-25T06:18:52Z")
There once was a man from Peru He fell asleep in a canoe He was holding his penis While dreaming of Venus And woke up with a handful of goo There were other versions too…anyone have anything similar --- ## [How long will Trump ramble on at the this years SotU?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-trump-ramble-on-at-the-this-years-sotu/1027941)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-trump-ramble-on-at-the-this-years-sotu/1027941 "2026-02-25T04:04:43Z")
He’s been on a tear lately jamming up captive audiences for hours on end at seemingly innocuous events. How long do you think he’ll ramble on tonight? Also, how many times will he mention Biden? poll --- ## [The Doorman cometh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-doorman-cometh/1027911)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-doorman-cometh/1027911 "2026-02-25T03:39:59Z")
I’m not sure. It may just be my addled brain… A guy was holding the door into the pharmacy. 4 or 5 people walked in as he held the door. Me and Ivy were nearing the entrance, I see his other hand doing a weird come-on … --- ## [What music are you listening to right now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-are-you-listening-to-right-now/1015881)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-are-you-listening-to-right-now/1015881 "2026-02-25T03:11:38Z")
We lost our entire music collection in the fire, decades of filk, gone. I put on Meg Davis’s Captain Jack And The Mermaid on Amazon Prime not long ago and “My Winter Rose” is currently playing. I’ll probably put on Fis… --- ## [NASA redaction (Starliner)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-redaction-starliner/1027921)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-redaction-starliner/1027921 "2026-02-25T02:38:36Z")
nasa-report-with-redactions-021926.pdf NASA has released a redacted report on the recent Starliner fiasco. Astronauts parked in space while they waited for a ride home, while and after they decided that Starliner wasn’t… --- ## [The Pentagon won't commit to not using AI for domestic spying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pentagon-wont-commit-to-not-using-ai-for-domestic-spying/1027949)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pentagon-wont-commit-to-not-using-ai-for-domestic-spying/1027949 "2026-02-25T01:49:18Z")
(Not sure if this belongs here. Mods, please don’t hesitate to move.) This article on CNBC : “Anthropic faces Friday deadline in Defense AI clash with Hegseth” Anthropic is the company behind Claude, among the most suc… --- ## [Do you "sweat" vegetables? Tell us more](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-sweat-vegetables-tell-us-more/1027925)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-sweat-vegetables-tell-us-more/1027925 "2026-02-25T00:50:11Z")
I had never heard of “sweating” vegetables until 2004, when I took a cooking class with a Four Seasons chef in Cairo, Egypt. At that point, I thought of myself as a reasonably educated home chef. I would not go so far … --- ## [Where the hell was this seed? (Slightly gross)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-hell-was-this-seed-slightly-gross/1027849)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-hell-was-this-seed-slightly-gross/1027849 "2026-02-25T00:33:47Z")
65 years this never happened to me. I ate some citrus fruit. A bit afterwards I started coughing and wheezing. I was coughing and wheezing through the night, even in my sleep. This morning I was coughing up a storm ho… --- ## [Best EVs to buy now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-evs-to-buy-now/1027839)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-evs-to-buy-now/1027839 "2026-02-24T21:59:56Z")
Continuing the discussion from Is the US EV market dead?: By class. Small. Luxury. Truck. Whatever class strikes your interest. I’m looking at small. Personally want less controls requiring screens use. --- ## [The mysterious Bronze Age Brotlaibidole (bread loaf idols)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mysterious-bronze-age-brotlaibidole-bread-loaf-idols/1027917)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mysterious-bronze-age-brotlaibidole-bread-loaf-idols/1027917 "2026-02-24T21:05:25Z")
Bread loaf idols (Brotlaibidole) are mysterious, fired clay or stone artifacts from the Early Bronze Age (approx. 1750–1550 B.C.) found across Central Europe, from Poland to Italy. Shaped like small loaves, they are cove… --- ## [What is the significance if any of the following research in fusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-significance-if-any-of-the-following-research-in-fusion/1027674)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-significance-if-any-of-the-following-research-in-fusion/1027674 "2026-02-24T18:56:59Z")
For reasons I won’t go into (given the forum) I have taken a mild interest in TAE technologies a company that is working towards commercial fusion primarily based on their results outlined in the following paper appeari… --- ## [Very dark movie: The Rule of Jenny Pen (possible spoilers after the OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-dark-movie-the-rule-of-jenny-pen-possible-spoilers-after-the-op/1027912)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/very-dark-movie-the-rule-of-jenny-pen-possible-spoilers-after-the-op/1027912 "2026-02-24T18:44:19Z")
Described thusly: “Confined to a secluded rest home and trapped within his stroke-ridden body, a former Judge must stop an elderly psychopath who employs a child’s puppet to abuse the home’s residents with deadly conseq… --- ## [Re: John Davidson's outburst at the BAFTAs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-john-davidsons-outburst-at-the-baftas/1027910)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-john-davidsons-outburst-at-the-baftas/1027910 "2026-02-24T16:24:53Z")
\[I wasn’t sure if this is the right forum, but since the issue is ultimately a medical one I thought I’d try here first. There may follow a “great debate,” but that’s only possible from a place of ignorance, so I didn’t … --- ## [Celery quality in decline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celery-quality-in-decline/1027888)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celery-quality-in-decline/1027888 "2026-02-24T15:58:06Z")
(In Cafe Society because food). All fall and through this winter, I’ve been having a hard time finding celery at any of a number of grocery stores that is useable. It seems like at least half of any given bunch of cele… --- ## [Does Middle Eastern cuisine use a lot of tomatoes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-middle-eastern-cuisine-use-a-lot-of-tomatoes/1027853)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-middle-eastern-cuisine-use-a-lot-of-tomatoes/1027853 "2026-02-24T11:51:47Z")
I was at Walmart last week and they had a giant table of Roma tomatoes for a low price, like 69 cents a pound. Two middle aged, Middle East gents rushed over and filled 2 t-shirt shopping bags (not the little produce bag… --- ## [Dresden Files #18 Releases 01/20/26 \[Open spoilers starting with post #14\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dresden-files-18-releases-01-20-26-open-spoilers-starting-with-post-14/1026107)
**Author:** [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dresden-files-18-releases-01-20-26-open-spoilers-starting-with-post-14/1026107 "2026-02-24T11:49:30Z")
Answering xtenkfarpl’s question from April, Jim Butcher is set to release book #18 in the Dresden Files series on January 20. The title is Twelve Months. From the Amazon description: Harry Dresden has been through a l… --- ## [Give that blood, girl!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-blood-girl/1027851)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-that-blood-girl/1027851 "2026-02-24T06:16:24Z")
The Lil’wrekker is the member of an Arts association here in South Arkansas. They act, do showcases and music revues. Eh, it’s her thing. Funny, they are doing a Red cross blood drive. As a member in good standing, of c… --- ## [Drug lord 'El Mencho' killed in Mexico. In retaliation, the Narcos burn a Costco and other things in Puerto Vallarta](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-lord-el-mencho-killed-in-mexico-in-retaliation-the-narcos-burn-a-costco-and-other-things-in-puerto-vallarta/1027901)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-lord-el-mencho-killed-in-mexico-in-retaliation-the-narcos-burn-a-costco-and-other-things-in-puerto-vallarta/1027901 "2026-02-24T06:01:59Z")
The US and Canada urged their citizens in parts of Mexico to “shelter in place” on Sunday as a Mexican cartel retaliated for the death of its leader. In videos shared online, burning vehicles and plumes of smoke co… --- ## [Pentagon launches investigation of misconduct against Sen. Mark Kelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-launches-investigation-of-misconduct-against-sen-mark-kelly/1025101)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 262\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-launches-investigation-of-misconduct-against-sen-mark-kelly/1025101 "2026-02-24T02:52:29Z")
From The Hill: The Pentagon said Monday that it has received “serious allegations of misconduct” against Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and has initiated a “thorough review” of the allegations. It comes days after the senat… --- ## [Can you truly empty a box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-truly-empty-a-box/1027794)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-truly-empty-a-box/1027794 "2026-02-24T02:00:29Z")
A “box” is a container meant to hold “stuff”. How much “stuff” can you take out of a box? It is a trivial matter to reach in and remove a physical, solid object. What’s left? An empty box? NO. The box still has air … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=135&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=137&state=muted)