# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1588 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1589 --- ## [Things that were done in your childhood that would never be allowed today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-were-done-in-your-childhood-that-would-never-be-allowed-today/919650)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 475\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-were-done-in-your-childhood-that-would-never-be-allowed-today/919650 "2021-01-08T22:05:05Z")
Society and values change constantly. Things that nobody batted an eye at 50-60, or even 20 years ago might be considered unthinkable or offensive today. My mom told me that she used to buy cigarettes for her dad (my gr… --- ## [What will happen in the next 10 weeks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-in-the-next-10-weeks/925002)
**Author:** [@paulmarkj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulmarkj)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-in-the-next-10-weeks/925002 "2021-01-08T21:47:26Z")
Trump has some weeks left to run. Will he do anything drastic? I don’t think he will refuse to leave, he will have to find a ‘way out’ for his ego to survive. Will he encourage puiblic disorder? Will he sabotage/ Wha… --- ## [The Georgia Senate runoff races: A poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-georgia-senate-runoff-races-a-poll/929597)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-georgia-senate-runoff-races-a-poll/929597 "2021-01-08T21:35:29Z")
What do you believe will be the outcome of the Georgia Senate runoff races? poll --- ## [Wiping aluminum with toluene or mineral oil - why do I keep getting black on the cloth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiping-aluminum-with-toluene-or-mineral-oil-why-do-i-keep-getting-black-on-the-cloth/929638)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiping-aluminum-with-toluene-or-mineral-oil-why-do-i-keep-getting-black-on-the-cloth/929638 "2021-01-08T21:24:11Z")
I have pretty freshly machined aluminum but with white silicone grease (heat transfer compound) on it, and using toluene or mineral oil to wipe the aluminum, my rag keeps coming up black, which never stops. What am I get… --- ## [The Kidney Stones Kompendium](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kidney-stones-kompendium/929175)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kidney-stones-kompendium/929175 "2021-01-08T21:14:18Z")
I sadly find myself looking for first-hand details on kidney stones. What’s better than spending Christmas Eve in the Emergency Department of the local hospital? I ask you. Pain in lower abdomen and other issues in the… --- ## [Blood Meridian (Cormac McCarthy) NO SPOILERS PLEASE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-meridian-cormac-mccarthy-no-spoilers-please/929019)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-meridian-cormac-mccarthy-no-spoilers-please/929019 "2021-01-08T21:10:53Z")
I am about 25% into this book and I am struggling. Not that I don’t like it. I’m struggling with the language. Between the vocabulary words and the frequent dialog in Spanish I am either stopping way too frequently to lo… --- ## [Are rollovers that much of a safety issue in cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rollovers-that-much-of-a-safety-issue-in-cars/929855)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rollovers-that-much-of-a-safety-issue-in-cars/929855 "2021-01-08T21:03:49Z")
I believe the thinking is that since fatalities are more likely in cases of auto accidents with rollover than without, rollovers are dangerous. This is widely considered a safety issue, especially for SUVs. But are they… --- ## [If you had to the power to stop Team Mickey from buying most of 21sc Century Fox would you? I would](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-the-power-to-stop-team-mickey-from-buying-most-of-21sc-century-fox-would-you-i-would/929968)
**Author:** [@Kadmos1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kadmos1)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-the-power-to-stop-team-mickey-from-buying-most-of-21sc-century-fox-would-you-i-would/929968 "2021-01-08T21:00:39Z")
\-Fox selling back those Marvel rights to Disney? Sure. However, at least give Fox Lucasfilm. Then, at least Fox would have had at least 1 major media franchise (Star Wars) to mooch off of. Don’t end a storied movie empir… --- ## [Changed Title: RIP Tanya Roberts \[death now confirmed\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changed-title-rip-tanya-roberts-death-now-confirmed/929643)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changed-title-rip-tanya-roberts-death-now-confirmed/929643 "2021-01-08T20:52:03Z")
It didn’t seem to make the news services that I read, so maybe some missed it. Tanya Roberts died yesterday at 65, no cause of death given. I never saw her season of Charlie’s Angels, but I saw Beastmaster about ten tim… --- ## [USA - a culture of historic, bipartisan disrespect towards fair elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-a-culture-of-historic-bipartisan-disrespect-towards-fair-elections/929890)
**Author:** [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-a-culture-of-historic-bipartisan-disrespect-towards-fair-elections/929890 "2021-01-08T20:14:44Z")
Americans are very cranky about white supremacists allowing other white supremacists to storm their government building but is this just chickens coming out to roost, like brave new racist chickens? The USA is the bigge… --- ## [Should there be consequences for the Sedition Caucus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-consequences-for-the-sedition-caucus/929814)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-consequences-for-the-sedition-caucus/929814 "2021-01-08T19:58:25Z")
It’s early on Jan 6 - but let’s assume that House and Senate Republicans go through with their threat to object to the slate of electors from several swing states, on the basis of no evidence. When the dust settles, and… --- ## [Vaccination and insurance rates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccination-and-insurance-rates/929719)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccination-and-insurance-rates/929719 "2021-01-08T19:43:36Z")
So, everyone knows that the greater the proportion of people vaccinated, the more effective the vaccine is, and so our target should be close to 100% vaccinated (only close to, not exactly, because there are a small perc… --- ## [Senate spit is 50/50. Who gets to elect a majority leader?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-spit-is-50-50-who-gets-to-elect-a-majority-leader/929947)
**Author:** [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-spit-is-50-50-who-gets-to-elect-a-majority-leader/929947 "2021-01-08T18:21:38Z")
Technically, the republicans still have a majority in the Senate because of the two independents. I assume McConnell will continue to be majority leader. --- ## [Colds & Non-Covid Flu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colds-non-covid-flu/929919)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colds-non-covid-flu/929919 "2021-01-08T18:21:10Z")
I’m wondering how everyone is faring this cold and flu season. With everyone wearing masks, social distancing, and washing their hands more often and more thoroughly, I wouldn’t think many people are getting sick (non-C… --- ## [Felony murder rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/felony-murder-rule/930043)
**Author:** [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/felony-murder-rule/930043 "2021-01-08T18:15:47Z")
At least four people have died as a result of the mayhem at the Capitol, one of whom was shot to death. If a Certain Person were found guilty of inciting the mob violence, would the felony murder rule apply regarding the… --- ## [Could an "Astronaut Farmer" mission actually succeed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-astronaut-farmer-mission-actually-succeed/455336)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-an-astronaut-farmer-mission-actually-succeed/455336 "2021-01-08T18:13:23Z")
The “Astronaut Farmer” movie with Billy Bob Thornton shows a rocket scientist, living on a farm, able to build an apollo like rocket with spare parts and rocket fuel. Could such a thing happen, realistically? A genius-l… --- ## [Does a badly administered swab test return no result or a negative result?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-badly-administered-swab-test-return-no-result-or-a-negative-result/929976)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-badly-administered-swab-test-return-no-result-or-a-negative-result/929976 "2021-01-08T17:23:21Z")
When I recently took a covid test I had huge problems swabbing the back of my throat as I kept gagging. I was sure I did a poor job and the test came back negative. In hindsight I probably was negative but I wonder, if I… --- ## [Is the Trump video that Twitter took down available?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-trump-video-that-twitter-took-down-available/929986)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-trump-video-that-twitter-took-down-available/929986 "2021-01-08T17:04:26Z")
I have tried to find it but get swamped by hits on news reports of Twitter’s action. Where is the actual ‘banned’ video? Thanks! --- ## [New H.G. Wells Commemorative Coin-How hard could it be to count to three?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-h-g-wells-commemorative-coin-how-hard-could-it-be-to-count-to-three/929953)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-h-g-wells-commemorative-coin-how-hard-could-it-be-to-count-to-three/929953 "2021-01-08T16:59:34Z")
So the Royal Mint celebrated the life of H.G. Wells, with a 2 pound coin, featuring the Invisible Man in a top hat in the foreground, and a Martian Tri-pod in the background. The UK’s new HG Wells coin features numerous… --- ## [Other Instances of Congress Being Disrupted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-instances-of-congress-being-disrupted/929981)
**Author:** [@songsearch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/songsearch)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-instances-of-congress-being-disrupted/929981 "2021-01-08T16:44:36Z")
Have there been other instances of Congress being disrupted by protesters in the past? --- ## [Fenced yards, eastern U.S. vs. western U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fenced-yards-eastern-u-s-vs-western-u-s/383741)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fenced-yards-eastern-u-s-vs-western-u-s/383741 "2021-01-08T16:30:21Z")
I like to watch landscaping design shows. Many of these shows are filmed in eastern states, and I note that next to no one has fences around their backyards. On the last show, a family wanted their deck area extended f… --- ## [Why was the 1/6 insurrection thread closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-1-6-insurrection-thread-closed/929988)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-1-6-insurrection-thread-closed/929988 "2021-01-08T15:09:08Z")
This thread was closed … I guess because the OP asked it to be? It couldn’t simply be because a thread named about being 1/6 can only be posted to on 1/6. That’s just inherently silly, and besides, the 2020 election da… --- ## [Question about the Biden presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-biden-presidency/929995)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-biden-presidency/929995 "2021-01-08T15:03:23Z")
Joe Biden takes December 18th off every year as it is the anniversary of his first wife and daughter. Presuming he takes it off as President, will he make Kamala acting president for the day? There is precedent for tha… --- ## [Is my web host talking rubbish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-web-host-talking-rubbish/929734)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-web-host-talking-rubbish/929734 "2021-01-08T14:15:13Z")
Hi. Just thought i’d ask this here before trying a specialist forum … I have a small personal web site and i’d like to put some old flash content on it, but as flash is being discontinued i’d like to use Ruffle which … --- ## [State lottery question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-lottery-question/929587)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-lottery-question/929587 "2021-01-08T14:11:03Z")
Every week 4 people who work together pool their money and buy a lottery ticket. One day a miracle happens and their ticket wins a substantial amount of money. Two of the people are adamant that the ticket be claimed a… --- ## [Please Explain a Democratic Senate to a Canadian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-a-democratic-senate-to-a-canadian/929844)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-a-democratic-senate-to-a-canadian/929844 "2021-01-08T13:59:47Z")
It looks like the Democrats are going to win control of the Senate at this point. I am pleased, since I prefer democracy to kleptocracy. And democratic principles are important to me. But what does this mean in practi… --- ## [Does Occam's Razor have an opposite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-occams-razor-have-an-opposite/929944)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-occams-razor-have-an-opposite/929944 "2021-01-08T13:20:08Z")
Is there a term for the type of thinking that rejects the simplest and most obvious explanations for things, yet is willing and eager to buy into ridiculously convoluted and implausible conspiracy-type theories? I’m not… --- ## [Covid risk vs occupation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-risk-vs-occupation/929979)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-risk-vs-occupation/929979 "2021-01-08T12:47:29Z")
Couldn’t find an existing thread that this would sit in (it’s not breaking news) but this graph is very interesting. Flight attendants are the most at risk non-medical group although in France I’ve heard that taxi driver… --- ## [Tell me about this very common joke type](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-very-common-joke-type/929644)
**Author:** [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2021, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-this-very-common-joke-type/929644 "2021-01-08T12:18:26Z")
Here is an example from Twitter : Someone said Josh Hawley had the charisma of a Moai statue and someone else replied: Harsh on Moai A type of joke you hear a million times but I admit it made me chuckle. The basic t… --- ## [Help With Wigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-wigs/249253)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-wigs/249253 "2004-06-08T16:36:24Z")
A good friend is undergoing risky surgery that will require her head to be shaved. She has enough on her plate right now and has asked me for help figuring out where to get a wig. I have to admit I am pretty clueless her… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1587) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1589)