# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1601 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1602 --- ## [Pre-publication knowledge of The Simarillion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-publication-knowledge-of-the-simarillion/797831)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-publication-knowledge-of-the-simarillion/797831 "2020-12-28T14:48:20Z")
What did Tolkien fans know about The Silmarillion before Christopher published it in 1977? I know he talked it about it in his letters, but beyond that was there anything else? --- ## [A Festivus For The Rest of Us. A Grievence MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 303\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511 "2020-12-28T14:21:36Z")
I GOT A LOTTA PROBLEMS WITH YOU PEOPLE, AND TONIGHT YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ALL ABOUT IT. This year it’s mainly companies who can’t pack shipping boxes for shit, and maskless people(pro tip: it’s a mask, not a jaw sling). Bu… --- ## [Machine-Generated Weirdness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machine-generated-weirdness/929013)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machine-generated-weirdness/929013 "2020-12-28T13:20:37Z")
What the Hell, let’s mess around with Talk To Transformer again: The cat lovers of America announced today that U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) have lost the cat vote. … --- ## [Your opinions on long term care insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-on-long-term-care-insurance/926415)
**Author:** [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-on-long-term-care-insurance/926415 "2020-12-28T13:11:07Z")
I’m in my 50’s but about to put my Dad into a nursing home. The cost is HUGE and I quickly show nursing home care can put a family into bankruptcy. So what do you all think about long term care insurance? --- ## [How was your Zoom Christmas (or person to person Xmas)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-your-zoom-christmas-or-person-to-person-xmas/928976)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-your-zoom-christmas-or-person-to-person-xmas/928976 "2020-12-28T12:37:52Z")
How was your Christmas this year? What changed from normal? Ours was about six hours of Zoom across three households, California, Connecticut and Indiana. Two one-year olds, one 4 1/2 year old, who bounced around a lot,… --- ## [What did you get for Christmas this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-get-for-christmas-this-year/928983)
**Author:** [@CorpusNeptune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CorpusNeptune)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-get-for-christmas-this-year/928983 "2020-12-28T09:42:31Z")
What I got that’s noteworthy enough to mention: 8 theatre boxes (yes, 8) of Bottle Caps candy. Hoodies. Lots of hoodies. Gift cards to restaurants like Five Guys and Culvers. Mostly money, as family members didn’t want… --- ## [I would like confirmation on whether Articles 5 6 and 7 of the US Constitution were ever amended](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-confirmation-on-whether-articles-5-6-and-7-of-the-us-constitution-were-ever-amended/928884)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-confirmation-on-whether-articles-5-6-and-7-of-the-us-constitution-were-ever-amended/928884 "2020-12-28T07:24:24Z")
I’ve been reading through the 27 Amendment to the US Constitution. I would like confirmation on whether Articles 5, 6 and 7 were ever amended. I don’t believe so. I have not found any. --- ## [Just fund the damn government already!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-fund-the-damn-government-already/928357)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-fund-the-damn-government-already/928357 "2020-12-28T06:39:49Z")
Currently hearing the pronouncements about the potential shut down. What a waste. Each time we get up to the brink, there is significant lost time - even if only 15 min per employee. I really wish there were some sort… --- ## [Planter's Peanut Bar or Munch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planters-peanut-bar-or-munch/712247)
**Author:** [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planters-peanut-bar-or-munch/712247 "2020-12-28T04:21:42Z")
Which peanut-based confection do you prefer? --- ## [Black Pumas fans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-pumas-fans/929059)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-pumas-fans/929059 "2020-12-28T02:44:43Z")
Colors --- ## [Anyone feel the same about Scrooged as you did when you saw it in theatres? And that feeling is](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-feel-the-same-about-scrooged-as-you-did-when-you-saw-it-in-theatres-and-that-feeling-is/927857)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-feel-the-same-about-scrooged-as-you-did-when-you-saw-it-in-theatres-and-that-feeling-is/927857 "2020-12-28T01:21:53Z")
Funny, but mean-spirited and maybe Bill left a little too much of himself on the screen? He’s not THAT different in Groundhog Day, but i feel like the corners in that movie are ground down a lot more.\* \*Mind you the sh… --- ## [The latest federal government shutdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-federal-government-shutdown/929047)
**Author:** [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-federal-government-shutdown/929047 "2020-12-27T23:17:10Z")
In what’s become an American tradition, we’re a little over 24 hours out from the federal government shutting down. Just to make things more interesting, this time it’s in the middle of a surging global pandemic. And i… --- ## [How do the current list of Mods identify themselves as to gender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-current-list-of-mods-identify-themselves-as-to-gender/925936)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-current-list-of-mods-identify-themselves-as-to-gender/925936 "2020-12-27T23:54:10Z")
How many males? How many females? How many other? --- ## [Why are Canadian and American letter grade and % grade equivalents different?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-canadian-and-american-letter-grade-and-grade-equivalents-different/928784)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-canadian-and-american-letter-grade-and-grade-equivalents-different/928784 "2020-12-27T23:26:53Z")
When I went to school in Toronto, the way teachers graded us became consistent from middle school onwards. We had two main types of grades - % grades and letter grades (at university, we had % grades and grade point aver… --- ## [Relentlessly work-focused people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relentlessly-work-focused-people/928344)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relentlessly-work-focused-people/928344 "2020-12-27T23:19:49Z")
Every year about this time of year (i.e. about 3-5 working days before Xmas) , I have noticed a certain phenomenon everywhere I’ve worked. That phenomenon is that while most, but not all of the rank and file are startin… --- ## [How should I acquire a puppy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-acquire-a-puppy/915122)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-acquire-a-puppy/915122 "2020-07-23T23:42:40Z")
After years of deliberation, my wife and I decided to pull the trigger and get ourselves a dog. (For one thing, we both work and felt it would be a problem to leave the poor guy hoe alone all day. But now we’re working… --- ## [Not participating in my own thread -- legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032 "2020-12-27T20:34:38Z")
I’m thinking of posting an (original!) essay in GD, which I would intend to stand by itself. I don’t care to debate it fully; it would pretty much say what I want to say. What the hell could I say, in response to attac… --- ## [Whatcha cookin'? Christmas 2020 version](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830 "2020-12-27T19:54:30Z")
There are only 3 adults this year in my household but I’m still making too much food. We’ve got the purchased pasteles and I’m about to put marinade on my pernil. Got some lemon halves candy-ing on a pot on the stove fo… --- ## [My traditional Christmas eve ritual](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-traditional-christmas-eve-ritual/928857)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-traditional-christmas-eve-ritual/928857 "2020-12-27T19:53:13Z")
It’s 4 p.m. on Christmas eve. I’ve just walked around, setting my exterior Christmas and platform lights (I live in a replica train station), to stay on all night. Next was my interior Christmas lighting – once again, fo… --- ## [Seat Belt Law and Statutory Interpretation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-belt-law-and-statutory-interpretation/928936)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-belt-law-and-statutory-interpretation/928936 "2020-12-27T19:53:03Z")
A few days ago I was waiting in court for a hearing and heard a trial on a seat belt violation. In my state, it is a $25 fine, no court costs, no points, not sent to the insurance company. The guy would have been bette… --- ## [LED Bulbs and Garage Door Openers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-bulbs-and-garage-door-openers/928842)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-bulbs-and-garage-door-openers/928842 "2020-12-27T19:27:37Z")
Garage door openers usually include sockets for light bulbs. What is it about using regular LEDs that can cause interference with the remote operation of openers? The LEDs specifically for openers are considerably more e… --- ## [Jingle Bells, Batman smells... fill in the rest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells-fill-in-the-rest/928845)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells-fill-in-the-rest/928845 "2020-12-27T19:26:02Z")
We have had thread about this before, but not for quite a while. Please fill in your local lines from your childhood, as you might remember them. --- ## ["Bill and Ted: Face the Music" out this summer. Will it be excellent or heinous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297 "2020-12-27T19:20:52Z")
Trailer here: That trailer is inconclusive, but I get a little bit of a bogus vibe. Maybe because 50-somethings acting like teenage stoners is just, kinda sad? I want to like it, because Keanu. --- ## [Standalone student debt forgiveness is a terrible policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standalone-student-debt-forgiveness-is-a-terrible-policy/925976)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standalone-student-debt-forgiveness-is-a-terrible-policy/925976 "2020-12-27T19:17:58Z")
Standalone student debt forgiveness is a terrible policy, and I can’t get my head around why intelligent people are supporting it. For reference, Chuck Schumer suggests Biden could eliminate student debt via executive o… --- ## [What’s so great about Leon: The Professional? (SPOILERS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-so-great-about-leon-the-professional-spoilers/928887)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-so-great-about-leon-the-professional-spoilers/928887 "2020-12-27T18:37:21Z")
So I finally got around to watching the film, after seeing it on Top Movies listings for years. I guess it was somewhat entertaining, but kind of stuck between the current universe and some Tarantino version of it. Why… --- ## [Future of fascism in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-fascism-in-america/921269)
**Author:** [@razordance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razordance)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-fascism-in-america/921269 "2020-12-27T18:04:50Z")
I don’t see much, really. There’s been a lot of talk comparing the Trumpers to a fascist movement, but I don’t think Trump’s nativist populism really qualifies. Fascism, being a product of the hubristic 20th Century, i… --- ## [Can a biopic of a racist person not be racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-biopic-of-a-racist-person-not-be-racist/928475)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-biopic-of-a-racist-person-not-be-racist/928475 "2020-12-27T17:41:32Z")
This could end up in GD, so I’ll let the mods decide on that. Suppose someone were to make a biographical movie about Robert E. Lee, Hitler, Stonewall Jackson, or the like - does the movie have to include depictions of … --- ## ["getting used to the cold weather"--What's the physiology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-used-to-the-cold-weather-whats-the-physiology/928908)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-used-to-the-cold-weather-whats-the-physiology/928908 "2020-12-27T17:20:51Z")
I hate cold weather, and feel the pain more severely than most people. If I am outdoors in weather below 50 degrees F (10 C), I wear long underwear and a heavy coat. (yes, I’m a very thin guy) I like to joke that any … --- ## [In an effort of biblical proportions, and epic good will, the prodigal Son-of-a-wrek has returned to the homestead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-an-effort-of-biblical-proportions-and-epic-good-will-the-prodigal-son-of-a-wrek-has-returned-to-the-homestead/928427)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-an-effort-of-biblical-proportions-and-epic-good-will-the-prodigal-son-of-a-wrek-has-returned-to-the-homestead/928427 "2020-12-27T14:59:23Z")
We didn’t exactly kill the fatted calf. We did cook up a feast fit for the Prince himself. We are very happy. He looks fine. He’s lost some weight but I’ll personally fix that. Bayliss the tail-less is wiggling out o… --- ## [Selling animation cels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-animation-cels/849766)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-animation-cels/849766 "2020-11-12T18:44:03Z")
I have recently acquired some Disney animation cels. That is the original painted artwork used in the making of films. I know these can be fairly valuable, and I’m looking to sell them. Any advice on finding a dealer to… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1600) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1602)