# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1617 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1618 --- ## [Trump trying to rush approval for firing squads for federal executions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-trying-to-rush-approval-for-firing-squads-for-federal-executions/926626)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-trying-to-rush-approval-for-firing-squads-for-federal-executions/926626 "2020-12-13T17:22:47Z")
I am against the DP for any crime by any method. OTOH I guess dead is dead and it would be hard to botch shooting someone. .He probably wants Don Jr. and Eric to be 2 of the shooters. And probably himself too. --- ## [RIP Dick Allen (former MLB player)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-dick-allen-former-mlb-player/927505)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2020, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-dick-allen-former-mlb-player/927505 "2020-12-11T01:26:46Z")
Dick Allen, who won the NL Rookie of the Year Award for the Phillies in 1964, and the 1972 AL MVP Award for the White Sox (as well as two AL home run titles), passed away today, at age 78. He’s not in the Baseball Hall … --- ## [What exactly qualifies as blackface? What forms are offensive and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848)
**Author:** [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Replies:** 435\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848 "2020-12-13T16:48:54Z")
I understand the stereotyping associated with the old minstrel shows and why the strictly defined blackface as a genre was so racist but I’m struggling to understand how examples like these qualify as blackface or why th… --- ## [Suggestion for new business name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-for-new-business-name/913719)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-for-new-business-name/913719 "2020-12-13T16:31:23Z")
so after about 15 years in the computer biz, the combination of COVID and a little wanderlust on my part is making me lean into starting up another little biz both to augment my spotty computer business and perhaps to ev… --- ## [Premature thread closure in Great Debates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premature-thread-closure-in-great-debates/927901)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premature-thread-closure-in-great-debates/927901 "2020-12-13T16:21:05Z")
I don’t believe it was necessary to close this thread on the topic of Moses Farrow’s support for Woody Allen. It was closed after only 26 posts, of which 12 were either from the poster who was making inappropriate relig… --- ## [What's a good calendar for 2021?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-calendar-for-2021/927846)
**Author:** [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-calendar-for-2021/927846 "2020-12-13T16:15:35Z")
Amazon is sold out of the Tolkien calendar. The Frazetta calendar is OK, but not great. I am not a fan of Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell. None of the Norman Rockwell calendars are good this year. Grumpy Cat is not as g… --- ## [The Drummer on The Cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-drummer-on-the-cars/927953)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-drummer-on-the-cars/927953 "2020-12-13T16:11:54Z")
Holy crap! This guy is good! No, really. I’m just listening to some Cars music, but this guy is an anchor. David Robinson. Pay attention. You’ll be surprised. --- ## [Who exactly do we vote for in the POTUS election? A question about the EC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-do-we-vote-for-in-the-potus-election-a-question-about-the-ec/927862)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-do-we-vote-for-in-the-potus-election-a-question-about-the-ec/927862 "2020-12-13T15:47:58Z")
This article from Politico has me wondering about who we are voting for when we cast our ballot for POTUS. The question is, do we vote for specific individual electors or for a Democratic or Republican slate of electo… --- ## [Eating while asleep](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-while-asleep/927548)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-while-asleep/927548 "2020-12-13T15:38:19Z")
Purely a hypothetical. Let’s say that a person develops a system to cause a full meal-sized amount of food to enter their stomach while asleep (e.g. a food pack suspended in the esophagus on a timer), halfway through th… --- ## [After first dose of vaccine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-first-dose-of-vaccine/927490)
**Author:** [@Courk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Courk)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-first-dose-of-vaccine/927490 "2020-12-13T15:30:36Z")
I’m struggling to find information on this, but is there any protection offered after receiving the first dose of a two-part series? I feel like there would be some protection, with possibly an exposure after that time … --- ## [Crimes of the Big Bang Theory characters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crimes-of-the-big-bang-theory-characters/838234)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crimes-of-the-big-bang-theory-characters/838234 "2020-12-13T15:13:03Z")
What could the BBT characters be charged with (I’ll allow the crimes that they might be acquitted of - as long as they could be reasonably arrested and charged, it counts). Off the top of my head Sheldon - adulterati… --- ## [Chicago renters' rights: non-smoking building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-renters-rights-non-smoking-building/927927)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-renters-rights-non-smoking-building/927927 "2020-12-13T14:43:00Z")
I rent an apartment in what is ostensibly a smoke free building. The lease mentions this explicitly. My downstairs neighbor smokes inside, and the smoke enters my apartment somehow. Cracks, vents, who knows. It disturbs … --- ## [MLB Farm Team Limits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-farm-team-limits/927898)
**Author:** [@Ptolomy57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptolomy57)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-farm-team-limits/927898 "2020-12-13T13:50:48Z")
Recently, the MLB announced a reduction in the number of farm teams that can be affiliated with a major league baseball team. Hence, there has been a restructuring of minor league ball clubs. Why does the MLB care how ma… --- ## [What things, psychologically, can and cannot a person change about themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-psychologically-can-and-cannot-a-person-change-about-themselves/926630)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-things-psychologically-can-and-cannot-a-person-change-about-themselves/926630 "2020-12-13T07:30:27Z")
I happen to inhabit a social circle which leans towards heavily towards the “you just need to change yourself/change your heart/change your thinking” spectrum, which has led to the following question - what is, or is not… --- ## [Why is pessimism considered the same as not \*wanting\* to win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pessimism-considered-the-same-as-not-wanting-to-win/927929)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pessimism-considered-the-same-as-not-wanting-to-win/927929 "2020-12-13T06:41:35Z")
Whether it’s voters, or sports fans, I’ve noticed that if someone says “I don’t think we will win,” he or she will usually then get blasted by people who accuse him/her of not wanting to win, or in fact actually being fr… --- ## [What percentage of revolutions actually improve things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-revolutions-actually-improve-things/927402)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-revolutions-actually-improve-things/927402 "2020-12-13T05:59:39Z")
I’m thinking the American revolution turned out pretty well. The French, not so much. Several of the ‘Arab Spring’ movements seem to have made things worse. Can we decide which were on balance improvements and what the p… --- ## [Mayor as an honorific](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayor-as-an-honorific/927445)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayor-as-an-honorific/927445 "2020-12-13T05:28:26Z")
Rudy Giuliani has been in the news (a lot) lately. Presumably to add gravitas to his role in the post-election Trump machine he has been referred to frequently as ‘Mayor Giuliani’. Is this a common honorific to retain … --- ## [Another "what is it?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-is-it/927938)
**Author:** [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-is-it/927938 "2020-12-13T04:38:19Z")
So this morning I was watching trains on a live webcam when something or someone unusual got off the train. Here’s the video. Go to 11:57:40 and pay attention to the open door closest to the camera. Who or what gets of… --- ## [Can the BLT (sandwich) be improved upon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-blt-sandwich-be-improved-upon/927412)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-blt-sandwich-be-improved-upon/927412 "2020-12-13T03:51:34Z")
I love BLTs. I know it’s not very healthy, but I make one for lunch or dinner once every couple of weeks or so. For most recipes, I tweak something or other – add onions or garlic, change the seasoning, add bacon, etc.… --- ## [What would modern digital TV/commercial radio/cell signals look like to someone in the 1960s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-modern-digital-tv-commercial-radio-cell-signals-look-like-to-someone-in-the-1960s/927914)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-modern-digital-tv-commercial-radio-cell-signals-look-like-to-someone-in-the-1960s/927914 "2020-12-13T02:43:37Z")
Please forgive in advance my expulsion of repulsive technical ignorance on the subject, but I’ve got an oddball question related to a creative project I’m working on… Cutting to the chase, as it says in the title, what … --- ## [We're watching Andrea Bocelli Believe in Christmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-watching-andrea-bocelli-believe-in-christmas/927937)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-watching-andrea-bocelli-believe-in-christmas/927937 "2020-12-13T01:34:49Z")
The techno-peasant is amazed that we can order up a live - streaming of concert half a world away and watch it in our own home. Mrs P just came across it this afternoon and said, “Do you want to sign up for the Andrea B… --- ## [Anybody know where I can watch Handel's Messiah on TV or online this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-where-i-can-watch-handels-messiah-on-tv-or-online-this-year/927692)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-where-i-can-watch-handels-messiah-on-tv-or-online-this-year/927692 "2020-12-13T01:52:12Z")
I don’t have cable just a Roku and the only OTA station I get is PBS. Gosh, maybe no one is performing it live this year… :anguished: May have to watch an old video recording of it… --- ## [Sugar syrup concentration in cocktails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-syrup-concentration-in-cocktails/927909)
**Author:** [@mr\_jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_jp)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-syrup-concentration-in-cocktails/927909 "2020-12-13T01:32:49Z")
When a recipe calls for sugar syrup in a cocktail, and it is not further specified, what is the concentration? For example in the IBA recipes. I assume it’s 1-1 sugar and water, while my friend assumes its 2-1 sugar and… --- ## [Anyone work with nuclear weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-work-with-nuclear-weapons/927382)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-work-with-nuclear-weapons/927382 "2020-12-13T01:16:01Z")
In a plane , silo, sub , etc? I wonder what kind of extra rules they have? Now or in the past. Know a guy who was Air Force and he had to go into silos to check radios. They had a long list and it was common t… --- ## [Henri le chat noir has passed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/henri-le-chat-noir-has-passed/927829)
**Author:** [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/henri-le-chat-noir-has-passed/927829 "2020-12-13T00:54:00Z")
2020 strikes another blow, henri has passed away. R.I.P. Henri, le Chat Noir, angst-ridden feline YouTube star for the ages | Ars Technica i enjoyed the videos, bought a shirt, and had a poster (until stretch ate parts… --- ## [Android app that will allow texting to regular SMS numbers without cellular service(using WiFi)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-app-that-will-allow-texting-to-regular-sms-numbers-without-cellular-service-using-wifi/927934)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-app-that-will-allow-texting-to-regular-sms-numbers-without-cellular-service-using-wifi/927934 "2020-12-13T00:46:54Z")
My understanding is that Whatsapp can not do this unless the person joins Whatsapp. My daughter is getting my wife’s hand-me-down phone and we would like her to be able to send texts on it even though it will no longer … --- ## [Is there any way to directly copy a URL with Chrome or other browsers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-directly-copy-a-url-with-chrome-or-other-browsers/927897)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-directly-copy-a-url-with-chrome-or-other-browsers/927897 "2020-12-13T00:21:40Z")
Chrome no longer gives Copy option when pressing a URL. Screenshot Gmail, NewsFeed, Chats, Messages Completely useless options for me. Pressing the other button, that looks like two sheets of paper copies with Amp L… --- ## [How does phone call get to me wherever I am on cell phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-phone-call-get-to-me-wherever-i-am-on-cell-phone/927661)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2020, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-phone-call-get-to-me-wherever-i-am-on-cell-phone/927661 "2020-12-12T23:59:15Z")
If someone calls me from across the US is my phone pinging the local tower every so often? And then there is a central database that says my phone is now in the area and then it rings? --- ## [Does a star shaped gas burner produce noticeably more uniform heating than conventional round burners?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-star-shaped-gas-burner-produce-noticeably-more-uniform-heating-than-conventional-round-burners/927848)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2020, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-star-shaped-gas-burner-produce-noticeably-more-uniform-heating-than-conventional-round-burners/927848 "2020-12-12T23:53:13Z")
“ The Star® Burner’s unique shape isn’t just for show. It creates a perimeter 56% longer than a round range burner of the same size, which allows the inclusion of more flame ports. The result is a stove burner that deliv… --- ## [Flourless peanut butter cookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourless-peanut-butter-cookies/927931)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourless-peanut-butter-cookies/927931 "2020-12-12T23:31:39Z")
There are a variety of recipes out there, but the basic one I use is: • 1 cup peanut butter, any kind • 1 cup brown sugar • 1tsp baking soda • 1 egg • 2 heaping Tbs of anything that will add a little body - I usuall… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1616) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1618)