# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1620 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1621 --- ## [Bellwether counties suddenly became meaningless in this year's election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bellwether-counties-suddenly-became-meaningless-in-this-years-election/927765)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bellwether-counties-suddenly-became-meaningless-in-this-years-election/927765 "2020-12-11T01:15:42Z")
Wall Street Journal article: There were 19 bellwether counties that had reliably voted for the eventual U.S. presidential victor in ten consecutive elections, dating back to 1980. But this time around, Trump won 18 out … --- ## [Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" and its intro "Henry" - why is latter omitted on radio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rod-stewarts-maggie-may-and-its-intro-henry-why-is-latter-omitted-on-radio/612153)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2020, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rod-stewarts-maggie-may-and-its-intro-henry-why-is-latter-omitted-on-radio/612153 "2020-12-11T00:43:45Z")
I think it should be a fucking crime against humanity to play “Maggie May” without the guitar intro, “Henry.” Here is the proper version of the song. As a kid, in the early and mid 90s, I always used to hear this song o… --- ## [Northern Lights to be very good Dec 10th (Thurs)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-lights-to-be-very-good-dec-10th-thurs/927674)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-lights-to-be-very-good-dec-10th-thurs/927674 "2020-12-11T00:30:14Z")
For those in NYC or north of there. --- ## [Protocols for Coliving House (7 Roommates!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protocols-for-coliving-house-7-roommates/926063)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protocols-for-coliving-house-7-roommates/926063 "2020-12-11T00:07:23Z")
In an effort to escape the chaos and depression of urban environments during the pandemic, six friends and I have moved to a mansion in Hawaii until the world returns to normal. We’re all pretty happy with our decision … --- ## [Galette and other marketing names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galette-and-other-marketing-names/927686)
**Author:** [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galette-and-other-marketing-names/927686 "2020-12-10T23:34:09Z")
Years ago, I learned to make something called a “rustic pie.” It had a tiny moment, but didn’t really catch on and the family thought it was weird when I brought a delicious one to a party. Leap ahead 25 years and it’s n… --- ## [Coding/Programming nightmares. Those forced on you and the ones you left for others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coding-programming-nightmares-those-forced-on-you-and-the-ones-you-left-for-others/917557)
**Author:** [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coding-programming-nightmares-those-forced-on-you-and-the-ones-you-left-for-others/917557 "2020-12-10T22:26:58Z")
If you’ve dealt with code, you’ve almost assuredly run into a ball of code you’d rather not deal with at all, but you have to anyway. If you’ve done it long enough, you’ve probably been the progenitor of the same for som… --- ## [Why Are These Things Considered 'Enlightened' Principles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-things-considered-enlightened-principles/927670)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-things-considered-enlightened-principles/927670 "2020-12-10T22:09:38Z")
Actually I was just thinking about Star Trek recently. Not the newer ones. Or even the Next Generation. But the original series. Yeah, a lot has changed since then. And many of the dialogue and content seems very dated.… --- ## [Pet Peeve #73. That "I'll take it" person in the office...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-73-that-ill-take-it-person-in-the-office/846110)
**Author:** [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-peeve-73-that-ill-take-it-person-in-the-office/846110 "2020-12-10T21:11:24Z")
My co-worker emptied out the gift basket today and asked if anyone wanted it before it was thrown out. No competition as someone took it. All good. But there’s always that one person who’ll take anything, usually callin… --- ## [Can elevated CO2 levels in blood cause blindness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-elevated-co2-levels-in-blood-cause-blindness/927729)
**Author:** [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-elevated-co2-levels-in-blood-cause-blindness/927729 "2020-12-10T21:00:45Z")
Trying to format my question without any personal elements. Are there cases where low O2 levels in blood causes bad bacteria grow rapidly - perhaps like cyano bacteria in waters with excess CO2? Any illnesses that cause… --- ## [Help Needed Cooking Black Beans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cooking-black-beans/925787)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cooking-black-beans/925787 "2020-12-10T20:16:31Z")
I’m looking for more ways to eat black beans. There is, however, a problem - I have food allergies. Unfortunately, MOST recipes I’m finding are heavy on the Mexican treatment which I absolutely can not do because I am … --- ## [Final frontiers of fields/endeavors run non-scientifically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-frontiers-of-fields-endeavors-run-non-scientifically/927596)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-frontiers-of-fields-endeavors-run-non-scientifically/927596 "2020-12-10T19:47:41Z")
So I was reading this thread about how the same item priced at 4.95 will outsell the one priced 5.00, and had the thought that there’s a LOT more business-related research out there than a lot of people think, and that I… --- ## [Question about RF Remote 433/1527m](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-rf-remote-433-1527m/927606)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-rf-remote-433-1527m/927606 "2020-12-10T19:34:41Z")
I’ve been experimenting a little with home automation. I have one device that turns on with an RF remote, which just has a single button. On the back of the remote is printed 433/1527m. I think the 433 means MHz, but I’m… --- ## [How do you think Covid would have played out pre-internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-think-covid-would-have-played-out-pre-internet/927716)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-think-covid-would-have-played-out-pre-internet/927716 "2020-12-10T18:53:58Z")
Maybe not even pre internet, just pre widespread broadband and the software to facilitate working at home.(I know there are still lots of people unable to work at home) But if this had happened in say 1995. I’ve been a… --- ## [What economic indicators are most relevant for the pandemic era?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-economic-indicators-are-most-relevant-for-the-pandemic-era/926407)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-economic-indicators-are-most-relevant-for-the-pandemic-era/926407 "2020-12-10T18:09:22Z")
The pandemic era presents a unique set of circumstances. To judge how far we are from a full recovery, the traditional economic indicators are of limited use. The stock market is, of course, useless. Unemployment or hou… --- ## [The Undoing -HBO](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-undoing-hbo/924585)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-undoing-hbo/924585 "2020-12-10T18:03:17Z")
Anyone watching? Started out OK but by the end of the second episode I think I may have had enough.Nicole Kidman still looks good, though. --- ## [My new weight loss strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-weight-loss-strategy/927647)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-weight-loss-strategy/927647 "2020-12-10T17:38:23Z")
Just yesterday I had a mild brainstorm. I guess it’s not really a strategy, maybe merely a tip. But it’s something that I think I will do well with. Background: Back in November, 2019, just before Thanksgiving, I sudden… --- ## [Laid off at 61. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laid-off-at-61-now-what/926335)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laid-off-at-61-now-what/926335 "2020-12-10T17:33:35Z")
Got laid off from my job about 7 weeks ago. Spent the last almost 16 years qa testing webpages and now at 61 years old have to start over. I was hoping to spend the next 5 years or so just doing my job and not having … --- ## [Did ductwork branches change form 5" to 6" at some point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ductwork-branches-change-form-5-to-6-at-some-point/927409)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ductwork-branches-change-form-5-to-6-at-some-point/927409 "2020-12-10T17:28:27Z")
Looking at my house most of the duct branches are 5" round. I planned to put in some more branches off the trunk and found most of the fittings at Home Depot are for 6" round. This won’t cause any issues since I’m starti… --- ## [Italian-American street slang in "A Bronx Tale"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-american-street-slang-in-a-bronx-tale/522028)
**Author:** [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-american-street-slang-in-a-bronx-tale/522028 "2020-12-10T16:58:26Z")
In “A Bronx Tale” (one of my all-time favorite movies), one of Sonny’s hoods refers to Cologero’s girlfriend as a fa-moon-YA-cha (if memory serves…haven’t seen it in a while). What’s the real spelling, and what does it m… --- ## [Is Dorothy Gale (Oz) the first female adventure hero?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dorothy-gale-oz-the-first-female-adventure-hero/670108)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dorothy-gale-oz-the-first-female-adventure-hero/670108 "2020-12-10T16:40:12Z")
I heard a point made secondhand by someone who’d seen it in a documentary or read it an article that Dorothy from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was the first female character to lead a group and be the center of an adventur… --- ## [Does "human hunting" actually exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-human-hunting-actually-exist/641163)
**Author:** [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-human-hunting-actually-exist/641163 "2020-12-10T16:36:18Z")
I’ve heard the odd rumor that real life cases of The Most Dangerous Game occur from time to time. According to an acquaintance of mine in law enforcement, police in Idaho and Alaska have found evidence of small groups of… --- ## [Choice of personal pronouns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-personal-pronouns/927771)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-personal-pronouns/927771 "2020-12-10T16:27:37Z")
Elliot Page posted a statement on Twitter introducing himself as transgender. He told us his name and pronouns (he/they). What exactly does that choice me? They are both nominative pronouns, one singular and one plural… --- ## [Where do police snipers aim for an instant kill shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-police-snipers-aim-for-an-instant-kill-shot/639764)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-police-snipers-aim-for-an-instant-kill-shot/639764 "2020-12-10T16:08:42Z")
I’ve heard conflicting anecdotal stories on where police snipers will aim in the event that a criminal is about to start offing his hostages, thus necessitating and instant and guaranteed kill shot. Most military sniper… --- ## [Am I somehow in the wrong for doing this at Subway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-somehow-in-the-wrong-for-doing-this-at-subway/813089)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 347\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-somehow-in-the-wrong-for-doing-this-at-subway/813089 "2020-12-10T14:16:06Z")
There’s something I do in Subway I have never ever had a proper response to. Every time I ask it the people working immediately start stammering or look at me in complete confusion, and I’ve been to dozens of different S… --- ## [Hillbilly Elegy directed by Ron Howard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillbilly-elegy-directed-by-ron-howard/925369)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillbilly-elegy-directed-by-ron-howard/925369 "2020-12-10T14:07:45Z")
Really bad according to most reviewers Sounds like it would make a good MST3K episode. https://www.thewrap.com/hillbilly-elegy-reviews-ron-howard-director/ --- ## [Dag Wiren Serenade for Strings March vs. Lord of the Flies Kyrie Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dag-wiren-serenade-for-strings-march-vs-lord-of-the-flies-kyrie-eleison/927720)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dag-wiren-serenade-for-strings-march-vs-lord-of-the-flies-kyrie-eleison/927720 "2020-12-10T03:26:42Z")
Dag Wiren’s March from Serenade for Strings (theme starts at 0:34) is one of those pieces that haunt me when I hear it, that I have heard it a long time ago and associated it with something. Then it hit me: in the 1963 m… --- ## [Planning to Buy a Car on Carvana.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planning-to-buy-a-car-on-carvana-com/925630)
**Author:** [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planning-to-buy-a-car-on-carvana-com/925630 "2020-12-10T10:51:12Z")
I am planning to buy a car on Carvana.com. It will be a Nissan Altima, Platinum trim. There are many choices on Carvana, including a few intriguing ones I want your opinion about. So basically, the used Platinum trim Alt… --- ## [Special Counsel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel/927687)
**Author:** [@chasole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chasole)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel/927687 "2020-12-10T08:14:03Z")
This just in, House Repubs are pushing for the establishment of a special counsel to investigate the 2020 election results. This after all States have certified their results. My question: Is the Republican Party becomi… --- ## [The idiocy - OHSAA coronavirus rules: Students can wrestle, but can't shake hands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-idiocy-ohsaa-coronavirus-rules-students-can-wrestle-but-cant-shake-hands/927255)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-idiocy-ohsaa-coronavirus-rules-students-can-wrestle-but-cant-shake-hands/927255 "2020-12-10T04:33:54Z")
Not sure if this should go here or in MSIMS: Regardless of which side you are on some things are just idiotic and this one has to be near the top of the stupid pile. I understand that businesses and organizations are s… --- ## [2000 Pontiac Bonneville Power Window Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2000-pontiac-bonneville-power-window-problem/516896)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2000-pontiac-bonneville-power-window-problem/516896 "2020-12-10T03:42:46Z")
Maybe one of you car guys can help me isolate this problem. 4 door power windows. Driver’s window, lock, and mirror adjust work properly. Passenger side and both rear windows and power locks don’t work, either from th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1619) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1621)